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• How to make the most of a travel card
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The Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

May 9, 2024

How we Choose

Whether you’re an occasional traveler looking to save on your next vacation or a frequent traveler looking for premium travel perks, there’s a travel rewards card for you. We’ll break down our top picks for the best travel rewards credit cards.

Best travel credit cards of May 2024

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best welcome bonus
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card : Best first travel card
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best for flat-rate rewards
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : Best for occasional travelers
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best for point value
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card : Best for hotels
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® : Best for pairing with Chase cards
• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for luxury travel
• American Express® Gold Card : Best for foodies
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best for annual credits
• Discover it® Miles : Best for no annual fee
• Credit One Bank Wander® Card : Best for fair credit
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card : Best for gas and transit
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card : Best for budget flyers
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card : Best for travel credits
• United Quest℠ Card : Best for United MileagePlus members

Additional Options:

• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Best hotel credit card
• American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®: Best no-annual-fee airline card
• Citi Premier® Card: Best for everyday spending (The Citi Premier Card is no longer available)

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Rewards rate

At a glance, overall rating, why we like this card.

This card has one of the highest sign-up bonuses you’ll find with a mid-level travel card. Plus, it offers generous rewards for your travel and dining purchases and additional benefits like a 25% boost in points value when you redeem your rewards through the Chase Travel℠ portal.

• You'll find more benefits with this card than with other mid-level travel cards, including an anniversary boost and a hotel credit.
• Instead of the typical 1-cent–per-point value you might find on rival travel cards, you can enjoy 25% more value when you book travel through Chase Travel℠.
• Bonus categories are limited to travel and dining, so you have little flexibility in how you earn rewards.
• The card lacks attractive travel perks like airport lounge access or security precheck credits.

Bottom Line

If you are hoping to fast-track your way to your next trip, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers ample opportunities to earn rewards, along with a generous sign-up bonus.

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Rates & Fees

Capital one ventureone rewards credit card.

This card is ideal as a first travel card because you don’t have to strategize to offset an annual fee every year, but can still enjoy terrific travel benefits. You can redeem for various travel purchases like hotels, rental cars and flights either through Capital One’s travel portal or other travel websites. Plus, you can transfer your rewards to partner loyalty programs — adding more flexibility in your travel.

• No need to offset the cost of an annual fee
• Low minimum spend for sign-up bonus
• Lower rewards rate and less perks than cards with an annual fee
• Reduced value of your miles when you use the rewards for non-travel redemption options, such as statement credits or gift cards

This card offers a straightforward earning structure and an attainable sign-up bonus, allowing cardholders to rack up miles while not worrying about an annual fee.

• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a great flat rate of 2X miles for all purchases and gives you ultimate flexibility for redemption, including for travel purchases booked outside of the Capital One portal non-travel rewards, such as gift cards (though you may get a lower value). You can also enjoy additional benefits, like an up to $100 credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, that can help offset the $95 annual fee.

• Simple earning structure and flexible redemption options
• Generous sign-up bonus
• Lack of large domestic travel transfer partners
• Low redemption value unless using select airlines

The Capital One Venture Card is a top-notch travel card that offers simplicity and valuable perks without the pricey annual fees associated with many premium cards in this category or skimping on rewards.

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is a great choice for infrequent travelers who want ultimate flexibility when it comes to earning and redeeming rewards. Cardholders can redeem points for statement credit to pay toward travel expenses, like flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars or baggage fees. Additionally, you can redeem for dining purchases.

You can also take advantage of its sign-up bonus — 25,000 online bonus points if you spend $1,000 in your first 90 days, redeemable for a $250 statement toward travel and dining made on your credit card within the last 12 months, including on third-party sites like Expedia or Travelocity.

• Ultraflexible redemption policy that can cover some purchases outside travel
• Can redeem rewards as a statement credit months after the initial travel or dining purchase
• Rewards rate for travel purchases not as lucrative as others in this category
• Not the most valuable sign-up offer

Despite the fact that cardholders won’t be able to weigh spending toward a particular category to maximize their points, this card is a great fit for occasional travelers who still want to earn rewards but without having to pay an annual fee.

• 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 as long as your account remains open.
• 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.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

For those looking for a premium credit card with generous travel perks and a top-tier sign-up bonus, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is considered to be one of the best options on the market. And with no blackout dates, expiration dates for points or point limits, the card offers major redemption flexibility.

The sign-up bonus is worth a whopping 75,000 points or $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠ after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months, so you are getting more than a cent per mile value. With the $300 annual credit for travel purchases, generous earning structure and impressive list of additional perks, seasoned travelers have plenty of opportunity to offset the steep $550 annual fee.

• Wealth of travel perks and rewards categories
• Increase your point value by 50% by redeeming them for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Required spend of $300 on travel annually before travel category rewards rates apply
• Lower rewards value for merchandise

While the price of admission for Chase’s premium travel card is steep, the bonuses and wealth of luxury travel perks will be worth it in the long run for experienced travelers.

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Though it boasts a terrific rewards rate on hotel bookings and airfare, it’s flexible enough to offer great value even for occasional travelers. You can redeem points for both cash back and travel, earn bonus rewards on restaurants and score an especially easy-to-earn annual credit.

• You can offset over half the card’s cost just by taking advantage of the $50 annual statement credit you’ll get with a $50 minimum airline purchase. That’s easy to earn even if you only fly once per year.
• Wells Fargo now offers a decent list of airline and hotel partners, making the card easily the issuer’s most appealing option for occasional or semi-frequent travelers.
• You’ll miss out on some of the more popular travel and airline credit card perks, like TSA PreCheck credits, free checked bags and priority boarding, which may be more valuable to frequent travelers than an annual statement credit.
• While you can stack and pool points with the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, it only offers one lucrative category not already covered by the Autograph Journey: gas stations.

This is a solid mid-tier card for semi-frequent travelers looking for flexible redemption and a balance of everyday and travel-centric rewards.

• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.
• Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.
• $95 annual fee.
• Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
• Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
• Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Its flat rate and bonus categories, especially for the first 12 months, make it a great companion for premium Chase cards. If you want to rack up as many Chase Ultimate Rewards points as possible and then use them toward your next trip, then this card can help you get there. Plus, its welcome offer can help boost rewards.

• Its bonus earnings for the first 12 months boost your rewards and this card’s upfront value.
• You can pool this card’s rewards with certain Chase travel cards to get more redemption and transfer flexibility.
• Other cards have better travel benefits or welcome offers if you want as many rewards and perks as possible.
• You won’t get the full potential of this card without pairing it with a premium Chase card, which comes with annual fees.

This card’s true potential lies in pairing it with certain Chase travel cards. Make sure you use it to pool your Ultimate Rewards points for more value when redeeming for travel.

• Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

See if you’re pre-approved for this card using our CardMatch tool .

This popular premium card from American Express comes fully-loaded with travel benefits, including luxury lounge access, Hilton Honors gold status (enrollment required), no foreign transaction fees and an impressive list of travel benefits that will help offset the $695 annual fee.

This card currently touts a generous welcome offer: You can earn 80,000 points if you spend $8,000 in your first six months of card membership, which we estimate to be worth around $800 when you book through AmexTravel (where points are worth around 1 cent each).

• Extensive list of travel credits and premium perks
• Ability to transfer points to a host of airline partners, including Delta Airlines
• Limited amount of bonus categories
• Expensive annual fee

For frequent travelers or those looking to make their dream vacation a reality, the Amex Platinum checks every box and provides generous travel credits to offset its high annual fee.

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• 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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

American Express® Gold Card

The Amex Gold card offers an industry-leading 4X points at restaurants (including U.S. takeout and delivery) and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) as well as 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com.

It also features dining benefits, such as an up to $120 in yearly statement credits on select restaurants, including Grubhub and The Cheesecake Factory, and up to $120 in Uber cash annually. In addition to the foodie-friendly rewards rate, this card offers a valuable introductory offer and travel perks like baggage and car rental insurance when you book with your Gold card.

• If you spend a lot on food and dining, its industry-leading rewards rate on restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases is hard to beat.
• Like the Amex Green card, you can transfer points to multiple air travel partners, including Delta Airlines, and hotel partners, like Hilton Honors.
• Its annual fee is pricier than what’s on some travel credit cards.
• You must redeem travel rewards through amextravel.com.

The Amex Gold is one of the best cards on the market with its generous rewards rate and lucrative introductory offer. If food and travel account for a large portion of your spending, this card’s value more than covers the $250 annual fee.

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Venture X is an instant top contender in the premium card market with its fully-loaded annual benefits that can be worth over $400. Yearly perks like bonus miles on your account anniversary (equal to $100 in travel) and a $300 travel credit when you book travel through Capital One Travel, can help cover the annual fee. Compared with other high-end travel rewards credit cards, the $395 annual fee is modest, and many travelers will come out well ahead.

• You can enjoy a fairly simple rewards structure with unlimited 2X miles in all purchase categories, in addition to bonus rewards in Capital One travel categories.
• The card offers statement credit for Global Entry and TSA Precheck, which adds to your overall savings.
• The sign-up bonus is generous, but it requires a high spend.
• While not unusual, you'll need excellent credit to be eligible for this premium card.

Travel rewards cards packed with this many features typically come with sky-high annual fees, but the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card delivers with luxury benefits and a more down-to-earth annual fee.

• 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
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Discover it® Miles

For a no-annual-fee card, Discover offers simplicity. You’ll be able to earn unlimited miles and have flexible redemption options like statement credits towards travel purchases or as cash deposits into your bank account. Plus, cardholders have a unique opportunity at the end of their first year when Discover will match every mile you earn.

• Appealing welcome offer that can essentially double all the miles earned at the end of the first year
• Competitive redemption value for cash back at 1 cent per mile
• Rewards earning potential takes a significant hit after your first year
• Can’t transfer miles to airline frequent-flyer programs

The Discover it® Miles card offers an impressive list of high-end travel perks and a generous first-year welcome offer for travel credit card newbies, but earning benefits drop off substantially after the first 12 months.

• Unlimited Bonus: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
• Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
• No annual fee
• Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
• Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
• Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
• Terms and conditions apply.

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

This is one of the only travel cards accessible to people with fair credit. It also offers a high rewards rate on a great mix of travel spending, including gas, airfare, hotels, resorts and bookings made through travel agencies. This will be especially appealing if you prefer booking directly with airlines and hotels to maximize loyalty rewards and elite status.

• People with fair-to-excellent credit can earn high rewards on eligible travel and everyday purchases like dining and gas.
• Frequent travelers can earn generous rewards even while working toward elite status with airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• It offers fewer perks compared to other mid-level travel cards with a similar annual fee and high variable APR.
• Points aren’t transferable and remain fixed at a value of 1 cent each when redeemed for cash back, which could prove limiting for frequent travelers who know how to maximize points for greater value.

This could be a top pick for travelers who struggle to qualify for cards with more travel perks and transfer partners.

• Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
• Earn 1x points on all other purchases
• Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
• With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
• Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
• If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
• See Rates & Fees

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

It offers one of the best rewards rates you can get on everyday travel – including airfare, hotels, gas stations and transit – without paying an annual fee. And since it also rewards dining (another key everyday spending category), it makes for a terrific standalone rewards card.

• It has no annual fee and a high rewards rate for everyday spending categories.
• It earns bonus rewards in common spending categories like gas stations and restaurants as well as in harder-to-find categories like phone plans, making it an especially versatile option.
• Though the card earns bonus rewards in a great mix of everyday categories, it offers a lackluster rate on grocery purchases, which could limit its standalone value.
• Unlike some competing no-annual-fee travel cards, the Autograph doesn’t let you transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs, limiting the potential value of your rewards.

This card could be a great fit for occasional travelers who want to earn rewards on everyday spending and have the flexibility to redeem for cash back.

• Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
• Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
• $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus credit card is ideally suited for entry-level travelers. Even if you only fly occasionally with Southwest airlines, you can easily boost rewards and receive a generous welcome offer. The perks for this card rival those found in higher-tier cards, such as getting the first two checked bags for free and two EarlyBird Check-In® each year.

• Can almost cover the annual fee with 3,000-point anniversary bonus
• Valuable perks on a domestic airline with a reputation for being customer-friendly
• Does not include certain perks often found with travel cards, such as priority boarding or a fast track to elite status
• Lacks airline partners and international travel options

For those already integrated into the Southwest ecosystem, this card offers generous bonus opportunities and access to unique, customer-friendly perks for a reasonable annual fee.

• Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 3,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

This card from Bank of America offers great value for a $95 annual fee card, especially if you already bank with them. If you are a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you’ll be rewarded with an additional 25 percent to 75 percent redemption bonus on all your earnings.

In addition, this card offers some of the strongest travel insurance benefits you can get, up to a $100 annual statement credit that you can use for airline incidental expenses, an application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and a points program that rewards spending in a variety of categories.

• The $100 annual statement credit you can use towards airline expenses and the application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry more than offset the $95 annual fee.
• Preferred Rewards members receive some of the highest rewards rates among any travel or cash back credit cards.
• If you’re not a Preferred Rewards member, the benefits of the card are not as robust compared to other cards with similar annual fees.
• The $100 airline incidental credit only covers qualifying incidentals and not actual flight costs.

The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card combines the benefits of a cash back card and premium travel card and is an especially good value for those with existing Bank of America accounts.

• Low $95 annual fee.
• Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 - 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
• Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
• Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
• No foreign transaction fees.

United Quest℠ Card

If you like to regularly travel on United Airlines (or their partner airlines) then this card is worth a look. Not only do you earn enhanced bonus miles for United purchases, other travel and select everyday purchases, you also get an impressive amount of airline-specific perks. This includes anniversary credits and free first and second checked bags for you and one companion.

• Impressive sign-up bonus and anniversary credits
• Easy to earn miles with popular bonus categories like dining and select streaming purchases
• High annual fee for infrequent United flyers
• No airport lounge access

The United Quest Card is a terrific option for semi-frequent United travelers, but cardholders should plan to redeem United miles at least twice a year to take full advantage and offset the annual fee.

• Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after qualifying purchases
• Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and priority boarding
• Up to a $125 United® purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year (terms apply)
• Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)

The information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card, the American Express® Green Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier 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 2024

Editor’s picks: best travel credit card details, best welcome bonus: chase sapphire preferred® card.

• Best features : This card packs in plenty of value that is rare for only $95 a year. It comes with a high sign-up bonus, generous rewards program and competitive redemption values.
• Biggest drawbacks : You may need to look beyond the Chase Sapphire Preferred if you prefer luxury features like TSA PreCheck, priority boarding, travel credits and lounge access.
• Alternatives: The Citi Premier® Card   (The Citi Premier Card is no longer available) has a similar annual fee and a generous welcome offer too. 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.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

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 an annual fee ( See Rates and Fees ). VentureOne cardholders can earn bonus miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.25X miles on every other purchase. You can transfer these miles 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. You must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points.
• 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.

Read our Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for flat-rate rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

• Best features : For a reasonable annual fee, this popular Capital One credit card offers standout rewards with an easy rewards structure and versatile redemption options. You can transfer miles to over 15 loyalty programs or redeem for statement credit toward travel.
• 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 ( See Rates and Fees ), 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.

Read our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for occasional travelers: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

• Best features : This card will appeal to infrequent travelers who don’t typically book through travel portals. Instead, you can redeem your points for any travel and dining purchases made on your credit card within the last 12 months. And if you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn up to 25% to 75% more points on every purchase.
• 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 also does not charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fee ( See Rates and Fees ), but even casual travelers can benefit from its valuable purchase and travel protections.
• 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.

Related : Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card worth it?

Read our Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for point value: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• Best features : This top-of-the-line card comes with a wealth of travel perks, including a sign-up bonus worth $1,125 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠ (75,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months). In addition to the $300 travel credit, you can try out services like Instacart+ and DashPass for free for one year.
• Biggest drawbacks : Despite the annual credit and elevated bonus categories, the card’s $550 annual fee might be challenging to offset every year.
• 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 can also enjoy the card’s boosted value on travel redemptions.

Related : Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Ch ase Sapphire Reserve

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for pairing with Chase cards: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

• Best features: Its 1.5% rate on general purchases makes it a great catch-all card as part of your overall travel rewards strategy. You can use this card with certain Chase cards to get more Chase Ultimate Rewards points, one of the most valuable credit card points.
• Biggest drawbacks: It has a 3% foreign transaction fee, so if you were planning to use this card abroad on your travels, it can be more costly.
• Alternative(s): The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of Chase’s premium travel cards, with solid earning rates on dining and travel. For a modest $95 annual fee, it comes with top-of-the-line travel benefits, increases points redemption value through the Chase travel portal and can transfer points to Chase travel partners.
• Bottom line: If you already have a Chase travel card — or are planning to get one in the future — this card is a must-have for maximizing travel rewards.

Read our full Chase Freedom Unlimited® review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for luxury travel: The Platinum Card® from American Express

• Best features : This premium card comes fully-loaded. You can enjoy luxury lounge access, elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy hotels (upon enrollment) and even travel consultants to help plan your trip. A laundry list of travel credits can also help offset the card’s annual fee.
• Biggest drawbacks : The card only earns bonus rewards on flights and prepaid hotels. You might earn more with cards 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.

Read our American Express Platinum Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for foodies: American Express® Gold 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   (The Citi Premier Card is no longer available) comes close to matching the Amex Gold with its rewards rates, but its annual fee is much lower (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.

Read our American Express Gold Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for annual credits: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

• Best features : Cardholders can take advantage of this card’s yearly credits to help offset its annual fee and enjoy additional perks like lounge access. And when you book through Capital One Travel, you’ll earn some of the highest rewards available for hotels, rental cars and flights.
• Biggest drawbacks : You’ll have to book your travel through Capital One Travel instead of directly through an airline or hotel to get the best value out of this card.
• 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.

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for no annual fee: Discover it® Miles

• Best features : The Discover it® Miles offers simplicity and flexibility without the annual fee. All purchases earn a fairly average 1.5X miles. But Discover sweetens the deal by matching all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. Instead of travel, you can also redeem rewards online with Amazon or when you pay with PayPal (though redemption value might be lower).
• Alternatives : The  Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card  is another solid no-annual-fee travel card ( See Rates and Fees ). 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 skips the annual fee and the generous first-year welcome offer is ideal for budget-friendly travelers or someone looking for their first travel credit card.

Read our  Discover it ®  Miles review  or jump back to this  card’s offer details .

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 card is a solid pick for credit-builders who also want to earn travel rewards.

Read our Credit One Bank Wander® Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for gas and transit: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

• Best features: This card’s mix of bonus categories should be a terrific fit if you’re looking for a low-cost way to earn rewards on both everyday travel and big trips. You’ll earn rewards at a great rate on everything from gas and transit to airfare and hotels, without worrying about maximizing point values or offsetting an annual fee.
• Biggest drawbacks: Its list of perks is just okay, even for a no-annual-fee travel card. You’ll miss out not only on benefits like expedited security screening and lounge access, but also the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• Alternatives: Though it may earn rewards at a lower rate, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card could be a great alternative. Its streamlined, flat-rate rewards program is a great fit if you’re new to earning miles, and the card gives you the flexibility to transfer miles to Capital One airline and hotel partners, which could boost their redemption value.
• Bottom line: The Autograph card is a great option if you want to earn rewards on everyday travel and need the flexibility to redeem for both travel and cash back.

Read our Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

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 for the first year (then $150) and a chance to earn bonus miles faster thanks to practical bonus categories including restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. It also has a number of convenient features like priority boarding and a chance to earn a $200 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.

Read our Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for travel credits: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

• Best features : Along with perks like an annual credit up to $100 for airline incidentals, which includes seat upgrades and airline lounge fees, 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 at the $95-annual-fee level. You can also redeem for cash back as a deposit into Bank of America® checking or savings accounts or for gift cards and purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• 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 with Bank of America.
• 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 Travel℠ 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 account. Those who are loyal to one airline or don’t bank with Bank of America may not find much value in this card.

Read our Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

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 plus   500 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.

Read our United Quest℠ Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

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 Travel℠ 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 .

Read our Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card review .

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 free first checked bag 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 $150 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 $200 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.

Read our American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp review .

Best for everyday spending: Citi Premier® Card (The Citi Premier Card is no longer available)

• Best features : For a modest 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. Its sign-up bonus is on par with competitor offers, and cardholders get an annual hotel credit, making it easier to offset the card’s annual fee.
• Biggest drawbacks : If you want to transfer your points to get 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 Travel℠ program includes a robust list of airlines and hotel partners.
• 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.

Read our Citi Premier Card review .

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel rewards credit cards let you earn points or miles you can redeem for travel purchases. Some offer a flat rate 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, and some cards provide limited-time offers and sign-up bonuses to add more incentives. The basics of points and miles cards are pretty much the same. You earn and accumulate rewards by making purchases with your card, and redeem for a discount on your next trip.

