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This is the only AmEx card currently that offers 3x for broad range of travel (as opposed to flights/hotels booked directly or specifically via AmEx portals.) It's a nice intro traveling card with a solid bonus offer for only $2,000 spend. However, it has a $150 annual fee that's hard to justify, as the annual $100 for each LoungeBuddy and CLEAR is more often a miss than a hit, given the very limited range and location of both programs at the moment (end-2019).beamerbenzbentli's Referral Link
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Solid rotating categories card to earn the sought-after Chase UR points. I use this to get that 5% (5X pts per dollar) every quarter whenever I can and max it out at $1500, if applicable, before switching to something else. Crucial in any personal Chase arsenal.beamerbenzbentli's Referral Link
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Quite respectable and likely the best no-fee travel card. The 3X travel category is very broad and even covers gas, which is not commonly considered "travel". If you pair this with the WF Visa Signature, you effectively get a 4.5% cashback on all travel-related and dining. The only downsides are that WF GoFar points don't have airline partners, and as a bank, WF is generally strict/controversial on relationship and credit line.Notes
A below average to mediocre travel card. Better earnings can be found than the 2X on United flights, hotels (booked directly), and restaurants that this card gives, although annual fee is waived the first year and is only $95. If you're near a United hub, it might be worth it to keep around as it gives 2 United Club lounge passes per annual charge, worth $120, as well as priority boarding and first free checked bag, even on basic economy which is important to note. Miles earning can be boosted via MileagePlus X app that offers extra on egift cards.beamerbenzbentli's Referral Link
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A one-size-fits-all card for general spending. I think it's worth it for the sign-up bonus but probably not keep around, as the $95 annual fee (waived first year) is not worth probably the only card with no foreign transaction fee that consistently net 2X miles. The reason is that the miles themselves are not as valuable as Chase UR or AmEx MR or even Citi TYR. The conversion ratio to a flight partner is normally 2:1.5, or worse in some cases 2:1. When it comes to worth of points, it's probably not worth the $95 fee to use this rather than simply getting 1X AmEx or Chase points on general categories.Notes
Great card and company for first-time or beginning cardholders. No fee and no foreign transaction fee card that gives rotating 5% cashback up to $1500. You're also matched the first year, effectively making it 10% cashback initially. Unfortunately, Discover is the least accepted out of the 4 major credit card processors and also does not have any flight partner or program. Given that some airline miles could be worth as much as 15 cents (or more modestly 8 cents) pp if used correctly, I have to rank this at the bottom under all the travel cards, as an avid traveler.beamerbenzbentli's Referral Link
$50
Reward
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I had this (and dropped it) before the Jan 2020 revamp. Prior to that this card is mediocre and actually even worse than United Explorer. The earnings are bad, and the "perks" do not justify the annual fee at all (though $95 is waived first-year). I don't think it's becoming all that much better as discounted Sky Lounge and MQD waiver are completely removed. You'd have to spend $10k/yr to make the annual fee back. If you're a low spender on this card (and you should unless you really have no other options), the United Explorer is still better than the post Jan 20 version of this card.beamerbenzbentli's Referral Link
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