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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

When comparing different travel rewards cards, most are nearly identical regarding the mechanics of making purchases and paying off balances. There is an exception, though: cards with no preset spending limits.

American Express may be the first issuer that comes to your mind, but other banks also issue cards with no preset spending limits.

Unlike traditional credit cards with a set limit, cards without a preset spending limit have flexible purchasing power. This purchasing power adapts based on factors like your creditworthiness, payment history and history with that issuer. Generally, you must pay your balance in full with these cards (which you should be doing anyway), though they may offer pay-over-time features.

Here’s everything you need to know about the best cards with no preset spending limit.

Overview of the best no preset spending limit cards

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for luxury perks
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best business card for luxury perks
• American Express® Gold Card: Best for foodies and earning on food and grocery purchases
• American Express® Business Gold Card: Best for earnings that adapt to your business
• American Express® Green Card: Best for earning rewards on travel and commuting expenses
• Business Green Rewards Card from American Express: Best for a low annual fee
• The Plum Card® from American Express: Best for being rewarded when paying your bill early
• Capital One Spark Cash Plus: Best for unlimited cash back on everyday purchases
• Capital One Venture X Business: Best for earning unlimited miles on everyday purchases
• Ink Business Premier Credit Card: Best for unlimited cash back on large purchases

The information for the Amex Green card and Amex Business Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

American Express also issues two other valuable cards, The Centurion® Card from American Express and The Business Centurion® Card from American Express. These exclusive products are available by invitation only for high spenders. Given their hefty fees (a $10,000 initiation fee plus an ongoing $5,000 annual fee) and the fact not just anyone can apply, these cards aren’t on our list.

The information for the Amex Centurion and Amex Business Centurion cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Before analyzing each card, let’s compare the features you care about most.

Comparing the best no preset spending limit cards

Card name	Earning rates	Key benefits	Annual fee
The Platinum Card® from American Express	5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on flights booked with Amex Travel, up to $500,000 of these purchases per year (then 1 point per dollar) 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel 1 point per dollar on other purchases	Access to American Express Centurion lounges, Delta Sky Club lounges (when flying with Delta)*, Priority Pass Select lounges, Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner, Airspace lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, Lufthansa lounges and other Global Lounge Collection partner lounges Complimentary Gold status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors Up to $200 in annual airline incidental credits Up to $200 in annual prepaid hotel credits Over $1,500 in annual credits available, including Uber Cash, Equinox and Walmart+ Up to $199 in statement credits to reimburse your annual Clear Plus membership Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee Enrollment is required in advance for select benefits. You must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account.	$695 (see rates and fees)
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express	5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels at AmexTravel.com 1.5 points per dollar on purchases of $5,000 or more or purchases in select business categories, up to $2 million of combined purchases in these categories per year (then 1 point per dollar) 1 point per dollar on other purchases	Access to American Express Centurion lounges, Delta Sky Club lounges (when flying with Delta)*, Priority Pass Select lounges, Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner, Airspace lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, Lufthansa lounges and other Global Lounge Collection partner lounges Complimentary Gold status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors Up to $200 in annual airline incidental credits Up to $120 in annual wireless phone service credits Over $1,200 in annual credits are available, including Adobe, Indeed and Dell (Those credits end Dec. 31) Up to $199 in statement credits to reimburse your annual Clear Plus membership Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee 35% points rebate on select flights using Pay with Points at Amex Travel Enrollment is required in advance for select benefits.	$695 (see rates and fees)
American Express® Gold Card	4 Membership Rewards points per dollar at restaurants, up to $50,000 in purchases per year (then 1 point per dollar) 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 of these purchases per year (then 1 point per dollar) 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or at AmexTravel.com 1 point per dollar on other purchases	Up to $120 in annual dining credits with select merchants Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash for rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S. Up to $100 in annual Resy credits Up to $84 in Dunkin’ credits You must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. Enrollment is required in advance for select benefits.	$325 (see rates and fees)
American Express® Business Gold Card	4 Membership Rewards points per dollar in the two categories where you spend the most each month, up to $150,000 of these purchases per year (then 1 point per dollar) 3 Membership rewards points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com 1 point per dollar on other purchases	Up to 99 employee cards, $95 annual fee for the first five, then a $95 annual fee for each card after (see rates and fees)	$375 (see rates and fees)
American Express® Green Card	3 Membership Rewards points per dollar at restaurants worldwide 3 points per dollar on travel and transit 1 point per dollar on other purchases	Up to $189 credit for annual Clear Plus membership Up to $100 in annual LoungeBuddy credits Enrollment is required in advance for select benefits.	$150
Business Green Rewards Card from American Express	2 Membership Rewards points per dollar on purchases at AmexTravel.com 1 point per dollar on other purchases	Up to 99 employee cards with no additional annual fee (see rates and fees)	$95
The Plum Card® from American Express	1.5% back as a statement credit for any eligible charges paid within 10 days of statement closing	Up to 99 employee cards with no additional annual fee (see rates and fees)	$250 (see rates and fees)
Capital One Spark Cash Plus	5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 2% back on other purchases	$150 annual fee refunded every year you make $150,000 or more in purchases with your card No additional annual fee for employee cards Use virtual card numbers for payment security	$150
Capital One Venture X Business	10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through the Capital One travel portal 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through the Capital One travel portal 2 miles on other purchases	Up to $300 annual travel credit through the Capital One Travel portal Access to Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass select lounges and Plaza Premium lounges 10,000 miles every account anniversary Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every four years Free employee cards	$395
Ink Business Premier Credit Card	5% cash back on purchases through the Chase portal 2.5% back on purchases of $5,000 or more 2% back on other purchases	No additional annual fee for employee cards	$195

