Singapore Airlines’ first-class product has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best luxury experiences in the sky. Many in the points and miles world save up to book this bucket list experience, complete with Dom Perignon (and Krug) Champagne, caviar and some of the best inflight service out there.
Before we dive into how you can book your next first-class adventure on Singapore Airlines, let’s look at what you can expect from the different aircraft types operated by the carrier.
The first-class cabins
Currently, Singapore operates aircraft with two different first-class layouts — the Boeing 777-300 and the Airbus A380. On its 777-300s, the first-class cabin is arranged in a 1-2-1 layout at the front. Each seat has plenty of room and turns into a lie-flat bed. The seats are similar to the business-class seats on this aircraft in layout, though they have more personal space and the first-class service sets them apart.
You’ll find Singapore Airlines’ famous Suites class on the Airbus A380s. The Suites are located at the front of the upper deck, and each one has a bed separate from the seat, providing an incredible amount of personal space you will not find on most commercial aircraft.
Two Suites can be combined into a double bed, making it ideal for couples. This is about as good as first class gets.
The A380 Suites are significantly better than the 777 first-class seats, so it’s worth going out of your way to book the A380 if possible.
Regardless of aircraft, you can count on some great Champagne, a great meal — don’t forget to “Book the Cook” — and plenty of hot towels to help you stay refreshed. If you are departing from Singapore, you will also have access to Singapore Airlines’ exclusive and recently renovated Private Room lounge.
If you see a route operated by one of Singapore’s new Airbus A350s or 787s, keep in mind that it doesn’t have a first-class cabin on this aircraft, but it does have a fantastic business class.
Related: 8 reasons I’m excited about Singapore Airlines’ A380 Suites flying to the US
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How to book Singapore Airlines first class with miles
Unlike most airlines, Singapore Airlines will only let you book its first-class (and business-class) award tickets on long-haul routes through its own KrisFlyer program. So while United Airlines and Air Canada are both Star Alliance partners of Singapore Airlines, you won’t be able to use MileagePlus or Aeroplan miles to book these premium-cabin awards.
Suites-class options
Singapore Airlines is not operating A380 services to or from any destinations in the United States after switching the service from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to a 777 service in May.
Schedules and aircraft type are subject to change, but at the time of publication, over the northern summer period, Singapore will operate the A380 to the following destinations:
Destination from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
KrisFlyer miles required for Suites class (each way, per person at Saver level)
KrisFlyer miles required for Suites class (each way, per person at Advantage level)
New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
58,500 miles.
98,000 miles.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).
45,000 miles.
73,000 miles.
London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR).
141,000 miles.
225,500 miles.
Melbourne Airport (MEL).
93,500 miles.
155,000 miles.
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM).
58,500 miles.
98,000 miles.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
58,500 miles.
98,000 miles.
Sydney Airport (SYD).
93,500 miles.
155,000 miles.
First-class options
While the 777 first-class product isn’t quite as impressive as the A380 product, the good news is that Singapore Airlines flies the 777 product to several U.S. destinations. At the time of publication, over the northern summer period, Singapore will operate the 777 with first class to the following destinations:
Destination from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
KrisFlyer miles required for first class (each way, per person at Saver level)
KrisFlyer miles required for first class (each way, per person at Advantage level)
Auckland Airport (AKL).
93,500 miles.
155,000 miles.
New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
58,500 miles.
98,000 miles.
Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
141,000 miles.
225,500 miles.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).
45,000 miles.
73,000 miles.
Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK).
30,500 miles.
52,500 miles.
London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR).
141,000 miles.
225,500 miles.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) via Tokyo.
146,500 miles.
228,000 miles.
Melbourne Airport (MEL).
93,500 miles.
155,000 miles.
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM).
58,500 miles.
98,000 miles.
New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) via Frankfurt.
148,500 miles.
243,000 miles.
Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).
141,000 miles.
225,500 miles.
Sydney Airport (SYD).
93,500 miles.
155,000 miles.
Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) and Haneda Airport (HND).
77,000 miles.
120,000 miles.
Zurich Airport (ZRH).
141,000 miles.
225,500 miles.
You can also try Singapore Airlines first class on the airline’s fifth-freedom routes. Here is the one-way pricing for Saver and Advantage awards:
Between New York and Frankfurt: 97,000 (Saver)/143,500 (Advantage) miles.
Between Los Angeles and Tokyo: 120,000 (Saver)/187,000 (Advantage) miles.
Related: Fifth-freedom routes: Flying top international airlines without setting foot in their home countries
KrisFlyer does not impose fuel surcharges on flights on its own metal, so fees, taxes and surcharges on first-class and Suites flights are reasonable.
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Saver availability is strictly limited, but you can pay more miles for an Advantage ticket. You might also consider waitlisting for a Saver award.
And if you only want to get a taste of Singapore Airlines first class on a short flight, you can book flights between Singapore and Jakarta for 40,000 Avianca LifeMiles on some dates.
Off the beaten points first reported you can use LifeMiles to book this route. But despite searching, we haven’t seen the ability to redeem LifeMiles for other Singapore Airlines first-class or suites-class routes.
How to earn Singapore KrisFlyer miles
While Singapore Airlines doesn’t offer a cobranded credit card in the U.S., the airline partners with several major rewards programs with transferable currencies, including:
Earning rewards with one or more of these programs and transferring them to Singapore Airlines is one of the easiest ways to earn KrisFlyer miles. The following cards all currently offer strong welcome bonuses that you could easily convert to KrisFlyer miles:
American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Terms apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Check to see if you’re targeted for a 125,000-point welcome offer through CardMatch (offer subject to change at any time). Terms apply.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Citi Premier® Card: (see rates and fees) Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
In the case of transferable currencies that don’t instantly transfer to KrisFlyer, you’ll want to call and put a hold on your award ticket before initiating a transfer. That way, you won’t find yourself with stranded Singapore KrisFlyer miles because of a lack of award space.
Bottom line
At first glance, it might seem like only being able to book Singapore first-class awards with the KrisFlyer program would be a problem. However, when you consider that Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy points can all be transferred to your Singapore KrisFlyer account, it seems a lot more doable.
As with many premium-cabin awards, you’ll want to start looking for award space as soon as you know your travel dates. First-class award space on Singapore Airlines is not always easy to find, so starting your search as early as 355 days before your desired departure date is advisable. Also, consider waitlisting or searching at the last minute.
With a little planning, you’ll be able to earn the required miles and find the necessary award space to try one of the best first-class products in the world.
With the start of summer upon us, now may be a great time to evaluate your credit card portfolio. Credit card sign-up bonuses and welcome offers are the quickest and easiest way to rake in lots of points and miles, so we regularly update the roundup of our favorite current offers in our best credit cards guide.
But to help you keep up with an ever-changing list of bonuses, we’ve also compiled a list of the best card offers currently available — especially the ones that are worth an extra look right now because they are at all-time highs or may end soon.
Since many issuers have restrictions on how often you can earn a bonus on a card, it’s important to time your application for when there’s a good offer. Also, higher bonuses don’t always stick around for long, so if you’re considering one of these offers, you’ll want to hop on it sooner rather than later.
Finally, if you’re not ready to jump on a higher-end card, consider these great starter cards or even one with a 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR) offer.
The best credit card offers for June 2023
Card
Sign-up bonus/welcome offer
Welcome offer value*
Annual fee
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
120,000 points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership.
$2,400.
$695 (see rates and fees).
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
100,000 points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership.
$2,000.
$95.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
80,000 points after you spend $6,000 in the first six months, though you may be able to get a higher bonus through the CardMatch tool (terms apply).
$1,600.
$695 (see rates and fees).
American Express® Green Card
60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in their first six months of card membership. Also, get 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases in your first six months to earn up to $200 back.
$1,400 ($1,200 in points plus up to $200 in cash back).
$150 (see rates and fees).
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
$1,388.
$395.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
$1,388.
$95.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
$1,200.
$550.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
$1,200.
$95.
American Express® Gold Card
60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first six months of card membership, though you may be able to get a higher bonus through the CardMatch tool (terms apply).
$1,200.
$250 (see rates and fees).
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card, and Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
$900.
$69 (Plus), $99 (Premier) and $149 (Priority).
United Club Infinite Card
80,000 bonus miles and 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Offer ends Aug. 9.
$880.
$525.
IHG Rewards Premier Business Card
165,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
$825.
$99.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points and a free night reward after spending $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of cardmembership. Offer ends July 19.
$780.
$95 (see rates and fees).
* Welcome offer value is determined using TPG valuations and is not provided by nor reviewed by the issuer.
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
This business card stands out not only for its 120,000-point welcome offer but thanks to added travel perks that can easily cover the card’s $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). Cardholders enjoy automatic Gold status in both the Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programs, along with access to a wide variety of airport lounges — including Amex Centurion, Priority Pass and Delta Sky Club (when traveling on same-day Delta flights). Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Cardholders also enjoy 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked at American Express Travel, along with 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year).
Related: Amex refreshes Business Platinum Card with new perks, higher annual fee and a 120,000-point bonus
On top of that, the card comes with up to $200 in annual airline fee statement credits and a 35% points rebate for flights booked through Amex Travel in first or business class on any airline (up to 1 million points back per calendar year), or in any class on the U.S. airline of your choice each year. Non-travel benefits include up to $400 in annual statement credits toward U.S. Dell purchases, up to $360 in credits toward Indeed, up to $150 toward select Adobe purchases and up to $120 toward wireless telephone services.
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Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Read our review of the American Express Business Platinum Card for more information.
Official application link: The Business Platinum Card® from American Expresswith 120,000 points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of card membership.
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Then there’s the Ink Business Preferred. According to TPG’s valuations, this card’s welcome bonus alone is worth $2,000 since you can take advantage of Chase’s excellent collection of airline and hotel transfer partners. Points redeemed through the Chase travel portal are worth 1.25 cents each, which isn’t bad, either.
