Top 3 Flexible Travel and Rewards Credit Cards for Individuals

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a neat card with its bright blue color and noticeable weight, as well as for its its point earning capabilities. The Sapphire Preferred accrues 2X Sapphire points on restaurants and travel (including subways, cabs, and trains).

Key features are as follows:

• 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months.
• 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining at restaurants & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Points can be redeemed for gift cards or cash back, used directly for travel purchases, or transferred to several rewards programs including Singapore Airlines, British Airways, United Airlines and Hyatt Hotels.
• 24-7 Access to Dedicated US-based Customer Service professionals.
• $95 annual fee.

Note that the Chase Ink Preferred Card, the business version of this card, is essentially the same card but provides a sign up bonus of 80,000 points. Applying for that card with your social security number as your EIN may also be worth considering.

American Express® Gold Card

The American Express® Gold Card has strong reward categories and good transfer partners, including British Airways and Singapore Airlines, and sometimes offers a transfer bonus to British Airways. This card offers 4x Membership Rewards points at US supermarkets (up to $25,000 annually) and at restaurants worldwide. It also delivers 3x points on travel booked directly with the airline. The card also features a $100 airline fee credit and a $120 dining credit, and has no foreign transaction fees.travel spend,

Key features include:

• Earn 35K Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 during your first three months of Card membership.
• 3X points for flights booked with airlines, 4X points at US supermarkets (up to $25,000 annually), 4x points at restaurants worldwide. 1X points on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
• Points may also be transferred to several frequent flier programs including Delta, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and El Al. You will find a complete list of Amex's travel transfer partners on this page. American Express Membership Rewards Points may be redeemed for gift cards for dining, entertainment, and to shop over 300 popular brands.
• Terms and Restrictions Apply. Among other terms, American Express states very clearly that bonus Membership Rewards® points will not be awarded to current cardholders of other Amex cards or to those who have had this same product previously.
• $250 annual fee.

Citi Premier® Card

The Citi Premier Card offers 3x points as gas station, 2x points at restaurants and travel, and 1x points on all other spend. $95 annual fee.

Key features are as follows:

• 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months.
• 3x points at gas stations, 2x on travel and restaurants worldwide, 1x on all other spend. Points may be transferred to a Citi travel partner (listed here) or redeemed directly for travel through Citibank's Travel Center at a 1.25 cent valuation.
• Points don't expire as long as your account is open, active and in good standing.
• No foreign transaction fees on anything you buy while in another country.
• $95 annual fee.