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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Best cards with no preset spending limits
Featured image by NIKOLA STOJADINOVIC/GETTY IMAGES
Ryan is a former TPG credit cards writer who has been around points and miles for several years and has published content at Miles to Memories, AwardWallet and The Points Guy. His wife joins him on many of his trips, and they enjoy snowboarding, diving, and seeing animals in the wild. When not traveling, Ryan is probably answering questions from his family about how he travels so much and whether this points & miles stuff is illegal.
August 22, 2024 • 26 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
Cards with no preset spending limits offer flexible purchasing power that adjusts based on your payment history and credit profile.
These products are ideal for individuals or businesses with large or fluctuating expenses, as they do not impact credit utilization ratios.
Most require balances to be paid in full each month, though some offer pay-over-time features for eligible charges.
A variety of options exist, each catering to different needs such as luxury travel perks, business rewards or cash-back benefits.
What to consider
Eligibility for these products and their features can vary, with some requiring enrollment for select benefits or being available by invitation only.
Some products may no longer be available, and welcome offers often change or are targeted individually.
Carrying a balance may incur fees, and not paying in full can negate the advantages of these cards.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of top no preset spending limit cards, including their standout benefits and which profiles they best suit.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
When comparing different travel rewards cards, most are nearly identical regarding the mechanics of making purchases and paying off balances. There is an exception, though: cards with no preset spending limits.
American Express may be the first issuer that comes to your mind, but other banks also issue cards with no preset spending limits.
Unlike traditional credit cards with a set limit, cards without a preset spending limit have flexible purchasing power. This purchasing power adapts based on factors like your creditworthiness, payment history and history with that issuer. Generally, you must pay your balance in full with these cards (which you should be doing anyway), though they may offer pay-over-time features.
Here’s everything you need to know about the best cards with no preset spending limit.
Overview of the best no preset spending limit cards
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for luxury perks
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best business card for luxury perks
American Express® Gold Card: Best for foodies and earning on food and grocery purchases
American Express® Business Gold Card: Best for earnings that adapt to your business
Capital One Spark Cash Plus: Best for unlimited cash back on everyday purchases
Capital One Venture X Business: Best for earning unlimited miles on everyday purchases
Ink Business Premier® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Best for unlimited cash back on large purchases
The information for the Amex Green and Amex Plum Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
OSCAR WONG/GETTY IMAGES
American Express also issues two other valuable cards, The Centurion® Card from American Express and The Business Centurion® Card from American Express. These exclusive products are available by invitation only for high spenders. Given their hefty fees (a $10,000 initiation fee plus an ongoing $5,000 annual fee) and the fact not just anyone can apply, these cards aren’t on our list.
The information for the Amex Centurion and Amex Business Centurion cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Before analyzing each card, let’s compare the features you care about most.
Comparing the best no preset spending limit cards
Card name
Earning rates
Key benefits
Annual fee
The Platinum Card® from American Express
5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on flights booked with American ExpressTravel®, up to $500,000 of these purchases per year (then 1 point per dollar)
5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel
Up to $600 in annual prepaid hotel credits (up to $300 biannually)
An assortment of annual credits available
Up to $219 in statement credits to reimburse your annual Clear+ membership
$120 statement credit for Global Entry (every 4 years) or up to $85 statement credit for TSA PreCheck (every 4.5 years)
Enrollment is required in advance for select benefits. You must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Platinum Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. Redeem with an Amex card at payment. Enrollment required for select benefits
$895 (see rates and fees)
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels at AmexTravel.com
2 points per dollar on purchases of $5,000 or more or purchases in select business categories, up to $2 million of combined purchases in these categories per year (then 1 point per dollar)
1 point per dollar on other purchases
Access to American Express Centurion lounges, Delta Sky Club lounges (when flying with Delta)*, Priority Pass lounges, Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner, Airspace lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, Lufthansa lounges and other Global Lounge Collection partner lounges. Access is limited to eligible cardmembers.
Up to $120 in annual wireless phone service credits
An assortment of annual credits is available
Up to $219 in statement credits to reimburse your annual Clear+ membership
$120 statement credit for Global Entry (every 4 years) or up to $85 statement credit for TSA PreCheck (every 4.5 years)
35% points discount on select flights using Pay with Points at Amex Travel
Enrollment is required in advance for select benefits.
$895 (see rates and fees)
American Express® Gold Card
5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App™
4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 in purchases per year (then 1 point per dollar)
4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 of these purchases per year (then 1 point per dollar)
3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App
2 points per dollar spent on car rentals booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App
2 points per dollar spent on cruises and other eligible purchases booked on amextravel.com
1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
Up to $120 in annual dining credits with select merchants
Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash for rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S.
Up to $100 in annual Resy statement credits at U.S. Resy restaurants
Up to $84 in Dunkin' credits at U.S. Dunkin Donuts
You must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. Redeem with an Amex card at payment. Enrollment is required in advance for select benefits.
$325 (see rates and fees)
American Express® Business Gold Card
4 Membership Rewards points per dollar in the two categories where you spend the most each month, up to $150,000 of these purchases per year (then 1 point per dollar)
3 Membership rewards points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™
1 point per dollar on other purchases
Up to 99 employee cards, $95 annual fee for the first five, then a $95 annual fee for each card after (see rates and fees)
$375 (see rates and fees)
American Express® Green Card
3 Membership Rewards points per dollar at restaurants worldwide
3 points per dollar on travel and transit
1 point per dollar on other purchases
Up to $219 in statement credits for an annual Clear+ membership
Up to $100 in annual LoungeBuddy credits
Enrollment is required in advance for select benefits.
$150
Business Green Rewards Card from American Express
One Membership Rewards points per dollar on eligible purchases
Up to 99 employee cards with no additional annual fee (see rates and fees)
$95 (see rates and fees)
The Plum Card® from American Express
1.5% back as a statement credit for any eligible charges paid within 10 days of statement closing
Up to 99 employee cards with no additional annual fee
$250
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel booking site
2% back on other purchases
$150 annual fee refunded every year you make $150,000 or more in purchases with your card
No additional annual fee for employee cards
Use virtual card numbers for payment security
$150
Capital One Venture X Business
10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
2 miles on other purchases
Up to $300 annual travel credit through Capital One Business Travel
5% cash back on purchases through the Chase portal
2.5% back on purchases of $5,000 or more
2% back on other purchases
No additional annual fee for employee cards
$195
*Eligible Platinum Card Members will receive 10 Visits per Eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight.
More details on the best no preset spending limit cards
These cards have no preset spending limit, meaning there’s no predefined limit to how much you can spend on the card. That doesn’t mean you can spend unlimited amounts, however. Your spending ability adapts over time, as discussed in the FAQ below.
That said, you may be able to carry a balance on these cards, similar to what you can do on a credit card. For example, American Express Pay Over Time allows cardmembers to carry a balance from one month to the next on eligible charges, with variable interest rates applied. Even if you never use this feature, it could be worth enrolling if you receive a targeted offer — sometimes up to 20,000 bonus points for enrolling.
Let’s look at the details of each of these cards, including their welcome offers, bonus categories and some of their best benefits.
The Platinum Card from American Express
Current welcome offer: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $12,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. TPG's August 2024 valuations peg this bonus of up to $3,500.
Annual fee: $895 (see rates and fees)
THE POINTS GUY
Earning rates: You’ll earn 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel, up to $500,000 of these purchases per year (then 1 point per dollar), 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
Apply here: The Platinum Card from American Express
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Current welcome offer: Find out your offer and see if you're eligible for as high as 300,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Annual fee: $895 (see rates and fees)
THE POINTS GUY
Earning rates: You’ll earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels at AmexTravel.com, 2 points per dollar on purchases of $5,000 or more or purchases in select business categories — on up to $2 million in combined purchases in these categories per year (then 1 point per dollar) and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. Eligible business categories include electronic goods retailers, shipping providers, software, cloud service providers, and construction materials and hardware supplies.
