Picking the best credit cards to add to your wallet can be challenging since each card offers different perks — this is especially true for premium cards.
Plus, issuers keep upping the ante by refreshing popular cards, adding benefits and increasing the cards’ annual fees, so there’s more competition in this space than ever.
Let’s compare the benefits and value propositions of some of the best premium credit cards available for new applicants. We’ll focus on nine premium rewards cards:
Methodology for comparing the best premium credit cards
For this comparison, we’ll compare these cards across seven categories:
- Annual fee
- Current welcome offer
- Point-earning potential
- Redemption options
- Statement credits and notable perks
- Lounge access
- Travel and purchase protections
This analysis is based on a generic traveler trying to decide which one of these cards is right for them. Since premium credit cards have varying perks and benefits, the one that’s right for your wallet will depend on your specific wants and needs.
Comparison of the best premium cards
CardAnnual feeAdditional cardholder feeWelcome offerWelcome offer value*EarningsAmex Platinum$895 (see rates and fees)$195 for each additional cardmember (see rates and fees)Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.Up to $3,500
- 5 points per dollar spent on airfare purchases booked through the airline or through American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
- 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
- 1 point per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card$395$0 for up to four authorized users
$125 for up to four authorized users for them to receive lounge access (after Feb. 1, 2026)
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.$1,388
- 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One’s travel booking site
- 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One’s travel booking site
- 2 miles per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
Chase Sapphire Reserve**$795$195 for each additional cardholderEarn 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
$2,563
- 10 points per dollar spent on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more, with a maximum of 50,000 points (through Dec. 31, 2027)
- 8 points per dollar spent on purchases made through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠
- 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027)
- 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked direct
- 3 points per dollar spent on dining worldwide
- 1 point per dollar spent on everything else
Purchases that qualify for the $300 annual travel credit will not earn points.
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard$595$175 annual fee for the first three authorized users; $175 for each authorized user after thatEarn 70,000 miles after spending $7,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.$1,085
- 10 miles per dollar spent on eligible hotels booked through aa.com/hotels and eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars
- 4 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases
Citi Strata Elite $595$75 per additional cardholderEarn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.$1,520
- 12 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel
- 6 points per dollar spent on air travel booked through Citi Travel
- 6 points per dollar spent at restaurants, including restaurant delivery services, on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET. Earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining any other time.
- 1.5 points per dollar spent on all other purchases
Delta Reserve$650 (see rates and fees)$175 per additional cardmember (see rates and fees)Earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends Oct. 29.$1,438
- 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases
- 1 mile per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
Hilton Honors Aspire Card$550 (see rates and fees)$0 for each additional cardmember (see rates and fees)Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.$750
- 14 points per dollar spent at Hilton portfolio properties worldwide
- 7 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel
- 7 points per dollar spent on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies
- 7 points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery)
- 3 points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant$650 (see rates and fees)$0 (see rates and fees)Earn 185,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.$1,295
- 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and airfare purchased directly with the airline
- 2 points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
United Club Card$695$0 for each additional cardholderEarn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.$1,040
- 5 miles per dollar spent when you book direct with Renowned Hotels and Resorts for United® Cardmembers
- 4 miles per dollar spent on United purchases
- 2 miles per dollar spent on all other travel and dining purchases (including eligible delivery services)
- 1 mile per dollar spent on other purchases
*Welcome offer value is an estimated value based on TPG’s September 2025 valuations and is not provided by the issuer.
**It’s important to note that for Sapphire Reserve cardholders who applied before June 23, 2025, new benefits and earning rates take effect October 26.
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Annual fee
When considering a card’s annual fee, consider the benefits and statement credits it offers to see whether the value provided justifies the cost. Some cards with high annual fees can provide so much value that you may even net money and come out ahead.
Whether or not a card charges a fee for additional cardholders also matters. Several of the cards on our list don’t charge a fee for additional cardholders (though some limit the number of complimentary users you can add).
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card allows authorized users to enjoy an up-to-$400 Hilton resort statement credit each calendar year (up to $200 semi-annually).
DELMAINE DONSON/GETTY IMAGES
Meanwhile, authorized users on the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard receive Admirals Club access for themselves and their immediate family members or up to two traveling companions with a same-day boarding pass for an eligible flight.
Still, the Venture X is the winner in this category. First and foremost, its $395 annual fee is much lower than the rest of the crowd. Plus, you can add up to four authorized users for no additional charge.
But it is important to note that if your authorized user wants Capital One lounge access, you’ll need to pay $125 for up to four authorized users after Feb. 1, 2026.
Related: Have good credit? Share it with an authorized user
Welcome offer
All the premium cards listed above come with lucrative welcome offers that can help get you closer to your next big trip.
