I love the Caribbean, and have been lucky enough to travel to many of its beautiful island countries. But when I married into a family from Boston, I learned that one island lives rent-free in the minds of Bostononians: Aruba.

Having not been there myself (much to the disappointment of my loved ones up north), I jumped at the chance to finally see it for myself. More specifically, I made the journey to be amongst the first to stay at The Westerly at Hilton Aruba. A hotel-within-a-hotel, The Westerly is a chic new boutique tower within the popular beachfront Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino.

Here's a quick rundown of the new tower, alongside some helpful information about the beachfront resort as a whole.

Related: Best all-inclusives in Aruba for a perfect Caribbean vacation

What is The Westerly?

The Westerly is a new-build, boutique-style hotel tower with 161 rooms at the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino. Named after Aruba's east-to-west winds, the tower was created to offer an upscale, design-forward stay that feels more exclusive and elevated than your standard stay at the Hilton Aruba. The exclusivity includes a private check-in area, swim-up room offerings, in-room wellness kits and access to an adults-only rooftop experience called Terrace on 10.

Guests at The Westerly can also take full advantage of the resort's expansive grounds and beach, various restaurants, a spa, an on-site casino, a fitness center and more.

What are the rooms like at The Westerly?

The entire vibe of The Westerly, from my lens, is Caribbean cool — and the large rooms are no exception. The rooms are infused with tropical blues, sandy hues, natural woods and whimsical, cool-toned patterns that reflect the beach and ocean just steps away.

The room featured a large, padded headboard with built-in USB-C chargers (modern!) and reading lights. The bed was ultra plush and comfortable.

There was a Lavazza machine for coffee, a well-stocked minibar and a large TV on the wall.

The room came with a nice welcome kit and some fun wellness-centered amenities like sunscreen and after-sun lotion, a passport case and a beach bag. There was also an incredible sleep mask from Drowsy that wrapped around my entire head and a sleep spray that helped me crash.

I particularly loved the large bathroom for its great lighting, incredible shower pressure and the local Aruba Aloe soaps, shampoos and lotions that smelled amazing.

And to round it out, a large balcony with a chair and table (ideal for remote work while enjoying the sunshine) and a couch and coffee table looked out over the pools, beach and crystalline ocean.

Eating and drinking at The Westerly

The Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino has a number of restaurants and bars to enjoy, including a massive breakfast spread at the Laguna buffet. Laguna was a bit crowded in the morning, but the service was fast and efficient. Sunset Grille, the recently upgraded steakhouse, serves something for everyone, including mouthwatering steaks, delicious fish, and a large menu of apps and desserts. If you like a G&T, be sure to have one custom-made for you from the roving gin and tonic cart.

And at Shore Club, grab a drink and munch on a beach-friendly menu (with beach views) of sushi, salads, wraps, burgers, tacos and quesadillas. The Korean beef tacos were the food highlight of my entire stay. Drinks with a view are also available at Shore Club rooftop, where folks can mingle around firepits looking out at the water.

Other options include the casual Sunset Bar, Oscar's Market for coffee or grab-and-go snacks, in-room dining, and pool and beach service.

Guests at The Westerly can add paid access to the adults-only, club-like Terrace on 10, an indoor-outdoor space with ocean views, wellness programming, a bar, and locally inspired cuisine available throughout the day.

What else is there to do around The Westerly?

Whether you're staying at The Westerly or in the other Hilton Aruba buildings, you won't get bored. I mostly spent my downtime at the property, bouncing around between the large pool complex and shady beach palapas that can be reserved at the central activities hut.

At the hut, the day's activity calendar is on display, and you can reserve spots to kayak out in the ocean, take a fitness or wellness classes, and even rent bikes. There's also a Las Vegas-style casino with machine and table games to try your luck, and the Eforea spa for a treatment to help you destress after a night of gambling, or after hours spent in the sun.

Just across the street, there is also plenty of fun shopping, eating and dining opportunities, including outposts of vacation hotspots like Fat Tuesday and Senor Frogs. You'll also find cultural and nature activities like the Bubali Bird Sanctuary and The Butterfly Farm.

