Which Travel Rewards Credit Cards to Look at Right Now (April 2021)

After getting requests in the Facebook Group, I’ve begun putting together a monthly list of what I think are the best credit card offers available right now. 

If you’re brand new to miles and points, make sure you understand Chase’s 5/24 rule and the first cards to get because of it. 

You can learn more about the fundamentals in my free miles and points basics course, as well. 

As always when applying for credit cards, think of your travel goals. Look not only at the card’s welcome bonus but also the bonus categories. Do they match up with your spending habits?

And, are there other credit card perks that come with the card, like lounge membership or hotel status that make sense for what you’re looking for in a travel rewards credit card?

Finally, know how you’re going to meet the minimum spend to earn the welcome offer. Travel rewards credit cards can add a ton of long-term value to your wallet but, initially, there’s no denying how lucrative a welcome bonus can be, particularly when the offer is increased or notable in some way.

Which Travel Rewards Credit Cards to
Look At Right Now (April 2021)

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Current Welcome Bonus: 80,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening; plus get up to a $50 statement credit on supermarket purchases.

Favorite Card Features: 

• 2x on travel and dining
• No foreign exchange fees
• Transfer Ultimate Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like United, Flying Blue, and Hyatt
• 1.25 cents per point value if you redeem points for travel in the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal

Annual Fee: $95

Reasons to Consider it:

This (or the Sapphire Reserve) should be one of the first cards anyone new to miles and points considers adding to their wallet. It’s subject to the 5/24 rule and will add to your overall card count.

But, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are a flexible currency that can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to airline and hotel transfer partners for high-value redemptions. In addition, when you pay for a car rental with the Sapphire Preferred, you get primary collision damage waiver coverage.

Sapphire Preferred is arguably one of the best travel rewards credit cards out there and a perfect starter travel rewards card with an absolute knock-out offer!

American Express Gold Card

Current Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months from your account opening

Favorite Card Features: 

• 4x on restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets
• 3x on flights booked with an airline directly or through Amex Travel
• $120 statement credits ($10 per month) for select food delivery services and merchants like Boxed
• $120 statement credits ($10 per month) in Uber Cash for rides or Uber Eats
• No foreign exchange fees
• Transfer Membership Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like Delta, Eithad, and Aeroplan.

Annual Fee: $250

Reasons to Consider it:

This is one of the best ever offers on the American Express Gold card, especially given the generous 6-month time-frame to satisfy the minimum spend requirement. It will add to your 5/24 count.

The card earns flexible Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to a variety of Amex airline and hotel transfer partners. These partners include airlines like Aeroplan, ANA, Delta, British Airways, Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic, and more.

American Express also offers periodic bonus transfers upwards of 40% for specific airline partners, further increasing the value of points earned with this card. Additionally, American Express cards come with Amex Offers, which allow you to add promotions and deals to your card for extra statement credits and/or bonus points.

The American Express Gold card is arguably one of the best travel rewards cards available given the fantastic bonus categories, the high-value of Amex Membership Rewards points, and the strong line-up of available airline transfer partners.

The Platinum Card by American Express

Current Welcome Bonus: 75,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months from your account opening. Plus, earn 10x for U.S. gas and grocery purchases up to $15k during your first 6 months as a cardholder.

Favorite Card Features: 

• Get Uber VIP Status + $200 each year in Uber rides & eats with monthly statement credits
• 5x on flights booked with an airline directly or through Amex Travel
• 5x on prepaid hotels with Amex Travel
• Statement credits for things like airline incidentals, Uber, and Saks Fifth Avenue
• Lounge privileges with Priority Pass, Centurion, and others around the globe
• No foreign exchange fees
• Transfer Membership Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like Delta, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, and Choice.

Annual Fee: $550

Reasons to Consider it:

The Platinum card earns Membership Rewards points and has access to the same transfer partners as mentioned above with the Gold card. The ability to earn 10x the points on U.S. gas and grocery purchases up to $15k in the first 6 months is an outstanding value. To put that in context, even if you only reached half of that $15k in spending, you’d earn 75k Amex points…in addition to the welcome bonus!

With the Platinum Card, you get access to the Global Lounge Collection which includes American Express Centurion Lounges. Card benefits like the $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit and $200 in Uber/Uber Eats credits help to offset the card’s annual fee.

Plus, American Express has remained highly competitive with their temporary credits to account for card use changes during the pandemic. For the first 6 months of 2021, Platinum cardholders will get $30 PayPal credits each month for up to $180 in value.

