{"id":191494,"date":"2025-09-05T13:35:40","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T13:35:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/05\/best-credit-cards-4-top-picks-based-on-firsthand-experience-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2025-09-05T13:35:40","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T13:35:40","slug":"best-credit-cards-4-top-picks-based-on-firsthand-experience-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/05\/best-credit-cards-4-top-picks-based-on-firsthand-experience-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"Best credit cards: 4 top picks based on firsthand experience – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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When it comes to credit card options, we’re living in an amazing age. Selection has never been better, with competitive options across a wide range of price points and reward types. Choosing the right credit card for your specific lifestyle and travel goals can make a huge difference in how many rewards you earn and how quickly you earn them. With so many strong contenders out there, it can be tough to narrow down the list to find your best fit.<\/p>\n

To get you started, I’ve rounded up four of my top picks. Any of these cards would be a great addition to your wallet; they’ve all cemented a place in mine.<\/p>\n

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Methodology<\/h2>\n

Picking the best credit card isn’t an exact science. So many factors go into it (your spending habits, preferred rewards and travel goals, to name a few) that it’s impossible to point to a universal “best card.” Instead, I’ve selected a handful with broad appeal thanks to their earning rates, benefits, welcome bonuses and beyond.<\/p>\n

As TPG’s director of points, miles and credit card content, I continuously monitor the card landscape. This is also a crucial part of my personal points and miles strategy, which helped me compile this list based on my firsthand experience with these cards.<\/p>\n

These are the workhorses in my wallet and the products that have helped me amass the points to fly business class to Tahiti, stay in an overwater bungalow in the Maldives and take countless other trips both near and far. If used to their full potential, I’m confident they’ll do the same for you.<\/p>\n

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The best credit cards of September 2025<\/h2>\n

*TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.<\/em><\/p>\n

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Card<\/span><\/th>\nBest for<\/span><\/th>\nWelcome offer<\/span><\/th>\nEarning rates<\/span><\/th>\nAnnual fee<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Bilt Mastercard<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nOverall<\/span><\/td>\nN\/A.<\/span><\/td>\n\n$0 (see<\/span> rates and fees<\/a>)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nBeginners<\/span><\/td>\nEarn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account<\/span> opening.<\/td>\n\n
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  • Earn 5 points per dollar spent on travel purchased through Chase Travel\u2120.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart\u00ae, Target\u00ae and wholesale clubs).<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Earn 2 points per dollar spent on other travel purchases.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$95<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The Platinum Card from American Express<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nLuxury perks<\/span><\/td>\nFind out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.<\/span><\/td>\n\n
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  • Earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel\u00ae (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Earn 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$695 (see<\/span> rates and fees<\/a>)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nHotel rewards<\/span><\/td>\nEarn 150,000 points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.<\/span><\/td>\n\n
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  • Earn 14 points per dollar spent on eligible<\/span>\u00a0purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Earn 7 points per dollar spent on select travel, i<\/span>ncluding flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com and car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Earn 7 points per dollar spent on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Earn 3 points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$550 (see rates and fees<\/a>)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Best overall credit card: Bilt Mastercard<\/h3>\n
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THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If there’s one card I refuse to part with, it’s the Bilt Mastercard. While it’s best known for its ability to earn points on rent (a feature I absolutely love as a renter), I’d argue it’s a worthwhile pickup for anyone thanks to its strong earning rates and unbeatable list of transfer partners. It doesn’t come with a welcome offer, but it also lacks an annual fee, so any way you slice it, you’ll come out ahead by adding this card to your wallet.<\/p>\n

Why we love it<\/h4>\n
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Firsthand experience<\/h4>\n

After initially reserving the Bilt card for my rent payments, I moved much of my other spending over once I realized how valuable Bilt Rewards Points can be. I’ve transferred them to top-tier airline and hotel partners like Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards<\/a>, United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt, and leveraged Bilt’s frequent and lucrative transfer bonuses, which have reached as high as 100%. Another plus: Bilt points appear in your account as soon as you make a charge. This unique feature helped me snag limited award space on a cross-country flight last summer before it disappeared.<\/p>\n

For more, check out our review of the Bilt Mastercard<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Apply here:<\/strong> Bilt Mastercard<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Best credit card for beginners: Chase Sapphire Preferred<\/h3>\n
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THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you’re looking for your first credit card or still getting acquainted with travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred<\/a><\/span> is an excellent place to start. It’s a great go-to for earning bonus points in popular spending categories, and considering its relatively low annual fee, it packs some seriously valuable perks. By nabbing the card’s current welcome offer, you’ll be well on your way to your first redemption with a great base to start growing your balance of Ultimate Rewards points, a highly valuable and transferable reward currency.<\/p>\n

Why we love it<\/h4>\n

Firsthand experience<\/h4>\n

My personal favorite perk on the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the 3 points per dollar it earns on online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs). I’m a huge advocate for online grocery shopping<\/a>, and putting that weekly expense on my Sapphire Preferred helps me accrue points quickly. One of my favorite ways to use them is to transfer them to World of Hyatt. Whether I’m booking a no-frills Hyatt Place to cheaply travel to a concert or a high-end international Park Hyatt or Andaz as the centerpiece of a big trip, I’ve found tons of value in using my points this way. I’ve also made great use of the primary rental car coverage when renting cars in Ireland, Scotland and the Azores.<\/p>\n

For more, check out our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Apply here:<\/strong> Chase Sapphire Preferred<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Best card for luxury perks: The Platinum Card from American Express<\/h3>\n
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\"Amex<\/div>
THE POINTS GUY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For a premium card experience, it’s hard to top the Amex Platinum. It comes loaded with benefits and statement credits to add a touch of luxury to your travel experience, including Gold status with both Hilton Honors<\/a> and Marriott Bonvoy<\/a> (Enrollment is required), airline fee credits, and plentiful lounge access<\/a>. But the Amex Platinum also comes with plenty of perks you can use even when you’re not traveling; think statement credits for transit charges, shopping and entertainment<\/a>, plus shopping benefits and protections.<\/p>\n

Why we love it<\/h4>\n