Independent · October 2026
Best Credit Cards by Destination
Which card earns the most for Japan? Which programs have the best transfer partners for Paris? Which cards skip the foreign transaction fee for the Maldives? Which program books Philippine Airlines business class to Manila? Each guide covers the best earn structure, transfer programs, and payment considerations for that specific trip. Ranked by math — compensation never changes the order.
Destinations covered
9 guides
Japan, Paris, London, Hawaii, Mexico, Maldives, China, Philippines, Disney
Each guide includes
5 tabs
Dashboard, earning plan, transfer bonuses, booking checklist
Per destination journal
$14
One-time · Excel + Google Sheets
Sponsored rankings
0
Compensation never changes the order
Independent·Compensation never changes rankings·No sponsored rankings·Rankings based on actual spend math
What’s in Each Destination Journal
Every destination journal has the same 5-tab structure, pre-loaded with the specific programs, transfer partners, and award benchmarks for that destination.
Tab 1
Trip Dashboard
Points goal, target cabin, timeline to booking
Tab 2
Monthly Earning Plan
Track monthly point accumulation vs. goal
Tab 3
Transfer Bonus Tracker
Log transfer bonuses for programs that fly to this destination
Tab 4
Booking Checklist
Pre-transfer checklist — confirm space before moving points
Tab 5
Destination Notes
Local payment tips, FX fees, lounge access notes
All 9 Destination Guides
Each guide is pre-loaded with that destination’s specific programs, award benchmarks, and best transfer partners. Pick your destination.
Japan
NRT / HND (Tokyo) · KIX (Osaka) · Best March–April or October–November| Program | Transfer from | Award benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| ANA via Virgin Atlantic | Amex MR, Chase UR, Cap1 1:1 | 30k–32.5k economy · 52.5k–60k business OW |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Chase UR, Cap1 1:1 | ANA/JAL access · Star Alliance routing |
| United MileagePlus | Chase UR 1:1 | ~35k–45k saver economy OW |
| World of Hyatt (hotel) | Chase UR (Reserve 1:1, Preferred 4:3) / Bilt 1:1 | Andaz Tokyo (Cat 8) 35k–75k/nt |
Japan is still largely cash-based outside major cities. Bring Yen for rural travel. No foreign transaction fee cards essential for hotel and dining charges — Chase Sapphire Preferred (0% FTF) is the top pick.
Japan Points Journal — $14 →
Paris
CDG · Best April–June or September–October| Program | Transfer from | Award benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) | Amex MR, Chase UR 1:1 | Promo awards ~25k economy · business ~60k OW |
| British Airways Avios | Chase UR, Amex MR 1:1 | Short-haul from London from 10k Avios |
| Delta SkyMiles | Amex MR 1:1 | Delta One to CDG · premium economy options |
| World of Hyatt (hotel) | Chase UR (Reserve 1:1, Preferred 4:3) / Bilt 1:1 | Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme (Cat 8) 35k–75k/nt |
Cards accepted nearly everywhere. Chip+PIN preferred. Notify your bank before travel. Amex acceptance lower than Visa/MC — always carry a backup Visa.
Paris Points Journal — $14 →
London
LHR / LGW · Best May–September or December| Program | Transfer from | Award benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways Avios | Chase UR, Amex MR 1:1 | Off-peak economy ~27.5k OW to LHR |
| Aeroplan (Air Canada) | Chase UR, Cap1 1:1 | Surcharge-free business on Air Canada/United ~60k OW |
| Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) | Amex MR, Chase UR 1:1 | Economy from ~25k OW |
| IHG One Rewards (hotel) | Chase 1:1 | Widest central London hotel coverage |
GBP, not EUR. Cards accepted everywhere including the Tube (contactless Visa/MC works for transit). Amex less accepted in pubs and smaller shops — bring a Visa backup.
London Points Journal — $14 →
Hawaii
HNL / OGG / KOA · Best April–June or September–November| Program | Transfer from | Award benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| United MileagePlus | Chase UR 1:1 | from ~22.5k saver economy mainland to HNL (dynamic) |
| Atmos Rewards (Alaska+Hawaiian) | Bilt 1:1, Atmos Visa (BofA) | from 12.5k West Coast to HNL on Alaska/Hawaiian |
| World of Hyatt (hotel) | Chase UR (Reserve 1:1, Preferred 4:3) / Bilt 1:1 | Andaz Maui (Cat 8) 35k–75k/nt |
| Hilton Honors (hotel) | Amex 1:2 | Hilton resorts from 40k/nt — resort fees often waived |
Domestic US — no foreign transaction fees needed. Focus on hotel points here. Resort fees are significant; Hyatt and Hilton award stays often waive them and can return 3–5 cpp on redemption.
Hawaii Points Journal — $14 →
Mexico
CUN · MEX · SJD · Best November–April| Program | Transfer from | Award benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| World of Hyatt (hotel) | Chase UR (Reserve 1:1, Preferred 4:3) / Bilt 1:1 | Hyatt Zilara/Ziva Cancun 35k–85k/nt all-inclusive |
| AAdvantage (American) | Citi TY 1:1 | from ~10k economy OW to CUN (dynamic) |
| Chase UR → United | Chase UR 1:1 | 10–15k domestic award to Mexico |
| Wyndham Rewards | Cap1 1:1 | All-inclusive Cancun from ~30k/nt |
USD accepted in tourist areas but at a poor exchange rate. Use a no-FTF Visa/MC for peso-denominated purchases. At ATMs: always choose to be charged in MXN — dynamic currency conversion adds 3–7%.
