If you travel regularly, than you should be using a rewards credit card when you pay for your hotel stays. The right hotel reward card can offer all sorts of perks and benefits as well as points toward free award nights. The Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Reserve Card from our partner Citi meets all of these requirements, and more.

How This Card Works

This card awards 10 points per dollar spent on hotel stays at brands within the Hilton Portfolio, which includes Hampton Inns, Doubletree hotels, Embassy Suites, and the Waldorf-Astoria, five points per dollar on airline and rental car purchases, and three points on per dollar spent on all other transactions. There is an annual fee of $95.

Sign-up offer: New cardholders will receive two certificates that are each good for one free weekend night stay when they use their card to make $2,500 in purchases within the first four months after opening their account.

Points can be redeemed for free night stays at any of the Hilton brands with no blackout dates or capacity controls.

Other Benefits

HHonors Gold status. Cardholders automatically receive Gold status in the Hilton HHonors program, which offers a 25% points bonus on your award points, 5th night free on award stays of 5 nights or more, room upgrades, early and late checkouts, and free WiFi. Customers can even be upgraded to Diamond status after spending $40,000 on their card within a calendar year.

Annual free night. Cardholders will also receive a weekend night certificate for each calendar year in which they spend at least $10,000 on purchases and remain a cardmember.

Visa Signature benefits. As a Visa Signature card, numerous travel insurance and purchase protection benefits are included such as lost baggage protection, trip cancellation and interruption protection, and damage and theft protection.

Costs

• $95 Annual Fee
• 15.49% variable APR
• 3% Balance Transfer Fee ($5 minimum)
• $0 Foreign Transaction Fee

Pros

High rewards rate on hotel stays. Earning 10 points per Dollar at Hilton properties is a very fast way to earn a serious amount of points. The five points per dollar earned from airline and rental car purchases will also contribute to business travelers potentially earning tens of thousands of points per week when they use this card to pay for all of their reservations. Earning triple points on other purchases is an excellent rate of return. (See also: Best Credit Cards for Hotel Deals and Rewards)

Automatic Hilton HHonors Gold status. Travelers and fans of the Hilton brand will appreciate the amenities and benefits that are provided with their automatic Gold status enrollment in the Hilton HHonors program, which can certainly help make their stays even more enjoyable and substantial. The ability to upgrade to Diamond status after spending $40,000 on purchases in a calendar year is also a very welcome benefit. 

Annual free nights. Although this card does have an annual fee of $95, the two free weekend night certificates should more than make up for this expense during the first year, as long as you can spend at least $10,000 on purchases in a calendar year. 

No foreign transaction fee. There is also no foreign transaction fee on this card, so it's good to use while traveling and for making purchases abroad.

Cons

Annual fee. With an annual fee of $95, cardholders will have to be certain that the rewards and perks justify the costs. Casual travelers who want to maximize on their Hilton points without having to pay this extra cost may prefer the Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature, which is the no-annual-fee version of the Hilton card from Citi. (See also: 5 Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fees)

Who This Card Is Best For

This card is ideal for the frequent traveler who is a fan of the Hilton HHonors program. These cardholders can earn generous amounts of points on their most frequent expenses of airfare, hotel, and rental cars. Yet you don't have to be on the road every week to make use of the two free weekend night certificates, the room upgrades, or the free breakfasts that cardholders receive. When all of these perks, benefits, and rewards are considered, the $95 annual fee becomes a relatively small price to pay.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Reserve Card today!

There is an arms race going on among premium credit card issuers as each is trying to outdo the others by offering the best possible rewards and benefits. At first, this niche was filled almost exclusively by the American Express Platinum Card, but other card issuers eventually began offering their own premium reward cards. Now, the top-of-the-line Citi Prestige® Card from our partner Citi has been relaunched with better rewards and an updated selection of travel benefits.

How This Card Works

New cardholders receive 40,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. Get three points per dollar spent on air travel and hotels, double points on dining at restaurants and entertainment, and one point per dollar spent on all other purchases. If you are a Citigold member, you can earn an additional 15% in points. Those with a Private Bank relationship will earn an additional 25% in points. There is no limit to points you can earn and they don't expire. There is an annual fee of $450.

Sign-up offer: Earn 40,000 bonus ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Once earned, points are worth about one cent each for gift cards and merchandise, or even more for travel. Tickets for travel on American Airlines return 1.6 cents per point, while all other airline tickets can be redeemed for 1.33 cents per point. In addition, points can now be transferred to miles with eight different frequent flier programs or points with the Hilton HHonors program.

Other Benefits

Annual air travel credit. Cardholders will receive a $250 annual air travel credit that can be used for baggage fees, lounge access, in-flight purchases, and even for the payment of airfare.

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit. Cardholders will also receive up to $100 in statement credit every 5 years as reimbursement towards an application into the Global Entry program or TSA PreCheck. After approval, you'll be able to bypass the long lines and enjoy expedited entry into the U.S.

Complimentary AA airport lounge access. Cardholders will get to enjoy complimentary access to American Airlines Admirals Club lounges, as well as the lounges in the Priority Pass Select program.

Complimentary fourth night stay. Cardholders may extend their trip with a complimentary fourth night stay at any hotel booked through Citi Prestige Concierge.

Citi card benefits. This card also features many different purchase protection policies including extended warranty coverage, Citi Price Rewind, damage and theft protection, and 90 day return protection. In addition, travelers receive several benefits such as, Citi Prestige Concierge, medical evacuation insurance, lost baggage protection, and trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage. (See also: 10 Awesome Credit Card Perks You Didn't Know About)

Costs

• $450 Annual Fee
• 15.49% APR
• 3% Balance Transfer Fee ($5 minimum)
• $0 Foreign Transaction Fee

Pros

Sign-up bonus. New cardholders will get 40,000 bonus points if they're able to spend $4,000 on purchases in their first three months of membership, which is a pretty great bonus. With 40,000 points, cardholders can redeem an $532 flight on any airline or $400 in gift cards.

Lots of premium benefits. As a premium travel rewards card, the Citi Prestige has a lot going for it. The airport lounge access benefit can be worth hundreds of dollars. A 1.6 cent return on American Airlines flights is competitive. In addition, cardholders are able to transfer their points to 11 airlines as well as the Hilton HHonors program. When applicants also consider the $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and the $250 annual airline fee credit, then it is easy for frequent travelers to justify this card's $450 annual fee.

No foreign transaction fee. It wouldn't be a very good travel credit card if there was a foreign transaction fee on the card to worry about, but fortunately, that is not the case. With no foreign transaction fee, cardholders can maximize on their rewards as they make purchases traveling abroad.

Cons

Not many airline partners. While it is an important first step for Citi to feature transfers from points to miles, the airline partners it currently offers leave much to be desired. Out of the 11 airlines available to transfer points to, none are based in the United States, and several don't even have service to North America. So there is no way around the fact that these mileage transfer partners are inferior to those offered by its competitors, as far as domestic service is concerned. (See also: 5 Best Credit Cards That Transfer Points to Airline Miles)

Who This Card Is Best For

The Citi Prestige Card is a great product for frequent international travelers who can really utilize the features and benefits of a premium rewards card. Those who regularly utilize the airline lounge club benefits and airline fee credits will find themselves receiving plenty of value in exchange for the $450 annual fee. On the other hand, those who are looking to use rewards for domestic travel and don't want to be limited to American Airlines might be frustrated by the limited selection of carriers. However, at a minimum, points can be deposited as cash at a 1 cent per point rate, so even if they aren't redeemed for travel, they won't go to waste.

Click here to apply for the Citi Prestige® Card today!

Editor's note: This offer is currently unavailable.

The problem with earning frequent flier miles is that the airlines control the game at their whim, and they love to move the goal posts quite regularly. Industry observers call it "devaluation" when an airline announces that it will require more miles for the same flight, or when it simply stops releasing award seats at the lowest mileage levels, without making any kind of announcement at all.

For credit card users, one way to combat devaluation and continue to receive value from their rewards is to use a program that offers point transfers to miles with many different airlines. The Citi ThankYou® Premier Card from our partner Citi offers points that can be transferred to miles eleven different airline frequent flier programs as well as Hilton HHonors points.

How This Card Works

Cardmembers get three points for every dollar spent on travel, which includes everyday stuff like gas, taxi, car service, parking, tolls, railways, as well as big ticket stuff like airfare and hotels. Get two points for every dollar spent on dining and entertainment, and one point on other purchases. There is an annual fee of $95, which is waived for the first year.

Sign-up offer: Earn 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Points can be transferred to eleven different airline partners including the Flying Blue program of Air France and KLM, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Points can also be redeemed directly for flights at a value of 1.25 cents per point.

Other Benefits

Citi Price Rewind. This card includes Citi's Price Rewind program, which will automatically issue a refund when a covered purchase experiences a price drop within 60 days (up to $300 per item and $1,200 per year).

Citi Private Pass. Citi's Private Pass gives special access to purchase VIP packages, presale tickets, dining experiences, and more.

Travel and purchase protections. This card comes with a variety of travel insurance and purchase protection programs including lost baggage protection, trip interruption coverage, and extended warranty coverage.

