Excellent credit unlocks the top of the market. At this level the question is no longer whether you will be approved, it is which premium travel and rewards card earns its keep for the way you travel and spend. These cards carry annual fees, and the good ones return far more than they cost when you actually use the benefits. Approval still rests on the issuer’s review, but this is the tier where the best cards in the country are within reach.
We gathered the strongest travel and premium options below. Some lean toward flexible points and transfer partners, others toward lounge access and statement credits. The right pick depends on how often you travel and which perks you will genuinely use.
Cards for excellent credit
$95
1x-5x
60,000
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
-
- Receive 60,000 bonus points by spending $4,000 within the first three months.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x points on travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel expenditures.
- Points are worth $750 towards travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Gain 25% extra value when redeeming for airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Includes Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance, among others.
- Access to DashPass with complimentary $0 delivery fees on orders above $12.
-
Pros:
- Earn high rewards on several areas of spending
- Transfer points to travel partners at 1:1 rate
- Many travel and shopping protections
Cons:- Annual fee
- No intro APR offer
- Best travel earning rates only for bookings through Chase
$795
1x-10x
60,000
720-850 (Excellent)
-
- Accumulate 60,000 bonus points by spending $4,000 in the initial three months, redeemable for $900 in travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Benefit from a $300 Travel Credit each year, applied to travel purchases charged to your card each anniversary year.
- Earn quintuple points on flights and tenfold points on hotels and car rentals via Chase Ultimate Rewards®, post the initial $300 annual travel spend.
- Enhance your point value by 50% when redeeming through Chase Ultimate Rewards® for travel.
- Transfer points on a 1:1 basis to major airline and hotel loyalty programs.
- Enjoy access to Priority Pass™ Select lounges and up to $100 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit.
- Comprehensive travel protection, including insurance for trip cancellation/interruption and auto rental collision damage.
-
Pros:
- $300 annual travel credit
- Generous welcome bonus
- 50% more value on points redemption through Chase
- Points transfer to airline and hotel partners
Cons:- High annual fee
- High variable APR on purchases
- Recommended for excellent credit
$95
2x-5x
75,000
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
-
- Earn a one-time 75,000-mile bonus after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months, equivalent to $750 in travel.
- Unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, and 5X miles on hotel and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
- Miles don’t expire as long as the account is open and there’s no cap on earnings.
- Receive a credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fees.
- Two complimentary lounge visits annually to Capital One Lounges or select Plaza Premium Lounges.
- Redeem miles for travel purchases or by booking through Capital One Travel.
- Additional hotel benefits, including a $50 experience credit and possible room upgrades.
-
Pros:
- Robust rewards rate
- Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- No foreign transaction fees
- Flexible redemption options
Cons:- $95 annual fee
- No introductory APR on purchases or transfers
$395
2x-10x
75,000
720-850 (Excellent)
-
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, equivalent to $750 in travel.
- $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel.
- Annual bonus of 10,000 miles starting from the first anniversary.
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars, 5X miles on flights through Capital One Travel, and 2X miles on all other purchases.
- Complimentary lounge access for you and two guests to over 1,300 lounges.
- Miles transferrable to over 15 travel loyalty programs.
- Additional benefits like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit.
-
Pros:
- Lower annual fee compared to similar category cards
- Annual travel credit and anniversary miles
- Miles are easily earned and redeemed
Cons:- Limited domestic airline and upscale hotel partners
- Emerging Capital One lounge network
- Lacks hotel status benefits
$325
1x-4x
60,000
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
-
- Earn 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in first 6 months.
- 4X points at Restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year, then 1X).
- 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash annually ($10 monthly for Uber Eats or rides).
- $120 Dining Credit annually ($10 monthly at selected partners).
- $100 hotel stay credit on The Hotel Collection bookings (min 2 nights).
- Choose between Gold or Rose Gold card colors.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee: $250.
-
Pros:
- Best rates on dining and groceries.
- Impressive welcome offer for the fee.
- Annual credits up to $340 justify fee.
- Solid travel and shopping protections.
- Flexible spending with no preset limit.
Cons:- $250 annual fee can be unjustifiable.
- 3X points only for direct flights or via Amex Travel.
- No lounge access or trip insurance.
$895
1x-5x
80,000
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
-
- Obtain 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after $8,000 in purchases within the first 6 months.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on flights and prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Receive up to $200 in statement credits annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with Amex Travel.
- Monthly credits for select digital entertainment services, a Walmart+ membership, airline incidental fees, Uber rides and eats, Equinox membership, CLEAR® Plus, and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fees.
- Up to $100 in annual Saks Fifth Avenue statement credits and a $300 credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike.
- Exclusive reservations and dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy.
- Comprehensive travel insurance coverages.
-
Pros:
- High reward potential on flights and hotels booked through Amex Travel
- Multiple statement credits across various categories
- Extensive airport lounge access
- Luxury travel benefits and elite status with certain hotel brands
Cons:- Very high annual fee
- Requires effort to maximize statement credits
- Sub-par reward rate outside of travel
$95
1x-10x
60,000
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
-
- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.
- Limited-time offer: Earn 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 on hotel, car rentals, and attractions booked via Citi Travel℠ (excluding air travel) through June 30, 2024.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 at Gas Stations, Air Travel, and Other Hotels.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 at Restaurants and Supermarkets.