Another factor in this card’s favor? Its tremendous earning rates. You’ll earn 3 points per dollar across the following categories on up to $150,000 in combined purchases (1 point per dollar thereafter):
Travel.
Shipping purchases.
Internet, cable and phone services.
Advertising on social media sites and search engines.
Depending on which categories you spend in, you could earn a whopping 450,000 bonus points per year if you maxed out that $150,000 cap.
Among the Ink Business Preferred’s unsung benefits are cellphone protection, primary rental car coverage (when renting for business purposes) and other travel and purchase protections. You can also add employee cards to your account for free.
Read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card for more information.
Official application link: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card with 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the card within the first three months of account opening.
The Platinum Card from American Express
Often referred to as the king of the premium travel rewards cards, the Amex Platinum offers a slew of benefits — along with a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). Cardholders enjoy perks such as automatic Gold status with both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy plus access to a wide range of airport lounges, including Amex Centurion, Priority Pass and Delta Sky Club (on same-day Delta flights). On top of that, you’ll get up to $200 in annual airline fee statement credits, an up-to-$200 hotel statement credit to use toward prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings (the latter of which requires a minimum two-night stay) via Amex Travel, and an up-to-$189 Clear Plus membership statement credit — along with numerous other perks. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Related: It’s a ‘lifestyle’ card now: A closer look at the Amex Platinum’s 6 new benefits
Non-travel benefits include an up-to-$240 digital entertainment statement credit (split into monthly $20 credits) for Audible, The New York Times, SiriusXM, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal and services under the Disney umbrella — including Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu.
Cardholders also receive an up-to-$155 Walmart+ credit (subject to auto-renewal; Plus Ups are excluded), an up-to-$300 SoulCycle bike credit and an up-to-$300 Equinox statement credit for eligible Equinox memberships (now available as an annual benefit rather than monthly credits). You also receive Uber VIP status and up to $200 in annual Uber Cash (split into monthly $15 credits for U.S. rides and Uber Eats orders plus a $20 bonus in December).
Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Finally, cardholders will enjoy enhanced earning rates on many travel purchases:
5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year).
5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel.
1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.
And while the current welcome offer provides solid value, be sure to check the CardMatch Tool to see if you can receive an even higher one (offers are targeted and subject to change at any time).
Read our review of the American Express Platinum Card for more information.
Official application link: The Platinum Card® from American Express with 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
The American Express Green Card
The American Express Green Card provides a compelling offering in the mid-tier travel category. With 3 points per dollar on broader travel, restaurants and transit as well as annual statement credits for Clear and LoungeBuddy that more than cover its annual fee, the Green from Amex is a card that modern travelers should consider.
The earning rates and benefits of the American Express Green Card will be most attractive to young professionals and millennials (or millennials at heart) who travel for work, pleasure or both. The card earns 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar on travel, restaurants and transit, so you’ll want to consider this card if a large chunk of your budget goes toward these categories.
The Amex Green also offers annual up to $189 Clear Plus and up to $100 LoungeBuddy statement credits that can more than offset the $150 annual fee (see rates and fees) while making your time in the airport more efficient and relaxing. If you can utilize these statement credits, the card can easily be a worthwhile addition to your purse or wallet.
Read our review of the Amex Green for more information.
Official application link: Amex Green with 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first six months of card membership. Also, get 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases in your first six months to earn up to $200 back.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Venture X card is Capital One’s premium rewards card and offers great earning rates and incredible perks.
Aside from a hefty welcome bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months – worth about $1,388 according to our valuations thanks to Capital One’s excellent airline and hotel transfer partners – the card gives members up to $300 back in statement credits annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, starting on their first anniversary (worth $100 toward travel, or $185 by our valuations).
As for earning rates, the Venture X racks up 10 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked via Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked via Capital One Travel, and an unlimited 2 miles per dollar on everything else.
Frequent travelers will also enjoy taking advantage of access to Capital One’s developing network of airport lounges as well as the ability to enroll for Priority Pass membership for entry into more than 1,300 lounge locations worldwide (though this no longer includes participating restaurants). It also added the ability to access Plaza Premium lounges worldwide in 2022 and launched The Premier Collection in 2023, giving cardmembers on-property perks at a curated set of luxury hotels.
Read our review of the Capital One Venture X card for more information.
Official application link: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card with 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Venture Rewards packs a pretty good punch for a mid-tier credit card. It earns a flat 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases worldwide, but you can earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel. The miles you earn with this card can be transferred to Capital One’s 17 airline and three hotel partners or redeemed through the Capital One Travel portal.
The card stands out for offering an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years; many other cards that offer this benefit have annual fees of $400 or more. This TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credit alone is worth up to $100. When making everyday purchases, you may also get Warranty Manager Service which can be used for extended warranty protection. The Venture Rewards card doesn’t impose foreign transaction fees, so you can use the card overseas without accumulating extra charges.
Read our review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Card for more information.
Official application link: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card with 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
This is one of the best premium credit cards available.
It earns a whopping 10 points per dollar on Lyft (through March 2025), Chase Dining booked through Ultimate Rewards, and hotel and car rental purchases through the Ultimate Rewards Travel portal. Cardholders also earn 5 points per dollar on airline travel booked through the Ultimate Rewards Travel portal, 3 points per dollar on travel (after using the $300 travel credit) and dining, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
Chase defines travel and dining quite broadly, including everything from parking fees to Airbnb stays and food delivery orders. Perks of the card include a $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass membership, a $5 monthly DoorDash in-app credit (through December 2024), a complimentary DashPass membership and an impressive array of travel protections.
Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve for more information.
Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve with 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
If you can’t justify a high annual fee or want a solid card with an appealing set of perks, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is an ideal fit. It earns 5 points per dollar on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 3 points per dollar on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out; 3 points per dollar on select streaming services; 3 points per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 2 points per dollar on all other travel; and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
The points you earn with this card can be transferred to Chase’s airline and hotel partners or redeemed for 1.25 cents each through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Benefits include a $50 annual credit on hotel stays purchased through Ultimate Rewards, at least 12 months of DashPass membership (when activated by Dec. 31, 2024), primary rental car coverage, up to $500 in trip delay reimbursement if you’re delayed more than 12 hours or overnight, up to $10,000 in trip cancellation and interruption insurance and up to $100 per day for up to five days in baggage delay reimbursement if your bag is delayed more than six hours.
Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred for more information.
Official application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred with 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
American Express® Gold Card
The Amex Gold card is a favorite of many TPG staffers thanks (in large part) to its terrific earning rates:
4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year (1 point per dollar after that).
3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.
1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
The card also offers up to $120 in annual credit for Uber rides and Uber Eats purchases and up to $120 in statement credits for select dining purchases (enrollment is required for select benefits) — all for a manageable annual fee of $250 (see rates and fees)
And while it’s not providing a limited-time bonus for new cardmembers, you can often find elevated welcome offers through the CardMatch tool. The card currently features a public welcome offer of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. However, some new customers can earn a 75,000-point or even 90,000-point welcome offer via the CardMatch tool after meeting the same minimum spending requirements. Note that these elevated offers are targeted and subject to change at any time.
Alternatively, you can refer a friend through the Amex referral program — and when your friend applies for a new account by June 7, you can earn an additional +5 rewards per dollar (as either points or cash back, depending on the card) on eligible U.S. supermarket purchases for three months after they’re approved (starting from the first date the referred friend’s account is opened), on up to $25,000.
Additionally, new applicants for the Amex Gold through a referral link will be eligible for an up to $200 statement credit after reaching minimum spending requirements, on top of that card’s usual welcome offer.
Read our review of the American Express Gold Card for more information.
Official application link: American Express® Gold Card with 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first six months of card membership.
Southwest personal cards
All three personal of Southwest’s personal credit cards — the Rapid Rewards Plus, Rapid Rewards Premier and Rapid Rewards Priority — are currently sporting identical welcome offers: 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This is the first time Southwest has offered a promo code as part of a sign-up bonus on a credit card.
The code will appear directly in your Southwest.com account within eight weeks of meeting the spending requirement. It can be used — only once — on a single one-way or round-trip Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime and Business Select fare, and is available for use until October 31, 2024.
Given it is a single-use promo code, it would be best to save this for a more expensive ticket. You’ll get the biggest savings when using the code for round-trip travel and/or during peak travel periods like the summer or the holidays.
Read more about the three cards and this limited-time offer.
Official application link: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
Official application link: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
Official application link: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
United Club Infinite Card
The United Club Infinite Card is the ideal card for United lounge access — bar none.
The United Club Infinite Card’s $525 annual fee sounds high until you factor in the United Club membership included with the card. Membership normally costs $650 per year for non-elite members.
In addition, one of the primary disadvantages of many airline credit cards is a low return on spending, even on branded purchases, as most airline cards only offer 2 or 3 points per dollar on airline purchases. But the United Club Infinite Card sets a new standard with an impressive 4 points per dollar on United purchases.
If you spend thousands of dollars on United flights each year, the United Club Infinite Card is worth considering.
Read our review of the United Club Infinite for more information.
Official application link: United Club Infinite with 80,000 bonus miles and 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Offer ends Aug. 9.
IHG Rewards Premier Business Card
New applicants for the IHG Rewards Premier Business card can earn 165,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within three months from account opening.
Your bonus will come in the form of IHG points, which TPG values at half a cent each. Thus, this bonus is worth $825.
Generally speaking, you won’t get fantastic earning rates on most hotel credit cards — especially on broad categories like dining and groceries. That said, the IHG Premier Business card could be a solid option, especially at participating IHG properties.
