best travel credit card 2022 no annual fee

Best travel credit cards with no annual fee for 2023

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Many popular travel credit cards come with flashy perks like airport lounge access and annual travel credits. The downside of these luxury perks is that they usually only come at the expense of a high annual fee. And with that, you’ll have the constant stress of making sure you’re using the perks enough to justify the fee .

Luckily, there are plenty of no-annual-fee travel credit cards. The benefits may not be as robust as you’ll find with premium cards, but you can get some travel-related perks without forking over an annual fee for the privilege. The best no-annual-fee travel credit card for you depends on your spending style, how you want to redeem your rewards and the travel benefits you are hoping to get. This guide highlights the best travel credit cards with no annual fee and everything you should consider before you choose one.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for beginners

Why we picked it: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great way to ease yourself into travel rewards. You’ll earn 1.25X miles on all of your spending, along with 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. You can also earn a welcome bonus of 20,000 miles after spending $500 within the first three months. You can redeem your miles for travel, cash back, gift cards and more, but you’ll get the best value when you redeem for travel or transfers to travel partners (an uncommon feature with no-annual-fee travel cards).

• Generous rewards rate on select travel purchases
• Earn a bonus offer with a low minimum spending requirement
• No foreign transaction fees
• Ability to transfer rewards to Capital One travel partners
• Lower rewards rate than other no-annual-fee travel credit cards
• No major travel perks included

Who should apply: Consider this card if you want some flexibility when it comes to redeeming your rewards. A lot of travel cards require you to book through their sites, but the VentureOne gives you the option of booking with a third-party airline, hotel or travel service and later redeeming your miles for a statement credit to cover the cost.

Who should skip:   Capital One’s travel partners are good, but not great. If you’re looking for a credit card issuer with a fantastic list of airline and hotel transfer partners, you might be better off with a credit card from Chase or American Express, but note that you may have to pay an annual fee .

Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card: Best for Delta Air Lines

Why we picked it:  With the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card , you’ll earn 2X miles at restaurants worldwide and 2X miles on Delta purchases, plus 1X miles on everything else. The welcome offer is easily obtainable, too — you can earn 10,000 miles by spending $1,000 within the first six months of card membership.

• Earn bonus miles on dining and Delta purchases
• Get a 20 percent discount on eligible in-flight purchases
• Frequent flyer perks are minimal (no free checked bags or priority boarding)
• The welcome offer may not be enough for a one-way flight

Who should apply:  Consider the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card if you want the chance to rack up miles in the Delta SkyMiles program but you don’t spend enough to justify paying an annual fee.

Who should skip:  If you travel with Delta frequently, you’ll benefit more from a Delta card that offers free checked bags , priority boarding , a better welcome offer and more miles for each dollar you spend.

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®: Best for American Airlines

Why we picked it: While you won’t get major frequent flyer benefits like a free checked bag or priority boarding with the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card *, you will get the chance to rack up miles through credit card spending: You’ll earn 2X AAdvantage miles on groceries, 2X miles on American Airlines purchases and 1X miles on all other purchases. Additionally, you’ll get a 25 percent discount on eligible in-flight purchases, such as food and beverages.

• Earn 2X miles on groceries and American Airlines purchases
• 25 percent discount on eligible in-flight purchases
• Charges a 3 percent foreign transaction fee

Who should apply: Consider the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp if you prefer to fly with American Airlines but fly infrequently and don’t want to pay an annual fee.

Who should skip: If you fly with American or its Oneworld partners frequently, you may be better off with a co-branded credit card that offers frequent flyer perks like a free checked bag or priority boarding. For example, you may want to consider the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® *, which waives its $99 annual fee for the first 12 months. Also, consider a different card if you travel internationally and want to avoid foreign transaction fees.

Hilton Honors American Express Card: Best for frequent Hilton stays

Why we picked it: Travelers who frequent Hilton hotel locations will find the Hilton Honors American Express Card to be a solid no-annual-fee option. This card offers a generous welcome bonus of 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in the first six months of card membership. You’ll also earn high rewards rates in numerous categories: 7X points on eligible Hilton purchases; 5X points at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. restaurants; and 3X points on all other purchases.

• Comes with complimentary Hilton Silver status
• Earns a generous rewards rate on Hilton stays
• Minimal elite hotel benefits (for example, no room upgrades or complimentary breakfast)
• Hilton points are worth 0.6 cents apiece on average , so take the high rewards rates with a grain of salt

Who should apply:  Anyone who stays at Hilton properties regularly and isn’t interested in premium perks will get a fair amount of value out of this card.

Who should skip:  Hilton travelers interested in better perks like annual resort credits and free weekend nights should consider other Hilton credit cards, including options that come with a higher tier of elite status, annual travel credits and other premium perks.

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card: Best for Bank of America customers

Why we picked it: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a good choice for earning travel rewards on each purchase, but it’s even better if you already do your banking with Bank of America. The card earns 1.5X points on every dollar spent, but you can bump up your rewards by 25 percent to 75 percent if you qualify for membership in Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program .

• Earns a flat 1.5X points per dollar on all purchases
• Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn 25 to 75 percent more rewards
• Flexible redemption options
• No major travel perks

Who should apply: This is a solid card for those who want to earn a flat rate of flexible travel points on each dollar spent. Bank of America customers with a considerable amount of savings will especially benefit due to the boosted rewards rates for Preferred Rewards customers.

Who should skip:  Skip this card if you want travel-related perks like free checked bags or elite status.

Chase Freedom Unlimited: Best for pairing with a premium travel card

Why we picked it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® isn’t a travel rewards card, but it is a no-annual-fee card that you can pair with Chase’s premium travel cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve ® , to boost your points value by 25 percent to 50 percent when booking travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Essentially, you can combine the points you earn with your Chase Freedom Unlimited with the points you earn with your Sapphire card. Then, with your Sapphire card, you can redeem your rewards for higher-value redemptions like transfers to Chase travel partners or travel through Chase.

• 5 percent cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 5 percent cash back on Lyft purchases (through March 2025); 3 percent cash back on dining and drugstore purchases; 1.5 percent cash back on all other purchases
• Additional 1.5 percent cash back on top of all purchases’ original cash back rate (on up to $20,000) for the first year (exclusive offer through Bankrate)
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• 3 percent foreign transaction fee
• Can’t transfer points to Chase’s travel partners without a premium card

Who should apply: Consider this cash back credit card if you already have a Sapphire card and want to earn better-than-average rewards on drugstore purchases and non-category purchases.

Who should skip:  Skip this card if you need an option that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, or if you want travel perks that are specific to a frequent flyer or hotel loyalty program.

Discover it Miles: Best for flexible redemptions

Why we picked it: The Discover it® Miles is a flat-rate card that earns an unlimited 1.5X miles on all purchases. Like all other Discover cards, the rewards you earn within your first 12 months will be doubled at the end of that year.

• A generous flat rate of 1.5X miles on all purchases
• Discover matches your first-year earnings
• No foreign transaction fees (this is true for all Discover credit cards)
• Redeem rewards for flexible travel options
• You have to wait a full year for the welcome bonus
• No travel perks

Who should apply: Consider the Discover it Miles if you want to earn flexible rewards that you can redeem for any type of travel.

Who should skip: Skip this card if you want travel-related benefits or if you want to earn a generous sign-up bonus within the first few months of account opening.

Compare the best travel credit cards with no annual fee

Benefits of no-annual-fee travel credit cards.

In general, no-annual-fee travel cards come with many perks:

• They’re great for beginners who are new to the travel card space.
• You won’t have to worry about recouping a high annual fee through spending or earning credits.
• With a co-branded card , you can earn rewards in a hotel or airline loyalty program through credit card spending.
• You may receive a 0 percent intro APR on purchases or balance transfers for a limited time.
• You’ll typically receive more travel-related perks than other no-annual-fee rewards cards, such as rewards on travel purchases or travel-related redemption options.

How to choose a travel credit card with no annual fee

As you review the best travel credit cards with no annual fee, there are a number of important factors to keep in mind. Here’s everything you need to think about as you choose your next card .

