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Business Insider
13-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Best Credit Cards in America: Top Credit Card Offers for June 2025
I think about credit cards all the time. As a personal finance journalist, I've covered credit card rewards for a decade and have more than three dozen active cards. It's impossible to name a single credit card that would be perfect for everyone's needs. But knowing what you want from your credit card can help you find your best option. My family and friends frequently ask me, "What's the best credit card?" and "What credit card should I get?" I offer personalized recommendations based on their individual needs and wants, factoring in benefits, rewards, and financial protection they won't get from paying cash or using a debit card. I compiled this list of winners based on that research. I compared welcome offers, ongoing rewards for common expenses, benefits and protections like trip insurance and purchase protection, and reasonable annual fees (or lack thereof) across dozens of credit cards available today. These are the best credit cards you can get right now — you'll find most of them in my own wallet. Best For Card Annual Fee Best for cash rewards Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card $0 (rates and fees) Best for travelers Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card $95 (rates and fees) Best for families Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express $0 intro for the first year, then $95 (rates and fees) Best for 0% APR Chase Freedom Unlimited® $0 (rates and fees) Best for young adults Bilt Mastercard® $0 (rates and fees) Best for reward maximizers Discover it® Cash Back $0 What Is the Best Credit Card to Get? I always say there isn't a magical "best credit card" that works for every person. Many people prefer no-annual-fee credit cards because they're easy to keep long-term. Other people don't mind paying a hefty annual sum for premium credit cards with airport lounge access because the benefits of luxury and comfort are worth the cost. Some value travel rewards credit cards, while others prefer to focus on cash-back credit cards. Wherever you fall on each of these spectrums, I encourage you to hone in on what you really need for your personal situation. If you have kids, you may want to forgo airport lounges in favor of free checked bags. If you travel solo, you may want to prioritize credit cards that offer luxury benefits such as hotel elite status and shopping credits. Credit Cards for Families For parents with young children, I recommend credit cards that reward groceries, streaming services, and commuting expenses with flexible points that can be redeemed in many different ways. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express checks all of these boxes. I also suggest choosing a credit card that offers travel insurance coverage, since little kids often get sick during or right before a big trip. If you have to cancel or reschedule that expensive Disney vacation, it's always nice to recoup some of your nonrefundable expenses. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is my top choice recommendation for this benefit because it's so well-rounded on all of these fronts. Credit Cards for Young Adults Young adults in college or early in their careers often find themselves spending a lot of money on rent while dining out with friends or colleagues every night. At the same time, they often value the simplicity of loading a single credit card into Apple Pay and using it for every transaction. The Bilt Mastercard® is perfect for this life stage, with gamified rewards and bonus points on common lifestyle expenses. If you're a first-time credit card applicant or a student with minimal income, you may want to consider one of the best starter credit cards or the best student credit cards. When to Pay For Annual Fees If you're a foodie, you'll want to choose one of the best credit cards for dining, restaurants, and food in general. But if you're more of a homebody, you may want to focus on the best credit cards for buying groceries and the best credit cards for gas purchases. What to Get If Your Credit is Subpar If your credit score is lower than you'd like, you may qualify for some of the best credit cards for bad credit or seek a secured credit card, which can help you heal your credit and even earn rewards while you work toward a stronger financial future. Airline Lounge Access for Infrequent Travelers It isn't worth paying for airport lounge access via a credit card if you're an infrequent traveler. Instead, pay for a mid-tier travel credit card with a sub-$100 annual fee, and buy lounge day passes as needed. If you find yourself buying more than two lounge passes each year, it might be time to consider an upgrade. How I Chose the Best Credit Cards Choosing the best credit cards is a momentous task and a responsibility I take very seriously. I regularly evaluate dozens of credit cards available to consumers and business owners, and update this guide on a monthly basis. In addition to considering my own perspective and consulting with industry colleagues, I also read popular forums such as Reddit and FlyerTalk to see what everyday consumers are saying about different cards. I evaluated each of the cards in this guide — and screened out many others — against the following criteria: Simplicity: All of the cards on this list are easy for consumers to use and understand. While I regularly update several credit card guides for maximizing rewards and benefits, my list of top recommendations is meant to help people like my parents find an easy card to use for everyday purchases. Affordability: Most of the credit cards in this guide don't cost you any money to keep. While there's a case to be made for paying a high annual fee when you're getting high value in return, most people dislike the idea of paying money to spend money. Value: A good credit card should offer enough value to offset any annual fee several times over. When evaluating no-annual-fee cards, I focused on the ones that provide the best benefits or most generous rewards. Read Business Insider's guide to points and miles valuations to learn what your credit card rewards are worth, and learn more about how we rate credit cards. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is ideal for people who prioritize flat-rate cash rewards. Its ease of use makes it our pick for the best credit card for earning cash rewards. This card is all about simple math and cash, earning unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases across all categories. Wells Fargo Rewards can easily be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, travel, and more. New cardholders can easily earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening. There's also a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months from account opening, followed by a 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable APR. Finally, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card comes with a wide range of valuable benefits including cell phone protection for up to $600 per claim. This card does charge foreign transaction fees, so leave it at home on international trips. What I don't love: Foreign transaction fees Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card The Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for foodies. That's because this card earns serious rewards on food and fun: 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Capital One miles are very easy to use once you've earned them, and have an average value of 1.7 cents apiece by Business Insider's calculations of what points and miles are worth. New cardholders can earn $200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening, and 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee for the first 15 months, then 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time), followed by 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR. What I love: Great earning rates, no annual fee, and 0% intro APR What I don't love: Typically requires excellent credit score for approval Pro tip: If you're a student, you may want to consider the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card. It has more lenient credit requirements but earns the same generous rewards. Citi Double Cash Card The Citi® Double Cash Card offers solid benefits and rewards while helping you pay off debt via a long balance transfer period, making it our top credit card for paying down debt. New cardholders can benefit from a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR. Cardholders who want to make a balance transfer must pay the following balance transfer fee: 3% intro fee of each transfer ($5 minimum) completed within the first four months of account opening, then 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum). But this expense is significantly lower than the credit card interest you'd pay elsewhere. The Citi® Double Cash Card earns unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase (1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases) and 5% cash back on hotel and car rentals booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25. This rate is generous for a card with no annual fee that offers such a long period with no interest, and makes the Citi® Double Cash Card worth keeping in your wallet long after your zero-interest offer expires. New cardholders can also earn $200 cash back, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is best for travelers for several reasons. One of those factors is complimentary travel insurance with generous coverage terms, especially for its low annual fee of $95. Travel insurance benefits help you recoup non-refundable expenses when things go awry, and this coverage is particularly beneficial for families who may need to cancel or postpone travel at the last minute for illness or bad weather. Cardholders also get primary car rental insurance, trip delay insurance, and baggage delay insurance. Finally, cardholders earn 5 points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2 points on all other travel purchases, and 1 point on all other purchases. They also get a 10% anniversary points bonus, and up to $50 a year in statement credits for hotels booked through Chase. What I don't love: Annual fee Pro tip: Right now, new cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This offer is worth $1,080, according to Business Insider's valuations. Blue Cash Preferred ® Card The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a fantastic household credit card for families who spend money on groceries, commutes, and streaming services. This card earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% cash back on other purchases (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at checkout). Terms apply. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has an annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95 (rates and fees). If you max out the cash back bonus at U.S. supermarkets spending $6,000 each year, that's $360 of cash in your pocket — significantly more than the annual fee you'll start paying in Year 2. What I love: Generous rewards for gas, transit, groceries, and streaming expenses What I don't love: Annual fee after the first year (rates and fees) Pro tip: If you like everything about this card except its yearly cost, consider its sibling, the no-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. This card earns 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per category per year, then 1%) and 1% cash back on other purchases (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at checkout). The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is our pick for the best credit card for an intro APRO because it offers a generous 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then 18.99% - 28.49% Variable APR. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® also earns great rewards, especially for a no-annual-fee credit card: 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases. New cardholders can earn a generous welcome bonus on this card: $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This card charges foreign transaction fees, so make sure you leave this card in your wallet when you pack your passport or shop online from a non-U.S. business. What I love: Great earning rates, no annual fee, and initial zero-interest period What I don't love: Foreign transaction fees Pro tip: While this is technically a cash-back credit card, it earns those rewards in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. I can transfer points from my Chase Freedom Unlimited® to a Chase credit card that earns travel rewards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, to book business-class award flights through Chase transfer partners or through the Chase Travel℠ portal. Chase points are some of the most valuable credit card rewards you can earn, worth an average of 1.8 cents apiece by Business Insider's valuations. Bilt Mastercard® The Bilt Mastercard® is a one-size-fits-all credit card for young adults because it earns bonus points on restaurant and travel purchases. Young adults can even earn up to 100,000 Bilt Points per calendar year on rent by paying rent with this credit card without incurring any transaction fees. Bilt Points are extremely flexible and can be used to pay rent, book travel, or redeemed for merch or statement