As a very frequent traveler, I’m often asked which is the best credit card for travel redemptions. For me, it comes down to three benefits:

1. Earning extra airline miles/points for future flights
2. Extra benefits such as not having to pay for luggage, access to the VIP lounge with the airline, or upgrades
3. Earning free hotel rooms and upgrades

For bullets number one and two, this needs to be your most frequently used airline. I travel a lot, so I have several cards for Delta, and another one for American Airlines. And for number three, I have one card for Marriott (which I use the most by far) and another for Hilton (not as much, but it’s there when I need it).

So, what cards do I recommend?

First, let me say two things upfront:

a) Almost all of the cards I use have a high annual fee, between $450 and $695, and the benefits are well worth it to me.
b) Full disclosure: I like all of these cards and do recommend them, but please know that for some of these cards, I will receive a referral points bonus.

Here’s what’s in my wallet:

Chase Marriott Visa Ritz-Carlton Card
American Express Platinum Card
American Express Delta Reserve Card

Here are the features of each card, and links for each to find out more:

1. Chase Marriott BonVoy / Ritz-Carlton Visa

• Earnings:
  • 6 points per $1 spent at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels worldwide
  • 3 points for every $1 on dining, car rentals, and airline purchases
  • 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Benefits:
  • Free Night Certificate every year after account anniversary, valid for one night stay at a property with a redemption level up to 85,000 points
  • Automatic Gold Elite status each account anniversary year as a Cardmember
  • 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year
  • Global Entry application fee reimbursement ($100 statement credit)
  • TSA Pre® privileges at no additional cost
• Annual Fee: $450
• Foreign Transaction Fees: No

All of the above benefits apply not just for Ritz-Carltons, but for all Marriott properties and brands. If you stay at the Ritz, there are some special club level upgrade certificates as well!

Choose any Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card that is right for you, including the Ritz, at the link below. I can be rewarded too if you apply here and are approved for this card.
Apply for the Chase Marriott Visa Ritz-Carlton Card

2. American Express Platinum

I have had this card since 1993, and it has so many great features:

• Welcome Offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points when you spend $8,000 within your first 6 months with your new Card
• Earnings:
  • 5X Membership Rewards® Points on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year)
  • 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
• Benefits:
  • Up to $200 in statement credits annually for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings
  • $20 back in statement credits each month for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal
  • Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by a designated qualifying airline
  • $200 Uber Cash annually, including Uber VIP status
  • Up to $189 back per calendar year on CLEAR Plus Membership
  • $100 credit for Global Entry application fee or up to $85 credit for TSA PreCheck® application fee
  • Exclusive access to reservations and special dining experiences through Global Dining Access by Resy
• Annual Fee: $695
• Foreign Transaction Fees: No

Apply for an American Express Card with this link. With your new Card, you could earn a welcome bonus and Michael could earn a referral bonus. Terms Apply.
Apply for the American Express Platinum Card

3. American Express Delta Reserve

This one I can’t live without; I fly Delta too often! It’s not only great for earning SkyMiles, but it also helps me earn STATUS, which means so much more.

• Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles when you spend $6,000 within the first 6 months on your new Card
• Benefits:
  • Free access to the Delta Sky Club on the day of travel for Delta flights, with four passes for one-time guests annually
  • Complimentary entry to The Centurion® Lounge when booking a Delta flight with your Reserve Card
  • $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars per Medallion Qualification Year to accelerate your progress towards Status with MQD Headstart
  • Companion Certificate for first class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin flights each year upon renewal
  • Up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases
  • Up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases
  • 15% discount on Award Travel on Delta flights using miles
  • Priority for upgrades among other Medallion Members with the same level and fare class
  • Complimentary upgrades for non-Medallion Members starting February 1, 2024, on eligible tickets
  • $100 credit for Global Entry or $85 credit for TSA PreCheck®
  • Triple miles on Delta purchases
  • $200 annual statement credit for eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings
  • Enhanced car rental experience with Hertz President’s Circle Status
  • No fee for foreign transactions
  • First checked bag free on Delta flights
• Annual Fee: $650
• Foreign Transaction Fees: No

Apply for an American Express Card with this link. With your new Card, you could earn a welcome bonus and Michael could earn a referral bonus. Terms Apply.
Apply for the American Express Delta Reserve Card

Terms apply and features and costs are always changing, so please check the details. The cards may have additional features that are not listed here. While I may receive compensation for referring these cards, they are literally my three favorite cards, so I would recommend them regardless.

Let me know if you get one of these, have one of these, and what you think! -MG