• Consider your spending style and habits. Ideally, you’ll find a no-annual-fee travel card that’s suited to your budget. Look for a card that gives boosted rewards on the types of purchases you spend the most on each month. If your spending is pretty scattered, a flat-rate card may be best.
• Compare welcome offers. Earning rates are important, but you should also consider welcome offers. Many travel credit cards with no annual fee make it easy to earn $200 or more in rewards right off the bat (as long as you meet the terms ).
• Pay attention to cardholder perks.  Airline cards and hotel cards with no annual fee tend to offer in-flight discounts or automatic elite status, while some general travel credit cards in this niche offer travel insurance benefits .
• Look closely at redemption options. Be sure to select a travel credit card that lets you redeem your rewards for the type of rewards you want. If you’re unsure, look for a flexible travel credit card that lets you redeem for statement credits to cover numerous types of travel purchases.

The bottom line

Many of the best travel credit cards charge annual fees, but there are plenty of good no-annual-fee options, too. Find a card that works with your spending habits and your future travel plans to maximize your earnings , then work to pay your balances off each month so you don’t take on added costs in the form of interest payments.

*The information about the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® and Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

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16 Best Travel Credit Cards of October 2024

The best travel credit card is one that brings your next trip a little closer every time you use it. Purchases earn points or miles you can use to pay for travel. If you're loyal to a specific airline or hotel chain, consider one of that company's branded travel credit cards. Otherwise, check out our picks for general-purpose travel cards that give you flexible travel rewards without the restrictions and blackout dates of branded cards.

Why trust NerdWallet

400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts ( See our top picks )

80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance

27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months

Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics ( Methodology )

NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity .

Show summary

Nerdwallet's best travel credit cards of october 2024.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best for Max flexibility + big bonus

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

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best for Travel portal benefits

Chase Freedom Unlimited® : Best for Cash back for travel bookings

American Express® Gold Card : Best for Big rewards on everyday spending

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card : Best for Bonus rewards + no annual fee

The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for Luxury travel perks

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card : Best for Business travelers

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card : Best for Triple points on multiple categories

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card - Miles Boost : Best for Flat-rate rewards + no annual fee

Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best for Bonus rewards + high-end perks

World of Hyatt Credit Card : Best for Best hotel card

Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card : Best for Travel rewards for rent payments

United℠ Explorer Card : Best for Best airline card

PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card : Best for Credit union benefits

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card : Best for Booking directly with airlines/hotels

Best Travel Credit Cards

Find the right credit card for you..

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

Max flexibility + big bonus

Flat-rate rewards, travel portal benefits, cash back for travel bookings, big rewards on everyday spending, bonus rewards + no annual fee, luxury travel perks, business travelers, triple points on multiple categories, flat-rate rewards + no annual fee, bonus rewards + high-end perks, best hotel card, travel rewards for rent payments, best airline card, credit union benefits, booking directly with airlines/hotels, full list of editorial picks: best travel credit cards.

Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Our pick for: Flat-rate rewards

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is probably the best-known general-purpose travel credit card, thanks to its ubiquitous advertising. You earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases. Miles can be redeemed at a value of 1 cent apiece for any travel purchase, without the blackout dates and other restrictions of branded hotel and airline cards. The card offers a great sign-up bonus and other worthwhile perks ( see rates and fees ). Read our review.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card - Miles Boost

Our pick for: Flat-rate rewards + no annual fee

With the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card - Miles Boost , you don't pay an annual fee, but you also don't get rewards as rich as those on the regular Venture card ( see rates and fees ). Still, the bonus offer makes this a solid card for starting out with travel rewards. Read our review.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Our pick for: Bonus rewards + high-end perks

The high annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® gives many potential applicants pause, but frequent travelers should be able to wring enough value out of this card to more than make up for the cost. Cardholders get bonus rewards (up to 10X) on dining and travel, a fat bonus offer, annual travel credits, airport lounge access, and a 50% boost in point value when redeeming points for travel booked through Chase. Points can also be transferred to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. Read our review.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Our pick for: Max flexibility + big bonus

For a reasonable annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns bonus rewards (up to 5X) on travel, dining, select streaming services, and select online grocery purchases. Points are worth 25% more when you redeem them for travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. The sign-up bonus is stellar, too. Read our review.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Our pick for: Booking directly with airlines/hotels

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card stands out among general-purpose travel cards because it pays its highest rewards rates on travel bookings made directly with airlines and hotels, rather than requiring you to go through the issuer's travel agency, where prices might not be competitive. The points are flexible, you get a good bonus offer, and the card comes with a few other nice perks. Read our review.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Our pick for: Bonus rewards + no annual fee

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers so much value, it's hard to believe there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards in a host of common spending categories — restaurants, gas stations, transit, travel, streaming and more. Read our review.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Our pick for: Triple points on everyday categories

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card earns bonus points on select travel, supermarkets, dining, gas stations and EV stations. There's a solid sign-up bonus as well. Read our review.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

Our pick for: Road trips

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is one of the most generous cards on the market if you're taking to the skies or the road, thanks to the quadruple points it earns on travel and purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations. It's also a solid card for everyday expenses like groceries, dining and streaming, all for a $0 annual fee. Read our review .

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Our pick for: Travel portal benefits

Capital One's premium travel credit card can deliver terrific benefits — provided you're willing to do your travel spending through the issuer's online booking portal. That's where you'll earn the highest rewards rates plus credits that can make back the bulk of your annual fee ( see rates and fees ). Read our review.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Our pick for: Cash back for travel bookings

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® was already a fine card when it offered 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Now it's even better, with bonus rewards on travel booked through Chase, as well as at restaurants and drugstores. On top of all that, new cardholders get a 0% introductory APR period and the opportunity to earn a sweet bonus. Read our review.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Our pick for: Luxury travel perks

The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a hefty annual fee, but travelers who like to go in style (and aren't afraid to pay for comfort) can more than get their money's worth. Enjoy extensive airport lounge access, hundreds of dollars a year in travel and shopping credits, hotel benefits and more. That's not even getting into the high rewards rate on eligible travel purchases and the rich welcome offer for new cardholders. Read our review.

American Express® Gold Card

Our pick for: Big rewards on everyday spending

The American Express® Gold Card can earn you a pile of points from everyday spending, with generous rewards at U.S. supermarkets, at restaurants and on certain flights booked through amextravel.com. Other benefits include hundreds of dollars a year in available dining and travel credits and a solid welcome offer for new cardholders. There's an annual fee, though, and a pretty substantial one, so it's not for smaller spenders. Read our review.

Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card

Our pick for: Travel rewards on rent payments

The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card stands out by offering credit card rewards on rent payments without incurring an additional transaction fee. The ability to earn rewards on what for many people is their single biggest monthly expense makes this card worth a look for any renter. You also get bonus points on dining and travel when you make at least five transactions on the card each statement period, and redemption options include point transfers to partner hotel and loyalty programs. Read our review.

PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card

Our pick for: Credit union rewards

With premium perks for a $95 annual fee (which can be waived in some cases), jet-setters will get a lot of value from the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card . It also offers a generous rewards rate on travel purchases and a decent flat rate on everything else. Plus, you’ll get travel credits and a Priority Pass membership that offers airport lounge access for $32 per visit. Read our review.

United℠ Explorer Card

Our pick for: B est airline card

The United℠ Explorer Card earns bonus rewards not only on spending with United Airlines but also at restaurants and on eligible hotel stays. And the perks are outstanding for a basic airline card — a free checked bag, priority boarding, lounge passes and more. Read our review.

» Not a United frequent flyer? See our best airline cards for other options

World of Hyatt Credit Card

Our pick for: Best hotel card

Hyatt isn't as big as its competitors, but World of Hyatt Credit Card is worth a look for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road. You can earn a lot of points even on non-Hyatt spending, and those points have a high value compared with rival programs. There's a great sign-up bonus, free nights, automatic elite status and more. Read our review.

» Not a Hyatt customer? See our best hotel cards for other options.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Our pick for: Business travelers

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card starts you off with one of the biggest sign-up bonuses of any credit card anywhere: Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You also get bonus rewards on travel expenses and common business spending categories, like advertising, shipping and internet, cable and phone service. Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. Learn more and apply .

OTHER RESOURCES

How travel rewards work.

Modern-day adventurers and once-a-year vacationers alike love the idea of earning rewards toward their next big trip. According to a NerdWallet study , 68% of American adults say they have a credit card that earns travel rewards.