credits. Even non-renters earn great rewards with the Bilt Mastercard®. For instance, I got this card because I can earn 3 points per dollar on dining, 2 points on travel, and 1 point on other purchases. You won't earn points unless you make at least five purchases each billing cycle, but this card makes it very easy to maximize your everyday purchases. Cardholders earn double points on the first day of every month, affectionately known as " Bilt Rent Day", on up to 1,000 points. The Bilt Mastercard® also comes with generous benefits including primary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance that goes into effect after just six hours, cell phone protection of up to $800 per claim which is subject to a $25 deductible, and no foreign transaction fees (rates and fees). All of these benefits add up to make the Bilt Mastercard® a perfect travel companion for adventurous young adults who are ready to see the world but aren't prepared to pay an annual fee for a credit card. What I love: Double point days, the ability to pay rent with a credit card, and generous dining rewards with no annual fee (rates and fees) Pro tip: You don't have to be a Bilt cardholder to earn Bilt Points. Simply link any credit card to the Bilt app wallet to earn points on all eligible dining purchases. The Discover it® Cash Back makes earning extra fun, when you enroll in the quarterly 5% bonuses that change every three months with up to $1,500 in combined category spending. Cardholders can earn 5% cash back on purchases from rotating categories each quarter up to $1,500 when you activate and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases (from April 1 to June 30, 2025, earn 5% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%). I use Business Insider's Discover cash back calendar to help me remember each quarter's categories. This card doesn't earn a traditional welcome bonus, but Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of new card members' first year through the Discover it Cashback Match program. This means you'll have your rewards earnings matched at the end of Year 1 of card ownership. This card offers new cardholders a generous zero-interest offer on new purchases and existing debt: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR APR. While some cards offer longer 0% APR periods, few do so while still earning rewards as generous as the Discover it® Cash Back. Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Priority Credit Card Southwest is one of the most popular airlines for U.S. travelers, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card gives frequent flyers a serious leg up on benefits. This credit card is Southwest's premium consumer card and comes with a $149 annual fee. But cardholders get an annual credit of $75 toward Southwest flights, which effectively halves the out-of-pocket cost of the annual fee. After 50-odd years of proudly proclaiming no bag fees, Southwest Airlines began charging for checked bags in late May 2025. But cardholders and travelers with elite status will still be able to check at least one free bag per flight. Southwest will also begin charging for seat assignments in late 2025. While we don't yet know many details about this momentous change, cardholders will likely get exclusive benefits that everyday travelers do not. If nothing else, Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Cardholders will earn 3 points per dollar when paying for preferred seating. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card won't do you any good if you don't fly Southwest, of course. But if you do, this card can help you fast-track your way to elite status and the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, especially if you time your welcome offer just right. What I love: $75 annual statement credit toward Southwest travel, free checked bag Capital One Venture X The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the most affordable premium credit card with complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass airport lounges. The $395 annual fee may shock you, but the Capital One Venture X actually offers lounge access at a far lower cost than its competitors. Authorized users under your account also get complimentary memberships to all Capital One lounges — an unprecedented generosity you won't see from any other high-end credit card including the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express. Cardholders get an annual travel credit of up to $300 on travel booked through the Capital One travel portal, and a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary worth at least $100 toward travel. New customers can also earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Rewards are very easy to calculate: 10 miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 2 miles on all other purchases. They're also very easy to redeem. FAQs The Chase Freedom Unlimited®, the Bilt Mastercard® (rates and fees), and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are three of the top credit cards you can get right now. Each card earns generous rewards on everyday expenses like food and travel. The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Citi® Double Cash Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
CNN
30-05-2025
- Business
- CNN
The best American Express credit cards, picked by a frequent traveler
CNN Underscored reviews financial products based on their overall value. We may receive a commission through our affiliate partners if you apply and are approved for a product, but our reporting is always independent and objective. This may impact how links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit to learn more. All information about the American Express® Green Card, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and Centurion Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. If you're looking for the best American Express credit cards, you've come to the right place. Amex is renowned for offering premium travel rewards, high-end travel perks, benefits to enhance hotel stays and solid customer service. Whether you're a frequent traveler, a foodie or someone who simply wants to earn rewards on everyday purchases, Amex has a card for you. With options ranging from no-annual-fee cash-back cards to luxury travel rewards, American Express continues to be a top choice for consumers. I've been an Amex card member for years and have learned the ins and outs of its portfolio. Let's take a look at the best American Express credit cards available today, so you can select the best Amex card (or cards) for you. Best no-annual-fee card: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Best for cash back: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Best for dining: American Express® Gold Card Best for luxury travel benefits: The Platinum Card® from American Express Best for free checked bags: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Best for free hotel nights: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Best for hotel elite status: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card Best for leisure travelers: American Express® Green Card Best for business owners: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express Welcome offer: Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months of card membership. Annual fee: $0 Rewards highlights: 3% cash back at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. 