I love using American Express Membership Rewards points to redeem for award flights. I’ve used them to fly to Europe and Asia and especially love when I can combine a redemption with an airline partner transfer bonus. With this stellar Platinum Card offer, you can do the same!

Chase Freedom Flex

Current Welcome Bonus: $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months after opening your account.

Favorite Card Features: 

• 5% on rotating bonus categories up to $1,500 each quarter
• 5% on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal
• 3% on drug store purchases and dining (including delivery and takeout)
• 1% on all other purchases
• Paired with a Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Preferred, cashback rewards points can be combined to become transferrable Ultimate Rewards points

Annual Fee: $0

Reasons to Consider it:

The Freedom Flex is a brand new card that replaces the original Freedom card with new bonus categories and sporting the Mastercard logo instead of the Visa logo.

The Freedom Flex keeps the 5% on rotating bonus categories like the old Freedom card. But the Freedom Flex comes with shiny new bonus categories, too!

You’ll earn 3% on dining and drug stores, as well as 5% on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. I love the drug store bonus category because it’s pretty unique among travel rewards cards.

The Ultimate Rewards earned with the Freedom Flex can be redeemed as cashback or at a fixed 1 cent per point value in the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. On their own, these Ultimate Rewards points don’t have access to Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners. 

But, if you have a Sapphire Preferred or Reserve or the Ink Preferred, you can combine your Freedom Flex rewards points with your Ultimate Rewards balance for a better redemption value (>1 cpp) and the ability to transfer to partners.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Current Welcome Bonus: $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months after opening your account.

Favorite Card Features: 

• 5% on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal
• 3% on drug store purchases and dining (including takeout and delivery)
• 1.5% on all other purchases, with no spending cap or time limit
• Paired with a Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Preferred, cashback rewards points can be combined to become transferrable Ultimate Rewards points

Annual Fee: $0

Reasons to Consider it:

This 1.5% earn rate for everyday purchases makes Freedom Unlimited a great card to have in your wallet for non-bonus spending.

Freedom Unlimited has new bonus categories, too! You’ll earn 3% on dining and drug stores, as well as 5% on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

The Ultimate Rewards earned with the Freedom Unlimited can be redeemed as cashback or at a fixed 1 cent per point value in the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

Just as with Freedom Flex Ultimate Rewards, they don’t have access to Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners. 

But, if you have a Sapphire Preferred or Reserve or the Ink Preferred, you can combine your Freedom Unlimited rewards points with your Ultimate Rewards balance for a higher redemption value (>1 cpp) in the travel portal and get access to the Ultimate Rewards transfer partners.

Delta Platinum Credit Card

Current Welcome Bonus: Limited Time Offer! Earn 90,000 Delta SkyMiles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening.

Favorite Card Features:

• 3x on Delta purchases and hotels
• 2x on restaurants U.S. grocery stores; 1x on all other purchases
• A free checked bag and priority boarding when you fly with Delta
• $85-$100 statement credit for TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry
• No foreign exchange fees
• Domestic main cabin Companion Certificate when you renew your card
• Earn Medallion Status faster with Staus Boost

Annual Fee: $250

Reasons to Consider It:

This is a terrific welcome offer from Delta. Combining the value of the first bag free benefit, the card’s bonus categories, and Global Entry fee credit, the card’s value is easily recognized. And each year you renew the card, you get a round-trip domestic companion ticket in economy class (paying just the taxes and fees on the ticket).

Delta award flight pricing fluctuates based on factors like the cash price, demand, and seasonality, which means it’s possible to find great deals, as well as frustratingly high award pricing. Delta tends to offer flash sales for destinations around the globe and cheap award pricing on many domestic routes, though, which account for some of the best ways to use your Delta miles.

If you’re a Delta flyer who has a list of travel you’d like to book with miles and points, the Delta Platinum Credit Card shouldn’t be overlooked.

Business Credit Cards

Applying for a business credit card is another great way for business owners to earn miles and points. The great thing about business credit cards, aside from the additional earnings, is they don’t add to your 5/24 count. So if you’re 4/24 and you get approved for a business credit card with Chase or another bank, you’ll still be 4/24 even after getting the card.

Most people wonder, though, if they can even apply for a business credit card. The biggest thing to understand is a business can be a side hustle. It doesn’t need to be your primary source of income. This might include teachers who tutor, anyone who consults or sells a service, selling on eBay, and even someone who bakes and sells trays of cookies from home.

However, the economic climate of 2020 has made business cards harder to be approved for as banks have tightened credit lending.