With a travel rewards credit card, you earn points or miles every time you use the card, but you can often earn more points per dollar in select categories. Some top travel credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , offer bonus points on any travel spending, while the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card grants bonus points when you use the card at Marriott hotels, grocery stores, restaurants or gas stations.

Not all points and miles earned on travel rewards credit cards are the same:

General-purpose travel credit cards — including the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , the American Express® Gold Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card — give you rewards that can be used like cash to pay for travel or that can be exchanged for points in airline or hotel loyalty programs. With their flexible rewards, general-purpose options are usually the best travel credit cards for those who don't stick to a single airline or hotel chain.

Airline- and hotel-specific cards — such as the United℠ Explorer Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Card — give points and miles that can be used only with the brand on the card. (Although it's possible in some cases to transfer hotel points to airlines, we recommend against it because you get a poor value.) These so-called co-branded cards are usually the best travel credit cards for those who always fly one particular airline or stay with one hotel group.

How do we value points and miles? With the rewards earned on general travel cards, it's simple: They have a fixed value, usually between 1 and 1.5 cents per point, and you can spend them like cash. With airline miles and hotel points, finding the true value is more difficult. How much value you get depends on how you redeem them.

To better understand what miles are worth, NerdWallet researched the cash prices and reward-redemption values for hundreds of flights and hotel rooms. Our results:

Keep in mind that the airline values are based on main cabin economy tickets and exclude premium cabin redemptions. Hotel values are based on basic rooms. See our valuations page for more details.

Our valuations are different from many others you may find. That’s because we looked at the average value of a point based on reasonable price searches that anyone can perform, not a maximized value that only travel rewards experts can expect to reach.

You should therefore use these values as a baseline for your own redemptions. If you can redeem your points for the values listed on our valuations page, you are doing well. Of course, if you are able to get higher value out of your miles, that’s even better.

HOW TO CHOOSE A TRAVEL CREDIT CARD

There are scores of travel rewards cards to choose from. The best travel credit card for you has as much to do with you as with the card. How often you travel, how much flexibility you want, how much you value airline or hotel perks — these are all things to take into account when deciding on a travel card. Our article on how to choose a travel credit card recommends that you prioritize:

Rewards you will actually use (points and miles are only as good as your ability to redeem them for travel).

A high earning rate (how much value you get in rewards for every dollar spent on the card).

A sign-up bonus (a windfall of points for meeting a spending requirement in your first few months).

Even with these goals in mind, there are all kinds of considerations that will influence your decision on a travel rewards credit card.

Travel cards are for travelers

Travel cards vs. cash-back cards.

The very first question to ask yourself when choosing a travel credit card is: Should I get a travel card at all? Travel credit cards are best for frequent travelers, who are more likely to get enough value from rewards and perks to make up for the annual fees that the best travel credit cards charge. (Some travel cards charge no annual fee, but they tend to offer lesser rewards than full-fee cards.) A NerdWallet study found that those who travel only occasionally — say, once a year — will probably get greater overall rewards from cash-back credit cards , most of which charge no annual fee, than from a travel card.

Flexibility and perks: A trade-off

Co-branded cards vs. general travel cards.

Travel credit cards fall into two basic categories: co-branded cards and general travel cards.

Co-branded cards carry the name of an airline or hotel group, such as the United℠ Explorer Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card . The rewards you earn are redeemable only with that particular brand, which can limit your flexibility, sometimes sharply. For example, if your credit card's co-branded airline partner doesn't have any award seats available on the flight you want on the day you want, you're out of luck. On the other hand, co-branded cards commonly offer airline- or hotel-specific perks that general travel cards can't match.

General travel cards aren't tied to a specific airline or hotel, so they offer much greater flexibility. Well-known general travel cards include the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . Rewards on general travel cards come as points (sometimes called "miles" but they're really points) that you can redeem for any travel expense. You're not locked into using a single airline or hotel, but you also won't enjoy the perks of a co-branded card.

Evaluating general travel credit cards

What you get with a general travel card.

The credit cards featured at the top of this page are general travel cards. They're issued by a bank (such as Chase or Capital One), carry only that bank's name, and aren't tied to any single airline or hotel group. With these cards, you earn points on every purchase — usually 1 to 2 points per dollar spent, sometimes with additional points in certain categories.

Issuers of general travel cards typically entice new applicants with big sign-up bonuses (also known as "welcome offers") — tens of thousands of miles that you can earn by spending a certain amount of money on the card in your first few months.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best credit card sign-up offers

What do you do with those points? Depending on the card, you may have several ways to redeem them:

Booking travel. With this option, your points pay for travel booked through the issuer's website, using a utility similar to Orbitz or Expedia. For example, if points were worth 1 cent apiece when redeemed this way, you could book a $400 flight on the issuer's portal and pay for it with 40,000 points

Statement credit. This lets you essentially erase travel purchases by using your points for credit on your statement. You make travel arrangements however you want (directly with an airline or hotel, through a travel agency, etc.) and charge it to your card. Once the charge shows up on your account, you apply the necessary points and eliminate the cost.

Transferring to partners. The card issuer may allow you to transfer your points to loyalty programs for airlines or hotel chains, turning your general card into something like a co-branded card (although you don't get the perks of a co-brand).

Cash back, gift cards or merchandise. If you don't plan to travel, you can burn off your rewards with these options, although you'll often get a lower value per point.

Airline and hotel cards sharply limit your choice, but they make up for it with perks that only they can offer, like free checked bags or room upgrades. General travel cards, on the other hand, offer maximum flexibility but can't provide the same kinds of perks, because the banks that issue them don't operate the airlines or hotels. Still, there are some noteworthy perks on general travel cards, including:

Travel credit. This is automatic reimbursement for travel-related spending. Some top travel credit cards offer hundreds of dollars a year in travel credit.

Trusted traveler reimbursement. More and more travel credit cards are covering the application fee for TSA Precheck and Global Entry, programs that allow you to move through airport security and customs more quickly.

Airport lounge access. Hundreds of lounges worldwide operate separately from airlines under such networks as Priority Pass and Airspace, and several general travel cards offer access to these lounges.

Points programs

Every major card issuer has at least one travel card with a points program. American Express calls its program Membership Rewards, while Chase has Ultimate Rewards® and Citi pays in ThankYou points. Wells Fargo has Wells Fargo Rewards, and U.S. Bank has FlexPerks. Bank of America® travel cards offer points without a fancy name. Travel cards from Capital One, Barclays and Discover all call their points "miles."

These programs differ in how much their points are worth and how you can use them. Some offer the full range of redemption options, including transfers to loyalty programs. Others let you use them only to book travel or get statement credit.

» MORE: Travel loyalty program reviews

Evaluating airline credit cards

What you get with an airline credit card.

Airline credit cards earn "miles" with each purchase. You typically get 1 mile per dollar spent, with a higher rate (2 or more miles per dollar) on purchases with the airline itself. (Some airline cards have also begun offering extra miles for purchases in additional categories, such as restaurants or car rental agencies.) These miles go into the same frequent-flyer account as the ones you earn by flying the airline, and you can redeem them for free flights with the airline or its alliance partners.

Co-branded airline cards typically offer sign-up bonuses (or welcome offers). But what really sets them apart are the perks they give you. With some cards, for example, the checked-bag benefit alone can make up for the annual fee after a single roundtrip by a couple. Common perks of airline cards include:

Free checked bags. This commonly applies to the first checked bag for you and at least one companion on your reservation. Some cards extend this perk to more people, and higher-end cards (with higher annual fees) may even let you check two bags apiece for free.

Priority boarding. Holders of co-branded airline credit cards often get to board the plane early — after the airline's elite-status frequent flyers but before the general population. This gives you time to settle in and gives you a leg up on claiming that coveted overhead bin space.

In-flight discounts or freebies. You might get, say, 25% off the cost of food and beverages during the flight, or free Wi-Fi.

Airport lounge access. High-end cards often include a membership to the airline's airport lounges, where you can get away from the frenzy in the terminal and enjoy a complimentary snack. Some less-expensive airline cards give you only limited or discounted lounge access; others give you none at all.

Companion fares. This perk lets you bring someone with you for a lower cost when you buy a ticket at full price.

