Best of 2024
Written by
Yehoshua King
Edited by
Ross Turner
No matter what a credit card company or advertisement says, there isn’t a single “best” credit card for everyone. The best card for you depends on your spending habits, credit score, existing debt and more. But with so many options to choose from, picking the right card can be intimidating. At The Points Navigator, we have reviewed all the top cards and compiled it into categorized lists with all the most important information to help you find the best card for YOU!
The Platinum Card from American Express
Rewards rate
5X Points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
5X Points on prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com.
1X Points on all other eligible purchases.
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Intro Offer
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Pros & cons
Extensive travel benefits including access to the Global Lounge Collection, offering more airport lounge options than any other credit card on the market.
Up to $200 in annual airline fee credits for incidental charges with a selected airline.
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors™ Gold status.
Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash for rides and eats orders in the U.S.
No foreign transaction fees.
Comprehensive travel insurance coverage including trip delay, cancellation, and interruption insurance.
High annual fee of $695
The rewards rate on non-travel and non-hotel purchases is lower compared to some other premium credit cards.
Some benefits require enrollment and have caps, such as the digital entertainment credit and the dining statement credit, which may limit their utility for some cardholders.
Card Details
The Platinum Card® from American Express is designed for frequent travelers. Earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com, plus enjoy extensive lounge access, hotel elite status, and up to $400 in annual credits for airlines, Uber, and more. While the $695 annual fee is substantial (see rates and fees), along with lower earning rates outside of travel bookings, this card delivers significant value for those who maximize its travel benefits.
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Rewards rate
2X Miles on dining at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
2X Miles at U.S. supermarkets.
2X Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta.
1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
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Pros & cons
Generous intro offer of 70,000 bonus miles.
2X Miles on dining, groceries, and Delta purchases.
First checked bag free on Delta flights.
$200 Delta Flight Credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year.
No foreign transaction fees.
$150 annual fee after the first year.
High APR for purchases.
Card Details
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card maximizes rewards for Delta flyers. Earn 2X miles on dining, groceries, and Delta purchases, plus a generous welcome bonus. Enjoy a free first checked bag, priority boarding, a $200 Delta Flight Credit (after $10,000 annual spend), and no foreign transaction fees. While there’s a $150 annual fee after the first year, this card is ideal for those seeking Delta-specific travel perks and rewards.
American Express Gold Card
Rewards rate
2X points on travel, including eligible flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more.
2X points on everyday purchases, including eligible gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases in Canada.
1X points on everything else, from dining to takeout, subscriptions, shopping, and more.
1 additional point on Amex Travel Online on eligible hotel or car rental bookings.
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Pros & cons
Generous rewards rate on travel and everyday purchases.
Up to 60,000 Membership Rewards points as an intro offer.
$100 Annual Travel Credit and four complimentary visits per year to Plaza Premium Lounges in Canada.
No foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
High annual fee of $250.
High APR for purchases and funds advances.
Additional Gold Rewards Cards have a $50 annual fee after the first free card.
Card Details
The American Express® Gold Rewards Card delivers rewards for travel and everyday spending. Earn 2X points on travel, dining, and select everyday purchases, plus an annual $100 Travel Credit and complimentary lounge visits. Enjoy no foreign transaction fees, and a generous welcome bonus. While the $250 annual fee is significant, this card is ideal for those who value travel perks and flexible rewards.
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Rewards rate
6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% Cash Back on transit, including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
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Pros & cons
High cash back rates on groceries and streaming subscriptions.
Cash back on transit and gas expenses.
Introductory $0 annual fee for the first year.
Introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months.
$95 annual fee after the first year.
High cash back rates apply to $6,000 per year in purchases in specific categories, then drop to 1%.
Card Details
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express delivers high cash back on everyday spending. Earn 6% on US supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 6% on select US streaming subscriptions, and 3% on gas and transit. Enjoy a $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $95. While there are spending caps on the high-earning categories, this card is ideal for those who prioritize cash back on groceries, streaming, and travel-related expenses.
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Rewards rate
5X Points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com.
5X Points on eligible purchases in key business categories and on purchases of $5K or more, up to $2 million per calendar year.
1X Points on other eligible purchases.
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Pros & cons
High rewards rate on travel booked through AmexTravel.
Comprehensive travel benefits including access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide.
Up to $200 airline fee credit and up to $189 CLEAR Plus credit annually.
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors™ Gold status.
Over $1,000 in annual statement credits for business expenses with partners like Dell, Indeed, Adobe, and wireless telephone services.
High annual fee of $695.
High spending requirement for the welcome offer.
Benefits and rewards are most valuable for frequent travelers.
Card Details
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is built for frequent business travelers. Earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com, plus up to $1,000+ in annual statement credits for business services. Enjoy lounge access, hotel elite status, $200 in airline fee credits, and more. While the $695 annual fee is high (see rates & fees), businesses that utilize the travel benefits and statement credits will find significant value.
American Express Business Gold Card
Rewards rate
4X Points on your top 2 eligible categories each billing cycle, on the first $150,000
3X Points on flights & pre-paid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com.
1X Points on all other eligible purchases.
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Pros & cons
Earn 4X points on top 2 spending categories.
70,000 Membership Rewards points welcome offer.
Up to $395 in annual statement credits.
No foreign transaction fees.
Comprehensive travel and purchase protections.
High annual fee of $375.
4X points cap at $150,000 in purchases per year.
Complex rewards structure.
High APR for Pay Over Time feature.
Card Details
The American Express Business Gold Card rewards flexibility and travel. Earn 4X points on your top 2 spending categories each cycle (up to $150,000 annually), 3X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, and get up to $395 in annual statement credits. While the $375 annual fee is substantial, frequent travelers and businesses with varied spending will find significant value in the card’s rewards and travel perks.