Costs

• $95 Annual Fee (waived for the first year)
• 14.24% - 23.24% APR
• 3% Balance Transfer Fee ($5 minimum)
• $0 Foreign Transaction Fee

Pros

Citi ThankYou program. The ThankYou® points program has been getting more and more valuable lately, as Citi continues to add transfer partners such as Qantas, Singapore, and Air France/KLM. And even when a frequent flier award is not available, receiving 1.25 cents in value per point towards airfare awards is not bad, especially when cardholders begin earning 3x points on all travel and gas purchases. Other nice things about this card include the generous sign-up bonus, the waived annual fee the first year, and the numerous travel insurance and purchase protection benefits.

Cons

Travel partners based abroad. Eleven airline transfer partners are good to have, but they are all based overseas. (See also: 5 Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards)

Who This Card Is Best For

There is a vibrant market for travel reward cards that offer points that transfer to airline miles. With valuable bonus points and a strong package of benefits, this is a very competitive offering for those who want to earn award travel without being married to a single airline program that can be devalued at any time.

Online shopping has never been as easy or as popular as it is today. It's pretty hard to not indulge in the convenience of ordering the things you need and want from the comfort of your own home and then having it delivered right to you. But what if it was possible to make your online shopping trips even more rewarding? With the AT&T Access More Card from our partner Citi, you can earn bonus points on your online purchases. The benefits get even better if you're an AT&T customer as well.

Some Card Highlights

• Exclusive New Phone Offer.
• 3 ThankYou Points for every $1 you spend on purchases made at retail and travel websites.
• 3 ThankYou Points for every $1 you spend on products and services purchased directly from AT&T.
• 1 point earned for every $1 you spend on other purchases.
• 10,000 Anniversary bonus points after you spend $10,000 in the prior cardmembership year.

How This Card Works

Cardholders can earn 3 ThankYou Points for every dollar they spend on online purchases at retail and travel websites. Additionally, you can also earn 3 ThankYou Points for every dollar you spend on products and services purchased directly from AT&T. That includes cell phones, internet service, cable TV, and more. You'll also earn 1 ThankYou Point for every dollar you spend on other purchases. There is a $95 annual fee.

Your ThankYou Points can be used to redeem a wide variety of exciting rewards through Citi's ThankYou Rewards network, including travel rewards, gift cards, electronics, and AT&T products and services.

There is a current sign up bonus for a new phone! Spend $2,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Make your phone purchase (from AT&T) on your card, then activate and maintain service with AT&T for 15 days. You will receive a credit on your card for the cost of the phone (up to $650).

Other Benefits

This card comes with a number of Citi purchase protection benefits, including extended warranty, Damage & Theft Protection, and Citi Price Rewind, a feature which allows you to receive a refund based on the price difference of an item you have purchased should a new and lower price appear within 60 days from the purchase date. There are also travel protection benefits included with the card, such as car rental and travel accident insurance and trip cancellation and interruption protection. This card is also equipped with EMV chip technology for added security.

Costs

The standard variable APR on this card is 14.99%-22.99%. There's a foreign transaction fee of 3% along with an annual fee of $95.

Pros

It's rare to find a credit card that offers rewards points specifically on purchases you make online, and being able to earn 3x points on those online purchases is a pretty significant deal. Also, if you're already an AT&T customer, you'll earn 3x points on costs you're already incurring with no extra work. Considering the fact that this card is also backed by Citi's excellent purchase protection benefits, such as Citi Price Rewind, it's easily one of the best credit cards you can use for your Internet-based purchases.

Cons

If you prefer to do you shopping offline than online, or if you don't see yourself using AT&T's products and services, then this card probably won't be the best fit for you. The annual fee and APR on the card isn't the most ideal either.

Who This Card Is Best For

Frequent online shoppers and fans of AT&T's products and services have the most to benefit from this card, given the 3x points you can earn for making those purchases. But casual online shoppers should also consider checking out this credit card as well, as it's not often that you see a card offer such significant rewards for making purchases online. The exclusive new phone offer can also be a very attractive bonus for people looking to find a great deal on a new smartphone.

While the $95 annual fee may be a bit steep, it can certainly be easier to bear if you take advantage of the rewards that benefit your online shopping lifestyle.

Citibank has been offering credit cards co-branded with American Airlines for many years, and it currently features three different cards with attractive benefits for frequent travelers.

Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard® from our partner Citi offers double miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, and one mile per dollar spent elsewhere. Earn 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 on your card within the first three months of account opening. Other benefits include no fees on the first checked bag for you and up to four companions on the same reservation, 25% discount on in-flight purchases, priority boarding, and no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders also receive 10% of their redeemed miles back, up to 10,000 per year. There is a $95 annual fee for this card that is waived the first year.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard® today!

CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select World MasterCard

The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World MasterCard® is nearly identical to the personal version. The main difference is that cardholders also earn double miles for purchases at telecommunications, car rental merchants and at gas stations. Also, cardholders can earn an American Airlines Companion Certificate each year when they spend $30,000 and renew their cardmembership. As with the personal card, there is a $95 annual fee for this card that is waived the first year.

Click here to learn more and apply for the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World MasterCard® today!

Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard

This top of the line product offers everything the consumer version of Platinum Select does, and more. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® offers 60,000 bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases within three months of account opening. The big feature is a membership in the Admirals Club lounge program and concierge service. Also, the checked baggage fee waiver extends to eight other companions, and travelers receive priority check-in and airport screening. Finally, cardholders will earn 10,000 AAdvantage Elite Qualifying Miles from American Airlines when they spend $40,000 on purchases every year (January through December billing statement). There is a $450 annual fee for this card, and no foreign transaction fees.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® today!

Which Card Should You Get?

The right card for you will depend on how much travel you are planning with American Airlines. Also, American Airlines is part of the oneworld Alliance which consists of 15 carriers. If you own a small business, the CitiBusiness card is a no brainer over the consumer platinum card. It includes extra bonus categories as well as the annual companion pass. It's also worth noting that the Starwood Preferred Guest Card from American Express offers points to miles transfer at a 1:1 ratio for American Airlines. Depending on your travel needs, the SPG card, a favorite among travelers, can give you the best of all worlds.

Citi's Executive card is for the most frequent fliers who can make use of the Admiral's club airport lounges on a regular basis. In fact, the $450 annual fee for this card is less than purchasing a lounge membership by itself. This is also great card for those whose travels take them overseas, as it has no foreign transaction fees. (See also: Best Credit Cards that Offer Free Airport Lounge Access)

We've all seen credit cards that offer bonus rewards for specific categories of purchases such as "dining" or "entertainment," but how do you know which purchases will qualify? For example, if you go to a nightclub and order a drink, is that considered to be a dining or an entertainment expense? Thankfully, there are answers to these questions, although they might hard to find. So to avoid having to take out your credit card agreement the next time you order a drink, here are a few pointers.

Dining

Popular credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Citi ThankYou Premier from our partner Citi offer 2x rewards on dining, but what does that mean? Citi's definition of dining includes any place that sells food or drinks "for immediate consumption by consumers" which includes eating in, taking out, or delivery. In fact, bars, cocktail lounges, nightclubs, and fast food joints all count as restaurants. Chase's definition of dining is similar, however it points out that if you buy food from a stand in a larger venue, such as a stadium, hotel, or theme park, the meal might show up as coming from somewhere other than a restaurant. (See also: Best Credit Cards for Dining Out)

Groceries

Cards like the American Express Blue Cash Preferred offer bonus rewards for purchases from grocery stores, but this category can be a bit tricky to define. American Express only counts purchases from stand alone grocery stores, not warehouses and superstores such as Costco, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, and Target. And in addition, only qualifying purchases in the United States are eligible for the bonus offers. (See also: Best Credit Cards for Groceries)

Travel

There are many cards that offer bonuses for travel purchases, but their definitions of travel can vary widely. For example, the Citi Prestige card offers 3x points for air travel and hotels, but it only counts purchases that are made directly from the airline or hotel, not a travel agency or package tour company. On the other hand, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers double points on all travel purchases that includes charges from travel agencies, cruise lines, tour operators, and even toll roads and parking garages. The Citi ThankYou Premier tops that with including gas and rail in their travel category.

Entertainment

Citi's ThankYou Preferred, Premier, and Prestige cards each offer double points on entertainment purchases, but it can be hard to define what someone might consider to be entertainment. Thankfully, Citi's definition is expansive enough to include sports promoters, stadiums, theaters (both live and movie), amusement parks, zoos, circuses, and aquariums. In addition, tourist attractions, museums, art galleries, and even record stores are included.

How to Get More Information

Credit card issuers classify purchases based on a merchant code that is added to your transaction behind the scenes. The problem with this system is that companies can select their own codes, which sometimes don't line up exactly with the kind of business they do. Fortunately, there is a way to find out what merchant code a business is using, by using tools like the Visa Supplier locator. This tool allows you to look up the merchant code that any business is using, and it also allows you to search for businesses using particular codes in your area. 