A boost toward elite status. Miles earned with a credit card, as opposed to those earned from actually flying on the airline, usually do not count toward earning elite status in an airline's frequent-flyer program. However, carrying an airline's high-end card might automatically qualify you for a higher tier within the program.

The biggest U.S. airlines — American, United and Delta — offer an array of credit cards. Each airline has a no-annual-fee card that earns miles on purchases but provides little in the way of perks (no free bags or priority boarding). Each has a high-end card with an annual fee in the neighborhood of $450 that offers lounge access and sumptuous perks. And each has a "middle-class" card with a fee of around $100 and solid ongoing perks. Southwest offers three credit cards with varying fees; smaller carriers may just have a single card.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best airline credit cards

Choosing an airline

Which airline card you get depends in large part on what airline you fly, and that's heavily influenced by where you live. Alaska Airlines, for example, has an outstanding credit card, but the airline's routes are concentrated primarily on the West Coast. So it's not a great option for those who live in, say, Buffalo, New York, or Montgomery, Alabama.

If your local airport is dominated by a single airline, then you're probably flying that carrier most (or all) of the time by default. Delta, for example, is the 800-pound gorilla at Minneapolis-St. Paul and Salt Lake City. United has the bulk of the traffic at Newark and Washington Dulles. American calls the shots at Charlotte and Dallas-Fort Worth. That airline's credit card may be your only realistic option. If you're in a large or midsize market with frequent service from multiple airlines, you have more choice.

» MORE: How to choose an airline credit card

Evaluating hotel credit cards

What you get with a hotel card.

Hotel credit cards earn points with each purchase. As with airline cards, you typically get more points per dollar for purchases from the co-brand partner, and some cards also give bonus points in additional categories. (Hotel cards tend to give you a greater number of points overall than airline cards, but each individual point is generally worth less than a typical airline mile.) Similar to the airline model, the points you earn with the card go into the same loyalty account as the points you earn from actually staying at a hotel. You redeem your points for free stays.

Hotel cards usually offer a sign-up bonus, but like airline cards, they really make their bones with the ongoing perks. Common perks on hotel cards include:

Free nights. Several cards offer this perk, which can make up for the card's annual fee. You may get a free night automatically every year, or you may unlock it by spending a certain amount within a year. In the latter case, it comes on top of the points you earn for your spending.

Upgrades and freebies. Cardholders may qualify for automatic room upgrades when available, or free or discounted amenities such as meals or spa packages.

Early check-in/late check-out. No one likes having to cool their heels in the hotel lobby waiting for 3 o'clock to check in. And no one likes have to vacate their room by 11 a.m. when their flight doesn't leave till evening.

Accelerated elite status. Some hotel cards automatically bump you up a level in their loyalty program just for being a cardholder.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best hotel credit cards

Choosing a hotel group

If you decide to go the hotel-card route, you'll need to decide which hotel group gets your business. Hotels aren't as market-concentrated as airlines, so if your travels take you mostly to metropolitan areas, you'll have a decent amount of choice. Keep in mind that even though there are dozens of nationally recognizable hotel brands, ranging from budget inns to luxury resorts, many of them are just units in a larger hotel company, and that company's card can unlock benefits across the group.

Marriott, for example, includes not only its namesake properties but nearly 30 other brands, including Courtyard, Fairfield, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton and Westin. The Hilton family includes DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn and Waldorf-Astoria. InterContinental includes Holiday Inn, Candlewood, Staybridge and Crowne Plaza. Wyndham and Choice have more than 15 mid-tier and budget-oriented brands between them.

HOW TO COMPARE TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS

No travel rewards credit card is going to have everything you want. You're going to be disappointed if you expect to find a high rewards rate, a generous sign-up bonus, top-notch perks and no annual fee. Each card delivers value through a different combination of features; it's up to you to compare cards based on the following features and choose the best travel credit card for your needs and preferences.

Most of the best travel cards charge an annual fee. Fees in the range of $90 to $100 are standard for travel cards. Premium cards with extensive perks will have fees of $450 or more. Weigh the value of the rewards and perks you'll get to make sure they'll make up for the fee.

Can you find good cards without an annual fee? Absolutely! There are no-fee options on our list of the best travel credit cards, and we've rounded up more here . Just be aware that if you go with a no-fee travel card, you'll earn rewards at a lower rate, your sign-up bonus will be smaller, and you won't get as many (if any) perks.

Rewards rate

Rewards can be thought of in terms of "earn rate" and "burn rate".

The earn rate is how many points or miles you receive per dollar spent. Some general travel cards offer flat-rate rewards, meaning you get the same rate on all purchases, all the time — 2 miles per dollar, for example, or 1.5 points per dollar. Others, including most co-branded cards, offer a base rate of maybe 1 point per dollar and then pay a higher rate in certain categories, such as airline tickets, hotel stays, general travel expenses or restaurant meals.

The burn rate is the value you get for those points or miles when you redeem them. The industry average is about 1 cent per point or mile. Some cards, particularly hotel cards, have lower value per point on the "burn" side but give you more points per dollar on the earning side.

When comparing rewards rates, don't just look at the numbers. Look at the categories to which those numbers apply, and find a card that matches your spending patterns. Getting 5 points per dollar seems great — but if those 5X points come only on purchases at, say, office supply stores, and you don't spend money on office supplies, then you're getting lousy value.

Sign-up bonus

Travel cards tend to have the biggest sign-up bonuses — tens of thousands of points that you earn by hitting a certain amount of spending. But there's more to consider when comparing sign-up bonuses than just how many points or miles you earn. You must also take into account how much you have to spend to earn the bonus. While cash-back credit cards often require just $500 to $1,000 in spending over three months to unlock a bonus, travel cards commonly have thresholds of $3,000 to $5,000.

Never spend money you don't have just to earn a sign-up bonus. Carrying $3,000 in debt for a year in order to earn a $500 bonus doesn't make economic sense — the interest you'll pay could easily wipe out the value of the bonus.

Finally, keep in mind that the biggest bonuses will come on cards with annual fees.

Foreign transaction fees

A good travel card will not charge a foreign transaction fee. These fees are surcharges on purchases made outside the U.S. The industry standard is about 3%, which is enough to wipe out most if not all of the rewards you earn on a purchase. If you never leave the U.S., then this isn't much of a concern, but anyone who travels abroad should bring a no-foreign-transaction-fee card with them.

Some issuers don't charge foreign transaction fees on any of their cards. Others charge them on some cards but not all.

International acceptance

Not all travel credit cards are great companions for international travel. While Visa and Mastercard are good pretty much worldwide, you may encounter limited acceptance for American Express and, especially, Discover, depending on the destination. This doesn't mean world travelers should dismiss AmEx and Discover. Just know that if you take one of these cards with you overseas, you'd be smart to bring along a backup in case you run into acceptance problems. (Having a backup card is good advice within the U.S., too, really.)

Travel protections

Consider which travel protections — car rental insurance , trip cancellation coverage , lost baggage protection — are important to you.

"Rewards" are what you get for using a credit card — the points earned with each transaction and the bonuses you unlock with your spending. "Perks" are goodies that you get just for carrying the card. There's a very close correlation between the annual fee on a card and the perks you get for carrying it. Cards with no annual fee are all about rewards and go very light on perks. Premium cards with annual fees of $450 or more are laden with perks (although sometimes their rewards aren't too special). Midtier cards (in the $100 range) tend to have solid rewards and a handful of high-value perks.

Assuming you take advantage of them, the perks often make up for the annual fee on a card quite easily. This is especially true with co-branded cards. Free checked bags can pay for an airline card several times over, and a free night is usually worth more than the fee on a hotel card. When comparing the perks of various cards, be realistic about which ones you will and won't use. Sure, that card may entitle you to a free spa package the next time you're at a five-star hotel, but how often do you stay at five-star hotels?

SHOULD YOU GET A TRAVEL CARD? PROS AND CONS

Pros: why it's worth getting a travel card.

The sign-up bonus gives you a big head-start on travel. Bonuses on the best travel credit cards typically run $500 or more — enough for a roundtrip ticket in many instances.

