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Whether you’re an occasional traveler looking to save on your next vacation or a frequent traveler looking for premium perks like lounge access or travel insurances, there’s a travel rewards card for you. We’ll break down our top picks for the best travel rewards credit cards from our partners.
Whether you’re an occasional traveler looking to save on your next vacation or a frequent traveler looking for premium perks like lounge access or travel insurances, there’s a travel rewards card for you. We’ll break down our top picks for the best travel rewards credit cards from our partners.
Our rating:4.9
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
3x
3x on dining
2x
2x on all other travel purchases, plus more
At A Glance
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
21.24% - 28.24% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
1.25 Miles
1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
At A Glance
Intro offer
20,000 miles
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.74% - 29.74% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.9
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2 Miles
2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
At A Glance
Intro offer
75,000 miles
New Venture cardholders can earn 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
20.74% - 28.74% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.8
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Clicking “See your approval odds” will authorize us to run a soft credit pull, which we’ll need to estimate your approval odds. Approval Odds serve as a guide to help you find the right credit card and will never affect your credit score.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
5X
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
At A Glance
Intro offer
Earn 80,000 points
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
$695
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Your approval oddsClicking “See your approval odds” will authorize us to run a soft credit pull, which we’ll need to estimate your approval odds. Approval Odds serve as a guide to help you find the right credit card and will never affect your credit score.
See if you’re pre-approved for this card using our CardMatch tool.
Our rating:5.0
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5 Miles
5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel
2 Miles
2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
At A Glance
Intro offer
75,000 miles
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Annual fee
$395
Regular APR
21.74% - 28.74% variable
Recommended credit
740-850 (Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.7
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Clicking “See your approval odds” will authorize us to run a soft credit pull, which we’ll need to estimate your approval odds. Approval Odds serve as a guide to help you find the right credit card and will never affect your credit score.
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
3X
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
1X
Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
At A Glance
Intro offer
60,000 points
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
20.99% - 28.99% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Your approval oddsClicking “See your approval odds” will authorize us to run a soft credit pull, which we’ll need to estimate your approval odds. Approval Odds serve as a guide to help you find the right credit card and will never affect your credit score.
Our rating:3.9
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase - with no annual fee.
At A Glance
Intro offer
Discover Match®
Unlimited Bonus: Only Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you've earned at the end of your first year. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. There's no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
16.74% - 27.74% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:5.0
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Clicking “See your approval odds” will authorize us to run a soft credit pull, which we’ll need to estimate your approval odds. Approval Odds serve as a guide to help you find the right credit card and will never affect your credit score.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
4X
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
3X
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
At A Glance
Intro offer
60,000 points
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
$250
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Your approval oddsClicking “See your approval odds” will authorize us to run a soft credit pull, which we’ll need to estimate your approval odds. Approval Odds serve as a guide to help you find the right credit card and will never affect your credit score.
See if you’re pre-approved for this card using our CardMatch tool.
Our rating:5.0
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
5x
Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
3x
Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
1x
Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
At A Glance
Intro offer
60,000 points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Annual fee
$550
Regular APR
21.74% - 28.74% variable
Recommended credit
740-850 (Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.5
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.
3X
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
3X
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.
At A Glance
Intro offer
60,000 points
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during your first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit.
Annual fee
$150
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire.
At A Glance
Intro offer
25,000 points
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.74% - 27.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases
1.5X
Unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
At A Glance
Intro offer
50,000 points
Receive 50,000 online bonus points - a $500 value - after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.74% - 26.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:3.2
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
5X
Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
1X
Earn 1x points on all other purchases
At A Glance
Intro offer
10,000 Bonus Points
Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days from your account opening and redeem for a $100 statement credit, gift cards, or travel.
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
28.74% variable
Recommended credit
580-740 (Fair to Good)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.4
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
2X
Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
1X
Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
At A Glance
Intro offer
Earn 60,000 points
Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee
$69
Regular APR
20.74% - 27.74% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:3.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services
2X
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
1X
Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases
At A Glance
Intro offer
10,000 miles
Earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles and receive a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
20.99% - 29.99% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:3.9
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 2x miles on dining including eligible delivery services, select streaming services, and all other travel
1X
1X on all other purchases.
At A Glance
Intro offer
60,000 Bonus Miles
Earn 60,000 bonus miles + 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Annual fee
$250
Regular APR
21.24% - 28.24% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The information about the IHG® Rewards Premier and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
Comparing the best travel credit cards of 2023
Credit card
Best for
Intro bonus
Annual fee
CreditCards.com rating
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Welcome bonus
60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
60,000 points if you spend $3,000 in first 6 months and 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases in first 6 months (up to $200 back as a statement credit)
Best welcome bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best features: Often considered one of the best travel cards for beginners, this card packs in plenty of value for only $95 a year. It comes with a high sign-up bonus, generous rewards program and redemption values that beat out many other cards. And that level of value is truly a rare find on a card with only a $95 annual fee.
Biggest drawbacks: If you’re looking for a card that helps you travel in comfort and style, you may need to look beyond the Chase Sapphire Preferred. It lacks the luxury features like travel credits and lounge access that come with premium travel rewards cards that carry higher annual fees.
