Best Credit Card Setups: Which Points are Best for You?
Overwhelmed by all the different credit cards and points systems out there? Here’s our simplified guide to help you find the best setup for you, depending on how you value competing priorities like power vs. simplicity in earning and redeeming, how much effort it takes to manage your credit card(s), and perks like lounge access.
On this page, we break down the six big transferable points along with their biggest airline transfer partner: Bilt (Atmos), Amex (Delta), Citi (American), Chase (United), and Wells Fargo and Capital One (no major airline partner).
Spoiler alert: we love the incredible simplicity of a Capital One setup, but can’t resist the greater earning and redeeming power of the Bilt/Atmos ecosystem.
Here is the quick start guide to help you find the best program for your goals:
Peak Lazy: Capital One
Lazy take
If you want to set it and (mostly) forget it, this is your best option.
Who this is for
Anyone who values simplicity.
The setup
A Capital One Venture X is all you need. Optionally, add a Savor for more rewards on dining.
Highlights
2x on all everyday purchases; more when booking travel via Capital One
$395 fee but a $300 annual travel credit plus 10,000 points on renewal
“Erase” travel purchases with points for 1¢ each
Priority Pass + outstanding Capital One-branded lounges
Top-shelf purchase and travel protections
Wide range of transfer partners with some upside
Tradeoffs
Solid but underwhelming points value
No go-to transfer partner or obvious easy, high-value redemption option
No guest lounge access included for free
Lower-Fee Options
Modest Fee: Venture Rewards ($95, ⭐⭐)
No-fee: Savor (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
Maximum Value: Bilt/Atmos
Lazy take
Bilt and Alaska offer the best pathway to turn moderate spending into lots of travel, but only if you can invest some time into learning the nuances of the programs.
Who this is for
Those willing to put in a little effort to supercharge their rewards.
The setup
A Bilt Palladium or Atmos Summit… or both.
Highlights
Earn 3x+ on every purchase with a Bilt Palladium with the right setup
Bilt is the only major points currency with a permanent redemption bonus
Bilt has the best transfer partners
Atmos Rewards offers predictable deals and recurring points sales
Easiest pathway to airline elite status using award flights
Valuable big spend bonuses on the Summit and Palladium
Priority Pass comes with guest access
Tradeoffs
Bilt’s complex rewards system has two different currencies and can be difficult to master
Bilt lacks its own lounges and Alaska’s lounge network is limited
The Palladium’s hotel credits can be difficult to redeem, while the Summit’s companion award discount may not be valuable to solo travelers
Lower-Fee Options
Modest Fee: Obsidian ($95, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐), Atmos Ascent ($95, ⭐⭐)
No-fee: Blue (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
Travel Deals and Elite Perks: American Express/Delta
Lazy take
A great way to turn couponing into cheap flights and luxury perks.
Who this is for
Anyone who wants to turn their meals out into international travel (I speak from experience) and those willing to spend the time using a “coupon book” full of statement credits to unlock powerful travel perks.
The setup
Some combination of: an Amex Gold (for 4x on dining and groceries), a Delta co-brand card (for 15% off SkyMiles awards), and an Amex Platinum (for lounge access and hotel elite status).
Highlights
Hugely discounted award flights—cross an ocean for under 35k points
Powerful 4x on dining and groceries with the Gold card
Enough statement credits to earn back the cost of the annual fee—or more
Perks like Centurion and Delta lounge access and hotel elite status with the Platinum
Tradeoffs
Amex offers few simple redemption options
Delta pricing is variable, and award costs can be eyewatering when they’re not on sale
Amex passes on small excise taxes on point transfers to Delta
High fees upfront, often dozens of (small) credits to slowly recoup those costs
Only issuer on the list without a card earning more than 1x on everyday purchases
Only issuer to pass on taxes on points transfers to domestic airlines, slightly dampening value to star partner Delta
Lower-Fee Options
Modest Fee: Green Card ($150, ⭐)
No-fee: n/a
For the High Spender: Chase/United
Lazy take
A somewhat complex ecosystem with limited upside for casual users with moderate incomes, but special opportunities with very high spending.
Who this is for
Big spenders.
The setup
Chase Sapphire Reserve, plus maybe a United credit card.
Highlights
4x on flights and hotels, 3x on dining, 8x on travel through Chase
Incredible perks after spending $75k in a calendar year, like elite status and travel credits
Solid award pricing and available on United Polaris business class if you have a United card
Easy redemption option: redeem Chase points for a statement credit at 1¢ each
Add more Chase cards for additional spending category bonuses
Tradeoffs
Statement credits skew toward luxury purchases
Limited options for economy redemptions
United reserves the best redemptions for those with a co-branded credit card and their expensive-to-unlock elite status
Lower-Fee Options
Modest Fee: Sapphire Preferred ($95, ⭐⭐⭐), United Explorer ($150, ⭐⭐)
No-fee: Chase Freedom Unlimited (⭐⭐⭐⭐), Freedom Flex (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
For the Road Tripper: Wells Fargo
Lazy take
Wells Fargo lacks high-quality options for flights, but offers the best options for low-cost hotels.
Who this is for
Road-trippers and those who prioritize low-cost hotel redemptions over flights or upscale options.
The setup
A no-fee Autograph.
Highlights
3x on dining, groceries, gas, transit, streaming, and phone plans
1:2 transfer ratio to Choice and Wyndham hotels, making it possible to book many hotels as low as ~4,000 Wells Fargo points per night
Tradeoffs
No upscale card option with offerings like lounge access
Relatively few airline partners, and no reliable option for economy flights at value
Other Options
Modest Fee: Autograph Journey ($95, ⭐⭐⭐)
Best Balance: Citi/American
Lazy take
Goldilocks option. The best overall balance between relative simplicity and powerful earning and rewards.
Who this is for
Someone who wants more powerful rewards than Chase or Capital One but less complexity than Amex or Bilt—all in one card.
The setup
The Citi Strata Elite.
Highlights
Earn 3x on dining, 1.5x on everyday purchases, plus bonus points with Citi Travel
Only two major credits to use each year
Transfer partner AA offers great value
Tons of cards that can earn more bonus Citi or AA points if you want to maximize
Tradeoffs
The two main credits don’t fully cover the cost of the card
Flash sales on AA awards are relatively rare
No Citi-branded lounges
Lower-Fee Options
Modest Fee: Strata Premier ($95, ⭐⭐⭐), AA Platinum Select ($99, ⭐⭐)
No-fee: Custom Cash (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐), Double Cash (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐), Strata (⭐⭐⭐⭐)
Lazy Take 🦥
Each points ecosystem has something to offer:
Capital One for simplicity
Bilt/Atmos for value
Amex/Delta for international flight deals
Chase/United for luxury rewards with high spend
Wells Fargo for value hotel deals
Citi/AA for a balance of each
I’m willing to trade a little effort for supercharged rewards, so I’m a Bilt/Atmos devotee, but you can find lazy rewards in any ecosystem—and there’s no rule that says you can’t mix and match!
The best time to get these cards is when they have special bonus offers. We track them in our weekly newsletter.