Editor’s notice: This is a recurring submit, often up to date with new data.
Picking the greatest journey rewards bank cards could be difficult. Each one provides totally different perks, and that is very true for premium playing cards. And as a result of issuers hold upping the ante by launching new playing cards, including advantages and rising the playing cards’ annual charges, there’s extra competitors on this house than ever.
Today, we’ll examine the advantages and worth propositions of a few of the greatest premium bank cards at the moment accessible. Here are the eight premium rewards playing cards we’ll give attention to:
The data for the Hilton Honors Aspire has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuers.
Methodology for one of the best premium bank cards
While this checklist of playing cards has remained comparatively steady recently, there have been some large shake-ups in 2021.
The most important new addition to the premium card market is the Capital One Venture X card, which debuted in November 2021 with wonderful journey perks and an annual price of $395 — the bottom of any card on this checklist.
Meanwhile, American Express elevated the annual price on the Amex Platinum Card from $550 to $695 (see charges and charges) in July 2021. While the issuer added a number of new annual assertion credit to offset this increased annual price, many shoppers have been disgruntled by these adjustments. Also, Citi discontinued purposes for its Citi Prestige® Card, dropping out on this once-popular journey rewards card for the foreseeable future. Thus, Citi doesn’t have a card incomes its personal factors — Citi ThankYou Rewards — as a contender among the many greatest premium bank cards, which isn’t regular.
The data for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
For its half, Chase raised the annual price on the Sapphire Reserve by $100 to $550 in January 2020 however has additionally added limited-time associate advantages with Lyft (by way of 2025), DoorDash (by way of 2024) and Instacart (everlasting).
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With all that in thoughts, we’ll examine these playing cards throughout seven classes:
- Annual price.
- Current welcome supply.
- Point-earning potential.
- Redemption choices.
- Travel credit.
- Lounge entry.
- Travel and buy protections.
This evaluation relies on a generic traveler making an attempt to determine which one among these eight playing cards ought to go of their pockets. When it comes to picking which one is one of the best, premium playing cards have various perks and advantages — so the one which’s proper on your pockets will rely in your particular needs and desires.
Annual price
Analysis
It can be best to choose the playing cards with the bottom annual charges, however that doesn’t inform the total story.
Whether or not a card expenses for additional cardholders additionally makes a distinction. The Hilton Amex Aspire, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, United Club Infinite Card, Citi / AAdvantage Executive (as much as 10 licensed customers) and Capital One Venture X (as much as 4 licensed customers) don’t cost a price for added cardholders.
The Hilton Amex Aspire permits licensed customers to get pleasure from an up-to-$100 property credit score for eligible two-night stays at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties. Meanwhile, licensed customers on the Citi / AAdvantage Executive card obtain Admirals Club entry for themselves and as much as two touring companions.
Ultimately, nonetheless, the winner of this class is the Capital One Venture X. First and foremost, the $395 annual price is far decrease than the remainder of the gang. Plus, you’ll be able to add as much as 4 licensed customers for no extra cost.
They’ll get advantages similar to limitless Capital One Lounge, Plaza Premium and Priority Pass lounge entry for themselves and as much as two friends. That is likely to be handier than Admirals Club entry for a lot of flyers — particularly those that journey internationally the place the Admirals Club won’t have many areas.
Related: Credit playing cards with the best worth for licensed customers
Current sign-up bonus/welcome supply
| Card | Sign-up bonus/welcome supply | TPG valuation* |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum | Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards factors after you utilize your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of cardmembership (probably increased focused provides by way of CardMatch, topic to alter at any time). | $1,600. |
| Capital One Venture X | Earn 75,000 bonus miles while you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. | $1,388. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Earn 80,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. | $1,600. |
| Hilton Amex Aspire | Earn 150,000 bonus Hilton Honors factors after you spend $4,000 in purchases on the cardboard inside your first three months of cardmembership. | $900. |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant | Earn 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus factors after you utilize your new card to make $5,000 in eligible purchases inside the first three months of cardmembership. | $1,260. |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve | Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in purchases in your new card in your first six months of cardmembership. | $705. |
| United Club Infinite Card | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. | $1,210. |
| Citi / AAdvantage Executive | Earn 80,000 miles after you make $5,500 in purchases inside the first three months of account opening. | $1,416. |
* Based on TPG valuations and never supplied by the issuer.
