AMEX points are extremely valuable because of their travel partners. The kicker is that you have to work a bit to make the annual fee worth it. Recently updated to an annual fee of $695, It comes with up $200 airline fee credits, up to $200 annual hotel credits, up to $199 CLEAR® Plus, up to $300 Equinox Credit, monthly digital entertainment credits, lounge access, and a handful of other premium perks.

The American Express® Gold Card is widely known as having some of the best spending category bonuses of any card on the market. Pair this with Rakuten for MR points instead of cash back!

The Business Platinum Card by American Express has a high annual fee but tons of perks - so let's hope your business will pay for your annual fee. Lounge access, $200 annual airline incidental credit, and more. Once again, you do not need to own a “traditional business” to qualify for one.

Whether you're advanced and already have all of these cards or you just want to see what else is out there. These are cards that I find value in. Some I keep and pay an annual fee on, but most come and go (meaning, I'll have them for a year or two and cancel them).

My Thoughts: I love pairing this with Rakuten for MR points instead of cash back! The real benefit of the American Express® Business Gold Card is the ability to earn 4x points on the spend categories where your business spends the most each month. Overall this is an excellent long term card for business owners.

A great option with 2x earning rate on all purchases up to $50,000 annually (1x thereafter). This is a GREAT option if you want access to earn MR points through Rakuten without an annual fee.

If you have a home renovation or some HUGE expense coming up, this is for you!! It comes with a high minimum spend, meaning this card will mostly target established business owners. This card boasts many of the perks of the Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card so I probably wouldn't simultaneously hold both.

The Freedom Unlimited is a fantastic cash back card with excellent spending categories and no annual fee. Ideally you pair this with a Chase Sapphire card so your points can be used for higher value travel redemptions.

This card has a huge minimum spend and isn't for everyone! However, if you do have some huge expenses coming up, and you can qualify for a business card, this is a fantastic opportunity! This is a cash back card, however, if you have the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you can convert the cash back to Capital One miles. 

The annual free night certificate makes this a keeper card for us. In fact, Devin and I both typically have this card because the free night certificate more than covers the cost of the annual fee. Keep in mind that you are not eligible to receive this bonus if you have received a bonus on another Marriott Bonvoy branded credit card in the last 24 months. We have both received this welcome offer multiple times!

The best part about the Chase Freedom Flex® is that it has boosted rewards in rotating categories! Now - on its own, those points might not be that valuable to me BUT if you hold a chase sapphire, you are able to combine the points use by transferring to transfer partners and that is the GAME CHANGER.