Your redemption options will vary by card. Most require that you redeem points or miles for travel purchases. (Some let you redeem for gift cards or cash back, but it might be at a lower value.) 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. Some allow you to redeem for a statement credit on travel purchases made within a certain time frame.

Your redemption options will vary by card. Typical options include:

• Booking new travel
• Transferring points or miles to a travel partner
• Statement credit for past travel purchases

Redeeming for travel often yields the best value, while non-travel options like gift cards might have a lower redemption value. You can typically redeem points or miles by booking future trips through a designated portal, like Amextravel.com or Chase Ultimate Rewards, though some let you redeem directly with the airline or third-party travel agency.

General travel credit cards + –

General travel or general-purpose credit cards aren’t tied to or co-branded with a particular airline or hotel. They are best for any traveler who values flexibility in how they earn and redeem rewards.

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. You can redeem the points you earn in many different ways, like statement credits and travel. A 1-cent-per-point value is typical, but points may be worth less when used for non-travel options or more if transferred to the right travel partner.

Transferring your points over to an airline or hotel loyalty program can help you strategize so you can get the most out of your points. 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:

• American Express Membership Rewards
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Capital One Travel
• Citi ThankYou Points

Is a general travel credit card worth it?

Co-branded cards usually feature high-value airline or hotel perks. Examples like automatic hotel elite status, companion passes or free checked bags could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

But general travel cards give you more flexibility 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 you can use 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. Users can 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 or 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 travel credit cards + –

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:

• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
• American Airlines Aadvantage
• Southwest Rapid Rewards
• Delta SkyMiles
• United MileagePlus

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?

They offer less flexibility and might have an annual fee, but airline cards can make your travel experience easier 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:

• Free checked bags :   Avoid paying a fee for your first checked bag and a travel companion’s 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.
• 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 the right airline credit card can cut down on the eligibility requirements and may even come with automatic elite status or 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.

How to choose an airline

It’s best to select a card co-branded with an airline that you will use frequently, which typically means choosing an airline that flies out of an airport close to where you live, or one that you use the most. Smaller hubs may have limited options, but you should check to make sure that the airline you want has routes at your preferred airport. For example, Southwest does not fly out of Newark Airport, so if Newark is your primary airport another co-branded airline card might be a better fit.

Hotel travel credit cards + –

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:

• Marriott Bonvoy
• Hilton Honors
• IHG One Rewards Club
• World of Hyatt

Is a hotel credit card worth it?

Like airline credit cards, hotel credit cards can pack in a lot of brand-specific perks to reward your loyalty. Some cards offer supersized rewards rates, typically for hotel-related purchases. These earning rates can make it easier to quickly rack up points 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.

How to choose a hotel

While you should pick an airline card based on frequency and availability, choosing a hotel card might come down to personal preference. You’ll find most hotel chains concentrated in mid-to large-size cities, so you can select a hotel group that works best for your needs. Hotel chains often include a price range from luxury to budget friendly. For example, Marriott includes both Fairfield Inn & Suites and the Ritz-Carlton in its suite of hotels. So, whether you splurge on one trip or save costs on another, you can still earn rewards.

However, if you happen to travel a lot to very remote cities, you might want to ensure that your preferred hotel chain has a location there.

Business travel credit cards + –

Business travel cards are a terrific option if you own a company or work as a freelancer and travel often for work. They can be co-branded or a general travel card.

Some of the more popular business cards include:

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express review
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Is a business travel card worth it?

Business travel cards offer a competitive rewards structure similar to other travel cards, but you can typically earn bonus rewards in business categories, like purchasing software and office supplies. Not only can business travel cards help keep your work and personal expenses separate, but they can also help you cut down on business costs.

You might see these benefits on a business travel card:

• Bonus rewards on large purchases : Some cards will offer an elevated rewards rate for big purchases, so you can earn miles or points for big-ticket items.
• No fee for employee cards : You can rack up even more points or miles when you add employees as authorized users at no additional cost. This action can also be a great way to track company spending.
• Account management tools: To help manage your company budget, business travel cards might come with apps or programs that could ease record keeping, like the ability to upload receipts quickly or link to a spreadsheet.
• Travel and hotel perks : Like other travel cards, you can often enjoy annual benefits, like a hotel reward night, lounge access or statement credits.

Co-branded travel cards versus general travel cards

The biggest difference between co-branded cards and general travel cards is flexibility. Co-branded cards are ideal for brand loyalists who prefer to commit to one particular airline or hotel group. They often come with perks that you might not find on general travel cards (like elite status or free checked bags), but how you earn and redeem rewards is limited to that specific brand.

For instance, you might feel locked in to book a pricier room with a co-branded hotel card even if there are more affordable options.

With general travel cards, you have more freedom to select flights or hotels that fit into your schedule and price range, but you might lose out on some perks. If you prefer flexibility, a general travel card might work better for you. If you enjoy more elite perks or are a fan of a particular brand, you might consider a co-branded card.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

• Travel for less: Money-saving benefits, such as high travel reward rates, sign-up bonuses and travel credits, can help bring down the overall cost of travel.
• Generous perks: The best travel cards feature perks like room or seat upgrades, free hotel stays, statement credits and lounge access that might enhance your overall travel experience.
• Fast track to elite status: Elite status, which offers maximum program benefits for airlines or hotels, often takes time to earn. Some travel rewards cards help cut down on the qualification period, or they offer automatic elite status, which means you can start earning elite status benefits sooner.
• Earn points as a loyalty member along with rewards : If you are a loyalty member, then you can earn loyalty points with that hotel or airline brand as well as travel reward points when you book with a travel credit card.
• No foreign transaction fees : Most travel cards don’t charge a foreign transaction fee, which can help cut down costs when traveling abroad.
• Complex rewards programs: 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.
• Limited redemption outside of travel: Travel cards typically provide the best value when redeeming for travel. While some cards offer redemptions for non-travel options, such as statement credits or gift cards, these are typically worth less.
• High 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 from $95 to $100. Premier travel cards could have annual fees in the $200 to $700 range.
• Higher interest rates : Typically, travel cards carry a higher ongoing APR, so if you carry a balance every month, then a low-interest credit card or balance transfer card might be a better fit.
• Typically best only for frequent flyers : Since most travel cards offer the most elevated bonus rates for travel, such as flights, hotels and car rentals, you won’t reap its maximum benefits unless you fly often.

Who should get a travel credit card

• Frequent flyers . If you spend lots of time up in the air or staying at hotels, you can absolutely benefit from the rewards and perks that come with a travel credit card. But if you’re new to travel or only travel occasionally, look for no-annual-fee cards or ones with simple rewards categories. All globetrotters can 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. Loyal customers can rack up an incredible amount of hotel points or flight miles using a card like the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp or the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.
• Luxury travelers . Vacationers looking for top-shelf travel perks may have to pay to carry their card, but The Platinum Card from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve offer benefits that can easily offset their annual fees. You’ll find high-end earnings rates on your purchases to back it up. Take advantage of exclusive add-ons, like access to airport lounges, free checked bags, specialty offers and more.
• Road trippers . Some travel cards earn rewards on purchases at gas stations and hotel stays, which can be valuable if you’re on the road a lot. 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

• Fans of low-maintenance credit cards. While flat-rate travel cards are available, travel cards with fixed bonus categories or a tiered rewards structure often have the best rewards rates. The card that’s most fitting for you will depend on your spending habits. If you aren’t ready or willing to strategize to get the most out of your travel card, a more straightforward rewards credit card may be a better fit.
• Someone looking for flexibility . Cash back credit cards are usually more versatile and might work best for infrequent travelers or people with higher non-travel-related expenses. They can help you maximize your earnings on everyday categories like supermarkets, gas, transit, streaming services or online purchases. Mostly, 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 avoid a balance. Since rewards cards typically come with higher interest rates, paying your balances in full can save you money and create 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, consider a low-interest credit card .

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  (The Citi Premier Card is no longer available) 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 One Rewards Premier Credit Card, which offers a sign-up bonus of 140,000 points after spending $3,000 within the first three months. 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 redeem for a gift card instead 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

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.

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? If you’re a fan of a particular airline or hotel chain, you can enjoy specific benefits with that company’s co-branded travel card, like companion pass or annual hotel credits. A general-purpose card, however, gives you flexibility to choose any travel partner when traveling.
• What travel perks and protections 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. You can also have more peace of mind with any travel protections that a travel card might provide, like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost baggage insurance and 24/7 global assistance. Make sure to look for a card that has the features that matter most to you.
• Do you have to change your spending habits to earn and redeem rewards?  Rather than tailoring your spending to match a card’s bonus categories, you might choose a card that already rewards your typical spending habits. Also, 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.
• Does the card have sign-up bonuses and annual fees?  A card’s welcome offer can boost your first year earnings. Look for the spend requirement to ensure you can meet it without overspending. Additionally, a card’s annual fee can be a significant factor. Cards with high annual fees often offer some of the best rewards and perks, but if you can’t offset the fee every year it might not be worth it.
• How does the card’s international acceptance and foreign fees measure up?  For people who frequently travel internationally, this detail can be a game changer. A card without a foreign transaction fee can help budget your trip. But you also want to make certain that the card has broad international coverage. Some cards, like Discover, while working on their international network, might be riskier to carry abroad.

How to make the most out of your travel credit card

Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or extended trip, your rewards from a travel credit card can either enhance your experience or save you money. If you have your eye on Walt Disney World or a small family gathering, you can use these strategies now to experience an elevated trip in the future.

• 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 . Find a travel rewards card that offers bonus points for purchases you already make to supercharge your 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  (The Citi Premier Card is no longer available) , 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 that 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 offset 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 . Pair your travel card with another credit card that earns high rewards in areas you spend the most 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, typically 3% charge anytime you use the card internationally. You can avoid this by choosing a travel credit card that waives foreign transaction fees, such as the Capital One and Discover credit cards.

Alternatives to Travel Credit Cards

If you don’t want to commit to a travel card, but still want to earn travel rewards, then you have options.

• A cash back credit card lets you earn cash rewards, which you can often redeem for a statement credit to cover travel and other purchases.
• A card with a 0% intro APR might work better for people planning a large purchase. It can help you budget for a trip, as long as you can pay off the balance before the intro offer period ends.
• A no-annual-fee card that also carries no foreign transaction fees might suit infrequent travelers. With this type of card, you can still save on trips abroad without worrying about added fees or offsetting costs every year.

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.

In some cases, the coverage provided by the credit card may be enough to cover your needs for a travel-related event. But confirm the benefits before you 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:

• Cash back vs. points
• Trip cancelation reimbursement by credit card
• No foreign transaction fee credit cards

Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards

What is the difference between points and miles on a credit card + –.

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.

What credit score do you need for a travel credit card? + –

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.

Do travel points and miles expire? + –

Typically, rewards won’t expire for the life of the account. However, each card is different so it’s always best to read your card’s terms and conditions. For instance, 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.

How many miles do you need for a free flight? + –

The miles you’ll need for a free flight depend on the type of card you have, its rewards and redemption structure and whether it 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. However, with Chase Ultimate Rewards, points are valued at 1.25 cents, so a $500 trip would need only 25,000 points.

What purchases are part of the travel category for travel credit cards? + –

How purchases are categorized depends on both the merchant and the issuer and may vary from card to card. Typically, bookings for airlines, hotel stays and rental cars will fall under travel. However, some cards, such as the Bank of America Travel Rewards card, broaden the category to include other types of purchases like timeshares, campgrounds and parking garages.

Check the issuer’s website or contact the issuer directly to get a complete list of what is considered travel for your specific card.

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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• Credit Cards
• Best Travel Credit Cards

19 Best Travel Credit Cards Of May 2024

Expert Reviewed

Updated: Apr 26, 2024, 12:13pm

For anyone who travels enough to have a separate savings account, like I do, credit cards are a valuable resource toward booking and paying for your trip. The rewards can offset a huge portion of your out-of-pocket expenses, and the best travel cards often pay for themselves in money saved and headaches avoided.

Why you can trust Forbes Advisor

Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the credit card methodology for the ratings below.

• 113 countries visited
• 5,500 hotel nights spent
• 93,000,000 miles and points redeemed
• 29 loyalty programs covered

Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best Travel Credit Card for Beginners
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best Premium Travel Rewards Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best Travel Credit Card for International Travel
• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best Travel Rewards Credit Card for Lounge Access
• American Express® Gold Card : Best Travel Rewards Earning for Foodies
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best Flat-Rate Rewards Credit Card for Travel
• Bilt World Elite Mastercard® : Best Travel Rewards Credit Card With No Annual Fee
• Credit One Bank Wander® Card : Best Travel Credit Card for Fair Credit
• Aeroplan® Credit Card : Best Airline Rewards Program for International Travel
• United Quest℠ Card : Best United Credit Card
• United Club℠ Infinite Card : Best Premium Airline Card
• British Airways Visa Signature® Card : Best for British Airways Passengers
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card : Best for Southwest Passengers
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card : Best Midrange Hotel Card
• The World of Hyatt Credit Card : Best Travel Credit Card for Hyatt Loyalists
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card * : Best for Marriott Customers
• Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express * : Best Premium Hotel Card
• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card * : Best No Annual Fee Hotel Card

Best General Purpose Travel Credit Cards

Best travel credit card for beginners, chase sapphire preferred® card.

Up to 5x Reward Rate

Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all Read More

Welcome Bonus

75,000 bonus points

Regular APR

21.49%-28.49% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

I jumped at the chance to get the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card when it was first launched. More than a decade later, I’m still a loyal cardholder.

Why We Like It

For a modest annual fee (which is partially justified with an annual hotel credit) you get a rare mix of high rewards rates and redemption flexibility.

What We Don’t Like

The highest earning rate requires making reservations through Chase Travel℠ and doesn’t include direct bookings or online travel agencies.

Who It’s Best For

Travelers who want to earn transferable points without a steep annual fee.

I​​t’s the granddaddy of travel credit cards, but it still earns its reputation as one of the best around with solid bonus categories, strong travel protections, a great set of domestic and international transfer partners and a reasonable annual fee to boot. You can’t go wrong with it as your first travel credit card.

• Earn high rewards on several areas of spending
• Transfer points to travel partners at 1:1 rate
• Many travel and shopping protections
• No intro APR offer
• Best travel earning rates are only for bookings through Chase
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Best Premium Travel Rewards Card

Capital one venture x rewards credit card.

Up to 10X Reward Rate

Earn 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases, 5 miles per dollar on flights and 10 miles per dollar Read More

Earn 75,000 bonus miles

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Excellent (750 - 850)

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ( rates & fees ) is packed with extras that put it firmly in competition with other upscale credit cards. Just as important, the easy earnings structure is ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to stress over details.

Its annual fee is easily recouped through an annual travel credit and bonus miles, which makes the perks feel almost free.

The flat-rate earnings mean that if you have high spending in a single category, you might be better off with a different card.

Travelers who want premium benefits and are willing to book through Capital One travel at least once a year.

If you’re looking for lofty perks without a lofty annual fee, the Venture X fits the bill. While other cards with elite benefits run nearly $700 a year, you’ll only pay a little more than half that for the Venture X. And you’ll still get Capital One and Priority Pass airport lounge access for you and your eligible guests, an annual travel credit and solid earnings on everyday purchases.

• Annual fee lower than others in its category
• Annual travel credit through Capital One Travel and anniversary miles alone could justify the annual fee
• Miles are easy to earn and easy to use
• Lack of domestic airline and upscale hotel travel partners
• Capital One lounge network in its infancy
• Lack of hotel status benefits
• 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
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

Best Travel Credit Card for International Travel

Chase sapphire reserve®.

Up to 10x Reward Rate

Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Read More

22.49%-29.49% Variable

Earn superior points rates if you spend frequently on travel and dining out with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . Its greatest selling point, though, is the awesome list of 1:1 transfer partners.

The $300 travel credit compensates for much of the annual fee, and the travel protection benefits have personally reimbursed me more than $1,000.

There’s an extra fee to add an authorized user to your account.

Anyone looking to take advantage of built-in travel insurance protections.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is one of the most valuable flexible rewards credit cards thanks to its lucrative bonus categories and easy-to-use travel credit. Cardholders can offset the annual fee and get great value when redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned on the card, thanks to partnerships with numerous airlines and hotels and its convenient travel booking portal, Chase Travel.

• $300 annual travel credit is incredibly flexible
• Generous welcome bonus
• Get 50% more value when you redeem points for travel through Chase
• Points transfer to valuable airline and hotel partners
• High annual fee
• High variable APR on purchases
• Excellent credit recommended
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

Best Travel Rewards Credit Card for Lounge Access

The platinum card® from american express.

5X Reward Rate

Earn 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and on flights booked directly Read More

Earn 80,000 points

See Pay Over Time APR

Good,Excellent (700 - 749)

The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees ) is destined for frequent travelers who intend to fully leverage the rich set of travel benefits. Trust me when I say the perks can make you feel like a VIP. The staggering annual fee for this classic status card won’t be worth it for everyone, but in the right hands the expense can be well justified.

Lounge access with this card extends beyond the Priority Pass membership you see on other premium cards.

Many of the statement credits and other offers have limitations for how you can use them.

Cardholders who will track and maximize the long list of member benefits.

Being an Amex Platinum cardholder grants access to the International Airline Program, which can save you money on first and business class seats on more than 20 airlines as well as premium economy tickets for you and up to seven traveling companions. Start your search on the Amex Travel website to find international flights departing or arriving in the U.S. on any of those premium cabins.

• High reward potential on flights and hotels booked through American Express Travel
• Multiple credits can help justify the fee
• Comprehensive airport lounge access
• Luxury travel benefits and elite status with Hilton and Marriott with enrollment
• Very high annual fee
• Maximizing the statement credits takes some work and could be impractical for many
• Reward rate outside of travel is sub-par for a premium card
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• 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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Runner-Up Travel Cards

Best travel rewards earning for foodies, american express® gold card.

Up to 4X Reward Rate

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.; Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at Read More

Earn 60,000 points

Excellent/Good (700 - 749)

Foodies and travelers can leverage the American Express® Gold Card (terms apply, see rates & fees ) to the hilt, earning up to 4 points per dollar. The annual fee may seem intimidating—I get that. But my household comes out ahead by taking advantage of the card’s dining credits and rotating Amex Offers.

The grocery earnings on this card are impressive and rare for a travel card. Earn on everyday spending and redeem toward vacation: perfect.

The dining credits and Uber Cash are provided monthly rather than in an annual lump sum.

Cardholders with high spending on food expenses.

This card makes it easy to earn Membership Rewards points while doing regular grocery shopping since the card earns bonus points at supermarkets. And for the nights that cardholders don’t want to cook, they can make use of the monthly dining and Uber credits (which can be used on Uber Eats orders).

• High rewards earnings possibilities
• Points transfer option to many partners
• Add up to 5 authorized users for no additional annual fee
• Can choose from regular or rose gold versions
• No lounge benefits
• Limited options to carry a balance
• High APR for pay over time feature
• High pay over time penalty APR
• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.

Best Flat-Rate Rewards Credit Card for Travel

Capital one venture rewards credit card.

Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5X miles on Capital One Entertainment Read More

Casual travelers who don’t plan to carry a balance will find good value in the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card‘s ( rates & fees ) earnings rates. And if you appreciate the skip-the-line perks of TSA PreCheck® and Global Entry as much as I do, you’ll be grateful for the up to $100 credit toward program fees.

You can earn double miles on every purchase and access transfer partners without ponying up a triple-digit annual fee.

The card is light on big-ticket benefits compared to peers.

Cardholders who want to earn travel rewards at a flat rate.

The Capital One Venture Rewards card is extremely low maintenance as far as travel reward cards go. It provides consistent value and flexibility when it comes to earning and redeeming points for travel and is an excellent alternative for anyone a bit leery of the high Venture X annual fee ( rates & fees ).

• Solid rewards rate
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® statement credit (up to $100)
• No foreign transaction fees
• Miles are easy to redeem either via partner transfers or by applying against travel purchases
• $95 annual fee
• No introductory APR on purchases or transfers
• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Best Travel Rewards Credit Card With No Annual Fee

Bilt world elite mastercard®.

Up to 3x Reward Rate

1x on rent payments with no transaction fee (on up to 100,000 points each calendar year). 2x points on travel Read More

Good/Excellent (700 - 749)

Pay rent, earn rewards and use your earnings for travel. I wish the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® ( rates & fees ) existed when I was still renting, so something positive would have come out of those expenses. Even without a rent payment, the earning rates and redemption options aren’t too shabby.

There aren’t many options to earn transferable miles without an annual fee or a card pairing, especially considering how many partners Bilt has.

There’s no welcome offer on this card whatsoever.

Anyone who regularly makes rent payments.

It’s almost impossible to earn rewards on what is the biggest monthly expense for many people, which is why anyone who pays rent should have a Bilt Mastercard in their wallet. Not only will you earn points just from paying your rent, you’ll do it without being charged a fee for the transaction, and Bilt points are among the most versatile travel points around. ( Pro Tip: Don’t redeem Bilt points to pay rent when you can get much more value for them for travel!).

• Earn rewards on rent
• Primary car rental and cell phone insurance
• Points can be transferred to partners
• Requires five card transactions per statement period to earn rewards
• No welcome bonus
• High regular APR range
• Rewards outside of rent spend are relatively low compared to other cards
• Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period
• $0 annual fee
• 1x points on rent payments with no transaction fee (on up to 100,000 points each calendar year)
• 2x points on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company)
• 3x points on dining
• Plus 1x points on other purchases
• Cell Phone Insurance
• Purchase security (theft and damage protection)
• Mastercard® World Elite Concierge
• Lyft Credits
• No foreign currency conversion fee
• Rewards & benefits terms

Best Travel Credit Card for Fair Credit

Credit one bank wander® card.

Earn 10X points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel site; earn 5X points Read More

29.74% Variable

Fair/Good (650 - 699)

The Credit One Bank Wander® Card is a rare card that combines high-value travel and gas earnings but requires only average credit to apply. Once you get it, I’d recommend working hard to rebuild your credit and apply for a similar card without an annual fee, but it’s a great stepping stone in the meantime.

Almost everyone looking for a travel card will spend on the card’s bonus categories of airfare, gas and dining.

Maximizing the 10x categories requires booking through the Credit One travel partner.

Travelers with fair credit.

The Credit One Bank Wander Card offers lucrative points-earning opportunities within key travel categories, however, its extra perks and benefits fall short when compared to other premium credit cards.

• High reward potential
• Issuer advertises requiring an average minimum credit rating
• No low introductory APR period
• High 29.74% Variable APR
• Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
• Earn 1x points on all other purchases
• Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
• With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
• Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
• If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
• See Rates & Fees

Best Travel Cards for Airlines

Best airline rewards program for international travel, aeroplan® credit card.

Earn 3x points for each dollar spent on grocery stores, dining at restaurants including takeout and eligible delivery services, and Read More

21.74% - 28.74% Variable

Good, Excellent (700 - 749)

Many people—myself included—might be tempted to overlook this card that seems geared toward Air Canada passengers. But the Aeroplan® Credit Card recently caught my eye for its strong earning potential and the option to redeem miles for award flights on partner airlines, of which there are dozens.

Not only can you earn quickly with this card, but your miles stretch far, too. Cardholders may have access to reduced price award flights.

Learning the ins and outs of Aeroplan rewards requires a little extra attention.

Savvy travelers who mostly fly internationally.

Chase and Air Canada’s co-branded Aeroplan Credit Card will serve as an excellent companion for frequent flyers of Star Alliance and its carriers from United to Lufthansa as you earn valuable Aeroplan points. Maximize your Aeroplan points and redeem for flights and hotels through an extensive partner network. Enjoy additional points-earning opportunities in key everyday categories.

• Excellent rewards earning
• Travel benefits including perks for Air Canada flyers
• Lacks non-travel related benefits
• Earn 60,000 bonus points
• Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
• $95 Annual Fee
• Redeem points for both international and domestic flights with the Aeroplan® Credit Card.
• Fly to another continent and travel the world with the Aeroplan® Credit Card.
• Earn 3X points for each dollar spent at grocery stores, on dining at restaurants, and Air Canada directly. Earn 1X point for each dollar spent on all other purchases.
• 500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend in a calendar month – up to 1,500 points per month.

Best United Credit Card

United quest℠ card.

Up to 3X Reward Rate

3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases. 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, select streaming services & all Read More

Earn 60,000 bonus miles

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Frequent United Airlines customers will appreciate that the United Quest℠ Card comes with an annual $125 United credit, rewards on travel and dining and travel protections such as primary car rental coverage and trip cancellation insurance.

This card rewards your loyalty. You can earn award flight credits after renewing the card and booking eligible award flights with your miles.

The annual fee on the United Quest is more than double the average airline card.

United flyers who aren’t interested in committing to an ultra-premium card.

Don’t let the card’s annual fee scare you off. Even if you’re not a frequent flyer, the perks can make this card worth your while, and the rewards rates are better compared to most airline cards.

• $125 annual United purchase credit
• Earn up to two 5,000-mile award flight credits annually
• Two free checked bags for cardholder and a companion traveling on the same reservation
• Earn up to 6,000 Premier Qualifying Points annually
• Primary auto collision damage waiver for eligible rentals
• Checked baggage benefit only applies to one companion
• Earnings for general purchases are only 1 mile per dollar
• Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after qualifying purchases
• Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free first and second checked bags – a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) – and priority boarding
• Up to a $125 United® purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year (terms apply)
• Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)

Best Premium Airline Card

United club℠ infinite card.

Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases; Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and Read More

Earn 80,000 bonus miles

United’s top-tier card ties up the whole package. A suite of travel perks makes the United Club℠ Infinite Card a compelling value, with the United Club membership alone worth more than the annual fee. If I flew more often, I’d be tempted by the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points with eligible charges.

Airport lounge access can turn the frustration of airports into an actually relaxing experience.

Many loyal customers may already have elite status with United, making the included Premier Access benefits redundant.

United flyers who want airport lounge access when traveling.

If reaching a higher status with United is a priority, the United Club Infinite all but guarantees it, as long as the card is used regularly. Cardholders also enjoy frequent seat upgrades (depending on route and availability) plus always-free United Club access. But these perks come with a hefty price tag.

• No foreign transaction fee
• United Club membership is worth more than the annual fee
• First and second checked bag free when you pay for your flight with your card
• High regular APR
• Earn 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases
• Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining
• Free first and second checked bags – a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) – and Premier Access® travel services
• 10% United Economy Saver Award discount within the continental U.S. and Canada
• Earn up to 10,000 Premier qualifying points (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)

Best for British Airways Passengers

British airways visa signature® card.

Earn 85,000 Avios.

British Airways’ Avios reward currency is looked down upon by lots of travelers, but the British Airways Visa Signature® Card  offers value if you know where to look.

This card makes it even easier to lock in a deal, thanks to flight discounts, statement credits toward award flights and the chance to earn a Travel Together Ticket .

Many British Airways redemptions have really high fees associated with them, which takes some of the fun out of booking award flights.

Travelers who fly British Airways annually or more often.

Those who spend enough to earn the Travel Together Ticket can get 50% off the price of their award ticket when traveling solo or get a second seat on the same flight and cabin for a companion at no additional cost beyond taxes and fees. Travel Together Tickets are now valid on British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus flights and any of their subsidiaries on itineraries from anywhere in the world and on both one-way or round-trip flights.

• Generous rewards on eligible flights
• Potential to earn a companion ticket
• Lucrative welcome bonus
• Rewards rate poor outside of Avios-earning airlines
• Subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule
• No checked baggage or lounge perks
• Limited time offer! Earn 85,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
• Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL.
• Earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel.
• 10% off British Airways flights starting in the US when you book through the website provided in your welcome materials.
• Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you’ll earn a Travel Together Ticket good for two years.
• Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.
• Simply tap to pay with your contactless British Airways Visa Signature Card. Just look for the contactless symbol at checkout. It’s fast, easy and secure!

Best for Southwest Passengers

Southwest rapid rewards® priority credit card.

Earn 3X points on Southwest purchases, 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, 2X points on internet, cable, Read More

Earn 50,000 points.

21.49%-28.49% variable

My biggest gripe with Southwest is the lack of assigned seating, but the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card solves that issue with four upgraded boardings per year when available, a $75 annual travel credit toward Southwest purchases (upgrade to an Anytime fare for EarlyBird Check-In) and the chance to earn tier qualifying points. Once you’re A-List, you’ll always get complimentary priority boarding.

Stick with this card and you’ll get a 7,500 anniversary points bonus each year after renewal. Sounds like another free flight to me.

Rapid Rewards doesn’t partner with other airlines, so your redemption options are limited.

Southwest flyers who can consistently maximize the annual travel credit and anniversary points.

The perks on this card are practical and useful for regular Southwest flyers. Four upgraded boarding passes per year plus an easy-to-earn $75 statement credit on Southwest purchases and a 7,500-point anniversary bonus can all make this card worth keeping in their wallets.

• Earn points toward A-list status
• Unlimited reward seats with no blackout dates
• Rewards flights only available on Southwest, no partner airlines
• Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 7,500 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Best Travel Cards for Hotel Points

Best midrange hotel card, ihg one rewards premier credit card.

Up to 26X Reward Rate

Earn up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts; 5 points per Read More

Earn 140,000 bonus points

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

I stay at IHG properties only a few times a year, but the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a mainstay in my husband’s wallet. Get it for the benefits, not the points potential: We love the Anniversary Free Night—which alone justifies the annual fee—and appreciate the fourth-night-free feature.

High spenders are showered with extra love. You can earn statement credits, bonus points or upgraded elite status when hitting spending thresholds on the card.

The earning rates aren’t as high as they seem once you realize that IHG One Rewards are typically worth less than a penny apiece.

Travelers who stay at IHG properties one or more times per year.

The IHG One Rewards Premier blows all other mid-tier hotel credit cards out of the water with perks alone. You don’t even have to use the card regularly to offset its annual fee every year.

• Earn up to 26 points per dollar spent on IHG hotels worldwide
• Free night award every account anniversary
• Fourth night free on point redemption stays
• Automatic Platinum Elite status
• Poor earnings for everyday and non-category hotel purchases
• Low overall point value
• No worthwhile redemption options outside of IHG properties
• Earn 140,000 Bonus Points
• Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus, enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
• Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
• Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember
• Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
• IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®

Best Travel Credit Card for Hyatt Loyalists

The world of hyatt credit card.

Up to 9X Reward Rate

Earn up to 9 points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4 bonus points per $1 when you use Read More

Up to 60,000 Bonus Points

21.49% - 28.49% variable

While Hyatt doesn’t have an extensive network of properties compared to other chains, the value offered by The World of Hyatt Credit Card is outstanding. If you’re a regular at Hyatt, a combination of high redemption values, sweet perks and one free night per year easily covers the annual fee and then some.

The card comes with five qualifying night credits, but cardholders can earn more through card spending to work their way up the elite ladder.

The automatic Discoverist elite status for cardholders is, frankly, uninspiring.

Hyatt loyalists looking to earn extra points and work toward status.

For many Hyatt loyalists, earning Globalist status each year is a priority and this card can help them get there faster by providing five elite night credits annually. Plus the complimentary yearly certificate for a category 1 to 4 Hyatt hotel counts toward elite status too and can offset the card’s annual fee.

• Annual free night certificate on cardmember anniversary
• Complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status
• High points redemption values
• Limited number of properties
• No worthwhile redemption options aside from Hyatt properties
• Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
• Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
• Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
• Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
• Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
• Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
• Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels & 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships

Best for Marriott Customers

Marriott bonvoy boundless® credit card *.

Up to 6X Reward Rate

Earn 6 points for every $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3 points for every $1 spent each year (up Read More

Earn 3 Free Night Awards

Overwhelmed by all of Marriott’s credit card options? So am I. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card * is the best value for most customers, given a robust set of perks and rewards potential without an eye-popping annual fee.

The Free Night Award, provided each year after renewal, is valued at 35,000 points and can be topped off if you prefer an upgraded stay.

If you’ve held a Marriott-branded credit card in the past, you may not be eligible for this one. Choose your card wisely before applying!

Marriott Bonvoy members looking for a little extra without a high annual fee.

The card’s free award night perk alone makes the card worth a spot in any traveler’s wallet. The option to combine the certificate with up to 15,000 points to get more flexibility for your annual stay is a nice touch.

• Free night certificate every year (valued at 35,000 points)
• 15 Elite Night Credits per year
• Automatic Silver Elite status
• Stingy earnings structure
• Earn 3 Free Night Awards after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening
• Earn 6 points per dollar on qualifying Marriott Bonvoy hotel stays
• Earn 3 points per dollar spent on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on groceries, gas stations, and dining
• Earn 2 points per dollar spent on all other purchases
• Points don’t expire as long as you make purchases on your credit card every 24 months

Best Premium Hotel Card

Hilton honors aspire card from american express *.

Up to 14X Reward Rate

Earn 14X Hilton Honors bonus points on eligible purchases at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton portfolio; Earn 7X Read More

Earn 150,000 points

20.99% - 29.99% variable

The flagship card from Hilton, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express * comes with a price tag to match its top-tier status and perks. It’s a perfect fit for big spenders who haunt Hilton properties enough to leverage the rich suite of benefits that come with the complimentary Diamond elite status.

Hilton status is actually meaningful, giving you benefits like food and beverage credits, executive lounge access and room upgrades.

Since the annual fee is $550, you’ll need to travel often to make the perks worth the cost.

Travelers willing to pay for automatic top-tier hotel status and other benefits.

Top-tier elite status from simply holding this credit card is its most endearing quality. Hilton Diamond status–granted every year you hold the card–gets you room upgrades, food and beverage credits, executive lounge access and more. Since there’s no spend requirement for the Diamond status, this benefit even on its own can make the card worth keeping long term.

• CLEAR® Plus membership credit with enrollment
• Over $750 in value annually
• Instant Hilton Diamond elite status with rich set of benefits
• Free standard night award with no category limits at participating properties
• High annual fee with no first-year waiver
• High regular APR and penalty APR
• Credits are doled out in increments, making them harder to spend
• Points have a lower value than most rewards programs
• Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of card membership
• Earn 14 points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton Portfolio
• Earn 7 points for every dollar spent on eligible travel purchases including: Flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and U.S. restaurants
• Earn 3 points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
• Up to $400 in statement credits each year of card membership ($200 semi-annually) for eligible purchases at participating Hilton Resorts
• Complimentary Hilton Honors™ Diamond status
• Annual free night reward, terms apply
• Up to $200 flight credit ($50 in statement credits each quarter)

Best No Annual Fee Hotel Card

Wyndham rewards earner® card *.

Earn 5X points per $1 spent on eligible purchases made at participating By Wyndham hotels and on gas; Earn 2X Read More

Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card * is for road warriors and frequent stayers at Wyndham properties who are looking for a no annual fee card. You might be surprised at what you can do with Wyndham points.

This can be a backdoor way to earn points for vacation rental redemption options instead of traditional hotels, which opens up a new world of travel opportunities.

Wyndham Guest Rewards expire if you don’t use them, even if you have activity on your account.

Travelers whose trips tend to be U.S.-centric.

Wyndham gives a lot of perks to cardholders without asking for an annual fee in return. It’s nice that cardholders get a discount on both paid rates and award stays along with receiving GOLD elite level benefits such as late check-out which allows you to enjoy the city you’re in without feeling like you have to rush out of the hotel just after breakfast.

• Automatically receive Wyndham Rewards Gold elite status
• Enjoy extra discounts on local attractions when booking “go free” awards
• APR can be high, depending on your creditworthiness
• Target and Walmart are excluded from the grocery bonus and only earn 1 point per dollar
• Only hotel redemptions offer high value
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of account opening
• Earn 5 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases made at Hotels by Wyndham and qualifying gas purchases
• Earn 2 points per dollar spent on eligible dining and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart)
• Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham Timeshare resort down payments)
• Automatically receive a Wyndham Rewards GOLD member level
• Earn 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year if you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases
• Redeem 10% fewer Wyndham Rewards points for go free awards, and earn your free nights faster

Here's a Summary of the Best Travel Credit Cards

More about the best travel credit cards, best travel credit card for beginners: chase sapphire preferred® card.

Travelers looking to dip their toe in the water of travel rewards will appreciate the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card as a place to start. It carries a $95 annual fee but packs in enough value to make it worth it. Cardholders earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points for access to transfer partners or for easy, no-strings-attached redemptions in Chase Travel℠. There’s no foreign transaction fee and a wide selection of travel insurances.

Rewards: Earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $95

Other benefits and drawbacks: Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed through Chase’s travel portal, transferred to Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners or redeemed for a statement credit. The card also offers a $50 hotel credit when booked through Chase’s portal and a 10% anniversary points boost. This means that if you spend $10,000 on the card, you’ll earn an additional 1,000 Ultimate Rewards points when renewing your card.

Read more: Chase Sapphire Preferred Benefits and Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Worth It?

Best Premium Travel Rewards Card: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is among the best travel cards on the market in any category. The points are easy to earn and simple to redeem, plus the card comes with a bevy of benefits and credits that easily make the annual fee worthwhile ( rates & fees ).

Rewards: Earn 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25 and 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booking via Capital One Travel.

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Annual fee: $395

Other benefits and drawbacks: The annual fee may give you pause, but the card comes with a $300 annual credit for bookings through the Capital One Travel portal and a 10,000 point anniversary bonus worth $100 in travel. A Priority Pass membership also provides value, giving you access to more than 1,300+ lounges worldwide.

Capital One miles are easy to redeem as they can either be applied toward travel purchases or transferred to travel partners. The main downside to the Venture X is a lack of domestic airline transfer partners, meaning that points will take a bit more knowledge to redeem than American Express Membership Rewards® or Chase Ultimate Rewards® .

Read more: Capital One Venture X Benefits and Is the Capital One Venture X Worth It?

Best Travel Credit Card for International Travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® makes our list of best travel rewards cards for many reasons. While it does charge a high annual fee, it earns valuable rewards at a solid rate with transfer partners that cover redemption options all over the world. There’s also best-in-market travel insurance benefits and no foreign transaction fee. As a Visa card , it’s also widely accepted worldwide. If you travel at least a couple times per year, this card deserves serious consideration.

Rewards: Earn 5 points per dollar on flights and 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals when purchasing travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3 points per dollar on other travel and dining and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Annual fee: $550

Other benefits and drawbacks: Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned with the Sapphire Reserve and redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠ are worth 1.5 cents each or points can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to Chase’s travel partners. Cardholders can also make up for a chunk of the annual fee with the $300 annual travel credit, a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership and up to a $100 credit every four years to cover your Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee, all of which make far-flung travel easier to bear.

Read more: Chase Sapphire Reserve Benefits and Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Worth It?

Best Travel Rewards Credit Card for Lounge Access: The Platinum Card® from American Express

If you’re looking for a giant welcome bonus to get things started, The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees ) might be for you. After meeting initial spending requirements, you’ll earn valuable Membership Rewards points redeemable toward travel and other options. The downside is it carries the largest annual fee on our list.

Rewards: Earn 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on the card in the first 6 months of card membership.

Annual fee: $695

Other benefits and drawbacks: If you’re willing to put in the work to get all of the rebates offered on the card, the benefits can easily offset the annual fee and then some. Many of the perks are very specifically applied and may also require enrollment. Examples include statement credits toward Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, select digital entertainment, select hotel stays and airline incidental fees. Industry-leading lounge access to more than 1,500 Priority Pass locations worldwide is another major draw.

Read more: Is The Amex Platinum Worth the Yearly Fee?

Best Travel Rewards Earning for Foodies: American Express® Gold Card

Some cards offer bonuses on dining, some on groceries, but you can earn bonus points on basically anything you eat with the American Express® Gold Card (terms apply, see rates & fees ). This is an appealing option for anyone who wants to redeem travel rewards but doesn’t spend enough on flights or hotels to require elevated earning categories on travel itself.

Rewards: Earn 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4 Membership Rewards® points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point per dollar), 3 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of card membership.

Annual fee: $250

Other benefits and drawbacks: Although this card earns Membership Rewards, which are great for travel, it doesn’t pack travel-specific benefits. Instead, it includes monthly credits, some requiring enrollment, that are great for more common expenses, such as Uber Cash and dining credits valid at GrubHub (including Seamless) and more. For someone who wants to transform everyday expenses into a vacation, this card seamlessly blends the experience.

Read more: Amex Gold Benefits and Is the Amex Gold Worth It?

Best Flat-Rate Rewards Credit Card for Travel: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

There are no complicated earning structures with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , just simple, straightforward, flat-rate points in exchange for an easy-to-swallow annual fee ( rates & fees ).

Rewards: Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar spent on Capital One Entertainment purchases through 12/31/25 and an unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.

Other benefits and drawbacks: Expect dialed-back benefits compared to more premium travel cards, though that’s only fair with an annual fee at a fraction of the cost. You’ll still enjoy select trip protections along with no foreign transaction fee. Keep in mind that you’ll want to redeem for travel bookings or transfers to partner programs (cash back is only worth half the rate).

