Best credit card for hotel/travel points

How many hotels do you stay in per year? If you're up over 100, I'd look at getting the hotel card for whomever you stay with. I know IHG gives you 10x pts on their cars for every dollar spend at the hotel. Same for Marriott I believe. I know the Chase Sapphire Reserve is really popular, especially before the 450 fee.

Freedom card with the CSR is a good combo

It sounds like you are looking for a card with the most rewards for simply paying off existing bills.

I don't think you should be looking for a travel card as most of the benefit from these come from actual travel expense.

You should probably be looking for the highest minimum cash back card with no annual fee.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a great card for travel because you get 3% back on all travel expenses, lots of other travel perks like National and Avis status instantly and the points you earn are worth 1.5x if you book through the Chase portal.

Your problem would be that the bills you want to pay would only return 1% and likely wouldn't return enough in points to cover the $150 annual fee ($450 minus $300 travel rebate).

quote:

---

For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a great card for travel because you get 3% back on all travel expenses, lots of other travel perks like National and Avis status instantly and the points you earn are worth 1.5x if you book through the Chase portal. Your problem would be that the bills you want to pay would only return 1% and likely wouldn't return enough in points to cover the $150 annual fee ($450 minus $300 travel rebate).

---

But if you use CC for all purchases (fuel, groceries, etc.) and not just bills then it is well worth it.

I have Chase Sapphire Reserve and more than make up for the net $150 fee. If you’re going to redeem for hotel and travel, this is definitely the way to go.

Get the Reserve, the Sapphire Freedom, and the Freedom Unlimited. All points amongst the 3 can be commingled together and then used to get the 1.5x bonus by redeeming for travel. I exclusively redeem points for plane tickets and hotels, which essentially means I get the following rewards rates (and you or anyone else using this 3card set up and redeeming for travel can also get):

4.5% on all travel (air, hotel, rental car) and restaurant purchases from the Reserve

7.5% on rotating quarterly categories from the Freedom

2.25% on all other purchases from the Freedom Unlimited

For a $150 annual fee for all 3, you can’t beat that

May not be exactly what you're looking for, but i've thoroughly enjoyed the Uber Visa Card.

4% cash back on dining (takeout, restaurants, bars, and UberEATS)

3% Back on Hotel & Airfare

2% Back for online purchases (includes uber, online shopping, video/streaming services)

1% Back on all other purchases.

No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees.