Premium cards like Platinum Card® from American Express and Chase Sapphire Reserve has many users and is a popular choice for travel rewards — and for good reason. However, they are not the only cards in the world.
We surveyed TPG employees and came up with a list of the five most underrated credit cards, all of which offer cash or points. This is why we think they should find a way to sneak into your wallet.
Hilton honors American Express Aspire card
Welcome offer: 150,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of a card membership.
Annual fee: $450 (see rates and fees).
Why is it here: The Aspire deserves a mention among the top travel cards.
For starters, it comes with Hilton Diamond status as long as you keep the card and you’ll earn 14 points per dollar at participating Hilton hotels. It also comes with an airline fee credit of up to $250 and a Hilton resort credit of up to $250 per calendar year.
Aspire offers a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership card, which gives you (and two guests) unlimited access to more than 1,300 airport lounges around the world. Additionally, you’ll receive a complimentary overnight certificate every year that’s valid at virtually any Hilton property.
This card is a great option for Hilton loyalists who want to receive elite status perks.
our reading Review of the Hilton Amex Aspire Hotel.
Sign up for our daily newsletter
Information about the Hilton Aspire card has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
American Express® Green Card
Welcome offer: 60,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $3,000 on purchases during the first six months of card membership. You’ll also get 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases for the first six months to earn up to $200 back.
Annual fee: $150 (see rates and fees).
Why is it here: The Amex Green often get a little lost in the mix of the company’s other offerings, but it makes for a strong offering in the mid-tier travel card category.
It offers 3 points per dollar on travel, restaurants, and broader transit, as well as annual statement credits for Clear Plus and Lounge Buddy more than cover its annual fee.
The regular rate for a Clear Plus membership is $189 per year, and the credit covers all annual costs. You’ll also receive up to $100 in statement credits per calendar year when you use your American Express Green Card to purchase lounge access directly from LoungeBuddy.
The card is a simple and viable option for those who spend a lot on travel, dining and commuting.
our reading Amex Green review.
Chase Ink . Business Priority
Welcome offer: 100,000 Ultimate Bonus Points after spending $15,000 in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $95.
Why is it here: The Prioritize printing ink business has perks unique to business card offerings, offering 3 points for every dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases each year on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services as well as promotional purchases are made using social media sites and search engines.
You’ll enjoy a range of business tools like account insights, bookkeeping integrations and account alerts, plus mobile and purchase protections, trip cancellations and interruption insurance, etc.
Finally, you can pairing Ink Business Preferred with other Chase services to maximize value.
At only $95 a year, it’s hard to beat.
our reading Ink Business Preferred rating.
Citi Premier® Card
Welcome offer: 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Annual fee: $95 (see rates and fees).
Why is it here: Our review closes Citi Premier as a “underground gem with an extraordinary array of bonus categories”, pretty much sums it up.
Premier earns a healthy 3 points for every dollar on flights, hotels, gas stations, restaurants and supermarkets, great rates for mid-range annual fees. Citi Premier Points are also extremely versatile, worth 1.8 cents each TPG . valuation. That means you are making more than 5% back in these categories.
You’ll also receive a $100 annual hotel credit for one-time hotel bookings of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) made through the Citi travel portal, plus with some protections and no foreign transaction fees.
Simply put, it’s a heavyweight in the midsize annual fee card category.
our reading Review of Citi Premier.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card
Welcome offer: 60,000 online bonus points – (worth $600) after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $95.
Why is it here: An unknown product from one of the major banks, Bank of America Premium Rewards card includes up to $100 annual airline statement credit and up to $100 every 4 years statement credit for Global Entry, more than the $95 annual fee neutrality its la.
This card offers an impressive return on daily spending, with 2 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases and a 1.5 point increase per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for travel, cashback or gift cards at the rate of 1 cent per point.
But where the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card really shines is when you become a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member. You can apply for the Preferred Rewards program by opening a qualifying checking or investment account. Asset holders in qualifying Bank of America or Merrill accounts can earn 25-75% more points on daily purchases with the Premium Rewards Credit Card.
If you are lucky enough to qualify for the ultimate Platinum Title level in the Preferred Rewards program with the Premium Rewards Credit Card, you can accrue a huge 3.5 points interest for per dollar on dining and travel and 2.62 points per dollar on non-reward spending.
Pretty impressive for a $95 annual fee card.
our reading Bank of America Premium Rewards review.
bottom line
Major issuers like Chase and Amex offer some extremely popular credit cards, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t many others on the market worth considering. Expand your horizons with some cards that don’t attract much attention but could very well be worth your time and consideration.
For Hilton Amex Aspire prices and fees, click This.
For Amex Green rates and fees, click This.
Additional reporting by Ethan Steinberg.
