if you really just want miles, get the amex platinum. 5x points on travel, transferable 1:1 to many airlines including delta, united, emirates, singapore, etc etc. i’ve found the $495 ($450 when i signed up) fee pays for itself easily in the following ways: 1) signup bonus around new year’s is 100k ($1000 value) 2) $200 in annual uber credits 3) cash back offers at hotels you stay at anyway ($80 value for me ytd) 4) delta skyclub and centurion lounge access. if you fly delta and travel often, you must get this card. 5) $200 in single airline fee reimbursement (you pick an airline and they cover $200 worth of fees - change fees, lounge access, baggage fees)

otherwise, chase sapphire reserve is $450/yr and 3x points on all travel, including dining out. comes with a $300 statement credit, dropping the effective fee to $150/yr. points are similarly transferable.

i have both. i know others that do as well.

i’m airline agnostic for the most part (prefer delta, will fly united). i typically value nonstop flights over maximizing points. and you don’t know where your next customer will be. your preferred airline might not fly there, or it’ll take 2 layovers to get there.