Mexico Points Journal — $14 →
Maldives
MLE · Best November–April (dry season)| Program | Transfer from | Award benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| World of Hyatt (hotel) | Chase UR (Reserve 1:1, Preferred 4:3) / Bilt 1:1 | Park Hyatt Maldives (Cat 7) 25k–55k/nt vs. $800–1,400+ cash |
| Marriott Bonvoy (hotel) | Amex MR 1:1 | St. Regis Vommuli, W Maldives · top-category properties |
| SriLankan / Qatar Avios | Chase UR, Amex MR 1:1 | Oneworld routing via CMB or DOH |
| Turkish Miles&Smiles | Cap1, Citi 1:1 | Business class to MLE ~130k OW (priced per segment) |
One of the single highest cash-value hotel redemptions on the planet. Park Hyatt Maldives from 25k/night (Lowest) vs. $800–1,400+ cash = 3¢+ per point on the best dates. Prioritize hotel points over flight points for this destination.
Maldives Points Journal — $14 →
China
PEK / PKX / PVG / CAN · Best April–May or September–October| Program | Transfer from | Award benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| American AAdvantage | Citi Strata Premier / Elite / Prestige 1:1 | Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong · 70k business / 37.5k economy OW (fixed chart) |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Amex MR, Chase UR, Cap1, Bilt 1:1 | Air Canada / Air China · 50k economy, 85k business OW from the West Coast |
| United MileagePlus | Chase UR, Bilt 1:1 | United saver ~80k–100k business (dynamic) · partners 110k |
| World of Hyatt (hotel) | Chase UR (Reserve 1:1, Preferred 4:3) / Bilt 1:1 | Park Hyatt Beijing, Grand Hyatt Shanghai · 2026 five-level pricing |
| Marriott Bonvoy (hotel) | Amex MR 1:1 | St. Regis Beijing, W Shanghai · dynamic pricing (no award chart) |
Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate retail, and both now link a foreign Visa or Mastercard (Alipay charges 3% above 200 yuan). Carry some cash and a no-FTF card for hotels. US citizens need a visa unless they use 240-hour visa-free transit with an onward ticket to a third country or region.
China Points Journal — $14 →
Philippines
MNL (Manila) · CEB (Cebu) · Best December–May (dry season) · Christmas is peak| Program | Transfer from | Award benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Atmos Rewards on Philippine Airlines | Bilt 1:1 (only bank partner) | Nonstop business 75k OW from SFO/SEA/HNL · 85k from LAX/JFK/ORD · no fuel surcharges |
| American AAdvantage | Citi Strata Premier / Elite / Prestige 1:1 | JAL or Cathay Pacific, one stop · 37.5k economy / 70k business OW |
| Qatar Privilege Club (Avios) | Amex MR, Citi TY, Cap1, Bilt 1:1 | Philippine Airlines from HNL 50k economy / 100k business OW · higher fees |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | Chase UR, Amex MR, Cap1, Bilt 1:1 | EVA Air via Taipei · 75k business from SFO/SEA (by distance) |
Most ATMs charge foreign cards ₱250 per withdrawal — use a no-FTF card and pay in pesos, not dollars. Every traveler needs a free eTravel registration within 72 hours of arrival and departure. Economy to and from the US usually includes 2 × 23 kg bags; balikbayan boxes count as regular checked bags.
Philippines Points Journal — $14 →
Disney Parks
Walt Disney World (MCO) · Disneyland (LAX) · Best September–November or January–FebruaryBest everyday earner
Chase Sapphire Preferred
5x Chase Travel, 3x dining, 2x other travel. Flexible points for flights to MCO or SNA and hotels. $95 annual fee.
Disney Inspire Visa (Chase)
3% at Disney
$149 fee. Up to $120/yr Disney+/Hulu/ESPN credit, $100 back after $200 on park tickets, 200 Rewards Dollars after $2,000 on resorts or cruises. The 10% off select merch and dining comes with every Disney Visa, including the $0 card.
Amex Gold
4x dining
4x at Disney restaurants (counted as dining, up to $50k a year). $325 annual fee — worth it only with regular restaurant and U.S. supermarket spend.
Grocery gift card "hack"
Skip it
Amex's Membership Rewards terms exclude gift cards from earning points, and Amex can take points back. Disney gift cards still help you prepay and budget.
Domestic, so no foreign transaction fee needed. MagicBand+ and the My Disney Experience app link to any card. Genie+ is now Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass.
Which Card Wins at Disney? — $14 →
Active Transfer Bonuses — October 2026
Check for active transfer bonuses before moving points. Bonuses of 20–30% can significantly reduce the points required for any of these destinations.
No active transfer bonuses right now. Check back — bonuses typically run 2–4 weeks.
ByTheMath Network
More tools for your financial picture
Independent. Compensation never changes rankings. No sponsored rankings. Award benchmarks and card details verified October 2026 — confirm current terms with each issuer and program before transferring points. See editorial policy and scoring methodology.