Best Travel Rewards Credit Card With No Annual Fee: Bilt World Elite Mastercard®

The Bilt World Elite Mastercard®  offers a unique opportunity to earn rewards on rent without paying processing fees, but it has value for anyone seeking transferable points without an annual fee ( rates & fees ). This card is impressive enough to stand as a travel card on its own even if you don’t pay rent.

Rewards: Earn 1 point per dollar on rent payments without the transaction fee (on up to 100,000 points each calendar year), 3 points per dollar on dining, 2 points per dollar on travel (when booked through the Bilt Travel Portal or directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company), and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

Welcome offer: This card does not offer a welcome bonus.

Annual fee: $0

Other benefits and drawbacks: The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® has a few limitations—you’ll only earn points when making at least five transactions per statement period and earnings on rent are capped at 100,000 points per calendar year—but it’s otherwise a strong card.

Bilt points are transferable to a number of valuable transfer partners including World of Hyatt and American Airlines or you can redeem through their travel portal where point values vary with your redemption option. You can also save your points towards a down payment on a home if you decide travel takes a back bench to homeownership.

Best Travel Credit Card for Fair Credit: Credit One Bank Wander® Card

If your credit score isn’t quite ready for a premium travel card, take a look at the Credit One Bank Wander® Card . The card earns at exceptionally high rates on travel purchases and there’s no foreign transaction fee. Sadly, the card isn’t perfect: You’ll miss out on fancy extras like airport lounge access or the ability to transfer points to other programs.

Rewards: Earn 10 points per dollar on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner, 5 points per dollar on eligible travel, dining and gas and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Other benefits and drawbacks: Don’t be fooled by this low-frills card. The earning rates alone will have you traveling in no time. The card is also well-suited to simultaneously work on improving your credit, with options to choose your own due date and track your credit score. Eventually, this could lead you to even more card options in the future.

Best Airline Rewards Program for International Travel: Aeroplan® Credit Card

The Aeroplan® Credit Card provides a generous rewards program, but for those who fly Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, the card also provides an accelerated route to elite status. Like most airline cards, this card makes the most sense for those who predominantly fly Air Canada.

Rewards: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining, takeout and eligible delivery services, grocery stores and each dollar spent directly with Air Canada including vacations and cruises and 1 point per dollar for all other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.

Other benefits and drawbacks: New cardholders will enjoy 25K status through the rest of the calendar year after approval and the next. To maintain status thereafter requires $15,000 of spending on the card in a calendar year. Existing status holders can upgrade to 35K status with $50,000 in spending per calendar year. Cardholders receive the first checked bag free for themselves and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation when flying Air Canada.

A $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fee credit every four years as well as preferred pricing on award flights sweeten the deal, which includes a list of protections such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance , baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement , secondary auto rental collision damage waiver and purchase protection.

Best United Credit Card: United Quest℠ Card

The United Quest℠ Card is a midrange United card. It’s a bit pricier than the Explorer card but not nearly as much as the United Club℠ Infinite Card. But with a $125 annual credit on United purchases, two 5,000 MileagePlus credits earned annually after your first cardmember anniversary valid for eligible flight redemptions (see offer for details) and two free checked bags for you and a travel companion when flying United, the Quest could be just right for you.

Rewards: Earn 3 miles per dollar on United® purchases, 2 miles per dollar on dining, select streaming services and all other travel and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

Other benefits and drawbacks: In addition to offering extra travel benefits, the Quest card is also a better option for earning miles than the cheaper Explorer card. You’ll earn miles at an elevated rate and can also earn 25 Premier Qualifying Points for every $500 in net purchases (including purchases made by authorized users) up to a maximum of 6,000 PQPs in a calendar year.

Best Premium Airline Card: United Club℠ Infinite Card

As a general rule, if you’re looking for an airline-specific card, you’ll want to get a card with the airline you fly the most. For earnings potential, valuable points and additional useful benefits including lounge access, the United Club℠ Infinite Card comes out ahead.

Rewards: Earn 4 miles per dollar on United® purchases, 2 miles per dollar on all other travel, on dining including eligible delivery services and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee: $525

Other benefits and drawbacks: The most prominent benefit of the United Club℠ Infinite Card is access to United Club airport lounges and other Star Alliance Gold lounges. You’ll also benefit from two free checked bags for yourself and another person traveling on the same reservation, expedited check-in, security screening and boarding, a trusted traveler application fee reimbursement, expanded access to award flights and Premier Upgrades on award tickets if you have status. Other travel protections and benefits are also included.

Best for British Airways Passengers: British Airways Visa Signature® Card

For those who can make the most of the British Airways’ mileage redemptions , the British Airways Visa Signature® Card makes sense. It offers a sizable welcome bonus, providing solid value against its relatively low annual fee of $95. Big spenders have an opportunity to earn a companion ticket , making it attractive to people who travel regularly back and forth across the Atlantic.

Rewards: Earn 3 Avios per dollar on purchases with Iberia, British Airways, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL, 2 Avios per dollar on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel and 1 Avios per dollar on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 85,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Other benefits and drawbacks: The British Airways Visa Signature® Card offers Visa Signature benefits such as extended warranties and fraud liabilities, but it also offers several airline-specific benefits. Each calendar year you spend more than $30,000 on the card you’ll earn a Travel Together Ticket, which adds an additional seat on the same flight and in the same cabin when booking a British Airways flight (business-class inclusive).

Cardholders can also earn credits of $100 for economy and premium economy or $200 for business and first class, up to three times per year. Additionally, you can use this card to earn 10% off British Airways flights originating in the U.S. when using a special link provided to cardholders.

Best for Southwest Passengers: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card beats other Southwest cards in terms of value, rewards and perks, but it may not seem as impressive compared to other options—especially Chase Ultimate Rewards®-earning cards which permit users to transfer their rewards at a 1:1 ratio to Southwest.

Rewards: Earn 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases, 2 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental purchases, 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee: $149

Other benefits and drawbacks: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card provides a $75 annual travel credit, 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year and four upgraded boardings (subject to availability). Cardholders also get 25% back on in-flight drinks and Wi-Fi when they pay with their card, but unlike other airline cards, there’s no need for a baggage credit, since all passengers’ first two checked bags fly for no extra charge. For those seeking companion passes with Southwest airlines (an industry favorite among domestic travel hackers) the card provides 10,000 extra qualifying points as a boost each year.

Best Midrange Hotel Card: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

For those who frequently stay at IHG properties, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers generous rewards on hotel stays for an annual fee of $99.

Rewards: Earn up to 26 points per dollar spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts, 5 points on travel, gas stations, and restaurants and 3 points on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Annual fee: $99

Other benefits and drawbacks: The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card benefits list includes a complimentary fourth night benefit—when booking four consecutive nights with points, you will receive your fourth night free. Additionally, on your cardmember anniversary, you can enjoy a Free Anniversary Night at properties that cost 40,000 points or less per night. You can also qualify for a credit of up to $100 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS membership every four years.

Best Travel Credit Card for Hyatt Loyalists: The World of Hyatt Credit Card

Travelers that love Hyatt, love Hyatt. The World of Hyatt Credit Card isn’t necessarily the best way to earn World of Hyatt points. But between the annual free night and the ability to spend toward status, it’s a good option for people who frequent Hyatt hotels.

Rewards: Earn 9 points total per dollar spent at Hyatt - 4 bonus points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and 5 base points per dollar from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member. Earn 2 bonus points per dollar spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening, plus up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning 2 bonus points per dollar spent in the first 6 months on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point on up to $15,000 spent.

Other benefits and drawbacks: In addition to the ability to earn points in a wide range of categories, The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers cardholders a free hotel night valid at Category 1 to 4 Hyatt hotels each cardmember anniversary year and the ability to earn a second one after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year.

Depending on how much you spend on non-Hyatt travel purchases and at restaurants, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® could offer you the ability to earn more Hyatt points in a year because Chase Ultimate Rewards® points transfer to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio.

Best for Marriott Customers: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card *

Of the many Marriott credit cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card * balances a moderate annual fee with the heavy-hitting benefit of an annual free night award and other hotel perks.

Rewards: Earn 6 points per dollar at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3 points per dollar spent each year (up to $6,000) on combined grocery stores, gas stations and dining purchases and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 3 Free Night Awards after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Other benefits and drawbacks: This card’s earning rates won’t win any awards, but travelers can still find value with this card. Automatic Silver Elite status comes with some nice bonuses when staying with Marriott and you’ll also receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year to help you hit the next status level faster. If your stays alone won’t hit that level, you can also earn additional Elite Night Credits through spending: One night per $5,000 in eligible card charges. Or, earn Gold Elite automatically by spending $35,000.

Best Premium Hotel Card: Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express *

In addition to earning points at a relatively quick rate, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express * also offers complimentary top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status. Other Hilton benefits include a free night award annually and up to $400 in resort statement credits each year.

Rewards: Earn 14 Hilton Honors bonus points at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton Portfolio, 7 points per dollar on eligible purchases for flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and U.S. restaurants and 3 points per dollar on other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of card membership.

Other benefits and drawbacks: While the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express * earns more points per dollar than some other cards on this list, hotel points are generally not as valuable as airline miles or flexible rewards points. That said, it packs in the benefits.

In addition to hotel perks, cardholders also receive up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually ($400 per year) when using their card to cover eligible Hilton resort charges. You can also earn up to $50 in statement credits quarterly toward qualifying flight charges for a total of $200 per year if maximized.

Best No Annual Fee Hotel Card: Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card *

With no annual fee, the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card * offers solid hotel benefits and earning rates for travelers—especially road trippers, thanks to gas rewards and properties that line the interstates.

Rewards: Earn 5 points per dollar spent on Hotels By Wyndham and gas purchases, 2 points per dollar spent on restaurants and grocery purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) and 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.

Other benefits and drawbacks: There’s no glitz on this card, just the basics. Still, the welcome offer is reasonably achievable and guests have access to discounts on both paid and award stays with Wyndham-family hotels. Cardholders are also boosted to Gold status for upgrades and extras while traveling. And high spenders get an additional reward on top of all this: You’ll earn 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year after spending $15,000 or more with your card.

Methodology

Forbes Advisor considered dozens of airline, hotel and flexible-rewards credit cards to create this list of the best travel credit cards. The primary factors taken into consideration for all types were:

• Estimated annual earnings—25% to 50% depending on card category
• Welcome bonus—15% to 25% depending on card category
• Travel benefits—15% to 25% depending on card category
• Annual fee—5% to 15% depending on card category
• Consumer benefits—0% to 10% depending on card category
• Foreign transaction fee—0% to 5% depending on card category

Hotel earnings rate was weighted 25% for hotel credit cards and airline earnings rate was weighted 15% for airline credit cards.

Forbes Advisor rates cards both as stand-alone products (the card rating on the review) and compared to others in a specific use case. Sometimes, cards with average stand-alone ratings may still rank highly on a particular list according to how a person looking for a card in that category may value certain card features.

For instance, a card that might be considered mediocre overall could be the top card on a list of rewards cards with no annual fee. That’s because the card might offer limited features compared to other rewards cards, but after we remove cards that charge an annual fee, it’s the best card that remains.

Forbes Advisor uses data from multiple government agencies to determine how much a typical cardholder might spend. We use the same numbers for cards in the same category to make sure we are comparing cards the same way. The bonus categories for spending included with each card are factored into our determination of how many rewards a cardholder could expect to earn if they use the card as a consumer normally would.

Read more: How Forbes Advisor Rates Credit Cards

Complete Guide to Travel Credit Cards

What is a travel credit card, how do travel credit cards work, types of travel credit cards, co-branded travel cards vs. general travel cards, pros and cons of travel credit cards, should i get a travel credit card, when should you use a travel credit card, why you should consider a travel credit card, how to choose and compare travel credit cards, evaluating airline credit cards, evaluating hotel credit cards, how to maximize credit card points for travel, how to travel for free with credit cards.

• Travel Rewards Cards in the News

Are Travel Credit Cards Worth It?

Frequently asked questions (faqs).

A travel credit card is a card that earns rewards on travel. Those rewards come in a variety of ways. It can earn airline miles, hotel points or flexible points that can be redeemed either with transfer partners or applied towards travel charges.

Many travel credit cards also come with additional benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding, access to airport lounges and even discounts on hotels or rental cars. Some cards offer welcome bonuses when you sign up, which can provide a nice cache of points or miles to help you start redeeming for valuable rewards.

Travel credit cards may offer value for frequent travelers who want to earn rewards quickly and easily while they’re on the go. These credit cards can be used in any country that accepts major card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc) and they often charge no foreign transaction fees, which means there is no extra charge from the credit card company to make purchases abroad.

By using a travel credit card, it’s possible to pile up points over time and redeem them toward flights, hotel stays or other travel expenses.

A travel rewards credit card accrues miles or points for each purchase made with the card. After earning miles or points, there are usually a few redemption options including redeeming for airline tickets, gift cards or statement credits. As a general rule, redeeming miles and points for travel will result in the most value.

How Do Credit Card Points Work?

Credit card points, like Chase Ultimate Rewards®  or American Express Membership Rewards , are earned for each purchase made with the card. Every card has a different earning structure, so one card may earn high rewards on travel and dining purchases while another may earn more points on groceries and gas spending. Often, credit card points will have multiple redemption options, like for cash, travel or gift cards vs. a co-branded card , which tends to earn rewards that can only be redeemed for one thing like travel with a specific airline or hotel or merchandise.

How Do Credit Card Travel Miles Work?

Airline and hotel point values often are variable, which means that the worth of a point may fluctuate depending on the specific redemption. Some programs will tie the value of their points or miles to the cash equivalent of a ticket or hotel night. Others have a tiered system based on something like peak or off-peak travel times, seat class or hotel category—or a combination of the two.

Since airline and hotel rewards are primarily redeemed towards nights or flights, it makes sense to do the research before cashing in a stash of points to make the most of your redemption. Forbes Advisor’s guide to redeeming points and miles is a good place to start.

Not all travel credit cards are alike. Here’s how the various types break down, so you can choose which type of rewards card is best for your unique circumstances.

Transferable Rewards Credit Cards

These types of credit cards earn rewards that can be transferred to other programs, like airline or hotel loyalty programs. Transferable rewards include Capital One Rewards , Bilt Rewards , Brex Rewards , Chase Ultimate Rewards® , American Express Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points .

Airline Credit Cards

Airline credit cards earn miles that can be used to redeem for future purchases with that airline. You can also use that airline’s miles to book flights on partners or other carriers within the same airline alliance , which may yield greater value for your earnings.

Many of the best airline credit cards offer perks beyond earning miles. Usually the higher the annual fee, the more benefits you’ll get. Some common airline credit card extras may include free checked baggage, priority boarding, a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit and airport lounge access. If you’re able to max out these extras, the perks can often be worth more than the annual fee.

Hotel Credit Cards

Anyone who stays in hotels at least semi-regularly and who can pledge loyalty to one brand may find that a hotel credit card is right for them. With these cards, you’ll earn rewards in the hotel’s currency, like Marriott Bonvoy points , Hilton Honors points or World of Hyatt points , which are redeemable towards any eligible hotel property under that brand’s umbrella.

Owning a hotel credit card can be a much faster path towards accruing points than earning them on stays alone. Some cards confer automatic elite status upon ownership, which comes with its own set of benefits that can range from late check-out to free breakfast to room upgrades. Additionally, many cards will also offer one night free annually every year you renew your card membership as well as other perks such as airport lounge access.

Fixed-Value Credit Cards

Credit card points may often have a fixed-value when redeemed for things like cash back or travel, where the issuer publishes the cash value per point. For example, a card may offer a value of a penny per point when redeemed for any valid travel purchase.

With some cards, fixed-value points currencies can also vary by redemption type. For example, points on a card might be worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed for travel rewards but only be worth 1 cent each when redeemed for cash back.

Business Credit Cards for Travel

If you’re traveling for work and you want to keep your business expenses separate from your personal expenses, a travel business credit card may be worth considering. Business credit cards for travel function the same as consumer credit cards for travel, although the business versions often offer different earning rates and perks, as well as a different annual fee structure.

A co-branded card generally makes sense if you tend to stay loyal to that brand when you travel. Using a co-branded card can fast-track you towards elite status with a hotel or airline and often comes with other valuable benefits. If you’d prefer to fly any airline you choose and stay at any hotel brand you’d like, a general travel card is likely a better choice for your needs.

What You Get With General Travel Credit Cards

With travel credit cards, the level of benefits will most likely be associated with the annual fee. A premium card might come with airport lounge access, travel protections including trip cancellation and delay insurance and exclusive privileges at luxury hotels. A midrange card might still offer auto rental insurance and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck benefit. Even a card with no annual fee might offer some basic benefits depending on the card.

What You Get With Co-branded Travel Credit Cards

A co-branded travel card will offer benefits specific to that brand. For airline cards, you might see a checked bag benefit or a rebate on in-flight purchases. For hotel cards, you might see a status level, a free annual night award or anniversary points. Both types of cards might offer you the ability to spend towards higher levels of status.

To learn more about the best co-branded credit cards, see our guides below:

• Best Southwest Credit Cards
• Best American Airlines Credit Cards
• Best Delta Credit Cards
• Best United Credit Cards
• Best Hyatt Credit Cards
• Best Marriott Credit Cards

Ask an expert

Is it better to choose a flexible travel rewards card or one branded to a specific airline or hotel?

Yanely Espinal

Advisory Board Member

Clint Proctor

Credit Cards Editor

Becky Pokora

Credit Card Expert

If I had to choose, I’d say flexible travel rewards because it allows for much more versatility in your redemption options beyond just flights and hotel stays. But the best approach is to have both so you can maximize benefits from each card type by earning rewards across all of the spending you normally do, while getting perks with your favorite travel providers at the same time.

Since I’m not particularly loyal to any airline or hotel, I prefer the flexibility of general travel cards. I especially appreciate travel cards that offer transfers to travel partners. With flexible rewards, I can access 10 to 20 or more loyalty programs from a single card. This increases my chances of being able to take advantage of the best award deals that are available for my next trip.

I love that most co-branded travel cards include benefits when booking with that brand. Free night certificates on hotel cards and free checked bags with airlines are valuable perks. Plus, even though earning a single type of point might seem limited, big hotel chains have more than a dozen brand choices and airlines may have 10 or more alliance partners, so you’ll still find plenty of versatility.

Pros of Travel Credit Cards

• Fast-track to free or discounted travel. You’ll earn rewards on your spending that can be used to reduce the cost of future travel.
• Elite perks and benefits. Many cards offer money-saving extras like free luggage or complimentary breakfast.
• Lack of foreign transaction fees. Some of the best travel credit cards won’t charge you extra for using your card abroad.

Cons of Travel Credit Cards

• Limited-use rewards. The best value in owning and using a travel rewards card comes from redeeming the rewards for more travel.
• Annual fees can be high. Cards with the most premium perks tend to also have the most premium price.
• Redemptions can be complicated. For some reward programs, squeezing the most outsized value out of your points or miles can require some work.

It’s safe to say that travel credit cards will likely only appeal to travelers. Their benefits and rewards are specialized and would be hard to use if you don’t intend to travel. For anyone who travels even once or twice a year, though, these credit cards can make a lot of sense compared to cash-back cards or other rewards credit cards due to all of the included perks.

• Business travel: If your work requires you to travel, having a dedicated travel card can make it easy to keep your business expenses separate from your personal expenses.
• International travel: If you’re planning to travel abroad, travel credit cards often come with perks like no foreign transaction fees, airport lounge access and application fee reimbursements for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck that can make your journey more comfortable.
• Luxury travel: If you want an upscale experience like access to exclusive airport lounges, automatic hotel room upgrades and property credits, a travel credit card with these features can grant you access to these features.

How Many Travel Credit Cards Should I Have?

The number of travel credit cards you should have will depend on how often you travel, which benefits you value, your financial situation and whether you’re willing to spend time tracking multiple cards. Frequent travelers will find value in holding at least one travel card, but may consider holding several. For example, having both an airline card and a hotel card can provide complementary benefits and the ability to earn rewards for all aspects of your travel plans.

Travel cards often include numerous membership benefits such as elite status when traveling with partner programs, free checked bags, lounge access or discounts on ancillary travel fees. These benefits can make your trips easier, more comfortable and more affordable. Additionally, travel credit cards offer the opportunity to earn valuable rewards and in some cases may provide higher yields than cash back or other types of rewards.

