Best Premium Credit Cards
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Premium credit cards are generally geared toward frequent travelers. So, those who travel several times a year should consider paying the $450 annual fee for some of the additional benefits. While $450 may seem like a lot at first, once you add up the value of those benefits, and factor in the travel statement credits often offered with a premium credit card, you’ll find the annual fee drops significantly — often below the $95 annual fee required for a general travel rewards card. Better rewards and statement credits for less than what you’d spend for a general travel rewards card: that’s money well spent in my book.
The Best Premium Credit Cards of 2020
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best for VIP Travel Perks
- The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for Lucrative Reward Options
- American Express® Gold Card : Best for Travel & Dining Perks
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Best for VIP Travel Perks Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Best for VIP Travel Perks
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Spend $4,000 on purchases in your first three months to earn 50,000 bonus points. That’s $750 in travel!
- Annual travel credit of $300 given as statement credit.
- Get 50% more in redemption value when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards. You can redeem for airfare, hotels, cruises and car rentals.
- Earn 3x points on travel after earning your $300 travel credit. Earn 3X on dining and 1x points on all other purchases.
- Issuer: Chase
- Annual Fee: $550
- Balance Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 24.99% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
- Introductory APR: N/A
- Introductory APR Period: N/A
- Introductory Balance Transfer APR: N/A
- Introductory Balance Transfer Period: N/A
- Ongoing APR: 16.99% - 23.99% Variable
- Penalty APR: None
Our two cents
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is for the experienced traveler who wants to travel in style and earn rewards in the process. The card offers a yearly travel credit worth $300 as well as airport luxury lounge benefits. Among the various luxury credit cards available, Chase Sapphire Reserve® is good common sense for those who get around.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® allows you to transfer points to other loyalty programs. The practice of transferring points and redeeming them can save hundreds of dollars on travel-related expenditures.
The annual fee of $550 is higher than average, but with up to triple points on dining and travel, not to mention a wide assortment of other perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card more than earns its keep.
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Best for Lucrative Reward Options
The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases in your first 3 months.
- Enjoy VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status available to Basic Card Member only.
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.
- 5X Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.
- Enjoy access to the Global Lounge Collection, the only credit card airport lounge access program that includes proprietary lounge locations around the world.
- Receive complimentary benefits with an average total value of $550 with Fine Hotels & Resorts® program at over 1,000 properties. Learn More.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit, up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $550 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
- Issuer: American Express
- Annual Fee: $550 (See Rates & Fees)
- Balance Transfer Fee: N/A*
- Cash Advance APR: 25.24% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Introductory APR: See Rates & Fees
- Introductory Balance Transfer APR: N/A*
- Ongoing APR: See Pay Over Time APR
- Penalty APR: See Rates & Fees
Our two cents
Much like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, The Platinum Card® from American Express is aimed squarely at the seasoned traveler who prefers not to cut corners on dining and lodging. The annual fee is a head turner at $550, but the card pays for itself through the volume of rewards and perks offered, such as travel credit and elite airport lounge access.
The Platinum Card® from American Express allows for additional authorized users (for an additional fee), which really allows you to rack up rewards quickly. Gold Card holders can also be added to the account for free, allowing access to the same rates, but without many of the benefits offered on The Platinum Card® from American Express.
The Platinum Card® from American Express offers one of the most generous welcome bonuses to be found in the industry, offering 60,000 Membership Rewards® points if you spend $5000 within the first three months. And while the card may be used for everyday purchases and activities, it’s the roster of perks that will have you using this card for years to come.
Start your application now Back to topBest for Travel & Dining Perks
American Express® Gold Card
- Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 3 months.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points on Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Airline Fee Credit: up to $100 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees at one selected qualifying airline.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
- Issuer: American Express
- Annual Fee: $250 See Rates & Fees
- Balance Transfer Fee: N/A
- Cash Advance APR: 25.24% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None
- Introductory APR: N/A
- Introductory APR Period: N/A
- Introductory Balance Transfer APR: N/A
- Introductory Balance Transfer Period: N/A
- Ongoing APR: See Pay Over Time APR
- Penalty APR: See Rates & Fees
Our two cents
The American Express® Gold Card is a card for foodies, whether it’s eating out or dining at home, as it touts a considerable rate of reward for both restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases. Membership perks are also available for frequent travelers, with credits earned that more than make up for the rather stiff $250 annual fee.
The American Express® Gold Card is a charge card, differentiating itself from traditional credit cards in that there is no predetermined credit limit, and you must pay off your balance each month.
The American Express® Gold Card is the gold standard when it comes to restaurant and U.S. supermarket store purchases, as well as travel, lodging, and dining expenditures.
Start your application now Back to topHere are the best premium credit card offers for 2020:
| Best for... | Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Vip Travel Perks |
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Learn More |
| Lucrative Reward Options |
Partner Offer
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Apply Now |
| Travel & Dining Perks |
Partner Offer
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Apply Now |
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