Best Premium Credit Cards Of May 2024

Chase’s most premium card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®*, is beloved by avid travelers, known as one of the top premium travel credit cards on the market. It shines thanks to its generous bonus categories and flexible rewards, which can be used to purchase travel in the Chase Travel℠ travel portal or transferred to partners like United, British Airways, Hyatt and JetBlue. One of the card’s most popular perks is its $300 travel credit, which can be applied to things like flights, hotels, taxis, rideshare services and even subway charges, a significant offset to the card’s annual fee.

Rewards: Earn 5 points per dollar on flights and 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals when purchasing travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3 points per dollar on other travel and dining and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee: $550

Other benefits and drawbacks: In addition to the $300 statement credit for travel purchases, the card offers a number of perks such as Priority Pass lounge access, 50% more redemption value when redeeming points for travel via Chase, a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit and ample travel protections like trip cancellation/interruption and trip delay insurance.

When it comes to cons, there aren’t many with this card. Just know that Chase is pretty strict about its 5/24 rule, meaning if you were approved for more than five credit cards during the past 24 months, you aren’t likely to get approved for this one (or any other Chase card), regardless of your credit score.

When it comes to premium credit cards, most come along with a significantly high annual fee—think upwards of $400 and close to $700, in some cases. But the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the only card on this list that comes with premium benefits and an annual fee that’s less than $400 (rates & fees).

Rewards: Earn 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25 and 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booking via Capital One Travel.

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Annual fee: $395

Other benefits and drawbacks: One of the most affordable premium cards on the market, the Venture X comes with many benefits, such as a yearly 10,000-mile anniversary bonus starting on your first anniversary, a $300 annual travel credit for bookings in the Capital One Travel portal and an up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Cardholders also get Priority Pass lounge access and can enter Capital One’s new lounges, currently located in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Denver (DEN) and Washington, D.C. (IAD).

Even better? You can add authorized users to your account for free, and they’ll also get some of the card’s benefits, such as Priority Pass lounge membership and the ability to access Capital One Lounges.

However, when it comes to travel credits, this card’s $300 annual credit doesn’t quite match up to the versatility of the Reserve’s, as you can only get it when booking travel within Capital One’s own travel portal. And, while the brand does have several transfer partners, many of the most accessible ones for U.S. travelers aren’t on there—think Delta, United, Hyatt or Marriott. You will find several international airlines on the list, though.

This might just be the most premium card on our list—or at least the most prestigious and expensive. The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees) is as chic as it sounds: A weighted metal credit card (you might be able to choose your own design, too) that comes with a slew of benefits and a hefty annual fee. But depending on your lifestyle and interests, it may or may not be the right card for you.

Rewards: Earn 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 on purchases on the card in the first 6 months of card membership.

Annual fee: $695

Other benefits and drawbacks: The Amex Platinum comes with a variety of lifestyle benefits that may not be a good fit for the average user. It’s ideal for those who enjoy booking travel via the Amex Travel Portal, fitness buffs, travelers and luxury shoppers. Perks include things like a $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit ($50 twice per year), a $300 Equinox statement credit, a $200 statement credit each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel, a $200 airline fee credit, $200 in Uber Cash ($15 per month plus a $20 bonus in December), $240 a year ($20 per month) digital entertainment credit and access to the Global Lounge Collection (including Centurion Lounges).

Membership Rewards points offer lots of flexibility, with a host of transfer partners from Hilton to Delta to Emirates.

Although this card has many perks, it also takes some organization and work to ensure you remember to use enough of its benefits to offset the high annual fee, especially since some of the statement credits require enrollment.

Hilton loyalists should run, not walk to apply for the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express*, which offers benefits like Diamond elite status, the highest of the brand’s four status levels. This means you’ll get things like 100% points bonuses on stays, executive hotel lounge access and food and beverage credits, among other perks.

Rewards: Earn 14 Hilton Honors bonus points at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton Portfolio, 7 points per dollar on eligible purchases for flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and U.S. restaurants and 3 points per dollar on other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of card membership.