Alternatives: The Citi Premier® Card is another great choice for a starter travel card. It has a similar annual fee, but travelers who want to book travel outside of credit card portals and who spend a lot on gas and in-store grocery purchases may get better value out of the Premier card.
Bottom line: A modest annual fee, impressive sign-up bonus and ultra-flexible rewards redemption give this card great short- and long-term value for travelers who don’t need a ton of luxury perks.
Best first travel card: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Best features: The VentureOne card is a basic travel card for beginners who want to earn flexible rewards but aren’t ready to commit to a travel card with an annual fee. VentureOne cardholders can earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel as well as 1.25X miles on every other purchase. These miles can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners.
Biggest drawbacks: Other no-annual-fee travel cards offer better perks and higher rewards rates than the VentureOne’s 1.25X miles.
Alternatives: The Bilt Mastercard® is a unique no-annual-fee card that earns points on rent payments without the processing fees. But the card is also a great beginner travel card, offering bonus rewards on travel and dining (points are transferable too). Plus, if you wait until the first of the month, your patience will be rewarded with double points on all non-rent purchases for 24 hours (on up to 10,000 bonus points). That’s a whopping 6X points on dining, 4X points on travel and 2X points on all other non-rent purchases.
Bottom line: Budget-friendly travelers can get a decent amount of value out of this starter travel card, but if transferring rewards to travel partners isn’t a priority for you, a flat-rate cash back card may be more lucrative.
Best for flat-rate rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Best features: For a reasonable $95 annual fee, this popular Capital One credit card offers simplicity without skimping on rewards. Cardholders earn a generous 2X miles on every purchase, which can be redeemed as a statement credit toward travel, including hotel and airline purchases.
Biggest drawbacks: Capital One doesn’t have many domestic travel transfer partners. This can make it harder to maximize the value of your miles when booking domestic flights.
Alternatives: If you’re looking to earn at a flat-rate but aren’t too pleased with the Venture card’s $95 annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a suitable alternative. Although cardholders only earn 1.25X miles on all purchases, the card still comes with a sign-up bonus of 20,000 miles for spending $500 in the first three months. This is a smaller bonus and a lower rewards rate than the Venture card, but it’ll also be easier to obtain, making this an ideal option for modest spenders.
Bottom line: This card is a great option if you’re looking for an easy way to earn high travel rewards on all purchases. But if you’re after top-drawer travel perks, you may want to look elsewhere.
Best for luxury travel: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Best features: This premium card comes fully-loaded with travel benefits, including luxury lounge access and elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy hotels upon enrollment, which entitles you to a range of free upgrades. Travelers will also enjoy a laundry list of travel credits that’ll help offset the card’s annual fee.
Biggest drawbacks: The card only earns bonus rewards on flights and prepaid hotels. This may make it less useful for earning rewards than cards with lower annual fees that offer bonus points or miles on both travel and everyday essentials. Plus, some of the credits – like the card’s luxury fitness credit or Walmart+ credit – don’t have broad appeal, making it harder to offset the high $695 annual fee.
Alternatives: Unlike the Platinum card, the American Express® Gold Card lets you earn high bonus rewards for purchases made in categories beyond travel, including restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases. It also comes with a lot of the same benefits as the Platinum card, such as car rental insurance, purchase protection and Hotel Collection benefits, all for a much smaller $250 annual fee.
Bottom line: If you can take advantage of its many perks, this card should tick all the right boxes for big spenders and frequent travelers looking for luxury travel perks, particularly complimentary airport lounge access.
Best for annual credits: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Best features: This premium travel rewards card makes it easy to earn unlimited miles on more than just travel purchases. When you book through Capital One Travel, you’ll earn some of the highest rewards available on hotels, rental cars and flights. Plus, the first-year savings are impressive thanks to the sign-up bonus. Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Biggest drawbacks: Limited flexibility: To get the best value out of this card given its $395 annual fee, you’ll have to book your travel through Capital One Travel instead of going directly through an airline or hotel.
Alternatives: The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best travel cards for lounge access and other luxury perks. Frequent travelers who can take advantage of all those perks can easily offset the card’s high annual fee.
Bottom line: The Venture X should appeal to both frequent travelers who want to earn more than just 1 mile per dollar on all non-travel purchases and luxury travelers who want to enjoy premium travel without paying the typical sky-high annual fees.
Best features: For a $95 annual fee, cardholders earn 3X points, not only on air travel, hotels and dining but also supermarket and gas station purchases, two of the most popular everyday spending categories. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10X points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel portal through June 30, 2024. There’s also a sign-up bonus that matches some of the welcome offers found with many other mid-level travel cards and an annual hotel credit, which could make it easier to offset the card’s annual fee every year.
Biggest drawbacks: If you want to transfer your points in the hopes of getting more value out of your rewards, JetBlue is the only domestic carrier on Citi’s list of airline partners, which can make it harder to book domestic travel.
Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred is similar but may be a more attractive option due to its travel protection coverage. Plus, Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program includes a robust list of airlines and hotel partners with its Ultimate Rewards program.
Bottom line: Someone looking to earn rewards on travel and everyday expenses will appreciate the versatility of the Citi Premier Card, not to mention its generous welcome bonus.
