The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Saturday, April 27, 2024

11 Best Mid-Tier Credit Cards (April 2024)

Best Mid Tier Credit Cards
Ray Prince

Written by: Ray Prince

Ray Prince
Ray Prince

Miami-based Ray Prince is a former finance writer for CardRates.com and BadCredit.org. He specializes in writing long-form content for the insurance, loan, and credit card industries. His work appears online at U.S. News & World Report, Freeway Insurance, Compare.com, and Elite Personal Finance, and he has held roles as a digital operations manager at Pandora Media and iHeartMedia. He last attended Queens College in New York City after completing undergraduate studies at Purdue University, Complutense University of Madrid, and CIMBA in Paderno del Grappa, Italy.

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Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro
Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has written and edited for major news organizations, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the New York Times, and she previously served as an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Florida. Today, Lillian edits all CardRates content for clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement.

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Reviewed by: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker
Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

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Advertiser Disclosure

Mid-tier credit cards allow cardholders to earn travel points, statement credits, cash back, and enjoy promotional APRs, among other valuable perks. For the privilege, all you need is an established credit history with a good credit score and a willingness to pay an annual fee, typically starting at $95.

As for the target demographic, mid-tier credit cards work well for anyone who would prefer to straddle the fine line between entry-level, $0 annual fee cards and $400 per year premium cards. Some of the best mid-tier credit cards offer airport lounge access, heavily discounted hotels and airfare, monthly subscriptions, and other perks worth hundreds of dollars more than basic credit cards. 

Continue reading to learn more about the best mid-tier credit cards, including our preferred ones, requirements for obtaining a mid-tier credit card, and answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Best Mid-Tier Rewards Cards

Finding the right mid-tier rewards card depends on several factors, such as the annual fee, the number and type of travel perks, purchase protections, and other standout benefits that make signing up worthwhile.

Let’s go over all of our favorite mid-tier rewards cards:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Review

at Chase’ssecure website

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.49%-28.49% Variable
$95
Good/Excellent

Arguably the best credit card on our list, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a robust rewards program with points earned per dollar spent on eligible purchases. Other perks include a welcome bonus and an extensive Transfer Partner Network with a 1:1 ratio, allowing cardholders to transfer points across several airline and hotel loyalty programs.

Point for point, Chase Sapphire’s system allows you to enjoy benefits outside its ecosystem. Other perks include no foreign transaction fees and a sleek metal card design, which feels good in a wallet or purse. You need a credit score of 670 or higher to qualify for this card.

All in all, this card’s versatile rewards program, transfer options, and affordable annual fee make it one of the best choices for mid-tier credit cards.

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★

4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
$95
Excellent, Good

Like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the best travel credit cards in the business. It allows you to earn and redeem miles for travel-related expenses like flights, hotels, and cruises.

Card membership offers a lucrative miles signup bonus to new cardholders, once they meet a minimum spending requirement within a certain number of months after opening the account. Other perks include a $95 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee. A good to excellent credit score improves your chance for approval.

In short, we highly recommend this rewards credit card for frequent travelers looking for a solid intro APR and flexible redemption options when earning and redeeming miles for travel-related expenses.

Citi Premier® Card Review

at the issuer’ssecure website

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★

4.7

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
    Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
  • Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
  • Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
  • Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
  • 60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
  • No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
$95
Excellent, Good

Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.

Offered by Citibank, the Citi Premier® Card is a travel rewards card that allows cardholders to earn and redeem points for all kinds of perks. The card is well-known for its strong intro APR and point multiplier for select purchases.

Cardholders enjoy bonuses, the ability to transfer points to select loyalty programs, and several redemption options, including cash back and gift cards, among others. But the biggest value comes from redeeming points for travel-related expenses through the Citi ThankYou Rewards program.

All you need for this rewards credit card is to pay a small annual fee and have a credit score of 670 or higher. There are no foreign transaction fees.

American Express® Green Card Review

at the issuer’ssecure website

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★

4.7

OVERALL RATING

4.7/5.0
  • Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership
  • Earn 3X points on restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and 3X points on transit and travel — all other purchases earn 1X point per $1 spent
  • Receive up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits when you pay for your CLEAR membership with the American Express® Green Card
  • Find out if you Pre-Qualify for the American Express® Green Card or other offers in as little as 30 seconds.
  • Use the American Express® Green Card to purchase lounge access through LoungeBuddy and receive up to $100 in statement credits per calendar year
  • No foreign transaction fees
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.24% – 29.24% Pay Over Time
$150
Good/Excellent

The American Express® Green Card offers a tiered points program with multipliers applied when you purchase airline tickets or pay for hotel rooms, rideshare services, takeout, and other eligible services.

