5 Platinum Cards You'll Want When You Travel

American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card
Annual fee: $175 (first year free)  
This American Express(AXP) card gets the nod primarily because of a generous 25,000 Membership Rewards points you can earn right off the bat by spending just $2,000 in your first three months of membership.  

You'll also get an extra 15,000 points if you charge $30,000 on the card in your first calendar year. And that's on top of 1 point for every dollar you spend on most purchases, plus 2 points per dollar for gas and grocery bills and 3 points for airfare.  

Other perks include free baggage insurance when you travel, free extended warranties and return protection on purchases and access to special Gold Card concerts, shows and sporting events.  

Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Visa Card
Annual fee: $95 (first year free)  
Woolsey gives this Visa(V) card a thumbs up because it provides big bonuses for usage at Hilton hotels, a brand popular with businesspeople and upscale travelers.  

"Hilton is a chain that business travelers often have clearance from their companies to stay in, so they can leverage their corporate travel for their personal benefit in terms of earning rewards," he says.  

HHonors Reserve Cards carry a $95 annual fee, but consumers get two free weekend nights at select Hiltons if they charge just $2,500 of eligible purchases within four months of opening an account.  

You'll also earn an unusually high 3 bonus points for every dollar charged on the card, as well as 10 points every time you spent $1 at a Hilton, Embassy Suites hotel, Hampton Inn or other Hilton property. Additionally, the HHonors Reserve Visa offers 5 points for every dollar that goes toward eligible airfares or car rentals.  

The card also includes automatic membership in Hilton's HHonors Gold club, which provides free room upgrades, high-speed Internet access, soft drinks and other perks at select Hilton properties.