Your Next Five Credit Cards: for the Intermediate Award Traveler
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EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE:
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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Have you ever wondered....where do I go next?You’ve been collecting points and miles for a while. You’ve opened all the most popular beginner cards. And now you need to know where to go from here.
So let’s jump into the cards I recommend most for the award travelers who have been here for a while…your NEXT five cards. 💳😉
The next five
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
By now, most of us will have opened up some of those best beginner cards from Chase bank. If you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, or the no annual fee Ink business cards, this is the natural next step to keep building off of that Ultimate Rewards strategy!
You have 14+ hotel and airline transfer partner options with this bank, and this recently revamped premium card is packed with SERIOUS perks that you’ll quickly learn to love. Travel benefits, hotel credits, lifestyle perks…this card has it all.
*All information about Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been collected independently by Packed with Points. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you haven’t jumped into the world of Membership Rewards® points, now is your moment. The Gold card options are the mid-tier level cards that offer some great earning rates, easy to use perks, and a moderate annual fee.
I always recommend starting with a Gold card then working your way up to a Platinum card (especially for the personal cards which have family restrictions on earning the welcome offer on a lower tier card if you have already earned the welcome offer on a higher tier card).
➡️ Related: How I’m Using My 5 Favorite American Express Transfer Partners
It’s time to get loyal to your favorite hotel chain. And by that, I mean that this is your cue to start building up a loyalty profile for some serious hotel perks! 🔥👏🏻
If I’m being honest, Hilton is my favorite hotel chain. And for good reason! They have four cobranded credit card options (and you can hold all of them at the same time), they have the most valuable free night rewards, and they have one of the biggest portfolios and ultimate luxury properties.
➡️Related: Your Long-Term Hilton Strategy
Who doesn’t love when a new card comes out that doesn’t count toward 5/24? 🤩 This Venture Business card is a natural next step in your Venture miles strategy so you can keep racking up those valuable flexible rewards.
This card is relatively new, earns the same rewards currency as the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, earns miles that can transfer to 20+ transfer partners, and all with just a $95 annual fee!
➡️Related: How to Use Capital One Venture Miles
5. Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® or Atmos™ Rewards Visa® Business Card
This airline loyalty program IS NOT TALKED ABOUT ENOUGH! Atmos Rewards is the joint loyalty program for Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines, and they offer some of the best partner award deals you’ll find.
I currently have both of these cards, and you can’t go wrong with either one! If you’re on the higher end of your 5/24 count, it might be best to stick with the business card option. Both cards earn points that can be used to book flights on either Alaska or Hawaiian, come with annual fees under $100, and offer a great option for building up your stash of airline miles beyond flexible points!
➡️Related: All About Atmos Rewards
Bottom line
While credit card points and miles is not a one-size-fits-all hobby, this list can help guide you as you level up your steeply discounted travel journey!
There are SO many credit card options, and this is just one set of recommendations to get you set up for success. Always make sure you’re opening a card that works for you and your goals. 💜
Ready to learn more? You need the Beginner’s Guide to Credit Card Points & Miles!
EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
