TPG Readers Reveal Their Favorite Credit Cards
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Whether you've got a modest number of credit cards in your wallet or, like some members of The Points Guy's editorial team, have more than 40, everybody's got a favorite. Mine happens to be the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which has come in handy for all the travel and dining purchases I've been making while living abroad in Australia.
Last month we asked our TPG Lounge readers to reveal the credit cards they regretted signing up for. This time around, we asked them to share their favorite credit cards and why they deserved such an honorable title. A whopping 212 comments later, here's what folks had to say. (Some responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity).
The Usual Suspects
We weren't surprised to see a few of the crowd favorites mentioned regularly. After all, The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Citi Prestige and the Chase Sapphire Reserve are often near the top of our own lists of favorite cards.
"Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR). The 3x points earnings on dining helped me get the points I needed for my honeymoon. I always find myself eating out with guests so it works out." — Wil L.
"CSR. [I have] just about enough miles to book PHL–SYD for New Year's." — Timothy O.
"CSR, especially with the numerous ChasePay/BestBuy promotions that have been going on. I stocked up on gas and grocery gift cards so I am getting 10 points per dollar on those purchases in addition to the 3x points per dollar on travel and dining. It was just a partnership with Best Buy, 10 points per dollar up to $300 and what I did was buy $300 gas or grocery gift cards each time." — Paul G.
"Citi Prestige. [With the] 4th Night Free, we got $650 back while staying at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. This summer we are going to Hawaii [and are looking at getting] $725 back for a night at Aulani, a Disney Resort, and $750 back for a night at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Maui." — Peter J.
"I love my Citi Prestige. It is not my favorite but it is my most profitable card because I travel for four nights every week for work and my travel expenses are reimbursed so I get to pocket the 4th night free rebate from the card. I get thousands of extra dollars from that and it's completely legal/ethical to keep a rebate!" — Shana G.
"Amex Platinum for the Fine Hotels & Resorts deals, Centurion Lounge access and gold status with Marriott/SPG/Ritz-Carlton." — Alex L.
"Amex Platinum for GE/PP reimbursements, upgraded hotel status, Centurion Lounge access, 5x points on airfare, Uber reimbursement, $200 travel credit, plus the Concierge is awesome! They email me recommendations for great restaurants and make reservations for me." — Shey T.
Other Cards With Great Perks
We were a little surprised to see the variety of credit cards that people said were their favorites, but given the reasoning behind their choices, it's easy to see why they made the cut.
"The Uber Visa card! No annual fee, good points redemptions and no foreign transaction fees." — Kevin D.
"Because I live three minutes from an American Airlines hub, I like the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard. Paired with my platinum status, the benefits in the airport and on the plane are excellent." — Jacob B.
"I'm actually loving my Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card because I'm combining it with the 10x miles offer for hotels.com. With that combo, I'm wracking up the Venture Miles and free nights on hotels.com." — Julia T. (Offer ends Jan. 31, 2020)
"The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card [gives you] 3x points on Apple Pay transactions and travel, including Uber. Stellar customer service with no hold time and reps that know their stuff. Real time rewards redemption using whatever travel site I want. Happy as a clam." — Bryan S.
"Oddly enough, The Amex EveryDay® Card From American Express. It’s not the biggest earner but with no annual fee, a solid welcome bonus, free AU, 20% bonus after 20 transactions, 2x points at grocery stores and the ability to transfer to travel partners, it’s been holding it down! A keeper card everyone should have." — Randall W.
"The M Life Rewards Mastercard. I am from Las Vegas and it gives me free parking at the casinos, plus I can use the comps points to take the wife for free nice dinners, shows, concerts or [use them for] free staycation hotel rooms. The card just looks cool. My favorite was the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express until they changed the MQD wavier requirement for Diamond from $25,000 to $250,000." — Art H.
"Chase Freedom because I get 5x points this quarter for groceries I have to buy anyway. I reach the $1,500 limit very easily." — Kathy R.
"If you can get it, the JP Morgan Reserve is the best. All the CSR benefits plus United Club access. What’s better than that?" — William B.
"The Amex Hilton Aspire Card. With 7.2% return on Hilton purchases, 3.6% on restaurants/groceries/gas, 1.8% on everything else, it's quite well-rounded." — Adam B.
"I actually love my FoundersCard. Finally got to use it a bunch this year. Great value." — Derek K.
"How about my Disney debit card from Chase? I like Mickey Mouse and magic!" — Fanxing Z.
Why Pick Just One?
Of course, no one said you only had to have one favorite card. Sometimes a couple of them deserve the top spot in your wallet.
"Chase Sapphire Reserve for travel and dining, and The Blue Business®️ Plus Credit Card from American Express for everything else. 2x Membership Rewards up to $50,000 in spend (then 1x) with no annual fee makes it an amazing card." — David K.
"[Chase] Sapphire Reserve and the IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card. If I don’t have any minimum spend, then the CSR for food, the Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express for gas. Everything else, Chase Freedom Unlimited and SPG Amex, and 5% category freedom only for bonus." — Sunny K.
"The Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express for non-bonus spending for the 1:3 transfer to Marriott (until August) and for the Amex offers I load to my account. CSR for 3x points on travel and dining." — Ann W.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- 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.
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. |
Intro 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.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- 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.