Other benefits include a Global Entry or Clear Plus membership credit for breezing through airport security lines. Cardholders also enjoy no foreign transaction fees, trip delay insurance, car rental loss/damage insurance, baggage insurance, and a dedicated Global Assist hotline. 

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card Review

at Bank Of America’ssecure website

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★

4.6

OVERALL RATING

  • Receive 60,000 online bonus points – a $600 value – after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87-2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
  • Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
  • Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
  • Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Low $95 annual fee.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
20.24% – 27.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$95
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is a well-rounded rewards credit card offering several perks, including rewards points based on every dollar spent on eligible purchases (e.g., travel and dining).

Cardholders also enjoy annual airline statement credits, fee reimbursement for TSA PreCheck, trip interruption insurance, $0 liability for unauthorized transactions, and no foreign transaction fees.

As with most mid-tier credit cards, you must pay an annual fee and have a credit score of 670 or higher to qualify.

Mastercard® Titanium Card™ Review

at Barclays Bank’ssecure website

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★

4.4

OVERALL RATING

  • Ideal for those seeking an introductory premium travel card that provides exceptional airfare redemption, access to hotel privileges and elevated service beyond the ordinary. Find peace of mind with protection benefits that exceeds standard credit cards.
  • Flat-rate redemption value of 1% for cash back or 2% value for airfare redemption with no airline or seat restrictions and no blackout dates. Earn one point for every dollar spent. Straightforward redemption without needing a high-maintenance reward strategy. No foreign transaction fees, no earning caps, no rotating categories, and no need to chase down transfer partners to escape very low point values.
  • 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®—Make requests the way you want by phone, email, SMS and chat in the app. Connect directly with a real agent and receive 24/7 assistance for tasks big and small. Requests do not require a purchase, incure no charge for making them, and do not involve department transfers.
  • Exclusive Luxury Card Travel® benefits—average value of $500 per stay (e.g., resort credits, room upgrades, free wifi, breakfast for two and more) at over 3,000 properties. Receive protection benefits like trip cancellation and interruption, auto rental car collision waiver, travel accident and baggage delay. Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
  • Members-only LUXURY MAGAZINE®.
  • Brushed Metal Card Design: Weighing in at an industry-leading 22g. Designed for frequent shoppers, big ticket purchases and everything in between.
  • Annual fee: $195 ($95 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
0% introductory APR for the first fifteen billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening.
21.24%, 25.43% or 28.24%
$195 ($95 for each Authorized User added to the account)
Excellent

The Mastercard® Titanium Card™ occupies the upper echelon of mid-tier credit cards with a higher annual fee of $195 ($95 for each Authorized User added to the account) plus an additional fee for every authorized user. Its main claim to fame is a 24/7 concierge service accessible by chat, phone, SMS, and email that can make your life easier.

Concierge requests include but are not limited to flower delivery, event ticket access, arranging dinner reservations, and even recommending salon services. 

Another benefit to using this card is its cash back and tiered redemption rate system. For example, purchasing qualifying airfare can give you a higher percentage redemption rate than receiving cash back. If you have 28,000 points, that can mean roughly $600 in airfare points versus $300 cash back as a statement credit. Note: Point redemption rules are subject to change.

Best Mid-Tier Business Cards

Mid-tier business cards allow small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enjoy rewards that can be redeemed for business expenses, among other options. You must meet the issuer’s minimum credit score requirements and provide business information, including your name, address, and business tax ID number, to qualify.

Here are our favorite mid-tier business cards:

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★★

4.7

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
  • Unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
  • Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
26.24% (Variable)
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
Excellent, Good

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business allows you to earn miles on every purchase with a generous one-time welcome bonus, provided you spend the specified minimum within the first three months of opening your account.

Benefits of this card include but are not limited to an annual statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, transfer opportunities across more than a dozen travel partners, and virtual card numbers.

Ink Business Premier® Credit Card Review

at the issuer’ssecure website

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★★

4.7

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Earn unlimited 2.5% total cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases.
  • Travel Benefits: Unlimited 5% total cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, No Foreign Transaction Fees and Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance.
  • The only business credit card with 2.5% cash back on every purchase of $5,000 or more.
  • Get the buying power you need to make large purchases, cover monthly expenses and help your business grow. While you must pay your Pay In Full balance each month, this card has built-in flexibility. The Flex for Business feature allows for qualifying purchases to be paid over time with interest.
  • Purchase with confidence with built-in protections like Fraud Protection, Zero Liability Protection, Purchase Protection, Cell Phone Protection, and Extended Warranty Protection.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
Flex for Business variable APR: 19.49% – 27.49%
$195
Good/Excellent

The Ink Business Premier® Credit Card offers a high cash back bonus (after hitting the minimum spending requirement within the first three months) as well as higher cash back percentages on travel purchases through Chase Travel℠.