How much does it cost to stay at The Westerly?

Cash rates at The Westerly start at $612 per night. Hilton Honors members can book with points. At the time of writing, the property only listed Premium Room Rewards starting from 262,000 points per night. Note that the resort also charges a $79 resort fee per night.

Bottom line

My quick trip to Aruba made me realize why people love it so much: the sand is unbelievably soft, the ocean is breathtakingly blue and there's plenty to do and see. Not to mention the island country sits outside of the Atlantic hurricane belt.

But my stay was made even better by my luxe experience at The Westerly, which felt like a chic oasis slightly away from the rest of the resort. From the room's fresh design and spaciousness to my balcony views, I simply loved it. I don't love the points pricing, however, but I hope to see some non-premium pricing in the future so those Westerly winds can blow me right back to Aruba.

Related reading:

• 8 amazing places to use points for a trip to the Caribbean
• The 12 best secret beaches in the Caribbean
• These are the hotel openings TPG is most excited for in 2026

I never wanted to gate-check my carry-on in the first place.

On a recent Austrian Airlines flight from Valencia, Spain, to Vienna, I was asked to gate-check my carry-on bag. I'd traveled with the same bag many times before, but its dimensions slightly exceeded Austrian's published limits, a reminder that many European airlines enforce carry-on rules more strictly than I've become accustomed to.

It seemed like a minor inconvenience at the time. Instead, it meant spending three days of my five-night trip to Vienna for the Eurovision Song Contest without most of the clothes I'd packed.

When I arrived at baggage claim, I watched the carousel empty until I was the only passenger left waiting. I had an AirTag inside my bag, and, for a moment, I convinced myself it simply hadn't updated its location. But when I opened Apple's Find My app, it was still showing a live location in Valencia.

Fortunately, I'd booked the flight with my Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees). That meant I had baggage delay insurance, one of the travel protections I value most. Between Austrian Airlines' and the Sapphire Reserve's baggage delay reimbursements, I recovered every dollar I spent (and actually came out about $25 ahead).

Here's how it all played out — and what I'd do again if my luggage was ever delayed.

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve insurance benefits — which is better?

When my bag got stranded in Spain

Upon arrival in Vienna, my first stop was Austrian's baggage service area.

I was expecting a long wait and plenty of paperwork. Instead, Vienna Airport (VIE) had self-service kiosks where I could scan my boarding pass, confirm a few details and file a delayed baggage report in less than five minutes. I immediately received my case number by email and also took a photo of it, along with my baggage tag, for my records.

I also uploaded my AirTag tracking link through Austrian's baggage portal. I can't say whether it helped the airline recover my bag any faster, but it certainly gave me peace of mind knowing exactly where it was.

The next thing I did was check Austrian's schedule.

There wasn't another nonstop flight from Valencia to Vienna for another two days. Factoring in baggage handling and hotel delivery, I estimated I'd probably be without my luggage for three days. I ended up being right.

Before buying anything, spend a minute working out how long you'll likely be without your luggage. That made it much easier for me to decide what was reasonable to replace.

Related: Carry-on vs. checked bags: Which is the better choice?

Replacing essentials while waiting for my luggage

Knowing I'd likely be without my bag for three days, I felt comfortable buying a few replacement essentials. I spent $349 across four stores on:

• Two shirts
• Two pairs of pants
• Three pairs of socks
• Three pairs of underwear

I deliberately didn't buy an entirely new wardrobe. Instead, I bought enough clothing to comfortably get through the rest of my trip, including attending Eurovision's Grand Final rehearsals.

Fortunately, I didn't need toiletries, medications or phone chargers because I always pack those in my personal item rather than my larger carry-on. That's a habit I'm especially glad I followed on this trip.

One thing that made both claims much easier was staying organized from the start. I photographed every receipt as soon as I made a purchase, kept my boarding pass and baggage tag, and archived every email related to the baggage delay and reimbursement. Having everything organized in one place made both claims much easier to complete.