Best features: The Discover it® Miles offers simplicity and flexibility without the annual fee. All purchases earn 1.5X miles, which is a fairly average offer. But Discover sweetens the deal by matching all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You can redeem your rewards at any time without fear of blackout dates, expiration dates or mile limits.
Biggest drawbacks: Discover only matches the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year, and the card’s ongoing rewards rate means its earning potential takes a big dip after that. Plus, you can’t transfer miles to partner airline and hotel programs, so you won’t be able to redeem your miles for greater value than one cent per mile.
Alternatives: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is another solid no-annual-fee travel card. It not only offers a flat rate of 1.25X miles on every purchase, but also 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. That could make it easier for frequent travelers to earn rewards. It also has a number of travel and consumer protections that you won’t find with most entry level travel cards, including the Discover it Miles.
Bottom line: This card’s generous first-year welcome offer is ideal for budget-friendly travelers or someone looking for their first travel credit card.
Best features: Traveling foodies, rejoice – this card offers an industry-leading 4X points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. You’ll also earn 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then one point per dollar) and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amextravel.com. Trips with common carriers that are booked with your Gold card are covered for baggage insurance worth up to $1,250 for carry-on bags and $500 for checked bags.
Biggest drawbacks: The annual fee is $250, pricier than other travel rewards cards with mid-level travel perks. And unless food is a significant portion of your spending, the card’s rewards rate and food delivery credits may not be the best fit.
Alternatives: The Citi Premier® Card comes close to matching the Amex Gold with its rewards rates, but its annual fee is much lower than the Amex Gold card’s (just $95).
Bottom line: If you’re a frequent traveler who makes dining out a staple of their vacations and staycations, you’ll get a lot of value with this card.
Best features: This top-of-the-line card comes with a wealth of travel perks, including a sign-up bonus worth $900 when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards (60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months). There’s also a $300 annual credit for travel purchases that can be used for flights, hotel stays, taxi rides and public transportation.
Biggest drawbacks: If dining rewards and traveling in comfort and style are not your main focus, this card and its $550 annual fee won’t provide much value.
Alternatives: If you’re looking for a card with annual credits and luxury lounge access, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a wider network but carries a slightly higher annual fee of $695.
Bottom line: Frequent travelers who can take full advantage of the Sapphire Reserve card’s perks and bonus categories may find the steep annual fee worth the cost.
Best features: Its welcome offer and ongoing rewards rates could hold a ton of value for frequent travelers and fans of public transit alike. The card also offers a relatively low-cost way to try out perks like lounge access via Loungebuddy and expedited security screening.
Biggest drawbacks: Though the card offers useful perks, they may not be comprehensive enough for some travelers. For example, the Loungebuddy credits may only cover a handful of lounge visits, whereas some premium travel cards offer unlimited lounge access at more airports.
Alternatives: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card carries a higher annual fee ($395), but could also offer better ongoing value thanks to its practical perks, including more comprehensive lounge access, an annual travel credit and anniversary bonus miles. The value of these benefits alone can go a long way toward offsetting the annual fee.
Bottom line: If you want to see what Amex travel rewards are all about without committing to a big annual fee, this card is a great way to start.
Best for occasional travelers: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Best features: This card will appeal to travelers looking for flexible redemption options. Instead of booking through a designated travel portal, you can redeem your points for any travel and dining purchases made on your credit card within the last 12 months. That includes bookings on third-party sites like Expedia or Travelocity.
Biggest drawbacks: The best rewards are reserved for Bank of America customers with savings or investment accounts. If that’s not you, you can likely find another card that rewards your travel purchases at a higher rate.
Alternatives: The Capital One VentureOne is similar in that it does not charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fee. But it also has a number of valuable purchase and travel protections that help give the card more value.
Bottom line: The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a solid choice for occasional travelers focused on earning some rewards and avoiding an annual fee.
Best for expedited security screening: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
Best features: Along with perks like an annual up to $100 credit for airline incidentals, this card offers a credit of up to $100 to cover the cost of a TSA Precheck or Global Entry application. That perk isn’t always included on travel cards available at the $95-annual-fee level.
Biggest drawbacks: Unlike many travel rewards cards with an annual fee, this card doesn’t let you transfer rewards to partner airline or hotel loyalty programs to squeeze more value out of your points. Plus, the card’s best rewards rates are reserved for people with large savings or investment accounts.
Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has greater flexibility for travelers who want to transfer their points to airline or hotel travel partners. It also comes with better redemption value if you book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal and travel protections.
Bottom line: This card could be a good fit for heavy packers who can take advantage of the airline incidental fee credits or people who already have a Bank of America checking account. Those who are loyal to one airline or don’t bank with Bank of America may not find much value in this card.
Best for fair credit: Credit One Bank Wander® Card
Best features: Even people with fair credit can take advantage of the card’s bonus rewards in a variety of travel categories. Many travel cards only earn generous bonus rewards for airline or hotel purchases or for travel booked through the issuer’s travel portal. But the Wander card is more flexible, giving you more freedom to book travel the way you like.
Biggest drawbacks: There are no transfer partners, so your points are worth a maximum of 1 cent each. Plus, the card has fewer perks compared to other mid-level cards with a similar annual fee.
Alternatives: Your options are limited if you’re looking for another travel card open to people with fair credit. But many Capital One cards like the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® or the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card could help you rack up a lot of rewards that you can use to help cover the cost of travel. You can also take advantage of convenient and cost-saving features found in the Capital One Travel Portal.
Bottom line: This is a solid pick for credit-builders who want to earn travel rewards while they work to build their credit score.
Best for budget flyers: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Best features: This entry-level airline card has some of the same popular features as more expensive Southwest consumer travel cards, including a chance to earn the Southwest Companion Pass® – one of the most coveted perks in all of travel rewards. If you earn 135,000 points in a year, you can pick a companion to fly with you for free (except for taxes and fees) for up to two years on any Southwest flight that you purchase with cash or points.
Biggest drawbacks: Unlike some other airline cards, this no-frills card doesn’t earn bonus points in popular everyday categories like gas or grocery stores. Plus, the card’s anniversary bonus of 3,000 points is lower than the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card’s bonus.
Alternatives: The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card may be a better fit for budget travelers. It comes with a $0 intro annual fee (then $99 a year) and a chance to earn bonus miles faster thanks to practical bonus categories including not only travel, but also restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. It also has a number of convenient features like priority boarding and a chance to earn a $100 Delta flight credit. Plus, Delta and its partner network are much more extensive than Southwest.
Bottom line: The Rapid Rewards Plus card is a decent choice for occasional Southwest flyers looking for a cheap rewards travel card. But if you fly Southwest frequently and want to double your anniversary points while avoiding foreign transaction fees, consider upgrading to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and its higher annual fee of $99.
Best no annual fee airline card: American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
Best features: This no-annual-fee airline card gives households a chance to earn miles on more than just travel. You’ll earn 2X miles not only on eligible American Airlines purchases, but also at grocery stores, which increases the card’s earning potential for the average consumer. The MileUp card also has a low spend threshold for its sign-up bonus: Spend just $500 in your first three months and you’ll earn 10,000 miles and a $50 statement credit.
Biggest drawbacks: This card lacks a number of cost-saving perks found with other airline cards, including a first checked bag free for you and additional passengers and a chance to earn travel credits for your spending. Depending on how often you fly and how many people you travel with, you could actually save more money with a travel card that charges an annual fee.
Alternatives: The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has a similar rewards rate and charges no annual fee for the first year, then $99 thereafter. That gives you time to test out perks you won’t find with the MileUp card, like priority boarding, a first checked bag free for you and eight additional passengers and a chance to earn a $100 flight credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year.
Bottom line: This card is worth a look if you’re loyal to American Airlines but only fly occasionally and are looking for a no-annual-fee credit card. But if you want the flexibility to fly with different carriers while still earning high rewards, you may get better value out of a general-purpose travel rewards card.
Best for United MileagePlus members: United Quest℠ Card
Best features: Even semi-frequent United flyers can come out ahead with this mid-tier airline credit card, thanks to all the ways the card’s perks can offset its $250 annual fee. That includes multiple anniversary credits, priority boarding, checked baggage fee waivers and the up to $100 credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee.
Biggest drawbacks: Unlike other airline cards with a high annual fee, the United Quest doesn’t offer complimentary lounge access. Plus, the sign-up bonus has a high spend requirement: You’ll need to spend $4,000 in the first three months to earn the sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles plus500 Premier qualifying points.
Alternatives: If the annual fee doesn’t fit your budget, the United℠ Explorer Card is worth a look since it has a $0 intro annual fee (then $95 annually), but still carries a generous sign-up bonus, priority boarding, purchase and travel protections and an up to $100 credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee.
Bottom line: The United Quest Card packs in a lot of perks and value, making it a solid pick for loyal United travelers looking for an enhanced travel experience.
Best hotel credit card: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Best features: This card offers great long-term value for frequent travelers who stay at the world’s largest hotel chain a few nights or more per year. You get plenty of chances to offset the $95 annual fee, including a free night every year after your account anniversary (up to 35,000 points) and a high rewards rate in the popular, practical bonus categories of travel, grocery, gas and dining purchases, as well as a flat rate of 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
Biggest drawbacks: You can only use your rewards with Marriott hotels. So if you don’t frequent the brand, you’ll be better served by a different hotel credit card or a general-purpose travel rewards card, which offers greater flexibility in how you redeem your rewards.
Alternatives: If you’re not loyal to one hotel chain, the Chase Sapphire Preferred should give you more redemption options. It earns bonus points on travel, dining, and select online grocery purchases – points that can be redeemed in a variety of ways, including for travel, or transferred to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners. And when you redeem for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, your points have 25% more value.
Bottom line: Travelers who stay at Marriott frequently enough to offset the $95 annual fee will appreciate this card. But depending on your spending habits and the hotel features that matter most to you, you may get greater value with another Marriott card.
Travel rewards credit cards let you earn points or miles you can redeem for travel purchases. Some offer a flat-rate of return on general purchases, but many offer bonus rewards for typical travel purchases or everyday spending categories, like restaurants, gas or even groceries. Earning points or miles is usually as easy as swiping your card in the right spots, and some cards provide limited-time offers and sign-up bonuses as opportunities to sprinkle more on top.
When it comes to exchanging your miles or points for trips, your redemption options will vary by card. Most travel credit cards stipulate that you redeem points or miles for travel purchases. (Some let you redeem for gift cards or cash back.) You can typically redeem points or miles by booking future trips through a designated portal, like Amextravel.com or Chase Ultimate Rewards, or transferring rewards to an issuer’s travel partners to book flights or hotel stays.
The basics of points and miles cards are pretty much the same. You swipe, tap or insert to make purchases, earn and accumulate rewards, and redeem for a discount on your next trip.
Types of travel cards
General travel credit cards are best for occasional and frequent travelers who value flexibility in how they earn and redeem rewards. Also known as general-purpose travel cards, these cards aren’t tied to a particular airline or hotel.
Depending on the card, you can earn higher points not only on travel-related purchases, but also in popular categories like groceries, gas, and dining. The points you earn can be redeemed in a variety of ways, typically including statement credits and travel (though points may be worth less when used for non-travel redemptions). If your card earns transferable rewards, you can also move your points over to an airline or hotel loyalty program, giving you more freedom to find the travel redemption option that best suits your needs. The right transfer partner can even increase the value of your points beyond the typical 1-cent-per-point value. However, average point values vary from program to program, so you’ll need to test out different routes and carriers to see how far your points can take you before you transfer points between loyalty programs.
Some of the most popular rewards programs for general travel credit cards include:
Since general-purpose travel cards aren’t co-branded with any particular airline or hotel, they may not include as many high-value airline or hotel perks as co-branded hotel and airline cards. Added together, perks like automatic hotel elite status, companion passes or free checked bags could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
On the other hand, general travel cards give you more freedom to choose how you travel and where you stay. Plus, plenty of general travel cards come loaded with valuable benefits not tied to specific airlines and hotels – especially if you’re willing to pay an annual fee. Most general travel cards carry higher rewards rates compared to airline cards with similar annual fees, which gives you a chance to earn more rewards faster. And you’ll have a number of redemption options that make each of your points worth at least 1 cent, which is worth more than the rewards you’ll earn with most hotel rewards programs and some airline rewards programs.
Here’s a look at some of the top features your general travel card may offer:
Annual travel credits: Premium cards like the Capital One Venture X and Chase Sapphire Reserve reward cardmembers with annual travel credits worth hundreds of dollars, which may be used to offset previous travel costs or book new travel through the card’s travel portal.
Airport lounge access: A number of mid-level and premium travel cards offer discounted or complimentary airport lounge access for you and your guests. This perk lets users escape the rush of the airport to relax and enjoy amenities like complimentary food and drinks, showers or even spa treatments. Popular airport lounge networks include Priority Pass lounges and the exclusive American Express Global Lounge Collection
Luxury hotel benefits: Your card issuer may offer Visa or Mastercard’s luxury hotel collection benefit. This perk can lead to room upgrades, free breakfast, food or beverage credits and late check-out. This is typically offered with credit cards with Visa Signature or Infinite benefits as well as cards with Mastercard World or World Elite benefits, though you’ll have to check with your card issuer to be certain.
Car rental elite status: With the right general travel rewards card, you can not only rent a car but also get discounts and status upgrades that let you skip the lines when renting and returning, as well as vehicle upgrades based on availability and other exclusive perks.
Airline credit cards are co-branded cards that carry the name of the card issuer and a particular airline. They’re a great fit for travelers who regularly fly with a particular airline and can take advantage of the perks found within its rewards program.
Some of the most popular airline rewards programs include:
Like general travel cards, airline rewards cards can earn rewards on a variety of purchases, but your redemption options are more limited. To get the best value, you’ll typically want to redeem your rewards for flights with the airline or one of its partners.
Is an airline credit card worth it?
Though they offer less flexibility than general travel cards, airline cards reward your loyalty with a number of features that can make your travel experience more rewarding and save you a lot of money, even after you factor in the cost of an annual fee.
Here’s a look at some of the top airline credit card benefits to look out for:
Free checked bags: With this perk, you and those traveling with you can avoid paying a fee for your first checked bag. Many airlines charge $30 to $35 per checked bag, per trip, so the savings can add up, especially if you’re traveling with a large family and use an airline card that offers free checked bags for several passengers.
Fast track to elite airline status: Frequent flyers looking for an enhanced flying experience will have to spend thousands of dollars and spend a lot of time in the air to unlock the top-of-the-line perks that come with elite status. But an airline credit card can cut down on the eligibility requirements and may even come with welcome offers and additional credits that get you elite status faster.
Travel companion pass: Earning an airline companion pass takes some work, but if you qualify you can bring a passenger along on a future flight for free (though you’ll still have to pay taxes and fees). Some airlines even offer companion passes that let you bring a guest with you on any flight you book for a year or more.
Priority boarding: This perk helps you quickly board a plane and get your carry-on stowed away in an overhead bin before it fills up.
In-flight discounts: This perk helps you save on drinks, snacks and other extras purchased on your flight. You’ll typically enjoy a discount of 20% to 25% off.
Hotel credit cards are co-branded cards that earn points you can redeem for stays with a specific hotel chain. Some of the most popular hotel rewards programs include:
Like airline credit cards, hotel credit cards can pack in a lot of brand-specific perks to reward you for your loyalty. Some cards offer supersized rewards rates, typically for hotel-related purchases. This can make it easier to quickly rack up points that can be used for future visits. On top of the high-earning potential, hotel travel cards may also come with some of the following benefits:
Free night: Many hotel cards automatically reward you with a free night at select properties every year on your anniversary. Others give you a chance to earn a free night after you spend a certain amount on the card.
Room upgrades: Your card could automatically qualify you for room upgrades when available, giving you more space or better views.
Elite hotel status: Some of the best hotel cards come with automatic elite status, making you eligible for exclusive perks, while others put you on a fast track to achieve higher levels of elite status.
Pros and cons of travel credit cards
Although the travel benefits and rewards offerings of travel credit cards are enticing, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each card to determine if it’s the right fit for your travel and spending habits.
Pros
Travel for less: Travel credit cards offer numerous money-saving benefits for cardholders, such as high travel reward rates, sign-up bonuses and travel credits. Benefits like these and others help bring down the overall cost of travel.
Generous perks: The best travel cards often come with additional benefits that improve your overall travel experience and make it even more rewarding. Perks such as room upgrades, free nights, statement credits and lounge access are all examples of rewarding benefits offering value while enhancing your travel.
Fast track to elite status: Rewards programs may have an elite status which offer maximum program benefits, but often take quite a while to obtain. Some travel rewards cards help cut down on the elite qualification period for airlines, hotels and car rentals, which means you can start earning elite status benefits sooner.
Cons
Rewards programs can be complex: Keeping up with the travel rewards card program rules can be confusing, especially when redeeming or transferring points to a travel partner. It takes careful planning and calculation to ensure you are maximizing the value for your rewards.
Redemption options may be limited to travel: Travel cards typically provide the best value when redeeming for travel. While some cards offer redemptions for non-travel-related options, such as statement credits or gift cards, these are typically worth less versus travel redemptions.
Annual fees: Determining whether an annual fee is worth it can be difficult, and many of the best travel credit cards have yearly costs starting in the $95 to $100 range while some of the high-tier hotel and airline cards and luxury travel cards could have annual fees in the $200 to $700 range.
How to choose a travel credit card
Deciding which travel credit card is best for you can be difficult. Many cards have similar redemption options, earn rewards in the same categories or cost more than you’re willing to pay for an annual fee. The right card for you will provide value with both perks and rewards rates that match your needs and align with purchases you already make.
Who should get a travel credit card
Frequent flyers. If you’re someone who spends lots of time up in the air or booking hotel stays, you can absolutely benefit from earning rewards toward flights and free nights with a travel credit card. Regular travelers will also appreciate the additional benefits that relieve certain stresses of the travel experience. If you’re new to travel, look for cards that are less risky, like cards with no annual fee or ones with easy-to-understand rewards. Globetrotters both new and old will also appreciate the lack of foreign transaction fees many travel cards offer.
Brand loyalists. Fans of particular airlines and hotel chains can reap some serious rewards with their go-to brands. If you’re someone who sticks to the same spot when it comes to booking your travel, loyal customers can rack up an incredible amount of hotel points or flight miles using a card like the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus, American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp or the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.
Luxury travelers. Vacationers looking for top-shelf travel perks and valuable rewards programs may have to pay a pretty penny to carry their card, but options like The Platinum Card from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve can easily offset their annual fees. You’ll find high-end earnings rates on your purchases and benefits to back it up. Take advantage of exclusive add-ons, like access to airport lounges, free checked bags, specialty offers and more.
Road trippers. If you’re on the road frequently, some travel cards earn rewards on purchases at gas stations and hotel stays. A hotel credit card like one in the Hilton Honors program or Marriott Bonvoy may be a great choice if you regularly take cross-country trips and stay at hotels.
Who should skip a travel credit card
Someone who wants a low-maintenance credit card. While some flat-rate travel cards are available, many of the most lucrative cards with the best perks and benefits require strategy and planning. Travel cards with fixed bonus categories or a tiered rewards structure often have the best rewards rates, but the card that’s most fitting for you will depend on your spending habits. If you aren’t ready or willing to put a bit more effort into getting the most out of your travel credit card, a more straightforward rewards credit card may be a better fit.
Someone looking for flexibility. If you aren’t a frequent traveler or tend to spend the majority of your money on non-travel-related expenses, you may be able to get greater value out of a cash back credit card. These general-purpose cash rewards cards are more versatile than the majority of travel cards. They can help you maximize the amount of points you earn on spending in multiple everyday categories like supermarkets, gas, transit, streaming services or online purchases. And redeeming can be far less complicated and far more flexible. Depending on the credit card, redemption options may include statement credit, direct deposit, check, and travel.
Someone prone to overspending. The best travel rewards credit cards can help you save a lot of money but only if you use them strategically. Since rewards cards typically come with higher interest rates, you need to pay your balances in full each month to get the best value. If you can’t, you run the risk of losing more money to interest charges than you earn in rewards. You may even fall into credit card debt. If you aren’t able to pay your balances in full, a low-interest credit card may be a better option.
Do you know how much your points or miles are worth?
Choosing a card based solely on the number of miles or points you stand to earn can be a costly mistake. Redemption values can vary, and points and miles do not always transfer on a 1-to-1 basis, meaning 1,000 “miles” earned do not always translate to 1,000 miles of travel.
For example, the Citi Premier card has a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in your first three months of account opening. With the Premier card, most redemption options have a baseline value of 1 cent, so this offer can be worth at least $600. But based on Bankrate’s latest point valuations, we estimate that the right high-value transfer partner could boost your point value up to 1.9 cents on average. That could make your sign-up bonus worth an incredible $1,140.
Compare that to a card like the IHG® Rewards Premier, which offers a sign-up bonus of 140,000 points and 1 Free Night after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. That’s a great offer that can get you a number of free nights, but you’ll need to know the estimated value of your rewards to get a better understanding of just how much your rewards are worth. Since IHG Rewards are estimated to be worth 0.7 cents on average based on our points valuation, that comes out to a value of $980 dollars.
Understanding the true value of your rewards program can help you to maximize value and select the card that offers the best rewards for your spending habits.
How to calculate the value of your points and miles
To find the value of your points and miles, divide the cost of paying cash for the booking (such as the plane ticket or hotel room) by the number of points or miles required. Then compare this number to Bankrate’s points and miles valuation for the airline, hotel or credit card rewards program.
For example, if a flight on Southwest Airlines costs $800 out of pocket or 50,000 miles, the value is 1.6 cents per mile ($800 divided by 50,000 miles equals $0.016 or 1.6 cents). Since this is slightly higher than our estimated value of 1.5 cents per mile, you’re getting a good deal if you book this flight.
But if you instead go to redeem your rewards for a gift card and find a $25 card costs 10,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards miles, your value drops to 0.25 cents per mile ($25 divided by 10,000 miles equals $0.0025 or 0.25 cents). Since this is far below the 1.5-cent-per-point value you should look for, you’re better off using cash for this gift card and saving your points for a better deal.
How to compare travel credit cards
Finding the right travel card gives you access to a variety of perks and benefits, while also offering overall value. To find the right one, you may find it helpful to compare several cards at once so you can see which one offers the best value for your personal finances and travel habits.
Are you an occasional or frequent traveler? Frequent travelers typically have an easier time taking advantage of the numerous perks found with a travel card. If you travel less frequently, then a cash back card may make more financial sense.
Are you loyal to a certain airline or hotel? Travel credit cards may be co-branded with specific airlines or hotels, which could provide specific benefits not found with general-purpose cards like free nights and elite status. But if you like flexibility to choose any travel partner when traveling, a general-purpose card may be a better fit.
Look for travel perks that matter most to you. Higher rewards status with hotels or airlines, access to airport lounges or automatic elite status are a few examples of travel perks a card might offer. Make sure to look for a card that has more of the features that matter most to you.
Know how to earn and redeem maximum rewards. Watch out for restrictions like spending limits, which can hinder your ability to earn maximum rewards. And when redeeming, make sure your card provides the best value. Some travel cards don’t provide the best value when redeeming for non-travel-related options, such as gift cards or statement credits.
How to make the most out of your travel credit card
A travel credit card not only offers payment convenience, but it could offer major perks and benefits for your upcoming travel. Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or extended trip, there are ways to boost your rewards from a travel credit card that can either enhance your experience or save you money on your trip. If you have your eye on an excursion to Walt Disney World, a ski resort, gathering with family or any other vacation plans, you can use these strategies now to elevate your future travel experience.
Score a welcome offer. To make the most of your purchases and capitalize on travel rewards, seek out a welcome offer with an affordable spend requirement. Some of the top sign-up offers could be large enough to help you score free travel.
Take advantage of the card’s bonus rewards categories. Finding a travel rewards card offering bonus points for the purchases you are most likely to make is another way to supercharge your points earnings. For example, if your weekly work plans include lunch outside of the office, you could earn 3 points for every $1 spent at restaurants as a Citi® Premier cardholder, maximizing your earnings potential.
Consider a travel card that earns transferable points. Transferable points are points earned with one travel card that can be redeemed with another participating program. Based on Bankrate’s latest point valuations, the right high-value transfer partner could be the best way to maximize your rewards earnings.
Don’t forget your credit card benefits. Your travel credit card could have hidden credit card perks available to you to make travel more enjoyable and save you money, such as complimentary breakfast at hotels or free checked bags. In just one trip, a family of four could easily recoup a card’s annual fee through baggage fees alone. Other benefits, such as lost baggage coverage, not only reimburse you for clothing, toiletries or medication you had to purchase because of delayed or lost luggage, but provide additional peace of mind while traveling.
Consider a credit card combination. Pairing your travel card with another credit card that earns high rewards in areas you spend the most is a great way to maximize value. You may even be able to combine cards within the same rewards program. Chase, American Express, Capital One and Citi all offer some of the best credit card combinations that can help you rack up transferable rewards.
Skip the foreign transaction fees. Make sure to take along a card that skips this common overseas charge if you are traveling internationally. Many credit cards typically tack on a 3% charge anytime you use the card for a purchase overseas. You can avoid this by choosing a travel credit card that waives foreign transaction fees, such as the Capital One and Discover credit cards.
In the news: What is credit card travel insurance?
Travel insurance, or trip insurance, is a policy providing reimbursement or resources if something goes wrong during your trip. The coverage of the trip insurance varies depending on if it’s provided through a credit card or purchased as a separate policy.
