When friends and family recommend the best credit cards to me, I never have a clear answer.
This is not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Your personal preferences, spending habits, desired rewards and travel goals all come into play and will prompt a unique response for each individual.
There are several cards I regularly recommend, ranging from products aimed at points and miles enthusiasts to rewards for travel novices dreaming of their next trip. Here is a collection of some of the best all-around options.
Compare my top picks for the best credit cards
These four top picks offer valuable points and miles that can power some fantastic redemptions. Here’s what to know.
| Card name | Welcome offer | Yield | annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | Earn 155,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases within your first six months as a card member. This offer ends on January 14, 2026. |
|
$150 (see rates and fees) |
| Capital One Ventures X Rewards Credit Card | Earn 100,000 bonus miles when you spend $10,000 in purchases within the first six months of account opening. |
|
$395 |
| Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees) | For a limited time, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. |
|
$595 |
| American Express Business Platinum Card® | Card members can earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 in the first three months. |
|
$895 (see rates and fees) |
Hilton Honors American Express Beyond Card
this Hilton Cypas Hotel This is an excellent mid-range option for those who use the brand regularly.
If you plan to make a purchase at Hilton at least once a quarter (for example, whether it’s for room rates, dining or spa services), it’s easy to exceed the card’s $150 annual fee. You can earn up to $200 back per calendar year (up to $50 in statement points each quarter) on qualifying Hilton purchases.
I highly recommend Surpass to anyone who values the card’s automatic Gold Elite status benefit. I really like the free breakfast or daily dining credits offered to Gold members as well as room upgrades for available space.
And the bonus points certainly don’t hurt either. I’m working on another redemption just like my 130,000-point stay at the Canopy by Hilton London City last spring.
To learn more, read our full review of Hilton Surpass.
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Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Beyond Card
Capital One Ventures X Rewards Credit Card
There’s no premium rewards card out there that does this like the Capital One Venture X.
With its valuable base earning rate, easy-to-use annual benefits, and reliable airport lounge access, you don’t have to worry about complex statement points and numerous bonus categories like other premium travel cards.
This is another card that can do math calculations. For an annual fee of $395, I get $300 in annual travel credits that can be used in the Capital One Travel portal, as well as 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, which TPG’s November 2025 valuation values at $185. If I maximized these two benefits individually each year, I would already be $90 more than the annual fee.
Plus, the card comes with the best welcome offer in nearly four years, making now a great time to add it to your wallet and collect 100,000 valuable Capital One miles.
For more information, read our full review of Venture X.
Learn more: Capital One Ventures X Rewards Credit Card
Citi Strata Elite Card
this strata elite Offering travelers and those who love to dine out some of the best value earning rates in popular rewards categories.
This card offers excellent rewards on travel booked through the Citi Travel Portal and at restaurants during weekend CitiNights promotions. Since Citi Appreciation Rewards points are now transferred to the highly valuable American Airlines AAdvantage program, you can benefit greatly from the program’s rewards.
If airport lounges are your thing, Strata Elite includes four American Airlines Admirals Club passes per year, each valid for 24 hours, which is a fun addition for those who don’t need a formal Admirals Club membership but find value in this level of access.
I’ve also come to appreciate the card’s unique statement points, which include up to $300 in annual hotel points (requires a two-night minimum stay), up to $200 in annual Splurge statement points (select two merchants), and up to $200 in Blacklane statement points ($100 biannually) when booking through the Citi Travel portal.
To learn more, read our full review of the Strata Elite.
Apply here: Citi Strata Elite Card
American Express Business Platinum Card
I have admired you for a long time American Express Business Platinum Card A top card for business travelers who value luxury, statement points and all-important perks.
First, few cards can match the lounge access benefits on the Business Platinum card. If American Express Centurion Lounges, 10-time annual access to Delta Sky Club Lounges* and Priority Pass Select Lounges fit the way you travel, you’ll be happy here. (Registration required.)
*Annual Delta Sky Club visit required when traveling on an eligible same-day Delta flight.
The generous number of statement points helps offset the card’s higher annual fee. These include high-value travel-related statement points for prepaid bookings through American Express Travel® that are part of the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts or Hotel Collection (The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay), and airline fee statement points – just to name a few.
To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Business Platinum Card.
Apply here: American Express Business Platinum Card
How do I choose my top cards?
this Hilton Honors goes beyond The Venture X is a mainstay in my wallet. When I maximized the benefits on both cards, I actually found that they offered more value than the annual fees charged, which put me ahead.
I’ve been watching strata elite Mainly because I fly frequently from American Airlines hubs since it launched earlier this year and love that Citi recently added American Airlines as a transfer partner.
Since I’ve factored in Strata Elite’s Admirals Club pass and Splurge points, it’s been moved near the top of my list.
Although American Express Business Platinum Card Might not be a good fit for my lifestyle (I’m not a high-spending business owner), but I highly recommend it to business travelers who have recurring fees to meet the welcome offer’s minimum spend requirement and who will find value in the card’s array of benefits.
It’s worth noting that I’m a very happy Business Platinum Personal Countercard member: American Express Platinum Card®. Therefore, I can guarantee that the overlapping premium travel benefits of these cards (like prepaid hotel points and elite status perks) are second to none.
If you’re interested in learning more about how I compiled this list and the strict guidelines TPG applies to every card we review and score, read our methodology.
bottom line
While there isn’t one “best credit card,” there are many that outperform others in terms of yields, premium benefits, and practical perks.
Any card that makes your travel experience sweeter—whether it’s lounge access, savings with statement points or the ability to unlock exciting redemptions—is a card worth applying for.
I will stand firmly behind any of my suggestions above. Every card may not be suitable for every type of traveler, but you’ll likely like the rewards and benefits of at least one of them. Take stock of your wallet and see which of these amazing cards could add something new to your next trip.
Related: The Best Rewards Credit Cards to Maximize Everyday Spending
For Hilton Surpass Card rates and fees, click here.
For rates and fees on the American Express Business Platinum Card, click here.