When you use your card at IHG hotels and resorts, you’ll earn 10 points per dollar spent on your stay. This is in addition to the 10 base points that all IHG One Rewards members accrue at most participating brands. And since you have automatic Platinum Elite status with the card, that’ll give you another 60% bonus on top of the base points. When combined, that translates to a total of 26 points per dollar spent on most IHG stays — or a 13% return on spending, based on TPG’s valuations.
Beyond IHG purchases, cardholders of the IHG Premier Business will earn points at the following rates:
5 points per dollar spent on travel, dining and gas purchases.
5 points per dollar in select business categories, such as social media and search engine advertising and at office supply stores.
3 points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
You’ll also receive a free night certificate (worth up to 40,000 points) every year when you renew your card and enjoy your fourth night free on award stays of four nights (or longer)
Read our full review of the IHG Rewards Premier Business for more information.
Official application link: IHG Rewards Premier Business card with 165,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within three months from account opening.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card provides solid earnings at Hilton properties and automatic Hilton Gold elite status, which offers complimentary breakfast, increased earnings and space-available upgrades when you stay at Hilton properties.
Hilton Honors Gold status is one of the best mid-tier hotel loyalty statuses you can obtain. As a Hilton Gold elite member, you’ll get complimentary breakfast, space-available room upgrades and improved earnings when staying at Hilton brands. Luckily, you can easily earn and maintain Hilton Gold status since it is an automatic perk of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card.
The Hilton Surpass card is an ideal choice for those who stay at Hilton properties often and want a cobranded credit card with a modest annual fee and valuable perks.
Read our full review of the Hilton Surpass for more information.
Official application link: Hilton Surpass with 130,000 bonus points and a free night reward after spending $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of cardmembership. Offer ends July 19.
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG valuations and not provided by issuers.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Gold card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Green card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass, click here.
Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox and Eric Rosen.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
From paid ticket sales to redemption promotions, there are endless opportunities to book travel at a discount.
However, few sales are as reliable as the Promo Rewards we see each month from Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
These deals regularly appear on the Flying Blue website and offer discounts on flights to and from select cities or region pairs. All discounts are only bookable through the end of the month, and there’s a set travel window.
This month, there are one-way economy flights to various European cities for less than 12,000 miles. This is a fraction of what many competing programs charge for the same award tickets. It can be an excellent deal if you’re looking for a summer or fall trip to Europe.
Deal basics
Airline: Air France and KLM. Routes: Economy awards between Europe and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Miami International Airport (MIA), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Business-class awards are available from Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ). Cost: Varies by the airport, with economy-class awards starting at 11,250 miles. Travel dates: Travel from June 1 through Nov. 30. You must book by June 30.
Related: The ultimate guide to earning and redeeming with Air France-KLM Flying Blue
Promo Rewards between North America and Europe
The cheapest awards are from Detroit and Newark.
There’s also award space for 12,750 miles from Miami.
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As you can see from this calendar search, economy-class award space from Houston to Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) is plentiful:
We also found some business-class award space from 41,250 miles from Amsterdam to Toronto:
Related: The best ways to get to Europe using points and miles
How to book
Book Promo Rewards tickets on the Air France or KLM website. Log in to your account and click the “Book with Miles” button on the home screen. Then, enter your desired itinerary and click the “Search flights” button.
Now, select the flight you’d like to book and follow the on-screen prompts to complete your booking.
If you plan to transfer points to book this award, find award space first and then transfer your points; you never want to transfer points without concrete dates in mind.
If you want to add a free stopover at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) or Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to an eligible itinerary, you’ll need to call Flying Blue to book your itinerary.
Related: When should I transfer points to airline and hotel partners?
Earning Flying Blue miles
Boosting your Flying Blue balance is easy since the program partners with all major transferable points currencies.
You can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio from American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. You can also transfer Marriott points at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points you transfer.
Based on our tests, Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase and Citi transfers should post almost instantly. However, that wasn’t the case with our test transfer from Marriott, which took three days to arrive in our Flying Blue account. Because of this, credit card points are your best bet if you hope to book right away, although Flying Blue generally allows three-day holds on award tickets when you call.
Related: Use Flying Blue miles to fly to Hawaii for just 35,000 miles round-trip
Maximize your purchase
Use a card that earns additional points on airfare purchases to pay taxes and fees on your award ticket.
Some of the best cards include The Platinum Card® from American Express (5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), the Citi Premier® Card (3 points per dollar on air travel; see rates and fees), the Chase Sapphire Reserve (3 points per dollar on travel), the American Express® Gold Card (3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel) and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2 points per dollar on travel).
Bottom line
Few sales are as reliable as the Promo Rewards we see each month from Air France-KLM Flying Blue. Boosting your Flying Blue balance is easy since the program partners with all major transferable points currencies. Book Promo Rewards tickets on the Air France or KLM website.
Related reading:
Additional reporting by Ehsan Haque, Clint Henderson, Andrew Kunesh and Benji Stawski.
Some of the largest banks call America home. These banks are backed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and offer a variety of products and services. If you prefer a big bank over regional banks or a smaller, community bank, you’ve come to the right place.
Below we’ve compiled a list of the largest banks in the U.S. Once you read through it and perform some of your own research, you should be able to choose a bank or two that meets your needs.
How to Measure Bank Size
First, let’s discuss how to measure the size of a bank. We can do so by looking at the number of customers, number of branches, and number of employees.
But perhaps the best way to measure bank size is by focusing on the total assets under management. This figure shows the actual size of a bank, regardless of how many employees, branches, or ATMs it has.
In our list of the largest banks in the U.S. below, you’ll find that we include each bank’s total assets so you can get a better idea of just how large it is.
Bank Services
We also thought it would be a great idea to briefly discuss how banks work and what they can do for you as a customer. Banks have been around since at least the 14th century. They offer a safe place for individuals and business owners to park their cash and work on various financial goals.
While every bank has their own unique lineup of services, most of them provide checking accounts, savings accounts, and loan services. Some go the extra mile with credit cards, wealth management services, and other conveniences.
Types of Banks
In addition, it’s wise to go over the types of banks at your disposal. The most common types of banks you’ll find include:
Retail banks: Retail banks serve the public and typically have branches and main offices. They provide a wide range of services, like checking and savings accounts, mortgage and loan services, auto financing, CDs, and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Retail banks may be regional banks operating in various states.
Commercial banks: Also known as corporate banks, commercial banks gear their offerings to small business owners and larger corporate entities. In addition to the usual banking services, they may offer cash management, employer services, and commercial real estate services.
Investment banks: Investment banks are designed for corporate clients with complex needs, like mergers and acquisitions. These clients are large corporations, governments, and hedge funds.
Central banks: Central banks are not available to the public. Instead, they’re an independent institution that oversees the money supply and monetary policy in the country. The Federal Reserve Bank is the central bank in the U.S.
Banks vs. Credit Unions
While banks are quite popular, some customers use credit unions instead. While credit unions also offer banking services, like checking and savings accounts, they’re not for profit institutions that are managed by their customers or members.
Compared to banks, credit unions tend to deliver more personalized service. But they also provide fewer services and have fewer branches and ATMs. A credit union can make sense, depending on your unique goals.
20 Biggest Banks In The U.S.
Here’s an overview of the largest banks in the U.S.
1. JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Total Assets: $3.381 Trillion
Headquarters: New York City, New York
If you focus on consolidated assets, JPMorgan Chase earns the spot as the largest bank in the U.S. This investment bank is also a holding company for subsidiaries, including Chase Bank. Chase, which is J.P. Morgan’s consumer banking division, has more than 4,700 branches in the U.S. plus more than 30 branch locations abroad.
According to Chase, almost half of the households in the U.S. are Chase customers. It attracts digital savvy customers that value online banking and products with artificial intelligence (AI). In addition to consumer banking, JPMorgan Chase is a combined bank that offers commercial banking, asset and wealth management, and investment banking.
Chase offers some of the most popular cash back and travel credit cards that can earn you valuable rewards through their program, Chase Ultimate Rewards. Using these credit cards for everyday purchases can earn you travel points, cash back, and other benefits.
2. Bank of America Corp.
Total Assets: $2.440 Trillion
Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina
Bank of America is a multinational bank with nearly 66 million customers and small business clients across the globe. It has a few divisions, including Merrill, Bank of America Securities, and Bank of America Private Bank.
As a Bank of America customer, you can enjoy access to a wide variety of products and services as well as access to more than 4,000 branches and more than 17,000 ATMs.
Just like most big banks, Bank of America prides itself on a robust mobile app, the Zelle payment solution, and other intuitive digital tools. Its various service lines include consumer banking, corporate banking, credit cards, insurance, investment banking services, institutional banking, mortgage loans, private banking, private equity, and wealth management.
3. Citigroup
Total Assets: $1.720 Trillion
Headquarters: New York City, New York
Citigroup, which is widely known as Citi, is an investment bank and financial services firm. When Citigroup merged with Travelers Group in 1998, it became a major player in the financial space. Citibank, Citigroup’s retail banking division has more than 700 branches in the U.S. and over 1,800 branches outside the U.S.
Most of the U.S. bank branches are in Florida, California, New York, and Washington DC. Citibank manages over 138 million bank accounts and has 65,000 fee-free ATMs across the country. Over the years, it has earned high rankings for its digital money management tools, including one that shows customers a financial wellness score.
4. U.S. Bancorp
Total Assets: $582.25 Billion
Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota
The parent company of U.S. Bank, Bancorp’s locations are mainly in the Midwest. It offers personal and business banking with more than 3,000 branches and 5,000 ATMs. Over the years, Bancorp has worked to become a responsible financial provider and earn a spot on the Ethisphere Institute’s World’s Most Ethical Companies list.
As a Bancorp customer, you can access information about your accounts through Google Home and Amazon Alexa. You may also download the handy mobile app to make mobile deposits and perform other services, like transactions via Zelle.
