Are you one of the millions of people hoping to visit Japan this year? If so, there are a handful of credit cards that can help you get there.
Right now, top-tier travel cards are offering welcome bonuses and perks that can easily cover a round-trip flight to Tokyo from the U.S. They also offer a ton of ongoing value, making them a great addition to your wallet for years to come.
Here are three of our top picks.
1. American Express® Gold Card
The Amex Gold Card is one of the best bang-for-your-buck travel cards on the market. It’s got a $325 annual fee (see rates and fees), less than half the annual fee of both the other cards on this list.
Its welcome offer is still plenty valuable, though. You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
That max offer could be worth up to $1,000 in Amex Travel rewards — potentially even more if you transfer your points to some of Amex’s travel partners.
Travel perks of the Amex Gold Card include:
$120 in annual Uber Cash: Get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you use an Amex Card.A $100 hotel “experience” credit: Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com2X points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.comTerms apply; enrollment may be required
Plus, with solid earning rates at restaurants and supermarkets and $120 in annual dining credits (terms apply), you can enjoy the Amex Gold Card at home, too.
Apply and find out if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Learn more in our Amex Gold Card review and see how to get started.
2. The Platinum Card® from American Express
Next up, the Amex Platinum Card is offering a fantastic welcome bonus: You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Your points are worth at least $0.01 a piece when redeemed through Amex Travel, and (as with the Amex Gold Card) potentially more if you transfer to an Amex travel partner. If you can earn the maximum bonus — or even one of the smaller ones — you can forget about having to pay for your next international flight.
This card does come with a steep annual fee ($695, see rates and fees). But snagging the welcome bonus and taking advantage of the card’s other perks can more than make up for the cost.
There’s also over $1,500 in annual statement credits to enjoy, including:
$200 in airline fee credits$200 in annual hotel credits$200 in annual Uber CashA $199 annual CLEAR Plus creditTerms apply; enrollment may be required
Ready for your opportunity at a huge welcome offer and tons of annual perks? See our full review of the Amex Platinum Card to apply today.
3. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is another great option, with a welcome offer that can singlehandedly cover your Tokyo flight: Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
That’s worth at least $1,250 in travel rewards, or potentially more if you take advantage of Chase’s new Points Boost program. With Points Boost, Chase Sapphire Reserve® points are worth $0.02 per point when you book a hotel that’s part of Chase’s The Edit℠ program, and up to $0.02 per point on other select hotels and flights.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a long list of annual perks, too, including travel-related ones like:
$500 a year in credits for bookings at “The Edit℠” hotel collectionA $300 annual travel credit$120 a year in Lyft credits
You will have to pay a $795 annual fee — but with the card’s full list of benefits, it’s not hard to justify. If you can also use perks like $300 a year in monthly DoorDash promos and complimentary subscriptions to Apple Music and Apple TV+, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is definitely worth a look.
Welcome offers come and go and the best available offers often change. Check out our list of the best credit card sign-up bonuses to keep tabs and snag a great offer today.
AloJapan.com