5x Points

The Platinum Card from American Express is a nice travel rewards card.  It offers lots of solid benefits like:

$200 Annual Airline Fee Credit
$200 Annual Uber Credit
Free Hotel Status
Airport Lounge Access
Global Entry Or TSA Pre-Check Credit
Free Rental Car Status
Fine Hotels & Resorts
5x points Hotels (5x only on pre-paid reservations through amextravel.com)
5x points On Airfare

Notice that last benefit:  5x airfare!  But, and this is a big but for most people, the card has an annual fee of $550. Correct, I said $550.  For most people just hearing that amount for an annual fee is a no go.  Even for people actively engaged in the points and miles hobby, $550 is steep.  If you do the math though, the card benefits do add up and can comfortably outweigh that annual fee, especially if you travel a decent amount during the year.  Still though, that annual fee is a real shocker for most people.

Some supermarkets, especially newer larger chains, often sell a vast assortment of gift cards that can earn you at least 2x, but sometimes 5x on gift card purchases

5x Points and Annual Fee Free

The good news is that you can earn 5x points on airfare, accommodation, and transportation with some no annual fee credit cards.  How?  By using the correct card and combining it with a 5x category bonus or quarterly promotions.  Many office supply stores, pharmacies, and supermarkets sell gift cards for major airlines like Delta, Southwest, Hyatt, Airbnb, Uber and more.  Yesterday I was in Staples and noticed that they were now selling Uber gift cards.

Recent trip to Staples: Delta, Southwest, Airbnb, and Uber all on the same rack and all earning 5x

Some credit cards like the Chase Ink Cash earn a constant 5x at office supply stores.  So you have that benefit at those stores all year round.  Other cards like the Chase Freedom, SimplyCash Business Card from American Express, and Discover It Card earn quarterly bonuses at office supply stores, pharmacies, and supermarkets (and other businesses like restaurants), so depending on the month, you it may also be possible for you to earn 5x on hotel and airline gift cards in those stores.

Compare earning 5x on Delta as a quick example, with these no annual fee cards to the:

I’ll take the 5x and no annual fee instead!  As another example, the Chase Hyatt credit card earns 3x points for Hyatt stays, but also has a $75 annual fee.  However, using the Chase Ink Cash at Staples will earn you 5x points on your Hyatt stays all day, everyday.  I recently picked up some Hyatt gift cards at my local Staples store for an upcoming stay at the Andaz on 5th in New York – all at 5x.  Q2 2017 offers 5x on grocery store purchases and one of my large local supermarkets has tons of gift cards, with some nice airline and hotel options on the racks.  Beyond hotels and airlines, don’t forget about 5x points for Airbnb gift cards too!

Conclusion

I love low and no annual fee cards that can earn me big rewards.  I try and get 5x for as many purchases as I possibly can, and a large part of that strategy involves timing my purchases and using the right credit cards.  Most people walk by the gift card racks in supermarkets and don’t look to see what’s there.  Even avid point collectors miss opportunities for 5x that are right in front of them at stores they often frequent.  Next time you’re in a supermarket, gas station, or office supply store, check out the gift card rack along with the credit cards in your wallet.  If you aren’t able to maximize the category or quarterly bonus that can earn you 5x, perhaps it’s time for a new (no annual fee) credit card in your wallet.