Perks make travel less expensive and more relaxing. You won't have to worry about cramming a week's worth of clothes into a carry-on if your travel credit card gives you a free checked bag (or automatically reimburses you for the bag fee). Hate the crush of travelers in the terminal? Escape to the airport lounge. Renting a car? Use a travel card that provides primary rental car insurance.

Rewards get you closer to your next trip with every purchase. Spending money on the mundane activities of daily life has a silver lining when you know that every $1,000 you spend will knock $10 or $20 off the cost of that future beach vacation or trip home to see Mom and Dad.

No foreign transaction fee can mean big savings. Take just any old credit card with you on vacation outside the U.S., and $1,000 worth of purchases can cost you $30 off the top due to the foreign transaction surcharge. Good travel cards don't charge this fee.

"Double dipping" gives you more points on travel purchases. Buy a plane ticket or book a hotel room, and you'll earn loyalty points or miles regardless of how you pay. Use the right credit card, though, and you'll earn even more points and miles on top of those.

Strategic redemption can multiply your value. With cash-back credit cards, 1 cent is worth 1 cent, and that's just how it goes. The points and miles on many travel credit cards have variable value based on how you redeem them — booking travel with them vs. transferring them to a partner, booking domestic vs. international flights and economy vs. business class, staying at budget hotels vs. high-end resorts, and so on.

Cons: Why a travel card might not be for you

The best cards charge annual fees. In many cases, the value you get from a credit card more than makes up for the annual fee. But some people are dead set against paying a fee under any circumstances. If that's you, your options in travel cards will be sharply limited, and you won't get the perks that provide a big portion of the value on many cards.

Sign-up bonus spending requirements can be steep. A bonus worth $500, $600 or $700 is attractive, but only if you can afford to earn it with spending you were going to do anyway. If you have to amass thousands of dollars in debt and then pay interest on it, it's not worth it.

Travel cards aren't ideal for infrequent travelers. In the first year with a travel card, you're probably going to come out ahead: You can earn a big sign-up bonus, and several popular cards waive the first year's annual fee, too. In subsequent years, though, you'll break even on that fee only if you use the card enough to make up for it (with the rewards you earn and redeem and the perks you use). Infrequent travelers are more likely to get more total rewards from a cash-back card with no annual fee.

Cash back is simpler and more flexible. Some travel cards allow you to redeem your rewards only for travel. Others give you poor value unless you redeem for travel. Still others have complicated redemption options, making it hard to get the most out of your rewards. With cash-back credit cards, you can use your rewards on anything, you know exactly how much your rewards are worth, and redemption is usually simple.

Rewards cards tend to charge higher interest rates. If you regularly carry a balance from month to month, a travel credit card — or any rewards credit card — probably isn't your best choice. The interest you pay is eating up the value of your rewards. You're better off with a low-interest card that reduces the cost of carrying debt.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TRAVEL CARD

Maximize your rewards with the following tips:

Plan your credit card application around a big purchase to earn the sign-up bonus.

Seize every opportunity to pick up the tab, especially if your travel credit card pays bonus rewards on dining; your friends can pay you back while you collect rewards.

Redeem rewards for travel instead of gift cards, merchandise or (in most cases) cash back to get the best value.

Join the loyalty program associated with a co-branded card — a frequent-flyer or frequent-guest program.

Shop for essentials in your card’s online bonus mall or through its exclusive offers, if available, to get extra rewards.

OTHER CARDS TO CONSIDER

It’s worth considering whether a travel credit card is even right for you in the first place. A NerdWallet study found that cash-back credit cards often earn more money — even for many travelers.

If you carry a balance from month to month, the higher interest rates typically charged by rewards cards can cancel out any rewards earned. If you have a good credit score, you're better off with a low-interest credit card that can save you money on interest.

A good travel credit card shouldn't charge foreign transaction fees, but there are good non-travel cards that also don't charge them. See our best cards with no foreign transaction fee .

If you value transparency and flexibility in your rewards, you can't go wrong with a cash-back card — and you can still use the rewards for travel, if you want.

Finally, if you're still not sure what's right for you, take a look at our best rewards credit cards for options beyond travel and cash back.

NerdWallet's Sam Kemmis contributed to this article.

To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card , see this page . To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express , see this page .

Last updated on September 25 , 2024

Methodology

NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best travel rewards credit cards based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of travelers. Factors in our evaluation include each card's annual fee, foreign transaction fees, rewards earnings rates, ease of use, redemption options, domestic and international acceptance, promotional APR period, bonus offers, and cardholder perks such as automatic statement credits and airport lounge access. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.

Frequently asked questions

How do travel credit cards work.

Travel credit cards earn points (sometimes called miles) each time you buy something. The standard earning rate is 1 to 2 points per dollar spent, and many cards give you extra points for certain purchases, particularly travel expenses. The value of a point depends on the card that earned it and how you redeem it, but a good rule of thumb is to assume each point is worth an average of about 1 cent.

Your points accumulate in a rewards account, where you can use them to pay for travel. Most cards let you book travel directly using a portal similar to those at online travel agencies or on airline and hotel websites, but instead of paying cash, you pay with your points. Depending on the card, you may also have the option of booking travel any way you want, paying for it with the card and then cashing in your points for a credit against those expenses.

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

Points and miles are just different names for the same thing: the currency used in a travel rewards program. Some travel credit cards call them points, some call them miles.

Airline frequent flyer programs have long used the term “miles” to refer to the rewards you earn for flying. That’s because at one time, you really did earn rewards according to how many miles you flew — the longer the flight, the more miles you earned. Nowadays, most domestic airlines give out “miles” based on how much you spend, not how far you fly, so they’re really just points. (There are a few exceptions, though, notably Alaska Airlines.)

Especially when it comes to redeeming your rewards, there’s no difference between points and miles. The number of points or miles you need is based mostly on the cost of what you’re redeeming them for. It takes more than 500 miles (value about: $5) to get a free 500-mile flight!

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

The value of a point or mile depends on the card you earned it with and how you redeem it. A common rule of thumb is to assume that each point or mile is worth an average of 1 cent, although you can certainly get a much higher (or lower) redemption value. See our travel loyalty roundup page for NerdWallet’s current valuations for airline miles and hotel points.

What kinds of travel credit cards are there?

Travel credit cards fall into two main categories: co-branded and general-purpose.

• Co-branded travel cards carry the name of an airline or hotel chain. The rewards you earn on the card can typically be redeemed only with that brand (or maybe its partners). Co-branded cards limit your flexibility, but because they are issued in partnership with an airline or hotel, they can give you special perks, like free checked bags or room upgrades.

• General-purpose travel cards are issued by a credit card company and are not directly tied to any particular airline or hotel. They earn points in the issuer's own program, such as American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards® or Citi ThankYou. These points are a lot more flexible, as you can use them to pay for a range of travel expenses, including flights on any airline or stays at any hotel. However, they don’t offer the airline- or hotel-specific perks of co-branded cards.

What credit score do I need to get a travel rewards credit card?

Travel cards — like rewards cards in general — typically require good to excellent credit for approval. Good credit is generally defined as a credit score of 690 or better. However, credit scores alone do not guarantee approval. Every issuer has its own criteria for evaluating applications.

Can you get travel rewards for business travel?

Business travel can earn credit card rewards just like leisure travel. Credit cards that earn rewards for travel purchases don't distinguish between one or the other — meaning, if a card pays 3X points on airfare, for example, it's going to pay it no matter why you're buying the ticket. There are also travel credit cards specifically designed for business operators, with benefits and perks better aligned with their needs.

Where things get complicated is when you're not arranging the travel yourself. With credit card points, the rewards go to the cardholder. So if you arrange travel through your employer and the cost goes on the "company card," then the company card gets the points. Put it on your own card and get reimbursed later, and you get the points. (And if you have a company card with your name on it? That may come down to company policy.)

When should you use rewards instead of cash?

When redeeming travel rewards, you want to get as much value as possible. If you can get more value by using your rewards than by using cash, then it's smart to do so. (And of course, the reverse also applies.) NerdWallet has calculated the baseline values of most major credit card points, airline miles and hotel points. When you get a value that exceeds these baselines, go ahead and use your rewards. If not, consider using cash.

For example, say you could book a trip by paying $400 cash for a ticket or by redeeming 50,000 points or miles. In that case, your points would be getting you a value of 0.8 cents apiece (50,000 x 0.8 cents = $400). If the baseline value of each point is 1 cent, then you're better off paying cash and saving the points for when you can redeem them for 1 cent or better.