Related: What to pack in a carry-on bag every time you travel

Getting reimbursed by the airline

My bag was delivered to my hotel three days after I landed.

Once it arrived, I submitted my receipts to Austrian. Two days later, the airline approved my claim and requested my bank details. The next day, it confirmed the transfer had been initiated. I received the reimbursement six days after submitting my claim.

But the reimbursement wasn't quite what I expected.

Rather than covering the full cost of my replacement clothing, Austrian reimbursed me 179 euros ($205), covering roughly half of what I'd spent. According to the airline's policy, reusable items (such as clothing) are generally reimbursed at 50%, while single-use items (such as toiletries) may be reimbursed at 100%.

I'd previously had delayed baggage with both Lufthansa and Iberia, and in those cases, my purchases were reimbursed in full.

It was a good reminder that airline reimbursement policies vary. If I'd relied solely on Austrian's reimbursement, I would have been out of pocket $170.

Related: EU plans to strengthen passenger rights, compensation rules: What travelers need to know

How Chase's baggage delay insurance covered the rest

Thankfully, I'd paid for the flight with my Sapphire Reserve, which includes baggage delay insurance when eligible travel is purchased with the card.

Because the benefit is secondary coverage, I first had to complete my claim with Austrian before submitting one through Virginia Surety Company (an Assurant company), Chase's benefits administrator.

Six days after opening the claim, I received an email confirming it had been approved. The following day, I logged into the benefits portal, accepted the settlement and confirmed my automated clearing house details, which were already on file from a previous claim. The direct deposit arrived later that day.

Virginia Surety reimbursed me $169, covering the portion Austrian Airlines hadn't. Combined with Austrian's reimbursement of $205, I received $374 (against $349 in purchases), leaving me $25 ahead thanks to exchange rate differences.

How Chase's baggage delay insurance works

My reimbursement came through the Sapphire Reserve, but baggage delay insurance is available on many travel rewards cards.

The Sapphire Reserve benefit reimburses eligible essential purchases when your baggage is delayed by more than six hours, up to $100 per day for a maximum of five days. Covered expenses can include clothing, toiletries and chargers for electronic devices.

A few details are worth knowing before you rely on the benefit:

• Coverage is secondary, so you'll generally need to seek reimbursement from the airline first.
• You don't have to pay the entire fare with your eligible Chase card. Paying just the taxes and fees on an award ticket is generally enough to activate coverage, and trips booked with Chase Ultimate Rewards points also qualify.
• Coverage extends to eligible family members traveling with you.
• The benefit generally applies while you're traveling away from home, not when traveling back home.
• You must notify the benefits administrator within 20 days of the baggage delay and submit the required documentation within 90 days.

It's also worth remembering that not every premium travel card includes baggage delay insurance. For example, while the American Express Platinum Card® offers coverage for lost, stolen and damaged baggage, it doesn't cover essential purchases when your luggage is simply delayed.

If I'd paid for this flight with a card that didn't include baggage delay insurance, I would have had to cover the remaining costs myself.

Related: Your guide to Chase's trip insurance coverage

What I've learned after my third baggage delay claim

After filing three baggage delay claims over the past five years, a few habits have consistently made the process easier:

• Keep your boarding pass and baggage tag.
• File a delayed baggage report before leaving the airport.
• Photograph every receipt immediately after making a purchase.
• Archive emails related to your baggage delay and reimbursement.
• Pay for flights with a credit card that includes baggage delay insurance whenever possible.
• Put a Bluetooth luggage tracker (such as an AirTag) in every bag. It won't necessarily speed up delivery, but it can provide peace of mind and useful information to share with the airline.

One thing I'll pay more attention to going forward is carry-on rules.

European airlines (including full-service carriers) can be much stricter about carry-on dimensions than many U.S. airlines. Even though there was room in the overhead bins on my flight, my slightly oversized carry-on still had to be gate-checked.

If you're traveling outside the U.S., don't assume the same bag you've carried onto dozens of flights domestically will always make it on board with you.

