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There are many benefits to traveling as a couple. The most priceless perk is that you have a travel companion to build memories with. The best credit cards for couples make it easier to maximize travel perks that can help you both travel more often and enhance your travel experiences.
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.
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 airline fee credit and airport lounge access (enrollment required)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: $300 annual travel credit
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Receive a Domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of their Card. *Payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- 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 2 miles per $1 that can be redeemed for travel statement credits, book upcoming travel, and transfer to travel programs
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best travel credit cards, period. You earn some of the most valuable credit card points and have flexible travel redemption options.
Enjoy Chase Sapphire benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x points on dining, and 2x points on all other travel purchases, plus more.
Your points are worth 25% more (1.25 cents each) when redeemed for award travel on the Chase travel portal. You can also transfer your points at a 1:1 ratio to airline and hotel partners including Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Emirates, 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 5 new cards to their wallet in the past 24 months.
New Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Member FDIC
Chase Sapphire Reserve
If you like the Chase Sapphire Preferred but want a bit more in regards to 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. Like the Sapphire Preferred, you’ll be able to use the 1:1 hotel and airline transfer partners.
Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Platinum Card From American Express
For premium travel benefits consider The Platinum Card® from American Express as one of the best credit cards for couples.
Travel perks include:
- Complimentary airport lounge access (enrollment required)
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
- Instant Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status (enrollment required)
- 1:1 airline point transfers
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.
Cardholders can get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when they pay with The Platinum Card® from American Express. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
Also, select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card.
Plus, American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
Other Benefits
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 Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
In addition to enjoying TSA PreCheck or Global Entry access, cardholders can also enjoy CLEAR perks. Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®.
Another exciting benefit is the ability for cardholders to get up to $300 back each year in the form of statement credits on an Equinox+ subscription or any Equinox club membership when they pay with their Platinum Card. Enrollment required.
Plus, get up to a $155 annual Walmart+ credit, which covers the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. The cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
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 can be offset with the perks, which are valued at over $1,400.
Welcome Bonus Offer
New The Platinum Card® from American Express cardmembers can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 on purchases on their new Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
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. Upon each card renewal, cardholders receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate. You will need to pay up to $80 in fees and taxes (for itineraries with up to four flight segments), but think of the savings instead of having to pay for another ticket! Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
This is one of the best Delta credit cards.
Other benefits include:
- A first-checked bag is free on Delta flights for you and up to 8 travel companions
- Main Cabin 1 priority boarding
- 20% in-flight purchase savings
There is also a fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
Additionally, cardholders can receive a Domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of their Card. *Payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
Eligible Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class.
Welcome Bonus
New Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases on their new Card in their first 6 months.
With Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card through 12/31/23, up to four times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.
The annual fee for the primary card member is $550, but there are no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees). Each additional Delta Reserve card costs $175, but additional Delta Platinum cards are $0.
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 bonus 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 separately to earn two bonuses, combining your spending power can be more productive.
Related: Best Southwest Credit Cards
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 5 qualifying night credits every year 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 and also one of the best credit cards for couples.
A fun getaway can be a weekend getaway at the MGM Grand or New York-New York in Las Vegas, for instance.
You also get automatic Discoverist loyalty status with benefits including 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.
You also have the opportunity to earn up to 60,000 bonus points as a signup bonus with The World of Hyatt Credit Card. Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent on purchases that earn 1 Bonus Point, up to $15,000, in the first 6 months of account opening.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The best credit card for couples craving simplicity is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. 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 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 cardmember can get a fee credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
The annual fee is $95.
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel, with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Summary of the Best Credit Cards for Couples
The best credit cards for couples run the gambit by making it easy to earn bonus points, complimentary travel benefits when your companion travels with you, and annual companion certificates to book a free flight.
FAQs
What is the best credit card for couples?
The best credit card for couples will usually be a travel rewards card. You see, credit card points are usually most valuable when redeeming for travel instead of cash or gift card rewards.
As there are plenty of top-notch travel credit cards, the best option can depend on your travel habits. Below are some of the first ones to consider:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Up to $200 airline fee credit and airport lounge access (enrollment required)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: $300 annual travel credit
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Receive a Domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of their Card. *Payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- 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 2 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 cardmember. Additional users don’t undergo a credit check to become an authorized user.
Two banks that may still offer joint credit cards are US Bank and PNC Bank. However, you may need to be an active bank customer to qualify for one of their cards.
The standard procedure for couples to be on the same credit card account is that one person is a primary cardmember and the other person is an authorized user.
One person will need to be the primary cardmember. The other person 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 the authorized user can cancel their card and apply for their own primary account. If approved, they will likely qualify for the signup bonus which 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 thing as 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.
As an authorized user, only the primary cardmember has a hard credit pull. Being named an authorized user means you avoid the hard credit check but 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. If negative activity occurs, that will only impact the primary cardmember but the bank won’t report the info for the authorized user.
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.
