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Terms apply to American Express profits and offers. Registration may be required for American Express selection and offers. visit AmericanExpress.com For more information.
Spring is here. That means it’s time to lock up summer travel plans before the most coveted awards flights and hotel nights go away. It is also the perfect season to recharge your points.
Currently, a wave of high value offers are being caught up across the premium card space, with some of the biggest welcome bonuses we’ve seen over the years. From luxurious perks like lounge access, elite status and statement credits to earning potential, these cards are designed to enhance your travel experience while offering serious value.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has all annual fees thanks to a 75,000-mile bonus and profits from rival high-end chase and Amex products. At the gorgeous edge of the spectrum, American Express’s Platinum Card® continues to attract cardholders who want the highest tier benefits, along with an 80,000-point welcome bonus from access to elite hotel status and comprehensive travel protection.
Premium Hotel Cards are also hot. Until April 29, 2025, the Hilton Honors American Express® Card offers the best bonus up to 280,000 Hilton Honors points (terms apply). Meanwhile, until May 14, 2025, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Cards and Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Cards are launching record-breaking offers combined with meaningful perks (such as Platinum Elite status and brilliant card meal credits).
Here are five of the best premium credit cards to apply this spring. One offers top-tier travel perks, status promotions, and some of the best sign-up bonuses available today. For those looking for a card with no annual fees this spring, we have you covered too.
1. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Best: The Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card is perfect for travelers who need premium perks that offset the annual fee, such as lounge access, flexible miles redemptions and important travel credits.
Why now? Capital One expands travel perks, adding an exclusive airport lounge, landing (a boutique lounge like chatter, foodie), and two hotel collections with special benefits.
Welcome offer: After spending $4,000 in the first three months, you earn 75,000 miles.
Annual fee: $395
Key benefits:
- Earn 10 miles per dollar in hotels and car rentals, 5 miles per dollar in flights, vacation rentals booked on one trip, and 2 miles per dollar in all other
- $300 annual travel credits for bookings that pass 10,000 bonus miles per account anniversary and 10,000 annual bonus miles
- Global Entries/TSA Precheck Credits up to $120 per 4 years
- Free access to Capital 1 lounge, landing and priority pass lounge for cardholders and up to 4 certified users (free addition)
- Move miles to 17 airlines and hotel partners for more redemption options
2. Hilton honors the American Express Surge® Card
Best: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card is perfect for anyone looking for additional perks at Hilton Properties. You will also have the opportunity to quickly earn and burn Hotel Points this summer (without paying a large annual fee).
Why now? Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Cards currently have a credit card bonus history with the latest welcome offers. The card also has revenue multipliers in major categories, allowing you to quickly earn points through spending.
Welcome offer: Up to 280,000 points equivalent to 280,000 Hilton Honors points: 130,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first six months; plus Free Night Awards (conditions apply) that can be redeemed for standard night awards up to 150,000 points.
Annual fee: $150 (see fees and fees)
Key benefits:
- Earn 12 points per dollar with Hilton Properties
- Earn 6 points per dollar at US restaurants, US supermarkets and US gas stations
- Earn 4x points per dollar on US online retail purchases
- Earn 3 points per dollar on all other purchases
- Automatic Hilton honors gold status including room upgrades (if available), free Wi-Fi and daily food and beverage credits (up to $50 per day for top tier brands).
- Earn up to $200 each year (up to $50 quarterly statement credits) for eligible purchases made in person with Hilton on your card.
3
Best: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is perfect for Marriott Loyalists who can make the most of their Platinum Elite status, which normally requires 50 nights a year.
Why now? The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card includes automatic Platinum Elite Status and valuable free night awards. The current 185,000 points bonus is the highest ever offered.
Welcome offer: After spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of opening an account, you will earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points.
Annual fee: $650 (see fees and fees)
Key benefits:
- Earn 6 points per dollar with Marriott Bonvoy Properties
- Earn 3 points per dollar on direct booked flights with restaurants and airlines around the world
- Earn 2 points per dollar on all other purchases
- Up to $300 ($25/month) in annual dining statement credit
- Global Entries/TSA Precheck Credits up to $120 per 4 years
- Free Priority Pass Selection Membership (Registration required)
- Platinum Elite Status and 25 Elite Night Credits Every year
- Free night awards every year after card renewal (up to 85,000 points)
4. Platinum Card® from American Express
Best: American Express’s PlatinumCard® is perfect for those who value luxury perks, including premium airport lounge access, elite hotel status, and comprehensive travel benefits that justify annual fees.
Why now? Take advantage of strong welcome offers and lucrative credits.
Welcome offer: After spending $8,000 in the first six months, earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points.
Annual fee: $695 (see fees and fees)
Key benefits:
- Earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels through flights booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000/year) and Amex Travel. 1 point per dollar for other purchases
- Over $1,400 per year credits, including:
- $200 Airline Contingent Fee Credit
- Luxury Hotel + $200 credit for reservations for resorts and hotel collections
- $200 uber/ubereats credit (credits will automatically be added to your Uber account as monthly credits of $15 per $15 in December if linked to a Platinum Card. You will need to download the latest version of the uber app and your AMEX card must be chosen as your payment method.
- $240 digital entertainment credits (Hulu, Disney+, etc.)
- $100 Sachs Fifth Avenue Credit (split every six months for $50)
- $300 Equinox Gym Membership Credit and $155 Walmart+Membership Credit
- Global Entries/TSA Precheck Credits up to $120 per 4 years
- Best-in-class lounge access including Centurion Lounge, Priority Passes and more
- Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy (Extended to Certified Users)
- Points to relocating to 21 airlines and hotel partners
5. Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
Best: The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express card is perfect for travelers who want to quickly win a hotel award night.
Why now? When the card was released in 2022, it debuted with a bonus of 125,000 points. This was raised to an all-time high of 155,000 points in a limited time.
Welcome offer: After spending $5,000 in the first six months, you earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points.
Annual fee: $250 (see fees and fees)
Key benefits:
- Earn 6 points per dollar at Marriott Bonboy Hotel
- Earn 4 points per dollar at restaurants around the world and supermarkets in the US (up to $15,000 for total purchases per year. This changes to 2 points per dollar after reaching the spending cap)
- Earn 2 points per dollar on all other purchases
- Automatic Gold Elite Status
- After spending $15,000 in a calendar year, you will win the Free Night Award (up to 50,000 points)
AFAR is a partner with CreditCards.com and may receive fees from the card issuer. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Compensation can affect the way you present your offer. Our reporting is independent and objective, and none of these entities have been reviewed, approved or approved. The opinions expressed here are entirely from the AFAR editorial team.
Terms apply to American Express profits and offers. Registration may be required for American Express selection and offers. visit AmericanExpress.com For more information.
