Choice Privileges®

If you regularly book Choice properties, this card is an easy one to justify because there is no annual fee and it sharply increases your return on Choice stays. The automatic Gold status adds a modest lift through bonus points on eligible stays, and the lack of foreign transaction fees makes it reasonable to bring along for international trips.

For most other spending, though, this is not a card to lean on day to day. Earning 1 point per dollar everywhere else is a weak return unless you are focused specifically on building a Choice balance. For many readers, this works better as a keeper card for hotel stays and status rather than as a primary card.