5. PNC Financial Services Group
Total Assets: $534.35 Billion
Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
PNC is short for Pittsburgh National Corporation. PNC Financial Services is the bank holding company of PNC Bank, which has more than 2,000 branches across 21 states. It stands out among other large banks for its unique customer perks and products for individuals and business owners. The Virtual Wallet tool, for example, lets you manage your money online or on your mobile device.
You can keep your checking and savings accounts together or just stick to one type of account, depending on your particular needs. In addition to traditional banking services, PNC offers mortgages, home equity lines of credit, auto loans, personal loans and personal lines of credit, student loans, and student loan refinancing.
6. Wells Fargo
Total Assets: $1.71 Trillion
Headquarters: San Francisco, California
Wells Fargo made its debut in 1852 when it was first opened by investing partners, Henry Wells and William Fargo. It was initially designed as a bank and express delivery service for gold. Eventually, Wells Fargo expanded as a consumer bank to serve all types of customers with various banking needs. It is admired for its long list of offerings and the Wells Fargo mobile app that helps customers track their spending and simplify their bills.
While Wells Fargo has focused on consolidating and prioritizing digital banking services in recent years, it still has about 4,700 locations and more than 12,000 ATMs around the U.S.
In addition to personal and small business banking, Wells Fargo supports commercial banking, investing and wealth management, and investment banking.
7. Truist Financial Corporation
Total Assets: $532.08 Billion
Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina
Compared to the other large commercial banks on this list, Truist is fairly new. It was formed in 2019 as the result of one of the largest bank merger between BB&T and SunTrust.
Truist is made up of three major divisions, including Truist Bank, Truist Securities, and Truist Insurance Holdings. These divisions employ over 37,000 people that work in consumer and commercial banking, investment banking, mortgages, and insurance.
It offers a variety of noteworthy perks, such as no overdraft fees, a $100 negative balance buffer, and automatic upgrades. The bank also places a lot of emphasis on community involvement and giving back.
8. Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
Total Assets: $501.91 Billion
Headquarters: New York City, New York
Goldman Sachs was founded in 1869 by Marcus Goldman, a German American shopkeeper. Its original purpose was to help merchants and small businesses with short-term funding. Eventually, Samuel Sachs joined Goldman in 1882. Today, Goldman Sachs has a reputation as a leading global investment banking, management, and securities firm.
In the fall of 2016, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, its online banking division made its debut and began to offer numerous financial products, like savings accounts, certificates of deposit, credit cards, and loans.
In addition to these offerings, Goldman Sachs provides asset management services, mutual funds, investment banking and management, prime brokerage, commodities, and commercial banking.
9. Charles Schwab Corporation
Total Assets: $407.90 Billion
Headquarters: San Francisco, California
Charles Schwab is a multinational financial services firm with a focus on investment accounts, such as individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and brokerage accounts.
You’ll find an extensive selection of funds with low expense ratios as well as commission-free stock and ETF trades. While there are over 360 Charles Schwab branches with financial consultants, you can take advantage of its services online.
Schwab also offers a high-yield checking account. Whether you’re new to investing or consider yourself a veteran, you can benefit from Charles Schwab.
10. TD Group U.S. Holdings
Total Assets: $405.22 Billion
Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware
While TD Bank has roots in Canada, it’s been in the U.S. market since 2007 when it acquired Commerce Bancorp. There are more than 1,100 branches and 700 ATMs across fifteen U.S. states and Washington D.C.
TD Bank offers the typical lineup of banking products and services but is known for its branch convenience. Most branches have long hours, are open on the weekends, and provide curbside pickup for new debit cards.
If you prefer in-person banking, TD Bank is certainly worth exploring. Many of its accounts come with generous sign up bonuses and access to comprehensive online banking features, such as online bill pay, Zelle, and remote check deposit.
11. Capital One Financial
Total Assets: $388.44 Billion
Headquarters: McLean, Virginia
Since it was established in 1988, Capital One bank is one of the newer large banks on our list. In only a few decades, the bank has grown significantly, thanks to its credit card offerings in the early 90s.
Once 2016 came around, Capital One was named the third-largest credit card issuer in the U.S. These days, Capital One continues to offer credit cards as well as digital services through Capital One 360.
Capital One 360 stands out for its Capital One’s 360 Performance Savings account, which comes with no minimum opening deposit and no minimum balance requirements.
It also has a mobile banking app with mobile check deposit, customized alerts and notifications, Zelle, free credit score monitoring via CreditWise, and more. There are about 775 branches, 2,000 ATMs, and nearly 30 Capital One cafes.
12. Bank of New York Mellon
Total Assets: $365.10 Billion
Headquarters: New York City, New York
Bank of New York Mellon came about after a 2006 merger between Mellon Financial Corporation and The Bank of New York. The Bank of New York was originally founded in 1784 by Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury of the U.S. Bank of New York Mellon is now one of the largest securities firms in the word.
It specializes in a number of solutions and services for corporations, insurance companies, banks, brokers, dealers, and other reputable clients in the financial industry. In addition, the bank offers private investment and wealth management services for wealthy clients.
13. State Street Corporation
Total Assets: $296.43 Billion
Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts
State Street Corporation was founded in 1792 as a financial services and asset management company. It has more than 40,000 employees and a global presence in over 100 markets.
Its offerings include investment research and trading, investment management, and securities lending for clients, such as insurance companies, pension funds, and asset owners.
14. Citizens Financial Group
Total Assets: $226.53 Billion
Headquarters: Providence, Rhode Island
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. has been around since 1828. It owns Citizens Bank, its retail division and offers credit cards, deposit accounts, personal loans, student loans, refinancing, and a number of other financial services. Citizen Bank mainly operates in the Northeast and Midwest.
In addition to more than 2,700 ATMs, there are over 1,100 branches in New England states as well as Delaware, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. The bank provides extended call center hours, a streamlined online experience, and a highly rated mobile app.
15. Silicon Valley Bank
Total Assets: $211.82 Billion
Headquarters: Santa Clara, California
Silicon Valley Bank made its debut in 1983. Today, it serves as a full-service commercial bank for technology and life sciences companies. Aside from traditional banking services, Silicon Valley Bank offers foreign exchange, venture capital, and treasury management services.
It has supported innovation for several well-known tech companies, including Google and Facebook. Many people give it credit for establishing Silicon Valley.
16. Fifth Third Bank
Total Assets: $205.55 Billion
Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio
Fifth Third Bank is a subsidiary of Fifth Third Bancorp and known as one of the largest banks in the Midwest. It has approximately 1,100 branches that span across Ohio, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
As a customer, you can enjoy access to more than 50,000 ATMs across the country and no opening deposit requirements for checking and savings accounts.
In addition to deposit accounts, Fifth Third Bank financial institutions offer mortgages, auto financing, personal loans, insurance, and investing products. Products and services are available to business customers as well.
17. First Republic Bank
Total Assets: $197.91 Billion
Headquarters: San Francisco, California
First Republic Bank is a premier private bank with more than 80 branches across the country. Its vast lineup of products and services includes checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, IRAs, CDs, and wealth management.
Business customers can take advantage of business loans, business lines of credit, commercial real estate loans, and small business loans. The bank focuses on philanthropy and constantly supports programs related to art and education.
18. Morgan Stanley
Total Assets: $191.35 Billion
Headquarters: New York City, New York
Morgan Stanley’s roots date back to 1935. Today, the bank is a reputable, multinational investment management and financial services company. It has over 700 locations in every state as well as Washington D.C.
Its investing division includes three portfolios, including the impact portfolio, market-tracking portfolio, and performance-seeking portfolio. Whether you’re a beginner investor or wealthy client, Morgan Stanley may be a solid pick.
19. KeyBank
Total Assets: $184.67 Billion
Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio
KeyBank was founded in 1825 and is now considered a community bank with a presence in 15 states. It has more than 40,000 ATMs in its network and 1,000 full-service branches. The bank also partners with the AllPoint Network of over 40,000 ATMs nationwide.
Its standard services include checking accounts, savings accounts, home loans and mortgages, lines of credit, credit cards, investing, insurance, and debt consolidation. In 2021, KeyBank acquired several digital businesses including digital platform XUP Payments and GradFin, a student loan counseling fintech.
20. Ally Bank
Total Assets: $182.2 Billion
Headquarters: Sandy, UT
While it’s based in Utah, Ally Bank is an online only bank with a long list of digital banking solutions. Its deposit accounts come with no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements.
The bank also pays high yields on CDs and savings accounts than traditional banks with brick-and-mortar banks. As a customer, you can enjoy 24/7 customer services and access to more than 43,000 ATMs through the Allpoint network.
Bottom Line
As you can see, there are many large banks in the United States. Each one has its own unique perks and priorities. To choose the right bank, consider your location, needs, and preferences.
If you’re looking for personal banking services and prefer a digital platform, Goldman Sachs and its Marcus division may be the way to go. But if private wealth management is your top priority, you may be better off with Bank of New York Mellon. Best of luck in your search for the perfect large bank.
Largest Banks in the U.S. FAQs
What is a bank?
Put simply, a bank is a financial institution that can legally accept checking and savings deposits and distribute loans. Some banks also offer additional services like certificates of deposit (CDs), individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and wealth management.
What is the largest bank in the world?
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China is the largest bank in the world. The bank’s assets add up to $4.324 Trillion.
What are the ten largest banks in the U.S.?
Ranked in total asset value, the ten largest banks in the U.S. include JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bancorp, PNC, Truist Bank, Goldman Sachs, Charles Schwab, and TD Group.
How do I choose a bank?
To choose the right bank, focus on what you’re looking for. For more personalized service, you might want to explore a community bank. But if you prefer branch locations across the country and a long list of offerings, one of the large banks on this list might be a better fit.
Is my money safe in a bank?