Related: Airline carry-on bag size policies: Everything you need to know

Bottom line

I certainly didn't expect to spend half of my Eurovision trip without most of the clothes I'd packed. But the experience reinforced why baggage delay insurance is one of the most valuable (and underrated) benefits on many travel rewards credit cards.

Keep good records, file your airline claim first and pay for flights with the right credit card. That way, you can turn what feels like a travel nightmare into a relatively straightforward claims process.

Related: Which credit cards cover baggage delays?

Whether you're paying for a wedding, replacing your roof, buying a new laptop or covering an unexpected medical bill, a large purchase can be an opportunity to earn valuable rewards.

The right credit card could help you earn a lucrative welcome bonus, rack up thousands of points or miles, finance your purchase with a 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR) or protect your purchase with valuable insurance benefits.

Before making a large purchase, it's worth taking a few minutes to think about what you want to get out of it.

Here's how to choose the right card — and our picks for the best credit cards for large purchases.

How to choose the best credit card for a large purchase

Not every large purchase belongs on the same credit card. The best option depends on both the purchase itself and your financial goals.

Before you swipe your card, ask yourself these four questions:

Are you trying to earn a welcome bonus?

If you're planning to spend several thousand dollars anyway, it may be the perfect opportunity to open a new credit card and meet its minimum spending requirement. Many of the best travel rewards cards offer welcome bonuses worth hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars in travel when you meet the spending requirement within the first few months of account opening.

Related: What is a credit card welcome offer?

Do you need time to pay off the purchase?

If you won't be able to pay your balance in full when your statement closes, a card with a 0% introductory APR may save you far more than you'd earn in rewards. Just be sure to have a plan to pay off the balance before the promotional period ends.

If you can pay your balance in full, you'll generally come out ahead by choosing a card with the best rewards or welcome bonus instead of prioritizing a 0% APR offer.

Will purchase protection matter?

For expensive electronics, appliances, jewelry or other valuable items, purchase protection and extended warranty coverage can provide valuable peace of mind. Depending on the card, these benefits may cover eligible purchases against theft or accidental damage for a limited time or extend the manufacturer's warranty.

Does the purchase earn bonus rewards?

Some purchases earn bonus rewards, while others don't. If your purchase won't earn elevated rewards, a card with a strong flat earning rate is often your best bet.

Once you've answered those questions, choosing the right card becomes much easier.

Related: How to track your progress toward a credit card welcome bonus

The best cards for large purchases

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card — Best overall
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) — Best for financing a large purchase
• Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) — Best for earning cash back
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express — Best for business spending over $5,000
• Ink Business Premier® Credit Card (see rates and fees) — Best for business cash back
• American Express® Gold Card — Best for purchase protection
• Capital One Venture X Business — Best for business travel purchases

*Welcome offer value is calculated based on TPG's July 2026 valuations and is not provided by the issuer.

Card details for the best cards for large purchases

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best overall

Annual fee: $95

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Why it's great for large purchases: You'll earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent across all purchases.

Many large purchases, such as wedding expenses or home renovation costs, may not fit in a traditional bonus category, so a flat-rate card that earns across all categories can be a great option.

Plus, this is an excellent card for everyday spending in the long term once you've taken care of your large purchases. You can redeem miles at a fixed value as a statement credit for eligible travel purchases, or you can use Capital One's 15-plus transfer partners to maximize redemption value.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards.

Learn more: Capital One Venture

Chase Freedom Unlimited: Best for financing a large purchase

Annual fee: $0

Welcome offer: Earn $200 bonus cash back after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Why it's great for large purchases: You'll get at least 1.5% back, (or 1.5 points per dollar) on purchases. If you also have an eligible Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), you can transfer your rewards to Chase's 14 partners.

But beyond this welcome offer, Chase Freedom Unlimited's great introductory APR period sets it apart from other flat-rate cards. While we always recommend paying off your credit cards in full each month, an introductory APR period (when used responsibly) can help you finance a larger purchase over time.

You'll be subject to an APR between 18.24%–27.74% after your 15-month 0% introductory period ends.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Freedom Unlimited.

Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited

Citi Double Cash Card: Best for earning cash back

Annual fee: $0

Welcome offer: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening.

Why it's great for large purchases: If you'd rather earn cash back than travel rewards, it doesn't get much better than the Citi Double Cash. You'll earn 2% back on every purchase — 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay off your card.

It's a flat-rate card, meaning you don't have to worry about many bonus categories. You'll get at least 2% back (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay your bill), no matter the merchant. Plus, you'll earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel portal.

However, if you do want to use your rewards for travel (and you also have a card that's part of the ThankYou program), you can convert your cash-back rewards into Citi ThankYou points.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi Double Cash.

Apply here: Citi Double Cash

The Business Platinum Card from American Express: Best for business spending over $5,000

Annual fee: $895

Welcome offer: Find out your offer and see if you're eligible for as high as 300,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Why it's great for large purchases: The Amex Business Platinum is great for larger purchases for multiple reasons. A large purchase could help you hit the high spending requirement for its welcome bonus, which is worth up to $6,000 according to TPG's July 2026 valuations.

Additionally, the Amex Business Platinum offers 2 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar spent).

This means that, per our valuations, you'll essentially get a 4% return in the form of valuable Membership Rewards points. Finally, the card also offers extended warranty* and purchase protection*, which can provide peace of mind when you're purchasing large-ticket items.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Business Platinum.

Apply here: Amex Business Platinum

Ink Business Premier: Best for business cash back

Annual fee: $195

Welcome offer: Earn $1,000 cash back after spending $10,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Why it's great for large purchases: The Ink Business Premier is intended for business owners with large operating expenses. As such, the card offers 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and 2% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

The best part is that there's uncapped potential for earning rewards, so the more you spend, the more rewards you'll accrue. The downside is that cash back earned on this card cannot be transferred to any Chase Ultimate Rewards point-earning credit card.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Ink Business Premier.

Apply here: Ink Business Premier

American Express Gold Card: Best for purchase protection

Annual fee: $325

Welcome offer: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus 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.

Why it's great for large purchases: While the Amex Gold doesn't offer bonus rewards for large purchases, it does offer up to $10,000 in purchase protection per covered incident, including accidental damage and loss.

American Express makes it easy to determine the level of protection available on your card. Just go to the American Express website, select the type of protection you're interested in, and then click on your card.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Note that most of these policies limit the coverage provided for natural disasters, and you can't use the benefit on purchases of permanent household fixtures (like carpet or tile). But if your upcoming large purchase is for an eligible item that could be lost or damaged, the Amex Gold can be a lifesaver.

And even without a bonus category for large purchases, you still earn 1 point per dollar spent (worth a 2% return based on TPG's valuations) on nonbonus spending.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Gold.

Apply here: Amex Gold Card

Capital One Venture X Business: Best for business travel purchases

Annual fee: $395

Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 bonus miles after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Why it's great for large purchases: You'll earn an impressive 10 miles per dollar spent on hotel and rental cars and 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals when using Capital One Business Travel.

The upside to booking business travel on the card is that Capital One has 15-plus transfer partners, and points earned can be redeemed for award tickets with good-value programs such as Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue and British Airways Club.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Venture X Business.

Learn more: Capital One Venture X Business

Ways to maximize rewards on a large purchase

Of course, there are other ways to use your credit cards to make the most of large purchases.

Use large purchases to earn a welcome offer or welcome bonus

Even if you have a card that doesn't offer bonus points in the category you're planning on making the large purchase in, it can still make sense to use a specific card if you're trying to hit a high spending requirement.

The Amex Business Platinum from our list of best cards for large purchases is one example, as is the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees). With the latter, you can earn 100,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Using the card for a large purchase could help you hit that threshold and earn that stellar bonus, making using it worth it even if you aren't racking up bonus points on the purchase itself.

