Folks, this post is a doozy. I’ll start out by saying that I’m not advocating for racking up debt by having credit cards. I am simply saying that if you’re able to pay off what’s on your credit card every month, there are travel benefits to having one or two. I’m sure you may know some of the information, but I thought I’d do all the hard work for you and compare a bunch of the most popular ones. I’m going to list the few that we use, and then I will list ones that I’ve heard really good things about. This way you can have all the information in one place. Sound like a plan? Alright let’s get started 🙂

American Express Delta SkyMiles Card

PROS:

-Free checked bag for you and for family members you’re traveling with

-No foreign transaction fees

-Priority Boarding on Delta Flights

-Pay with Miles benefits

CONS:

-Only 1 mile for every dollar spent

-$95 annual fee after the first year

*If you’d like to apply for the Gold card, send me an email, I have a referral email 🙂

American Express Hilton Honors Card

PROS:

-7x points on Hilton stays

-5x points when used at gas stations or grocery stores

-3x points on every other purchase

-No annual fee

-No foreign transaction fees

-Automatic Silver status for Hilton Honors

CONS:

-I don’t have any cons for this card 🙂

Capital One Venture One Card

PROS:

-1.25 points for every dollar you spend using the card

-No annual fee

-No foreign transaction fees

*We needed a card that wasn’t an Amex, but didn’t want to have an annual fee

CONS:

-The amount of points you need for tickets seems a little steep

**Now for the cards that we don’t personally have, but that I’ve heard have good travel rewards.

American Express Blue Delta Skymiles Card

PROS:

-2 miles per dollar spent at US restaurants

-No annual fee

CONS:

-1 mile per dollar for everyday purchases

-Foreign transaction fees [2.7% of each transaction outside of the US]

Capital One Venture Card

PROS:

-Unlimited 2x miles per dollar on anything

-$100 credit for Global entry or TSA Pre check fee

-No foreign transaction fees

CONS:

-$95 annual fee after the first year

American Express Platinum Delta Skymiles Card 

*UPDATE: We upgraded to this card recently

PROS:

-Domestic companion Ticket each year [main cabin]

-Priority Boarding

-Free checked bag

-No foreign transaction fees

-Discounted Delta Sky Club access for you and 2 guests

CONS:

-$250 annual fee [although you do get a companion ticket so it could even out if you think that way]

-1 mile per dollar spent/2x Miles at restaurants and super markets 

American Express Delta Reserve Card

PROS:

-Domestic companion Ticket each year [main cabin]

-Upgrade priority in your Medallion Tier

-Complimentary Delta sky club access and discounted for 2 guests

-Free checked bag

-No foreign transaction fee

-Priority boarding

-Sky Priority security lane at participating airports

-Concierge card service and support

CONS:

-$450 annual fee

-1 mile for every dollar spent

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

PROS:

-$300 annual travel credit

-3x points on travel

-Complimentary priority pass membership to airport lounges after 1 time enrollment

-Global entry or TSA Pre check fee credit

-No foreign transaction fees

-Good policies on rental car insurance

-I’ve heard that they reimburse for flight delays and have lost luggage insurance [don’t quote me on that, it’s just what I’ve heard]

CONS:

-$450 annual fee

-1 point per dollar on any purchase

There you have it. I know there are other cards out there that people really like, but I thought I’d touch on some of the bigger ones that have good reviews. Let me know what you think in the comments or if there are any others that people should know about 🙂 Happy traveling lovelies!