Your money is safe as long as the bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). An FDIC-insured bank typically insures up to $250,000 per depositor. Note that you don’t have to purchase FDIC insurance. As long as you’re a customer at a bank that offers it, you’ll receive it automatically.
How does a commercial bank differ from a retail bank?
A commercial bank offers a variety of products and services to both individuals and businesses. Retail banks, on the other hand, focus their offerings to individual customers. If you own a business, you’d be better off with a commercial bank that can serve the financial needs of your organization.
Do online banks exist?
Absolutely! In today’s day and age, online banking is more popular than ever before, among larger banks and smaller banks. While some banks offer in-person and online services, other banks, like Ally Bank, solely operate online with no branch locations.
What are some other large banks not on this list?
Other big banks you might want to consider include First National Bank, Huntington Bank, Provident National Corporation, America Bank, and HSBC Bank USA.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
This Pride season, TPG is offering you the chance to win 1 million Chase Ultimate Rewards points by supporting our campaign with Rainbow Railroad, an organization that helps LGBTQIA+ people facing persecution through relocation and other resources. The grand prize winner of this sweepstakes will also win a one-on-one planning session with The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly to help plan the trip of a lifetime.
The rules are simple: Donate at least $10 to Rainbow Railroad, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win. The more you donate, the more entries you get toward winning your dream trip.
All sweepstakes entries must be made by 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 30 for a chance to win the grand prize before the winner is drawn on July 31.
Donate now for your chance to win.
More about Rainbow Railroad
Rainbow Railroad has a dedicated team of human rights defenders and advocates on the front lines of the fight for global LGBTQIA+ rights. Specifically, the organization helps LGBTQIA+ people facing violence and oppression around the world get to safety. Rainbow Railroad’s work could not be more important than it is right now.
We’ve partnered with this organization many times in the past, and this year, we’ve teamed up with our friends at Chase Sapphire to give one lucky winner a trip worth 1 million Ultimate Rewards points. All you have to do to enter is donate at least $10 to Rainbow Railroad.
You don’t even need to be a Sapphire cardmember to win the grand prize — though here at TPG, we strongly recommend having one of these cards. We even have a handy guide that helps you decide whether the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve is best for you.
Ultimate Rewards points can be incredibly powerful, whether you’re looking to transfer them to partners like World of Hyatt and United Airlines MileagePlus or using them to book travel directly with Chase. If you win the grand prize of a trip worth up to 1 million points, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make the most of them.
Sign up for our daily newsletter
How to enter
It’s simple to enter the sweepstakes: Donate at least $10 through this link in support of Rainbow Railroad.
Yes — that’s it.
Additional donation levels will unlock even more prizes, including a one-on-one points and miles strategy session with Brian Kelly and bonus sweepstakes entries toward the grand prize trip of a lifetime.
This is a great opportunity to not only support a phenomenal organization but also potentially win fantastic prizes.
Remember, this campaign ends July 30, so be sure you submit your donation by 11:59 p.m. EDT to secure your entry into the drawing for the grand prize.
Man, this card looks amazing! 4x cash back, $100 in annual hotel credit, and…
Oh, wait – there’s a $95 annual fee.
Bummer.
Well, hang on – maybe it’s still worth it? How can you tell? Will the perks and benefits justify the fee? Or is a no-fee card always the way to go?
To find out, let’s investigate paid rewards cards – why some cost $95 and others cost $695 (yeah…I know) – what you get for your money, and how much you really need to spend for a paid card to make sense.
What’s Ahead:
What are annual fee credit cards?
Source: fizkes/Shutterstock.com
As the name implies, annual fee credit cards are rewards cards that typically cost anywhere from $50 to $695 a year to use.
Why do credit card issuers charge annual fees for some cards and not others?
Credit card issuers typically charge an annual fee to help cover the costs of the perks included with the card. Despite the gobs of money these banks and card issuers make, even they can’t afford to offer every single cardholder free lounge access and $300 in travel credit each year.
Annual fee credit cards usually include some combination of the following over no-fee cards:
Higher cash back.
Higher redemption bonuses (e.g. points are worth 1.5x when redeemed for travel).
Better welcome bonuses ($500 versus $200).
Statement credits (e.g. $300 annual hotel credit).
Perks and bonuses (VIP lounge access, 24/7 travel concierge, etc.).
Why are some fees so low ($35-$95) while others are insanely high ($695)?
A $500 card will typically include more statement credits than a $100 card.
Let’s look at two, seemingly identical travel cards:
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card costs $95 a year, offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®., up to 5x points back on travel-related expenses, and more.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card costs an eye-watering $550 per year, offers a 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®., and up to 10x points back on travel-related expenses, and more.
Sure, the fancy-schmancy Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card has more cash back (10x) and a higher redemption bonus within Chase Ultimate Rewards® (1.5x vs. 1.25x) than its sibling, but neither of those justifies a $455 price difference.
That is, until you consider the former’s annual cash bonuses. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card includes the following credits:
$300 Annual Travel Credit.
$100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Fee Credit (every four years).
So even though the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card costs more than a new mountain bike, it starts to make a little more sense if you plan to use all of the included credits. $550 – $300 – $100 = $150, which is just $55 more than the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
In short, most cards with fees over $100 should come with ample bonus credits to offset the fees.
Can you ever get an annual fee waived?
It may surprise you to hear that yes, even credit card annual fees are negotiable. You may not always negotiate successfully, but you can always try.
Here are some tips for getting your card’s annual fee waived.
Negotiate with your existing card company
If you already have a no-fee card and are considering upgrading to one of your card issuer’s paid annual cards, ring them up and just ask nicely. They may be willing to waive your annual fee for the first year.
Ask them to price-match with another card
Let’s say the annual fee credit card you really want costs $295 for the year, and you notice that it offers similar benefits to a competing no-fee or low-fee card. Call the card issuer and ask if they’d be willing to price match with the lower fee card – or better yet, waive the fee entirely.
Chat with the retention department
If you already have an annual fee credit card and are trying to get your fee waived or reduced, and the agent on the phone isn’t playing ball, you can always ask to just cancel the card.
At that point, one of two things will happen:
You’ll be routed to the retention department, which is much more likely to bend to your requests.
The agent on the phone will proceed to cancel your card.
If you don’t want to cancel your card, you may then have to suffer a moment of awkwardness when you tell the agent “actually, NVM” – so keep that in mind if you don’t like having your bluffs called!
When is it maybe worth paying a credit card annual fee?
Source: Victor Josan/Shutterstock.com
You’ll earn more cash back than with a no-fee card – accounting for your annual fee
Let’s say you’re considering a card that charges a $95 annual fee but offers 3x cash back.
Your first inclination may be to calculate how much you need to spend to offset your fee with cash back. So that’s:
$95 / 0.03 = $3,167
You easily spend that much in a year, so it seems like a good deal.
But hang on – remember, you’re not just trying to offset your fee – you’re trying to earn more than you would with a no-fee card.
By the time you’ve spent $3,167 with a no-fee card with 1.5x cash back, you’ve already earned:
$3,167 x 0.015 = $47.50
Not until you spend twice that – $6,333 – does the annual fee credit card “catch up” to the no-fee card and start earning you more.
In short, keep in mind that once your cash back covers your fee, you still have a lot more spending ahead of you to catch up to a garden variety 1.5x card.
The card offers a steep welcome bonus to cover its fees
Thankfully, many annual fee credit cards have big, juicy welcome bonuses to cover their annual fees – oftentimes for several years over.
Take, for example, the American Express® Gold Card. Sure, it charges a $250 credit card fee – but it also has a welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points worth between 0.6 and 2 cents a pop when applied to travel through certain partners.
You’ll get a statement credit for things you’re already paying for
The first time I saw the credit card fee for The Platinum Card® by Amex, I could hardly believe it. $695 a year? Who’s falling for this?
But then, the little Amex fairy told me to keep reading, and amazingly, The Platinum Card® started to make sense.
In addition to up to a 100k welcome bonus and up to 10x Membership Rewards® Points on select purchases, The Platinum Card® offers:
$200 Hotel Credit.
$200 Airline Fee Credit.
$200 Uber Cash.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit.
$100 Global Entry or $85 TSA PreCheck®.
And more.
Before talking points and perks, the statement credits alone account for $940 worth of bonus cash back.
If you’re already spending $940 within those areas, then The Platinum Card®’s $695 annual fee doesn’t just make sense – it’s a discount.
The card has perks and bonuses that make your life easier
In most cases, a credit card’s perks alone probably aren’t worth paying an annual fee – but if you’re seeking a tiebreaker between a fee card and a no-fee card, they may just tip the scales.
Annual fee credit card perks often include:
Travel insurance.
Lounge access.
24/7 travel concierge assistance.
And more.
For example, among other things, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card always gives you Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding, so you can stash your stuff and just relax sooner on every flight. That perk alone may not be worth $250 a year, but anything that lowers your stress is worth something!
When is it not worth paying a credit card annual fee?
You won’t earn enough cash back to cover the fee
Remember, most no-fee cards these days offer 1.5x cash back. The Citi® Double Cash Card actually offers 2x cash back (plus a host of other benefits).
For that reason, it’s becoming harder for annual fee credit cards to compete with their pro bono brethren. The annual fee card likely won’t justify itself on cash back rewards points alone, unless you spend a lot.
You’ll need to also consider the perks and bonuses attached.
The perks and bonuses aren’t worth the annual fee
The Luxury Card™ Mastercard® Black Card™ is a textbook example of a paid card that just isn’t worth anywhere near its annual fee. Its chief bonus – a $100 airline credit – doesn’t come close to covering the outrageous $495 sticker price.
Keep in mind, too, that the perks, bonuses, and statement credit provided by an annual fee rewards card are only worth cash if you use them. I myself have forgotten to use my statement credit in the past, which is just leaving money on the table.
