Here Are 3 Credit Cards Tori Dunlap Uses and Why They Might Be Right for You
KEY POINTS
- Tori Dunlap says her favorite personal card is The Platinum Card® from American Express.
- For getting free travel, she recommends the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
- As a business owner, Dunlap also uses the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card to earn cash back.
Tori Dunlap, the best-selling author of Financial Feminist, says she only uses credit cards. She prefers paying with them instead of debit cards for a few reasons. It's good for her credit score, it protects her from fraud, and it allows her to earn lots of rewards.
But which cards does Dunlap use? She has recommended several quality credit cards on her website, and there are three that she mentions using herself.
1. Amex Platinum Card
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
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= Best
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= Fair = PoorOn American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Rewards Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
1X-5X Membership Rewards® Points
Annual Fee
$695
Welcome Offer Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 Membership Rewards® Points
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This luxury travel card has some of the most prestigious perks you'll find — access to over 1,400 airport lounges, elite status with Hilton and Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required), and spending credits worth over $1,500 in value every year. Just be ready for the hefty annual fee, which can be offset in the first year with a welcome bonus worth $800 in points. Terms apply. Read Full Review
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- Big welcome offer
- Substantial spending credits
- Airport lounge access
- Hotel benefits
- Flexible travel points
- Annual fee
- Limited bonus categories
- Spending credits can be complicated to manage
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- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the most popular luxury travel cards. Dunlap calls it her favorite personal card, while also mentioning that it's expensive, with a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees).
If you can use even some of its many travel and lifestyle benefits, you'll likely come out ahead. Here are some highlights of what it offers:
- Complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges: Including American Express® Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, and Delta Sky Club®.
- Over $1,500 in annual spending credits: Including $200 in Uber Cash, a $200 hotel credit, a $240 digital entertainment credit, a $199 CLEAR® Plus credit, and more.
- Automatic hotel elite status: You get Marriott Bonvoy™ Gold Elite Status and Hilton Honors Gold Status. (Enrollment required.)
- Flexible rewards points: American Express Membership Rewards points are transferable to over 20 airlines and hotels.
- Terms apply; select enrollment required.
American Express is also running a great welcome offer on this card right now. You earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of card membership. Terms apply. Click here to find out more and apply today.
2. Chase Sapphire Reserve
On Chase's Secure Website.
= Best
= Excellent
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= Fair = Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = PoorOn Chase's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
21.74% - 28.74% Variable
Rewards Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel℠.
Annual Fee
$550
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 bonus points
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All the perks we've come to expect from a top travel card, including a $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge access, and big bonuses on travel and dining. Points are transferable to airline and hotel partners or worth 50% more if you book through Chase Travel. The annual fee is hefty, but if you can use all its features, this card could be well worth the cost. Read Full Review
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- Travel credits
- Airport lounge access
- Travel and dining rewards
- Welcome offer
- Flexible travel points
- Annual fee
- Limited-time benefits
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- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
Dunlap says the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is her favorite card to get free travel. She also mentions that she used Chase points to fly business-class to Europe in lie-flat seats. I've done the same with my Chase points, and it's an amazing experience.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is another high-end card. It offers lots of perks for a hefty annual fee of $550. Here's a look at some of its top benefits:
- Complimentary access to over 1,300 airport lounges: Including Priority Pass and Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations.
- $300 annual travel credit: You receive statement credits for your first $300 per year in travel purchases.
- High rewards rate: Earn from 3x to 10x points per $1 on travel and dining purchases and 1x point per $1 on other purchases.
- Easy-to-use travel points: Chase Ultimate Rewards points are transferable to over a dozen airlines and hotels. With the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can also redeem rewards at $0.015 per point for Chase Travel bookings.
Chase also rewards new cardholders with a big welcome offer. You earn 60,000 bonus points (worth $900 in Chase Travel bookings) after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. If you're interested in this Chase card, click here to learn more and apply for it.
3. Chase Ink Business Unlimited
On Chase's Secure Website.
= Best
= Excellent
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= Fair = Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = PoorOn Chase's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% Intro APR on Purchases
Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 12 months
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
17.74% - 23.74% Variable
Rewards Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn $750 bonus cash back
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This card is a cost-effective option for businesses of all sizes. There is no annual fee, yet offers an attractive $750 welcome bonus & unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase — that is a straightforward way to earn cash back on everyday business expenses. Plus, you can add employees cards for no extra cost. No wonder it's one of the most popular business cards we've reviewed. Read Full Review
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- Big cash back sign-up bonus
- Competitive cash back rate
- Great intro APR
- No annual fee
- Free employee cards
- No bonus categories
- Foreign transaction fee
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- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
Since Dunlap is a business owner, she uses business credit cards. She says the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is her preferred business credit card.
If you're looking for a card with straightforward perks that doesn't cost you anything, this Chase card is a smart choice. Here are its most important features:
- No annual fee
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases
- Welcome offer of $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
- Free employee cards with the option to set individual spending limits on them
By the way, you don't need to own a multi-million dollar business like Dunlap does to open a business credit card. You can get one for any type of business, including side hustles. If your business isn't registered, you can also apply for a business card as a sole proprietorship, using your Social Security number.
Want to learn more about the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card? Click here to get more information and apply.
Are these credit cards right for you?
Dunlap's picks are all excellent cards. However, I wouldn't recommend most people get both The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Since they're premium travel rewards cards, they fill the same niche and have some overlapping benefits. For the typical traveler, it's better to choose one and only pay one annual fee.
But overall, any of those three cards could help you save money. The travel cards could also make your trips more enjoyable with the benefits they offer. Whichever card catches your eye, just make sure it fits your lifestyle before you fill out an application.
Our Research Expert
Lyle Daly is a freelance writer who has been covering personal finance since 2016.
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For rates and fees for the The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here