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Credit Cards

Compare the best travel rewards cards — with Max's take on each.

Max Miles Points has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Max Miles Points and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author's and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any entities.

Viewing: Bilt Palladium Card
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Annual Fee · Personal Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeThe Brilliant is Marriott's best long term hold card. The $650 annual fee sounds steep, but between the 85,000-point free night certificate, $300 in dining credits, Platinum Elite status, and Priority Pass lounge access, the math works if you stay at Marriotts even a few times a year.
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Annual Fee · Personal Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeThe Hilton Aspire is pretty much a no-brainer if you stay at Hilton hotels. The $550 annual fee pays for itself with just the free night reward alone, which can be used at any standard room property, even $1,000+ per night hotels.
Bilt Palladium Card
Best Rent and Mortgage Card
Bilt Palladium Card
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Bilt Palladium Card

$495 Annual Fee · Personal Credit Card
$300 Bilt Cash upon approval and 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days.
✦ Max's TakeThe premium Bilt card that earns 2x points on everything, plus up to 1x on rent and mortgages. Simple way to earn valuable Bilt points.
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Annual Fee · Personal Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeIf you're going to get an Amex Marriott card, start with this one. By getting the Bevy card first, you'll remain eligible to apply for the Brilliant card later. That way, you're really maximizing the number of Marriott Bonvoy points you can earn.
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Annual Fee · Business Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeOne of my favorite ways to earn Hyatt status is by using this card for business expenses. For every $10,000 spent on the card, you can earn 5 tier-qualifying nights. If you direct your business spending toward this card, reaching Globalist status shouldn't be too difficult. I also like to use this card for my tax payments to help earn status.
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Annual Fee · Personal Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeBeginner-friendly travel card that offers a straightforward 2x miles on all purchases, perfect for those seeking simplicity without compromising on travel features.
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Annual Fee · Personal Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeThis is a cash back card; however, if you pair it with one of the Chase Sapphire cards, you can convert the cash back into Chase Ultimate Rewards points. This allows you to transfer the points to various airline and hotel programs, effectively making it a card that earns 1.5 points on every purchase!
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Annual Fee · Personal Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeOne of my favorite keeper cards. You earn a Free Night Award on every card anniversary. The value of this Free Night Award can easily exceed the low annual fee of $95. Additionally, the boost of 15 Elite Qualifying Nights is valuable for helping you reach Marriott Bonvoy status faster.
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Annual Fee · Business Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeI call this the business version of Sapphire Preferred. It offers bonus points in the shipping, travel, and advertising categories and can transfer points to airline and hotel programs!
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Annual Fee · Personal Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeThe granddaddy of premium cards with Centurion Loung access, hotel elite status, and a mountain of credits (airline, Uber, Saks, digital entertainment, and more). The $895 fee stings, but if you actually use even half the credits, you come out ahead.
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Annual Fee · Business Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeThe annual fee is eye-watering, but this card is basically a coupon book with credits from Dell, Indeed, airline fees, Clear Plus, and more. Use even a few of them, and the card pays for itself.
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Annual Fee · Business Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeTop-tier business credit card with premium travel and business perks like airport lounge access, $300 travel credit, The Edit hotel credits, plus 3x on advertising spend with no cap which is great if your business runs ads.
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Annual Fee · Personal Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeRecently revamped, this card now offers over $3,000 in annual credits and perks. If you travel three or more times a year and live near an airport with a Sapphire lounge, this card is a smart choice.
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Annual Fee · Business Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeTop-tier businesses prefer Capital One, a great option if you're a busy business owner who doesn't want to track spend categories because you earn 2x miles on all purchases!
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Annual Fee · Personal Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeThe best value premium travel card. $300 travel credit, Priority Pass™, 10,000 anniversary miles, and a massive transfer partner list, all for $395. It's hard to beat.
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Annual Fee · Business Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeEarns 4x on your top two spending categories each month automatically. No tracking required. The set-it-and-forget-it card for business owners.
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Annual Fee · Personal Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeI consider this the ultimate foodie card, earning bonus points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. Additionally, it provides over $400 in easy-to-use statement credits. (enrollment required)
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Annual Fee · Personal Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeThe free anniversary night alone makes this card a keeper card and worth the low annual fee.
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Annual Fee · Personal Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeThe best starter travel card, period. Transferable points, solid bonus categories, and a low annual fee make this the card I recommend to almost everyone getting into the points game.
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Annual Fee · Personal Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeYou don’t get many Marriott benefits with this card. While you do earn extra Marriott points for staying at a Marriott hotel, which is nice, the overall benefits are limited. However, you do receive five elite nights as a bonus just for having the card, along with automatic Silver status. Overall, the card's pricing reflects these limited benefits.
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Annual Fee · Personal Credit Card
✦ Max's TakePair this card with the Venture or Venture X, and the cash back rewards convert into transferable miles, making it one of the best cards for dining and groceries.
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Annual Fee · Business Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeThink of it as the Freedom Unlimited for your business spending. 1.5% on everything with no annual fee, and those points become transferable when paired with a Sapphire card.
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Annual Fee · Business Credit Card
✦ Max's TakeUnderrated no annual fee business credit card that quietly earns a ton of points when paired with a Sapphire or Ink Preferred.

Max Miles Points has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Max Miles Points and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author's and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any entities.