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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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.
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
April 9, 2026 • 10 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 note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
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.
When friends and family ask me for a recommendation on the best credit card, I never have a definitive answer.
It's not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Your personal preferences, spending habits, desired rewards and travel goals all play a role, and these factors will prompt a unique response for every person.
There are several cards I often recommend, from products for points and miles enthusiasts to options for award travel beginners who are daydreaming about their next trip. Here's a collection of some of the best all-around cards available.
Comparing my top picks for the best credit cards
These four top picks offer valuable points and miles that can power some fantastic redemptions. Here's what to know.
Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
12 points per dollar spent on attractions, car rentals and hotels booked through Citi Travel
6 points per dollar spent on airfare booked through Citi Travel
6 points per dollar spent at restaurants, including restaurant delivery services on Citi Nights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Eastern time (earn 3 points per dollar spent on restaurant purchases outside of this window)
1.5 points per dollar spent on all other purchases
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.
5 points per dollar spent on airfare and prepaid lodging purchases booked on amextravel.com
2 points per dollar spent on up to $2 million in eligible purchases per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar thereafter) in the following categories: eligible purchases of $5,000 or more, U.S. cloud service providers, U.S. construction materials and hardware supplies, U.S. electronic goods retailers, U.S. shipping providers* and U.S. software
This is another card where the math just works. For a $395 annual fee, I receive a $300 annual travel credit to use in the Capital One Travel portal and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, which TPG's April 2026 valuations place at $185. If I maximize those two benefits alone each year, I'll already come out ahead of the annual fee by $90.
If you plan to make a purchase with Hilton at least quarterly (whether it's a room rate, or a dining or spa service charge, for instance), it's easy to end up ahead of this card's modest $150 annual fee. You can earn up to $200 back every calendar year on eligible Hilton purchases (up to $50 in statement credits each quarter).
I highly recommend the Surpass to anyone who values the card's automatic Hilton Honors Gold elite status perk. I've thoroughly enjoyed the complimentary breakfast or daily food-and-beverage credit and the space-available room upgrades that Gold status provides me.
And the bonus points certainly don't hurt, either. I'm working up to another redemption as fantastic as my 130,000-point stay at the Canopy by Hilton London City last spring.
The Citi Strata Elite Card provides some of the most valuable earning rates in popular bonus categories out there for travelers and those who like to dine out.
THE POINTS GUY
This card provides a stellar return on travel booked through the Citi Travel portal and at restaurants during its weekend-long CitiNights promotions. Since Citi ThankYou Rewards points transfer to the highly valuable American Airlines AAdvantage program, the rewards on this one can take you a long way.
If you're into airport lounges, the Strata Elite includes four American Airlines Admirals Club passes per year, each valid for 24 hours, which is an interesting addition for those who don't need a full Admirals Club membership but could find value in this level of access.
I've also come to appreciate the card's unique statement credits, which include an up to $300 annual hotel credit for booking through the Citi Travel portal (a minimum stay of two nights is required), an up to $200 annual Splurge statement credit (choose two merchants) and an up to $200 Blacklane statement credit ($100 biannually).
*The annual Delta Sky Club visits must occur when traveling on eligible same-day Delta Air Lines flights.
A bounty of statement credits helps offset the card's higher $895 annual fee. These include highly valuable travel-related statement credits for prepaid lodging bookings through American Express Travel® (up to $300 biannually) that are part of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay; beginning Jan. 1, 2027, Fine Hotels + Resorts will require stays of two nights or more to be eligible for the lodging statement credit) and an airline fee statement credit (up to $200 annually), just to name a couple.
The Hilton Honors Surpass and the Venture X are mainstays in my wallet. When I maximize the perks on both of these cards, I actually find that they provide more value than they charge in annual fees, which puts me ahead.
I've been taking a look at the Strata Elite, mainly because I frequently fly out of an American Airlines hub and love the fact that Citi has American Airlines as a transfer partner.
As I've factored in the Strata Elite's Admirals Club passes and Splurge credit, it's moved near the top of my list.
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
While the Amex Business Platinum may not be a perfect fit for my lifestyle (I'm not a high-spending business owner), I'd highly recommend it to a business traveler who has the regular expenses to hit the welcome offer's minimum spending requirement and would find value in the card's benefits.
If you're interested in learning more about how I compiled this list and TPG's rigorous guidelines applied to each card we review and rate, read up on our methodology.
Bottom line
While there isn't one "best credit card," there are many that stand out for earning rates, premium perks and useful benefits.
Any card that makes your travel experience a little sweeter — whether with lounge access, savings via statement credits or the ability to unlock fantastic redemptions — is a card worth your application.
I'll firmly stand behind any of my recommendations above. Every card may not work for every type of traveler, but it's likely you'll find something to love about the rewards and benefits of at least one of them. Take inventory of your wallet to see which of these fantastic cards can add something new to your next trip.