COUNTER/GETTY IMAGES
Cards that earn transferable rewards for their welcome offers are worth more than their cobranded counterparts.
With the Amex Platinum, find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
The Amex Platinum welcome offer is worth up to $3,500 based on TPG’s September 2025 valuations. That’s substantially more valuable than virtually any cobranded card’s welcome offer.
Related: The best welcome offers of the month
Points-earning potential
Another important aspect when comparing premium credit cards is the points-earning potential and the rewards you can earn.
The Sapphire Reserve comes out on top here. It is one of the most valuable currencies for a wide variety of purchases. Ultimate Rewards are worth 2.05 cents apiece, according to TPG’s September 2025 valuations.
The Strata Elite also provides high earning rates when spending through its portal. ThankYou rewards points are worth slightly less than Ultimate Rewards points, at a 1.9 valuation per TPG’s September 2025 valuations.
Like the Sapphire Reserve and Strata Elite, the Venture X racks up more bonus miles on travel booked through the issuer’s travel booking site.
That said, the Venture X earns a solid 2 miles per dollar on everyday spending, which is pretty easy to maximize without needing to track spending categories.
Related: Maximizing credit cards to become points-rich without spending a ton
Redemption options
Another important aspect when comparing premium cards is the redemption options, and the one that provides maximum value is utilizing transfer partners.
CardRedemption/transfer optionsAmex PlatinumYou can redeem points for a statement credit (at 0.6 cents per point), travel or transfer them to one of 17 airlines and three hotel partners.Capital One Venture X You can redeem miles for cash back, travel purchases on your statement, gift cards, PayPal, Amazon, tickets through Capital One Entertainment or transfer them to 15-plus airline and hotel partners.Chase Sapphire ReserveYou can redeem points to book travel directly through Chase Travel; with the Points Boost perk, your points can be worth up to 2 cents apiece, depending on the specific redemption (see your rewards program agreement for full details).
You can also offset some purchases through Chase’s Pay Yourself Back or transfer them to one of 11 airlines and 3 hotel partners.
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite MastercardYou can redeem miles for flights on American Airlines and its various Oneworld alliance partners and nonalliance partners like Etihad Airways, upgrades, hotels, rental cars, experiences and Admirals Club passes.Citi Strata Elite You can redeem ThankYou points for statement credits, cash rewards, gift cards and travel booked through Citi Travel. However, you’ll receive the best value for your points if you transfer to one of Citi’s 22 transfer partners, a highlight here being American Airlines AAdvantageDelta ReserveYou can redeem miles for flights on Delta and its various SkyTeam or nonalliance partners like WestJet, seat upgrades, Delta Vacations, Delta Stays, car rentals, SkyMiles experiences and magazines.Hilton Honors Aspire CardYou can redeem points for stays at hotels in the Hilton portfolio or transfer to an airline partner.Marriott Bonvoy BrilliantYou can redeem points for hotel stays in the Marriott Bonvoy program or transfer to an airline partner.United Club CardYou can redeem miles for flights on United and its various Star Alliance partners.
Analysis
The best premium credit cards on this list are the Sapphire Reserve, the Citi Strata Elite, the Amex Platinum and the Venture X, and they’ve earned their spots thanks to the flexibility of transferable points or miles that won’t lock you into a specific set of airlines or hotels.
Even though the Chase Sapphire Reserve has fewer transfer partners than its direct competitors on this list, Sapphire Reserve cardholders can redeem points for travel directly through Chase Travel at a value of up to 2 cents per point, depending on the specific redemption (see your rewards program agreement for full details).
Meanwhile, the Amex Platinum has 20 airline and hotel transfer partners in total and varied redemption options.
The Strata Elite earns ThankYou points that are transferable to American Airlines AAdvantage, which is huge for AAdvantage flyers who don’t fly frequently or have a cobranded credit card. Citi is the only transferable points program that partners with American Airlines.
The Venture X comes in next by offering 15-plus airline and hotel transfer partners.
The cobranded premium airline cards don’t have transfer partners, so the miles they earn can only be used to book flights on the associated airline and its partner airlines (both alliance and nonalliance).
Which of these three is best for you? That will depend on your preferred transfer partners and their alignment with your travel goals.
Related: How to transfer credit card rewards to partner programs
Statement credits and notable perks
All these premium card options have many statement credits and perks meant to provide value to cardholders. In some cases, if you use the full value of these credits and perks, you can recover your annual fee and even receive positive value.