*Effective February 1, 2025: Eligible Platinum Card Members will receive 10 Visits per Eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight.

More details on the best no preset spending limit cards

These cards have no preset spending limit, meaning there’s no predefined limit to how much you can spend on the card. That doesn’t mean you can spend unlimited amounts, however. Your spending ability adapts over time, as discussed in the FAQ below.

That said, you may be able to carry a balance on these cards, similar to what you can do on a credit card. For example, American Express Pay Over Time allows cardmembers to carry a balance from one month to the next, with variable interest rates applied. Even if you never use this feature, it could be worth enrolling if you receive a targeted offer — sometimes up to 20,000 bonus points for enrolling.

Let’s look at the details of each of these cards, including their welcome offers, bonus categories and some of their best benefits.

The Platinum Card from American Express

Current welcome offer: Earn 80,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. TPG’s August 2024 valuations peg this bonus at $1,600.

Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees)

Earning rates: You’ll earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel, up to $500,000 of these purchases per year (then 1 point per dollar), 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

Why we like it: If you’re looking for a no-preset-spending-limit card with luxury perks, this is it. You’ll get unmatched airport lounge access and over $1,500 in available statement credits each year to offset shopping, travel, streaming and airport security program expenses — including reimbursement for your Clear Plus membership fee and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. You’ll also earn an unmatched 5 points per dollar on flight and hotel purchases through Amex Travel and can enroll for complimentary Gold status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors.

Note that enrollment is required in advance for some benefits.

For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum card.

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American Express Gold Card

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American Express Business Gold Card

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American Express Green Card

The Plum Card from American Express

Apply here: The Plum Card from American Express

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Capital One Spark Cash Plus

Current welcome offer: Earn a best-ever $2,000 cash bonus after you spend $30,000 in the first three months. Plus, earn an additional $2,000 bonus for every $500,000 spent in the first year.

Annual fee: $150

Earning rates: You’ll earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2% back on other purchases.

Why we like it: If you’re looking for a card with no preset spending limit that provides unlimited cash-back earnings, this is it. In addition to the standard earning rates, you’ll get your $150 annual fee refunded each year you make $150,000 or more in purchases with your card.

For more details, check out our full review of the Spark Cash Plus.

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Learn more: Capital One Spark Cash Plus

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Capital One Venture X Business

Current welcome offer: Earn 150,000 bonus miles after spending $30,000 in the first three months. TPG’s August 2024 valuations peg this bonus at a whopping $2,778.

