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If You Always Have to Have The Best, Then You Probably Have These Credit Cards

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I’ve been stepping up our coverage of credit card miles hacking, and have had readers ask me, what is the best starter card for credit card miles? The card I started with was the Chase Sapphire Preferred, and I would say it is the best card for 80% of readers.

But for those of you who follow the 80/20 rule like I do, I want to know what’s the absolute best travel card.

For me, since I run a business, my Amex Platinum is my go-to. I earn 50% bonus points when I charge over $5,000 on a single transaction, $200 airline travel credit, plus the 5X on airfare and hotels really makes this a huge point-earner for me.

If I didn’t run a business, my goto travel card would be the Chase Sapphire Reserve, for the fact that it gets 3x points on dining and travel, plus a $300 annual travel credit which I can apply to Uber.

CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE

  • Get 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
  • Up to $100 towards Global Entry or TSA Pre Check, access to 1000+ airport lounges
  • Enjoy 3x points on travel and dining worldwide
  • $300 travel credit (which can be used for any travel purchase, including Uber)
  • 50% rebate when points redeemed for travel on Chase Travel
  • Check the Card Page for current bonus and terms.

Best Point Redemption: Transfer 100,000 points to Hyatt for four nights in a Category 6 property. You can use your Ultimate Rewards points to stay in the amazing Andaz Tokyo, which we stayed in and absolutely loved back in 2016.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Transfer Partners

Chase Transfer Partners (Airline) Transfer Ratio Transfer Time
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer 1:1 Almost Instant
United Airlines MileagePlus 1:1 Almost Instant
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards 1:1 Almost Instant
Korean Air SKYPASS 1:1 Almost Instant
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club 1:1 Almost Instant
British Airways Executive Club 1:1 Almost Instant
Flying Blue AirFrance / KLM 1:1 Almost Instant

CHASE HOTEL TRANSFER PARTNERS

Chase Transfer Partner (Hotel) Transfer Ratio Transfer Time
Marriott Rewards 1:1 2 days
Hyatt Gold Passport 1:1 Almost Instant
IHG Rewards Club 1:1 1 day
The Ritz-Carlton Rewards 1:1 2 days

CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED

  • Check the Card Page for current bonus and terms.
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Get 2x points on travel and dining worldwide
  • Check the Card Page for current bonus and terms.
  • No foreign transaction fees

Best Point Redemption: For just 120,000 miles you can fly in Singapore Suite class for free with points.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Transfer Partners

Chase Transfer Partners (Airline) Transfer Ratio Transfer Time
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer 1:1 Almost Instant
United Airlines MileagePlus 1:1 Almost Instant
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards 1:1 Almost Instant
Korean Air SKYPASS 1:1 Almost Instant
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club 1:1 Almost Instant
British Airways Executive Club 1:1 Almost Instant
Flying Blue AirFrance / KLM 1:1 Almost Instant

CHASE HOTEL TRANSFER PARTNERS

Chase Transfer Partner (Hotel) Transfer Ratio Transfer Time
Marriott Rewards 1:1 2 days
Hyatt Gold Passport 1:1 Almost Instant
IHG Rewards Club 1:1 1 day
The Ritz-Carlton Rewards 1:1 2 days

BARCLAYCARD ARRIVAL PLUS WORLD ELITE MASTERCARD

  • 70,000 bonus points on signup after spending $5,000 in the first 90 days
  • Gain 2x points on all purchases.
  • Comes with 24/7 complimentary concierge services.
  • Annual fee is just $89.

Best Point Redemption: Cut the lines in availing transfers. Members will simply check on their website for booking with a 1:1 ratio.

CHASE INK BUSINESS PREFERRED CARD

  • Receive 5x points at office supply stores, internet spend, and cable TV
  • Receive 25% points rebate when booking travel through Ultimate Rewards Portal
  • Check the Card Page for current bonus and terms.
  • Annual fee is just $95

Best Point Redemption: Fly Business Class from the US to Europe for 50,000 miles by transferring Ultimate Rewards points to United.com.

Chase Ink Preferred Transfer Partners

Chase Transfer Partners (Airline) Transfer Ratio Transfer Time
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer 1:1 Almost Instant
United Airlines MileagePlus 1:1 Almost Instant
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards 1:1 Almost Instant
Korean Air SKYPASS 1:1 Almost Instant
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club 1:1 Almost Instant
British Airways Executive Club 1:1 Almost Instant
Flying Blue AirFrance / KLM 1:1 Almost Instant

Chase Hotel Transfer Partners

Chase Transfer Partner (Hotel) Transfer Ratio Transfer Time
Marriott Rewards 1:1 2 days
Hyatt Gold Passport 1:1 Almost Instant
IHG Rewards Club 1:1 1 day
The Ritz-Carlton Rewards 1:1 2 days

AMERICAN EXPRESS BUSINESS PLATINUM CARD

  • Check the Card Page for current bonus and terms.
  • Access to over 1,000 lounges worldwide with Priority Pass
  • Get 5x points on airfare
  • 35% points rebate when redeemed on AmexTravel.com
  • Annual fee is $550

Best Point Redemption: Transfer points to Singapore Air and fly Economy Class from New York/Houston to Singapore for 40,000 miles.