Analysis
Both the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve have 80-000 level welcome bonuses and equal valuations, however we give the sting to the Sapphire Reserve. The limited-time bonus on it requires $2,000 much less spending than the Amex Platinum. However, understand that some of us may discover a fair increased welcome supply on the Amex Platinum by checking the CardMatch instrument (provides are topic to alter at any time).
Related: The greatest elevated card provides to enroll in this month
Points-earning potential
| Card | Earning charges |
|---|---|
| Amex Platinum |
|
| Capital One Venture X |
|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|
| Hilton Amex Aspire |
|
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant |
|
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve |
|
| United Club Infinite |
|
| Citi / AAdvantage Executive |
|
Analysis
The Chase Sapphire Reserve comes out on prime right here attributable to the truth that it earns invaluable Ultimate Rewards bonus factors on all kinds of purchases.
Like the Venture X, the Chase Sapphire Reserve racks up extra bonus factors on varied forms of journey booked by way of Chase’s personal journey portal. However, the cardboard pulls forward of the Venture X by incomes extra factors on normal eating and journey purchases. That stated, the Venture X earns a stable 2 miles per greenback on on a regular basis spending, which is fairly simple to maximise with out having to fastidiously hold monitor of spending classes.
The Hilton Amex Aspire takes the third spot because of an unimaginable 14 factors per greenback at Hilton properties and seven factors per greenback on airfare, automobile leases and U.S. eating places. These bonuses signify a return of 8.4% and 4.2%, respectively, based mostly on TPG’s most up-to-date valuations.
Redemption choices
Analysis
The prime three playing cards on this checklist — the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum and Capital One Venture X — earned their spots because of the flexibility of transferable factors that received’t lock you into a particular set of airways or lodges.
Even although the Chase Sapphire Reserve solely has 11 airline and three lodge switch companions, it additionally permits cardmembers to redeem factors for journey immediately by way of Chase’s portal at an elevated charge of 1.5 cents every. Meanwhile, the Amex Platinum has 20 airline and lodge switch companions in complete and diversified redemption choices.
The Capital One Venture X takes third place because it provides 15 airline and three lodge switch companions. While you’ll be able to switch to most applications at a 1:1 ratio, there are a few exceptions: ALL Accor Live Limitless (2:1) and EVA Air Infinity MileageLands (2:1.5).
Statement credit
Analysis
Amex has added a plethora of latest lifestyle- and travel-focused credit to the Platinum over the previous couple of years, which simply take the cake on this class. Even in case you don’t maximize each single credit score every year, you’re nonetheless taking a look at a ton of potential worth from the assertion credit alone.
The Sapphire Reserve is shut behind. For starters, the $300 journey credit score is a comparatively excessive greenback quantity and applies to any journey buy (versus simply charges or airfare, like a few of its competitors). In addition, the credit score posts in a short time, whereas different playing cards require you to attend a whole assertion interval and even power you to name and have customer support manually challenge you a credit score.
The Venture X takes third place with its (comparable) $300 journey credit score, although it’s extra restricted because you’ll solely obtain reimbursement for bookings made by way of the Capital One Travel portal.
We’ll award fourth place to the Hilton Aspire due to the potential to obtain greater than $500 in journey credit every year. Although the Aspire’s airline price credit score requires you to designate a single airline and technically solely applies to incidental expenses like checked baggage, the up-to-$250 resort credit score is simple to make use of in case you go to an eligible resort.
Lounge entry
| Card | Lounge entry |
|---|---|
| Amex Platinum |
Enrollment is required for choose advantages. |
| Capital One Venture X |
|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | |
| Hilton Amex Aspire | Priority Pass Select (two friends). |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant | Priority Pass Select (two friends). |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve |
|
| United Club Infinite Card | Full United Club membership (two free friends or speedy household). |
| Citi / AAdvantage Executive |
|
Analysis
This class is far harder to rank, on condition that the true worth of lounge entry relies on so many components, out of your typical departure airport(s) and your most well-liked airline(s) to how continuously you journey with friends. The Amex Platinum offers you probably the most flexibility, and having the ability to convey two friends totally free to most lounges is a big perk (though the visitor profit goes away in February 2023 at Centurion Lounges).
The Venture X is available in an in depth second with Priority Pass, Plaza Premium and Capital One Lounge entry. The issuer debuted its first lounge at Dallas Forth Worth International Airport (DFW) in October 2021, and there are plans for 2 extra lounges at Denver International Airport (DEN) and Washington, D.C.’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) in 2023.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve and the 2 lodge playing cards supply pretty normal Priority Pass membership, whereas the three airline playing cards will are available handiest for people who fly one service most frequently and may reap the benefits of lounges within the airports they cross by way of probably the most. Chase has introduced plans for a Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club in 9 areas; the first location in Hong Kong is now open.
