Which Travel Rewards Credit Cards to Look at Right Now (September 2020)

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 longterm 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 (September 2020)

Chase Freedom Flex

Current Welcome Bonus: $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months after opening your account, plus earn 5% on grocery spending up to $12k in the first year as a cardholder

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 with a powerhouse debut offer! The Freedom Flex replaces the original Freedom card with new bonus categories and sporting the Mastercard logo instead of the Visa logo.

The welcome offer includes earning 5% on grocery spend (excluding Walmart & Target), which when maxed out earns no fewer than 60k Ultimate Rewards points! The Freedom Flex keeps the 5% on rotating bonus categories allowing for a near double stack during a quarterly grocery bonus category.

Freedom Flex 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. I love the drug store bonus category because its 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, plus earn 5% on grocery spending up to $12k in the first year as a cardholder

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 is the best ever offer for the Freedom Unlimited, particularly because of the 5% on grocery spend (excluding Walmart & Target). The 1.5% earn rate for everyday purchases also makes this 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.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Current Welcome Bonus: 80,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening

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 is the highest welcome bonus ever offered on the Sapphire Preferred and it 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 a knock-out offer!

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

Current Welcome Bonus: $250 after spending $1000 in the first 3 months after opening your account

Favorite Card Features: 

• 6% on grocery spending up to $6k per year (1% thereafter)
• 6% on select streaming services
• 3% on gas and transit spending (trains, buses, rideshares, parking, etc)

Annual Fee: $95

Reasons to Consider it:

Earn cashback rewards on your everyday spending that can then be redeemed as statement credits. Use your Blue Cash Preferred to pay for bills and expenses and then redeem your Reward Dollars to erase the charges from your statement.

Cashback rewards offer a fixed value return-rate of 1 cent per point but offer simplicity. As you earn Reward Dollars in these high-value bonus categories with the Blue Cash Preferred, you can use the rewards to offset travel expenses without the hassle of understanding airline award charts. You can also redeem your cashback rewards for non-travel expenses, too.

United Explorer Card

Current Welcome Bonus: 60,000 United miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening.

Favorite Card Features:

• 2x on United purchases, restaurants, and hotels, & delivery services like GrubHub, Seamless, DoorDash, and Caviar
• 1x on all other purchases
• Get 25% off United inflight purchases for things like drinks and wifi
• No foreign exchange fees
• A free checked bag and priority boarding when you fly with United
• $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Fee Credit

Annual Fee: $0 the first year, then $95 thereafter

Reasons to Consider it:

This is a solid welcome bonus to earn United miles with a waived annual fee in the first year. United miles can be used to book award flights on United and its Star Alliance and Non-Alliance partners. The money saved on checked bags can easily offset the annual fee with just a single round trip flight per year!

United’s valuable Excursionist Perk lets you add a free segment and 2 open jaws to round trip award itineraries. This means you can add another destination to your trip for 0 extra miles! 

Even better, Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to United so it’s easy to top up your United account with miles to make a redemption.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

Current Welcome Bonus: 25,000 Hyatt points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, earn another 25k points after spending $6,000 on your card within the first 6 months of opening your card. You'll also get a free night each year at category 1-4 hotels on your account anniversary.

Favorite Card Features: 

• Earn another category 1-4 free night if you spend $15k during your cardholder year
• 9x on Hyatt purchases
• 2x on restaurants, gym memberships, commuter transit costs, and airfare booked with the airline
• 1x on all other purchases
• Hyatt Discoverist status + 5 qualifying night credits every year
• No foreign Exchange Fees

Annual Fee: $95

Reasons to Consider it:

Now with the upcoming changes to Hyatt’s award pricing delayed until 2021, there’s still time (hopefully) to take advantage of their reasonably priced award chart. Plus, a combination of points and cash can be used to redeem for free nights, as well.

The brand has made solid strides to build its geographic footprint, including its partnership with Small Luxury Hotels. Discoverist status that comes with the card includes preferred rooms and late checkout.

But the fast track the World of Hyatt card gives with the 5 qualifying nights towards higher status and the ability to earn 2 more qualifying nights for every $5k in spend means even people who don’t travel all the time can elevate their status.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

Current Welcome Bonus: 150,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening + earn a free weekend night certificate in the 1st year and every year you renew your card

Favorite Card Features:

• 14x on Hilton purchases
• 7x on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, car rentals booked directly, and at U.S. restaurants
• 3x on all other purchases
• No foreign exchange fees
• $250 Hilton Resort credit
• Automatic Diamond status

Annual Fee: $450

Reasons to Consider it:

Among the line-up of American Express Hilton cards, the Hilton Honors Aspire is the brand’s premium co-branded credit card.

The welcome offer is the highest ever offer, which is important when considering American Express credit cards. You’re only allowed a card’s welcome bonus once per lifetime so all the more reason to look for the best possible offer.

The Aspire’s Diamond Status means increased point earning on paid stays, free breakfast, upgrades, Executive Floor lounge access (when available), and the 5th night free on award stays.

The free weekend night can be redeemed at nearly any Hilton Hotel worldwide. This easily has a value of hundreds of dollars when you redeem at a premium hotel.

And, the $250 resort fee credit can be used towards room rates and incidentals like food and spa purchases. Also right now, because you’re probably traveling less, this credit can be applied towards U.S. restaurant purchases.

The points earned can be redeemed at all Hilton Hotel brands, which includes Hampton by Hilton, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Waldorf Astoria and Conrad, to name a few. Hilton has a large geographic footprint so it’s likely wherever you’re traveling, you’ll find a Hilton property.

Even though travel is limited right now, taking advantage of a top-tier offer on a top-tier card like the Hilton Honors Aspire is a great value!

IHG Premier

IHG launched its highest ever offer on the IHG Premier card. Here are the details.

