Travel Benefit Cards

Historical Reference Only: This post was last fully updated over 12 months ago, please use this for archival reference only. Information may be out of date.

The following cards tend to provide shortcuts for elite status, travel perks and/or discounts. Other than the Platinum cards, they are most interesting for someone that utilizes or intends to utilize that particular hotel or airline significantly.

Card Name ↕	Upfront Bonuses	Spending Benefits	Other Key Benefits	Annual Fee ↕	How to Use
Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card	50k points (UA, BA, SW, Hyatt, etc. or $750 Cash) after spending $4k in 3 mos.	1 point/$3x for Travel and Dining(directly book travel at 1.5c/pt)	Priority Pass lounges $300 tvl credit Global Entry Global Evac. Pur. protection No FTF's	$450	General, Travel, Dining
The Platinum Card® from American Express	40k points after spending $3k (personal card only)	1 point / $	Centurion, lounges with guests DL. Priority Pass lounges solo $200 toward 1 airline''s fees Global Entry Global Evac. Pur. protection includes loss No FTF''s	$450	Keep in carry-on for travel benefits
Citi® Hilton HHonors Reserve card	2 weekend nights after spending $2.5k in 4 mos. + 1 more/yr after spending $10k	3 points / $5x on airfare and car rentals10x at Hiltons	Auto Gold Diamond status after spending $40k No FTF's	$95	Keep in safe and pay $95/year for a Saturday night at an expensive hotel (e.g., The Bentley on South Beach)
Chase Hyatt Card	2 free nights at ANY Hyatt hotel worldwide after spending $1k in 4 mos. + 1 more (cat <=4) each year	1 points/$2x for restaurants, airfare (direct) and car rentals3x at Hyatts	Auto Plat. No FTF's Chip	$75	General Spend, Restaurant, Air, Car Rental
United MileagePlus Explorer Card (Chase)	30k after spending $1k in 3 months + 5k for add. cardholder + 10k/yr after $25k	1 point /$2x on United	No FTF's free bag & priority board on United 2 lounge passes/yr. No inv. controls on redeeming mileage	$0 1st Yr.,then $95
Delta Amex	30k miles after spending $1k in 3 mos (most of my readers would be better off holding out for more)	1 point /$ 2x on Delta	1st bag free	$0 1st Yr.,then $95
Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card	80k points after spending 3k in 3mos, free night @renewal (<=cat 5)	1 point /$2x for airfare, dining and car rental5x for Marriott	Auto Silver Elite 15 elite nights + 1 night/$3k spent (auto gold at $105k, auto plat. at $180k) No FTF's	$0 1st Yr.,then $85	Only good for big marriott spending.