Your credit score isn’t high enough
This one’s simple – if your credit score is below 690, you may not even qualify for an annual fee rewards card in the first place.
But wait a second – if you’re trying to pay for a credit card, why would the credit card company stop you from giving them money?
Annual fee rewards cards are designed to attract big spenders – specifically, big spenders who have a track record of paying their bills on time. That’s why credit card companies require a higher credit score for paid cards – around 690, compared to 660 for a regular, no-fee rewards card (though numbers vary by card issuer).
If you’d like to learn more about your credit score, check out How Credit Works: Understand The Credit History Reporting System. And if you’re trying to bump your numbers so you can successfully apply for a fancy paid card, we can help you there, too – check out How To Improve Your Credit Score, Step By Step.
You need 0% APR on purchases or balance transfers
You should know that annual fee rewards cards rarely, if ever, offer 0% APR incentives.
Again, that’s because these cards are designed to attract big spenders – not big savers or debt consolidators. In fact, most annual fee credit cards hammer you with the industry’s maximum APR right out the gate – usually around 29.99% – meaning there’s zero forgiveness for missing a payment.
If you think you might need some help with old debt, new debt, or simply may miss a payment in the next year or so, you should absolutely stay away from a paid rewards card. Instead, consider our list of the Best 0% APR Credit Cards and Best Balance Transfer Cards.
The card fits the lifestyle you want – not the one you have
Don’t make the same goober mistake I did!
From 2013 to 2015 I had a certain travel rewards card for work that commanded a $95 annual fee. And boy, was it worth it – my company required us to put all travel and dining charges on our own card (to be reimbursed later), so I was racking up the points.
Then, when I left my job in 2015… I decided to keep my card a little longer, assuming I’d keep traveling.
Instead, I settled in, wrote my book, and forgot to cancel my card. Basically, $95 down the drain.
Once I realized my mistake, I learned a valuable lesson in money management:
Pick the credit card that fits the lifestyle you have – not the one you think you’ll have.
Questions to ask yourself before paying a credit card’s annual fee
Source: alexialex/Shutterstock.com
To consolidate the two previous sections, here’s a “gut check” questionnaire to see if a paid card is right for you:
Is my credit score high enough to apply for this card? Or do I need to bump my numbers?
Do I need 0% APR on purchases or a balance transfer? If so, a paid card typically doesn’t offer these and isn’t a fit – I should check out the top-ranked 0% APR cards for new purchases or balance transfers instead.
Why am I considering this card? Does it fit my existing spending habits? Or will it encourage me to spend more when I should be saving?
Will the welcome bonus offset its annual fee? Are the points worth a penny each, or less? And will I spend enough to trigger the welcome bonus in time (e.g. $4,000 in 3 months)?
Is it really better than a no-fee card?Now that no-fee cards offer up to 2% cash back on all purchases, is this paid card really worth it?
What is the combined statement credit worth?And will I even use it?
Will I really use this card for longer than a year?Or should I set a calendar note in 11 months to cancel it before paying the fee again?
When in doubt, stick with a no-fee rewards card. Like Mazdas and Toyotas, they truly are catching up to their “luxury” counterparts in terms of value and benefits for way less money.
For a list of the top-ranked no-fee rewards cards, check out Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards – Don’t Pay A Dime To Get Another Credit Card.
Tips for getting the most out of your no-fee card
They say that before you spend $35,000 on a shiny new car, you should spend $35 washing and waxing your old car first. Oftentimes, a good spit-shine is all you need to appreciate the car you already have.
Similarly, if you’re considering upgrading from a no-fee card to a paid card, try spending a little time with your no-fee card first.
Maximize your cash back rewards – Does your card offer rotating 5x cash back rewards categories like the Chase Freedom Flex℠? If so, be sure to both activate and maximize those rewards.
See what hidden perks your card has – Even no-fee cards offer a surprising amount of perks these days. Capital One VentureOne Rewards, for example, offers a free Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, free Travel Accident Insurance, automatic Extended Warranty Protection, and even lounge access – all for $0.
Consider another no-fee card first –If you still feel that your no-fee card isn’t meeting all of your needs or maximizing your cash back, consider another no-fee card before you invest in a paid card. As illustrated above, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is an excellent travel card with no fee that you can use specifically for booking flights and hotels without worrying about covering your annual fee.
Summary
So, should you pay for a rewards credit card?
Probably not. No-fee cards are just so generous with cash back and perks these days that most paid cards just aren’t worth it unless you’re spending gobs of money.
But if that’s you, do the math – calculate how much you’ll spend on a no-fee card and its equivalent paid card, and determine how much money you’ll save and cash back you’ll earn. If a paid card truly pays you back in spades, it might be worth it.
But for most of us, a no-fee rewards card will make us plenty happy.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
One important distinction between advanced award travelers and those newer to the world of points and miles is how each group searches for award space.
Those with experience earning and burning points and miles will carefully study various partner award charts, looking at where to transfer their flexible points and what sweet spots they can utilize. Meanwhile, beginners may log into their United MileagePlus or American Airlines AAdvantage account, search for the destination they want to visit and book the first award they see regardless of price or convenience.
While anyone can accrue a good amount of points by earning welcome bonuses on top travel credit cards, this difference in redemption strategies is huge. Using the right partner program to book your award could save you as much as 50%, depending on the carrier and route.
With major programs switching to dynamic pricing and 500,000 miles for one-way business-class flights to Europe becoming increasingly common, it’s more important than ever to know the best ways to maximize your points and miles.
Today, we’ll look at some of the best value sweet spot award redemptions. While this list is not exhaustive, if you plan to travel to one of these destinations and have points at your disposal, these are surefire ways to get an excellent redemption value every time. If you’re new to the world of points and miles and any of these destinations interest you, you can use this as a road map to instant success.
ANA premium cabins to Japan with Virgin Atlantic points
Virgin Atlantic’s partner award chart for ANA is one of the best sweet spots out there. While availability can be hard to come by, and the first-class rates recently increased, this remains an incredible use of Virgin points.
The sweet spot
For this sweet spot, it’s important to know that the prices differ if you’re flying from the West Coast versus the central and eastern U.S. You can also book one-way flights for half the round-trip prices noted below.
ANA’s new business class is called “The Room,” and its new first class is referred to as “The Suite.” Both are excellent products that we are big fans of here at TPG — and flying in either means you can visit the always-popular Japan.
You’re allowed an open-jaw routing as long as you stay within the same region of the U.S. (West or Central/East). This means you can mix and match airports wherever you find award space.
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For example, flying from Washington, D.C.’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) and then returning from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) would be a valid itinerary, costing only 95,000 points in business or 170,000 points in first class.
Availability can be scarce — you will have the best luck booking 12 months in advance (as soon as the seats are loaded) or last minute (less than 14 days before departure when unsold seats are often loaded for awards). Your best bet for finding availability is to search for it using the United MileagePlus website and call Virgin’s Flying Club to book.
Related: Feels like first class: Flying ANA The Room business class from LA-Tokyo
Earning Virgin Atlantic miles
Virgin Atlantic miles are among the easiest to earn. You can transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Capital One, Bilt Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy to Flying Club. Keep an eye out for transfer bonuses from Amex or Citi that could drop your costs even further.
Related: How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value
Iberia business class to Spain with Avios
Iberia Avios can unlock one of the cheapest ways to fly to Europe in business class.
The sweet spot
The key to this sweet spot is to fly a nonstop, Iberia-operated flight of 3,001 to 4,000 miles on off-peak dates (check Iberia’s peak and off-peak calendar). This is because Iberia uses a distance-based award chart for its flights.
Iberia operates several transatlantic flights that fall into the 3,001- to 4,000-mile distance band. As such, you can book Iberia flights between the following city pairs for just 34,000 Avios, plus modest taxes and fees:
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD).
BOS to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN).
JFK to MAD.
JFK to BCN.
IAD to MAD.
While flights from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to MAD are slightly outside this range, they also price at 34,000 Avios one-way in business class.
Earning Avios
There are three primary ways for U.S.-based travelers to earn Iberia Avios:
Related: 4 versions of Avios: When to use Aer Lingus, Qatar Airways, Iberia and British Airways
Qatar Airways Qsuite business class to the Middle East or Africa with AAdvantage miles
Qatar Airways has won numerous awards for its innovative Qsuite business-class product, regarded as one of the world’s best business-class experiences.
The sweet spot
If you don’t live near a Qatar Airways gateway, you may be able to find an itinerary that allows you to connect domestically in the U.S. for the same cost.
You can search for award availability online, even if you don’t have the necessary miles. Just note that award space may be difficult to come by, so check back regularly if you can’t find flights on your desired route.
Earning AAdvantage miles
There are a few American Airlines cobranded cards you can use to quickly accrue AAdvantage miles.
The information for the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard and AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
You can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage at a 3:1 transfer ratio. Additionally, if you pay your rent with Bilt Rewards or spend on the Bilt Mastercard® (see rates and fees), you can transfer your points 1:1 to AAdvantage. Points transfer from Bilt to AAdvantage instantly.
Related: Best uses of American Airlines miles
Cathay Pacific business class to Asia or Africa with Alaska miles
The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan used to be one of our favorite airline programs, as the program once offered some incredible award flight sweet spots. Sadly, Alaska has removed many of its award deals, but Cathay Pacific is one of the remaining Mileage Plan sweet spots that you should book before it disappears.
The sweet spot
Flying with Cathay Pacific from the West Coast to its Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) hub will cost 30,000 miles each way in economy. If you can find available seats in premium cabins (which is difficult), you’ll pay 50,000 miles per person in business class and 70,000 miles per person in first class.
You can also continue on to several points in Asia, such as various destinations in India and Dubai International Airport (DXB), paying just 50,000 miles per person for a one-way flight in economy. Expect to pay 62,500 miles for a one-way business-class ticket and 70,000 miles for a first-class ticket.