Current Welcome Bonus: 125,000 IHG points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. 

Favorite Card Features: 

• Earn a free night each card anniversary at eligible hotels up to 35k points per night
• 25x on IHG purchases
• 2x on restaurants, gas, and grocery spend, 1x on all other purchases
• 4th night free on award stays
• Platinum Elite status
• No foreign Exchange Fees

Annual Fee: $89

Reasons to Consider it:

This is the absolute best welcome bonus ever offered for this IHG card! This combined with the earnings for paid IHG stays and the free anniversary night every year means this card deserves a spot in your wallet.

IHG hotels include brands like Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, & InterContinental. This IHG Premier card is subject to and will add to your 5/24 count. However, it’s totally worth one of those slots!

I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Springdale, Utah for a trip to Zion National Park. Especially in peak National Park season, IHG redemptions can help save a ton. This Holiday Inn Express is nearly $300 a night in summer!

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

Current Welcome Bonus: 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. 

Favorite Card Features: 

• 6x on Marriott purchases
• 2x on all other purchases
• Earn a free night each year at hotels up to 35k points per night for your account anniversary
• Silver Elite Status
• Trip protection for delays and lost baggage
• No foreign Exchange Fees

Annual Fee: $95

Reasons to Consider it:

Marriott Bonvoy points can be redeemed for free nights at more than 7k hotels around the world. Marriott also has 40+ airline partners, including Alaska Airlines and American Airlines which aren’t partners with any other flexible points currency program.

Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio with a 5k bonus for every 20k points transferred. So, 60k Bonvoy points transferred to an airline like American results in 25k American Airlines miles.

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. 

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months of opening your account

Favorite Card Features:

• 5x on airfare and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel
• No foreign exchange fees
• Transfer Membership Rewards points to valuable airline partners like Aeroplan, Avianca, Delta, Etihad, and Virgin Atlantic.
• Access American Express Centurion Lounges.
• Get 35% of your points back when booking economy flights with your selected airline or on premium class flight bookings with any airline when you book through American Express Travel.
• Get Dell statement credits up to $200 that can be stacked with other Dell promotions

Annual Fee: $595

Reasons to Consider it:

American Express Membership Rewards points are among the most valuable flexible points currencies out there. You can transfer your points to a variety of airline transfer partners which allows you to take advantage of the best partner award redemptions.

This card even gives a 35% points rebate for flights paid with points or partial points on your selected airline in economy and any airline in business or first class.

Statement credits for Dell, airline fees, shipping costs, and wireless services help to offset the annual fee. American Express also has a collection of premium lounges in addition to the Priority Pass lounges that the Business Platinum Card gives you access to.

With no foreign exchange fees and reimbursement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck registration, this card offers a great return value on your business spending!

Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Current Welcome Bonus: 130,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening.

Favorite Card Features:

• 12x on Hilton purchases
• 6x on U.S. gas stations, restaurants, cell phone service, shipping costs, flights booked with the airline directly and rental cars booked with the car rental company directly.
• No foreign exchange fees
• Automatic Gold Status, with an upgrade to Diamond Status after spending $40k in a calendar year.

Annual Fee: $95

Reasons to Consider it:

This is one of the best welcome offers we’ve seen for this card. Having Hilton Gold status allows you to earn even more per dollar for Hilton stays, potential upgrades, free breakfast, and the 5th night free on award stays.

If you spend $15k in a calendar year, your Hilton weekend night reward is valid for a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday stay and can be used at just about any Hilton property. Hilton has hotels all over the globe, so you’re likely to find a Hilton no matter where you travel.

Remember, American Express limits you to 1 welcome offer on individual credit cards to per lifetime, so be sure you’re taking advantage of the best possible offer. 

Blue Business Plus Credit Card

Current Welcome Bonus: 3 $100 credits for Dell, FedEx, and Docusign after making a purchase within 3 months of opening your account

Favorite Card Features:

• 2x American Express Membership Rewards points for up to $50k a year
• Add Amex Offers to the card to earn bonus points and statement credits for qualifying purchases
• Transfer Membership Rewards points to valuable airline and hotel transfer partners including Delta, Aeroplan, Virgin Atlantic, and ANA

Annual Fee: $0

Reasons to Consider it:

This no-fee powerhouse credit card is always in my wallet! Earn 2x the Amex Membership Rewards points on up to $50k in spending each year. The points earned can be transferred to Membership Rewards transfer partners for award flights and hotel nights.

The Blue Business Plus has never come with a super high welcome bonus. The highest I’ve seen is 20k Membership Rewards Points to complete a few thousand dollars in minimum spend and this is infrequent at best. 

If you’re looking to earn Membership Rewards Points and/or want an everyday spending card for your business, wait not another moment and look no further than this powerhouse of a card!

CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard

Current Welcome Bonus: 65,000 American Airlines miles after spending $4,000 in the first 4 months from your account opening.

Favorite Card Features:

• 2x on American Airlines purchases, cell phone, internet, cable, and satellite services, as well as on gas and rental car costs.
• No foreign exchange fees
• 1 free checked bag on all domestic flights

Annual Fee: $0 in the first year, $99 in the second year

Reasons to Consider it:

American Airlines isn’t joined with any flexible points currency programs except Marriott Bonvoy. This makes American Airlines miles harder to earn outside of their co-branded credit cards.

American Airlines is part of the Oneworld Alliance with valuable partners like Cathay Pacific, Qatar, and Japan Airlines. The airline has improved its website partner searches by adding more Oneworld partners that can be searched and booked right from the American website.

In addition, American Airlines has begun offering Web Specials for deep discounts on award flights to destinations around the globe. These flash deals make it very beneficial to have American Airlines miles at the ready for an opportunistic booking.

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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