3% cash back on US online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 3% cash back at US gas stations on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 1% cash back on other purchases. This card is ideal for everyday spending without the burden of an annual fee. With elevated rewards on groceries, gas and online shopping, it's a great starter card or secondary card for maximizing rewards in key spending categories. The one downside of the Blue Cash Everyday is that you should only use it on purchases made within the US, as you'll incur a 2.7% foreign transaction fee for overseas purchases (see rates and fees). Welcome offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new card within the first six months of card membership. Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees) Rewards highlights: 6% cash back at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%. 6% cash back on select US streaming subscriptions. 3% cash back at US gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more). 1% cash back on other purchases. The Blue Cash Preferred is one of the most rewarding cash-back cards on the market, especially for families or individuals who spend heavily on groceries and streaming services. Despite the annual fee, the card easily pays for itself if you use it strategically. As with the Blue Cash Everyday card, you'll incur a 2.7% foreign transaction fee for overseas purchases (see rates and fees). Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first six months of card membership. Annual fee: $325 (see rates and fees) Rewards highlights: 4X points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. 4X points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. 3X points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on 2X points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on 1X point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. The Amex Gold also comes with several credits. $120 Uber Cash: Receive $10 in Uber Cash each month when you use add your card to your account and use your card for rides or orders in the US. $84 Dunkin' credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits at US Dunkin' locations. Enrollment required. $100 Resy credit: Earn up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year when you use your Gold card for eligible purchases at US restaurants booked through Resy. Credits are received semiannually — up to $50 in statement credits between January and June and another $50 in statement credits between July and December. Enrollment required. $120 dining credit: Earn up to $10 in monthly statement credits — up to $120 a year — when you use your Amex Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, and Five Guys. Enrollment required. The Amex Gold is one of the cards I use most as a foodie and frequent traveler. Its elevated points on dining and groceries are incredibly useful, and the annual credits help offset the annual fee. It also has no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees). Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your card in the first six months of card membership. Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees) Rewards highlights: 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, and earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. 5X points on prepaid hotels booked on 1X point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. Some of the credits and perks on the Platinum card include the following. $200 hotel credit: Receive up to $200 in statement credits each year when you use your Platinum card to book prepaid stays through American Express Travel at Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection properties. A minimum two-night stay is required for The Hotel Collection. $240 digital entertainment credit: Get up to $20 back each month in statement credits when you use your Platinum card for eligible purchases with select providers, including Disney+, the Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, the New York Times, Peacock and the Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required. Lounge access: All card members receive access to American Express Centurion lounges, as well as Delta Sky Club (when flying eligible Delta flights, subject to visit limits), select Lufthansa lounges (when flying Lufthansa), Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and the opportunity to enroll in Priority Pass Select for even more lounge access. Terms apply. Walmart+: When you use your Platinum card to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (auto-renewal applies), you'll receive a statement credit of up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes each month. Note: Plus Ups are not eligible. Membership also includes access to the Paramount+ Essential plan; separate registration required. $200 airline fee credit: Choose one qualifying airline and receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged to your Platinum card. These may include seat selection, baggage fees and more. Terms and conditions apply. $200 Uber Cash: Add your card to your Uber account and receive $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus an extra $20 bonus in December. Uber Cash can be used on rides and food orders in the US when you choose your eligible Amex card at checkout. $199 CLEAR® Plus credit: Pay for your CLEAR Plus membership with your Platinum card and receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year. CLEAR Pass uses unique facial recognition at over 50 airports worldwide, allowing you to clear security faster. Membership auto-renews. Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Pay your Global Entry application fee with your Platinum card and receive a $120 statement credit every four years. Alternatively, get up to an $85 statement credit every four and a half years for your TSA PreCheck application fee when paid through an official TSA enrollment provider. Approved Global Entry members also enjoy TSA PreCheck benefits at no extra cost. Shop Saks with Platinum: Enjoy up to $100 in statement credits each year on purchases made at Saks Fifth Avenue stores or online at Receive up to $50 in credits semiannually — January through June, and then again July through December. Enrollment is required. The Platinum card is a premium travel powerhouse with unmatched airport lounge access, hotel elite status and travel protections. It's best for frequent travelers who can take full advantage of the annual credits and luxury perks. Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in the first six months of card membership. Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (see rates and fees) Rewards highlights: 2X miles on Delta purchases, at US supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US. 1X mile on all other eligible purchases. Other perks and benefits include the following. 15% off award travel: Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express card members get 15% off when using miles to book award travel on Delta flights through and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. $200 Delta flight credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta flight credit to use toward future travel. First checked bag free: You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four, that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight. Priority boarding: Receive Zone 5 priority boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner. $100 Delta Stays credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on Pay with miles: Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on 20% back on in-flight purchases: Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your card. For Delta flyers, this card provides excellent value, especially if you check bags. The waived baggage fees and priority boarding easily cover the cost of the card if you fly Delta a few times a year. Welcome offer: Earn up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points. Earn 100,000 points after you spend $6,000 and an extra 50,000 points after you spend an additional $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership. Annual fee: $650 (see rates and fees) Rewards highlights: 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. 3X Marriott Bonvoy points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X Marriott Bonvoy points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card. Additional perks and benefits include the following. $300 Brilliant dining credit: Receive up to $25 in statement credits each month on eligible restaurant purchases worldwide when you use your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card. Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Status: Card members receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Status, which offers many benefits, such as space-available room upgrades (including enhanced views or suites), bonus points on paid stays, welcome gift and more. These perks are available when the stay is booked with a qualifying rate at hotels that participate in Marriott Bonvoy, subject to availability upon check-in. Free night award: Receive one free night award every year after your card renewal month. The award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. Choice award: Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Brilliant Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See for award options. $100 Marriott Bonvoy property credit: Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at the Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your card. Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck: Get a statement credit every four years for your Global Entry application fee ($120) or every four and a half years for your TSA PreCheck five-year membership fee (up to $85 when paid through an official TSA PreCheck enrollment provider) when you use your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card. Approved Global Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck access at no extra cost. Airport lounge access: Enroll in Priority Pass Select, which offers an unlimited number of visits to over 1,200 airport lounges in over 130 countries. This premium hotel card delivers a lot of value for frequent Marriott guests. The annual free night, elite status and $300 in dining credits make this a strong choice if you stay at Marriott properties regularly. Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card within your first six months of card membership. Annual fee: $550 (see rates and fees) Rewards highlights: 14X points on hotels and resorts for eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio. 7X points on select travel including flights booked directly with airlines or and car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies. 7X points on dining at US restaurants, including takeout and delivery. 3X points for each dollar spent on other eligible purchases. Some of the perks and benefits include the following. Complimentary Diamond status: All card members receive complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status, which offers benefits such as: 100% bonus on base points for every stay, premium Wi-Fi at select hotels, space-available room upgrades, access to executive lounges at participating properties and much more. $400 Hilton resort credit: Receive up to $400 in statement credits (up to $200 semiannually) on eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton resorts using your Hilton Honors Aspire Card. No minimum purchase necessary. Free night reward: Receive a free night reward each year during your first year of membership and every year upon card renewal. Plus, earn an extra free night reward after spending $30,000 in a calendar year and another one after reaching $60,000 in purchases on your card within the same year. $200 flight credit: Receive up to $200 back per year (up to $50 in statement credits each quarter) on eligible flight purchases. $199 CLEAR Plus credit: Use your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card to cover the cost of CLEAR Plus Membership and get up to $199 back in statement credits per calendar year (subject to auto-renewal). This is the top-tier Hilton card, which provides Diamond status (top-tier elite benefits), generous point earnings and valuable travel credits. I've had this card for the last five years. It's ideal for loyal Hilton travelers who want premium perks without needing to stay often to qualify for them. Welcome offer: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on the card in your first six months of card membership. Annual fee: $150 (see rates and fees) Rewards highlights: 3X points on travel, including airfare, hotels, tours, campgrounds, car rentals, cruises, vacation rentals and more. 3X points on transit including trains, taxis, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses and subways. 