Related: Best bank cards for airport lounge entry
Travel and buy protections
All of those playing cards additionally present varied coverages and protections while you’re touring or making purchases. This might be greatest visualized in a desk:
| Benefit | Amex Platinum | Capital One Venture X† | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Hilton Amex Aspire | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant | Delta Reserve | United Club Infinite | Citi / AAdvantage Executive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car rental protection | Yes (secondary; offers protection as much as $75,000 for theft of or injury to most rental autos).*§ | Yes (main). | Yes (main). | Yes (secondary; offers protection as much as $75,000 for theft of or injury to most rental autos).*§ | Yes (secondary; offers protection as much as $75,000 for theft of or injury to most rental autos).*§ | Yes (secondary; offers protection as much as $75,000 for theft of or injury to most rental autos).*§ | Yes (main). | No. |
| Travel emergency help | Yes (entry to the Premium Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day/7 days per week for medical, authorized, monetary or different choose emergency coordination and help providers whereas touring greater than 100 miles away from your house. Emergency medical transportation help and associated providers could also be supplied without charge, however third-party providers should still have prices to you.).*# | Yes (offers referrals solely; you’re liable for all prices concerned). | Yes (offers referrals solely; you’re liable for all prices concerned). | Yes (entry to the Premium Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days per week for medical, authorized, monetary or different choose emergency coordination and help providers whereas touring greater than 100 miles away from your house. Emergency medical transportation help and associated providers could also be supplied without charge, however third-party providers should still have prices to you.).*# | Yes (entry to the Premium Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day/7 days per week for medical, authorized, monetary or different choose emergency coordination and help providers whereas touring greater than 100 miles away from your house. Emergency medical transportation help and associated providers could also be supplied without charge, however third-party providers should still have prices to you.).*# | Yes (entry to the Premium Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days per week for medical, authorized, monetary or different choose emergency coordination and help providers whereas touring greater than 100 miles away from your house. Emergency medical transportation help and associated providers could also be supplied without charge, however third-party providers should still have prices to you.).*# | Yes (offers referrals solely; you’re liable for all prices concerned). | No. |
| Baggage loss or injury | Yes (Baggage Insurance Plan can cowl misplaced, broken or stolen baggage on a typical service when the complete fare is paid for together with your eligible card. Limits are $2,000 for checked baggage and $3,000 for carry-on baggage, in extra of protection supplied by the service. There is a restrict of $3,000 mixture per coated journey. For New York state residents, there’s a $2,000 per bag/suitcase restrict for every coated individual with a $10,000 mixture most restrict for all coated individuals per coated journey).*~ | Yes (as much as $3,000 per coated journey; for New York state residents, protection is as much as $2,000 per bag). | Yes (as much as $3,000 per passenger). | Yes (Baggage Insurance Plan can cowl misplaced, broken or stolen baggage on a typical service when the complete fare is paid for together with your eligible card. Limits are $2,000 for checked baggage and $3,000 for carry-on baggage, in extra of protection supplied by the service. There is a restrict of $3,000 mixture per coated journey. For New York state residents, there’s a $2,000 per bag/suitcase restrict for every coated individual with a $10,000 mixture most restrict for all coated individuals per coated journey).*~ | Yes (Baggage Insurance Plan can cowl misplaced, broken or stolen baggage on a typical service when the complete fare is paid for together with your eligible card. Limits are $2,000 for checked baggage and $3,000 for carry-on baggage, in extra of protection supplied by the service. There is a restrict of $3,000 mixture per coated journey. For New York state residents, there’s a $2,000 per bag/suitcase restrict for every coated individual with a $10,000 mixture most restrict for all coated individuals per coated journey).*~ | Yes (Baggage Insurance Plan can cowl misplaced, broken or stolen baggage on a typical service when the complete fare is paid for together with your eligible card. Limits are $500 for checked baggage and $1,250 for carry-on baggage, in extra of protection supplied by the service. For New York state residents, there’s a $10,000 mixture most restrict for all coated individuals per coated journey).*~ | Yes (as much as $3,000 per passenger). | No. |
| Baggage delay | No. | No. | Yes ($100 per day for as much as 5 days if baggage are greater than six hours late). | No. | No. | No. | Yes (as much as $100 per day for 3 days if baggage are greater than six hours late). | No. |