The CitiBusiness® AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World MasterCard® from our partner Citi is partnered with the AAdvantage rewards program allowing small business owners an opportunity to earn miles on purchases made with American Airlines, and business related purchases such as telecommunications. The miles you earn can then be redeemed for flights. When you consider this in combination with the other perks and benefits that the card offers, this card can become quite the valuable asset for your business.

Why We Like This Card

• 30,000 sign-up bonus miles
• Annual companion certificate
• Travel perks

How This Card Works

Earn two miles for each dollar spent on American Airlines purchases, telecommunications, car rentals and at gas stations. Earn one mile for each dollar spent everywhere else. You can earn an unlimited number of miles which do not expire. There is an annual fee of $95, which is waived for the first year.

Sign up bonus: Get 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Miles can be redeemed for flights with American Airlines at 12,500 miles for one-way MileSAAver flights within the U.S. Cabin upgrades are available for as few as 5,000 miles. Miles can also be redeemed on all oneworld airlines, which includes airberlin, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas Airways, and more.

Other Benefits

First checked bag free. When you fly American Airlines, your first checked bag on domestic flights is free for yourself and up to four companions on the same reservation.

Priority boarding. Includes Group 1 boarding privileges on American Airlines flights.

Mileage discount on award flights. Get a discount of 7,500 miles when redeeming miles for MileSAAver flights.

Companion certificate. Each year that you spend $30,000 with your card, you receive an American Airlines companion certificate when you renew your card membership. This is good for one roundtrip domestic economy fare at $99 plus taxes and fees of $21.60 to $43.20 for a companion on the same reservation. The certificate is good for one year after it is issued.

In-flight discount. Get a 25% discount on in-flight purchases such as headphones, food, and beverages. The discount is applied to your statement as a credit.

Free employee cards. Add cards to the account with designated account limits for your employees at no additional cost. This allows you to monitor and manage the accounts and lets the employees earn miles on their purchases as well.

Business account management. Includes tools for small businesses such as quarterly and annual reports which can be broken down by employee, expense, and spending category.

Costs

• $95 Annual Fee (waived the first 12 months)
• 15.49% Variable APR
• 3% Balance Transfer Fee ($5 minimum)
• $0 Foreign Transaction Fee

Pros

Sign-up bonus. If you spend at least $1,000 with your card within the first three months, you can earn a bonus of 30,000 miles. These miles can be redeemed for at least one round-trip MileSAAver flight and, depending on the flight, can be worth hundreds of dollars. This bonus can help offset the cost of the annual fee for at least a couple years after the first waived year.

Earn miles on business purchases. You can earn miles not only from American Airlines purchases, but for many business purchases such as  telecommunications, car rentals, and gas. This helps business owners rack up miles faster.

Travel perks. From free checked bags to priority boarding, traveling can be a bit more comfortable and cost effective.

Companion certificate. Each year that you spend at least $30,000 with your card, you receive a companion certificate that can be used by anyone traveling on the same reservation. The companion certificate can result in tremendous savings whether traveling with a family member or an employee.

No foreign transaction fees. If you or your employees travel abroad for business, you won't need to worry about paying foreign transaction fees on purchases.

Cons

High annual fee. Although the annual fee of $95 is common with other travel rewards cards, the benefits and bonuses opportunities are dependent on whether or not you use the card enough. For example, if you don't meet the spend requirement for the sign-up bonus or spend at least $30,000 per year with the card, you won't be able to offset the annual fee. If you don't travel or spend enough to benefit from the extra bonuses, you may want to instead consider other small business credit cards. (See also: 5 Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fees)

Who This Card Is Best For

The CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select World MasterCard is best for small business owners whose purchases fall within the double miles categories. It is also a great card for those who will spend at least $30,000 per year with the card in order to qualify for the companion certificate, and fly with American Airlines frequently enough to benefit from the valuable travel perks. Additionally, if you have employees you can add to the account so their business purchases earn miles also, you can earn enough miles for award flights fairly quickly.

Click here to apply for the CitiBusiness® AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World MasterCard® today!

Among the airline and travel rewards credit cards available, there are those considered elite-type travel cards such as the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® from our partner Citi. These cards typically carry some of the highest annual fees charged by any credit card, yet in exchange provide a range of exclusive benefits and perks. Here's what is included in this premium card.

What We Like About This Card

• 60,000 sign up bonus miles
• Admirals Club Membership (worth $400-$500)

How This Card Works

Earn two miles for each dollar spent with American Airlines, and one mile for each dollar spent everywhere else. There is no limit to the number of miles you earn and no expiration as long as you earn or redeem miles every 18 months. The annual fee is $450.

Sign up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 within the first 3 months.

Miles can be redeemed for airfare with American Airlines starting at 12,500 miles for a one-way MileSAAver flight within the United States. You can also redeem miles for cabin upgrades or for flights with oneworld member airlines such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and more.

Other Benefits

Admirals Club. When you become a card member, you receive complimentary Admirals Club membership which allows access to over 50 airport lounges worldwide. This also allows up to two guests or immediate family members on the same trip. These lounges provide amenities such as drinks and snacks, Internet access, and PCs, and usually cost $50 per visit or at least $400 per year for an individual membership. (See also: Credit Cards with Free Airport Lounge Access)

Annual miles bonus. If you spend $40,000 on purchases with your card every year (January through December billing statement), you receive a bonus of 10,000 AAdvantage Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs). EQMs are used to gain and maintain elite statuses of Gold, Platinum, or Elite Platinum with the AAdvantage program and depending on the level, provide extra flight perks and benefits. For instance, the highest status, Elite Platinum, typically requires 100,000 miles or 100 segments during a calendar year and includes bonuses such as a 100% mileage bonus and guaranteed economy class availability.

Flight privileges. Receive flight privileges such as priority check-in, airport screening, and early boarding when you fly with American Airlines.

Free checked bags. Your first checked bag is free as well as the first checked bag of up to eight companions on the same reservation.

In-flight discount. Receive a 25% discount on in-flight purchases made with your card including, food, beverages, and headsets.

Reduced Mileage Awards. Access to American Airlines’ reduced mileage MileSAAver awards which are destinations provided by American Airlines each month for 7,500 fewer miles than they normally require.

Citi Price Rewind. If a purchase made with the credit card is found online for less within 60 days of the purchase date, you can receive a refund of the difference up to $300 per item and up to $1,200 per year.

Costs

• $450 Annual Fee
• 15.49% APR
• 3% Balance Transfer Fee ($5 minimum)
• 0% Foreign Transaction Fee

Pros

Sign-up bonus. If you can spend at least $5,000 with your card within the first three months of opening the account, you can earn a bonus of 60,000 miles, which is a significantly sized bonus, which can be worth a couple roundtrip tickets. (See also: 5 Best Sign-Up Bonuses for Airline Miles Credit Cards)

Travel benefits. ravel benefits such as priority check-in, early boarding, and access to the Admirals Club lounges, can enhance your travel experience and provide extra comfort when traveling. These benefits can be worth more than money, especially if you find yourself away from home quite often. The lounge access alone is worth hundreds.

No foreign transaction fee. This is not uncommon as most cards with high annual fees do not charge foreign transaction fees, but should be noted because of its value if you travel outside of the United States or use your card for foreign purchases.

Cons

Annual fee. Although there are a number of ways to compensate for the $450 annual fee, it is still a hefty sized annual fee and one of the highest charged by any credit card. It is important that you are able to take advantage of the perks provided by the card in order to get the most for your money. If you are not positive you will fly enough or earn enough, there are airline rewards cards with much lower annual fees that provide similar benefits. In fact, if you prefer flying with American Airlines, the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard charges a much lower annual fee of $95, and provides some of the same perks, such as free checked bag and priority boarding. (See also: 5 Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fees)

Limited annual bonuses. Many airline credit cards offer annual and anniversary bonuses that can help offset any annual fees, such as extra miles or companion tickets. However, this card only includes the annual bonus of EQMs, which only benefits you if you care at all about the additional benefits that come with elite status in the program. (See also: 5 Best Credit Cards with Airline Companion Tickets)

Who This Card Is Best For

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard is best for those who travel American Airlines very frequently, domestically or overseas. The card includes a number of perks and benefits that not only have monetary value, but can save you time and provide a more comfortable travel experience. It is also best for those who will take advantage of the benefits provided, especially the lounge club access and sign-up bonus, which alone, can make the card worth carrying.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® today!

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There is nothing quite like flying in first class. While other passengers are trudging to the back of the plane, you are literally sitting back and enjoying champagne. And it gets better throughout the flight as you frequently hear questions like "Is there anything else I can offer you?" Finally, upon landing, those flying in first class will be the first to exit the aircraft and be on the way to their destination before those who were seated in the rear have even exited the plane.

There are two primary ways to sit in first class. The first involves paying for a ticket that typically costs at least twice as much as economy, either in dollars or frequent flyer miles. The other way is to get upgraded for free based on your status in the airline's frequent flyer program. Here is how the major domestic airlines offer seat upgrades. (See also: Best Airline Credit Cards)

American and US Airways

American and its merger with US Airways have now unified their frequent flyer programs under the American AAdvantage brand. Earning Gold status in this program (by flying 25,000 miles or 30 segments in a calendar year) entitles you to first class upgrades for flights 500 miles or less, within 24 hours before departure. Gold elites also receive 50% off Main Cabin Extra Seats that offers extra legroom when reserved at the time of booking, or complimentary at check-in, if available.