Why we like it: Similar to the Amex Platinum above, the Amex Business Platinum card has no preset spending limit and a ton of perks to justify its annual fee. You’ll have unparalleled airport lounge access and an assortment of statement credits each year to offset business, travel and airport security program expenses.
Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
American Express Gold Card
Current welcome offer: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases in your first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. TPG's August 2024 valuations peg this bonus at up to $2,000.
Annual fee: $325 (see rates and fees)
Earning rates: You’ll earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App™, 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide — on up to $50,000 of these purchases per year (then 1 point per dollar), 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets — on up to $25,000 of these purchases per year (then 1 point per dollar), 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App, 2 points per dollar spent on car rentals booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App and 2 points per dollar spent on cruises and other eligible purchases booked on amextravel.com.
Why we like it: This is your ideal card if you’re a foodie. You’ll earn up to $120 in annual dining statement credits (up to $10 each month) with the following merchants: Buffalo Wild Wings, The Cheesecake Factory, Five Guys, Goldbelly (ends June 30, 2026), Grubhub, Wine.com (ends June 30, 2026), and Wonder. You’ll receive up to $120 in Uber Cash annually after adding this card to your Uber account, and you can use this for rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S. Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the Amex Gold as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card. Additionally, you will earn up to $100 in annual Resy statement credits (up to $50 biannually) and up to $84 in annual Dunkin' statement credits (up to $7 each month), which can both be used at U.S. locations. Those perks are on top of the Gold card’s strong earning rates at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide.
Note that enrollment is required in advance for some benefits.
Current welcome offer: Find out your offer and see if you're eligible for as high as 200,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. TPG's August 2024 valuations peg this bonus at up to $4,000.
Annual fee: $375 (see rates and fees)
THE POINTS GUY
Earning rates: You’ll earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar in the two categories where you spend the most each month, up to $150,000 of these purchases per year (then 1 point per dollar), 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™, and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. Eligible categories include transit purchases; U.S. purchases for online, TV and radio advertising; monthly wireless phone service charges made directly from U.S. service providers; U.S. purchases at gas stations; U.S. purchases at restaurants; and U.S. purchases from electronic goods retailers and cloud system providers.
Why we like it: Businesses looking to rack up rewards on their purchases will love earning 600,000 points per year through the bonus categories — worth $12,000 in TPG’s August 2024 valuations.
Current welcome offer: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. TPG's August 2024 valuations peg these bonus points at $800.
Annual fee: $150
WYATT SMITH/THE POINTS GUY
Earning rates: You’ll earn 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, 3 points per dollar on travel and transit and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
The information for the Amex Green card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Business Green Rewards Card from American Express
Current 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. TPG's August 2024 valuations peg this bonus at $300.
Annual fee: $95 (see rates and fees)
THE POINTS GUY
Earning rates: You’ll earn One Membership Rewards points per dollar on eligible purchases.
Why we like it: The perks on the Amex Business Green won’t impress anyone, but if you’re looking for a card with no preset spending limit, a low annual fee, access to Amex Offers or the ability to keep your Amex points alive after closing other accounts, this card can provide what you’re looking for. Plus, it can be a good option for those looking to avoid affecting their 5/24 status.
Apply here: Business Green Rewards Card from American Express
The Plum Card from American Express
Current welcome offer: None
Annual fee: $250
THE POINTS GUY
Earning rates: You’ll earn 1.5% back as a statement credit for any eligible charges paid within 10 days of statement closing.
Why we like it: Paying your credit card bill in full and on time is one of our 10 commandments of credit cards. The no preset spending limit Amex Plum card rewards you for following this strategy. Plus, this business card lets you choose your own billing cycle dates for convenience.
Current welcome offer: Earn a best-ever $2,000 cash bonus after you spend $30,000 in the first three months. Plus, earn an additional $2,000 bonus for every $500,000 spent in the first year.
Annual fee: $150
THE POINTS GUY
Earning rates: You’ll earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel booking site and 2% back on other purchases.
