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Earning miles via big credit card sign-up bonuses is the ultimate high. I don’t regularly apply for credit cards like most folks in this hobby do, but I do try to keep earning points beyond the sign-up bonus. After all, there are credit cards like the Amex Platinum Card with high annual fees and you gotta get your money’s worth somehow, right?
Part of that is making sure you take advantage of credit card benefits, while part of it is ensuring that you’re earning your money’s worth in miles from spending. Earning miles via bonus category spending can be limiting, so having a credit card that earns more than 1 point per $1 spent is essential. To save you an exhaustive Google search, I’ve wrapped up a list of those credit cards below, along with my recommendations:
Airline Miles
- Bank of America Virgin Atlantic WorldElite MasterCard – 1.5 miles per $1
- United MileagePlus Club Card – 1.5x
United miles are always useful – whether for domestic travel or international. Being able to earn 1.5 United miles per $1 over Virgin Atlantic miles would definitely be my preference. The card does have a $450 annual fee, which kind of sucks, but if you make use of its many benefits then it can pay for itself.
Hotel Credit Cards
- Club Carlson Rewards Visa Business Card or Club Carlson Premier Rewards Visa Signature Card – 5 points per $1
- Club Carlson Rewards Visa Signature Card – 3 points per $1
- Hilton Honors Card from American Express – 3 points per $1
- Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express – 3 points per $1
I’ve listed both Club Carlson and Hilton Honors as two of the best hotel programs for earning free nights on paid stays and via credit card spending. In the case of credit cards, it would require just $14,000 worth of credit card spending to earn a free night at a Category 7 hotel. A Category 1 Club Carlson hotel would require just $1,900 worth of credit card spending. That’s a bargain!
Meanwhile, free nights at Hilton hotels range from 5,000 – 95,000 points per night. That translates to $1,667 – $31,667 worth of spending. Based on credit card spending, the Club Carlson card is the most rewarding. However, Hilton has five times as many hotels worldwide, so the Hilton cards may be the better option. Personally? I’d probably pick the Hilton Surpass card (or one of the new Amex Hilton cards). I like being able to earn top-tier elite status via spending alone, and the points are quite frankly just a fringe benefit.
Flexible Rewards
- Discover it® Miles Card – 3x
- Barclay Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard – 2x
- Amex Blue Business Plus Card (2 points per $1 on $50,000)
- Chase Freedom Unlimited – 1.5x
This is a solid line-up of credit cards that earn more than 1 point per $1 spent. It’s really tough to choose. Overall, I think the Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers terrific value. You can also transfer the points to your Ultimate Rewards account if you have another Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card. That transferability allows you to get even more value out of your cards. Get more information about this card and other rewards-earning cards here.
The Amex Blue Business Plus Card is a solid option if you have a specific use for Membership Rewards points. I also love the Discover It Miles Card for the 3 points per $1 during the first year (cut in half after), and the recurring $30 annual in-flight credit.
Cash Back Cards
There are tons of 2% cash back cards out there to choose from. I have the Fidelity Rewards Visa and it has served me well. A lot of folks are fans of the Citi Double Cash Card. Both are $0 fee cards, so its a matter of preference.
That’s my take on credit cards that earn more than 1 point per $1 spent. I’d love to hear from you: Which of these cards do you use to maximize your daily spend or keep earning points when you’ve maxed out bonus categories?
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