Apart from more cash back opportunities and higher credit limits, this card also offers employee cards and travel/emergency service. For a small deductible, the card also offers cellphone protection or reimbursement in case of theft or damage to your or an employee’s cellphone.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Review

at Chase’ssecure website

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★★

4.6

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
  • 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.
  • Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more – your points don’t expire as long as your account is open
  • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.24%-26.24% Variable
$95
Good/Excellent

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is one of the best-known mid-tier credit cards in the industry, offering a generous signup bonus (after meeting a minimum spend requirement after account opening), along with extra points for redeeming flights and hotels through the rewards portal.

Another benefit to using this card is its 1:1 point transfer program, where rewards points equal one point at participating partners, including the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and the World of Hyatt hotel rewards programs. With this card, you no longer need to sign up for different loyalty programs to reap the benefits.

United℠ Business Card Review

at Chase’ssecure website

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★

4.4

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
  • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
  • Receive a 5,000-mile “better together” bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
  • Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
  • Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost – miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
  • Enjoy a free first checked bag – a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.99% – 28.99% Variable
$99
Good/Excellent

The United℠ Business Card is one of the best all-around mid-tier co-branded cards. Cardholders earn bonus miles from United Airlines purchases in select categories and discounts on checked bags, up to a maximum amount per round trip. We also appreciate free passes to the United Club, where you can visit select airport lounge locations with free food, high-speed internet, and a good place to rest.

When paired with another United credit card, United℠ Business Card cardholders get additional anniversary bonus miles just for having both cards. Overall, we appreciate this card’s perks and its extensive array of extras for a moderate annual fee.

Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® Review

at the issuer’ssecure website

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★

4.4

OVERALL RATING

4.3/5.0
  • Earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending 5,000 within 5 months of account opening
  • Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants, at gas stations and eligible American Airlines purchases — all other purchases earn 1X points
  • First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 4 travel companions
  • 25% savings on American Airlines inflight WiFi, food, and beverage purchases when you use your card
  • Earn an American Airlines Companion Certificate for domestic travel after $30,000 in purchases each card membership year and card membership is renewed. Fees apply.
  • $0 intro annual fee, then $99
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.24% – 29.99% (Variable)
$99, waived first 12 months
Excellent, Good

Additional Disclosure: (The information related to CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.)

The Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® is a solid workhorse that offers plenty of travel benefits, including your first checked bag free, discounts on in-flight food and beverages, and preferred boarding. 

One of this card’s biggest perks is that it offers an American Airlines Companion Certificate for a free round-trip domestic ticket for a family member or friend after achieving a minimum amount spent every year. Very few business cards on the market offer this.

What is a Mid-Tier Credit Card?

A mid-tier credit card sits between cards with basic perks and no annual fees and premium cards with high annual fees. They offer lucrative rewards programs and statement credits, with point multipliers kicking in when you make purchases in preferred categories such as travel and entertainment, depending on the card.

Most mid-tier cards come with plenty of features and perks to reward cardholders, including travel-related perks, cash back opportunities, and statement credits for participating retailers. To take advantage of mid-tier credit cards, you only need to pay a small annual fee and have a good credit score.

Any score below 670 on the FICO scale and 660 on the VantageScore scale is considered bad credit, fair credit, or poor credit, so you are likely to receive a rejection.

FICO and VantageScore Credit Score Ranges
You must have at least good credit to obtain a mid-tier credit card.

Let’s explore mid-tier credit cards further, with a word on eligibility requirements, benefits, and annual fees.

What Are the Requirements to Get a Mid-Tier Credit Card?

Requirements for getting mid-tier credit cards depend on the issuer and the type of card (e.g., personal versus business). To be eligible, you typically need a good to excellent credit score (FICO 670 to 850). 

On top of that, you must have a minimum income set by the issuer, a positive credit history, and an acceptable debt-to-income ratio. Another criterion is a healthy credit utilization ratio, which is the percentage of your available credit relative to your total outstanding balances. 

Try to aim for a credit utilization ratio below 30%. So, if you have a total credit limit of $10,000 across all of your cards, that means you should carry no more than $3,000 in outstanding balances at any time. 