Annual fee: $395

Earning rates: You’ll earn 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights purchased through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases.

Why we like it: If you’re looking for a card that earns simple unlimited 2 miles per dollar, this is a great option. It has a $300 annual travel credit when booked through Capital One Travel, which reduces the effective annual fee to $95. It also gives you lounge access and 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary. For more details, check out our full review of the Venture X Business.

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Learn more: Capital One Venture X Business

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Ink Business Premier Credit Card

Current welcome offer: Earn a $1,000 bonus cash back after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening.

Annual fee: $195

Earning rates: You’ll earn 5% cash back on purchases through the Chase travel portal, 2.5% back on purchases of $5,000 or more and 2% back on other purchases.

Why we like it: Businesses that routinely make large purchases will love this card, as competitors like the Amex Business Platinum card have an earning limit for rewards on purchases of $5,000 or more each year. While you can’t combine your earnings with Chase Ultimate Rewards points from other cards, you can earn at a high rate and reinvest your earnings back into your business.

For more details, check out our full review of the Ink Business Premier card.

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Apply here: Ink Business Premier Credit Card

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Frequently asked questions

Maybe you’re looking for a card with no preset spending limit to manage your credit and expenses. In contrast, maybe you have your eye on a particular card because of its benefits and earning structure, not knowing (or caring) about what makes this card different. Here are some of the most common questions about these cards.

What’s the difference between a no preset spending limit card and a credit card?

“No preset spending limit” cards function like credit cards when purchasing and paying your bill, but credit cards come with a preset spending limit. Once you’ve reached the maximum, you must pay your bill before making further purchases. In contrast, cards with no preset spending limit adapt to you based on your payment history, credit and previous spending habits. This doesn’t mean unlimited spending power, but how much you can spend on the card fluctuates over time.

How can you pick the best no preset spending limit card?

Many good cards are on the market, and which is best for you will depend on your travel goals and financial needs. If you’re looking for a luxury travel lifestyle, you’ll want the Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum. If you’re looking for cash back, on the other hand, consider the Spark Cash Plus or Ink Business Premier.

How do no preset spending limit cards affect your credit score?

One of the benefits of using these cards is how they’re reported to credit bureaus. Credit utilization accounts for roughly 30% of your credit score. Because the cards described in this guide don’t have a preset spending limit, it’s impossible to calculate a utilization ratio (since there’s no credit limit for determining how much of your limit you’re using). This means that while the balances on your no preset spending limit cards are reported to the credit bureaus, they don’t actually affect your score, which is ideal for high-spending businesses and individuals.

Related: How your credit scores work

What are the pros and cons of using a no preset spending limit card?

The cards on this list offer some of the best welcome offers, earning categories and benefits of any cards on the market. Using them can help you earn points faster or enjoy new, luxurious travel experiences.

Conversely, cards with no preset spending limit are designed for paying your balance in full each month (which you should do anyway). With credit cards, you can carry a balance to the next month and pay interest. On cards without preset spending limits, you may be able to enroll in a feature to carry a balance; typically, though, you must pay the full balance and will pay fees for not doing so. If you aren’t able to pay the full balance, using these cards could be a net negative for you.

Related: Why paying off credit card balances is more important than ever

Who should use a no preset spending limit card?

If you’re in the market for a new welcome bonus, these cards offer some of the best ones. If you frequently have large expenses that you pay off every month (either for personal or business reasons), using a no preset spending limit card can help avoid the temporary impact on your credit score from a hard pull during the application process. And then, you can use the welcome bonus to travel or invest in your business, depending on your goals.

Related: What’s the difference between a charge card and a credit card?

Bottom line

When discussing the top travel rewards cards, we often lump no preset spending limit cards and credit cards together since their similarities outweigh their differences. Once you understand what sets them apart, you can use cards without preset spending limits to improve your credit score and increase your earning abilities.

Also, don’t forget that better offers may be available through the CardMatch tool. These targeted offers may provide better bonuses than what you see publicly available, but offers are targeted to each individual and can change at any time.

Related: Best business cards

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For rates and fees of Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Plum Card, click here.