Unfortunately, Cathay Pacific’s premium cabin seats are extremely tough to find. If you find availability, we recommend booking immediately. If you need to cancel your ticket later, Alaska will redeposit the miles and refund the taxes and fees without penalty.
Earning Alaska miles
Alaska miles aren’t the easiest to earn, as they are not linked to any major transferable program. Thankfully, Alaska’s broad list of airline partners means you can earn when flying with many different airlines.
Alaska Airlines also has two cobranded credit cards with Bank of America.
Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card: Get a $100 statement credit, 50,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare from $122 ($99 fare, plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $2,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card: Get 50,000 bonus miles, a $100 statement credit and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare from $122 ($99 fare, plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Related: Which credit card should you use for Alaska Airlines flights?
Short-haul flights on British Airways with Avios
With dynamic pricing in some programs showing up to 100,000 miles for a single flight in economy, British Airways is a good alternative. The Executive Club program offers low prices on short flights.
The sweet spot
British Airways only charges 4,750 Avios each way for off-peak flights it operates from London to destinations up to 600 miles away. This includes destinations in Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, France, Germany, Austria and Italy. Taxes will set you back just $31 (this can vary depending on current exchange rates), though you also have the option to reduce this to $1 by redeeming 9,250 Avios.
Award flights include full-size cabin baggage and checked baggage.
Earning British Airways Avios
The easiest way to earn a meaningful number of Avios for everyday spending is by applying for the British Airways Visa Signature Card. You’ll earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. TPG values Avios at 1.5 cents each, making the full bonus worth $1,125.
The British Airways Visa Signature has a $95 annual fee and earns 3 Avios per dollar spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Level. Plus, you can earn 2 Avios per dollar spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel. All other purchases earn 1 Avios per dollar spent.
British Airways is also a transfer partner of Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy, making Avios one of the easiest currencies to earn.
Points transfer from Capital One, Chase, Bilt and Amex at a 1:1 ratio (in addition to occasional transfer bonuses of up to 40%), while Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to Avios at a 3:1 ratio. Plus, you’ll get a 5,000-Avios bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred.
Related: 5 reasons why you should care about British Airways Avios
Air France-KLM Flying Blue promo awards
From paid ticket sales to redemption promotions, there are endless opportunities to book travel at a discount. However, few sales are as reliable as the Promo Rewards we see each month from Air France-KLM Flying Blue.
With Flying Blue adopting dynamic pricing with highly variable rates in all classes, this monthly offer is an excellent way to save on award travel.
The sweet spot
These monthly Promo Rewards regularly appear on the Flying Blue website and offer discounts on flights to and from select cities or region pairs. All discounts are only bookable through the end of the month, and there’s a set travel window.
Each month, the destinations, discounts and classes change, so keep an eye out for what is currently available. In the past, we have seen deals like:
39,000 miles in business class from Miami International Airport (MIA) to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR), flying KLM.
22,500 miles in premium economy class from IAD to Munich Airport (MUC), flying Air France.
11,250 miles in economy from ORD to Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN), flying Air France.
Earning Flying Blue miles
Boosting your Flying Blue balance is easy since the program partners with all major transferable points currencies.
You can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio from American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. You can also transfer Marriott points at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points you transfer.
Based on our tests, Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase and Citi transfers should post almost instantly. However, that wasn’t the case with our test transfer from Marriott, which took three days to arrive in our Flying Blue account.
Related: Is KLM premium economy worth it on the 787 Dreamliner?
Domestic United flights with Turkish Airlines’ Miles&Smiles
United’s dynamic pricing means you won’t find a set price for flights booked via the MileagePlus program. However, when there is saver-level inventory (the X fare class for economy or the I fare class for business), Turkish Airlines’ Miles&Smiles becomes one of the best options available.
The sweet spot
For any domestic flight in the U.S., including to or from Hawaii, Turkish requires just 7,500 miles each way in economy. If you’re lucky enough to find domestic first class, those award tickets only cost 12,500 miles each way.
For example, we found a round-trip ticket in economy from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Hawaii’s Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) that only requires 15,000 Turkish miles plus $11.20 in taxes and fees.
This exact same flight would be 25,800 United miles.
The key to this sweet spot is finding saver-level inventory. You can search for these fares on United.com, though note that award tickets in any fare class other than X for economy and I for business class are not bookable through partner programs.
Earning Turkish miles
Miles&Smiles partners with a trio of programs: Capital One, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Bilt Rewards. You can transfer rewards from any of these programs at a 1:1 ratio, and our tests indicate that transfers should process instantly.
Related: The ultimate guide to Citi ThankYou Rewards
Bottom line
When it comes to making award reservations, you need certain stars to align. A little bit of flexibility is required to make the process run smoothly, and that might mean changing the dates of your trip a bit or opting for a destination with more plentiful award space. If these three things fall into place, you’ll have a solid award flight.
However, there’s a fourth element to the equation: value. If you can score one of the above sweet spots, you’re essentially guaranteed to get incredible value from your redemption.
Additional reporting by Andrew Kunesh and Ethan Steinberg.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is the most rewarding of Southwest Airlines’ personal credit cards, offering a $75 annual Southwest credit and 7,500 anniversary bonus points. With a healthy sign-up bonus and the most benefits of any of the airline’s offerings, this is the card to get if you’re a Southwest loyalist. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Southwest Airlines has a legion of fans — largely due to its flexible change/cancellation policies and offering two free checked bags for all passengers. Unlike other airlines, Southwest doesn’t offer lounges, premium cabins or even seating with extra legroom. But it does offer a full suite of cobranded credit cards to help frequent flyers fulfill their Southwest travel goals.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is the most premium personal credit card in the Southwest lineup. It offers hundreds of dollars in value with Southwest each year, and its current sign-up bonus offers a healthy point bonus.
But are its benefits valuable enough to warrant the $149 annual fee? And is now the right time for you to apply? Let’s find out.
Southwest Priority Card Welcome offer
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card currently offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. TPG values Rapid Rewards points at 1.5 cents each, meaning 60,000 points are worth $900.
This is the first time Southwest has offered a promo code as part of a sign-up bonus on a credit card. The code will appear directly in your Southwest.com account within eight weeks of meeting the spending requirement. It can be used — only once — on a single one-way or round-trip Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime and Business Select fare, and is available for use until October 31, 2024.
Given it is a single-use promo code, it would be best to save this for a more expensive ticket. You’ll get the biggest savings when using the code for round-trip travel and/or during peak travel periods like the summer or the holidays.
Note that the welcome bonus will count toward earning the carrier’s venerated Companion Pass, which typically requires 135,000 points in a calendar year.
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Related: 13 lessons from 13 years’ worth of Southwest Companion Passes
All Southwest cards are subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. This means if you’ve opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months (from all banks, not just Chase), you may not be approved. Also, you can’t open a new personal Southwest card if you currently have one open or if you earned a sign-up bonus in the past 24 months on any personal Southwest card.
Earning points with the Southwest Priority Card
Here’s what you’ll earn with the Southwest Priority card:
3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases.
2 points per dollar spent with Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners.
2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including rideshare apps.
2 points per dollar on internet, cable and phone services; select streaming.
1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
This is a wide variety of bonus categories compared to other airline credit cards, though top travel cards are typically even more lucrative.
Related: The best rewards credit cards for each bonus category
Redeeming points with the Southwest Priority Card
Redeeming points with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is very straightforward. Southwest award prices are directly tied to the cash value of the ticket, meaning the number of points you need for a flight will fluctuate, but you’ll rarely encounter times when you can’t use your points. Plus, if your plans change, you can redeposit your award without penalty.
While Southwest’s Rapid Rewards points won’t help you fly in first-class suites, they can provide great value. For instance, you can fly from Los Angeles (LAX) to Chicago-Midway (MDW) for just 8,091 points one-way, depending on the time of year. Meanwhile, other airlines often charge 10,000 miles or even more (assuming you can find availability).
If you book during one of Southwest’s flash sales, you could score awards for less than 2,500 points one-way. You can even fly to fun faraway destinations like Hawaii, Costa Rica and Mexico with your Southwest points.
Southwest Rapid Rapid Rewards Priority benefits
The Southwest Priority card offers the following benefits:
Anniversary bonus: Each year on your card-opening anniversary, you’ll receive 7,500 Rapid Rewards points, worth about $112, based on TPG’s valuations.
Annual Southwest travel credit: During each cardmember year, you’ll receive a $75 travel credit that can be used on most Southwest purchases, including tickets (but excluding upgraded boardings and inflight purchases), dropping the card’s actual cost to $74.
25% inflight savings: Receive 25% back (as a statement credit) after you use your card to purchase inflight drinks, Wi-Fi, messaging and movies.
Tier qualifying points boost: Earn 1,500 TQPs that count toward A-List and A-List Preferred status for each $10,000 you spend in a calendar year.
In addition to the Southwest-specific benefits, the card comes with lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, extended warranty coverage and purchase protection. The card has no foreign transaction fees, and the annual fee is $149.
Which cards compete with the Southwest Priority Card?
Southwest Airlines currently offers three personal cards — all with the same sign-up bonus. Thus, it can be difficult to choose the right one.
If you want Southwest benefits with a more modest fee: The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has the same welcome bonus but extra perks to justify its $99 annual fee. These include 6,000 anniversary bonus points, 2 EarlyBird check-ins per year, 25% back on inflight purchases and 1,500 TQPs towards A-List status for each $10,000 spent on the card. For more details, read our full review of the Southwest Premier card.
If you want a Southwest card with an even lower annual fee: The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus has a $69 annual fee and an anniversary bonus of 3,000 points. You’ll also receive 2 EarlyBird check-ins every card anniversary. For more information, read our full review of the Southwest Plus card.