Amex Transfer Partner Transfer Ratio Transfer Time
AeroMexico 1:1.6 2-12 days
Air Canada 1:1 Almost Instant
Alitalia 1:1 Almost Instant
ANA 1:1 2-3 days
British Airways 1.25:1 Almost Instant
Cathay Pacific* 1:1 1 day to 1 week
Delta Air Lines 1:1 Almost Instant
EL AL 50:1 Almost Instant
Emirates 1:1  Almost Instant
FlyingBlue AirFrance/KLM  1:1  Almost Instant
Hawaiian  1:1  Almost Instant
Iberia 1.25:1 1-3 days
JetBlue 1.25:1 Almost Instant
Singapore Airlines  1:1 1-2 days
Virgin America  1:0.5 Almost Instant
Virgin Atlantic  2:1 1-2 days
Etihad Airways  1:1 Almost Instant

AMERICAN EXPRESS BUSINESS GOLD CARD

Source

  • Up to 75,000
  • 3x points earning in select categories
  • Bonus categories include: airfare, advertising, gas stations, shipping, computer hardware
  • $100 Airline Fee Credit
  • Check the Card Page for current bonus and terms.

Best Point Redemption: Transfer points to Singapore Air and fly Domestic US Business Class for 40,000 miles.

Amex Transfer Partner Transfer Ratio Transfer Time
AeroMexico 1:1.6 2-12 days
Air Canada 1:1 Almost Instant
Alitalia 1:1 Almost Instant
ANA 1:1 2-3 days
British Airways 1.25:1 Almost Instant
Cathay Pacific 1:1 1 day to 1 week
Delta Air Lines 1:1 Almost Instant
EL AL 50:1 Almost Instant
Emirates 1:1  Almost Instant
FlyingBlue AirFrance/KLM  1:1  Almost Instant
Hawaiian  1:1  Almost Instant
Iberia 1.25:1 1-3 days
JetBlue 1.25:1 Almost Instant
Singapore Airlines  1:1 1-2 days
Virgin America  1:0.5 Almost Instant
Virgin Atlantic  2:1 1-2 days
Etihad Airways  1:1 Almost Instant

AMERICAN EXPRESS STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST CREDIT CARD

  • Get 25,000 bonus Starpoints® once you spend $3,000 for the first 3 months
  • Get 5,000 bonus points when you transfer 20,000 points to a partner program
  • Free insurance for rental car loss and damage
  • Annual fee is $95, waived on your first year.

Best Point Redemption: Use 130,000 SPG points for 5 nights at the St. Regis Maldives.

Amex Transfer Partner Transfer Ratio Transfer Time
AeroMexico 1:1.6 2-12 days
Air Canada 1:1 Almost Instant
Alitalia 1:1 Almost Instant
ANA 1:1 2-3 days
British Airways 1.25:1 Almost Instant
Cathay Pacific 1:1 1 day to 1 week
Delta Air Lines 1:1 Almost Instant
EL AL 50:1 Almost Instant
Emirates 1:1  Almost Instant
FlyingBlue AirFrance/KLM  1:1  Almost Instant
Hawaiian  1:1  Almost Instant
Iberia 1.25:1 1-3 days
JetBlue 1.25:1 Almost Instant
Singapore Airlines  1:1 1-2 days
Virgin America  1:0.5 Almost Instant
Virgin Atlantic  2:1 1-2 days
Etihad Airways  1:1 Almost Instant

CITI PRESTIGE CARD

  • Get 40,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months
  • 3x points on air, travel, and hotels purchases
  • $250 Air Travel Credit
  • 24/7 concierge service
  • Check the Card Page for current bonus and terms.

Best Point Redemption: Transfer 25,000 miles to AAdvantage for a saver business class seat from NYC to LAX!

Citi Transfer Partner (Airline) Transfer Ratio Transfer Time
Cathay Pacific Airways 1:1 24 hours
Etihad Airways** 1:1 6 days
EVA Air 1:1 2 days
Air France/KLM’s Flying Blue 1:1 2 days
Garuda Indonesia 1:1 2 days
Malaysia Airlines 1:1 N/A
Qantas Airways 1:1 2 days
Qatar Airways 1:1 2 days
Singapore Airlines 1:1 2 days
Thai Airways 1:1 4 days
Virgin America 1:0.5 2 days
Virgin Atlantic Airways 1:1 2 days
JetBlue TrueBlue 1:0.8 2 days

BANK OF AMERICA TRAVEL REWARDS CARD

Source

  • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
  • Earn up to 2.625 points per dollar when combined with Platinum Honors rewards
  • No annual fee

Best Point Redemption: You can use your points on any hotel or plane ticket you wish, without any blackout dates or restrictions.

top travel credit cards 2017

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Lifetailored has partnered with Creditcards.com for our coverage of credit card products. Lifetailored and Creditcards.com may receive a commission from card issuers Additional Disclosure: This site has affiliate links. We may be compensated when users make a purchase or register to a third party website. For more details read our privacy policy.

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