That said, you don't want to be overthinking it and hoarding points indefinitely in search of the deal to end all deals. Like any other currency, travel rewards lose value over time. That flight that costs 50,000 points today might cost 55,000 next year. Do you have enough points to get you where you want to go, when you want to go, in the way you want to get there? If so, don't let fractions of a penny stop you from booking your trip. It's your money, and you get to decide how to spend it.

What travel credits are easiest to redeem?

A number of travel credit cards come with "travel credits," which reimburse you for specific expenses. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® , for example, has a $300 annual travel credit; several cards offer credits toward things like airline fees or hotel bookings; and a bunch of cards have a credit for the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry .

The less restrictive a credit is, the easier it is to redeem. The easiest travel credit to redeem is one that:

Applies to a broad range of expenses. Some credits are very fickle. You may get $200 a year in "airline credit," but it applies only to incidental fees (not airfare) on a single airline that you have to choose ahead of time. A card may offer hundreds of dollars in credit toward travel, but you have to go through the issuer's booking portal, where rates may be more expensive and options more limited. Other credits, however, are broad and open-ended: $300 on any travel expense, $100 toward any airline booking, and so on.

Shows up automatically on your statement. Your issuer's system should be able to recognize qualifying expenses and then apply the credit to them without you having to do anything. If the only way to receive the credit is by calling a phone number or submitting receipts or other documentation, that makes it harder to redeem, which in turn makes it less likely that you'll redeem (and that may be the point).

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Best no-annual-fee travel credit cards of 2023

Choose the best credit card for travel and start reaping rewards today

Published: April 26, 2023

Author: Aja McClanahan

Editor: Kaitlyn Tang

How we Choose

A good travel card doesn’t have to come with an exorbitant annual fee. There are plenty of great no-annual fee travel cards you can explore to help you earn and redeem rewards for travel.

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Please review our list of best credit cards , or use our CardMatch™ tool to find cards matched to your needs.

If you aren’t quite ready to splurge for a premium card for travel — which typically has an annual fee in exchange for premium features — your next best option would be a travel card with no annual fee . But with so many options to choose from, how do you know which card is right for you?

Here we’ll review some of our top-rated travel card options that don’t charge a pesky annual fee. Use this guide to help choose the best credit card that works for your spending habits and specific travel lifestyle.

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card: Best for flexible spending

Why we picked it : The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is ideal for anyone who wants simple, hassle-free cash back options in a travel rewards card . There’s no need to activate spending categories or watch for special bonus categories every quarter. The rewards simply accrue to your account at the same flat rate of 1.5X points on every purchase.

Another plus is that if you are a Bank of America or Merrill account holder, you can boost your rewards rate 25 percent to 75 percent with Preferred Rewards . You’ll also get 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.

• You can earn unlimited points.
• Your points won’t expire if your account remains open.
• You don’t have to worry about blackout dates.
• You don’t have to pay foreign transaction fees .
• The rewards rate is relatively low.

Who should apply : The Bank of America Travel Rewards card could be a good fit if you’re looking for a no-annual-fee card with a good sign-up bonus . If you tend to spend across a wide array of categories — online shopping, dining, streaming sites and gas — the card’s flat rate will earn you reliable rewards.

Who should skip : This card might not be a good match for those who are looking to maximize their spending. Cardholders who don’t mind paying an annual fee should also keep shopping.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for simplicity

Why we picked it : This entry-level travel card is so simple to use that any beginner in travel rewards could use it. Though Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card rewards rate isn’t especially high, it’s slightly higher than cards that offer unlimited cash back at the industry-standard 1 percent. The flat 1.25X miles rate applies to all spending, no matter the time or category.

Redeeming points is pretty straightforward, too. You can redeem miles for a travel statement credit that allows you to book travel yourself or through a travel agent. On top of that, the Capital One VentureOne will give you a 20,000-mile bonus (equal to $200 in travel) once you spend $500 on purchases within three months.

• You won’t have to deal with any blackout dates.
• There is no mileage minimum to redeem for travel.
• You can transfer miles to more than 15 of Capital One’s transfer partners .
• You can earn unlimited rewards.
• Large U.S. airlines are excluded from the list of airline partners.

Who should apply : This could be a good match for frequent fliers who spend $396 or more each month, and you can earn a pretty decent bonus with a relatively low spending requirement within the first three months from account opening. The card can also be beneficial if you’re looking for a 0 percent introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (then 19.99 percent to 29.99 percent variable APR).

Who should skip : This might not be a good fit for infrequent flyers who don’t spend a lot each month.

Chase Freedom Unlimited: Best for pairing with a premium travel card

Why we picked it : The Chase Freedom Unlimited* is a great card because it offers one of the highest cash back rates. The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 5 percent cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3 percent cash back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5 percent cash back on everything else.

The Freedom Unlimited’s cash back is also fulfilled as Ultimate Rewards points. This makes it a great card to pair with another Ultimate Rewards card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to multiply the rewards you earn across different categories and redeem your points at 25 percent boosted value for Chase travel, thanks to the Sapphire Preferred’s card perk.

• The card offers flexibility for redeeming rewards.
• The card provides a sign-up bonus of an additional 1.5 percent cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• You can earn 5 percent cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025.
• Points won’t expire if your account remains open.
• There is a foreign transaction fee of 3 percent.

Who should apply : Frequent travelers looking for flexibility should consider this card. Also, frequent Lyft riders can earn a solid cash back when they use the card for every ride.

Who should skip : Cardholders who want to transfer miles to a frequent-flier program of an American airline should probably skip this one.

Discover it Miles: Best first-year bonus

Why we picked it : The Discover it® Miles card has a great first-year offer that has the potential to boost your miles’ earnings substantially. The Discover it Miles matches all the miles you earn at the end of your first year as an account holder — essentially turning your 1.5 miles per dollar into 3 miles per dollar — with no annual fee.

You can choose to redeem miles for cash, travel purchases, Amazon.com purchases, gift cards and more.

• You can earn unlimited 1.5 miles on every dollar you spend.
• You can redeem any number of miles.
• There are no blackout dates or expiration on miles earned.
• Discover matches all miles earned after your first year.
• You can’t transfer your miles to airline frequent-flier programs.
• Partners and perks have limited international acceptance.

Who should apply : Occasional travelers looking for fewer restrictions can take advantage of the Discover it Miles. This flat-rate card enables customers to choose cash back or redeem miles to pay your bill.

Who should skip : Since 1.5 miles per dollar is not the best reward rate for a frequent flier, you might want to consider another option.

Hilton Honors American Express Card: Best for frequent Hilton stays

Why we picked it : The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a good choice for those who stay at Hilton properties frequently. You’ll earn 70,000 points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership. You can also get 7X points at Hilton hotel properties. Eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations will get you 5X points, and everything else gets you 3X points. Plus, there are no blackout dates or expiration dates on points.

The Hilton Honors American Express Card also provides complimentary Hilton Honors silver status, which includes an annual fifth-night free reward (when you book at least four consecutive nights with points) and a 20 percent bonus on each Hilton Honors base point you earn.

• You can earn an unlimited number of points.
• You can transfer points to over 20 travel partners.
• There are no foreign transaction fees.
• Points are redeemable for hotel stays, airfare, car rentals, cruises, shopping, dining or charitable giving.
• You can redeem points only for travel booked through Amex Travel .
• You can use the free night’s stay certificate only if a standard room is available.

Who should apply : Travelers who frequent Hilton stays will get the most out of this card because they can earn points on their everyday purchases, then redeem them for stays.

Who should skip : Although this card offers some of the best hotel benefits, it might not be a great fit for travelers looking for high-value points (according to Bankrate , Hilton Honors points are worth an average of 0.6 cents per point). It could take a while to accumulate the points to redeem for your next stay.

Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card: Best card for Delta Air Lines passengers

Why we picked it : If you live near a Delta hub, taking advantage of their co-branded Amex card could be a great choice. With the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card , you can earn 2X miles at restaurants worldwide and on eligible Delta purchases. Other purchases get you 1X point.

