5 of the most underrated travel rewards cards
Premium cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® have many users and are popular choices for travel rewards — and for good reason. But there are other cards to consider if you're in the market for a new (or your first) travel rewards card.
We surveyed TPG staff and compiled a list of five of the most underrated credit cards, all of which offer cash back or points. Here's why we think they should find a way to sneak into your wallet.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Welcome offer: 150,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Annual fee: $550
Why it's here: The Aspire deserves mention among the bevy of top-tier travel cards.
For starters, it comes with Hilton Diamond status for as long as you hold the card, and you'll earn 14 points per dollar at participating Hilton hotels. It also comes with up to $400 in Hilton Resort credits, airline fee credits, and up to $200 in airline statement credits every calendar year.
Cardholders can also earn up to three reward nights per calendar year.
This card is a great choice for those loyal to Hilton who want to receive elite status perks.
The information for the Hilton Aspire card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Learn more: Hilton Amex Aspire
American Express Green Card
Welcome offer: 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Annual fee: $150
Why it's here: The American Express® Green Card often gets a bit lost in the company's other offerings, but it is a strong offering in the mid-tier travel card category.
It offers 3 points per dollar on broader travel, restaurants and transit, as well as annual statement credits for Clear Plus and Lounge Buddy that more than cover its annual fee.
The normal rate for Clear Plus membership is $199 per year, and the statement credit covers the full annual cost (enrollment required). You'll also get up to $100 in statement credits per calendar year when you use the American Express Green Card to purchase lounge access directly from LoungeBuddy.
The card is a simple and viable option for those who spend a lot on travel, dining and commuting.
The information for the Amex Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Learn more: Amex Green
Chase Ink Business Preferred
Welcome offer: 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $95
Why it's here: The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has unique perks among business card offerings, offering 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases each year on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines.
You'll enjoy an array of business tools, such as account insights, bookkeeping integration and account alerts, along with cellphone and purchase protections, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and more.
Lastly, maximize value by pairing the Ink Business Preferred with other Chase offerings.
At just $95 a year, it's hard to beat.
Read our review of the Ink Business Preferred.
Apply here: Ink Business Preferred
Citi Strata Premier Card
Welcome offer: 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Annual fee: $95
Why it's here: Our review pegs the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees) as an "under-the-radar gem with a phenomenal range of bonus categories," which pretty much sums it up.
The Strata Premier earns a healthy 3 points per dollar on air travel, other hotel purchases, gas stations, EV charging stations, restaurants and supermarkets, excellent rates for its mid-range annual fee. Citi Strata Premier points are also extremely versatile, worth 1.8 cents each per TPG August 2024 valuations. That means you're earning over 5% back in these categories.
You'll also get a $100 annual hotel credit for a single-stay hotel booking of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) made through the Citi travel portal once each calendar year, along with a number of protections and no foreign transaction fees.
Put simply, it's a heavy hitter in the mid-tier annual fee card category.
Read our review of the Citi Strata Premier.
Apply here: Citi Strata Premier
Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card
Welcome offer: 60,000 online bonus points (a $600 value) after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $95.
Why it's here: An unsung product from one of the major banks, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card includes an up-to-$100 annual airline incidental statement credit and an up-to-$100 statement credit every four years toward TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry that more than neutralize its $95 annual fee.
This card offers an impressive return on everyday spending, with 2 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases and an elevated 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back or gift cards at a rate of 1 cent per point.
But where the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card truly shines is when you become a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member. You can enroll in its Preferred Rewards program by opening an eligible checking account or investment account. Those holding assets in eligible Bank of America or Merrill accounts can earn 25-75% more points on everyday purchases with the Premium Rewards Credit Card.
If you're lucky enough to qualify for the top-tier Platinum Honors level in the Preferred Rewards program with the Premium Rewards Credit Card, you can amass a hefty return of 3.5 points per dollar on dining and travel and a solid 2.62 points per dollar on non-bonus spending.
Pretty impressive for a $95 annual fee card.
Read our review of the Bank of America Premium Rewards.
Apply here: Bank of America Premium Rewards
Bottom line
The major issuers like Chase and Amex offer some incredibly popular credit cards, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of other cards on the market worth considering. Broaden your horizons with some cards that don't get as much attention but could very well be worth your time and consideration.