This card earns double miles on American Airlines purchases and at gas stations and restaurants, and it makes flying less of a hassle with a free checked bag benefit and other perks.

Ben is a credit cards and luxury travel writer, an immigrant with three citizenships and a husband. He speaks English, Spanish and Italian, has a background in linguistics and languages ...

If you consider lounge access a must-have and you frequently fly (and check bags on) United, then this card's jumbo annual fee can be a relative bargain. Occasional travelers should look elsewhere ...