| Trip delay | Yes (as much as $500 per coated journey that’s delayed by greater than six hours, capped at two claims per eligible card in 12 consecutive months).*^ | Yes (as much as $500 per ticket for delays of greater than six hours). | Yes (as much as $500 per ticket for delays of greater than six hours or delays requiring an in a single day keep). | Yes (as much as $500 per coated journey that’s delayed by greater than six hours, capped at two claims per eligible card in 12 consecutive months).*^ | Yes (as much as $500 per coated journey that’s delayed by greater than six hours, capped at two claims per eligible card in 12 consecutive months).*^ | Yes (as much as $500 per coated journey that’s delayed by greater than six hours, capped at two claims per eligible card in 12 consecutive months).*^ | Yes (as much as $500 per ticket for delays of greater than 12 hours or in a single day). | No. |
| Trip cancellation and interruption | Yes (with a most advantage of $10,000 per coated journey and $20,000 per eligible card in a 12-month interval).*^ | Yes (as much as $2,000 per individual). | Yes (as much as $10,000 per individual and $20,000 per journey). | Yes (with a most advantage of $10,000 per coated journey and $20,000 per eligible card in a 12-month interval).*^ | Yes (with a most advantage of $10,000 per coated journey and $20,000 per eligible card in a 12-month interval).*^ | Yes (with a most advantage of $10,000 per coated journey and $20,000 per eligible card in a 12-month interval).*^ | Yes (as much as $10,000 per individual and $20,000 per journey). | No. |
| Travel accident insurance coverage | No. | Yes (as much as $1 million). | Yes (as much as $1 million). | No. | No. | No. | Yes (as much as $500,000). | No. |
| Emergency evacuation and transportation | Yes (as much as $100,000 per journey; should be coordinated by the Premium Global Assist Hotline; in any other case, you need to pay for it).*# | No. | Yes (as much as $100,000; should be coordinated by the advantages administrator to be coated). | Yes (as much as $100,000 per journey; should be coordinated by the Premium Global Assist Hotline; in any other case, you need to pay for it).*# | Yes (as much as $100,000 per journey; should be coordinated by the Premium Global Assist Hotline; in any other case, you need to pay for it).*# | Yes (as much as $100,000 per journey; should be coordinated by the Premium Global Assist Hotline; in any other case, you need to pay for it).*# | Yes (as much as $100,000; should be coordinated by the advantages administrator to be coated). | No. |
| Purchase safety | Yes (for 90 days from the acquisition date, as much as $10,000 per incidence and as much as $50,000 per cardmember account per calendar 12 months).*~ | Yes (inside 90 days, as much as $10,000 per declare and $50,000 per account). | Yes (inside 120 days, as much as $10,000 per declare and $50,000 per 12 months). | Yes (for 90 days from the acquisition date, as much as $10,000 per incidence and as much as $50,000 per cardmember account per calendar 12 months).*~ | Yes (for 90 days from the acquisition date, as much as $10,000 per incidence and as much as $50,000 per cardmember account per calendar 12 months).*~ | Yes (for 90 days from the acquisition date, as much as $10,000 per incidence and as much as $50,000 per cardmember account per calendar 12 months).*~ | Yes (inside 120 days, as much as $10,000 per declare and $50,000 per 12 months). | No. |
| Extended guarantee | Yes (provides an additional 12 months to the producer’s guarantee on warranties of 5 years or much less; covers the precise quantity charged to your eligible card, with a most of $10,000 per merchandise and $50,000 per cardmember account per calendar 12 months).*~ | Yes (extra 12 months on warranties of three years or much less; coated as much as the total quantity charged to your card, minis delivery and dealing with charges, with a most of $10,000 per declare and $50,000 per cardholder). | Yes (extra 12 months on warranties of three years or much less; as much as $10,000 per declare and $50,000 per account). | Yes (provides an additional 12 months to the producer’s guarantee on warranties of 5 years or much less; covers the precise quantity charged to your eligible card, with a most of $10,000 per merchandise and $50,000 per cardmember account per calendar 12 months).*~ | Yes (provides an additional 12 months to the producer’s guarantee on warranties of 5 years or much less; covers the precise quantity charged to your eligible card, with a most of $10,000 per merchandise and $50,000 per cardmember account per calendar 12 months).*~ | Yes (provides an additional 12 months to the producer’s guarantee on warranties of 5 years or much less; covers the precise quantity charged to your eligible card, with a most of $10,000 per merchandise and $50,000 per cardmember account per calendar 12 months).*~ | Yes (extra 12 months on warranties of three years or much less). | No. |