You can apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor, using your name as the business name. A social security number is fine to use if you don’t have an EIN.

Business cards are even for new businesses whose earnings just starting, although newer businesses right now may need to answer additional questions or wait until they can show enough revenue.

Use this guide to answer all your questions about how to apply for a business credit card.

Just remember to be honest about your business. If it’s your first time applying for a business credit card, a bank may naturally have some additional questions for you about your application. 

American Express Business Gold Card

Current Welcome Bonus: 70,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening. Also, get up to $300 in statement credits on eligible U.S. shipping and advertising purchases.

Favorite Card Features:

• 4x on 2 bonus categories that make sense for your business on up to $150k in spending each calendar year. Choices include advertising, U.S. gas, restaurants, or shipping, flights booked directly with the airline, and technology costs involving cloud services and software. 
• No foreign exchange fees
• Transfer Membership Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like Aeroplan, Delta, ANA, and Etihad. 
• Get a 25% point rebate when you book a flight with American Express Travel on your selected airline or on any premium class flight.

Annual Fee: $295

Reasons to Consider It:

This card gives you the opportunity to earn valuable Membership Rewards Points that can be transferred to fantastic airline partners to book award flights for destinations around the globe. Personally, American Express Membership Rewards Points are among my most favorite points to earn and redeem.

The flexible bonus categories allow you to earn the most from your company’s biggest areas of spending like gas, restaurants, shipping, or advertising. The current offer has the potential to offset the card’s annual fee with up to $300 in statement credits.

And, the ability to get 25% of your points back when using the pay with points option for business class seats or for flights in any class with your selected airline is a definite plus when you’re looking to keep award flight redemptions hassle-free.

With this American Express Business Gold Card welcome offer, this card is worth serious consideration for any business looking to get a return on their spending by earning Membership Rewards Points.

ProTip: Pair it with my all-time favorite American Express business card, the Blue Business Plus Credit Card. Together, you’d have 2 selected bonus categories earning 4x and everything else earning 2x with the Blue Business Plus.

Chase Ink Business Preferred

Current Welcome Bonus: 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening.

Favorite Card Features:

• 3x on travel, shipping costs, internet, phone & cable services, and advertising with social media sites and search engines on the first $150k in combined category spending
• No foreign exchange fees
• Transfer Ultimate Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like United, Flying Blue, and Hyatt
  1.25 cents per point value if you redeem points for travel in the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal

Annual Fee: $95

Reasons to Consider it:

This top-notch welcome bonus on the Ink Preferred can return at least $1,250 in value for your travel redemptions.

It has the same 1:1 transfer to airline and hotel transfer partners like the Sapphire Preferred. These transfer partners can help you redeem for award travel all over the globe whether you’re dreaming of Rome or an African Safari.

In addition, the Ink Preferred comes with solid cell phone protection. Get up to $600 per claim for cell phone theft or damage when you use your card to pay for your phone bill.

The Ink Preferred, like all Chase business credit cards, is subject to 5/24, but it won’t add to your overall count. If you’re a business owner who’s new to miles and points, the Ink Preferred should be one of the first credit cards you consider.

Chase Ink Business Cash

Current Welcome Bonus: $500 after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening.

Favorite Card Features:

• 5% on office supply stores and internet, phone & cable services on the first $25k in combined category spending
• 2% on gas stations and dining on up to a combined $25k in spending
• Paired with an Ink Preferred or Sapphire, the $500 welcome bonus becomes 50k Ultimate Rewards points that have access to valuable airline and hotel transfer partners like United, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Hyatt.

Annual Fee: $0

Reasons to Consider it:

This no-fee business card is offering its highest welcome bonus ever. Ink Cash Ultimate Rewards points can be combined with Ultimate Rewards earned with cards like the Ink Business Preferred or a Sapphire card. Pairing an Ink Cash with one of these cards also gives you access to Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners.

The 5%/5x back on internet, cable, and phone, and office supply expenses up to $25k each year offers the opportunity to earn 125k Ultimate Rewards annually, which puts the Ink Cash at the top of the list of small business cards to add to your wallet.

Chase Ink Buisness Unlimited

Current Welcome Bonus: $500 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening

Favorite Card Features:

• 1.5x on all purchases with no spending cap.
• Paired with an Ink Preferred or Sapphire, the $500 welcome bonus becomes 50k Ultimate Rewards points that have access to valuable airline and hotel transfer partners like United, Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic, and Hyatt.