Annual fee: $550

Other benefits and drawbacks: Besides getting complimentary Hilton Diamond elite status, cardholders also get perks like quarterly statement credits when paying for flights with your card, semi-annual Hilton resort credits and a free night award. Anyone who is loyal to Hilton will find it easy to make the card’s benefits outweigh the annual fee.

While points rewards may seem ridiculously high in some cases (like 14X per dollar spent!), Hilton points have a much lower value than many other reward programs. And the card is really only valuable to anyone who frequently stays at Hilton properties.

Delta flyers should apply for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (terms apply, see rates & fees). While the card doesn’t have the best reward rates on everyday spending, it can still be beneficial to travelers who have high spending on Delta flights. Upgrade priority, a free checked bag on flights and priority boarding make the card useful for those loyal to the airline.

Rewards: Earn 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases in the first 6 months of card membership.

Annual fee: $650

Other benefits and drawbacks: The annual fee on this premium card is high, but Delta flyers can get their money’s worth by utilizing benefits like the Companion Certificate, which allows you to bring along a companion in First Class, Delta Comfort+® or Main Cabin on one domestic, Caribbean or Central American roundtrip flight each year after card renewal (you still have to pay taxes and fees), and the TakeOff 15 benefit, which gives you 15% off on award tickets. You’ll also get 20% back on in-flight Delta purchases in the form of statement credits.

However, this card does have some downsides. The cardholder gets Delta Sky Club access with four one-time guest passes in 2024. But starting in February 2025, cardmembers will get 15 visits per year or can earn an unlimited number of visits by spending at least $75,000 on the card. After the 15 visits, additional visits can be purchased for $50 per person with the card. Earnings on everyday purchases are lackluster, making it only truly valuable for those who really spend and fly on Delta frequently.

Those who fly United regularly and are hoping to achieve United Premier status should consider the United Club℠ Infinite Card, which offers perks like reward points on a few categories other than just United purchases, as well as perks like two free checked bags each for you and a companion.

Rewards: Earn 4 miles per dollar on United® purchases, 2 miles per dollar on all other travel, on dining including eligible delivery services and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee: $525

Other benefits and drawbacks: As mentioned above, this card does offer bonus points in categories other than just spending on United, which makes it a bit easier to accumulate a bank of United miles and maybe even qualify for United Premier status. Cardholders can earn 25 PQP for every $500 (up to 10,000 PQP each year) toward Premier status.

Cardholders also get complimentary United Club membership for themselves with guest access, as well as 25% back on inflight and United Club purchases. United flyers who stay at IHG properties can also benefit from the card’s complimentary Platinum Elite status in IHG One Rewards, offering perks like room upgrades and late checkout.

The downsides? The high annual fee may not be worth it for casual United flyers who might not be able to spend enough to benefit from those additional PQP bonuses.

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card* isn’t at the top of our premium cards list, but it can be a nice addition to your wallet if you’re looking to add a second, backup card. This card shines thanks to its $325 annual travel credit, which almost completely cancels out the annual fee.

Rewards: Earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center, 3 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases and mobile wallet spending and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible net purchases.

Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 points after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening.

Annual fee: $400

Other benefits and drawbacks: This card is relatively simple and slightly more affordable than some of its premium counterparts. With an annual fee that’s on the lower end for premium cards and easy-to-understand benefits, this card is a simple, straightforward option.

Simply utilizing the $325 travel credit and up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit may make it worth the annual fee. However, the points you’ll earn aren’t transferable, meaning you’ll have to book travel in the Altitude Rewards Center. Another negative is that although the card offers Priority Pass access, it’s only valid for eight visits a year, which falls short for a premium credit card.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (terms apply, see rates & fees) has one of the higher annual fees on this list, but offers luxury benefits like a $300 dining statement credit ($25 per month), Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status and a free night award at Marriott hotels (under 85,000 points per night). But for loyal Marriott fans, this card, despite the high annual fee, can be beneficial, especially for anyone looking to earn Marriott points on Marriott stays and dining.