Those with Platinum status (requiring 50,000 miles or 60 segments in a calendar year), may receive upgrades (for flights 500 miles or less) at 72 hours before departure and complimentary Main Cabin Extra and Preferred seats. Finally, those with Executive Platinum status (100,000 miles or 120 segments in a calendar year) can receive upgrades at 100 hours before departure, as well as 8 one-way systemwide upgrades.

Other than flying, another way to earn elite qualifying miles is with the AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard from our partner Citi. It offers 10,000 elite qualifying miles after spending $40,000 in a calendar year. (See also: Which American Airlines/US Airways Credit Card Should You Get?)

Delta

Delta SkyMiles program offers Medallion elite flyers unlimited complimentary upgrades from fully refundable fares. In addition, Silver elites (those who flew 25,000 miles or 30 segments and spent $3,000 in a calendar year), may receive complimentary upgrades at 1 day prior to departure, although it is rare. If unavailable, upgrades to Comfort+ seats with extra legroom are complimentary and much more common.

Gold elites (50,000 miles or 60 segments and $6,000 spent), can possibly receive upgrades at 72 hours before departure, and complimentary Comfort+ seats. Both Platinum and Diamond Elites receive Comfort+ seats at the time of purchase, and upgrades to first class are possible at 5 days prior to departure, with Diamond receiving greater priority. Earning Platinum Medallion status requires flying 75,000 miles or 100 segments, as well as spending $9,000, while Diamond status requires 125,000 miles or 140,000 segments

The Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards offer cardholders the opportunity to earn additional Medallion qualifying miles, and more importantly the Reserve card grants cardholders additional upgrade priority over other passengers with the same status.

United

United offers all of its Premier Elite members complimentary upgrades from full fare tickets. In addition, Premier Silver elites (25,000 miles or 30 segments, and $3,000 spent) and may receive complimentary day of departure upgrades, or Economy Plus seats with extra legroom at check-in. Premier Gold elites (50,000 miles or 60 segments, and $6,000 spent) and higher receive Economy Plus access at booking, plus first class upgrades as early as 24 hours before departure. Premier Platinum (75,000 miles or 90 segments, and $9,000 spent) can receive first class upgrades at 72 hours before departure, while Premier 1K elites (100,000 miles or 120 segments, and $12,000 spent) can be upgraded as long as 96 hours in advance. You can earn extra miles with one of their United MileagePlus credit cards. 

Which Is Best?

Your chances of being upgraded depend on several different factors. First will be the level of elite status you hold, with top tier elites being offered exponentially more upgrades than mid and low tier elites. So if you reach that top tier, you chances of regular upgrades are good, but if you just make the lowest tier, you will only rarely be upgraded.

In addition, your travel habits are important. Those who live in a city that is a major hub for their airline will find that there are many elites competing to be upgraded to just a few first class seats, especially at peak business travel times at the beginning and end of the weeks. However, those who live in smaller cities and travel on routes that are less popular with business travelers will have better luck. For example, flights to New York on Sunday night and returning Thursday and Friday afternoons will be very elite-heavy, while a Saturday flight to a leisure destination will have fewer frequent flyers.

Furthermore, United and Delta will offer instant upgrades to those traveling on full fare tickets, which is great for some business travelers who must purchase these expensive, last minute fares. Otherwise, American's upgrade policy is quite generous, and the eight systemwide upgrades offered to Executive Platinum members are invaluable, as they can be used for business class upgrades on international flights. Delta's program is also considered to be very valuable as its SkyMiles Reserve credit card offers you a way to move to the front of the line when upgrades are being handed out.

Thankfully, all three of these programs offer strong access to extra legroom seats near the front of the plane, so even if you don't get into first class, you will have a little more space, and won't have to go sit all the way in the back of the aircraft. By understanding how airlines offer first class upgrades, you can choose the program that makes the most sense for your needs.

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The promise of airline frequent flyer credit cards relies on a premise — cardholders will actually be able to redeem a reasonable amount of their miles for award flights a reasonable amount of the time. Yet too many airlines have such poor award availability at the lowest mileage levels that customers feel rightfully betrayed by the airlines and the credit cards that offer their frequent flyer miles. On the other hand, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard® from our partner Citi offers American Airlines miles that are still somewhat easy to redeem.

Why We Like This Card

• 30,000 bonus sign-up miles
• 10% reward rebate

How This Card Works

For each dollar spent, cardholders earn one mile in the American Airlines AAdvantage® program, and double miles on purchases from American Airlines. There is an annual fee of $95, which is waived for the first year.

Sign-up bonus: For a limited time, new cardholders can start off with 30,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

You can redeem your miles for award flights with American Airlines and other OneWorld airline partners. You also receive a 10% rebate on your award redemptions, up to 10,000 AAdvantage® miles each calendar year.

Other Benefits

Travel benefits and protection. Cardholders receive boarding privileges with Group 1 on American Airlines flights, a 25% savings on eligible in-flight food and beverage purchases when they use their card on American Airlines flights, and their first checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for the cardholder and up to four companions traveling on the same reservation. Cardholders will also receive benefits such as extended warranty coverage, lost luggage insurance, and retail purchase protection.

World Card Hotel and Resorts Program. Another special perk for travelers is access to the World Card Hotel and Resorts Program, which has added benefits like best pricing, VIP status, complimentary breakfast, and early check-in.

Costs

• $95 Annual Fee (waived for the first year)
• 15.49% APR
• 3% Balance Transfer Fee ($5 minimum)
• $0 Foreign Transaction Fee

Pros

AAdvantage program. The strength of this card comes from the American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flier program, which is one of the best.

Easy-to-find award seats. American Airlines' website efficiently searches for seats on American and many of its other OneWorld partner carriers, and it is much easier to find award seats at the lowest mileage levels than it is with competitors such as Delta.

10% redemption rebate. Because you receive a bonus of 10% of your miles each time you redeem for award flights, up to 10,000 miles per calendar year, it's easy to continuously rack up enough miles for more free flights.

Travel benefits. Furthermore, this card features a healthy number of benefits. Cardholders who have yet to reach elite status in American's program will enjoy free checked bags and priority boarding, as well as reduced mileage awards.

Cons

Annual fee. Although this card provides different ways to earn miles for award flights, the annual fee may still be a problem if you aren't able to earn enough every year for free flights. If this is a possibility, you may be better off with one of the other American Airlines credit cards available. (See also: Which American Airlines Credit Card Should You Get?)

Who This Card Is Best For

By continuing to offer a valuable frequent flyer program, American Airlines and Citi make this credit card well worth carrying. This is a great card for customers of American Airlines that want to enjoy some additional convenience when traveling. But this card is also a good way to earn miles that cardholders can use for award flights. 

Click here to learn more and apply for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard® today!

College students who are just starting out on their financial journeys, might run into the age old problem of not having enough credit to qualify for credit. In these instances, in order to build credit, your options are usually either secured credit cards or cards specifically designed for students. These cards often include perks and benefits you would find on traditional credit cards, plus a few that are specific to consumers who are in college. (See also: Best Credit Cards for College Students)

The Citi® ThankYou Preferred Card for College Students from our partner Citi is one of the best student credit cards available, providing an opportunity for students to earn ThankYou points from their purchases, while building a strong credit history.

How This Card Works

Earn two ThankYou points for each dollar spent on dining, which can include bars and fast food restaurants, and for entertainment purchases such as concerts, movie theaters, and museums. Earn one point for each dollar spent on all other purchases. Cardholders can earn an unlimited number of points, which do not expire. There is no annual fee.

Sign-up offer: Earn 2,500 bonus points after spending $500 within the first three months of account opening.

Redeem your points for merchandise, gift cards with popular retailers, gift certificates, statement credit, or check. You can redeem for a check in $50 or $100 denominations, or statement credits starting at $10, however, you receive the most value for your points if you redeem for gift cards, where each point is worth approximately one cent.

Other Benefits

Citi Private Pass. Provides special access to events and exclusive ticket presales with perks such as preferred seating to events such as sporting events, concerts, and family entertainment

Citi Price Rewind. Register your purchases and Citi automatically searches for the items for a lower price. If a lower price is found within 60 days, you can receive a refund of the difference, up to $300 per item and $1,200 per year.

Damage and theft protection. Purchases made with your card are protected up to $1,000 per item, up to $500,000 per year against damage or theft for 120 days of purchase.

Trip Cancellation. If you trip is cancelled or interrupted, you can be reimbursed for non-refundable expenses such as change fees, up to $1,500 per year.

EMV chip technology. Equipped with EMV chip technology for more secured shopping. Credit cards embedded with microchips are accepted worldwide and are often preferred over cards with just the magnetic stripe, especially with certain merchants in Europe.

Personal concierge. Access personal concierge services 24/7 from anywhere in the world if you need assistance with booking flights or making reservations, or buying gifts.