CardStatement credits and benefitsAmex Platinum
- Up to $600 in prepaid hotel statement credits per calendar year (up to $300 semi-annually)
- Up to $400 Resy statement credit per calendar year (allotted up to $100 quarterly) when you pay with your card at participating U.S. Resy restaurants
- Up to $300 per calendar year in Equinox statement credits
- Up to $300 per calendar year in Lululemon statement credits at U.S. Lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com (allotted up to $75 quarterly)
- Up to $300 per calendar year (allotted up to $25 monthly) in digital entertainment statement credits
- Up to $209 per calendar year Clear Plus membership statement credit
- Up to $200 per calendar year in airline fee statement credits
- Up to $200 per calendar year (allotted up to $15 monthly, plus an up to $20 bonus in December) in Uber Cash (valid on U.S. purchases; add your Amex Platinum to your Uber account and redeem with any Amex card)
- Up to $200 per calendar year in statement credits toward Oura Ring purchases (hardware only)
- Up to $155 per calendar year (allotted up to $12.95 monthly) in statement credits for one Walmart+ membership (Plus Ups are excluded)
- $120 Global Entry or up to $85 TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit (once every four years for Global Entry or every 4½ years for TSA PreCheck)
- Up to $120 per calendar year toward an annual Uber One membership
- Up to $100 per calendar year (allotted up to $50 semi-annually) in Saks Fifth Avenue statement credits
- Hilton Honors Gold status, Marriott Bonvoy Gold status and Leaders Club Sterling Status from The Leading Hotels of the World
Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
Select benefits are subject to auto-renewal.
Capital One Venture X
- $300 annual credit for bookings made through Capital One’s travel booking site
- Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit (once every four years)
- Hertz President’s Circle status**
- 10,000 bonus miles on every account anniversary
Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Up to $500 annual The Edit credit (allotted $250 biannually until Jan. 1, 2026) to use on bookings (minimum two-night stay required).
- Up to $300 annual flexible travel credit
- Up to $300 annual StubHub and Viagogo credit (allotted $150 biannually) through Dec. 31, 2027; activation required
- Up to $300 annual dining credit at OpenTable
- Up to $300 annual value with DoorDash: Cardholders receive up to $25 in monthly promos with two $10 non-restaurant promos and one $5 restaurant promo and a complimentary DashPass membership for at least one year worth $120 (Must activate by Dec. 31, 2027)
- Up to $250 annually in complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions: (One-time activation per service through chase.com or Chase Mobile app required; subscriptions run through June 22, 2027)
Up to $120 annual in-app Lyft credits: Cardholders receive up to $10 each month; the credit does not apply to Wait & Save, bike or scooter rides. (Through Sept. 30, 2027) - Up to $120 Peloton credit ($10 in statement credits per month): Through Dec. 31, 2027; activation required.
- Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee statement credit (once every four years)
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
- Up to $120 in Lyft credits; after taking three eligible rides in a calendar month, you will earn a $10 Lyft credit, for a total of up to $120 Lyft credits annually
- Up to $120 back on Grubhub purchases as a statement credit of up to $10 per monthly billing statement on eligible Grubhub purchases, for a total of up to $120 for every 12 billing statements
- Up to $120 back in statement credits per calendar year on Avis or Budget car rentals as a statement credit on eligible prepaid Avis or Budget car rentals booked directly
- Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit (once every 4 years)
- Free checked bag on domestic flights and 25% off on inflight food and beverage purchases
Citi Strata Elite
- Up to $300 annually on prepaid hotel stays booked with Citi Travel
- Up to $200 annually in Splurge credits (choice of two of the following brands: 1stDibs (selling luxury art, furniture and jewelry), American Airlines, Best Buy, Future Personal Training, Live Nation (exclusions may apply to select brands)
- Up to $200 annually for Blacklane private chauffeur service (split into $100 biannually)
- $120 Global Entry or up to $85 TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit (once every four years for Global Entry or every 4½ years for TSA PreCheck)
Delta Reserve
- Up to $240 Resy statement credit per calendar year (allotted up to $20 monthly) when you pay with your card at participating U.S. Resy restaurants
- Up to $200 Delta Stays statement credit per calendar year (Delta’s hotel booking platform)
- Up to $120 ride-hailing statement credit per calendar year (allotted up to $10 monthly) when you use your card at select ride-hailing providers in the U.S.
- $120 Global Entry or up to $85 TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit (once every four years for Global Entry or every 4½ years for TSA PreCheck)
- Free checked bag
- Upgrade priority and being placed on the complimentary upgrade list
- 20% off on inflight purchases
- TakeOff15 (a 15% discount on Delta award flight redemptions)
- Hertz President’s Circle status (enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program is required)
- Annual companion certificate
Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
Hilton Honors Aspire
Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
United Club Card
- Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee statement credit (once every four years)
- Free first and second checked bags for you and one travel companion
- 25% back on inflight United purchases and premium drink purchases in the United Club
- Access to Premier Access airport services when available
- Complimentary upgrades on award tickets
- IHG One Platinum elite status
- Avis President’s Club elite status
**Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
Analysis
The Amex Platinum rolled out even more credits with its 2025 refresh, expanding its offerings. The refresh added additional statement credits and enhanced others. The card also added an up to $120 per calendar year credit for an Uber One membership.