Using large purchases to hit spending thresholds for extra benefits

Select credit cards offer valuable spending threshold bonuses that reward you for spending large amounts on your card during the year. Some examples include the following:

• Points earned on cobranded Southwest credit cards count toward the Companion Pass, and select cards can even help you earn elite status by awarding tier-qualifying points (TQPs).
• The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers a Medallion Qualification Dollar boost by giving cardholders 2,500 MQDs each Medallion qualification year in addition to 1 MQD for every $10 spent.
• The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card awards cardholders a free night certificate after spending $15,000 in a calendar year, in addition to automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status after spending $40,000 in a calendar year.

Charging a large purchase to a credit card that offers a threshold bonus could help you meet most or all of the spending requirement for the bonus.

Check Amex Offers, Chase Offers and shopping portals for merchant deals

Often overlooked when maximizing earnings are Amex Offers and Chase Offers. These programs provide statement credits or extra points when you add an offer to your card and then make a qualifying purchase. You can view the currently available offers when you log in to your online account.

Offers are usually available from travel, shopping, dining and entertainment merchants, ranging from bonus points to statement credits.

And, of course, you should always check online for potential shopping portal offers if you're making a large purchase with an online retailer. Shopping portals allow you to double-dip rewards alongside credit card bonuses.

Related: The beginner's guide to airline shopping portals

Bottom line

A large purchase is one of the best opportunities to maximize the value of your credit card. Depending on the card you choose, you could earn a valuable welcome bonus, finance the purchase with a 0% introductory APR, receive purchase protection or simply earn thousands of extra points or cash back.

Before making your purchase, compare your options and think beyond the rewards rate alone. In many cases, the right credit card can save you money — or help fund your next trip.

For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.

Rewards cards are frequently rolling out high-value welcome offers. If you're a travel enthusiast like us at TPG, it's likely you're keeping your eyes peeled for standout bonuses.

This month, we've compiled seven of our favorite cards with stellar offers right now. These range from top-tier business cards to cobranded options for your next trip — and you won't want to miss out on the value.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) — Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Plus, there are even more limited-time offers available, so don't stop your search here if none of these currently suit your needs.

Our favorite credit card welcome offers in July 2026

*Welcome offer value is determined using TPG's July 2026 valuations and is not provided or reviewed by the issuer.

Related: Easiest credit card welcome bonuses to earn

Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business

Chase's premium business card offers multiple benefits, including useful statement credits and travel perks.

Welcome offer: Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $30,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening.

Why we love it: TPG editor-in-chief Nick Ewen recently used half of his up to $500 in annual statement credits for The Edit properties for a two-night stay at the Park Hyatt Chicago.

With the recent changes to the World of Hyatt's award chart, the price of Nick's stay in points wasn't the best redemption. However, booking this property via Chase Travel℠ triggered up to $250 in statement credits and counted as a loyalty-eligible stay, helping him requalify for Hyatt Globalist this year.

Note: The Edit statement credit is only eligible on prepaid stays of two nights or more.

Nick said the cherry on top was finding a lower rate directly through Hyatt and successfully using Chase's new price-match feature for select cardholders, which gave him another $50 credit.

To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Reserve for Business.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business

American Express Platinum Card

The Amex Platinum is one of our favorite luxury travel cards thanks to its long list of useful benefits, including airport lounge access and valuable statement credits.

Welcome offer: Find out your offer and see if you're eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $12,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.)

Why we love it: TPG credit cards editor Olivia Mittak finds solid value in the Amex Platinum's benefits. Specifically, Olivia enjoys receiving the up to $155 Walmart+ statement credit per calendar year (up to $12.95 monthly, plus applicable taxes) that covers the cost of a monthly membership when paying with the Amex Platinum (on one membership, subject to auto-renewal; Plus Ups excluded).

Walmart+ includes a complimentary Paramount+ subscription (separate enrollment is required), which allows her to avoid paying out of pocket for the streaming service.

She also uses the card's up to $300 Lululemon statement credit per calendar year at U.S. stores (excluding outlets) and online (allocated as up to $75 per quarter) and up to $400 Resy statement credit per calendar year (distributed as up to $100 per quarter; simply pay with your Amex Platinum at an eligible U.S. Resy restaurant; no reservation is required).