Costs

• $0 Annual Fee
• 14.24% - 24.24% Variable APR (0% introductory APR for purchases for seven months)
• 4% Balance Transfer Fee ($5 minimum)
• 3% Foreign Transaction Fee

Pros

Sign-up bonus. Although one of the smaller sign-up bonuses when compared to other rewards credit cards, this is one of the only student credit cards offering a sign-up bonus at all. The bonus of 2,500 points that you receive if you spend $500 with your card within the first three months, can be redeemed for a $25 gift card. This is a nice bonus if you already plan on making a large purchase within the first few months of opening the account.

Introductory APR for purchases. There is an introductory APR of 0% for purchases for the first seven months, which can help you save money if you need to make a large purchase. Although rare with student credit cards, it is important that you are diligent in paying off the purchase within the introductory period in order to get the most out of the 0% opportunity.

Exclusive Citi benefits. Citi’s Price Rewind and Private Pass are attractive especially for college students who are interested in special events and VIP access. The Price Rewind feature can help save money if students don’t have the time to shop around for the best price.

Cons

No 0% intro APR for balance transfers. There is a 0% introductory APR for purchases but does not apply to balance transfers, which might be more valuable to you if you need to transfer a balance from a card with a higher APR. (See also: Best Credit Cards with 0% Intro APR for Balance Transfers)

Foreign transaction fee. If you are a student planning to travel or make foreign purchases, the foreign transaction fee of 3% is going to devalue any rewards you earn with your purchases. The Capital One Journey Student Rewards is one of the only credit cards for college students, which does not charge a foreign transaction fee, and is a better card for foreign purchases or traveling abroad. (See also: Best Credit Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees)

Who This Card Is Best For

The Citi ThankYou Preferred Card for College Students is best for college students who spend heavily in restaurant and entertainment categories. It is also best for students whose spending is primarily domestic, and/or plan on making a large purchase and can take advantage of the sign-up bonus and 0% introductory APR.

Click here to apply for the Citi® ThankYou Preferred Card for College Students today!

If you are just starting out and haven’t yet established enough of a credit history, you may find it difficult getting approved for most traditional credit cards (as well as other loans). In many cases, you’ll need a secured card like the Citi® Secured MasterCard®, from our partner Citi, to build a positive credit history, in order to increase your credit score. The world of secured credit cards, however, can be confusing and in many cases, expensive. But, if you’re looking for a secured card to help you start building your credit score, this card could be your ticket to good credit. (See also: Best Secured Credit Cards for Building Credit)

How This Card Works

This card requires a security deposit of $200 to $5,000, which is held in a non-interest bearing Collateral Holding Account for 18 months. Once you are approved for the card and you have made your security deposit, you receive a card with a credit limit in the amount of your security deposit. Your account activity is reported to the major credit bureaus and after managing your account responsibly can lead to a better credit rating. The annual fee for this card is $25.

Costs

• $25 Annual Fee
• 22.24% variable APR for purchases and balance transfers
• 3% Balance Transfer Fee ($5 minimum)
• 3% Foreign Transaction Fee

Considerations

Annual fee. Although the annual fee of $25 isn’t the highest, it is also not the lowest. There are secured credit cards like the Capital One Secured MasterCard that have no annual fee at all. (See also: Secured Cards without Annual Fees)

No interest on the deposit. Your deposit is held for at least 18 months, but you won’t earn any interest on it. There are other secured credit cards which allow you to earn interest on your security deposit while it is being held. Although it may not end up making you rich, you do end up with a little extra with secured cards that earn interest on your security deposit. (See also: Secured Cards that Pay Interest on the Security Deposit)

High APR. Although it’s typical for a secured credit card to carry a higher than average interest rate, the APR of 22.24% is among the highest. If you carry a balance from month to month rather than pay in full each month, your interest is going to add up and become costly. If you typically carry a balance, it’s best to select a secured credit card with a low APR, like the primor Secured Visa Gold.

Foreign transaction fee. The 3% foreign transaction fee is only a problem if you plan to use your card for foreign transactions. If you frequently travel outside of the U.S., this fee can become expensive. You can save a significant amount of money with a secured card that charges a lower or no foreign transaction fee. (See also: Secured Cards with Low or No Foreign Transaction Fee)

Competitors

Capital One® Secured MasterCard®: The Capital One Secured MasterCard has no annual fees, no foreign transaction fees, and is one of the rare secured cards that may extend you credit beyond your deposit. 

USAA Secured Card® American Express® Card: For military personnel and their families, the USAA Secured Card® American Express® Card puts your deposit in a 2-year CD to earn interest, and the APR starts as low as 10.15%. The annual fee is $35.

Who This Card Is Best For

This card is best for those who are in the process of building a positive credit rating, are diligent in paying balances in full each month, and will use the card primarily for domestic purchases. There are limited fees, and you can start out with a deposit as low as $200. Citi is also an established credit card issuer and cardholders will be able to access their customer service and other benefits.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Citi® Secured MasterCard® today!

The breakup between Costco and American Express took the Costco world by surprise. The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi from our partner Citi will be taking the place of the Costco Amex, and there are many reasons why Costco members should rejoice. Not only does this card come with better cash back benefits, but Costco is making the transition for current cardholders extremely simple and straightforward.

The Switch is Automatic

If you thought that switching to the new Costco Anywhere Visa Card was going to be an inconvenience, then you will be thrilled to know that the switch will be automatic. You will receive your new Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi between the end of May to early June. You can officially start using the card June 20, 2016. Best of all, the card transfer is being made without your credit report being touched.

Your current American Express card will be canceled automatically by Costco starting June 20th. There is no need to do anything except cut up your card.

Better Benefits

The new Costco Anywhere Visa Card also comes with better benefits. Cardholders will earn the following cash back:

• 4% cash back on eligible gas worldwide for the first $7,000 per year. All gas purchases over that amount will earn 1% cash back.
• 3% cash back on restaurant and eligible travel purchases worldwide
• 2% cash back on all other Costco and Costco.com purchases
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

With these high cash back percentages, it has become one of the highest cash back credit cards on the market. (See also: Best Credit Cards For Everyday Purchases)

You don’t have to even be a major Costco shopper to see the awesome cash back benefits. Families who spend $250 per month on gas, $150 in eating out per month, and $250 per month on Costco groceries will earn $234 in cash back at the end of the year. Basically if you use your Costco Anywhere Visa Card for your regular monthly spending, you will essentially earn a free Costco shopping trip. Your cash back reward coupon must be redeemed at Costco, but you can redeem the coupon for cash and spend your cash back elsewhere.

Costs

• No annual fee with paid Costco membership
• Purchase APR: 0% Intro APR for 7 months; after that, 15.49% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 15.49% variable
• $5 or 3% Balance Transfer Fee (whichever is greater)
• 3% Foreign Transaction Fee

Old Rewards Transfer Over

Costco members can continue to use their Amex card until June 20, 2016 without fear that they will lose their cash back rewards. Any rewards not previously distributed to you will automatically be transferred to Citi card and will be included in your February 2017 cash back rewards coupon.

Travel and Purchase Benefits Still Intact

The new card comes with worldwide car rental insurance and worldwide travel accident insurance. It also comes with damage and theft protection, which will cover repairs and refunds for items purchased with your Costco Anywhere Card.

If you are already a Costco member, then the Costco Anywhere Visa is a good deal. The card does not come with an annual fee, but you will have to maintain a Costco membership at $55 per year (or $110 for the Executive Gold membership).

Earn More Back on Costco Groceries

Most credit cards that offer grocery rewards don’t include warehouse clubs as part of their “supermarket” listing. The only way to get rewards on your Costco purchases is to use a flat rate rewards card (must be Visa), have an Executive Gold membership (2% cash back), or with this new card. In fact, if you use the new Costco Anywhere Visa card and have an Executive Gold membership, you’d essentially earn 4% cash back on your Costco trips.

If you spend $250 per month on groceries at Costco, you will earn a $60 cash back reward from Citi and one from Costco at the end of the year, for a total of $120 cash back. This easily covers the $110 Executive Gold membership fee. (See also: Best Credit Cards that Offer Rewards on Groceries)

Alternatively, a card like the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card will get you unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no annual fee.

Is the Costco Anywhere Visa Card Worth It?

If you are already a Costco member and do a decent amount of shopping there, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card is definitely worth it. Besides getting cash back on Costco purchases, it offers one of the highest cash back opportunities for gas, restaurant, and travel. So it’s not just a card for Costco purchases. This can be your go-to credit card for all your purchases.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi today!

Whether you’re a frequent Costco shopper or not, you’ve likely heard by now of the new Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi from our partner Citi. For years, Costco only accepted American Express credit cards, including their American Express Costco TrueEarnings card. This new partnership has some cardholders worried that they might lose their valuable benefits and rewards. Well, rest assured, Costco credit cardholders (and those who are considering becoming one). The new card comes with even more rewards. Here’s what you need to know about the new Costco credit card and how you can change your rewards strategy to get even more for your money.

