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Travel Smart With Steph

Travel Smart With Steph's Top Credit Card Picks

If you've been following me for a while, you know I LOVE a great flight or hotel deal! But what I love even more is using credit card points  and miles to make those deals even sweeter. Here are a few of my absolute favorite cards, which also happen to be some of the best on the market right now.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Apply for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

at Chase's secure site

Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Apply now
for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Travel Smart With Steph's Take

"This card is a game-changer for anyone new to travel rewards. With points that can be effortlessly transferred to a multitude of airline and hotel partners, redeeming them is a breeze. It's so exceptional that it has earned a permanent spot in my wallet. Trust me, it's just THAT good!"

Intro offer

75,000 bonus points

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Rewards rate

5x
Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
3x
Earn 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
2x
Earn 2x on all other travel purchases.
1x
Earn 1x on all other purchases.
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.49% - 27.74% Variable
  • Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
  • Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
  • 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
  • Member FDIC

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Apply for Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

at Capital One's secure site

Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Apply now
for Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Travel Smart With Steph's Take

"This user-friendly card makes earning free travel a super easy. You can transfer miles to a wide range of airline partners and even redeem them for any travel-related expense on your credit card statement. Its versatility and ease of use make it an absolute favorite of mine."

Intro offer

Earn 75,000 miles

Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening

Rewards rate

5X miles
Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2X miles
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Top rated mobile app

American Express® Gold Card

Apply for American Express® Gold Card

at American Express's secure site

Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Partner offer.

Apply now
for American Express® Gold Card

Travel Smart With Steph's Take

"I love this card for its incredible returns on spending at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants, which is where I spend most of my money. While the annual fee is higher than most in this category, the insane savings on everyday expenses essentially cancel it out. It's truly a game-changer for maximizing your daily spending!"

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Rewards rate

4X
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4X
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3X
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2X
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1X
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Annual fee
$325
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.