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| TPG Award-winning credit cards |
| by Brian Kelly |
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We just revealed the 2024 TPG Award winners this week, and, oh my gosh, what an incredible lineup of winners this year.
Since I started The Points Guy in 2010, one of my favorite things has been hearing from readers who share incredible stories of how they’ve maximized points. It really reminds me of just how valuable the information we share is and that it truly unlocks amazing experiences.
If you’re looking to get a head start on your earning, take advantage of new perks in the new year or maybe just earn a juicy sign-up bonus, here are our team’s picks for the best credit cards.
Best Travel Rewards Credit Card
For the seventh year in a row, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has taken the top spot as Best Travel Rewards Credit Card, and for good reason — with a low $95 annual fee, built-in travel protections and annual $50 hotel credit, it’s an affordable way to earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. This is the card most recommended for beginners and experts due to its earning potential and valuable transferable points.
The current offer for new applicants on the Chase Sapphire Preferred is 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Best Premium Travel Card
Taking the top spot this year for Best Premium Travel Card is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which offers a lower annual fee than other premium cards. You might be surprised to learn that I use my Venture X to earn 2 miles per dollar on a huge portion of my personal spending. When I’m shopping for clothing and baby supplies or paying for insurance — all categories where I can’t earn 3, 4 or 5 miles per dollar spent — I put it on my Venture X.
I love the annual $300 credit on bookings through Capital One Travel and 10,000-mile bonus at each account anniversary. Plus, Capital One has been growing its network of amazing lounges, and Venture X cardholders get complimentary access to the lounge with up to two guests.
If you want a card that offers lounge access and solid earning rates on everyday spending, take a look at the Venture X. New cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
Best Credit Card for Lounge Access
The Platinum Card® from American Express is this year’s winner for Best Credit Card for Lounge Access, and it’s always a popular card with the TPG staff.
I put all airfare on my Amex Platinum because I earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 per calendar year. And while the annual fee is steep, the benefits include an up to $200 credit for airline incidentals and an up to $200 credit for American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection, to name just a couple. (Enrollment is required for select benefits.)
Amex continues to be a leader in the credit card lounge space, and this premium travel card provides access to Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta Air Lines. (Enrollment is required for select benefits).
If you’re thinking of adding an Amex Platinum to your wallet, doing so before the end of the year is a great way to double dip and earn your annual credits for 2024 before they reset for 2025 on Jan. 1. New cardholders can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership.
Best Premium Airline Credit Card
The winner this year for Best Premium Airline Credit Card is the only card that can get Admirals Club access for you and up to two guests. If you are a frequent American Airlines flyer, or just someone who wants some incredibly valuable, hard-to-earn miles with great international business-class redemptions, this could be a great card for you.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® offers cardholders perks when flying on American like priority check-in, airport screening and boarding, and a free checked bag. It can also help you fast track your elite status goals on American with Loyalty Points earned on everyday spending.
New applicants can earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first three months from account opening.
Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Rewards Credit Card
For so many people, rent is their biggest expense. Yet for years, the only way to pay for rent was to give landlords checks or Venmo payments. If you wanted to pay by credit card, you would incur a fee.
The Bilt Mastercard® has completely revolutionized this system. As long as you make at least five purchases with the card each statement period, you can earn points on rent payments and other qualifying net purchases. Even if your landlord only takes a check, Bilt can send checks and automated clearing house direct deposits so you can earn points on the transactions — up to 100,000 points per year.
Because you are paying rent via a credit card, you can also help build your credit history with each payment. It’s an absolute no-brainer, especially since there’s no annual fee. This is why the award for Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Rewards Credit Card goes to the Bilt Mastercard for the third year in a row. Full disclosure: I am an investor and adviser for Bilt, but I was not involved in the editorial choice for the awards.
Where will your rewards take you in 2025?
This time of year is the perfect time to evaluate your points and miles strategy and make a plan for 2025. Who knows — it might even include adding one of these award-winning cards to your wallet.
You can watch my segment announcing the winners on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” earlier this week, and be sure to check out the full list of 2024 TPG Award winners.
One last thing: This week I also had the pleasure of joining Martha Stewart on her podcast, where I got to ask her some really fun travel questions — like whether she ever gets stopped at the airport for bringing caviar through security. Give it a listen to find out!
Have a great weekend,
BK
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| Photo Credit: JONNO RATTMAN. |
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