Rewards: Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program, 3 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months.

Annual fee: $650

Other benefits and drawbacks: Similar to the other premium hotel co-branded credit cards on this list, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is ideal for anyone specifically loyal to the Marriott brand. Most of the card’s benefits, like the free night award and Bonvoy elite status, are only beneficial if you love to stay at Marriott properties. The card also features a $100 property credit at the Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis when you book using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay and 25 elite night credits toward your next elite status level.

Even though the card offers a few other perks, like a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit worth up to $100 and various travel protections and insurance¹, there aren’t many other benefits the card offers that aren’t related to staying at Marriott hotels.

However, Marriott enthusiasts who are ready to spend big can take advantage of an Earned Choice Award benefit, which you obtain after spending $60,000 on your card in one calendar year. Benefits include things like a free night award, discounts on Marriott beds or a collection of upgrade awards.

Many of the premium cards on this list shine for their travel rewards and benefits. And while the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card* offers some premium travel rewards, it also has some premium lifestyle credits that may appeal to those who aren’t on a plane every other week.

Rewards: Earn 2 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Annual fee: $550

Other benefits and drawbacks: Cardholders of this can offset the annual fee by taking advantage of the automatic statement credits the card provides, such as $300 in airline incidentals and $150 for things like video streaming, food delivery, fitness subscriptions and rideshare services, as well as a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry $100 credit.

When you use your points to book international or domestic airfare, you’ll get a 20% discount. The card offers four complimentary Priority Pass memberships with unlimited visits.

Earning potential is more limited if you aren’t a Preferred Rewards member, and the bank has no transfer partners, so points must be redeemed through Bank of America’s travel portal or redeemed for cash or gift cards.

The only card that offers Admirals Club membership, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®* is ideal for American Airlines flyers, especially ones who frequently bring along travel companions. This is because cardholders and up to eight travel companions can check their first bag on domestic flights for free. Just one trip with a large family or group of friends can offset this annual fee if everyone is able to check a bag for free—and the convenience of priority boarding isn’t bad, either.

Rewards: Earn 10 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through aa.com, 4 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $7,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.

Annual fee: $595

Other benefits and drawbacks: It’s fairly simple to offset this card’s annual fee right away, thanks to the Admirals Club membership or a group trip where everyone checks a bag for free. The card also offers perks like priority check-in and boarding for you and your travel companions. You also get a 25% discount on American Airlines inflight purchases.

The reward rates feel low for a premium card, although you will earn 10,000 additional Loyalty Points after earning 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year (and another 10,000 when you earn 90,000 in the same year), which can help you obtain elite status faster.

One perk that sets the Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card* apart from other premium cards is the flexibility it offers with lounge memberships. Not only do cardmembers get Priority Pass lounge membership, but those that spend $50,000 per year also get a $550 statement credit for any lounge fee membership, a unique and versatile perk. The card is also great for golfers, offering access to golf clubs around the U.S. and discounts on things like golf tee times, merchandise and golf instruction.

Rewards: Earn 3 points per dollar on airline, hotel and taxi (including Uber and Lyft), limousine, rental car, train, bus, restaurant, fast food and takeout food dining purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: This card does not offer a welcome bonus.

Annual fee: $400

Other benefits and drawbacks: Cardholders also get a $350 statement credit for airline incidentals and a $100 Global Entry and TSA PreCheck credit, as well as Visa Infinite Hotel and Car Rental Privileges.

At first glance, the reward earnings feel significant, akin to premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®*, but with a lower annual fee.

The issue lies in redeeming the points—you can only redeem them through City National’s Portal. The bank doesn’t explain how much points are worth, which makes redemptions feel murky and less valuable. The card doesn’t have any transfer partners or the option to redeem points for cash back, which is limited compared to other premium cards.

This is also the only card on the list that doesn’t have a generous welcome bonus, which means you won’t get that head start on earning points.