As a co-branded American Express card, the Delta SkyMiles Blue Card provides card benefits other Amex cardholders receive, such as car rental insurance, event presales, lowest hotel rate guarantee, purchase protection and extended warranty coverage. New cardholders will be rewarded 10,000 miles if they spend $1,000 within six months.

• Your Delta miles won’t expire.
• You can book trips without blackout dates.
• You can earn unlimited miles.
• Miles are redeemable for flights, flight upgrades, car rentals, merchandise and more.
• Stopovers are not allowed.
• You’ll likely pay fuel surcharges on some partners and on Delta one-way flights from Europe.

Who should apply : This card is suitable for casual travelers who are loyal to Delta Air Lines but don’t require the luxury of free checked bags or priority seating.

Who should skip : Frequent fliers looking for free checked bags or priority boarding should consider another credit card. People who fly a variety of airlines, not just Delta, have no need to tie themselves to a co-branded Delta card, and they could opt for a flexible rewards card instead.

Compare the best no-annual-fee travel cards

How to choose a no-annual-fee travel credit card.

When narrowing down the choices among the best travel credit cards with no annual fee, you should keep in mind what features you want. Because these cards don’t have an annual fee, like elite or luxury travel cards, it might be difficult to find all the best features in just one card. Try to focus on the card benefits that matter most to you, such as extended warranty coverage, to help you eliminate the cards that don’t have them and decide on the ones that do.

Here are a few features to look for in a no-annual-fee travel card:

• You may earn a welcome bonus.
• The card offers an intro APR period for balance transfers or purchases (or both).
• There is a high earning potential for travel-related spending.
• You may combine rewards with other cards to boost rewards value.
• The rewards program has minimal restrictions like blackout dates or expiration on rewards.
• The redemption options are flexible, offering redemptions, such as cash, gift cards, statement credits, Amazon.com purchases or travel booked through the issuer’s portal.
• The card benefits include trip protection, luggage insurance, hotel discounts, airline discounts, roadside assistance and more.

Bottom line

If you match your spending and travel habits to the available options, finding the best travel credit card with no annual fee shouldn’t be difficult. The best card will ultimately be the one that enables you to earn decent rewards on everyday expenses. Then you can use those rewards to cover your travel expenses.

*Information about the Chase Freedom Unlimited has been collected independently by CreditCards.com. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.

Editorial Disclaimer

The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective assessment of our writers and is not driven by advertising dollars. It has not been provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.

Aja McClanahan is a CreditCards.com personal finance contributor.

On this page

• Best for flexible spending
• Best for simplicity
• Best for a travel card combo
• Best first-year bonus
• Best for Hilton stays
• Best for Delta Air Lines
• Comparing cards
• How to choose a card

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Best Travel Credit Cards With No Annual Fee

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Condé Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Condé Nast Traveler and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. We don't review or include all companies, or all available products. Moreover, the editorial content on this page was not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are entirely those of Condé Nast Traveler's editorial team.

There are tons of great travel rewards credit cards out there, and many of them are packed with points-earning opportunities, elite status, lounge access , and other perks.

Unfortunately, though, those perks can come at a price—and in some cases, a very high price . While it’s certainly possible to extract tons of value from even the most expensive cards, paying a high annual fee is not always necessarily the right move for everyone—especially for those just starting out and learning their way in the world of points and miles.

Luckily, there are a host of travel cards out there that come without an annual fee, and many of them are worth taking out whether you’re a beginner or just looking to bolster your points balance without breaking the bank. Read on for a list of some of the best credit cards with no annual fee, including what we love about them and, most importantly, how they can put you on the path to free flights and hotel stays.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Why we love it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited is technically a cash-back credit card, but if you pair it with either the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Chase Sapphire Preferred , you’ll be able to instantly convert your rewards into transferable travel points by moving them between accounts.

How it earns points: The Freedom Unlimited earns five points per dollar on Chase Ultimate Rewards travel, three points per dollar on drugstore purchases and dining, and 1.5 points per dollar on everything else. In the first year of cardmembership, it also earns five points per dollar on gas station purchases up to $6,000.

Additional perks: Cardholders get three complimentary months of DoorDash’s subscription service, DashPass, as well as shopping protections including extended warranty.

Foreign transaction fees: 3 percent

Current welcome bonus: Earn $200 in cash back—or 20,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points if transferred to a Sapphire account—after you spend $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening.

How to spend it: After converting your cash-back rewards to Ultimate Rewards points, transfer them to Hyatt to book a standard night in a Category 5 hotel, such as the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, the Andaz Amsterdam , or the Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt Buenos Aires .

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Why we love it: Capital One recently improved its transfer ratios and beefed up its list of travel partners, increasing the value of its miles and making VentureOne Rewards a great way to dip your toe into the world of transferable points .

How it earns points: Earn five miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, along with 1.25 miles per dollar on all other purchases.

Additional perks: The card comes with a price match guarantee for booking trips, as well as access to VIP dining and entertainment experiences.

Foreign transaction fees: None

Current welcome bonus: Earn 20,000 Capital One miles after you spend $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening.

How to spend it: Transfer your miles to Air France and KLM’s Flying Blue program to take advantage of Promo Rewards, which frequently bring award tickets from the U.S. to Europe below the 20,000-point threshold for one way in economy.

Hilton Honors Card from American Express

Why we love it: Ready to try out a hotel credit card, but not ready to drop $95 or more? Check out the Hilton Honors card for ample points-earning opportunities and the holy grail of perks—including a free night certificate, good for almost any property in Hilton’s portfolio.

How it earns points: Earn seven points per dollar on Hilton purchases, five points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, and three points per dollar on all other purchases.

Additional perks: Get complimentary Silver status with the opportunity to reach Gold status after $20,000 in purchases in a calendar year (terms apply, enrollment required).

Current welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors points plus a free night certificate after you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening (terms apply).

How to spend it: Soak up the sun with a night in a standard room at the Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort .

Marriott Bonvoy Bold

Why we love it: Enough points for a free night and automatic elite status—all without an annual fee? It can be yours with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold.

How it earns points: The Bold earns three points per dollar on Marriott purchases, along with two points per dollar on all other travel purchases, from airfare to taxis. It nets one point per dollar on everything else.

Additional perks: The card comes with 15 Elite Night credits each calendar year, which automatically qualify you for Silver Elite status. It also comes with a range of travel and purchase protections, including baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement.

Current welcome bonus: Earn 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening.

How to spend it: Spend an off-peak night at a Category 7 hotel, including The Cloudveil in Jackson Hole, The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay , or The New York Edition .

Citi Double Cash Card

Why we love it: The Citi Double Cash Card is easy to use, earning a flat two ThankYou points per dollar on every dollar spent, no matter what the category. Those can be cashed out in the form of a statement credit or check—or transferred to Citi’s travel partners for free trips.

How it earns points: The Citi Double Cash card earns two points per dollar on all purchases—one when you buy, and one when you pay your bill.

Additional perks: None

Current welcome bonus: None

How to spend your points: Once you've racked up 15,000 bonus points, transfer them to Turkish Airlines' Miles&Smiles program for round-trip economy class tickets between anywhere on the U.S. mainland and Hawaii on Turkish Airlines' partner United.

AmEx EveryDay Credit Card

Why we love it: The EveryDay isn’t going to win any awards for its points-earning capabilities, but because AmEx’s transferable Membership Rewards points are so valuable, the card is worth picking up while you test the waters and decide whether to invest in a pricier AmEx product.

How it earns points: Earn two points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases each year and one point per dollar after that. Additionally, if you use your card 20 or more times on purchases in a billing period, you’ll get 20 percent more points on those purchases.

Additional perks: The card features car rental loss and damage insurance, a Global Assist hotline for travel, and exclusive access to ticket presales (terms apply, enrollment required).

Foreign transaction fees: 2.7 percent

Current welcome bonus: Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening.

How to spend it: Transfer 9,000 points to British Airways to book short-haul domestic flights in economy of up to 1,151 miles—Seattle to Los Angeles, for example—on Alaska Airlines.

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See rates and fees for the American Express cards listed: AmEx EveryDay ; Hilton Honors Card

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The Best Travel Credit Cards with No Annual Fee

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

One of the easiest ways to save money traveling is by using credit cards (responsibly) to collect points and miles . This essentially transforms your everyday spending into free flights, free hotel stays, and other awesome travel perks.

