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There are many benefits to traveling as a couple. The most priceless perk is having a travel companion with whom to build memories. The best credit cards for couples make it easier to maximize travel perks that can help you travel more often and enhance your travel experiences.
The Best Credit Cards for Couples
Here is a preview of the best credit cards for couples:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Up to $200 annual airline fee credit and airport lounge access (enrollment required)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: $300 annual travel credit
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: 4 Upgraded Bookings per year (when available) and $75 annual Southwest credit, plus the chance to get Southwest Companion Pass®
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Purchases earn at least 2x miles per $1 that can be redeemed for travel statement credits, book upcoming travel, and transfer to travel programs
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The information for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best travel credit cards. It earns some of the most valuable credit card points and offers flexible travel redemption options.
Chase Sapphire benefits include a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x points on dining, and 2x points on all other travel purchases.
When redeemed through Chase Travel, points are worth 25% more (1.25 cents each). You can also transfer your points at a 1:1 ratio to airline and hotel partners, including Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and World of Hyatt.
It has a reasonable $95 annual fee for the primary user. Each additional card is free. Because of the Chase 5/24 rule, your better half can be an authorized user if they have added at least five new cards to their wallet in the past 24 months.
2. Chase Sapphire Reserve
If you like the Chase Sapphire Preferred but want more regarding travel perks, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. It comes with a $300 annual travel credit, a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and Priority Pass airport lounge access. You can use the 1:1 hotel and airline transfer partners like the Sapphire Preferred. Plus, points are worth 50% more (1.50 cents each) with the Reserve.
The annual fee is $550 but can be offset by the perks.
Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Chase Sapphire Preferred
3. The Platinum Card From American Express
For premium travel benefits, the Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best credit cards for couples.
Travel perks include:
- Complimentary airport lounge access (enrollment required)
- After selecting a qualifying airline, get up to $200 in statement credits annually when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the card
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
- Instant Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status (enrollment required)
- Up to $200 back in annual statement credits on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel® when they pay with The Platinum Card® from American Express (requires a minimum two-night stay)
- 1:1 airline point transfers
- Worldwide Centurion® Network lounge access
Cardholders earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, and earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
There’s also a digital entertainment credit, making this card one of the best for streaming services. Cardholders can get up to $20 in statement credits each month when they pay for eligible purchases with the card (enrollment required).
Get the full details and learn more in our in-depth The Platinum Card from American Express review.
The annual fee is $695 (See Rates & Fees), but it can be offset by the perks valued at over $1,400.
4. Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
This airline card is also one of the best credit cards for couples. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is one of the few airline credit cards offering a companion certificate.
Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply.
Other benefits include:
- First-checked bag free on Delta flights for you and up to 8 travel companions
- 20% in-flight purchase savings
- Fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
- 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through Delta (discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or on taxes and fees)
- Up to $200 back annually (as a statement credit) on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings
- Up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on Delta
Cardholders receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on their Card in a calendar year. Plus, receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year.
Welcome Bonus
New Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card cardholders can earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on their new Card in their first 6 months of Card Membership.
The annual fee for the primary card member is $650 and there are no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees).
5. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Here is another airline credit card that is also one of the best credit cards for couples. Of the Southwest credit cards, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card can be the most lavish option.
Cardholders earn unlimited:
- 3x points on Southwest® purchases
- 2x points on local transit and commuting, including rideshares
- 2x points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming purchases
Perhaps the #1 reason to consider applying as a couple is to get the Southwest Companion Pass®, which is one of the best deals for traveling couples. Your companion’s ticket is only the cost of fees and taxes (normally $5.60 each way) when you buy your ticket with cash or points. However, for the standard pass, you need 100 qualifying one-way flights or earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year to earn the pass.
New Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card cardholders can earn 50,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
These additional Southwest travel benefits can enhance your travel experience:
- Annual $75 Southwest travel credit
- 4 Upgraded Bookings per year (when available)
- 7,500 anniversary points for each card renewal
- 25% back on inflight purchases
Although you can try to earn two bonuses separately, combining your spending power can be more productive.
Related: Best Southwest Credit Cards
6. The World of Hyatt Credit Card
The World of Hyatt Credit Card lets you capitalize on one of the best hotel loyalty programs. For starters, you receive one free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort after your cardmember anniversary. You can also earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 during your cardmember anniversary year.
Additionally, you’ll get automatic World of Hyatt Elite status and five qualifying night credits yearly as long as your account is open. Plus, you can earn two qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card. This is one of the best hotel credit cards available. It’s also one of the best credit cards for couples.
A fun weekend getaway can be at the MGM Grand or New York-New York in Las Vegas, for instance.
You also get automatic Discoverist loyalty status. Benefits include waived resort fees on award nights, premium on-property internet, free water bottles, and space-available room upgrades.
Your purchases earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels & 5 Base Points per $1 you can earn as a World of Hyatt member. You can start redeeming your points for award nights at 5,000 points per night.
Bonus
New The World of Hyatt Credit Card cardmembers can earn a signup bonus of up to 65,000 World of Hyatt Bonus Points. Earn the first 35,000 points by spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2x Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earns 1x Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
The annual fee is $95.
7. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is great for couples craving simplicity. All purchases earn 2x miles per $1. However, if you are wanting to earn a few more miles on travel, good news—earn 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
You can redeem your miles for travel statement credits, book upcoming travel, or transfer to leading travel loyalty programs. The primary card member can get a fee credit of up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
New Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card cardholders can earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
The annual fee is $95.
Summary of the Best Credit Cards for Couples
In conclusion, the best credit cards for couples offer a range of benefits, including easy earning of bonus points, complimentary travel benefits when your companion travels with you, and annual companion certificates to book a free flight. Impress your partner the next time you travel when you use your card to enjoy a multitude of perks.
FAQs
What is the best credit card for couples?
The best credit card for couples is usually a travel rewards card. Credit card points are usually most valuable when redeeming for travel instead of cash or gift card rewards.
The best option depends on your travel habits, as plenty of top-notch travel credit cards exist. Below are some of the first ones to consider:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Up to $200 annual airline fee credit and airport lounge access (enrollment required)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: $300 annual travel credit
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: 4 Upgraded Bookings per year (when available) and $75 annual Southwest credit, plus the chance to get Southwest Companion Pass®
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Purchases earn at least 2x miles per $1 that can be redeemed for travel statement credits, book upcoming travel, and transfer to travel programs
Can a couple get a credit card together?
The best credit cards no longer offer joint accounts like a bank savings account. Most banks base their decision on the person applying to be the primary card member. Additional users don’t undergo a credit check to become an authorized user.
One person will need to be the primary card member. The other will need to be added as an authorized user. Being an authorized user means they may not have access to all the additional card benefits, like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits or airport lounge access. Your partner may also have to accompany you to use certain card benefits.
The good news is that authorized users can cancel their cards and apply for their own primary accounts. If approved, they will likely qualify for the signup bonus. A bonus can be well worth the hard credit inquiry.
Is an authorized user the same as a joint account?
No, authorized users for a credit card are not the same as those for a joint account. A joint credit card account means both people are “primary” users, and the payment activity—good and bad—affects their credit score. It also means both people will need to have a hard credit pull.
Only the primary card member has a hard credit pull. Being named an authorized user means you avoid the hard credit check. However, note the account will likely show on your credit report. Most banks will report positive credit activity, which can improve the additional user’s credit report. Additionally, negative activity will only impact the primary card member.
Related Articles:
- Does Capital One Report Authorized Users to Credit Bureaus?
- Best Limited-Time Credit Card Offers
- Credit Cards With Highest Credit Limit
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please click here.
Johnny Jet has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Johnny Jet and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