When comparing travel credit cards, items to consider include:

1. Annual Fee

The annual fee on credit cards ranges from zero to several hundred dollars. In general, the more expensive the card, the richer the perks and rewards. It can be well worth it to pay an annual fee if you’ll use the associated benefits, but there are travel credit cards without an annual fee if you’re more comfortable with that structure.

2. Foreign Transaction Fee

If you’re traveling out of the country, be sure your travel card doesn’t carry any foreign transaction fees. This can be an additional 2% to 3% surcharge on top of the price of your purchase and makes everything you buy with a card in a foreign country more expensive than a card without this fee. Foreign transaction charges also apply to purchases made in other currencies, even if you haven’t left the U.S. The best no foreign transaction fee cards ensure you’re not paying this surcharge.

3. Sign-up Bonus

If you’re trying to decide between two similar cards, it can help to consider the welcome offer on a given card. These welcome offers ebb and flow and if a card you’re thinking about offers a particularly generous offer, it can help offset the annual fee and/or the cost of future travel.

4. Rewards Rate

When choosing a card, think about your spending patterns. If you rarely fly, it may not make sense to own a card that offers the most rewards on airline purchases.

5. International Acceptance

In some countries, all credit cards may be accepted, but that isn’t always the case. When traveling outside of the United States, Visa and Mastercard tend to be more widely accepted than American Express or other cards. Because of this, if you travel often, you may want to choose a Visa or Mastercard either in addition to or in lieu of other types of cards.

6. Travel Protections

Many travel credit cards include various forms of travel protections, such as trip interruption coverage or collision damage waivers for rental cars. These included protections could save you money compared to separately purchased policies but won’t necessarily be as comprehensive. Check with your card benefits guide to get information on your coverage terms. If you travel often, it might be worth specifically seeking out the best credit cards with travel insurance or the best credit cards for car rental insurance .

— Yanely Espinal , Forbes Advisor Credit Cards Advisory Board Member

Also consider any special perks associated with cards you evaluate. These might range from airport lounge access to statement credit reimbursements for certain purchases made with specific brands or on purchases in specific categories.

Airline credit cards typically earn frequent flyer miles on every purchase. Co-branded airline cards also frequently come with perks while traveling, like free checked bags, enhanced award space or lounge access. They may also help you achieve elite status more easily.

When evaluating the best airline credit cards , think about:

• Earning rates.  Many airline credit cards don’t offer elevated earnings on categories other than airline spending, so you’ll need to choose carefully if that’s important to you.
• Perks while flying. Typically, only cards with an annual fee include benefits while flying such as priority boarding or complimentary checked bags.
• Elite-qualifying bonuses.  Some cards include bonus elite-qualifying miles when hitting spending thresholds, which can further enhance your flying experience.
• Companion fares.  Some airline cards offer the opportunity to earn a companion certificate, which allows you to bring a second traveler on your trip for a reduced price.

Additionally, redeeming frequent flyer miles can be more complicated than requesting cash back or other types of rewards. Though using miles for award flights can lead to tremendous value, you’ll need to learn the ropes of the program.

7 Ways To Earn More Airline Miles

The most common ways to earn airline miles are either through flying with the airline (or its partners) or by using a credit card that earns frequent flyer miles on every purchase. You can also earn more airline miles by:

• Making purchases through airline shopping portals
• Booking hotel reservations through the airline’s platform
• Renting cars and opting in to frequent flyer miles instead of rental credits
• Completing partner activity, which varies by airline but may include partnerships with Starbucks, Lyft or other brands you use anyway
• Checking your account to register for promotions
• Dining with partner restaurants
• Transferring flexible credit card points

Hotel credit cards will earn points toward future free stays, but this is one case where the benefits can often outshine rewards. More often than not, hotel cards come with automatic elite status as well as a fast track to even higher levels of status. Plus, annual free night certificates or statement credits add to their value proposition.

Many hotel loyalty programs offer multiple co-branded cards to choose from, making it even more important to compare the characteristics of an individual card. It’s not uncommon for a single hotel brand to offer a no-annual-fee card, a mid-tier card and a premium card—each with different earning rates and benefits.

When evaluating hotel credit cards, consider:

• Elite status offers.  Generally speaking, cards with higher annual fees may automatically bump you to higher elite status levels which can be invaluable on frequent stays.
• Free night certificates.  Many, but not all, hotel cards offer free night certificates either upon renewal of your card or when hitting spending thresholds. Each certificate may come with restrictions on when or where you can redeem it, so compare fine print.
• Earning rates.  Hotel cards may offer huge multipliers on bonus categories, allowing you to earn five to 10 times on certain purchases. However, keep expectations in check: Hotel points may not be worth a full penny per point.
• Statement credits.  Some cards may include statement credits toward eligible purchases made at hotels and resorts or even on airline fees or restaurant purchases, which can be valuable, but you’ll need to actually use them.

8 Ways To Earn More Hotel Points

In addition to booking hotel stays or using a hotel-branded credit card, you can also earn hotel points through other methods such as:

• Charging incidental purchases made at hotel properties to your account, such as spa, parking or dining expenses
• Booking events or meetings at participating hotels
• Making purchases through hotel shopping portals
• Renting cars and opting in to hotel points instead of rental credits
• Completing partner activity, which may include partnerships with Starbucks, Lyft or other brands you use anyway
• Transferring flexible credit card points to your preferred hotel program

The best way to make the most of your credit card is to use a card that aligns with your spending patterns.

• Choose a card that offers bonus points in spending categories meaningful to you
• Pair credit cards that offer identical awards in different areas of spending
• Use your credit card instead of cash or debit when possible

Airline and Hotel Rewards Loyalty Programs

Understanding how to get the most out of the points and miles you earn from your travel credit card goes hand-in-hand with using the loyalty programs offered by most airlines and hotel brands. It’s free to join and you can belong to as many loyalty programs as you like. Typically, when you sign up for a co-branded credit card affiliated with a particular brand, you’ll automatically become a member of the loyalty program if you aren’t already.

Track Your Credit Card Points and Miles Earnings

Tracking your spending allows you to make sure that every time you make a purchase, you’re using the card that will earn you the most rewards. This means knowing which card to use in which scenario based on how a particular merchant codes the purchase . For example, if you own two credit cards, one that earns high rewards on dining and one co-branded airline card, it might not make sense to use the airline card to pay your restaurant tab since the dining card likely earns more rewards. You can do this by various methods as complicated as creating a spreadsheet or as simple as putting stickers on each card to remind you when to use it.

How To Use Credit Card Points for Travel

Beyond earning rewards, there are strategies to get the most value when it comes time to redeem your rewards, too. When it comes time to cash in your travel rewards, there’s generally two ways to do it. You can plan the itinerary you want and use your rewards to fully or partially off-set the cost. Or, you can research to see where the rewards you have can be used to get the most bang for your buck. Now, American Express is making it easier for some cardmembers to redeem miles for flights due to a partnership with Point.me .

Find the Best Hotel Rewards Credit Cards of 2024

Credit cards can save you a lot of money on travel compared to paying full price. Often, the most substantial way to travel for free with credit cards is by redeeming rewards for travel. A combination of welcome bonus offers and the rewards you earn from everyday spending can add up to hundreds of dollars in value toward free travel. However, you’ll need to learn to redeem points and miles from your specific program to do so.

Included statement credits or card benefits can also help you travel for free. Premium credit cards may offer annual credits toward the purchase of select travel, effectively serving as a rebate. Alternatively, you might have airline companion certificates or hotel free night certificates, which work more like a coupon.

Travel Rewards Cards In the News

Travel lovers now have another great credit card option with the launch of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card in March 2024. This new card earns 5 points per dollar on hotels, 4 points per dollar on airlines, 3 points per dollar on other travel and restaurants and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. Those are high reward rates for a card that doesn’t require you to make reservations through a dedicated booking channel or proprietary travel portal.

Though cardholders will be able to transfer points to a limited number of travel partners beginning in April, this card may be a better fit as the best rewards credit card for travel spending. Learn more about how this card is making waves .

Credit Card Debt Is a High Priority Budget Item

Second only to mortgages, credit card balances take precedence when it comes to paying down debt. According to a Forbes Advisor survey conducted by OnePoll in April 2023, 28% of survey respondents would make credit card payments a top priority to pay down if they lost a job.

While this is a great goal to have, making payments when you’re also hit by a loss of income can be challenging. That’s why it’s important not to let balances spiral out of control in the first place. Ideally, credit cards should only be used to make purchases you can reliably afford to pay off. If that’s unrealistic, some offer an introductory 0% APR on new purchases or balance transfers (for when you’ve already accumulated debt from previous charges).

At Forbes Advisor, we encourage everyone to pay off their bills as soon as possible. And while travel rewards cards can be tempting ways to earn points or miles, keep in mind that interest charges on a carried balance will quickly add up to more than your rewards could ever be worth, making it more important to pay off your debt before dreaming about your next vacation.

Generally speaking, yes, travel credit cards are worth it —if you’ll use the benefits. Travel rewards credit cards can be a strategic addition to your finances if you travel with any regularity. You’ll be able to earn rewards on every purchase and later redeem those rewards toward future trips, often at a higher yield than if you had chosen cash back or other types of rewards. Many travel cards also include benefits to enhance your travel experience along the way to add even more value.

To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page . To view rates and fees for American Express® Gold Card please visit this page . To view rates and fees for Bilt World Elite Mastercard® please visit this page . 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.

What is considered travel for credit cards?

Each issuer’s definition of which purchases or which purchase categories may vary slightly, but categories likely to be included by any issuer include airfare, hotels, rental cars and cruises. For example, Chase offers a fairly wide definition of travel, with airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, campgrounds and operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways and parking lots and garages all considered travel eligible for rewards.

Even if your purchase would typically count toward a category, it’s worth noting that merchants are typically responsible for the categorization and if the merchant you purchase from isn’t categorized correctly, your transaction likely won’t earn rewards.

What credit score is needed for a travel credit card?

A travel rewards credit card will typically recommend good to excellent credit in order to qualify. Plan to have a credit score of at least 700 to get approved by the top credit cards on the market. Some of those cards might even require applicants to have a credit score of 720 or higher.

What is the easiest travel credit card to get?

Most travel credit cards require good to excellent credit scores. However, generally speaking, no-annual-fee travel cards are typically easier to be approved for than the ultra-premium travel cards with high annual fees.

What is the best credit card with travel insurance?

Forbes Advisor’s best credit cards for travel insurance list has a variety of cards offering solid travel insurance. Although you shouldn’t get a credit card for this feature alone, it can be a useful money-saving extra. Credit cards that offer travel insurance tend to have high annual fees, so keep this in mind when weighing whether or not you are likely to use the feature.

What is the best card for international travel?

Many credit cards are well suited for international travel. You want to make sure that the card has no foreign transaction fees . It also helps if the card’s points are suitable for the locations where you wish to travel. For instance, if you want to go to Asia, an airline card co-branded with a U.S.-based airline that doesn’t fly to Asia, like Southwest, will not help you.

How many miles do you need for a free flight?

The number of miles you need for a free flight depends on different factors, including which airline miles you are using, where you are flying to and from, when you are traveling and other factors. Most domestic airlines have ditched award charts, meaning the price in miles for any flight can vary even between flights on the same day.

Domestic flights in the U.S. will generally require fewer miles than international flights. Typically, count on spending between 5,000 and 20,000 miles for a domestic one-way flight in economy.

Long-haul international flights can cost quite a bit more. Plan on spending between 20,000 to 40,000 miles each way to fly to Europe in economy and even more for flights to Asia, Africa and Oceania.

Don’t forget to consider the cost of checked bags and fuel surcharges before booking your ticket. Flights booked with rewards are also often subject to government taxes and fees, which you’ll still be responsible for even when you redeem miles.

How much is a point or mile worth on travel credit cards?

Point values are as varied as the types of points themselves. Some cards’ points values are more straightforward because rates are somewhat tied to the cash prices. However, if a program uses an awards chart, the value of the point will vary widely depending on how you are redeeming it. In general, you’ll get the highest value per point on premium airline seats and luxury hotel stays.

What is the difference between points and miles on a credit card?

Points and miles are effectively the same, they’re just different names for the rewards earned on a particular credit card. Some credit cards offer points, some—particularly airline cards—offer miles. But the fundamental function is the same in that these rewards cards all earn a specified type of award currency based on your spending that can be used in various ways.

How should I inform my credit card company of upcoming travel?

Notifying your credit card issuer of your travel plans before you travel can help avoid denied transactions due to suspected fraud. An issuer’s system may flag a transaction as suspicious and prohibit a transaction if it suspects your card or card information has been stolen. For this reason, issuers typically make it fairly easy to notify you when you’re headed out of town. You can notify your issuer of your travels by calling the number on the back of your card or logging onto your card issuer’s website and finding the option to submit a travel notice.

Are travel cards with annual fees worth it?

Travel cards with annual fees can be worth paying for only if the extra rewards and benefits outweigh the added cost of the annual fee. Just because an annual-fee card earns more rewards and provides more benefit does not, however, make it more rewarding than a no-annual-fee card —the extra reward must exceed the amount of reward received from the best no-annual-fee option for you. The risk you take when paying an annual fee is that you won’t receive a benefit worth the annual fee, so be sure to carefully evaluate this risk before applying.

Do I have to tell my credit card company when I travel?

Most credit card issuers no longer require you to notify them before travel. In fact, Chase and some other companies have removed the travel notification tools from your online account or app. Card fraud alerts are more advanced now and legitimate transactions should post without incident.

However, you may want to be sure you have access to confirm whether or not something is suspected of fraud just in case—either by making sure your phone number has service abroad to respond to automated text messages or by downloading your card app in advance to manage your account.

Other Credit Cards To Be Considered

• Best Credit Cards Of 2024
• Best Airline Credit Cards
• Best Hotel Credit Cards
• Best Business Credit Cards for Travel
• Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards
• Best Credit Card For Lounge Access

*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express, Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card . The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

With more than 50 million redeemed miles under her belt, Becky Pokora is a rewards travel expert. She's been writing about credit cards and reward travel since 2011 with articles on Forbes Advisor, BoardingArea, The Points Guy and more. Her redemptions have helped her travel to more than 50 countries and all seven continents.

Yanely Espinal is the director of educational outreach for Next Gen Personal Finance, a nonprofit working to ensure that every high school student gets a full semester of personal finance education—including lessons in proper credit card usage—before graduation. She is often described as a ball of energy, with a gift for storytelling, and a passion for explaining credit cards and other financial concepts in a straightforward way.   While working as an elementary school teacher, Yanely decided to change her financial life by paying off $20,000 of debt in just 18 months. In 2015 she created MissBeHelpful, a YouTube channel and social media platform that now has over 5 million views, to help others learn the money skills she never learned in school. Some of her most popular videos on the channel include “5 Things to Consider When Applying for a Credit Card” and “When To Pay Your Credit Card Bill and Increase Your Credit Score.”   Her book, “Mind Your Money,” is an Amazon bestseller and was a Plutus Award finalist for Best New Personal Finance Book of 2023. She hosts Financially Inclined from Marketplace, a video podcast for teens about money lessons for living life your own way. Yanely is also a member of CNBC's Financial Wellness Advisory Council and an Advocate at the NGPF Mission 2030 Fund.  

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16 best airline credit cards of May 2024

The best airline credit cards for travelers can vary, depending on where you live and how often you fly. But whether you are an airline loyalist or a casual traveler, any of the cards on our curated list below could be a good fit — making your flights more rewarding, enjoyable and maybe even free.

From airline-specific perks like free checked bags and early boarding to more general benefits like bonus rewards on flights and statement credits on select purchases, these cards offer a suite of privileges designed to enhance any travel experience and are chosen based on the detailed insights from our team of travel experts.

Check out our curated selection and comprehensive guide on some of the best airline cards from our partners below.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best for beginner travelers
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best for simple rewards earning
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card : Best for occasional Delta flyers
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card : Best for sign-up bonus
• United℠ Business Card : Best for United business travelers
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for business travel perks
• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for luxury benefits
• Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card : Best for earning Alaska Airlines miles
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card : Best for frequent Southwest flyers
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® : Best for Admirals Club access
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best for premium travel
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card : Best for no annual fee
• American Express® Gold Card : Best for dining
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card : Best for Sky Club access
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card : Best for loyal Southwest business travelers

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Comparing the best credit cards, more details on the best credit cards, credit pointers with brian kelly, maximizing airline credit cards, helpful tools, how we rate cards, popular airline rewards programs, how to choose the best airline credit card, ask our experts, pros + cons of airline credit cards, frequently asked questions.

• Best Overall

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit card on the market. Offering an excellent return on travel and dining purchases, the card packs a ton of value that easily offsets its $95 annual fee. Cardholders can redeem points at 1.25 cents each for travel booked through Chase or transfer points to one of Chase’s 14 valuable airline and hotel partners. Read our full  review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card .

• You’ll earn 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on dining including eligible delivery services and takeout.
• The current sign-up bonus on this card is quite generous. TPG values it at $1,538.
• Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance.
• The card comes with a $95 annual fee.
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

When it comes to simplicity and strong rewards, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice for most travelers. You’ll earn earns 2x miles on every purchase with no bonus categories to memorize, making it an ideal card for those with busy lives. Read our full  review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card .

• This flexible rewards card delivers a solid sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles, worth $1,388 based on TPG valuations and not provided by the issuer.
• You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories.
• Rewards earned are versatile as they can be redeemed for any hotel or airline purchase for a statement credit or transferred to 15+ travel partners.
• A couple of partners' transfer ratios are mediocre at a less than 1:1 ratio
• Capital One airline partners do not include any large U.S. airlines.
• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex provides valuable elite-like benefits for causal Delta flyers including a first checked bag free and priority boarding. It can easily justify getting and keeping this card. Read our full  review of the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card .

• First checked bag free for you and up to eight companions.
• Main Cabin 1 priority boarding.
• 20% back in the form of a statement credit on in-flight purchases (not including Wi-Fi).
• Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta.
• There are better Delta cards if you want lounge access or a boost to earn elite status.
• Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $150.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
• Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $60 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $240 per round-trip flight.
• Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
• $100 Delta Stays Credit: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Members can earn up to $100 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com.
• Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
• Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• With Send & Split®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
• Terms Apply.
• See Rates & Fees

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card’s sign-up bonus is among the highest we’ve seen from Chase. Plus earn points across the four bonus categories (travel, shipping, advertising and telecommunication providers) that are most popular with businesses. The card comes with travel protections, shopping protections and will also have primary coverage when renting a car for business purposes for you and your employees. Read our full  review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card .

• One of the highest sign-up bonuses we’ve seen — 100,000 bonus points after $8,000 worth of spend in the first three months after card opening.
• Access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for points redemption.
• Reasonable $95 annual fee; bonus categories that are most relevant to business owners.
• Primary car insurance; and perks including cell phone and purchase protection.
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance; trip delay reimbursement
• Yearly cap on bonus categories.
• Subject to Chase's 5/24 rule on card applications.
• Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.

United℠ Business Card

If you’re a business owner, the United Business card offers excellent benefits for United flyers while charging a low annual fee. Read our full review of the United Business Card .

• Earn 2 MileagePlus miles per dollar on United Airlines purchases, dining, gas stations, office supply stores and on local transit and commuting and 1 mile per dollar on everything else.
• First checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.
• Two United Club one-time passes each cardmember anniversary.
• Travel protections including primary rental car insurance and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
• Only provides lounge access twice per card member year.
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
• Receive a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost - miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
• Enjoy a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
• $100 United® travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more each anniversary year.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card from American Express is a great card for frequent travelers looking to add a touch of luxury to their business trips. While the card does come with a high annual fee, you’re also getting a ton of valuable benefits in return. They include generous annual travel credits, unparalleled lounge access that includes Amex Centurion Lounges and more. Read our full  review of The Business Platinum Card from American Express .

• Up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry every 4 years or $85 TSA PreCheck credit every 4.5 years (enrollment is required)
• Up to $400 annual statement credit for U.S. Dell purchases (enrollment required).
• Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels; access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection (enrollment required).
• Steep $695 annual fee.
• High spend needed for welcome offer.
• Limited high bonus categories outside of travel.
• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®, here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Amex Platinum is unmatched when it comes to travel perks and benefits. If lounge access, hotel elite status and annual statement credits are important to you, this card is well worth the high annual fee. Read our full  review of the Platinum Card from American Express .

• The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
• This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, and more than $1,400 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more.
• The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
• The $695 annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
• Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning bonus rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
• The annual airline fee credit and other statement credits can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• 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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card

There’s a lot to love about this card, in part due to its highly valuable loyalty program: Alaska Airlines MileagePlan. Whether you’re a loyal Alaska flyer or a points maximizer looking to diversify your rewards portfolio, this card has a lot to offer. For starters, you’ll receive Alaska’s Famous Companion Pass each year from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more within the prior anniversary year, free checked bags for you and up to six guests on your itinerary, 20% back on in-flight purchases and more. Plus, Alaska has joined the oneworld alliance, opening up endless redemption opportunities. Read our full  review of the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card .

• Free checked bag for you and up to six guests on your reservation.
• Alaska discounts, including 20% back on in-flight purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• $95 annual fee.
• Limited Time Online Offer—60,000 Bonus Miles!
• Get 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
• Get Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
• Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. And earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. And, your miles don’t expire on active accounts.
• Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account.
• Free checked bag and enjoy priority boarding for you and up to 6 guests on the same reservation, when you pay for your flight with your card — Also available for authorized users when they book a reservation too!
• With oneworld® Alliance member airlines and Alaska’s Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem miles.
• Plus, no foreign transaction fees and a low $95 annual fee.
• This online only offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

While other airlines’ top credit cards have annual fees toppling over $500 per year, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card comes with just a $149 annual per year. If Southwest is your airline of choice, you’ll receive a number of perks every year: a $75 Southwest travel credit and 7,500 points on your cardmember anniversary. These benefits alone make up the annual fee for frequent Southwest flyers. For every $10,000 spent on this card, you’ll earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points, fast-tracking your way to A-List Status. Read our  full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card .

• $75 annual Southwest travel credit.
• 7,500 points on each cardmember anniversary.
• 25% inflight discount on food, drinks and WiFi.
• Ability to earn A-List status faster by spending on this card
• Travel and purchase protections through Chase.
• $149 annual fee.
• Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 7,500 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is the best for those who fly American Airlines and want Admirals Club lounge access. It also gives you helps you earn and maintain elite status and comes with priority perks. Read our full  review of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard .

• Offers Admirals Club lounge access.
• Priority check-in, airport screening, boarding and a free checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions.
• 25% discount on inflight food and beverages.
• Receive a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Fee Statement Credit.
• Miles redemption limited to American Airlines and its Oneworld partners.
• 25% inflight credit doesn't include Wi-Fi.
• Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
• Admirals Club® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
• Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
• First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

If you can maximize the $300 credit toward Capital One Travel, the Venture X’s annual fee effectively comes down to $95, the same annual fee pegged to the  Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees ). Add in a 10,000-mile bonus every account anniversary (worth $185, according to TPG valuations ) and lounge access, and the card may become the strongest option out there for a lot of travelers. Read our full  review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card .

• 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
• $395 annual fee
• $300 credit annually that is only applicable for bookings made through Capital One Travel portal
• 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
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

If you’re looking to dip your toes into the world of travel rewards, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great way to get started. With no annual fee and a simple 1.25 miles per dollar on all your purchases, you won’t have to keep up with multiple bonus categories — just earn rewards on everything you purchase! Coupled with the 20,000-mile sign-up bonus, you can use your rewards to book travel, transfer to Capital One’s loyalty partners and more. Read our full review of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card .

• No annual fee.
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 within the first three months from account opening
• Use your miles to book or pay for travel at a 1-cent value, or transfer your miles to loyalty programs to gain potentially even greater value for your rewards.
• Earn 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases.
• Other credit cards can offer you higher rewards for your common purchase categories.
• Capital One airline transfer partners do not include any large U.S. airlines.
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

American Express® Gold Card

This isn’t just a card that’s nice to look at. It packs a real punch, offering 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar). There’s also an up to $120 annual dining credit at  Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly ,  Wine.com ,  Milk Bar, and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required. Plus it added an up to $120 annually ($10 per month) in Uber Cash, which can be used on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. All this make it a very strong contender for all food purchases, which has become a popular spending category. Enrollment required for select benefits. Read our full review of the American Express Gold Card .

• 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar)
• 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
• Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership
• Weak on travel and everyday spending bonus categories
• Not as effective for those living outside the U.S.
• Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
• Few travel perks and protections
• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• Annual Fee is $250.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is the premier choice for Delta loyalists who value an accelerated path to elite status, Delta SkyClubs lounge access, an annual companion certificate and strong earning rates on Delta purchases. Read our review of the  Delta SkyMiles Reserve card .  Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.

• Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. See terms for more details.
• High annual fee of $650
• Lower fee Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
• Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Reserve your piece of history with the new limited edition Boeing 747 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card design.
• Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® and bring up to two guests or immediate family members at a rate of $50 per person per visit when flying Delta. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
• Receive four Delta Sky Club® One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly together on Delta. After that, you may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location.
• Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
• Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
• Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
• Receive a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• $240 Resy Credit: With the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Resy Credit, earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
• $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. Enrollment Required.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• With your Card receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• $650 Annual Fee.

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card is ideal for business travelers and loyal Southwest flyers interested in hitting A-List status or earning a Companion Pass. Read our  full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card .

• 9,000 points on each cardmember anniversary.
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit (up to $100).
• 4 Upgraded Boardings a year.
• $199 annual fee means only those loyal to Southwest will truly benefit
• Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
• Earn 4X pts on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 3X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
• Earn 2X points on rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services and 1X points on all other purchases.
• 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.

The card is easy to use and maximize, offering a valuable sign-up bonus and a rewards structure that helps you earn rewards across a lot of everyday spending categories. You can use those rewards in several ways, such as transferring them to a number of popular airline and hotel loyalty programs or using them through the Chase travel portal  at a value of 1.25 cents each.

It can add a lot of value to almost any traveler’s wallet — from points and miles beginners to casual travelers who only fly once or twice a year to frequent flyers who are in the air at least once a month.

“The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been in my wallet for over five years and is the go-to midlevel rewards credit card that I recommend to people. It usually has a pretty solid sign-up bonus, with points that can be transferred to some of my favorite loyalty programs, like British Airways Executive Club and World of Hyatt.” — Matt Moffitt , senior credit cards editor

If you’re looking for a card that earns bonus rewards on all purchases, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card  earns at least 2 miles per dollar on every purchase. The card has a low $95 annual fee (see  rates and fees ), valuable sign-up bonus and the ability to redeem miles for travel through Capital One Travel or by transferring to 15+ travel partners .

You’ll earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, making this a great card for everyday spending. Plus, for a low $95 annual fee (see  rates and fees ), you get a lot of value: a strong sign-up bonus, the ability to transfer miles to airline and hotel loyalty programs and more.

The card is best suited to travelers who want a low-annual-fee credit card that can help them earn and redeem rewards on everyday purchases while still giving them some travel benefits.

“The Capital One Venture Rewards is a great card that can add value to pretty much anyone’s wallet. I use it to earn 2 miles per dollar on the purchases that fall outside of my other cards’ bonus categories. The annual fee is low, Capital One miles are easy to redeem and the card does come with a few nice perks — including TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee reimbursement.” — Madison Blancaflor , senior editor, content operations

If you are looking for more travel perks and benefits (and are willing to pay a higher annual fee), look at the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card . You’ll still earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, but you’re also getting a lot more in benefits, including lounge access, anniversary miles, a $300 yearly travel credit and more.

The card offers elitelike perks that can provide solid value for casual Delta flyers — all at a low $150 annual fee (that’s $0 the first year; see rates and fees ) compared to other Delta cobranded cards.

The card is best suited to casual Delta flyers who may not fly often enough to earn elite status but would enjoy elitelike perks such as priority boarding and a free checked bag.

“As someone who likes flying Delta but doesn’t fly with them often enough to earn elite status, my Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex still gives me elitelike perks to help upgrade my travel experience.” — Madison Blancaflor , senior editor

If you are a regular Delta flyer interested in earning elite status, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a strong alternative. You’ll get the same elitelike benefits as with the Gold, but you’ll also get the ability to fast-track your way to Medallion status .

The Ink Business Preferred is one of the best business credit cards on the market, offering an awesome sign-up bonus, a strong rewards structure for business spending, a low annual fee, access to Chase’s transfer partners and more.

Small-business owners who want to earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points across a number of business expenses without a high annual fee. Those with a company cellphone also could benefit from this card through its cellphone protection.

“I originally signed up for the Ink Business Preferred primarily for its sign-up bonus. But, over the last year, I’ve found myself making it my go-to card when booking travel. After all, the Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel and provides excellent travel protections, including trip delay protection and rental car insurance.” — Katie Genter , senior points and miles writer

For small-business owners who are interested in maximizing their monthly expenses, the American Express® Business Gold Card offers a very strong rewards structure that adapts to your spending habits. Plus, TPG values  Amex Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each (equal to our valuation of Chase Ultimate Rewards points).

The United Business Card has a low annual fee, but it offers a lot of value to cardholders: bonus earning on categories beyond just United purchases, elitelike benefits such as priority boarding, two one-time United Club passes and more.

Small-business owners who want some United perks without spending hundreds of dollars on an annual fee.

“As a frequent United traveler, I actually have a couple of United credit cards that unlock different perks and benefits. While I initially got the United Business Card for the bonus and to keep business expenses separate, I keep it for the discount on inflight purchases, the annual 5,000-mile bonus for having both a business and personal United card, and the $100 statement credit for charging at least seven United flights to the card each year.” — Summer Hull , director of content

Loyal United flyers who are interested in even more benefits (including lounge access and additional ways to fast-track elite status) should consider the United Club Business Card . While the annual fee is much higher, frequent United flyers who maximize the benefits can easily offset the additional cost.

The information for the United Club Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Along with lounge access, you can use perks like a 35% points rebate when paying for flights with Amex Travel (up to 1 million points per year), hundreds of dollars in annual spending credits and earning 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels with Amex Travel.

Small-business owners who travel frequently and regularly charge large purchases to their card each month. The card has a very high annual fee, so it’s best suited to those who know they can maximize its benefits and earning structure.

“I find that the annual perks and credits vastly outweigh the large annual fee. And that’s even without using some of them. By using the benefits with Priority Pass and Amex lounges, the airline incidental credits, plus the statement credits for Clear Plus, our cellphone plan and restocking my home printer with ink and paper from Dell (enrollment required), I get more value out of the card than it costs to keep it. Plus, it earns my favorite points — American Express Membership Rewards — earning 5 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked with Amex Travel.” — Ryan Smith , former credit cards writer

If you are looking for a card to maximize business expenses while enjoying the Amex Business Platinum’s redemption partners, the American Express® Business Gold Card is another option. For a much lower annual fee, you’ll earn more across your top spending categories while still having access to Amex transfer partners.

The Amex Platinum remains the No. 1 card for travel perks and benefits. You can easily offset the full cost of the annual fee ( see rates and fees ) if you know how to maximize the various perks and credits the card offers, and those benefits can go a long way toward upgrading your travel experience. 

Frequent travelers who know they can make the most of the many perks this card has to offer will benefit the most from adding it to their wallet.

“Whilst this card has a high annual fee, it more than justifies itself for frequent travelers like me. The lounge access options that come with the Platinum are unrivaled by competitors. I put all of my flights — whether bought with cash or points — on this card to earn 5 points per dollar spent (up to 500,000 points per year; must be purchased directly with the airline or with Amex Travel). I make sure to take full advantage of the Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hulu/Disney+ and Clear Plus credits (enrollment is required). And, honestly, pulling a Platinum card out of your wallet to pay for something does feel pretty fancy.” — Matt Moffitt , senior credit cards editor

Travelers who won’t utilize the various credits offered by the Amex Platinum might find more value with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . That card offers plenty of strong benefits — including lounge access, a travel credit and fantastic travel protections — but you’ll also get a strong earning rate across categories beyond just travel purchases.

For a low annual fee, the card offers a generous sign-up bonus and some solid perks like an annual companion fare ticket from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $6,000 or more on purchases in the preceding year. Now that Alaska Airlines is a member of Oneworld, you can use the miles earned with the Alaska Airlines Visa to fly with not only Alaska but also Japan Airlines, American Airlines and more.

The card is an obvious choice for anyone who flies with Alaska Airlines regularly, offering a generous sign-up bonus and elitelike perks to help elevate your travel experience.

“With new benefits, this card is even more valuable to me — even with the annual fee going up $20 this year. It provides a free first checked bag, discounts on inflight purchases and priority boarding. My favorite feature, however, is the annual Companion Fare. I get hundreds of dollars in annual value from this perk.” — Ryan Smith , former credit cards writer

Cards that earn flexible rewards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , are great alternatives. Since Chase is a transfer partner with other Oneworld airlines and has its own travel portal, you still have the ability to book Alaska flights with your points —and you aren’t limited to only  Alaska Airlines and its partners.

This premium travel credit card provides cardholders with an anniversary bonus of 7,500 points in addition to four upgraded boardings per year and the ability to earn 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases.

Southwest loyalists who frequently fly and make purchases with the airline.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card can be a great addition to any Southwest loyalist's wallet. It features a great sign-up bonus, a $75 Southwest travel credit and 7,500 points on your cardmember anniversary. These benefits make the card well worth its annual fee for a frequent Southwest flyer. 

Fans of Southwest can breathe a little easier knowing that they have options when it comes to choosing the best Southwest credit card for their specific needs. If you want a Southwest-branded credit card with a lower annual fee, you can choose between the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card , which have annual fees of $99 and $69, respectively. The Premier card is a great choice for the semi-frequent Southwest traveler, while the Plus card is a great entry-level choice for those who occasionally fly Southwest.

The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The card offers the most benefits for American Airlines flyers of any credit card on the market, providing Admirals Club lounge access, elite like perks and more. Plus, you can add authorized users (at a cost) that can take advantage of some of the card’s perks (like lounge access).

Loyal American Airlines flyers who are looking for ways to fast-track elite status and enjoy Admirals Club lounge access when flying with American.

“This card helps me earn Loyalty Points for my elite status with American. But the real reason I keep it year after year is because of the generous lounge access policy and the ability to add so many of my friends and family as authorized users.” — Scott Mayerowitz , former executive editor

American Airlines flyers who are looking to earn Loyalty Points but aren’t interested in lounge access could benefit from the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® . It comes with a much lower annual fee and lets you earn bonus AAdvantage miles on additional spending categories: restaurants and gas stations.

The information for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. 

The Capital One Venture X comes with a lot of travel perks for a more affordable annual fee than its premium counterparts from Chase and Amex. You also get a strong sign-up bonus and at least 2 miles per dollar spent across all your purchases.

Travelers looking for a premium card with a lot of benefits who don’t want to pay an exorbitant annual fee.

“With an annual fee that is $300 less than the Amex Platinum (see Amex Platinum rates and fees ), the Capital One Venture X card is my favorite travel credit card. The card comes with an annual $300 Capital One Travel portal credit, which I use to book flights. That effectively brings the $395 annual fee down to $95 per year (see rates and fees ). Cardholders enjoy a Priority Pass Select membership and access to Capital One lounges. I use my Venture X card to earn 2 miles per dollar (a 3.7% return at TPG’s valuations ) in spending categories where most cards would only accrue 1 mile (e.g., auto maintenance, pharmacies, medical bills).” — Kyle Olsen , former points and miles reporter

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a similar set of benefits, but its travel credit is less restrictive than the Venture X’s, and you’ll earn more on non-portal travel and dining spending. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve does come with a higher annual fee ($550).

The no-annual-fee VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (see  rates and fees ) has the same redemption options as its sibling card (the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ) but with a lower rewards rate and fewer perks. The miles earned on the card can also be transferred to airline and hotel partners, a benefit not usually seen with a no-annual-fee card.

The VentureOne is a strong card to have in your arsenal and great if you are budgeting. After all, there aren’t many no-annual-fee cards with the ability to transfer points and miles directly to travel partners, so it’s a big bonus that this card offers that.

“I wanted a credit card that earns Capital One miles without an annual fee, and this is a winner. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of some other cards, but I’m happy earning 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases without paying a fee to keep this card year after year. I’ll never cancel this card.” — Ryan Smith , former credit cards writer

For a small annual fee, many travelers could benefit from the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . You’ll earn at least 2 miles per dollar on all purchases and receive a statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership.

Foodies will love the Amex Gold card, regardless of whether you’re eating out, ordering in or cooking at home. You’ll earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar worldwide restaurant purchases, plus 4 points per dollar on up to $25,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets each year, then 1 point per dollar. There are a number of other perks that can easily cover most of the card’s $250 annual fee (see rates and fees ).

Anyone with frequent restaurant and grocery purchases can get a ton of value  from the Amex Gold, especially if you utilize the issuer’s array of lucrative transfer partners.

“Groceries and dining at restaurants are two of my top spending categories, and I love that the Amex Gold rewards those purchases with 4 points per dollar. When you factor in the $10 dining credit and $10 in Uber Cash each month, the $250 annual fee is a net cost of $10.” — Senitra Horbrook , former credit cards editor

If you still want extra rewards at restaurants along with additional bonus categories and other valuable perks at a lower fee, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .

The card offers some great perks for loyal Delta flyers, including free checked bags, space-available upgrades, a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit, lounge access, an annual companion certificate and more.

Because of the high annual fee, this card is best for those who fly Delta regularly and can maximize all of the card’s benefits.

“As a Delta Diamond Medallion, I spend a lot of time on Delta jets. The Delta Reserve card helps me maintain my status by offering shortcuts to earning (and retaining) status. Plus, the card’s annual companion ticket is valid on first-class itineraries and has helped me offset the card’s annual fee multiple years in a row.” — Andrew Kunesh , former senior editor, points and miles

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a host of benefits for travelers who want to keep their redemption options open beyond Delta and its partners. While it won’t help you earn Delta elite status, Amex Platinum cardholders do have access to Delta Sky Club lounges (when flying Delta that same day) and can transfer points to Delta for award redemptions.

For a cobranded airline card, it has a great rewards structure that extends far beyond just Southwest purchases. Combined with its Southwest-specific benefits, strong sign-up bonus and moderate $199 annual fee, this card is a no-brainer for frequent Southwest business travelers.

Small-business owners who fly regularly with Southwest will get the most out of this card’s earning categories and benefits.

"It made sense for me to get this as my first Southwest card, given that I live in Austin, where almost 40% of flights are operated by Southwest. I get the most value out of this card by taking advantage of the upgraded boardings, inflight Wi-Fi credits and 9,000 anniversary bonus points, which help offset the significant annual fee.” — Matt Moffitt , senior credit cards editor

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points across a variety of business expenses and has a lower annual fee than the Southwest Performance Business card. While it doesn’t offer Southwest-specific perks or a fast-track to elite status, Southwest is a Chase transfer partner, so you can transfer your points to book Southwest flights.

Consider your card options

Many travelers associate “airline credit cards” with those onboard announcements from flight attendants, hawking the newest offer on that carrier’s specific product. However, cobranded airline cards are not the only options for earning airline miles. Many card issuers also offer travel cards that earn transferable points, which can be redeemed with any of that program’s transfer partners. 

It’s true that cobranded airline cards often offer perks like priority boarding or free checked bags , but these are generally brand-specific — meaning they only apply on that airline’s flights. In addition, they typically include limited bonus categories. Finally, the rewards you earn on these cards are only redeemable with the given airline and its partners.

Nevertheless, cobranded airline cards can be a great option if you are a brand loyalist who flies with only one airline. You will be able to enjoy great perks, earn bonus miles on your flights and redeem your miles with your favorite airline. 

However, most travelers are not brand loyalists. For those who travel a lot and want the freedom to pick an airline that works best for each trip (rather than being forced to use a single one), it can be a good idea to consider cards that earn transferable points . These cards typically offer more flexibility in both the rewards you can earn and the perks you can enjoy when traveling. 

Earn your welcome offer

A welcome offer is a crucial part of a card’s value . Most welcome offers are significant, and it would be difficult for most people to earn the equivalent number of rewards with their general spending habits. However, some of the best offers do require significant spending in a relatively short amount of time. Evaluate your upcoming purchases, and before you apply for a new card, make sure you can earn the card’s welcome offer.

If you want to make sure you’re getting in at the right time, be sure to check out our guide to previous bonuses on top credit cards —  as well as our issuer-specific versions for American Express , Chase , Citi and Capital One .

Sign up for loyalty programs

Maximizing your airline credit card doesn’t have to be limited to your credit cards. Many airlines offer loyalty programs that can be used alongside your credit card. Some carriers even offer bonuses for new members . And this is the best way to unlock those valuable transfer options if you do opt for an Amex card, a Chase card or a Capital One card.

Use your airline miles

Finally, don’t let your rewards sit unused for too long. Loyalty program devaluations  are an unfortunate fact of life, so you shouldn’t sit on a bunch of points or miles. Once you’ve earned them, look for ways to redeem them sooner rather than later.

Earn elite status

Elite airline status often comes with great perks — like free checked bags and complimentary upgrades — but can be tough to achieve given the high annual fees and spend requirements typically associated with premium cards that offer this status. Luckily, many airline credit cards offer status boosters that make it easier to earn elite status. If you are a brand loyalist, having the right airline card can help make it easier for you reach elite status .

What is an airline credit card?

An airline credit card is any card that allows you to earn rewards that can be redeemed for flights. In some cases, these are general-purpose travel credit cards that can be used across various airlines. However, there are many popular credit cards that offer airline-specific perks for those loyal to a single carrier.

The difference between airline and travel credit cards

While both airline and travel credit cards earn rewards that you can put toward trips, there are differences between airline and travel credit cards. 

Travel credit cards earn bonus rewards on travel purchases (generally in addition to other spending categories, such as dining or groceries) that you can redeem for future travel that might include flights, along with other expenses such as hotel stays or car rentals. Airline credit cards are specifically suited to pay for airline purchases, earn miles that can be redeemed for flights and offer perks that can make your flights more enjoyable. 

Many travel credit cards listed on this list have travel portals such as American Express and Chase. You can potentially earn points with your travel card and with your airline by booking with your card issuer's portal. Keep in mind while choosing the best credit card travel portal for you that there are certain drawbacks to booking through a travel portal like pricing and redemption value.

Airline credit cards are cobranded, meaning they are affiliated with a specific airline (or sometimes group of airlines) and earn rewards and provide benefits that can be used specifically with that airline’s loyalty program. Airline cards are great for travelers who fly regularly with a specific carrier and its partners. 

By comparison, general travel credit cards usually come with a bit more flexibility when it comes to earning and redeeming rewards. While you typically won’t get benefits specific to any particular airline, you’ll be able to redeem the rewards you earn with travel credit cards across multiple airlines (and hotels), and more- premium travel credit cards offer broader benefits such as general travel statement credits and travel protections .  

A few of these more general travel credit cards are included in our best airline credit cards lineup because they can still help travelers maximize airline purchases and upgrade their overall flight experience with benefits such as lounge access . 

How much are airline miles worth?

There’s no hard-and-fast rule for how much an airline mile is worth , as it can be a rather subjective topic. At TPG, we use a combination of factors to determine the value of a mile or point. We take into consideration what it would cost to buy the points or miles, the value we could get when redeeming them, and variables such as award availability and fees for changes or cancellations.

Check out our points and miles valuations guide , which TPG updates on a monthly basis, to see a full list of the value of points and miles across airline, hotel and credit card loyalty programs.

• Awards vs cash calculator Compare the cost in points or miles to cash.
• CardMatch™ Get prequalified offers in less than 60 seconds.

Pretty much every major airline has a loyalty program that is free to join. Here are a few of the most popular airline rewards programs for U.S.-based travelers.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program may not be top-of-mind for those who don’t live on the U.S. West Coast, but there is a ton of value you can get from the program no matter where you live, thanks to its great award charts and excellent airline partners.

American AAdvantage

While American Airlines doesn’t offer as extensive a  lineup of credit cards as some other airlines, there is still a lot of value in the American AAdvantage program . Since AA is part of the Oneworld airline alliance, you’ll be able to book flights with partner airlines such as Cathay Pacific, British Airways and more. 

Delta SkyMiles

Delta Air Lines is one of the top U.S. carriers and has won multiple TPG Awards, though the Delta SkyMiles program isn’t the most rewarding out there. That said, Delta is part of the SkyTeam alliance , which means you can use your Delta SkyMiles to book trips on a number of partner airlines, such as Virgin Atlantic and Korean Air. Delta also has an extensive credit card lineup , making it easy to earn miles on everyday spending. 

JetBlue TrueBlue

While not as well known as some of the other programs on this list, the JetBlue TrueBlue loyalty program still offers a lot of value to travelers. The program is easy to use, making it ideal for casual budget travelers. Currently, redemptions are largely restricted to flights within the Americas, but the airline is expanding to Europe. 

Southwest Rapid Rewards

Southwest is a fan favorite for North American flights and has a reputation for excellent customer service along with its easy-to-use Southwest Rapid Rewards program . It offers a solid value proposition, with no baggage fees, no change fees and no assigned seats. Southwest even offers a  Companion Pass benefit for loyal flyers that can save you thousands of dollars on flights each year.

United MileagePlus

United is another airline that offers a number of credit card options to fit the needs of essentially any traveler, and the United MileagePlus program can be very lucrative for U.S. travelers. The carrier is part of Star Alliance , which means you can use United miles to fly with partner airlines such as Singapore Airlines .

This isn’t an exhaustive list of frequent flyer programs, but it’s a solid overview of a few of the top airline programs in the U.S.

• 1 Sign-up bonus Consider how much traveling you plan to do in the future and opt for a card that features a generous sign-up bonus. This way, you can bank those points or miles and use them when you need them. Just remember to check whether your earned rewards expire or not.
• 2 Annual fee Typically, airline credit cards with higher annual fees offer more travel perks and upgrade options.
• 3 Bonus categories Choose an airline credit card based on your travel needs and spending habits — this means looking at which bonus categories a card offers before applying.

What's your favorite airline credit card — and why?

• Using airline credit cards responsibly can help you build your credit score.
• Airline credit cards can earn points or miles on every dollar you spend.
• Airline credit cards provide purchase, theft and fraud protection.
• Airline credit cards provide perks like travel insurance, shortcuts to elite status and more.
• Airline credit cards can encourage overspending.
• Carrying a balance and using your airline card irresponsibly can damage your credit score.
• The cost of borrowing on airline credit cards is higher than traditional loans.
• Having too many card applications can negatively affect your credit score.
• You may not travel enough to make an airline credit card worthwhile.

Are you utilizing benefits such as free checked baggage, priority boarding and lounge access? Does your airline credit card help you earn elite status faster? Do the card’s bonus categories allow you to earn additional miles on purchases?

If you’re getting more value out of your airline credit card than it’s costing you each year for the annual fee, it makes sense to renew the card so you can continue reaping those rewards.

However, even if you’re convinced you’re not getting the full value out of the card, consider how long you’ve had the card before you cancel it. The longer you’ve had a credit card card, the more harm canceling it could do to your credit score, since age of accounts is one of the factors that go into determining your credit score .

You can also try calling your issuer to explain that you’re considering canceling your card. By doing so, you might be offered a retention offer such as earning bonus points for hitting a spending threshold, or have your annual fee waived, which will make the idea of renewing all the more enticing.

Just about every type of traveler can take advantage of an airline card, whether you’re a beginner to the points and miles game or a seasoned frequent flyer.

Most airline credit cards include benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding and discounts on inflight purchases — and even casual travelers can get a lot out of those perks.

Airline credit cards of a more premium nature may also earn elite qualifying miles for those pursuing airline status and even offer lounge access in some cases. Those who need a little help achieving elite status, or want to enjoy elite status-like benefits while they work to hit a tier can benefit from an airline card and its perks.

When deciding if an airline card is right for you, it’s important to consider whether you’ll use the card and its benefits enough to offset the cost of its annual fee. Infrequent travelers may benefit most from a card with a low annual fee and fewer benefits, whereas those who are on the road more often might decide a premium card that costs more annually but offers luxury benefits is the right fit.

Unfortunately, your hard-earned airline miles can expire. Whether your miles will expire varies by airline, though.

The good news is that many of the top U.S. airlines (including Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United) don’t have mileage or points expiration dates, which means you won’t lose any miles even after a stint of account inactivity.

American Airlines miles expire after 24 months of inactivity, and Alaska Airlines will lock your account after 24 months of inactivity (though you can call customer service to reactivate your Alaska account).

As a general rule, make sure you’re earning or redeeming miles with the airlines that do have expiration dates semiregularly, and you won’t have to worry about losing out on any miles or points earned. Pro tip: Cobranded airline spending counts as account activity for airlines like American Airlines with miles that do expire, so carrying an airline credit card can actually help you avoid the expiration of your airline miles.

You can check out TPG’s full guide to airline and hotel loyalty program expiration policies for an in-depth look at how to keep your airline accounts active.

How many miles you earn with an airline credit card varies on the credit card. Typically, cards with higher annual fees offer higher earn rates but you should choose a card that best suits your budget and travel habits. Having an airline credit card can help you earn miles towards your next trip on spending you are already doing.

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Blueprint is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service focused on helping readers make smarter decisions. We receive compensation from the companies that advertise on Blueprint which may impact how and where products appear on this site. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Blueprint. Blueprint does not include all companies, products or offers that may be available to you within the market. A list of selected affiliate partners is available here .

Credit Cards

Best travel credit cards of May 2024

Robin Saks Frankel

Grace Pilling

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 12:16 p.m. UTC May 2, 2024

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Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

The best credit cards for travel set themselves apart from other credit cards by offering an array of benefits that make it easier and more rewarding to explore the world. These travel credit card offerings provide generous rewards and perks tailored to the needs of those on the go.

We analyzed all of the available options in this category, from issuers both large and small, to curate a list of the very best travel credit cards of 2024. Here are our selections.

Best travel credit cards

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : Best credit card for travel.
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card * The information for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : Best hotel card.
• Aeroplan® Credit Card * The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : Best cobranded airline card.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for airport lounge access.
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card *: Best for simple redemption process.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best for high value with a low annual fee.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best for increased redemption value.
• Citi Premier® Card *: Best for everyday spending.
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card *: Best for high rewards on all types of travel.
• American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : Best for high rewards on travel and dining.
• Bilt World Elite Mastercard® : Best travel credit card for renters.

All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Why trust our credit card experts

Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of credit cards and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best card for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.

• 85+ cards analyzed.
• 20+ data points analyzed.
• 5-step fact-checking process.

our partner

Blueprint receives compensation from our partners for featured offers, which impacts how and where the placement is displayed.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Welcome bonus

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s take

• Over $1,500 in travel and entertainment credits can offset the annual fee.
• Comprehensive lounge access benefit.
• Generous travel and purchase protections.
• High annual fee and spending requirements.
• Amex’s once-per-lifetime rule limits welcome bonus eligibility.
• Annual statement credits have limited use.

Card details

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• 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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Best credit card for travel

Capital one venture x rewards credit card.

The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

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.

• High reward potential.
• Wide selection of statement credits.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• No hotel or airline-specific benefits.
• Requires excellent credit.
• High annual fee.
• Annual fee: $395.
• Rewards: 2 miles per $1 on purchases, 5 miles per $1 on flights booked through Capital One Travel and on purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 10 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel.
• Welcome bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• APR: 19.99% to 29.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers .
• Other perks and benefits: No foreign transaction fees, 10,000 mile card ownership anniversary bonus, $300 annual credit reimbursement for travel bookings made through Capital One Travel, $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application reimbursement credit, airport lounge access benefits, cellphone protection benefit, transfer miles to travel and hotel partners, Hertz President’s Circle Status.

Best hotel card

Ihg one rewards premier credit card.

The information for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Earn 140,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

• Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent at IHG hotels.
• Free night after your account anniversary each year.
• Redeem three nights, get a fourth consecutive night free.
• $99 annual fee.
• Value per point may be low compared to competing hotel chains.
• Potentially high APR.
• Annual fee: $99.
• Rewards: Earn 10 points per $1 at IHG Hotels and Resorts, another 10 points per $1 as an IHG One Rewards member, 6 points per $1 from IHG with Platinum Elite Status (a benefit of this card), 5 points per $1 on travel, dining and gas stations and 3 points per $1 on all other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: Earn 140,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• APR: 21.49% to 28.49% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies .
• Foreign transaction fees: None.
• Perks and benefits: Free night after your account anniversary, redeem three award nights and get a fourth consecutive night free, automatic Platinum Elite status, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, credit of up to $100 to reimburse Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS.

Best cobranded airline card

Aeroplan® credit card.

The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

• Ability to spend your way to elite status is rare for a card at the $95 price point.
• Generous rewards on everyday spending categories.
• Discounts on award tickets.
• Aeroplan charges high redemption rates on some award tickets compared to other Star Alliance carrier rates.
• The annual fee may be hard to justify for those who don’t regularly fly Aeroplan to take advantage of the airline-specific perks.
• Annual fee: $95.
• Rewards: 3 points per $1 spent on dining, takeout and eligible delivery services, grocery stores and directly with Air Canada and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. Earn 500 points for every $2,000 spent in a month (maximum 1,500 points per month).
• Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• APR: 21.74% to 28.74% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.
• Foreign transaction fees: $0.
• Perks and benefits: Aeroplan 25K status through the rest of the calendar year and next. Maintain status with $15,000 spent in a calendar year. Existing status holders can upgrade to 35K status with $50,000 in spending per calendar year, first checked bag free for cardmember and up to eight travel companions, $100 Global Entry, TSA Precheck or NEXUS application fee credit every four years, preferred pricing on award flights, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, secondary auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection.

Best for airport lounge access

Best for simple redemption process, capital one venture rewards credit card.

The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

• Decent value for the annual fee.
• Worthwhile collection of perks and travel protections.
• $95 annual fee.
• No low introductory APR period.
• Rewards: 5 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 2 miles per $1 on other purchases.
• Other perks and benefits: No foreign transaction fees, up to $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee, auto rental collision damage waiver, travel accident insurance, extended warranty benefit, transfer miles to eligible loyalty programs.

Best for high value with a low annual fee

Chase sapphire preferred® card.

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

• Flexible points that can be transferred to 14 travel partners or redeemed through Chase Travel℠ at 1.25 cents each.
• $50 annual statement credit toward Chase Travel hotel bookings.
• Valuable travel protections.
• Category bonuses are limited and not competitive against other travel cards.
• Transfer partner list is limited compared to programs like Amex Membership ® Rewards and Citi ThankYou ® .
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Best for increased redemption value

Chase sapphire reserve®.

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

• Up to $300 annual travel credit and Priority Pass Select lounge access.
• Redeem points for 50% more value to book travel through Chase Travel ℠ .
• Transfer points 1:1 to partners such as United Airlines and World of Hyatt.
• Not ideal if you aren’t interested in transferring points.
• May not qualify if you’ve applied for 5 or more credit cards in the last 24 months.
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

Best for everyday spending

Citi premier® card.

The information for the Citi Premier® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening

• Plentiful cash-back reward categories.
• Balance transfer fee is on the high side.
• Rewards: 3 ThankYou® points per $1 at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. Plus, through June 30, 2024, earn 10 ThankYou points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel portal.
• Welcome bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• APR: 21.24% to 29.24% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers.
• Balance transfer fee: 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum..
• Foreign transaction fees: 0%.
• Other perks and benefits: Multiple ways to redeem ThankYou points, $100 annual hotel savings benefit (on a single stay of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees) through thankyou.com per calendar year, transfer ThankYou points to participating airline loyalty programs, tap your card with contactless pay, digital wallets, add additional cards for no fee, additional cards can also earn ThankYou points, access to Citi Entertainment.

Best for high rewards on all types of travel

Wells fargo autograph journey℠ visa® card.

The information for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

60,000 bonus rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months

• Rewards: 5 points per $1 on hotels, 4 points per $1 on airlines, 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• APR: 21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. An intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies for 120 days from account opening. After that, a fee of up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5, applies.
• Foreign transaction fee: None.

Best for high rewards on travel and dining

American express® green card.

The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express® Green Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

• Lower annual fee than some comparable cards.
• Credits for CLEAR® Plus membership and airport lounges.
• Fewer perks than more premium travel cards.
• Complex rewards structure.
• Some reward redemptions are a poor value.
• Annual fee: $150.
• Rewards: 3 points per $1 at restaurants, 3 points per $1 on travel including flights, hotels, transit, taxis, tours, and ridesharing services and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. Welcome bonus: 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership.
• APR: See terms for Pay Over Time eligibility and program details.
• Perks and benefits: Up to $100 LoungeBuddy statement credit, up to $189 CLEAR® Plus statement credit and additional travel protections.

Best travel credit card for renters

• Bilt World Elite Mastercard®

• Earns rewards on rent payments.
• No transaction fee for paying rent by credit card.
• No annual fee or foreign currency conversion fee.
• You must make five transactions per billing period to earn rewards.
• No welcome bonus or intro APR period.
• Restrictive definition of what counts as a travel purchase.
• $0 annual fee
• Earn 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotels, car rental agencies, and cruise lines), 1x points on rent payments without a transaction fee (on up to 100,000 points each calendar year) and 1x points on other purchases
• Earn double points on the first of the month (i.e. 6X points on dining, 4X on travel and 2X on other purchases; except rent)
• Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period
• Cellular Telephone Protection
• Purchase Security (theft and damage protection)
• Concierge Service
• Lyft Credits
• No foreign currency conversion fee
• Rewards & benefits terms
• Select ‘Apply Now’ to learn more about the product features, terms, and conditions.

Compare the best credit cards for travel

Why it’s the best

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers great value with its lineup of travel credits, including a $300 annual credit reimbursement for travel bookings made through Capital One Travel — Capital One’s online travel agency. If fully maximized it can negate much of the card’s $395 annual fee. Plus, the card earns a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus each year. For a premium card, the Venture X is priced well below its peers.

• Comes with airport lounge access.
• Miles earned on the card can be transferred to multiple travel partners.
• Elite rental status with Hertz¹.
• The travel credit is only for bookings made through Capital One.
• Redeeming your earnings for cash is a poor value.
• There’s a sizable annual fee.

Card details:

• Rewards: Earn 2 miles per $1 on purchases, 5 miles per $1 on flights booked through Capital One Travel and on purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 10 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel.
• Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card * The information for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. earns rewards at a rapid pace, thanks to the automatic Platinum elite status granted to cardholders. The status, combined with the rewards earned from using the card at eligible IHG stays can earn you up to a whopping 26 points per dollar, fast-tracking you to free nights faster than you can say “InterContinental Hotels Group.”

• Ultra-high rewards rate, especially on IHG spending.
• Card offers a free anniversary night.
• Robust travel protections and coverages.
• The free anniversary night is capped at 40,000 points.
• Points are relatively low value.
• Travel coverage does not include auto rental insurance.

The Aeroplan® Credit Card * The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is one of just a small handful of airline credit cards to include elite status as a cardholder perk. The card also allows you to pay yourself back on eligible travel purchases at a rate of 1.25 cents per point, and Aeroplan miles can be used on more than 45 partner airlines, making it a must-have in the wallets of frequent globetrotters.

• Offers elite status for the remainder of the year and the full calendar year.
• Discounted pricing on reward flights.
• Free checked bag for you and up to 8 companions.
• Elite status isn’t an ongoing perk.
• Aeroplan doesn’t have U.S.-only flights.
• There’s an annual fee.
• Rewards: Earn 3 points per $1 spent on dining, takeout and eligible delivery services, grocery stores and directly with Air Canada and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. Earn 500 points for every $2,000 spent in a month (maximum 1,500 points per month).
• Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• Foreign transaction fee: $0.

The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, rates & fees ) offers the most widespread lounge access benefits of any card on the market. While the high price point may be prohibitive for some, consider that the card offers more than a $1,000 value in potential statement credits. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

• Expansive airport lounge access.
• Up to $200 in Uber Cash annually, up to $200 airline incidental fee statement credit per calendar year (applicable to one qualifying airline of your choice) and an up to $240 digital entertainment statement credit. Enrollment required.
• Hotel and rental car elite status with several brands.
• Sky-high annual fee.
• Statement credits can be hard to fully maximize.
• Rewards rate is mediocre outside of flights and travel booked through Amex.
• Annual fee: $695.
• Rewards: Earn 5 Membership Rewards® points per $1 for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is an easy-to-use travel rewards card with a soft-on-the-wallet price. You can use your miles to book travel through Capital One, redeem them to cover a past travel purchase or transfer them to Capital One’s 15+ travel loyalty partners.

• It’s easy to understand both earning the rewards and how to use them.
• Application fee reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (up to $100).
• Get Hertz Five Star rental card elite status¹.
• No lounge access.
• The highest rewards rate is for bookings through Capital One Travel.
• Other cards may offer even higher rewards in areas where you spend the most.
• Rewards: Earn 5 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 2 miles per $1 on other purchases.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers generous rewards on travel and dining and a straightforward redemption program. It’s an excellent choice for both frequent and aspiring travelers looking to maximize their everyday spending. Plus, rewards on this card are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠. You’d be hard-pressed to find another travel card that packs more punch in an affordable package.

• Annual bonus point award equal to 10% of total purchases made in the past year.
• Can transfer points 1:1 to Chase’s travel loyalty partners.
• Extensive travel and purchase protections including primary auto rental coverage.
• Lacks airport lounge access and hotel elite status.
• Rewards are worth less than a penny per point when not used for travel redemptions.
• Hotel bookings made through Chase aren’t eligible for elite loyalty benefits.
• Rewards: Earn 5 points per $1 on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per $1 on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per $1 on all other travel purchases and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® ‘s $550 annual fee can be offset by a slew of benefits. Plus, the Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned on this card can be redeemed at a 50% increase in value when used to book travel through Chase Travel. So for example, 100,000 points on this card can be redeemed for $1,500 worth of travel booked through the issuer , helping you stretch the value of your rewards even further.

• Up to $300 annual travel credit good for a wide variety of travel expenses.
• Access to airport lounges via Chase Sapphire Lounges and the Priority Pass Select network (enrollment required).
• 1:1 points transfer to a long list of airline and hotel loyalty program partners.
• The annual fee may be hard to swallow for some, even with the potential credits.
• You’ll need excellent credit to be approved for the card.
• Low rewards rate on everyday expenses like groceries and gas.
• Annual fee: $550, plus $75 per authorized user.
• Rewards: Earn 5 points per $1 on flights and 10 points per $1 on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠ after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.

The Citi Premier® Card * The information for the Citi Premier® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is designed to earn high rewards across a wide range of common household expenses including restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations plus hotels and air travel. The rewards earned on the card can be redeemed as a statement credit, used to book travel through Citi or transferred to any of Citi’s travel loyalty transfer partners at a potentially increased value. In other words, filling up your grocery cart or car could translate into filling up your suitcase.

• Annual credit of $100 for a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through thankyou.com.
• Transfer rewards to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners, mostly at a 1:1 ratio.
• Pool your earnings with other Citi ThankYou® point-earning cards.
• The best rewards values will mostly come from transferring to partners.
• No travel protections like lost baggage or trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
• Flights and hotels are the only travel categories eligible for boosted rewards.
• Rewards: Earn 3 ThankYou® points per $1 at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. Plus, through June 30, 2024, earn 10 ThankYou points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel portal.
• Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• Foreign transaction fee: 0%.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card * The information for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers fantastic rewards across all things travel, without having to pledge loyalty to a specific brand or book through the issuer. That makes it a unicorn among other travel cards that are either cobranded or require booking through the bank’s travel site.

• Ultra-high rewards on hotels with any brand and high rewards on airfare and other travel.
• Rewards can be pooled with other Wells Fargo cards.
• Robust travel protections cover your trip, baggage and cellphone protection.
• Limited number of travel transfer partners.
• Lacks lounge access and other elite perks like hotel or rental car status.
• Lackluster rewards on everyday spending categories like groceries and gas.
• Rewards: Earn 5 points per $1 on hotels, 4 points per $1 on airlines, 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.

The American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply) may come with an annual fee slightly above its entry-level travel card peers, but its high rewards on travel and dining, plus the annual statement credits, can far outweigh that carrying cost.

• Earns generous rewards on a wide array of travel spending, plus dining too.
• Annual CLEAR ® Plus and LoungeBuddy credits are worth more than the annual fee. Enrollment required.
• Valuable travel insurances and protections.
• The LoungeBuddy credit may not be enough for frequent flyers.
• The annual fee is higher than competing travel cards.
• Redeeming your rewards for cash-back offers poor value for your points.
• Rewards: Earn 3 points per $1 at restaurants, 3 points per $1 on travel including flights, hotels, transit, taxis, tours, and ridesharing services and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership.

The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® is one-of-a-kind because you can earn rewards on paying rent without any additional transaction fees. Add in more than a dozen airline and hotel transfer partners, a long list of travel protections and other perks and this no-annual-fee card is one of the best travel cards on the market. You can even save up your Bilt Rewards toward a future down payment on a home.

• Points are worth 25% more on travel booked through Bilt.
• You can spend your way to elite status tiers, unlocking different benefits at each level.
• The issuer offers bonus rewards and other benefits on the first of every month.
• You have to use your card at least five times each statement period to earn rewards.
• No welcome offer for new cardholders.
• It’s best for renters as mortgage statements can’t be paid with the card.
• Annual fee: $0.
• Rewards: 1 point per $1 on rent payments without a transaction fee (on up to 100,000 points each year), 2 points per $1 on travel (when booked through the Bilt Travel Portal or directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company), 3 points per $1 on dining and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. At least five transactions must be made per statement period to earn these rewards.
• Welcome bonus: None.
• Foreign currency conversion fee: None.

Methodology

Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings. Factors we considered included:

• Estimated annual earnings: 33%.
• Flexibility of rewards earned on the card: 10%.
• Booking flexibility with the card: 10%.
• Hotel earnings: 8%.
• Airline earnings: 8%.
• Annual fee: 5%.
• Free checked bag perk: 3%.
• Lounge access: 3%.
• Annual credits: 2%.
• Potential credits: 2%.
• Global Entry application fee reimbursement: 2%.
• TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement: 2%.
• CLEAR Plus application fee reimbursement: 2%.
• Trip delay coverage: 2%.
• Trip cancellation coverage: 2%.
• Baggage delay coverage: 2%.
• Hotel elite status: 2%.
• Number of travel companions eligible for primary cardholder’s checked bag perk: 1%.
• Flight companion certificate with card ownership: 1%.

What is a travel credit card?

A travel credit card is a card that earns points or miles on your spending and usually offers the best redemption values when those rewards are used for travel. 

Generally, there are two types of travel rewards cards: 

• Cobranded cards: These earn a specific currency tied to an airline or hotel brand, like Delta SkyMiles or Hilton Honors points.
• Flexible cards: These earn “flexible” rewards, like American Express Membership Rewards or Citi ThankYou points, that can be used to book travel across several hotels and airlines.

Co-branded cards typically earn higher rewards for purchases made within the brand and general travel cards tend to earn rewards that can be redeemed for more types of travel.

How do travel credit cards work?

With a travel credit card, you’ll earn points or miles as you spend. When you’ve accumulated enough rewards, you can redeem them for flights, hotels and other travel expenses. Redemption options will vary depending on your card. Some issuers offer boosted redemption rates for booking through their travel portal, while others allow you to transfer points directly to airline and hotel partners or apply them as a statement credit to cover travel charges made with the card.

Many travel credit cards also come with perks for travelers, like a free checked bag for your flight, a free annual hotel night or a credit towards the application fee for a trusted traveler program like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck .

“Travel rewards cards are a great way to leverage personal and business card use and turn it into free airline tickets and hotel rooms. Be sure to choose a card that has rewards that are applicable to your preferred airline and hotel brands”, said John Ulzheimer, president of The Ulzheimer Group and nationally recognized credit expert.

Benefits of travel credit cards

Travel rewards credit cards offer a range of benefits to frequent and occasional travelers alike:

• Earn rewards for everyday spending. Use your travel credit card to pay for purchases you’d be making anyway and earn rewards you can use for travel.
• Lower the out-of-pocket cost of travel. Whether you use your points to pay for airfare, nights at a hotel or for a rental car, redeeming your earnings for travel can significantly reduce the cost of a trip.
• Receive free nights, checked bags and other perks. Many cobranded credit cards come with a free night perk or waive the fees for checking luggage, both of which can save you money and may be worth more than the cost of the card itself.
• Enjoy new travel experiences. Stories abound of people who have used their credit card rewards to take over-the-top luxury trips. Even if an overwater villa in the Maldives is not your thing, having enough points for a free flight or hotel may be enough incentive to nudge you towards taking a trip to a new city or to see family and friends in far-flung places.

What is Priority Pass and how does it work? Here’s everything you need to know about this airport lounge network

Who should get a travel credit card?

Most people can benefit from a travel credit card. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or are just looking for an occasional getaway, there’s likely a travel rewards card out there that can help you maximize your savings.

Consider how you like to travel and what you’re looking to achieve with a new travel card. Points and miles programs can be complex, and some travel credit cards require time and energy to get the most value. Other credit cards offer straightforward redemption as statement credits to offset a variety of travel spending you do directly with airlines, hotels and other travel services. Take time to plan how you would get the most out of a prospective rewards program and its transfer partners, or whether you’d be better off with a simpler approach.

Before you shell out a high annual fee for a perk-laden card, consider if the benefits it comes with are ones you’d actually use. In many cases, taking full advantage of statement credits, anniversary bonuses and other perks like free nights can more than offset the annual fee .

If you rarely travel and are considering saving up over a long period of time for a trip, keep in mind that rewards don’t earn interest. In fact, rewards often lose value over time and may even expire . It’s a general best practice not to sit on your rewards for too long.

Types of travel credit cards

Travel credit cards often provide a wide range of benefits, from travel and purchase protections to airfare and hotel redemptions.

Understanding the different types of travel rewards cards is the first step to finding the right card for you. There are several major types of travel credit cards:

Airline-specific cards 

The best airline credit cards offer exclusive discounts and rewards when you use them with a specific airline. Many also offer free companion tickets or priority boarding benefits. Examples of cobranded airline cards include: 

• Aeroplan® Credit Card * The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• United℠ Explorer Card * The information for the United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• JetBlue Plus Card * The information for the JetBlue Plus Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Hotel-specific cards

These cards may give you access to exclusive discounts at certain hotel chains and resorts, as well as rewards to be redeemed for free nights or upgrades. Hotel loyalty status is a common benefit among the best hotel credit cards . Examples of cobranded hotel cards include: 

• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card * The information for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card * The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply)
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (terms apply)

All information about Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Flexible points cards

These cards allow you to earn points for every dollar spent that can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, car rentals and other travel bookings. Major issuers often offer boosted earning or redemption rates when using their online travel booking portals. These cards may also allow you to transfer points to airline or hotel partners, providing the most flexibility when it comes to redemptions. Examples include:

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®  

Flexible rewards vs. airline or hotel credit cards

For those who travel often but don’t have a particular brand loyalty, the best travel card is likely one that earns flexible rewards on every purchase. Flexible rewards are not tied to a specific airline or hotel loyalty program but rather to a card issuer’s travel agency redemption program. Chase Ultimate Rewards® and American Express Membership Rewards® are two examples, but Capital One offers Miles , Citi offers ThankYou® Points and other major issuers have similar reward programs.

Airline- and hotel-specific cards offer rewards tied to a loyalty program with the airline or hotel, and typically offer better value with that carrier or brand, but not as much flexibility with redemption options. Only apply for a card like this if you’re sure the brand is the one you want.

If you only take an occasional trip, then a more flexible reward card may be a better choice. 

Cash-back cards offer simpler reward redemptions and the rewards earned can still be used toward future trips or redeemed for gift cards or other rewards if travel remains a priority.

How to compare and choose the best travel rewards card

When it comes to choosing the right card for your needs, there are several factors to consider:

• What type of rewards do you want to earn? General points that can be used for travel expenses with different airlines and hotels are more flexible, but if you’re loyal to a particular travel brand you can earn their specific currency and enjoy elevated status and other perks.
• Does the card come with a good welcome bonus? Many cards offer a generous welcome bonus (sometimes called a sign-up bonus) when you spend a certain amount on purchases in the first few months of receiving the card. This can be an easy way to get an infusion of rewards when you first open your account — but when calculating a card’s value, remember the welcome bonus is a one-time deal. 
• Are you willing to pay the annual fee? Some cards have no annual fee, while others come with a hefty price tag but offer more generous rewards or benefits. Make sure you understand all the fees before making a decision so that you don’t end up paying for benefits you won’t actually use.
• Does it come with any additional benefits that offer value? Card perks such as travel insurance , airport lounge access or exclusive discounts and offers can help make your travel smoother and your card more cost effective.

Wondering how two top travel cards compare to each other? We break down the differences between the Capital One Venture X vs. the Chase Sapphire Reserve

Evaluating reward potential

We evaluate the reward potential of travel rewards credit cards based on what we’d expect a household in the 50th percentile of wage earners to spend each year on a credit card. We gather these figures from government sources and other publicly available data. 

In a year, we expect a household might spend about $25,087 of this on a credit card. Of this credit card spending, we’d expect about $2,941 to be spent on overall travel — which breaks down as $1,188 spent on airfare, $868 spent on hotels and $885 spent on all other travel. For frequent travelers carrying high-annual-fee travel rewards cards — like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , which charges an annual fee of $395 — we expect about twice this much spending in the travel categories. 

The Capital One Venture X earns 2 miles per $1 on purchases, 5 miles per $1 on flights booked through Capital One Travel and on purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 10 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel.

Using government data and other publicly available information, we estimate that a household in the U.S. that would be in the market for this card has an annual income of $84,352 and $25,087 in annual expenses they are likely to be able to charge to a credit card. Here’s how our sample household would fare with the Capital One Venture X Card:

The cardholder in this example earns a grand total of 85,350 miles annually, which is worth $853.50 if used to book travel through Capital One or when eligible travel is booked elsewhere and you redeem your miles to cover the purchase. 

The right travel card can net you lucrative rewards. But make sure to select a card based on your spending and travel habits — the best card for travel will differ from person to person.

Tips for maximizing your travel credit card

There are several ways to get the most out of your travel credit card:

• Pay your bill on time every month and aim to pay it in full. If you carry a balance, the accumulated interest fees will likely be more than the value of any rewards earned on the card.
• Try to earn the card’s welcome bonus. Top travel cards offer outsized welcome bonuses for new cardholders who can meet a minimum spending requirement. Earning that bonus can give a nice boost to your rewards balance.
• Be aware of the perks your card offers. Many travel cards offer discounts or statement credits for travel-related spending, like a discount within a hotel collection, cellphone insurance or elite status within a brand. Knowing what your card comes with means you can fully maximize those benefits.
• Don’t sit on your rewards for too long. Unlike money in the bank, travel rewards do not earn interest and may actually be worth less over time. The value of your rewards is often tied to the cash price of travel and travel only tends to get more expensive year-over-year.

How to travel for cheaper with travel cards in 2024

New year, new travel possibilities. What’s more, it’s entirely possible to travel for cheaper by maximizing your credit card strategy with the right travel cards in hand. There are droves of rewards cards to choose from, so it can be hard to choose the right one for you.

Travel credit cards earn points or miles that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, rental cars and more, helping you subsidize the cost of your trip expenses. Beyond earning rewards, some cards even come with airport lounge access or credits to offset your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. 

For many travelers, a one-punch solution is the best fit. We’re talking about general travel credit cards , which earn rewards through a bank like American Express, Capital One, Chase, or Citi and don’t tie you to a specific airline or hotel program. Instead, the cardholder has the choice to redeem their earnings how they please toward any travel purchase.

Best places to travel with rewards in 2024 

While a European summer vacation never goes out of style, traveling during the shoulder season is the true winner. With fewer crowds, cheaper accommodations and pleasant weather, a fall trip to Portugal this year should be on your list.

If you’ve got travel rewards cards from American Express, Bilt, Capital One, Chase or Citi, you can transfer your points or miles over to the Air Canada Aeroplan program. You can book a business class flight from Miami (MIA) to Lisbon (LIS) in October 2024 for just 70,000 miles one way.

There’s so much to love about Costa Rica, from its lush jungles to the natural wildlife. Plus, this Central American country is quite accessible from many states in the U.S. With two main international airports — Liberia (LIR) and San José (SJO) — the toughest decision you’ll need to make is which part of Costa Rica to visit. 

Many major U.S. airlines fly to Costa Rica, so redeeming your rewards for a flight shouldn’t be too difficult depending on where your loyalty lies. For example, United Airlines offers a flight from Raleigh-Durham (RDU) to Liberia (LIR) with a layover in Houston (IAH). You’ll pay just 20,000 MileagePlus miles one-way — even during the peak winter season. 

One of the best ways to fly the whole family to Hawaii is by setting your sights on the British Airways Avios program. Earning points is a breeze: You can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards® , Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards®, Citi ThankYou® Points or Capital One Miles to this program at a simple 1:1 ratio.

Because British Airways is part of the Oneworld airline alliance, you can redeem your Avios for partner airlines like American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Both of these carriers offer plenty of routes to the Aloha State. 

Nonstop routes are priced favorably for just 17,500 Avios plus $18.10 in taxes and fees for a one way flight from the West Coast. Depending on when you’re traveling, you may also be able to find multiple award seats per flight. This is great news for big families.

Alternatives to travel credit cards

Instead of earning points or miles, you might consider a cash-back credit card to get a percentage back on all your purchases. Cash-back cards are generally more straightforward than travel rewards programs — after all, a dollar is a dollar — and often come with no annual fees. 

If you’re not ready to commit to a travel rewards program or simply don’t travel enough to reap the full benefits of a travel credit card, a cash-back credit card is a great way to still earn rewards on spending. 

When it comes to choosing a cash-rewards card , you can keep it simple with a straightforward flat-rate card such as the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card , which earns 2% cash rewards on purchases. 

Or you can pick a card with higher rewards rates in your biggest spending categories. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (terms apply, rates & fees ) offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 3% cash back on transit and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Rewards Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or for eligible items at Amazon.com checkout. The card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Additional reporting by Stella Shon

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

There’s no one “best” card that’s right for everyone. The best travel card for you will depend on a combination of factors including how often you travel, how you travel, your tolerance for annual fees and what you’re looking for in a travel card.

Generally speaking, the best travel credit cards earn bonus category rewards on airfare, hotels, car rentals and even dining. These cards typically also offer bonus points or miles when you spend a certain amount within the first few months of opening the account. Some will also offer perks such as travel protections, elite status with an airline or hotel loyalty program , priority boarding and airport lounge access.

The exact credit score needed for a travel rewards credit card will vary depending on the issuer and the specific card. Generally, you will need at least a good credit score, typically from 670 to 739 on the FICO Score scale — to be approved for most travel rewards cards. However, some of the more premium cards may require an excellent credit score, typically defined as a FICO Score of 740 or higher.

The most rewarding travel rewards cards, including most of the cards on this list, are not likely to offer approval to anyone without a good or better credit score. Some issuers also have rules in place preventing you from applying for a credit card, travel or otherwise, if you’ve applied for a certain number of cards within a certain period of time. 

The best type of card for you will depend on your spending habits and your financial goals. If you’re a loyal frequent flyer with an airline, an airline rewards card might make the most sense. If you spend plentifully at a specific hotel brand, you may be better suited to a hotel credit card.

If you’re not sure, or you have a wider variety of needs, a card with flexible point currencies — like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — may be a better bet.

Finally, If you’re looking for a simple way to get cash back on everyday purchases, then a cash-back credit card may be the way to go. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and preferences — and in some cases, you might have a pattern of spending that justifies having both in your wallet.

The exact value of a point or mile earned on a travel credit card will depend on the type of point or mile and how you redeem it. In most cases, you should look to get at least a penny per point of value.  Points values vary because many airline and hotel pricing structures are dynamic and will change based on demand. The points values tend to be somewhat fixed however and this can lead to redemption values worth more – or less – than 1 cent each. Transferring rewards to airline programs when allowed and redeeming for business and first-class seating can often yield greater values per point.

Yes, travel credit cards with annual fees are worth it if you make the most of what the card has to offer. While travel credit cards with annual fees aren’t necessarily worth it for everyone, they certainly can be if you know you’ll get more value from the rewards and benefits than you’ll pay to hold the card each year. Generally speaking, the higher the annual fee, the better the perks. 

If you’re earning flexible rewards such as American Express Membership Rewards® Points or Chase Ultimate Rewards®, these generally don’t expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.

However, points or miles earned on cobranded cards are a mixed bag. Some points don’t expire for the life of your account, while others will expire if there’s no account activity within the last 12 to 24 months. Read your card’s terms and conditions to see the expiration policy for your rewards.

There’s no difference between points and miles on a credit card, they’re simply two different ways to describe rewards. Airline cards tend to use the term “miles” (probably because it evokes the spirit of the miles you fly), while hotel and general rewards cards tend to use the term “points.” However, the two terms serve the same purpose: they’re a way of measuring both the rewards you earn on a particular credit card and the number of rewards it will take for a particular redemption.

There’s no one “best” card for international travel since there’s no one “best” way to travel. The best credit card for international travel for you will be the one where the rewards rates best align with your spending patterns. You’ll also have to decide if a card that comes with robust benefits is worth paying the annual fee versus a card with less bountiful benefits but a lower annual fee.

For rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page .

For rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express please visit this page .

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.

²Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

*The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card, American Express® Green Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Citi Premier® Card, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, JetBlue Plus Card, United℠ Explorer Card and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

Grace Pilling is a deputy editor for credit cards at USA TODAY Blueprint. She believes credit cards are the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure tools of the financial world and gets excited about helping people discover the best credit card strategy for their unique goals. Prior to joining Blueprint, Grace worked on and led personal finance teams at Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MoneyUnder30 and MoneyGeek. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and writing and a diploma in editing and publishing.

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