If you can get all or most of the benefits, you will more than offset the card’s annual fee. However, the value they can provide in your situation can vary.
After its refresh earlier this year, the Sapphire Reserve offers a lot of value. For starters, the $300 travel credit is higher than most competitors’ and applies to any travel purchase (as opposed to just fees or airfare, like some of its competition).
You’ll also receive an up to $500 annual hotel credit through The Edit, an up to $300 annual StubHub and Viagogo credit for booking tickets and live entertainment (through Dec. 31, 2027) and complimentary subscriptions to Apple Music and Apple TV+ (one-time activation required).
The Strata Elite provides some credits and benefits to help offset its annual fee, but they aren’t as plentiful or useful as other premium cards.
The Venture X also has a $300 travel credit, though it’s more limited: It only applies to bookings made through Capital One’s travel booking site. On the plus side, with the anniversary 10,000 bonus miles and the full value of the travel credit, you can net positive value every year.
The cobranded hotel cards offer substantial value when staying at Hilton or Marriott properties and offer useful hotel-related statement credits and benefits like elite status and free night awards.
The cobranded airline cards provide modest statement credits, but the inflight discounts and free checked bags can be very useful if you frequently fly on one of those airlines.
Related: The best credit cards to reach elite status
Lounge access
CardLounge accessAmex Platinum
Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
Capital One Venture X
- Capital One Lounges (6 locations: 5 Lounges and 1 Landing)
- Priority Pass Select (does not include restaurants)
- Starting Feb. 1, 2026, guest access for Capital One lounges will cost $45 per adult guest, $25 for children 17 and under and free for children under two and $35 per guest for Priority Pass lounges. However, you can unlock unlimited guest access for Capital One Lounges by spending $75,000 or more on your card. Regardless of spending, guest access at Priority Pass lounges will not be free.
Chase Sapphire ReserveCiti / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
- Full Admirals Club membership with access to Alaska Airlines lounges and over 50 partner lounges
- Must have a same-day boarding pass for an eligible flight
- Pro tip: You can add up to three authorized users for $175, who each will receive Admirals Club access
- Must have a same-day boarding pass for an eligible flight
Citi Strata Elite
- Four Admirals Club Citi Strata Elite passes each calendar year
- Priority Pass lounge access
Delta Reserve
- 15 Sky Club visits when traveling on Delta-coded or Delta-operated flights
- To earn an unlimited number of visits each year, cardmembers must spend $75,000 or more in a year. Basic economy tickets are not eligible for entry.
- Authorized users get their own 15-visit Sky Club allotment.
- Cardholders receive four one-time Sky Club guest passes each year
- Access to Amex Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges when you book a same-day Delta-operated or -marketed flight with your Reserve card
Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
Hilton Honors AspireNoneMarriott Bonvoy Brilliant
- Priority Pass Select (does not include restaurants)
Enrollment is required; terms apply.
United Club Card
Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access
Travel and purchase protections
All of these cards also provide various coverages and protections when you’re traveling or making purchases, which can make your life easy if things go awry. They all have some combination of the following protections and insurance:
Analysis
The Sapphire Reserve is the best premium credit card here, with its slew of protections, such as primary car rental insurance, emergency evacuation insurance and travel accident insurance.
The Venture X comes in second, thanks to fairly comprehensive protections that include cellphone coverage.
The Amex Platinum offers significant travel insurance coverage*, but note that the rental car benefit provides secondary coverage**, and there is no baggage delay coverage.
If you’re a United flyer, the United Club also offers a robust slate of protections you may want to consider.
While many of these benefits look similar overall, your best bet is to examine the differences and gaps and then determine how likely those are to affect your trips. All of these cards offer various protections and insurances, so analyze what is best for your needs.
*Terms, conditions and limitations apply for travel insurances and protections. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details.
**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Related: Your complete guide to travel protections on American Express cards
Bottom line
You may think paying $395 or more for a card’s annual fee is prohibitive. As you can see, however, the best premium credit cards carry numerous benefits that can easily cover that annual fee and then some.
As always, tailor your choice based on what’s most important to you. This guide should provide a framework for deciding which premium credit cards are good fits for your wallet.
Apply here: Amex Platinum
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Apply here: Citi Strata Elite
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Apply here: United Club Card
Apply here: Hilton Honors Aspire
Learn more: Capital One Venture X
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be 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 Platinum Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Aspire Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, click here.
