As full-time travelers, we’re always on the lookout for credit cards that offer the best value in terms of rewards, perks, and overall benefits. Below are our top selections, ranked by the value they provide to nomads and frequent travelers like us.
If you want to learn more about traveling for (almost) free as we do, check out our ultimate guide to travel rewards.
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Our offers at a glance
| Link to Offer | Minimum Spent | Bonus Rewards (Points) + Cash equivalent (1) | Annual fee | Reward earn per minimum spent | Offer Expiration Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $4,000 | 60,000 bonus rewards points (Cash equivalent: $1,200) | $95 | $12.63 | No Expiration |
| Capital One Venture X | $4,000 | 75,000 bonus rewards points (Cash equivalent: $750) | $395 (but you get $300 in travel credit) | $7.89 | End of 2025 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserved | $5,000 | 60,000 bonus rewards points (Cash equivalent: $1,800) | $550 (but you get $300 in travel credit) | $7.2 | No Expiration |
| Capital One Venture | $4,000 | 75,000 bonus rewards points (Cash equivalent: $1,500) | Waived (1st year) | N/A | No Expiration |
| American Express Gold | $6,000 | 60,000 bonus rewards points (Cash equivalent: $1,200) | $325 | $3.69 | End of 2025 |
| (BUSINESS) Chase Business Unlimited | $3,000 | 75,000 bonus rewards points (Cash equivalent: $750) | $0 | N/A | No Expiration |
| (BUSINESS) Capital One Spark Business | $4,5000 | 50,000 bonus rewards points (Cash equivalent: $500) | $0 | N/A | No Expiration |
(1) We determine the cash equivalent value of a given offer by converting the bonus points using the monthly points valuation page provided by The Points Guy (TPG) website.
Offers for Non-Business Owners
#1 – Capital One Venture X
Best for Lounge Access with Comprehensive Travel Benefits
We signed up for this card in September 2023, and it’s been a staple in our travel toolkit.
- Welcome Bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
- Annual Fee: $395 (include $300 in travel credit)
- Rewards:
- 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on all other purchases
- Perks:
- $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
- 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
- Access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass™ lounges
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit up to $100 every four years
- No foreign transaction fees
Important Update: Starting February 1, 2026, guest access to Capital One and Priority Pass™ lounges will no longer be complimentary. Guests will be charged $45 per visit, and authorized users will need to pay a $125 annual fee for lounge access. If lounge access for companions is important to you, consider applying before these changes take effect.
To discover this offer, exclusively available for our readers click here
#2 – Chase Sapphire Reserve
Best for Premium Travel Perks and Lounge Access
We added this card to our wallet in January 2023, and it’s been a game-changer for our travel experiences.
- Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
- Annual Fee: $550 (but include $300 in travel credit)
- Rewards:
- 10x points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel℠
- 5x points on flights booked through Chase Travel
- 3x points on other travel and dining
- 1x point on all other purchases
- Perks:
- $300 annual travel credit
- Access to Chase Sapphire Lounges and Priority Pass™ lounges
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS fee credit up to $100 every four years
- Comprehensive travel insurance and purchase protections
- 50% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel
- No foreign transaction fees
To discover this offer, exclusively available for our readers click here.
#3 – Chase Sapphire Preferred
Best for Flexible Travel Rewards
We signed up for this card in December 2023, and it’s been a reliable option for earning travel rewards.
- Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
- Annual Fee: $95
- Rewards:
- 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
- 3x points on dining and select streaming services
- 2x points on other travel purchases
- 1x point on all other purchases
- Perks:
- $50 annual Ultimate Rewards® hotel credit
- 10% anniversary point bonus
- No foreign transaction fees
To discover this offer, exclusively available for our readers click here.
#4 – Capital One Venture
Best for Simple Travel Rewards
We signed up for this card in June 2022, and it’s been a straightforward option for earning travel miles.
- Welcome Bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
- Annual Fee: $95
- Rewards:
- 2x miles on every purchase
- 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Perks:
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit up to $100 every four years
- No foreign transaction fees
To discover this offer, exclusively available for our readers click here.
#5 – American Express Gold
Best for Dining and Grocery Rewards
We added this card in April 2025, and it’s been excellent for maximizing rewards on food-related expenses.
- Welcome Bonus: 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months
- Annual Fee: $325
- Rewards:
- 4x points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
- 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year)
- 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
- 1x point on all other purchases
- Perks:
- Up to $120 annual dining credit ($10 monthly) at select partners
- Up to $120 annual Uber Cash ($10 monthly)
- No foreign transaction fees
To discover this offer, exclusively available for our readers click here.
Offers for Business Owners
#1 – Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Best for Business Travel Rewards & to keep your Capital One Rewards
- Welcome Bonus: 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months
- Annual Fee: $0 intro for the first year; $95 after that
- Rewards:
- 2x miles on every purchase
- 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Perks:
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free employee cards
To discover this offer, exclusively available for our readers click here
#2 – Chase Ink Business Unlimited
Best for Flat-Rate Business Rewards & To keep your Chase Rewards
- Welcome Bonus: $750 cash back after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months
- Annual Fee: $0
- Rewards:
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- Perks:
- 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases
- Employee cards at no additional cost
- No foreign transaction fees
To discover this offer, exclusively available for our readers click here.