The Points Guy has refreshed its rundown of the best rewards credit cards, and the message for travellers is clear: flexibility beats loyalty. Transferable points currencies — think Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards and Capital One miles — let you sit on your balance until a great redemption appears, then move points to whichever airline or hotel partner offers the best value, often boosted by periodic transfer bonuses.
Heading the list for beginners is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. It charges a $95 annual fee and currently offers 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months. Earning rates cover travel booked through Chase, Lyft rides, dining, streaming, online groceries and gas or EV charging. TPG's founder calls it his longest-held card and points to redemptions like Hyatt stays in New York and a Lufthansa first-class flight from Frankfurt to Houston booked via transferred Aeroplan points.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Card, also $95 a year, earns at least 2 miles per dollar on everything and comes with 75,000 bonus miles after $4,000 of spend, plus a $300 credit on Capital One Travel bookings. With no foreign transaction fees and more than 15 transfer partners, it's pitched as a strong all-rounder — business class to Europe from around 60,000 points, or domestic United economy from just 6,000.
At the premium end sits the American Express Platinum, with a hefty $895 fee but a dense stack of perks: Centurion Lounge access, complimentary Hilton and Marriott Gold elite status, and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credits. Welcome offers can reach 175,000 Membership Rewards points after $12,000 of spend over six months, though offers vary.
Business owners and freelancers get a look-in too. The Ink Business Preferred earns 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after $8,000 of spend for a $95 fee, with bonuses on travel, shipping, phone and internet bills and social media advertising. The no-fee Ink Business Unlimited returns a flat 1.5% back, with $750 cash after $6,000 of spend.
Rounding out the nine: the Citi Strata Premier (60,000 points after $4,000, strong bonuses on Citi Travel bookings, airfare, dining, supermarkets and gas), the no-fee Chase Freedom Unlimited (3% back on dining and drugstores, 5% on Chase Travel), the Blue Cash Preferred from Amex (6% back at US supermarkets and on select streaming, 3% on transit and gas, $95 fee after a free first year) and the American Express Gold Card, the pick for diners with 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide and US supermarkets, a $325 fee and welcome offers up to 100,000 points.
One caveat runs through the whole piece: rewards only pay off if you clear your balance in full every month, since interest will wipe out any points you earn. For holidaymakers happy to play the long game, though, a well-chosen pair of these cards can quietly fund flights and hotel nights that would otherwise cost hundreds — or thousands — out of pocket.
