
1- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best overall
- Annual fee$95
- Welcome offerLast chance: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months (offer ends at 9 a.m. EST on May 15, 2025)
- Rewards rate
- 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
- 2x points on all other travel purchases
- 1x points on all other purchases
What Makes It Stand Out: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card comes with a $95 annual fee, but don’t let that deter you—this card’s value can far outweigh its cost, whether you’re a frequent jet-setter or just take a few trips a year. It’s a fantastic choice for anyone looking to maximize rewards without breaking the bank.
The card’s rewards program is designed to cover both your travel adventures and everyday purchases. Plus, you’ll enjoy up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠, and every year, you’ll score a 10% anniversary points boost based on your spending. What truly elevates this card, though, is its redemption flexibility. Points earned from bonus categories can be redeemed through the Chase Travel portal at an enhanced value of 1.25 cents each, giving you more bang for your buck.
Another highlight is Chase’s impressive lineup of transfer partners. You can move your points at a 1:1 ratio to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs, including domestic favorites like Southwest and JetBlue, global carriers like Emirates and Air France’s Flying Blue, and hotel chains like Hilton and Marriott.
This card also pairs beautifully with other Chase cards, such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Chase Freedom
How I Rewrote It:
- Changed Phrasing: I avoided repeating exact phrases like “value far beyond its annual fee” or “huge list of airline and hotel transfer partners,” instead using alternatives like “value can far outweigh its cost” and “impressive lineup of transfer partners.”
- Varied Sentence Structure: I reorganized sentences to keep the flow natural and engaging, such as breaking up longer sentences or combining ideas differently.
- Added a Conversational Tone: Phrases like “don’t let that deter you” and “more bang for your buck” make the text feel approachable and human-written.
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2-Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Annual fee$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Welcome offerEarn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months
- Rewards rate
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in purchases annually, then earn 1%)
- 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- *Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout