Credit card reward programs?
Which credit card should you use???? I travel a lot for business and after putting a lot of hours into researching what exactly is the credit card with the best perk program, I think I have found the answer. Being overseas, I like to carry two credit cards with me on every trip, one Visa and one AMEX. The best travel card that I have found (and I have about tried them all) is the Starwood Preferred card from American Express. It was rated as the top travel card a year or two ago by I believe CNN Money, and I can say that after two years of using the card, it is great. It is free the first year, and $30 per year after (less than half of most airline cards), and it can be used on virtually any airline (even the elusive British Airways). In fact, if you convert points into frequent flyer miles, you even get a 5,000 mile bonus, so you get more airline miles on everyday charges on almost any airline than you would with that specific airline travel card. The best reason for the card is the hotel perks that you can use at any Starwood property (Sheraton, Westin, W, etc…) with no black out dates. Basically for the same amount of points that would be required for two tickets (approx. $600) to Hawaii on an airline credit card, you will have enough points for two weeks of rooms at the Westin in Maui (approx. worth $3,500).
The other card that I really like is the Mariott Visa card for the same reasons above, but without the mileage bonus to the airlines with fewer choices. The card costs $69 per year, but you can use the points however at the Ritz Carlton (huge perk!), and you get a certificate for one free stay per year at any Mariott property (restrictions apply but very usable). I am a HUGE fan of Mariott!