Some of the harder-to-get rewards cards may also require a consistent job history and an acceptable housing situation. To learn more about eligibility requirements for your preferred credit card, call the credit card issuer or visit the website. 

What Credit Score Do I Need to Qualify for a Mid-Tier Credit Card?

To qualify for a mid-tier credit card, you generally need to have a 670 or higher credit score, which is the demarcation of good credit, according to FICO. A good credit score shows lenders that you know how to responsibly manage the repayment of loans and credit cards.

Tips for managing your credit responsibly include:

  • Always pay your bills on time.
  • Keep your credit utilization below 30%, but below 10% is even better.
  • Don’t let your accounts go dormant lest you risk them being closed.
  • Regularly review your credit score and reports.

How Much Do Mid-Tier Credit Cards Typically Cost?

Mid-tier credit cards come with annual fees as low as $75 and up to $150 or more per year. It’s a nice alternative to premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express that come with much higher annual fees.

Outside of annual fees, mid-tier credit cards also assess other types of fees, including fees for foreign transactions, balance transfers, cash advances, late payments, and returned payments. 

Foreign transaction fees can typically charge up to 3% for every transaction made in a foreign currency, whereas balance transfer fees charge a percentage of the transfer amount when you transfer a balance from one credit card to another.

As for cash advance fees, cardmembers should expect to pay a flat fee or a percentage of the transaction amount. Interest also begins accruing the day the transaction is made, as cash advances aren’t subject to interest-free grace periods the way purchases are.

Be sure to carefully review a credit card’s terms and conditions to understand all the fees associated with the account.

Is it Better to Pay an Annual Fee for a Credit Card?

The decision to pay an annual fee for a credit card depends on many factors, such as your financial situation, spending behavior, and the card’s perks. Taking advantage of the card’s rewards and benefits makes the annual fee worthwhile.

You always want to ensure the benefits and rewards you receive from the card will outweigh the cost of the annual fee. And, of course, you must avoid interest charges that will eat away at your earnings.

Required spending to make up the cost of an annual fee

Additionally, you should consider your spending habits. For example, if you are a frequent traveler, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card card offers extra points simply for booking through Chase, giving you more bang for your buck. It also awards points for spending across different categories like dining and entertainment.

Do not forget perks like statement credits or airport lounge access. The United℠ Business Card, for example, offers free access to select airport United Club locations, where you can relax with better food and accommodations than what is offered at your typical departing gate. 

If this type of convenience appeals to you, paying an annual fee for a mid-tier personal or business credit card may make a lot of sense.

What Benefits Do Mid-Tier Credit Cards Offer?

Mid-tier credit cards offer many benefits, including but not limited to rewards programs, travel benefits, purchase protection (e.g., covering an eligible purchase against theft, damage, or related instances), no foreign transaction fees, annual statement credits, and concierge services.

Rewards programs allow cardholders to earn cash back and bonus points, which can be redeemed for everything from everyday purchases to airline tickets. Plus, percentage multipliers may allow for higher reward rates when spending on bonus categories like travel and dining, depending on the mid-tier card.

Typical benefits of mid-tier credit cards

If you’re an international traveler, you’ll also be pleased to know that many mid-tier cards charge no foreign transaction fees. If you’re paying for a restaurant meal in a foreign currency, expect to save roughly 3%.

Lastly, we are big fans of any mid-tier credit card offering annual statement credits. Statement credits are awarded for specific purchases like travel insurance, airline incidentals, checked bags, and other types of fees you would otherwise have to pay without the card.

Can I Upgrade from a Basic Credit Card to a Mid-Tier Credit Card?

Whether you can upgrade from a basic card to a mid-tier credit card depends on the issuer and its eligibility criteria, which may include maintaining a healthy payment record. But switching from a basic card to a mid-tier card can be worth it, even with an annual fee. 

Reasons for upgrading from a basic credit card to a mid-tier credit card include but are not limited to better rewards and benefits and access to exclusive offers. 

To check your upgrade eligibility, contact your credit card company, inform them of your interest, and ask whether you qualify. Before doing so, read the card’s terms and conditions to learn whether the benefits and increased costs are worthwhile incentives for upgrading your account. 

Mid-Tier Cards Offer Lots of Benefits

In short, mid-tier credit cards are an excellent choice for people looking to maximize their spending through rewards programs and other perks. In addition to travel perks like Global Entry reimbursement and travel insurance, mid-tier credit cards also come with lower annual fees than the fees charged by premium cards, making them a great choice for value-oriented consumers. 

Consider exploring all of our recommended mid-tier credit cards where you’re bound to find the card that best matches your spending habits.

Advertiser Disclosure

CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.