More Rewards for Gas, Restaurants, and Travel

The new Costco Anywhere card awards 4% back on gas purchases at Costco and other gas stations, up to $7,000 per year, 3% back on restaurant and eligible travel purchases, 2% back on purchases at Costco and online at Costco.com, and 1% back on all other purchases. For old Costco cardholders, you’ll notice that the new card provides quite a boost in the rewards you earn from your purchases. With the old card, you earned 3% on the first $4,000 of gasoline at Costco and other U.S. gas stations, 2% at U.S. restaurants and certain travel, and 1% for all other purchases. In fact, the new Costco card awards more for your gas purchases, restaurant, and travel purchases than most other general rewards credit cards, not to mention the extra rewards for your Costco purchases, too.

So, for Costco shoppers, the new card awards more for gas, dining, travel, and Costco purchases than any other card.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi today!

See also:

• Best Credit Cards for Gas Purchases
• Best Credit Cards for Dining at Restaurants
• Best Credit Cards for Travel Purchases

Hassle-Free Transitioning for Previous Costco Cardholders

If you were already a Costco TrueEarnings cardholder, you don’t have to worry about a complicated transition process, and you won’t lose any of the rewards you have already accumulated. Most importantly, you won’t need to reapply for the new card, and there won’t be an extra inquiry on your credit report for the new card. By now, you may have already received your new card, but you can use the old Costco card until June 19, 2016. Then, your information and rewards will be transferred, and you can begin shopping with and earning more rewards with your new card. If you have a balance on your old card, you can continue to make your monthly payments until it is paid off.

Get the Most Out of Your Costco Membership

There aren’t any additional fees for the new card, which might come as a surprise considering that the rewards are so much higher. However, you do still need to maintain your Costco membership, with different levels starting as low as $55 per year. Like before, you can consider the membership fee the annual fee, except you get all the benefits of Costco membership in addition to the card benefits you get as a cardholder. Among credit cards that award higher rates of rewards for everyday purchases, the $55 membership is competitive. (See also: Best Credit Cards for Groceries)

To boost your Costco rewards even more, you might want to consider getting the Executive Gold Star Costco membership, which comes with 2% rewards on Costco purchases. If you spend at least $2800 per year at Costco, your rewards will pay for the extra cost for Executive membership. Together, the Executive membership and the new Citi Costco credit card will get you a whopping 4% cash back on Costco purchases.

Not Just a Grocery Store Card

Although it might seem to be, the Costco card isn’t just a grocery rewards card. You also get one of the highest rates available for gas, restaurants and travel. There are very few rewards cards that cover as many different types of purchases entirely in the bonus categories. If your spending varies and covers many of these categories, you won’t have any problem racking up the rewards with this card just through your regular everyday spending, even if you don’t frequently shop at Costco stores. Note that you will need to redeem your rewards at a Costco store. (See also: Best Credit Cards for Everyday Purchases)

Transition Includes all Visa Credit Cards

The transition to the new Costco card means that all Visa credit cards will be accepted, too. That means you have more options on rewards credit cards to use at Costco. So even if you aren’t sold on the Costco card, you can use any Visa credit card. (See also: Best Cash Back Rewards Credit Cards)

All Costco Members Should Consider the Costco Card

If you are already a Costco credit cardholder, Citi and American Express have made it extremely easy to transition over to the new and more rewarding Costco card. If you benefited from the previous version, you will likely be pleasantly surprised with the new card’s rewards program. If you aren’t already a cardholder, there’s really no reason not to get 2% cash back on your Costco purchases.

And if you aren’t already a Costco shopper, the new card provides a solid argument for paying for the membership simply because you can’t earn as much as 4% back on gas and 3% back for dining and travel purchases with any other credit card, even with a $55 membership fee. If you just use your card for dining out, traveling, and the occasional Costco trip (to redeem your rewards), it won’t take much to rack up more rewards than your current go-to rewards card.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi today!

Citibank has a long history of providing a number of financial products from bank accounts to credit cards that offer a variety of rewards programs. Their credit cards award points and cash back for different types of purchases ranging from everyday purchases to travel and others. In many cases, these cards include additional benefits for those who bank with Citi. Whether you are already a Citi customer or plan to become one, there’s a good chance you’ll find a credit card that suits your needs among Citi’s many options.

How to Apply for Citibank Credit Cards

Citi makes it simple and easy to research each of its products, with the option to apply for its credit cards online. This is convenient, especially if you aren’t sure which of the cards is best for your spending. You can compare the cards against each other before making your final decision and applying. In most cases, you will know if you've been approved within a matter of minutes.

Top Citi Credit Card Application Offers

Many of the credit cards from our partner Citi are among the best and most popular cards available. Whether you prefer cash back or points to redeem for travel, there are many options to choose from when it comes to Citi credit cards.

Citi® Double Cash Card - 18 Month BT Offer

The Citi® Double Cash Card - 18 Month offer awards 1% cash back when you make a purchase and an additional 1% cash back when the purchase is paid. You receive your rewards as soon as you reach $25. There is an introductory APR of 0% for 18 months on balance transfers made from the date of the first transfer when transfers are completed within four months of opening the account. The balance transfer fee is 3% or $5, whichever is greater. After that, a variable APR of 13.24%-23.24% will apply. There is no annual fee for this card.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Citi® Double Cash Card - 18 Month BT Offer today!

Citi Simplicity® Card

The Citi Simplicity® Card offers one of the best introductory APRs available. This card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 months, with a balance transfer fee of 3% of the transfer, minimum $5. After the introductory period, the APR will be 13.24% - 23.24% variable. There is no annual fee for this card.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Citi Simplicity® Card today!

Citi Prestige® Card

The Citi Prestige® Card is Citi’s elite credit card which offers a broad variety of benefits. New cardholders get 40,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 with the card in the first 3 months of opening the account. This card awards three points for each dollar you spend on air travel and hotels, two points per dollar at restaurants and entertainment, and one point for each dollar spent on other purchases. Other card benefits include a $250 annual air travel credit, up to $100 credit toward Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check program application, and VIP lounge access. There is no foreign transaction fee. The annual fee is $450.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Citi Prestige® Card today!

Citi® Diamond Preferred®

The Citi® Diamond Preferred® card is another popular Citi card because of its promotional offer and card benefits. This card offers a 0% introductory APR for 21 months on purchases and balance transfers made from the date of the first transfer when completed within four months of opening the account. After that, a variable APR of 12.24%-22.24% will apply. This card comes with other benefits such as personal concierge service and access to special events and discounts through Citi Private Pass. There is no annual fee for this card.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Citi® Diamond Preferred® credit card today!

Citi ThankYou® Preferred

The Citi ThankYou® Preferred card awards two points per dollar on purchases made at restaurants and on entertainment, and one point per dollar on all other purchases. The card currently offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. After that, the variable APR of 13.24%-23.24% will apply. There is no annual fee for this card.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Citi ThankYou® Preferred card today!

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard®

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard® awards two miles for each dollar you spend on eligible American Airlines purchases, and one mile for each dollar spent on other purchases. New cardholders can earn a bonus of 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of opening the account. You can also get a 10% reward rebate on your award redemptions, up to 10,000 miles each calendar year. This card includes additional flight benefits such as a 25% savings on in-flight purchases, first checked bag free, boarding privileges, and many others. The variable APR for purchases and balance transfers is 12.24 - 22.24%. There is no foreign transaction fee. The annual fee of $95 is waived the first 12 months.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard® today!

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard®

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® is popular for those who frequently fly American Airlines. This card awards two miles for each eligible dollar spent with American Airlines, and one mile spent on other purchases. New cardholders can earn a bonus of 60,000 miles after spending $5,000 with the card in the first 3 months of opening the account. This card also includes Admirals Club membership and an annual miles bonus of 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles if you make $40,000 in purchases with the card in a calendar year. Other card benefits include an in-flight discount, free checked bags, and other flight privileges. The variable APR is 15.49%. There is no foreign transaction fee. The annual fee is $450.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® today!

Citi Hilton HHonors™ Visa Signature® Card

If you frequently stay in Hilton hotels, you can earn rewards and extra benefits with the Citi Hilton HHonors™ Visa Signature® Card. This card awards six points for each dollar spent on hotel stays within the Hilton Portfolio, three points at supermarkets, drugstores, and gas stations, and two points on all other purchases. For a limited time, new cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 with the card in the first three months of opening the account. This card also includes automatic HHonors Silver status, and an annual loyalty bonus of 10,000 Hilton HHonors points at the end of each calendar year that you spend $1,000 or more on Hilton Portfolio hotel stays. The APR is variable at 15.49% - 19.49%. There is no annual fee for this card.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Citi Hilton HHonors™ Visa Signature® Card today!

Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Reserve Card

The Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Reserve Card also awards Hilton hotel stays but includes more benefits with cardmembership. You can earn 10 points for each dollar you spend on Hilton Portfolio hotel stays, five points per dollar on airline and car rentals, and three points for all other purchases. New cardholders get two certificates good for a free weekend night stay after making $2,500 purchases in the first four months after account opening. You also get complimentary HHonors Gold status and an annual weekend night certificate each calendar year that you spend at least $10,000 with the card. The variable APR is 15.49%. There is no foreign transaction fee. The annual fee is $95.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Reserve Card today!

