Apache is functioning normally

The Best Western credit cards — previously issued by the First National Bank of Omaha, but closed to new applicants — are back with new benefits and a new issuer. The Best Western Rewards® Visa Signature® Card and Best Western Rewards® Premium Visa Signature® Card are now issued by First Bank & Trust and managed by financial technology company Mercury Financial.

Each card offers rewards on Best Western stays and other purchases. Beyond that, you’ll also get travel and cell phone protections, elite status and sign-up bonuses. However, the bonus offer amount you can qualify for may vary. You can check to see whether you’re preapproved for the cards without affecting your credit, and if so, you’ll see what bonus you’re eligible for.

Here’s how the two cards compare:

NerdWallet values Best Western points at about 0.6 cent each. You can redeem Best Western points for hotel bookings, gift cards, airline miles and more. You must redeem at least 5,000 points, and point values can vary based on how you use them.

In short, not much is different for the no-annual-fee version of the Best Western credit card, beyond a slight bump in rewards for staying with Best Western. But it’s a different story for the more expensive Best Western Rewards® Premium Visa Signature® Card, which did indeed get some notable and valuable improvements.

For one thing, that version of the card now earns extra rewards on gas and groceries, which previously earned only the card’s base rate of 2x back. More importantly, the premium version also now offers a free anniversary night, as well as the chance to earn a second one — perks that can easily offset that card’s annual fee.