Why we like it: If you’re looking for a card with no preset spending limit that provides unlimited cash-back earnings, this is it. In addition to the standard earning rates, you’ll get your $150 annual fee refunded each year you make $150,000 or more in purchases with your card.
Current welcome offer: Earn 150,000 bonus miles after spending $30,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. TPG's August 2024 valuations peg this bonus at a whopping up to $2,775.
Annual fee: $395
THE POINTS GUY
Earning rates: You'll earn 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Business Travel and 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases.
Why we like it: If you're looking for a card that earns simple unlimited 2 miles per dollar, this is a great option. It has a $300 annual travel credit when booked through Capital One Business Travel, which reduces the effective annual fee to $95. It also gives you lounge access and 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary. For more details, check out our full review of the Venture X Business.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Business
Ink Business Premier Credit Card
Current welcome offer: Earn a $1,000 bonus cash back after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening.
Annual fee: $195
THE POINTS GUY
Earning rates: You’ll earn 5% cash back on purchases through the Chase travel portal, 2.5% back on purchases of $5,000 or more and 2% back on other purchases.
Why we like it: Businesses that routinely make large purchases will love this card, as competitors like the Amex Business Platinum card have an earning limit for rewards on purchases of $5,000 or more each year. While you can’t combine your earnings with Chase Ultimate Rewards points from other cards, you can earn at a high rate and reinvest your earnings back into your business.
Maybe you’re looking for a card with no preset spending limit to manage your credit and expenses. In contrast, maybe you have your eye on a particular card because of its benefits and earning structure, not knowing (or caring) about what makes this card different. Here are some of the most common questions about these cards.
What’s the difference between a no preset spending limit card and a credit card?
“No preset spending limit” cards function like credit cards when purchasing and paying your bill, but credit cards come with a preset spending limit. Once you’ve reached the maximum, you must pay your bill before making further purchases. In contrast, cards with no preset spending limit adapt to you based on your payment history, credit and previous spending habits. This doesn’t mean unlimited spending power, but how much you can spend on the card fluctuates over time.
How can you pick the best no preset spending limit card?
Many good cards are on the market, and which is best for you will depend on your travel goals and financial needs. If you’re looking for a luxury travel lifestyle, you’ll want the Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum. If you’re looking for cash back, on the other hand, consider the Spark Cash Plus or Ink Business Premier.
How do no preset spending limit cards affect your credit score?
One of the benefits of using these cards is how they’re reported to credit bureaus. Credit utilization accounts for roughly 30% of your credit score. Because the cards described in this guide don’t have a preset spending limit, it’s impossible to calculate a utilization ratio (since there’s no credit limit for determining how much of your limit you’re using). This means that while the balances on your no preset spending limit cards are reported to the credit bureaus, they don’t actually affect your score, which is ideal for high-spending businesses and individuals.
What are the pros and cons of using a no preset spending limit card?
The cards on this list offer some of the best welcome offers, earning categories and benefits of any cards on the market. Using them can help you earn points faster or enjoy new, luxurious travel experiences.
Conversely, cards with no preset spending limit are designed for paying your balance in full each month (which you should do anyway). With credit cards, you can carry a balance to the next month and pay interest. On cards without preset spending limits, you may be able to enroll in a feature to carry a balance; typically, though, you must pay the full balance and will pay fees for not doing so. If you aren’t able to pay the full balance, using these cards could be a net negative for you.
If you’re in the market for a new welcome bonus, these cards offer some of the best ones. If you frequently have large expenses that you pay off every month (either for personal or business reasons), using a no preset spending limit card can help avoid the temporary impact on your credit score from a hard pull during the application process. And then, you can use the welcome bonus to travel or invest in your business, depending on your goals.
When discussing the top travel rewards cards, we often lump no preset spending limit cards and credit cards together since their similarities outweigh their differences. Once you understand what sets them apart, you can use cards without preset spending limits to improve your credit score and increase your earning abilities.
Also, don’t forget that better offers may be available through the CardMatch tool. These targeted offers may provide better bonuses than what you see publicly available, but offers are targeted to each individual and can change at any time.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Green Rewards card, click here.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