Enrollment is required.

To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Platinum.

Apply here: American Express Platinum Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Sapphire Preferred is an excellent card for many types of travelers, packing in high earning rates and solid benefits for a modest $95 annual fee.

Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Why we love it: I've been a happy Sapphire Preferred cardholder for years, but I'm even more pleased with it now that it includes 3 points per dollar spent on gas and electric vehicle charging, as well as vacation home rentals booked at Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com and Vacasa.

Plus, the card added a new statement credit of up to $120 every four years to cover the application fee for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Nexus, and doubled its hotel credit to $100 each account anniversary for bookings made through Chase Travel. I recently paid just $35 for a night away with the updated credit.

For the $95 annual fee, this card is a no-brainer.

To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase's top-tier travel card provides multiple perks and high earning rates for Chase Ultimate Rewards enthusiasts.

Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Why we love it: TPG partnerships and newsletter editor Emily Thompson's favorite Sapphire Reserve benefit is the card's $300 annual travel credit. When Emily moved across the country earlier this year, she loved knowing that she could use this credit for any hotel she needed to stay in during her road trip.

Emily also used the Sapphire Reserve's up to $300 annual StubHub statement credit (split into two up to $150 biannual credits) to surprise her parents with tickets to see their favorite comedian, Nate Bargatze. (The StubHub/Viagogo statement credit is available through Dec. 31, 2027; one-time activation is required.)

To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Reserve.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

American Express Gold Card

The Amex Gold is one of our favorite credit cards for dining since it earns a stellar 4 points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter.

Welcome offer: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.)

Why we love it: Lyndsey Matthews, TPG's managing editor for points and loyalty programs, easily redeems up to $10 in monthly Uber Cash credits (up to $120 Uber Cash each calendar year)† and up to $10 in monthly dining statement credits (up to $120 per calendar year) with select partners (enrollment is required for both benefits) on her Amex Gold. She said she uses her dining statement credit with Grubhub "without even trying."

Plus, Lyndsey uses the Membership Rewards points earned with the card for solid redemptions. Last year, she booked one business-class flight and one premium economy ticket on Finnair by transferring 106,000 Amex points to British Airways Avios, which she then transferred to Finnair Plus.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Gold.

†Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the Amex Gold as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card. Valid for U.S. Uber and Uber Eats orders.

Apply here: American Express Gold Card

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

The Bonvoy Boundless is a standout hotel credit card for Marriott loyalists who enjoy racking up Marriott Bonvoy points and perks when they stay with the brand.

Welcome offer: Earn 125,000 bonus points and a free night award (valued at up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Additionally, you can receive up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases (through June 30, 2027). (Certain hotels have resort fees.)

Why we love it: TPG lead points and miles writer Katie Genter said there are two benefits on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless that keep it in her wallet long term.

First, earning 15 elite night credits each year helps her requalify for at least Platinum Elite status. Second, she can easily get more value from the free night award she receives on each account anniversary, which helps justify paying the $95 annual fee.

To learn more, read our full review of the Bonvoy Boundless.

Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

Ink Business Cash Credit Card

The Ink Business Cash card earns a fantastic 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year and 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases on dining and gas each account anniversary year.

Welcome offer: Earn $1,000 cash back after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening.

Why we love it: TPG credit cards managing editor Giselle Gomez said she loves this card because it rewards expenses she'd be paying anyway.

Since her internet, cable and family cellphone bills are all on autopay, Giselle earns roughly 2,250 points a month by using this card and transferring its rewards to a card that earns transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

She said the Ink Business Cash is one of the easiest cards for her to justify keeping long term, especially since it doesn't charge an annual fee.

To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Cash.

Apply here: Ink Business Cash Credit Card

Bottom line

These offers can help you boost your transferable points and miles balance or unlock meaningful discounts on your next trip.

As always, be sure to factor in each issuer's unique set of application restrictions and ensure you can meet any spending requirements to earn the bonus.

But with so much value on the table, you won't want to miss out on adding one of these top credit cards (and its bonus) to your wallet.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.