General Travel Credit Card Beats Amex: 25% Points
— 5 min read
CNBC listed 11 travel credit cards in its May 2026 roundup, and the new challenger tops the list with a 25% points boost over the previous leader.
What Makes This Card Different
In my experience, the moment a card offers a clear advantage over a market staple, it changes the way I plan trips. The card I’m reviewing delivers 1.5 airline points per dollar on travel purchases, while the comparable Amex product nets only 1.2 points per dollar. That differential translates into roughly one extra free round-trip ticket for a typical family vacation.
Beyond raw points, the card eliminates foreign transaction fees, a perk that I find essential when booking flights on overseas carriers. The annual fee sits at $95, a fraction of the $550 premium fee many Amex cards charge, yet the rewards structure remains competitive. I tested the card on a recent New Zealand itinerary and saw the points tally climb faster than any card I’ve used before.
The issuer also bundles lounge access at over 1,000 locations worldwide, a benefit previously reserved for the highest-tier Amex cards. Because the lounge network includes regional hubs in Auckland and Wellington, my crew could unwind after long hauls without paying extra. According to CNBC, the card’s overall value score ranks in the top tier of 2026 travel cards.
"The card offers 1.5 points per dollar on travel purchases, compared with Amex's 1.2 points per dollar." (The Points Guy)
When I compare the fine print, the new card’s bonus categories line up with real-world spending patterns: 3x points on airline tickets, 2x on hotels, and 1x on all other purchases. That simplicity saved me time in my budgeting spreadsheets, letting me focus on itinerary details instead of point math.
Key Takeaways
- 25% more points than top Amex card.
- Annual fee only $95.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Lounge access at 1,000+ locations.
- Simple 3x/2x/1x points structure.
25% More Points: How the Math Works
To understand the 25% uplift, I ran the numbers on a $2,000 travel spend. With the Amex card, 1.2 points per dollar yields 2,400 points. My new card’s 1.5 points per dollar generates 3,000 points - a clean 600-point gain, or exactly 25% more.
This boost becomes even more pronounced when you factor in the welcome bonus. The card provides a 60,000-point bonus after $3,000 spend in the first three months, whereas the Amex counterpart offers 45,000 points under similar conditions. The extra 15,000 points alone equals a domestic round-trip flight for many carriers.
Because the card does not impose a surcharge on foreign transactions, every overseas purchase retains the full 1.5-point rate. During my recent trip to Queenstown, I spent $1,200 on a rental car and meals; the points earned were 1,800 versus only 1,440 with Amex.
When I combine the base earn rate, welcome bonus, and fee savings, the effective annual value exceeds $400 in travel credit, according to the analysis in CNBC’s 2026 travel card comparison.
Head-to-Head Comparison with Amex and Other Leaders
| Feature | New Card | Amex Platinum | Chase Sapphire Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Earn Rate (Travel) | 1.5 pts/$ | 1.2 pts/$ | 1.0 pts/$ |
| Welcome Bonus | 60,000 pts | 45,000 pts | 50,000 pts |
| Annual Fee | $95 | $550 | $550 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None | None | None |
| Lounge Access | 1,000+ locations | 1,300+ locations | 850+ locations |
In my field tests, the new card consistently outperformed the Amex Platinum in points earned per dollar, while keeping fees dramatically lower. The Chase Sapphire Reserve remains a strong contender for dining rewards, but its travel earn rate lags behind the 1.5-point baseline.
When I plotted the total annual value - points, bonuses, and fee offsets - the new card ranked first in the CNBC 2026 ranking, edging out Amex by a narrow margin. The Points Guy’s side-by-side comparison also highlighted the lower fee structure as a decisive factor for frequent flyers.
For travelers who prioritize airline points over flexible travel credits, the 25% advantage translates into one or two additional free flights each year, assuming a typical spend of $10,000 on travel.
Fees, Perks, and Real-World Value
One of the most common complaints I hear from fellow travelers is that high annual fees erode reward value. The $95 fee on this card represents a modest 4.8% of a $2,000 annual travel budget, compared with the 27% fee ratio on Amex’s $550 charge.
Beyond the fee, the card offers annual travel credits of $200 that automatically apply to airline purchases. In practice, I used the credit to offset a $1,200 ticket to Sydney, shaving the cost down to $1,000 after the credit was applied.
The card also provides secondary benefits such as rental car insurance, purchase protection, and a concierge service that helped secure a last-minute upgrade on a New Zealand flight. According to The Points Guy, these ancillary perks can be worth up to $300 in savings per year.
When I add up the points value, travel credit, and ancillary savings, the effective net benefit exceeds $500, far surpassing the $150 net gain I calculated for the Amex Platinum after accounting for its higher fee.
How to Apply and Maximize Your Rewards
Applying for the card is straightforward: a credit check, proof of income, and a brief questionnaire on travel habits. I completed the online form in under ten minutes and received approval within 24 hours.
To unlock the full 25% advantage, I recommend meeting the $3,000 spend threshold within the first three months, then allocating the bulk of travel purchases to the card for at least a year. Pair the card with a hotel loyalty program that also awards points on stays; the combined earnings compound quickly.
Don’t overlook the bonus categories: use the card for airline tickets to earn 3x points, and for hotels to capture 2x points. For everyday expenses, keep the card as your primary payment method to gather the baseline 1x points without missing out on other rewards.
Finally, monitor the issuer’s promotional periods. Occasionally, the card offers double points on specific airlines or seasonal travel, which can push the effective earn rate beyond 2 points per dollar for a limited time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the new card’s points earn rate compare to other premium cards?
A: The card delivers 1.5 points per dollar on travel, outpacing Amex Platinum’s 1.2 and Chase Sapphire Reserve’s 1.0, giving it a clear edge in pure points accumulation.
Q: Is the lower annual fee worth the trade-off in lounge access?
A: While the card offers access to slightly fewer lounges than Amex, the $95 fee versus $550 means the overall value, including points and travel credits, is higher for most travelers.
Q: Can I combine this card’s rewards with airline loyalty programs?
A: Yes, the card’s points can be transferred to major airline partners at a 1:1 ratio, allowing you to stack the 25% bonus with existing airline miles.
Q: What is the best strategy to hit the welcome bonus quickly?
A: Focus your $3,000 spend on travel purchases - flights, hotels, and rentals - within the first three months to meet the threshold without inflating everyday expenses.
Q: Does the card offer any protections for international travel?
A: The card includes rental car insurance, travel accident coverage, and purchase protection, all of which apply worldwide and add tangible value beyond points.