If you want points you can use with Southwest and other airlines: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which you can transfer 1:1 to Southwest — as well as a wide range of airlines — for making flight redemptions. You’ll get numerous travel protections, a $50 annual hotel credit and robust earning categories, and the card has a $95 annual fee. For more information, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
For more options, check out our full list of travel credit cards.
Related: Comparing the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier, and Plus Credit Cards
Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card worth it?
If you fly Southwest at least a few times each year, you will come out ahead with the Southwest Priority Credit Card. The card’s everyday earning rates aren’t the most lucrative out there, but impressive built-in perks like upgraded boardings, a $75 annual travel credit and a 7,500-point anniversary bonus easily make up for it.
Bottom line
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is the most rewarding of Southwest Airlines’ personal credit cards, with a solid sign-up bonus and the most benefits of any of the airline’s offerings. If you fly Southwest often, it’s the card for you.
Official application link: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox, Benét J. Wilson, Jennifer Yellin, Joseph Hostetler, Christina Ly and Ryan Smith.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card overview
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card is the middle of the pack for Southwest personal credit cards. While airline credit cards generally don’t have too many perks, the absence of foreign transaction fees and 6,000-anniversary bonus points should help offset this card’s reasonable $99 annual fee. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Savvy TPG readers know we generally don’t recommend building your points strategy around a single cobranded airline credit card, as these tend to offer fewer perks and less flexibility than a comparably-priced transferable points card.
When it comes to the Southwest Rapid Rewards card portfolio, you’ll generally find better earning rates and more flexible redemption options with cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points — such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — which you can then transfer to Southwest Rapid Rewards at a 1:1 rate.
That said, Southwest credit cards are very popular among Southwest fans. The mid-tier version of the three personal Southwest cards — the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card — has a good balance of perks and an annual fee that could make it worthy of a spot in your card collection.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Southwest Premier Card to help you decide if it should earn a spot in your wallet.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card welcome offer
New applicants for the Southwest Premier card can earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
TPG values Southwest Rapid Rewards points at 1.5 cents apiece, making the 60,000 points alone worth $900. While you can redeem points in several ways, the best value will come from using them for flights.
This is also the first time Southwest has offered a promo code as part of a sign-up bonus on a credit card. The code will appear directly in your Southwest.com account within eight weeks of meeting the spending requirement. It can be used — only once — on a single one-way or round-trip Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime and Business Select fare, and is available for use until October 31, 2024.
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Given it is a single-use promo code, it would be best to save this for a more expensive ticket. You’ll get the biggest savings when using the code for round-trip travel and/or during peak travel periods like the summer or the holidays.
Keep in mind that you can’t earn a sign-up bonus on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card if you currently have any personal Southwest card, nor are you eligible if you earned a sign-up bonus on a personal Southwest card in the past 24 months.
Also, all of Southwest’s cobranded cards are subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. If you’ve opened five or more new accounts over the past 24 months (across all issuers, not just Chase), you’re likely to be denied for this card.
Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions
Earning points on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
Most airline credit cards award bonus points or miles for purchases directly with the carrier, and that’s certainly true here: You’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent with Southwest on the Premier Card.
However, it also has some other enticing bonus categories: You’ll earn 2 points per dollar spent on local transit and commuting purchases, internet, cable and phone services and with select streaming providers. You’ll earn 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
This amounts to a 4.5% return on spending with Southwest and a 1.5% return on everyday spending, according to our valuations.
Redeeming points on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
When it’s time to use your rewards, one of the best things about redeeming Southwest Rapid Rewards points is the simplicity of the process. Whether you select the cheapest Wanna Get Away fares or the most expensive Business Select tickets, the cost of your award ticket is tied to the cash price of the flight.
This means you don’t have to worry about getting the highest possible cent-per-point redemption value. If you have Rapid Rewards points, you can redeem them for gift cards or merchandise, but the best value comes from using your points for Southwest flights — including options to Hawaii and international destinations.
Remember that Southwest’s policy of no change or cancellation fees means you can reprice your award ticket if the price drops. This offers valuable flexibility to get the best possible redemption.
Read more: How to change or cancel a Southwest Airlines flight
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card benefits
While you don’t expect an airline credit card with a $99 annual fee to come loaded with perks, there are quite a few benefits on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card.
You’ll receive 6,000 bonus points on each account anniversary, which TPG values at $90 — meaning that the anniversary bonus nearly offsets the card’s $99 annual fee.
Also, you’ll enjoy additional benefits like two EarlyBird check-ins per year with the Southwest Premier Card — helping you get on the plane early to snag a better seat — and 25% back on inflight purchases.
You may also be interested in earning Southwest A-List elite status to further enhance your travels with the carrier. Doing so requires completing 25 qualifying flights or earning 35,000 tier-qualifying points (TQPs) in a calendar year. You can earn bonus TQPs by spending on the Premier card: 1,500 TQPs for every $10,000 spent per calendar year.
Related: Battle of the airlines: Why I think Southwest Airlines is the best
Which cards compete with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card?
The Southwest Premier card has two obvious competitors: the other Southwest credit cards from Chase. However, it’s worth also considering a general travel credit card with a similar annual fee to see whether this is better for your wallet. Let’s see how they stack up:
For more options, check out our full list of travel credit cards.
Related: Comparing the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier, and Plus Credit Cards
Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card worth it?
The Southwest Premier card with a $99 annual fee is mostly offset by the 6,000 anniversary bonus points, which have a value of $90, according to TPG’s valuations. If you value its other perks at more than $9, that covers the annual fee. However, most Southwest loyalists should apply for the Priority card instead, as it has more benefits.
Bottom line
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card can be a good option for frequent Southwest flyers. If you fly with Southwest occasionally, this card’s price point and perks could make it a good fit for your wallet without the higher price tag on other travel credit cards.
Official application link: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox, Stella Shon, Christina Ly and Ryan Smith.
A couple of years ago, it seemed the end of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card reign in my wallet was near.
Sure, the card earns a solid 2 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and 3 points per dollar on dining while delivering exceptional travel protection benefits — rarely seen in a credit card with an annual fee under $100. It also provides outstanding travel redemption possibilities when transferring points to one of Chase’s valuable transfer partners, such as United, Hyatt and British Airways.
And right now, the card is offering an elevated sign-up bonus of 80,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. TPG values this offer at $1,600.
But truth be told, I was putting minimal spending on my Sapphire Preferred card and instead opting to earn a higher 4 points per dollar with the American Express® Gold Card on dining at restaurants.
So why have I decided to keep the Chase Sapphire Preferred card in my wallet indefinitely? Let’s take a look at the reasons.
Valuable transfer partners
The World of Hyatt program is considered by many TPG readers (including me) to be the single most valuable transfer partner of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. With Ultimate Rewards points transferring at a 1:1 ratio, it’s easy to book Hyatt awards at reasonable award rates.
And although there’s some overlap with other transferable currencies as far as travel partners are concerned (British Airways, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, to name a few), Ultimate Rewards can be transferred at a ratio of 1:1, exclusively to Southwest and United, both of which I fly on occasion.
Related: 6 sweet spots that get you more value for your Ultimate Rewards
Good-value redemptions
I carry the Chase Sapphire Preferred card because it’s a full-fledged Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning card (just like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card). In a nutshell, I can book travel directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal or transfer to one of Chase’s 14 travel partners (11 airlines and three hotel chains).
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If I only possessed the Chase Freedom Unlimited or any of the no-annual-fee Chase cards; these would be glorified cash-back credit cards on their own, limiting the ability to convert cash back into points to unlock valuable travel redemptions. Therefore, an Ultimate Rewards-earning card such as the Sapphire Preferred is necessary to generate greater value from my stash of Chase points.
As a Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholder, the card also allows me to redeem points at 1.25 cents (so a $200 airfare would only cost 16,000 points) directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal. This is particularly useful when I favor the simplicity of booking plane tickets or hotel stays without scouring for hotel reward nights or flight award availability.
Related: The power of the Chase Trifecta
Primary car rental coverage
Whenever I rent a car, I always decline the car rental company’s insurance offer of “Collision Damage Waiver” or CDW. That’s because the Sapphire Preferred provides primary car rental coverage, which allows me to decline this added fee but still have peace of mind once I leave the rental counter. If I’m in an accident that causes damage or loss to my rental vehicle, this coverage reimburses me for vehicle damage or replaces the vehicle.
Best of all, this primary car rental protection extends to any of my authorized users who use their card to pay for rental or any additional drivers under the car rental agreement. All that’s required to add the extra layer of protection when renting a car is to pay the rental with your Chase Sapphire Preferred, and you’ll be protected if any unfortunate accident occurs. This benefit alone is why I only use the Sapphire Preferred card to pay for my rental cars.
Related: Credit cards that offer car rental coverage
Accepted practically everywhere
Though today in the U.S., American Express is accepted in as many places as Visa and Mastercard, abroad is a different story. Visa is more widely accepted internationally than other payment networks. Since the Sapphire Preferred runs on the Visa payment network, I am virtually guaranteed acceptance with most merchants I frequent while traveling outside the U.S.
And while the American Express® Gold Card earns 4 points per dollar at restaurants, I prefer earning 2 points per dollar on travel and 3 points per dollar on dining with the Sapphire Preferred knowing I won’t encounter nearly as many hurdles when paying with a credit card abroad.
Related: What’s the difference between a credit card network and issuer?
Bottom line
If you’ve been eyeing the Sapphire Preferred card for some time, opportunity is knocking, as now is arguably one of the best times to apply. The card is currently offering a sign-up bonus of 80,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.
Overall, the Chase Sapphire Preferred continues to provide me with enough value to supersede its $95 annual fee each year. And for that reason, I have plans to keep this card indefinitely and continue to use it as a catalyst for accruing and redeeming valuable Ultimate Rewards points for travel.
Official application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card with an 80,000-point bonus.