Best Card For International Business Class

When it comes to international business class airfare, Amex Membership Rewards is the strongest points currency to use. The Amex Platinum sits at the top of the cards that earn Membership Rewards points, combining a strong signup bonus with a wide range of easy-to-use travel benefits and credits. Its transfer partners consistently deliver excellent options for international business class awards. ANA, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Aeroplan, and Avianca all provide ways to fly comfortably across the globe. To make the journey even better, the card includes access to Priority Pass lounges, Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and select Air France and Lufthansa lounges, which helps make long-haul travel days more enjoyable.

The Citi Strata Elite has moved into the top tier with Amex and Chase’s offerings. Its partnership with American Airlines (it’s the only transferable points system that partners with the airline) makes it stand out, as American’s partner redemption possibilities are excellent for international business class airfare. Transfer your Citi points to American to book business class airfare all over the globe - to Europe on American or Finnair, to Asia on Japan Airlines, to the Middle East on Qatar, or to Australia on Qantas or Fiji. American is one of the few airlines who still uses a partner award chart, so there are a lot of sweet spots to take advantage of. Citi also offers transfer opportunities to EVA, Singapore Air, Flying Blue, JetBlue, and Avianca for other business class opportunities to destinations all over the world. The other perks is what puts it behind Amex. While it does offer Priority Pass, it only offers 4 Admiral’s Club passes per year and no other lounge access. And the ability to earn a large cache of points is more difficult in Citi’s system vs. Amex and Chase.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is neck and neck with the Citi Strata Elite. The main reason we rank it third is that we value Chase Ultimate Rewards points more for Hyatt redemptions than for anything else. That said, the next-best use is international business class airfare, since Chase has transfer partners across all three airline alliances. You’ll see several co-branded cards from Chase partners listed below, including from United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan, and British Airways. There are also strong options through Iberia Avios and Flying Blue. All of these programs offer solid sweet spots for flying around the world in comfort. The Chase Sapphire Reserve also includes strong travel protections, along with Priority Pass access, Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge access, and Chase Sapphire Lounge access, though those lounges are currently limited to U.S. locations.

Transferable miles rule this list, since having options across all three airline alliances will almost always trump a co-branded card. The Venture X is the last of our transferable cards, and it earns its spot by offering transfers to Aeroplan, Avianca, Flying Blue, and Qatar for strong international business class redemptions. Another advantage is the annual fee, which is the lowest among the top four at $395 (less than half the annual fee of the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve). The $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 anniversary points make it easy to offset that fee without dealing with a coupon-book style of benefits. Add Priority Pass and Capital One lounge access, along with solid travel protections, and this is a strong option for travelers who want premium redemptions without an astronomical annual fee.

United’s Polaris business class is one of the most consistent premium international products among U.S. carriers, and the United Club Infinite card is the top-tier option the airline offers. While it carries a hefty $695 annual fee, that cost is easily offset by United Club membership, which is valued at $750 on its own and makes long-haul travel more comfortable. Cardholders receive better access to saver award space along with a 10% Saver Award discount. As part of Star Alliance, United also provides access to partner redemptions through ANA, EVA, Lufthansa, and Swiss, all of which offer strong business class products. United does not pass on fuel surcharges, which can further increase the value of these redemptions. You can top up miles with Chase and Bilt points, and the card includes a range of additional benefits to help justify the annual fee. The main drawback is United’s dynamic pricing, which can make it more time-consuming to find great redemptions without flexibility.

Air Canada is part of Star Alliance, which offers a huge network of partner airlines with strong business class redemption options across the globe. You can book partner award sweet spots on Singapore, ANA, and EVA to Asia; on United, Swiss, and Lufthansa to Europe; and on Copa, Avianca, or United to South America. One of the biggest eye-openers for those new to this hobby is how much some airlines pass on in taxes and surcharges, especially for international premium cabin redemptions. Air Canada does not pass on fuel surcharges, which means you can often get better value through Aeroplan than through many of the same airlines’ own programs. You can top up Aeroplan miles with points from Chase, Amex, Capital One, and Bilt. The card also offers useful perks, including free checked bags and complimentary Aeroplan 25K Status for the rest of the year after you apply and the entire following year. The $95 annual fee is reasonable and easily offset by 10,000 anniversary points and the added benefits.

Atmos’ partner network offers excellent international business class redemption options across the globe. The Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite is the program’s premium card, and in addition to strong redemption possibilities, it includes a Global Companion Award, offered as part of the welcome bonus in the first year and in each subsequent year you hold the card. You also receive free checked bags, preferred boarding, and eight Alaska Lounge passes per year, though they are split into two per quarter. The partner network is exceptional for an airline card, with premium cabin opportunities on Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qatar, American, Fiji, Finnair, Iberia, and British Airways. These partners cover most of the globe and include some of the best business class products available. The biggest disadvantage to Atmos is the lack of credit card transfer partners, as the program only partners with Bilt. This makes it more difficult to build large point balances through credit card spending alone.

We already discussed the merits of American’s premium international airfare redemptions when breaking down the Citi Strata Elite above, so it makes sense to include its top-tier card here. Travelers who fly regularly and are loyal to American can get plenty of value from this card despite its high annual fee. You’ll travel in style with complimentary Admirals Club membership, which is worth up to $1,650 on its own and provides unlimited lounge access for the cardholder and immediate family or up to two guests. Free checked bags, preferred boarding, and a series of statement credits add even more value. When it’s time to redeem miles, American’s partner network opens access to business and first class international airfare on Japan Airlines, Qatar, Qantas, and Finnair, among others. Citi is the only transferable credit card partner of American, but there is also a full lineup of co-branded cards to help you continue building your mileage balance.