| Return safety | Yes (coated for as much as 90 days from the acquisition date; American Express will refund as much as the total buy value, excluding delivery and dealing with, as much as $300 per merchandise and as much as $1,000 per calendar 12 months per eligible card account; you need to pay for everything of the merchandise together with your card and it should be bought within the U.S. or its territories).* | Yes (90 days, as much as $300 per merchandise and $1,000 per 12 months). | Yes (90 days, as much as $500 per merchandise and $1,000 per 12 months). | Yes (coated for as much as 90 days from the acquisition date; American Express will refund as much as the total buy value, excluding delivery and dealing with, as much as $300 per merchandise and as much as $1,000 per calendar 12 months per eligible card account; you need to pay for everything of the merchandise together with your card and it should be bought within the U.S. or its territories).* | Yes (coated for as much as 90 days from the acquisition date; American Express will refund as much as the total buy value, excluding delivery and dealing with, as much as $300 per merchandise and as much as $1,000 per calendar 12 months per eligible card account; you need to pay for everything of the merchandise together with your card and it should be bought within the U.S. or its territories).* | Yes (coated for as much as 90 days from the acquisition date; American Express will refund as much as the total buy value, excluding delivery and dealing with, as much as $300 per merchandise and as much as $1,000 per calendar 12 months per eligible card account; you need to pay for everything of the merchandise together with your card and it should be bought within the U.S. or its territories).* | Yes (90 days, as much as $500 per merchandise and $1,000 per 12 months). | No. |
| Cellphone safety | Yes (covers telephones which are broken or stolen however doesn’t cowl beauty injury or misplaced telephones; most protection is $800 legal responsibility per declare, much less a $50 deductible, and restricted to 2 claims per eligible account in a 12-month interval; restricted to cellphone strains listed on a cell phone plan paid for with an eligible card in the newest billing interval).*^ | Yes (as much as $800 per declare or $1,600 per 12-month interval; a $50 deductible applies; protection applies to theft, injury or involuntary and unintentional parting of your cellphone when related to a cellphone plan paid for together with your card through the earlier month.) | No. | No. | Yes (covers telephones which are broken or stolen however doesn’t cowl beauty injury or misplaced telephones; most protection is $800 legal responsibility per declare, much less a $50 deductible, and restricted to 2 claims per eligible account in a 12-month interval; restricted to cellphone strains listed on a cell phone plan paid for with an eligible card in the newest billing interval).*^ | Yes (covers telephones which are broken or stolen however doesn’t cowl beauty injury or misplaced telephones; most protection is $800 legal responsibility per declare, much less a $50 deductible, and restricted to 2 claims per eligible account in a 12-month interval; restricted to cellphone strains listed on a cell phone plan paid for with an eligible card in the newest billing interval).*^ | No. | No. |
† Benefits accessible on Visa Infinite playing cards.
* Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Terms, circumstances and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars.
^ Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
~ Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
§ Not all automobile sorts or leases are coated, and geographic restrictions apply. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is obtainable by way of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
# If authorised and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation help could also be supplied without charge. In every other circumstance, cardmembers are liable for the prices charged by third-party service suppliers.
Analysis
The Sapphire Reserve takes the cake right here with its main automobile rental insurance coverage, emergency evacuation insurance coverage and journey accident insurance coverage. The Venture X is available in second because of pretty complete protections that even embrace cellphone protection. The Amex Platinum provides important journey insurance coverage protection, however notice that the rental automobile profit offers secondary protection and there’s no baggage delay protection. If you’re a United flyer, the United Club Infinite additionally provides a strong slate of protections that you could be wish to take into account.
Bottom line
You might imagine that it’s loopy to pay $395 or extra for a card’s annual price. As you’ll be able to see, nonetheless, one of the best premium bank cards carry a number of advantages that may simply cowl that annual price after which some. As at all times, you need to tailor your selection based mostly on what’s most essential to you, however this information ought to offer you a framework to make use of as you attempt to determine whether or not among the best premium bank cards is an effective match on your pockets.
Official utility hyperlink: Amex Platinum.
Official utility hyperlink: Capital One Venture X.
Official utility hyperlink: Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Official utility hyperlink: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant.
Official utility hyperlink: Delta SkyMiles Reserve.
Official utility hyperlink: United Club Infinite.
Official utility hyperlink: Citi / AAdvantage Executive.
Additional reporting by Senitra Horbrook, Ryan Wilcox, Stella Shon, Chris Dong, Ethan Steinberg and Ryan Smith.
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum Card, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Amex Hilton Aspire Card, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, click on right here.