Green Light
Proceed through a Green Light without hesitation, would get any card identified with a green light without giving it a second thought. All these are elite Credit Cards

Yellow Light
Proceed through a Yellow Light with hesitation but still run a yellow 9/10 times, would get any card identified with a yellow light but think twice or take a step back before applying

Red Light
Proceed through a Red Light with a good reason (wife’s about to give birth) would only get a card identified with a red light for a GOOD reason (going on a cruise or need to build your credit)

IHG REWARDS CLUB PREMIER

Pros:

-Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases on the card within 3 months of opening
-Earn 25 points for every $1 spent at IHG properties
-One free anniversary night a year that can be used on any IHG property up to 40,000 points
-One free night when you redeem points for any stay of 4 or more nights (book 3 nights get the 4th night free)
-No foreign transaction fees
-Up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck every 4 years
-Baggage Delay Insurance, Lost Luggage Reimbursement, Credit Card Purchase Protection, Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance

Cons:

-$89 Annual fee isn’t waived for the first year and doesn’t include the free anniversary night until the second time you pay the fee

WORLD OF HYATT

Pros:

-Earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases on the card in 3 months and earn a bonus 25,000 points after spending $6,000 on the card in 6 months
-Anniversary night at any category 1-4 hotel every cardmember anniversary
-Get an additional anniversary night if you spend $15,000 on the card in a year
-No foreign transaction fees
-Automatic Hilton elite status and 5 qualifying nights towards your next tier status each year plus 2 extra qualifying nights each time you spend $5,000 on the card
-Baggage Delay Insurance, Lost Luggage Insurance, Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Purchase Protection
-Keep the points if you cancel the card

Cons:

-Points exclusive to Hyatt properties
-Points from purchases expire if you don’t make a purchase on your card within 24 months
-Have to pay a $95 annual fee for the first year and it doesn’t include a free anniversary night
-4 points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels

MARRIOTT BONVOY BOUNDLESS

Pros:

-Earn 75,000 bonus Bonvoy points after spending $3,000 in purchases on the card within 3 months of opening
-6 points per $1 spent at Marriott hotels
-One free night a year at a Marriott property for up to 35,000 points
-No foreign transaction fees
-Baggage Delay Insurance, Lost Luggage Insurance, Trip Delay Reimbursement, Purchase Protection
-Automatic Silver Elite Marriott status, Gold status after spending $35,000 on the card in a year, 15 Elite Night credits
-Keep the points if you cancel the card

Cons:

-Points exclusive to Marriott properties
-Have to pay a $95 annual fee for the first year and it doesn’t include a free anniversary night
-75,000 Bonvoy points tops out at about $700 in value
-Points from purchases expire if you don’t make a purchase on your card within 24 months

MARRIOT BONVOY BRILLIANT CARD

Pros:

-Earn 75,000 bonus Bonvoy points after spending $3,000 in purchase on your card within 3 months of opening
-Earn 6 points for every $1 spent with your card on Marriott purchases
-Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on flights booked directly with airlines and US restaurants
-Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on everything else
-$300 statement credits each year of Card Membership for purchases made with Marriott Bonvoy hotels
-1 Free Night Award each year after your first anniversary that can be used for a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
-Up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck every 4 years
-Book a minimum 2 night stay direct with your card at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis properties and get a $100 hotel credit
-Complimentary Gold Elite Status
-Priority Pass Select membership included
-No foreign transaction fees
-Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Baggage Insurance Plan, Wasn’t a Perfect Match? Protection
-Keep your intro miles if you cancel the card

Cons:

-Annual fee of $450 not waived for the first year of membership
-Must keep the account open for 12 months or Amex can take back your intro bonus
-Bonvoy points can be weak if not redeemed in the correct fashion
-Bonvoy points are exclusive to Marriott products

HILTON HONORS CARD

Pros:

-Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases on your card within 3 months of opening
-Earn 7 points for every $1 spent on Hilton purchases
-Earn 5 points for every $1 spent at US gas stations, US restaurants, and US supermarkets
-Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on everything else
-Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status and get Gold status after making $20,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year
-Book 4 nights with points and get the fifth night free
-No annual fee
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
-Keep the bonus points if you cancel your card

Cons:

-7x on Hilton spend 1/3 of the 25x on IHG spend
-Hard to find Hilton redemptions for less than 30,000 points a night
-Must keep the account open for 12 months or Amex can take back your intro bonus
-Points exclusive to Hilton products

IHG REWARDS CLUB TRAVELER

Pros:

-Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in purchases on the card within 3 months of opening
-Earn 15 points for every $1 spent at IHG properties
-No annual fee
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-1 free night when you redeem points for any stay of 4 or more nights (book 3 nights get the 4th night free)
-Baggage Delay Insurance, Lost Luggage Reimbursement, Credit Card Purchase Protection, Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
-Points stay in your account if you cancel the card

Cons:

-Points exclusive to IHG properties
-Only 2 points for every $1 spent at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants
-Only 1 point per $1 spent on everything else
-No free anniversary night

SONESTA WORLD MASTERCARD

Pros:

-Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases on your card within 90 days of opening
-Earn 5,000 points after adding an authorized user within 90 days
-Earn 30,000 bonus points on your cardmember anniversary if you spend at least $7,500 each year
-Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on Sonesta purchases
-$75 annual fee is waived for the first year
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-Keep your bonus points if you close your account

Cons:

-$75 annual fee after the first year
-2 points per $1 spent on airfare, rental car and dining purchases
-1 point for every $1 spent on everything else
-No travel insurance, purchase protection or any of those other great benefits
-Points exclusive to Sonesta

MARRIOTT BONVOY BOLD

Pros:

-Earn 30,000 bonus Bonvoy points after spending $1,000 in purchases on the card within 3 months of opening
-3 points for every $1 spent on Marriott purchases
-No annual fee
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-Automatic Silver Elite Marriott status and 15 Elite Night credits towards higher status
-Baggage Delay Insurance, Lost Luggage Insurance, Trip Delay Reimbursement, Purchase Protection
-Points stay in your account if you cancel the card

Cons:

-Points exclusive to Marriott properties
-30,000 Bonvoy points tops out at $250 in value
-Points from purchases expire if you don’t make a purchase on your card within 24 months
-Only 1 point per $1 spent on everything else

WYNDAM REWARDS CREDIT CARD

Pros:

-Earn 15,000 bonus points after your first purchase and another 15,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases on your card within 90 days of opening
-5 points for every $1 spent at Wyndham hotels and timeshare properties
-Earn 6,000 bonus points on your cardmember anniversary each year
-Free nights start at 7,500 points
-Complimentary Wyndham Rewards platinum membership
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers
-If you cancel the card you keep your bonus points

Cons:

-$75 annual fee not waived for the first year
-Earn 2 points for every $1 spent at grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart)
-Earn 1 point for every $1 spent everywhere else
-If you make a balance transfer interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including the balance transfer) off
-Balance transfers must be posted within 45 days of opening the account
-3% balance transfer fee

CHOICE PRIVILEGES VISA

Pros:

-Earn 32,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases on your card within 90 days of opening
-Earn 15 points per $1 spent at Choice Hotels
-Earn 5 points per $1 spent on Choice Privileges points or Choice Hotels gift card purchases
-Earn 2 points per $1 spent on everything else
-Earn 8,000 anniversary bonus points after spending $10,000 or more on purchases
-Free nights start at 8,000 points
-No annual fee
-0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers
-If you cancel the card you keep your bonus points

Cons:

-If you make a balance transfer interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including the balance transfer) off
-Balance transfers must be posted within 45 days of opening the account
-3% balance transfer fee
-3% Foreign Transaction Fee

HILTON HONORS SURPASS CARD

Pros:

-Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases on your card within 3 months of opening
-Earn 12 points for every $1 spent on Hilton purchases charged to your card
-Earn 6 points for every $1 spent at US gas stations, US restaurants, and US supermarkets
-Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on everything else
-Complimentary Gold status plus spend $40,000 on purchases on your card in a calendar year and receive Hilton Diamond Status
-Book 4 nights with points and get the fifth night free
-10 Free Priority Pass Lounge visits per year
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
-Keep the bonus points if you cancel your card

Cons:

-$95 annual fee is not waived the first year of membership
-12x on Hilton spend 1/2 of the 25x on IHG spend
-Hard to find Hilton redemptions for less than 30,000 points a night
-Must keep the account open for 12 months or Amex can take back your intro bonus
-No free anniversary night for the annual fee
-Points exclusive to Hilton products

WYNDHAM REWARDS VISA

Pros:

-Earn 15,000 bonus points after the first purchase on your card
-Earn 3 points for every $1 spent at Wyndham hotels and timeshare properties
-Earn 2 points for every $1 spent at grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart)
-Complimentary Wyndham Rewards gold membership
-No annual fee
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-0% intro APR for 6 billing cycles on all Wyndham Timeshare Purchases
-0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers
-Keep your intro points if you cancel the card

Cons:

-Earn 1 point for every $1 spent everywhere else
-If you make a balance transfer, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including the balance transfer) off
-Balance transfers must be posted within 45 days of opening the account
-3% balance transfer fee

HILTON HONORS ASPIRE CARD

Pros:

-Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $4,000 in purchases on your card within 3 months of opening
-Earn 14 points for every $1 spent on Hilton purchases charged to your card
-Earn 7 points for every $1 spent at US gas stations, US restaurants, and US supermarkets
-Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on everything else
-Complimentary Hilton Diamond Status
-One complimentary weekend night reward plus earn an additional night after you spend $60,000 on purchases with your card in a calendar year
-$250 Hilton Resort statement credit (can be used on rooms as long as it’s not an Advanced Purchase Rate or Non-Refundable Rate)
-$250 Airline fee credit (pick one airline per year and get $250 in statement credits on incidentals such as checked baggage, in-flight refreshments, and flight change fees)
-Book a 2 night stay at Hiltonhonors.com/aspirecard and get up to $100 in resort credits at participating Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties
-Book 4 nights with points and get the fifth night free
-Priority Pass Select membership
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Baggage Insurance Plan, Wasn’t a perfect match purchase protection
-Keep the bonus points if you cancel your card

Cons:

-$450 annual fee is not waived the first year of membership
-14x on Hilton spend 1/2 of the 25x on IHG spend
-Hard to find Hilton redemptions for less than 30,000 points a night
-Must keep the account open for 12 months or Amex can take back your intro bonus
-Harder than it sounds to take full advantage of the $250 Airline fee credit
-Points exclusive to Hilton products

MARRIOTT BONVOY BUSINESS CARD

Pros:

-Earn 75,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after making $3,000 in purchase on your card within 3 months of opening
-Earn 6 points for every $1 spent at Marriott Bonvoy hotels
-Earn 4 points for every $1 spent at US restaurants, US gas stations, US wireless phone providers, and US shipping
-Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on everything else
-Receive 1 Free Night Award each year after your first anniversary that can be used for a redemption level up to 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points plus earn an extra free night after making $60,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-Baggage Insurance Plan and Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
-Keep your intro bonus points if you cancel the card

Cons:

-$125 annual fee is not waived for the first year of membership
-6 points for every $1 spent on Marriott properties is pretty weak compared to 25x on IHG spend
-Must keep the account open for 12 months or Amex can take back your intro bonus
-Bonvoy points can be weak if not redeemed in the correct fashion
-Bonvoy points are exclusive to Marriott products

HILTON HONORS BUSINESS CARD

Pros:

-Earn 125,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases on your card within 3 months of opening
-Earn 12 points for every $1 spent on Hilton purchases
-Earn 6 points for every $1 spent at US gas stations, wireless phone service with US providers, US shipping, US restaurants, flight booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel, and car rentals booked directly with rental companies
-Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on everything else
-Complimentary Gold status plus spend $40,000 on purchases on your card in a calendar year and receive Hilton Diamond Status
-Earn a free weekend night when you spend $15,000 on your card in a calendar year and extra after you spend $60,000 on your card in a calendar year
-No Foreign Transaction Fees
-10 Free Priority Pass Lounge visits per year
-Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
-Keep your intro bonus points if you cancel the card

Cons:

-$95 annual fee is not waived the first year of membership
-12x on Hilton spend 1/2 of the 25x on IHG spend
-Must keep the account open for 12 months or Amex can take back your intro bonus
-Points exclusive to Hilton products
-High APR and no late payment benefits (if that is important to your business)

RCI ELITE REWARDS MASTERCARD

Pros:

-Earn 2,500 bonus rewards after your first purchase (worth $25 in RCI Member Rewards)
-Earn 5 points for every $1 spent on all eligible RCI purchases
-Earn a $250 Vacation Credit when you spend $10,000 in net purchases on your card each calendar year
-0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
-No annual fee
-Keep the points if you cancel the card

Cons:

-Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on all eligible travel purchases
-Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on everything else
-If you make a balance transfer, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including the balance transfer) off
-Balance transfers must be posted within 45 days of opening the account
-Bonus points exclusive to redemption on RCI
-3% balance transfer fee

DIAMOND RESORTS WORLD MASTERCARD

Pros:

-Earn 2,500 bonus Diamond Plus Points after your first purchase or balance transfer
-Bonus 500 Diamond Plus Points for every $2,000 you spend on your card
-0% intro APR for 6 months on Diamond Vacation Ownership
-0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
-Redeem points for purchases toward Diamond Resorts worth $25 or more and toward airfare and car rental purchases of $50 or more
-No annual fee

Cons:

-Earn 2 Diamond Plus Points for every $1 spent on Diamond Resorts purchases
-Earn 1 Diamond Plus Points for every $1 spent on everything else
-If you make a balance transfer, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including the balance transfer) off
-Balance transfers must be posted within 45 days of opening the account
-3% Foreign Transaction Fees