Expedia®+ Card from Citi

The Expedia®+ Card from Citi awards three points for each dollar you spend on eligible Expedia purchases and one point for all other purchases. New cardholders can earn 15,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of opening the account. You also get complimentary Expedia+ Silver status and 24/7 personalized concierge service. The variable APR is 15.24% - 23.24%. There is no annual fee for this card.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Expedia®+ Card from Citi today!

Expedia®+ Voyager Card

The Expedia®+ Voyager Card also awards Expedia purchases. With this card, you get four points for each dollar spent on eligible Expedia purchases, two points for each dollar spent on dining and entertainment, and one point for each dollar spent on all other purchases. New cardholders can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 with the card in the first 3 months of opening the account. You also get complimentary Expedia+ Gold status, a $100 air travel fee credit, and anniversary bonus of 5,000 points each year that you spend $10,000 with the card. The variable APR is 14.24% - 22.24%. There is no foreign transaction fee. The annual fee is $95.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Expedia®+ Voyager Card today!

CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World MasterCard®

Citi also offers small business owners an option for earning rewards with the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World MasterCard®. This card awards two miles for each dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and select business categories including gas stations, and one mile for each dollar on other purchases. New cardholders can earn a bonus of 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. Card benefits also include first checked bag free, Group 1 boarding privileges, and 25% savings on inflight purchases. Each year you spend $30,000 you get an American Airlines Companion Certificate. The variable APR is 15.49%. There is no foreign transaction fee. The annual fee of $95 is waived the first 12 months.

Click here to learn more and apply for the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World MasterCard® today!

Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card for College Students

College students can build their credit with the Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card for College Students. This card awards two points per dollar spent on dining and entertainment, and one point for all other purchases. As a new cardholder, you can earn a bonus of 2,500 points after spending $500 with the card in the first 3 months of opening the account. You also get a 0% introductory APR on purchases for seven months. After that, a variable APR of 14.24% - 24.24% will apply. There is no annual fee for this card.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card for College Students today!

Citi® Secured MasterCard®

The Citi® Secured MasterCard® is an option for those who are working on establishing a good credit history. After you make a security deposit of $200 to $5,000 that is held in a Collateral Holding Account, you get a credit card with a limit that is equal to your deposit. As you use your card, your activity is reported to the credit bureaus, helping you to establish credit. This card has a variable APR of 22.24% and a $25 annual fee.

Click here to learn more and apply for the Citi® Secured MasterCard® today!

How to Find the Best Citi Credit Card Promotions

1. Internet – Our Recommended Option. Because of the ability to research and compare your options, and the simplicity in applying online, our recommended option for finding the best Citi credit card promotions is online. With just a couple clicks you can find the most up-to-date promotions and bonuses and apply for the card you choose immediately. 
2. Mail Offers. Among the many pieces of mail you get, you probably have a couple of different credit card offers, including those from Citi. Mail offers are still some of the most popular ways to get current credit card offers, but these offers are often targeted to a specific demographic and may not include the offers you will find online. Still, mail offers include special promotions, prequalification offers, and usually, a phone number and website to apply for the particular credit card. Go to applynow.citicards.com, applyonline.citicards.com or balancetransfer.citicards.com to find current mail offers available. 
3. TV. Like other credit card issuers, Citi also provides special promotions on TV through commercials and ads, especially when there is a new card like the current Citi Double Cash card. You can usually apply for that card with the phone number or website address provided in the commercial.
4. Magazines/Newspapers. Whether you are in the dentist’s office or still keep up with your own subscriptions, you’ll encounter Citi credit card promotions in magazines and newspapers as well. These offers also include a phone number and website address for applying but aren’t always the most current or up-to-date credit card offers.
5. Bank Branches. Citibank has nearly a thousand bank branches in North America, where you can apply for the credit card you choose as well as any other financial product you’re interested in. The offers at bank branches will be similar to the promotions you see on TV and online, and it may be helpful to have a live person helping you choose the best card.

Credit Cards for People with Excellent to Good Credit

Many Citi credit cards require excellent to good credit to qualify unless you are a college student, or you are building credit with the secured card. If you aren’t able to qualify for the Citi card of your choice, or you don’t find one that perfectly meets your needs, we recommend the following lists of the best balance transfer cards, low-interest rate, travel rewards, and cash back credit cards.

• Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards
• Best Low Interest Rate Credit Cards
• Best Travel Rewards Cards
• 5 Best Cash Back Credit Cards

Do you want to earn credit card rewards, but don't want to pay an annual fee? If so, you are not alone. While some users benefit from higher rates of rewards and extra benefits, others don't spend enough to justify the annual cost. The Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card from our partner Citi earns double points on dining and entertainment purchases, with no annual fee.

Why We Like This Card

• ThankYou rewards program
• Lots of reward redemption options

How This Card Works

Cardholders earn double points on dining out and entertainment and one point on all other purchases. You can redeem 2,500 ThankYou Points for $25 in gift cards, electronics, and other rewards when you redeem at thankyou.com. There is no expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card. 

Other Benefits

Travel and purchase protections. This card comes with a variety of travel insurance and purchase protection benefits including trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, an extended warranty policy, and purchase protection against theft or damage.

Citi Private Pass. Citi's Private Pass gives special access to purchase VIP packages, presale tickets, dining experiences, and more.

Citi Price Rewind. This card also includes Citi's Price Rewind program, which will automatically issue a refund when a covered purchase experiences a price drop within 60 days.

Costs

• $0 Annual Fee
• 14.74% - 24.74%* Variable APR (0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening for purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of the first transfer)
• 3% Balance Transfer Fee ($5 minimum)
• 3% Foreign Transaction Fee

Pros

Entertainment rewards. It's rare for credit cards to offer rewards on entertainment purchases. For some, this is a big expense and this card offers generous points for those purchases.

ThankYou program. Citi's ThankYou program is very easy to use, and cardholders have many different ways to redeem their points. They can make reservations through Citi's travel agent on most airlines and with most major hotel chains and rental car companies. In addition, it features a strong selection of gift cards from major retailers and popular merchandise. The points are even redeemable for charitable donations or even cash.

Lucrative offers and benefits. This card offers a strong promotional financing offer and a competitive slate of benefits, considering that it has no annual fee.

Cons

No point transfer options. Some rewards credit cards have travel partners that allow points transfer to various hotel and airline loyalty programs. It offers another way to use up points. With this card, you can only redeem for cash, gift cards, or merchandise. (See also: 5 Best Credit Cards That Transfer Points to Miles)

Foreign transaction fee. This fee makes the card not good for travel abroad. (See also: Best Credit Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees)

Who This Card Is Best For

This is an ideal card for those who will use their card frequently for dining and entertainment expenses. By offering double points in a strong rewards program, Citi's ThankYou Preferred card becomes a compelling product in a crowded field.

Click here to apply for the Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card today!

Editor's note: This offer is currently unavailable. If you're looking for a great Hilton credit card, check out the Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express.

Have you considered a credit card from a hotel chain? Credit cards that offer rewards in hotel loyalty programs are often overlooked by travelers who are obsessed with frequent flyer miles, and that's too bad. When it comes to satisfying their customers, the hotel industry is doing a much better job than the airlines are, and part of the reason is their loyalty programs are much more straightforward. The Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Visa Signature® Card from our partner Citi allows you to earn at least two points per dollar spent on all transactions, with no annual fee.

Why We Like This Card

• 75,000 bonus points offer
• Automatic HHonors Silver status
• No annual fee

How This Card Works

Cardholders will earn six points per dollar spent at all of the different Hilton properties, which include Hampton Inns, Doubletree hotels, Embassy Suites, and even the Waldorf-Astoria. Three points are earned for every dollar spent at supermarkets, drugstores, and gas stations, and double points on all other purchases. There is no annual fee.

Points can be redeemed for free night stays at any of the brands in the Hilton portfolio, with no blackout dates or capacity controls. If a standard room is available for sale, Hilton HHonors members can book it with their points.

Other Benefits

HHonors Silver status. Cardholders automatically receive Silver elite status in the HHonors program which includes a 15% points bonus, free access to fitness centers, and a fifth night free on award stays of five nights or more. Cardholders who spend $20,000 on their cards are given Gold status with even more perks such as free WiFi.

Annual loyalty bonus. Cardholders can earn an annual loyalty bonus of 10,000 Hilton HHonors bonus points at the end of each calendar year in which they spend $1,000 or more on stays within the Hilton Portfolio.

Citi Price Rewind. All purchases made on the card are eligible to participate in Citi's Price Rewind program, which means that Citi may refund the difference in price of registered purchases within 60 days of the original purchase.

Pros

Nice bonus. This card has a pretty good bonus offer that will allow new cardholders to enjoy a free night stay.

Automatic HHonors Silver status. It is nice to get Silver status automatically just by signing up for this card, and many cardholders should be able to earn Gold status too.

Great reward rates. Double points on all transactions, and triple points at supermarkets, drugstores, and gas stations will allow cardholders to accumulate rewards quickly.

No annual fee. Unlike many travel reward credit cards, there is no annual fee.