- Earn 1 Point per $1 on all other purchases.
- Annual Hotel Savings Benefit.
- Redeem 60,000 ThankYou® Points for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards.
- No point expiration and no cap on points earned.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
-
Pros:
- Varied travel redemption options
- No foreign transaction fees
- No additional cost for authorized users
Cons:- Annual fee without a first-year waiver
- No intro APR offer
- Lacks travel or purchase protections
$0
1x-3x
N/A
650-850 (Fair – Excellent)
-
- Earn rewards after 5 transactions per statement period.
- No annual fee for cardholders.
- Earn 1x points on rent payments without a transaction fee, up to 100,000 points yearly.
- 2x points on direct bookings with airlines, hotels, car rentals, or cruise companies.
- 3x points on dining and 1x points on other purchases.
- Includes cell phone insurance and purchase protection.
- Access to Mastercard® World Elite Concierge and Lyft credits.
- No foreign currency conversion fee.
-
Pros:
- Rewards on rent payments
- No annual fee
- Primary car rental and cell phone insurance
- Point transfer to partners
Cons:- Five transactions per statement period required to earn rewards
- No welcome bonus
- High regular APR range
- Lower rewards rate outside of rent spend
When an annual fee is worth paying
A premium card only makes sense when the value you pull from it clears the fee. Travel credits, lounge access, hotel status and transfer partners can be worth well beyond what the card costs, but only if they match trips you were already going to take.
The honest test is simple: add up the perks you will actually use in a year. If that number beats the fee comfortably, the card pays for itself. If you have to stretch to justify it, a no-fee card from the good-credit tier may serve you better.
Points, miles and transfer partners
The real power of these cards is flexible rewards. Instead of a fixed cashback rate, you earn points or miles that can transfer to airline and hotel partners, where a smart redemption can stretch their value much further than a straight cash equivalent.
That flexibility is also the learning curve. Getting outsized value takes a little planning, so the best card is the one whose travel partners line up with where you already want to go.
Some travel cards deliver lounge access and transfer partners at a mid-range fee, a softer entry into the premium tier.
Travel card or premium everyday card
Not every card at this level is built for the airport. Some focus on travel perks like lounges and trip protection, while others reward high everyday spending on dining and groceries with elevated points and useful credits.
If you fly often, the travel-first cards earn their fee at the gate. If you spend more at the table than in the air, a premium everyday card may return more of your money.
Protecting an excellent score
Reaching this tier took discipline, and keeping it takes the same. Pay in full every month, keep your balances low against your limits, and be deliberate about opening new accounts. A premium card used carelessly costs far more than it returns.
Held responsibly, these cards reward you for spending you were doing anyway, while your excellent score keeps every door in the market open.
Choosing among the best cards
At this level there are no weak cards, only different strengths. Let your travel habits and your spending decide: match the card’s best perks to trips you already take and purchases you already make, and the fee stops being a cost and becomes an investment.
The details and the pros and cons for each card are laid out above, so you can weigh them against how you actually live and travel.
Building a Two Card Setup
With excellent credit, many people get the most from pairing two cards rather than hunting for one that does everything. A common setup is a travel or premium card for trips and dining, plus a simple card with no yearly fee for everyday purchases that don’t earn much on the first one.
The key is keeping the setup easy to run. Two cards with automatic payment and clear roles are simpler than several cards with overlapping benefits. If you keep forgetting which card to use, it’s a sign the setup is too complex for the value it gives.
Over time, you can add a third card if a specific benefit clearly fits how you live, but only after the first two are running smoothly.
Protecting Accounts That Hold Valuable Points
Premium cards are a common target for scams, because the accounts often hold valuable points. Turn on alerts for purchases and for changes to your login, use a strong password for each card app and never share a one-time code with anyone who contacts you. If a message pushes you to act fast, close it and reach the card company through the app or the number on the back of your card.
It also helps to check your points balance now and then, since a drop you didn’t expect is worth asking about right away. Keep your contact details current so the card company can reach you if a purchase looks unusual.
Getting Real Value From Travel Benefits
Travel benefits only count when you use them. Before choosing a card, think about how often you fly, which airlines and hotels you already use and whether lounge access would matter at your usual airports. A benefit you’d use a few times a year can be worth much more than a long list you’d never touch.
Keep an eye on credits and perks that reset each year or need to be turned on first. Many people miss part of the value simply because they forget to activate a benefit or don’t use a credit before it runs out. A quick reminder in your calendar can make the difference.
Also check how points move to airline and hotel partners. Those moves usually can’t be undone, so send points over only when you’re ready to book.
Reviewing Your Cards Once a Year
Once a year, around the time your annual fee posts, look back at what each card actually gave you. Add up the rewards you earned and the benefits you used, and compare them with the fee. If a card no longer pays for itself, you can ask about a version with a lower fee or move your spending to a card that fits better.
Think twice before closing an older account, since it’s part of your credit history. Switching to a version with no yearly fee from the same company often keeps the account open while removing the cost. Approval and terms for any change are still up to the card company. A short review like this takes a few minutes and keeps every card earning its place in your wallet.
Excellent credit gives you the best the market offers, and the smart move is choosing the card whose perks you will truly use rather than the one with the flashiest name. Match it to your life, use it with intention, and it pays you back.
*Approval, credit line, fees, rewards and terms are determined by each issuer based on their own review. Approval is not guaranteed.