Annual Fee

Welcome Bonus

Base Earn Rate

Top Earn Categories

Network

Key Benefits

Pros

• +Access to 9 lounge networks including exclusive Centurion Lounges with 2 guests free
• +$200/year Uber credit plus complimentary Uber One membership ($168 value)
• +$400/year Resy dining credit at select restaurants
• +Automatic Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold status with room upgrades and breakfast
• +5X points on flights booked direct or via Amex Travel

• +$0 intro annual fee first year, then $150—reasonable for the benefits
• +Free first checked bag for cardholder and companion saves up to $160 roundtrip
• +2x miles on United, dining, and hotels—solid everyday earning
• +Up to $530+ in annual credits (United travel, hotels, rideshare, Instacart, JSX)
• +2 United Club one-time passes per year worth $100+

Cons

• −$895 annual fee requires significant credit utilization to break even
• −Many credits require specific merchants (Saks, Equinox, SoulCycle)
• −Only 1X points on non-travel purchases limits everyday earning
• −Secondary car rental coverage unless paying $24.95/rental for primary
• −$195 authorized user fee after first 3 free cards

• −Only 1x miles on non-category spend limits earning potential
• −Best credits require hitting $10K-$20K spend thresholds
• −No United Club membership—just 2 single-use passes
• −Priority boarding is Group 2, not as early as premium cards
• −Miles locked to United MileagePlus with limited transfer flexibility

Annual Fee

Welcome Bonus

Base Earn Rate

Top Earn Categories

Network

Key Benefits

Pros

• +Access to 9 lounge networks including exclusive Centurion Lounges with 2 guests free
• +$200/year Uber credit plus complimentary Uber One membership ($168 value)
• +$400/year Resy dining credit at select restaurants
• +Automatic Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold status with room upgrades and breakfast
• +5X points on flights booked direct or via Amex Travel

• +$0 intro annual fee first year, then $150—reasonable for the benefits
• +Free first checked bag for cardholder and companion saves up to $160 roundtrip
• +2x miles on United, dining, and hotels—solid everyday earning
• +Up to $530+ in annual credits (United travel, hotels, rideshare, Instacart, JSX)
• +2 United Club one-time passes per year worth $100+

Cons

• −$895 annual fee requires significant credit utilization to break even
• −Many credits require specific merchants (Saks, Equinox, SoulCycle)
• −Only 1X points on non-travel purchases limits everyday earning
• −Secondary car rental coverage unless paying $24.95/rental for primary
• −$195 authorized user fee after first 3 free cards

• −Only 1x miles on non-category spend limits earning potential
• −Best credits require hitting $10K-$20K spend thresholds
• −No United Club membership—just 2 single-use passes
• −Priority boarding is Group 2, not as early as premium cards
• −Miles locked to United MileagePlus with limited transfer flexibility

Annual Fee

Welcome Bonus

Base Earn Rate

Top Earn Categories

Network

Key Benefits

Pros

• +Access to 9 lounge networks including exclusive Centurion Lounges with 2 guests free
• +$200/year Uber credit plus complimentary Uber One membership ($168 value)
• +$400/year Resy dining credit at select restaurants
• +Automatic Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold status with room upgrades and breakfast
• +5X points on flights booked direct or via Amex Travel

• +$0 intro annual fee first year, then $150—reasonable for the benefits
• +Free first checked bag for cardholder and companion saves up to $160 roundtrip
• +2x miles on United, dining, and hotels—solid everyday earning
• +Up to $530+ in annual credits (United travel, hotels, rideshare, Instacart, JSX)
• +2 United Club one-time passes per year worth $100+

Cons

• −$895 annual fee requires significant credit utilization to break even
• −Many credits require specific merchants (Saks, Equinox, SoulCycle)
• −Only 1X points on non-travel purchases limits everyday earning
• −Secondary car rental coverage unless paying $24.95/rental for primary
• −$195 authorized user fee after first 3 free cards

• −Only 1x miles on non-category spend limits earning potential
• −Best credits require hitting $10K-$20K spend thresholds
• −No United Club membership—just 2 single-use passes
• −Priority boarding is Group 2, not as early as premium cards
• −Miles locked to United MileagePlus with limited transfer flexibility