Annual Fee: $0

Reasons to Consider it:

Another no-fee business card that is offering its highest welcome bonus ever. The Ink Unlimited is a great card for everyday purchases earning 1.5%/1.5x for every dollar spent with no annual limit.

Like with the Ink Cash, Ultimate Rewards points can be combined with Ultimate Rewards earned with cards like the Ink Business Preferred or a Sapphire card. An Ink Unlimited with one of these cards also gives you access to Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners.

The Ink Unlimited is a great addition for small business owners looking to target all categories of their spending in order to earn Ultimate Rewards points.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business

Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 80,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards Points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months of your account opening.

Favorite Card Features:

• 3x on Southwest purchases
• 2x on internet, cable, and cell phone costs, as well as advertising purchases for social media and search engines
• Perks include a Global Entry fee credit and 4 upgraded boarding positions
• Get 9k Rapid Rewards points each year you renew your card

Annual Fee: $199

Reasons to Consider it:

This is Southwest’s premium business card. It comes with Global Entry/TSA Pre-Check credits which can be super useful when flying from any of Southwest’s international locations.

Speaking of which, Southwest has routes to Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean, which can be some of the best uses of Southwest points. Southwest award flights also come with a no-fee change or cancellation policy. If your plans change, simply change dates or have your points refunded.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card is subject to 5/24 but won’t add to your overall count. A great option for mainly domestic travelers!

You can book Southwest award flights for as little as a few thousand points and there are no blackout dates or award seat caps. If there’s an available seat on the flight you want, the points you earn with your Southwest Performance Business Card can help you book it.

Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card

Current Welcome Bonus: Limited Time Offer! Earn 90,000 Delta SkyMiles and a $100 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening.

Favorite Card Features:

• 3x on Delta purchases and hotels
• 1.5x on single purchases over $5k up to $50k a year
• 1x on all other purchases
• A free checked bag and priority boarding when you fly with Delta
• $85-$100 statement credit for TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry
• Domestic main cabin Companion Certificate when you renew your card
• 20% statement credit on most in-flight purchases
• No foreign exchange fees

Annual Fee: $250

Reasons to Consider it:

This is a stellar welcome offer from Delta combining airline miles and a statement credit. When you put this together with the first bag free benefit, the card’s bonus categories, and priority boarding, it’s clear to see the fantastic value this card offers.

Delta award flight pricing is dynamic, which means it’s possible to see award flight deals, as well as insane award flight pricing. The good news, though, is Delta tends to offer flash sales for destinations around the globe and cheap award pricing on many domestic routes.

If you’re a Delta flyer who has a list of travel you’d like to book with miles and points, the Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card shouldn’t be overlooked.

United Business Card

Current Welcome Bonus: 75,000 United miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening.

Favorite Card Features:

• 2x on United purchases, restaurants, gas stations, office supply stores, local transit & commuting (including things like tolls, taxis, and rideshare costs)
• 5k United miles each year on your account anniversary if you have a United business and personal credit card
• $100 United travel credit after making 7 United flight purchases > $100
• Get 25% off United inflight purchases for things like drinks and wifi
• No foreign exchange fees
• A free checked bag when you fly with United
• 2 United Club passes each year

Annual Fee: $0 in the 1st year, $99 thereafter

Reasons to Consider It:

United miles are easy to use and also easy to top off because United is a transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards. The welcome offer, combined with the ongoing ability to earn 2x in categories like gas, restaurants, office supply stores, and transit costs means United miles will also be easy to earn!

United has moved to a dynamic pricing model for their award flights. Even still, the best ways to redeem United miles include making use of their Excursionist Perk to add a free one-way segment to award flights. I’ve used United miles to fly to Patagonia, Thailand, & southern Africa!

Like other Chase business cards, this card is subject to the 5/24 rule but because it’s a business card, it won’t add to your overall count. The annual fee is waived in the first year of having the card so you’ll be able to take advantage of its immediate return value.

After meeting the full minimum spend, even at just the 1x earning rate, you’ll have enough United miles to book a round trip economy award or a one-way in a premium class to Europe or Asia, making the United Business Card certainly something to consider!

Bottom Line

Which travel rewards credit card is right for you depends on your travel plans and whether you’re just starting out with miles and points or not. Applying for new credit cards helps you earn valuable miles, points, and perks that’ll up your travel game.

Just remember, to pace yourself according to which credit card offers make sense for your travel goals. And, always pay off that bill in full at the end of the month to avoid high-interest fees that’ll negate the value of the miles and points you’re earning.

So, which travel rewards credit card offers do you think are the best right now?

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