Credit cards may provide a form of trip insurance when you use your card to pay for trip-related expenses. Credit card travel insurance can cover everything from trip cancellation and trip interruption, to lost luggage and car rental loss and damage insurance, depending on the benefits of your particular card.
In some cases, the coverage provided by the credit card may be enough to cover your needs for a travel-related event. But make sure to confirm the benefits before your travel and make sure it offers the right coverage. For example, if you are traveling internationally or need a “cancel for any reason” policy.
How we picked the best travel cards
Research methodology: We analyzed 300 travel rewards credit cards to identify the best offers currently on the market. The major factors we considered include:
Rewards rate: Does the card offer a competitive rewards rate for the travel category? For general purpose travel cards, this rate is generally between 1.25X to 2X rewards. For co-branded hotel or airline credit cards, we looked for a rate between 3X and 10X points on brand purchases, plus a competitive rate in other bonus categories.
Welcome offer: Annual fee travel credit cards, in particular, may offer a welcome bonus valued between $500 to $900. We considered the value of the sign-up bonus, alongside the required spend to receive it.
Additional travel perks: We considered whether the card offers additional travel benefits beyond base rewards. For instance, for airline credit cards, we considered whether they offered priority boarding, a free checked bag or lounge access. For hotel credit cards, we considered whether they offered upgrade opportunities, for Wi-Fi and free hotel stays with a card anniversary. For premium travel credit cards, we considered whether the card touted travel credits, travel insurance and other benefits that justified the high annual fee.
Rates and fees: Travel credit cards do tend to carry annual fees and higher APRs than low-interest credit cards. However, we considered how a card’s APRs compared to the current credit card industry average and whether any fees could be avoided or recouped by its travel rewards and benefits.
All criteria used: Rewards rates, rewards categories, sign-up bonus, point values, transfer partners, redemption options, redemption flexibility, annual fee, other rates and fees, travel credits, airport lounge access, travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, concierge service, other travel benefits, travel portal functionality, credit needed, customer service, events or other perks.
More information on travel credit cards
For more information on all things travel cards, continue reading content from our credit card experts:
Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards
When you’re shopping for a travel credit card, you’ll likely have two rewards currencies to choose from: points and miles.
Credit card points are the more flexible of the two options, usually allowing you to redeem your rewards for flights or hotel stays with a number of brands. Some cards allow you to redeem points for cash back, gift cards or merchandise, but often at a lower value than a travel redemption.
Credit card miles usually refer to frequent-flyer miles with a particular airline, such as Delta or United. If you have a miles-earning card, this usually means you can only redeem your miles for flights with one particular airline, though there are exceptions. These types of cards are also called co-branded cards and often come with additional perks like free checked bags.
General travel cards typically offer more flexibility by allowing you to book travel and redeem rewards with a variety of airlines and hotels. Co-branded travel cards are tied to a specific airline or hotel chain, and for the best value, you’re usually required to redeem your rewards with that specific brand.
Travel credit cards often feature higher rewards rates and numerous benefits, which typically means the odds of approval are higher for someone with a good or excellent credit score — usually around a 670 FICO score or higher. But someone with bad or fair credit still has options. Although the credit card may not be labeled specifically as a travel rewards card, cards like the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card don’t require great credit and offer rewards in travel categories like hotels and rental cars.
Many credit card rewards programs will note that rewards won’t expire for the life of the account. However, it’s always best to read your card’s terms and conditions to be sure. Some cards do have rewards that expire after a period of inactivity. In some cases, you could forfeit your rewards by missing a payment or canceling a card. Every card comes with its own set of rules, so always read the fine print.
Whether you have an airline credit card or a general travel card, you can use your or miles to book award tickets. How many miles for a free flight, however, is determined by the type of credit card you have and whether your card offers bonus value on travel redemptions.
For example, If you book through AMEX, your points are worth 1 cent apiece on travel redemptions. That means if a flight costs $500, you’ll need 50,000 points to book.
If you book through Capital One or use your card to book and redeem rewards as a statement credit, each mile is worth 1 cent each. So if the cash price of the fare is $250, you’d need 25,000 miles to book.
Through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, you’ll get at least 1 cent per point in value. But if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you’ll get 1.25 cents per point on flights and other travel booked through Chase. And if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, your points are worth 1.5 cents each.
If you have a card that earns Citi ThankYou Rewards, you’ll typically get 1 cent per point when booking a flight. That means a $750 flight would cost 75,000 points.
About the Author
Jeanine Skowronski
Jeanine Skowronski is a credit card expert, analyst, and multimedia journalist with over 10 years of experience covering business and personal finance. She has previously served as the Head of Content at Policygenius, Executive Editor of Credit.com, Deputy Editor at American Banker, Staff Reporter at TheStreet and a columnist for Inc. Magazine.
About the Editor
Robert Thorpe
Robert Thorpe is an editor for CreditCards.com
About the Reviewer
Stephanie Zito
Stephanie Zito is a professional traveler, humanitarian and credit card points collector sharing savvy travel tips she has learned firsthand from more than 20 years of circling the globe as a backpacker, expat and premium traveler in more than 125 countries and all seven continents.
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Know your odds before you apply
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Calculating your approval odds
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We’re sorry, but something went wrong and we couldn’t find your approval odds. Instead, you'll see recommended credit ranges from the issuers listed next to cards on our site.