Cons

Points worth less than other hotel programs. Each Hilton point is not worth as much as points in other hotel programs, which is why they can offer double or triple points for regular purchases. Nevertheless, Hilton is such as large chain with so many brands, that its points are still very valuable. With over 4,200 locations in 93 countries, cardholders can access properties in places where other smaller programs are absent, and have a wider variety of choices in more popular destinations. (See also: Credit Cards with the Best Travel Redemption Value)

Foreign transaction fee. This would not be a good card to use while traveling abroad, with the 3% foreign transaction fee. (See also: Credit Cards that Have No Foreign Fees)

Who This Card Is Best For

This card is best for moderate travelers and spenders who like Hilton properties. By offering competitive rewards with no annual fee, the Hilton HHonors Visa Signature card becomes a compelling alternative to hard-to-redeem travel rewards.

Do you want to earn credit card rewards, but don't want to pay an annual fee? If so, you are not alone. While some users benefit from higher rates of rewards and extra benefits, others don't spend enough to justify the annual cost. The Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card from our partner Citi earns double points on dining and entertainment purchases, with no annual fee.

Why We Like This Card

• ThankYou^® rewards program
• Lots of reward redemption options

How This Card Works

Cardholders earn double points on dining out and entertainment and one point on all other purchases. You can redeem 2,500 ThankYou^® Points for $25 in gift cards, electronics, and other rewards when you redeem at thankyou.com. There is no expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card. 

Other Benefits

Travel and purchase protections. This card comes with a variety of travel insurance and purchase protection benefits including trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, an extended warranty policy, and purchase protection against theft or damage.

Citi Private Pass. Citi's Private Pass gives special access to purchase VIP packages, presale tickets, dining experiences, and more.

Citi Price Rewind. This card also includes Citi's Price Rewind program, which will automatically issue a refund when a covered purchase experiences a price drop within 60 days.

Costs

• $0 Annual Fee
• 15.24% - 25.24%* Variable APR (0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening for purchases and 0% intro APR for 15 months from date of the first transfer for balance transfers*)
• 3% Balance Transfer Fee ($5 minimum)
• 3% Foreign Transaction Fee

Pros

Entertainment rewards. It's rare for credit cards to offer rewards on entertainment purchases. For some, this is a big expense and this card offers generous points for those purchases.

ThankYou^® program. Citi's ThankYou^® program is very easy to use, and cardholders have many different ways to redeem their points. They can make reservations through Citi's travel agent on most airlines and with most major hotel chains and rental car companies. In addition, it features a strong selection of gift cards from major retailers and popular merchandise. The points are even redeemable for charitable donations or even cash.

Lucrative offers and benefits. This card offers a strong promotional financing offer and a competitive slate of benefits, considering that it has no annual fee.

Cons

No point transfer options. Some rewards credit cards have travel partners that allow points transfer to various hotel and airline loyalty programs. It offers another way to use up points. With this card, you can only redeem for cash, gift cards, or merchandise. (See also: 5 Best Credit Cards That Transfer Points to Miles)

Foreign transaction fee. This fee makes the card not good for travel abroad. (See also: Best Credit Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees)

Who This Card Is Best For

This is an ideal card for those who will use their card frequently for dining and entertainment expenses. By offering double points in a strong rewards program, Citi's ThankYou^® Preferred card becomes a compelling product in a crowded field.

Click here to apply for the Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card today!

Editor's note: This offer is currently unavailable. If you're looking for a great Hilton credit card, check out the Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express.

Have you considered a credit card from a hotel chain? Credit cards that offer rewards in hotel loyalty programs are often overlooked by travelers who are obsessed with frequent flyer miles, and that's too bad. When it comes to satisfying their customers, the hotel industry is doing a much better job than the airlines are, and part of the reason is their loyalty programs are much more straightforward. The Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Visa Signature® Card from our partner Citi allows you to earn at least two points per dollar spent on all transactions, with no annual fee.

Why We Like This Card

• 75,000 bonus points offer
• Automatic HHonors Silver status
• No annual fee

How This Card Works

Cardholders will earn six points per dollar spent at all of the different Hilton properties, which include Hampton Inns, Doubletree hotels, Embassy Suites, and even the Waldorf-Astoria. Three points are earned for every dollar spent at supermarkets, drugstores, and gas stations, and double points on all other purchases. There is no annual fee.

Points can be redeemed for free night stays at any of the brands in the Hilton portfolio, with no blackout dates or capacity controls. If a standard room is available for sale, Hilton HHonors members can book it with their points.

Other Benefits

HHonors Silver status. Cardholders automatically receive Silver elite status in the HHonors program which includes a 15% points bonus, free access to fitness centers, and a fifth night free on award stays of five nights or more. Cardholders who spend $20,000 on their cards are given Gold status with even more perks such as free WiFi.

Annual loyalty bonus. Cardholders can earn an annual loyalty bonus of 10,000 Hilton HHonors bonus points at the end of each calendar year in which they spend $1,000 or more on stays within the Hilton Portfolio.

Citi Price Rewind. All purchases made on the card are eligible to participate in Citi's Price Rewind program, which means that Citi may refund the difference in price of registered purchases within 60 days of the original purchase.

Pros

Nice bonus. This card has a pretty good bonus offer that will allow new cardholders to enjoy a free night stay.

Automatic HHonors Silver status. It is nice to get Silver status automatically just by signing up for this card, and many cardholders should be able to earn Gold status too.

Great reward rates. Double points on all transactions, and triple points at supermarkets, drugstores, and gas stations will allow cardholders to accumulate rewards quickly.

No annual fee. Unlike many travel reward credit cards, there is no annual fee.

Cons

Points worth less than other hotel programs. Each Hilton point is not worth as much as points in other hotel programs, which is why they can offer double or triple points for regular purchases. Nevertheless, Hilton is such as large chain with so many brands, that its points are still very valuable. With over 4,200 locations in 93 countries, cardholders can access properties in places where other smaller programs are absent, and have a wider variety of choices in more popular destinations. (See also: Credit Cards with the Best Travel Redemption Value)

Foreign transaction fee. This would not be a good card to use while traveling abroad, with the 3% foreign transaction fee. (See also: Credit Cards that Have No Foreign Fees)

Who This Card Is Best For

This card is best for moderate travelers and spenders who like Hilton properties. By offering competitive rewards with no annual fee, the Hilton HHonors Visa Signature card becomes a compelling alternative to hard-to-redeem travel rewards.

Editor's note: This offer is currently unavailable. If you're looking for a great Hilton credit card, check out the Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express.

If you travel regularly, than you should be using a rewards credit card when you pay for your hotel stays. The right hotel reward card can offer all sorts of perks and benefits as well as points toward free award nights. The Citi^® Hilton HHonors™ Reserve Card from our partner Citi meets all of these requirements, and more.

How This Card Works

This card awards 10 points per dollar spent on hotel stays at brands within the Hilton Portfolio, which includes Hampton Inns, Doubletree hotels, Embassy Suites, and the Waldorf-Astoria, five points per dollar on airline and rental car purchases, and three points on per dollar spent on all other transactions. 

Points can be redeemed for free night stays at any of the Hilton brands with no blackout dates or capacity controls.

Other Benefits

HHonors Gold status. Cardholders automatically receive Gold status in the Hilton HHonors program, which offers a 25% points bonus on your award points, 5th night free on award stays of 5 nights or more, room upgrades, early and late checkouts, and free WiFi. Customers can even be upgraded to Diamond status after spending $40,000 on their card within a calendar year.

Annual free night. Cardholders will also receive a weekend night certificate for each calendar year in which they spend at least $10,000 on purchases and remain a cardmember.

Visa Signature benefits. As a Visa Signature card, numerous travel insurance and purchase protection benefits are included such as lost baggage protection, trip cancellation and interruption protection, and damage and theft protection.

Pros

High rewards rate on hotel stays. Earning 10 points per Dollar at Hilton properties is a very fast way to earn a serious amount of points. The five points per dollar earned from airline and rental car purchases will also contribute to business travelers potentially earning tens of thousands of points per week when they use this card to pay for all of their reservations. Earning triple points on other purchases is an excellent rate of return. (See also: Breakdown of Benefits and Value of the Best Hotel Rewards Programs)

Automatic Hilton HHonors Gold status. Travelers and fans of the Hilton brand will appreciate the amenities and benefits that are provided with their automatic Gold status enrollment in the Hilton HHonors program, which can certainly help make their stays even more enjoyable and substantial. The ability to upgrade to Diamond status after spending $40,000 on purchases in a calendar year is also a very welcome benefit. 

Annual free nights. Although this card does have an annual fee of $95, the two free weekend night certificates should more than make up for this expense during the first year, as long as you can spend at least $10,000 on purchases in a calendar year. 

No foreign transaction fee. There is also no foreign transaction fee on this card, so it's good to use while traveling and for making purchases abroad.

Cons

Annual fee. With an annual fee of $95, cardholders will have to be certain that the rewards and perks justify the costs. (See also: 5 Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fees)

Who This Card Is Best For

This card is ideal for the frequent traveler who is a fan of Hilton properties. These cardholders can earn generous amounts of points on their most frequent expenses of airfare, hotel, and rental cars. Yet you don't have to be on the road every week to make use of the two free weekend night certificates, the room upgrades, or the free breakfasts that cardholders receive. When all of these perks, benefits, and rewards are considered, the $95 annual fee becomes a relatively small price to pay.