3X points dining at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US. 1X point on other purchases (terms and limitations apply). The Green Card is a great all-around travel and dining card, especially for younger professionals or digital nomads. With elevated points in both travel and dining, it hits the sweet spot for casual and leisure travel without the high annual fee of other Amex travel cards. It also includes an annual $199 CLEAR Plus credit. Welcome offer: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the card within your first three months of card membership. Annual fee: $0 Rewards highlights: 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply. This is one of the most straightforward and valuable business cards available. It offers strong flat-rate rewards on all purchases, making it ideal for small business owners who want to earn Membership Rewards without worrying about rotating categories. When choosing an American Express card, it's important to understand the different types of rewards each card earns. Some earn Membership Rewards points, which are flexible and can be transferred to over 20 airline and hotel partners. These offer the most versatility, though maximizing their value takes some know-how. Other cards earn points or miles in a single airline or hotel loyalty program, which aren't as flexible but often come with valuable perks when you use that brand. If you're not planning to travel soon, cash-back Amex cards let you earn straight-up cash on your purchases, though you'll typically give up the chance for outsized travel redemptions. One key rule to remember: Amex has a 'once-per-lifetime' welcome bonus policy, meaning you can only earn the sign-up bonus on a specific card once. That's why it pays to apply when the offer is especially strong. With so many highly rated American Express cards, there isn't a 'best' card, as the answer depends on your personal goals. All the Amex cards on our list are strong in their own way, offering unique benefits that cater to different people. If you're looking for a card that's simple and earns cash back, then you'll want to consider either the Blue Cash Everyday or the Blue Cash Preferred. With so many similarities between the two, the best option for you depends on how much you spend each year in certain categories, especially at US supermarkets. For those looking for travel perks, you can't go wrong with the Amex Platinum. But if you don't think you'll fully utilize all the benefits that come along with this pricey card, you might want to instead consider the Amex Green. Alternatively, the Amex Gold might serve as a happy medium between the two with a balance of perks, points and a moderate annual fee. On the other hand, those who want a card that earns points or miles in a specific airline or hotel program and comes with perks tied to that airline or hotel will want to think about one of the Amex co-branded cards. If earning hotel rewards is important to you, then the Hilton Honors Aspire or Marriott Brilliant Amex is the way to go. And for the frequent or even leisure flyer, the Delta Gold Amex is a great go-to card for saving money on those pesky baggage fees. Last but not least, if you're a small business owner, you might enjoy the easy-to-use, no-annual-fee Blue Business Plus, as it can help you rack up travel rewards when spending money on your business expenses and also finance some purchases at a low cost if your business needs help to make ends meet right now. The following FAQs have been answered by CNN Underscored travel editor and credit card expert Kyle Olsen. Is Amex Gold or Amex Platinum better? Is Amex Gold or Amex Platinum better? Choosing between the Amex Gold and Amex Platinum comes down to how you spend and what you value. The Amex Gold is best for those who spend heavily on dining and US supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide. It also has a more approachable $325 annual fee. On the other hand, the Amex Platinum is built for frequent premium travelers, justifying its $695 annual fee with extra points for flight purchases and premium perks like lounge access, hotel elite status and a suite of valuable travel credits. If everyday rewards and a lower fee matter most, go with the Gold. If luxury travel benefits are your priority, the Platinum is worth it. Is American Express accepted everywhere? Is American Express accepted everywhere? In the US, American Express is now accepted at 99% of merchants that take credit cards. This is a major improvement driven by initiatives like the OptBlue program, which made Amex more accessible for small businesses. However, international acceptance still lags, and you may find fewer places abroad that take Amex. While you're unlikely to run into issues using it domestically, it's smart to carry a backup card when traveling overseas. What is the highest level American Express card? What is the highest level American Express card? The highest-level American Express card is the Centurion® Card, often called the 'Amex Black Card.' This invite-only, ultra-premium card is reserved for long-time Amex clients with exceptionally high annual spending. For most consumers, however, the Platinum Card® from American Express represents the top tier of Amex offerings. With a $695 annual fee, it delivers extensive luxury travel benefits, including access to over 1,400 airport lounges, elite hotel and rental car status and a range of valuable annual statement credits. While the Centurion Card remains an exclusive symbol of ultra wealth, the Platinum Card is widely seen as the flagship option available to the public. Our mission is to help readers make informed decisions through thorough, unbiased reporting. Our credit card recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing, expert analysis and deep knowledge of the travel and financial industries. We evaluate cards based on overall value, not just flashy welcome offers by focusing on long-term benefits like rewards rates, perks, fees and customer experience. Our editors, like Kyle Olsen, are frequent travelers and card holders themselves who offer firsthand insights you can trust. Click here for rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday here for rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred here for rates and fees of the American Express Gold here for rates and fees of the American Express Platinum here for rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold here for rates and fees of the Marriott Brilliant here for rates and fees of the Blue Business Plus card. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
