Loyal to a retail outlet, gas company or car brand? If so, you’ve probably discovered the perks of their affinity credit cards, which allow cardholders to utilize a MasterCard, Visa or American Express at any pay-for-service outlet while earning rewards for choosing those favorite brands, utilities and companies.

You may also know these types of credit cards can make traveling easier. Airlines, hotels and other travel companies offer co-branded credit cards. Purchases around the world can bring loyalty program benefits, redemption bonuses and more. But with so many affinity cards available, how can you be sure which one is right for you? And just how will these make the life of a frequent business traveler easier and less hectic? Global Traveler investigates.

Affinity credit cards offer a variety of benefits for travelers, ranging from bonus miles, points for every dollar spent and priority airport services. Examining each card’s benefit options is important, as advantages differ slightly from card to card. The Asiana Airlines American Express and select cards offer bonus points immediately after the cardholder’s first purchase, regardless of time limits or amount, whereas with other cards — including the Marriott Rewards Premier Visa Signature Card — bonus points are contingent upon a minimum amount in purchases spent in a set amount of time. The time and bonus points can vary from three to six months or up to a year, and from 10,000 to 25,000 to 40,000 bonus points or miles.

Every dollar spent at Hyatt with the Hyatt Credit Card earns the cardholder three points; all of the cards offer similar benefits, with tiers of points earned for branded purchases; all other purchases; and, in some instances, airline, car rental, grocery, gas and restaurant purchases.

Other cards, like the United MileagePlus Club Card, offer lounge memberships, free nights, complimentary checked bags, companion fares, in-flight discounts and more.

With all the advantages, there can be downsides. Most cards charge an annual fee. APRs, limits and approvals are different with every bank and card. For frequent travelers, foreign transaction fees can be a disadvantage. Consider Chase affinity cards; the company opted to waive this fee for many of its credit cards.

While cardholders need not use these affinity credit cards to book travel, they may want to. Rewards increase when doing so. Card benefits double, triple and quadruple with constant use.

With all of these considerations, where to begin? Which card is best for you? Choosing a card tied to your favorite airline or most frequented hotel is a good first step. The charts on the following pages bring some of the more popular affinity credit cards side by side for easy comparisons.

We also reached out to the experts — the intrepid, frequent, luxury business travelers of our Globility Board. Their experience and tips coupled with our comprehensive charts make the overwhelming decision of which cards are right for you just a bit easier. Their advice also answers the question: Do these affinity credit cards really make business travel easier?

Steven White believes “the rewards and points make up for the expense of the cards.” His preferred cards are the United MileagePlus Select by Chase and the Starwood Preferred Guest American Express card.

On the flip side, White notes, “I used to feel I needed to travel on an airline as much as possible to get the better seats, early boarding, etc., but if I can have a credit card that makes me a ‘premier’ equivalent without the flying, why do I need to be loyal?”

Jean-Christophe Murat, an elite member of most frequent-flyer programs, agrees: “I do not find that any of these cards makes my travel easier or provides any additional recognition, which is fair because anyone can get them. On the other hand, they allow me to get more rewards, and that is why I have them.”

Murat holds Starwood, British Airways, LAN, Hilton, Priority Club, United and Marriott co-branded credit cards. He was initially attracted to each because of sign-up bonuses. The combination of points and perks was worth it for him to continue as a cardholder. Murat canceled other cards, such as the Hyatt, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Air France affinity cards because, at the time, they provided no other benefits except for points.

Jim L. Elliott, who most often uses these cards to extend the expiration of airline miles, says he has “more problems with these types of cards than any other type of credit card.”

Not so for Angela Rose White. She’s experienced benefits using her affinity credit cards that include two first-class tickets to South Africa, 10 percent off international travel, free checked bags, airline discount coupons, lounge passes and priority boarding and upgrades for her college-age daughter, who frequently travels home cross-country.

Daniel Green uses his Delta American Express Black card for discounts on onboard purchases, SkyClub access and baggage allowance. He also offers the following tip: “If you have a card that costs a lot in annual fees, call them upon renewal and see what they offer you to stay.”

Our Globility Board members overwhelmingly suggest a different type of credit card for frequent travelers — and yet another option to consider when searching for the perfect credit card. Most banks offer credit cards not affiliated with a certain airline, hotel or travel brand that still offer rewards for travel redemption. Frank Brightwell, Dorothy Wood, Steven White, Angela Rose White and Daniel Green all recommend the American Express Platinum credit card.

“For years, I have been an Amex Platinum fan. There is a high fee, but I like the travel assistance services and Fine Hotels and Resorts Program, the fact that you don’t pay foreign transaction fees and [get] really good customer service,” said Brightwell.

Wood’s list of perks enjoyed from using her American Express Platinum includes a companion ticket for premium-class international travel, free airline club admission, $200 reimbursement for airline fees, baggage insurance and hotel upgrades. American Express will also refund the application fee for Platinum members who use their card to apply for the program.

The options may seem endless, but the perfect affinity credit card is out there waiting to make your business travel easier.

*This is not a comprehensive list of services and benefits. Contact individual card issuers for full details

AFFINITY CARDS ALSO AVAILABLE:

• American Express offers JetBlue and Hilton HHonors credit cards
• Bank of America offers AAA, Royal Caribbean, Spirit and Norwegian Cruise Lines credit cards.
• Barclay Card offers Aer Lingus, Best Western, Carnival, Choice Hotels, Frontier Airlines, Holland American, Priceline, Travelocity, Princess Cruises, Virgin America and Wyndham credit cards
• Chase offers Southwest, AirTran, Disney, Amtrak, Fairmont and The Ritz-Carlton credit cards
• Additionally, most banks offer non-co-branded cards redeemable for travel rewards