Welcome to the Points Pro, where I answer your credit cards and travel rewards questions each week. If you have a question you'd like answered, you can submit it here.
This week, CNBC senior production manager Kathy asks:
I am wondering which credit cards work best for a moderate traveling couple. We want to travel to Europe and Florida each year, and our expenses will be at least $2,000 to $3,000 per year or more. Also, I hate booking flights, and I like the idea of using booking services. (Note: This question has been edited for clarity and brevity.)
Kathy has a brokerage account with UBS and recently saw an offer to earn 125,000 points after opening a UBS Visa Infinite Card and spending $6,000 in the first three months. She wants to know how that offer compares to the top-tier American Express and Chase cards.
Let's compare a few premium credit cards to see what makes the most sense for Kathy's situation.
Amex vs. Chase vs. UBS premium credit cards
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) and American Express Platinum Card® are consumer cards that closely compare with the UBS Visa Infinite Card. All feature large welcome bonuses, high annual fees* and luxury benefits, like airport lounge access.
Amex vs. Chase vs. UBS premium card comparison
| UBS Visa Infinite Card | American Express Platinum Card® | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $895* | $795 |
| Welcome bonus | Targeted offer: 125,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first three months. | As high as 175,000 points after spending $12,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership. | 125,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first three months. |
| Transferable rewards | No | Yes | Yes |
| Rewards on travel purchases | 3X points on commercial air travel | 5X points on flights book directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year); 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel; 1X points on all other travel purchases | 4X points on flights and hotels booked directly; 8X points on Chase Travel bookings; 1X points on all other travel purchases |
| Rewards on other purchases | 2X points for eligible groceries, select digital entertainment, newspapers and cable TV; 1X points on all other eligible purchases | 1X points on all other purchases | 3X points on dining; 1X points on all other purchases |
| Annual statement credits' value | $500, plus more after meeting high spending requirements | Over $2,900 | Over $2,000, plus more after meeting high spending requirements |
| Complimentary airport lounge access | Yes, enrollment required | Yes, enrollment required | Yes, enrollment required |
*See Amex Platinum's rates and fees. Terms apply.
UBS Visa Infinite: Simple and yet complicated
The UBS Visa Infinite has a smaller ($650) annual fee than the other cards, and it only features a single $500 annual airline fee credit to manage (unless you spend $25,000 or more on the card each year to earn another credit — more on that later).
A good baseline value for travel rewards is 1 cent per point; if you can get more than that, you're doing well. Typically, the best way to increase the value of your rewards is to transfer them to an airline loyalty program, which isn't an option with the UBS Visa Infinite card. However, you can get outsized value when you use points earned with the UBS Visa Infinite to pay for flights. You can redeem:
- 50,000 points for a flight that costs up to $900
- 25,000 points for a flight that costs up to $350
If you live on the East Coast, it's not unreasonable to book flights to Europe for $900 or Florida for $350. In other words, Kathy might be able to book the round-trip flights she wants for 150,000 points without having to navigate airline loyalty program transfers. However, that's a best-case scenario.
There are caveats that make redeeming UBS points for flights more complicated than it has to be. You must have enough points to cover the entire cost of the flight, and if the flight costs more than $900 or $350, you'll pay 5,000 points for every $50 in additional fare.
Few flights cost exactly $900, $350 or differ in price by $50 increments, so the value you're getting is vague. For example, a $351 or $365 flight requires you to redeem 5,000 to cover that last $1 or $15. You can redeem 5,000 points for up to $50 in statement credits or gift cards, but in this situation, you're required to use that chunk of points for less value.
The UBS Visa Infinite makes sense when...
There's a lot to like about the UBS Visa Infinite Card. It checks all the boxes for what I'd like to see in a luxury credit card and has a top-tier list of shopping and travel protections, which are easy to undervalue. But with a travel credit card, I typically want one of two things: Extreme simplicity, which I'll give up value to get, or extreme value, which I'll deal with complexity to unlock.
The UBS rewards program somehow lands in the middle. Even the card application process is more beleaguered than what you'll deal with at any other major financial institution I'm aware of. You can't apply online and instead have to call or contact your UBS financial advisor.
Personally, I'd only consider the UBS Visa Infinite card if I expected to fully use at least one of its two annual $500 credits. The annual $500 airline fee credit requires you to choose one domestic airline for the benefit, so it only makes sense if you expect to spend $500+ a year on airline fees with a single airline. The other $500 credit requires you to spend $25,000 or more on the card each year to unlock it, and it can be used for Amazon Prime membership fees, dining and airport lounge fees.
Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum: More value, more complications
The Chase Sapphire Reserve ($795 annual fee) and Amex Platinum ($895 annual fee; see rates and fees) are two of the most expensive travel credit cards. But they earn unusually valuable rewards, feature an incredible array of benefits and allow you to redeem points for at least 1 cent each toward airfare booked through their travel portals (Chase TravelSM and Amex Travel).
The catch is that making either of these cards work for you requires a bit more commitment; the real value lies in navigating transfer partner redemptions. Chase points transfer to 14 programs, and Amex points transfer to 20.
Kathy mentioned she's open to using an award booking service, which removes the headache of figuring out which transfer partners to use and can help you maximize your points. But these services can cost $200+ per ticket. Paying for a booking service can be worth it, but it's an extra expense.
Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum offer a higher return for airfare (when you book directly with an airline or through the issuers' travel portals) and have benefits worth more than double the UBS Visa Infinite's perks. Again, utilizing that value takes a bit of mental jiu-jitsu.
The Amex Platinum's complications
The Amex Platinum comes with a long list of statement credits, but actually using them takes some planning. Here's what your month could look like if you wanted to use up every statement credit:
- Spend $15 in Uber Cash on rides or orders in the U.S. ($35 in December). You have to enroll, add your Amex Platinum to your Uber account and select an Amex card for the transaction. Terms apply.
- Pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership with your Amex Platinum (worth up to $120 a year). Terms apply.
- Spend up to $25 on eligible digital entertainment after you enroll.
- Pay for a $12.95 Walmart+ subscription with your Amex Platinum after you enroll (Plus Ups are excluded; subject to auto-renewal).
On top of that, you can enroll to receive quarterly lululemon and Resy statement credits. While you're at it, set reminders for the semi-annual hotel statement credit that only applies to prepaid Fine Hotels and Resorts or The Hotel Collection reservations booked through Amex Travel. And don't forget bookings with The Hotel Collection require a two-night minimum stay. Does this all feel like a part-time job yet?
The American Express Platinum Card® is a premium card loaded with annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and more. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Access to 1,550+ airport lounges, including Priority Pass™ Select lounges (enrollment required) and Amex Centurion lounges
- Statement credit offers worth up to twice what the annual fee costs
- Elite status perks for hotels and rental cars (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High annual fee
- Many statement credit offers are complicated and are earned in increments or limited to specific purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
- $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
The Sapphire Reserve's (slightly smaller) complications
The Sapphire Reserve has one of the most straightforward premium perks of any travel credit card: a $300 annual travel credit. You don't have to enroll to use it, and it's not doled out in small increments. You just get the first $300 you spend each calendar year returned as a statement.
To justify the Sapphire Reserve's cost, you only have to squeeze around $500 in value out of it's semi-annual, monthly and annual benefits for Doordash, Lyft, StubHub, dining, Peloton, Apple TV and Apple Music and The Edit hotel collection.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests.
- Up to $300 in annual travel credit each account anniversary year
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Top-tier travel and shopping protections
- High annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase TravelSM, including The EditSM and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $288 annually
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Why I'd choose the Amex Platinum or Sapphire Reserve
If, like Kathy, you want to use travel rewards for flights, I'd apply for either the Amex Platinum or Sapphire Reserve. Even if you pay someone to help make the most of the Chase or Amex transfer partners, you can come out ahead — especially if you're booking expensive international flights.
As an example of what you can do with travel partners, I recently transferred 60,000 American Express Membership Rewards® points to Avianca and booked three round-trip domestic flights for $109 in taxes and fees. The same flights would have easily cost $1,500+ if I'd paid cash.
If I had the UBS Visa Infinite, I would've had to redeem 40,000+ points per ticket: 25,000 points for the first $350 and 15,000 points for the $150 extra. That's twice the number of points for the same trip. Personally, there's too much value in being able to transfer points for me to give that up.
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For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, click here.
The American Express Platinum Card® Welcome Offer: To view your personalized offer, you must first submit an application. If approved, you will: (1) receive your Welcome Offer details, (2) have the option to accept the Card with that offer, (3) be required to spend $12,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership, and (4) earn Membership Rewards® points. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. If you're approved and accept your offer, a credit check may be conducted, which could impact your credit score.