Not only does this stretch your travel budget but it levels up your travel experience, providing free upgrades, lounge access, and much, much more.

Whether you want to be on the road for longer, take more trips, or simply save money on your next vacation, points and miles can get you there.

However, most of the best travel credit cards have annual fees (sometimes huge ones).

While annual fees are usually worth it for frequent travelers (you can get much more value out of a card than its annual fee), if you’re new to all of this or don’t travel that much, you may want to get a card with no annual fee first.

And there are a lot of them out there. Which one do you pick?

Here is my list of the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards so you can start earning points toward free travel today:

Table of Contents

1. The Bilt Mastercard®

2. capital one ventureone rewards credit card, 3. chase freedom unlimited®, cards with low fees.

You can transfer points 1:1 to travel partners, including Alaska Airlines, United, Emirates, Hawaiian, Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, Air France/KLM, Hyatt, and IHG. The fact that you can transfer Bilt points to Alaska Airlines really sets this card apart as no other card’s points transfer to this airline. Amassing Bilt points is the only way to get these points without having an Alaska card.

Bilt also integrates with point.me , a handy search and booking engine for award flights.

This card offers:

• 1x points on rental payments (up to 100,000 points per calendar year)
• 2x points on travel
• 3x points on dining
• Alaska Airlines as a transfer partner (it’s the only card that does)
• Rent Day benefits: monthly giveaways and challenges as well as 6x points on dining, 4x points on travel, and 2x on spending on the 1st of the month (up to 10,000 points on each 1st of the month)
• Access to the Bilt Milestone Rewards program (where you get more perks and earning power the more points you accumulate)
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Trip Delay Reimbursement
• No foreign transaction fees

The Bilt card is absolutely a no-brainer for renters who love to travel. To learn more, read my full Bilt Review . It is the card I use the most right now (especially on rent days).

—> LEARN MORE

The cards in Capital One’s Venture lineup are all fantastic. While the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card are more well-known, they come with annual fees. If you’re looking for a card without one, VentureOne is an excellent option. You’ll earn 1.25x miles on all purchases as well as 5x miles on travel booked through the Capital One travel portal. Just like the other Venture cards, the miles you earn with the VentureOne card can then be transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners to redeem for flights and hotels.

• Earn 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• 1.25x miles on all purchases
• 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Travel accident and car rental insurance

• Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back.
• 1.5% cash back on all purchases
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• 3% cash back on restaurants and drugstores

If the cards above are a little too basic for your needs and you want something more intermediate, here’s a quick list of travel credit cards with affordable fees:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card ($95 annual fee) – 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services, 2x points on travel (5x when booked through Chase Travel, travel protections, and a $50 annual hotel credit when you book and prepay through Chase Travel.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ($95 annual fee) – 2x miles on all purchases, 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked on Capital One travel, up to $120 Global Entry/TSA pre-check statement credit, 2 airport lounge visits per year.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card ($95 annual fee) – If you’re a business owner, this card offers 3x points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent each year on shipping, internet, phone, travel, and advertising on social media and search engines. It also offers free cards for employees.  

While cards with annual fees have better earning structures and travel benefits , if you’re new to the points and miles game, the idea of forking out for an annual fee might put you off from travel cards entirely. But if you love to travel (or want to travel more), not collecting points and miles is the biggest mistake you could make .

No-annual-fee cards are a great place to start so that you can begin to work towards free flights and hotel stays today, without having to think about whether you’re getting enough value out of the card to justify the annual fee.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products and companies I use. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are mine alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. This page does not include all card companies or all available card offers.

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Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards

When you travel a lot, whether that’s jetting across the country, sleeping in hotels or enjoying a relaxing weekend at a resort, travel credit cards can help you save money. Some cards offer points that allow you to reduce your travel expenses when buying at certain places while others give you the option of statement credits so you can pay for your travels anywhere you choose. What makes a travel card even better? When you don’t have to pay an annual fee.

• 1.   Best Overall: Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card

2. Best for Hotels and Resorts: Chase IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

• 3.  Best for Free Stays: Hotels.com® Rewards Visa® Credit Card
• See All 13 Items

The Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards:

• Best Overall: Chase Freedom Flex℠
• Best for Hotels and Resorts: IHG® One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
• Best for Free Stays: Hotels.com® Rewards Visa® Credit Card
• Best for Points: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
• Best for Business Miles: Capital One Spark Miles for Business
• Best for Hilton Bonus Points: Hilton Honors American Express Card
• Best for Delta Miles: Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

Benzinga researched the best no annual fee travel credit cards and found the offers listed below.

1.   Best Overall: Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card

If you’re looking for the best overall travel card with no annual fee, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card may be it. You also get a generous intro APR. Plus, this card allows you to earn generous points on almost everything you do, including travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, dining, drugstores and everything else you purchase using the card.

You can use all of your rewards to book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal where you will gain even more reward points on the money you spend there. Rewards include unlimited 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, unlimited 3% on U.S. restaurants, takeout and delivery, unlimited 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and unlimited 1% cash back on everything else.

• Flexible rewards options will make it far easier for you to adjust to the spending you must do, especially if you’re a business owner or manager
• The high bar of the rewards is higher than most competitors
• Booking through Chase is not effective for every cardholder or business

You will earn points when you make purchases using the Chase IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card and can use those points for any of the 16 hotel or resort brands that are a part of the Intercontinental Hotels Group, earning 17X points on all purchases when you stay at IHG Hotels and Resorts. If you are also an IHG Rewards member, you will get two times the points. In addition to no annual fees, you also won’t pay for foreign transactions when using this card.

Plus, a limited time offer! You can earn a 100,000 point bonus when you spend $2,000 in your first 3 months. Plus, earn up to $50 in statement credits on purchases at IHG Hotels and Resorts during the first 12 months from account opening.

• IHG is the largest hotel group in the world
• The portfolio points multiplier could be the only thing you need to save for future trips or effectively repay your business for travel
• Even though there’s no annual fee, you may find that there’s not a hotel where you can stay in every destination

3.   Best for Free Stays: Hotels.com® Rewards Visa® Credit Card

17.24%-25.24%

If the idea of collecting stamps every time you stay at a participating hotel excites you, this card could be for you. The program is simple: Spend $500 or more to collect a stamp, or stay at one of the eligible properties booked at Hotels.com to get a stamp. You can choose from 500,000 properties in more than 200 countries around the world. Once you have collected 10 stamps, you can use them to book a property via Hotels.com (a $110 value). Plus, you can get 2 reward nights worth $250 ($125 per night) when you spend $1,000 in your first 3 months. You can get another reward night worth $125 when you spend $4,000 in your first 6 months.

• Hotels.com gives you even more places where you might want to stay
• The free nights and easy point accrual can actually surprise you, even if you don’t travel or use the card all that much
• The stamp system might be confusing to some cardholders

4.   Best for Points: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

15.24% – 25.24% variable

You can earn unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on this card, and those points can be applied to many areas of travel. For instance, you can use the points for airlines, hotels, vacation rentals, baggage fees and dining, including takeout meals. There are no restrictions on the points you can earn, and they never expire. Unlike some other travel cards, this issuer does not have blackout periods or certain dates when you cannot book travel. You can use the card to redeem points on any travel website you choose, or if it’s easier, you can redeem them using a statement credit and pay for your travel that way.

• In spite of blackout dates, you can easily invest these rewards in the travel you prefer or need to take
• Because the card has unlimited points, you don’t need to worry about what you’re buying with this card
• Excluding the blackout dates, you may find that Bank of America doesn’t redeem with the partners that you prefer

5.   Best for Business Miles: Capital One Spark Miles for Business

26.24% variable; 32.24% variable for cash advances

If you travel for business, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business card offers no annual fee, up to a $100 travel statement credit for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and the option to redeem your rewards through Capital One’s travel site. With low fees and a powerful welcome bonus, you can prepare for any trip or save for one in the future.

• This card helps business owners or managers who travel often, especially if your business feels like it’s losing money on travel
• The welcome bonus and credit can help you get off on the right foot if you’re a small business owner
• It might not be helpful to need to redeem through Capital One’s site
• You might feel as though the welcome bonus isn’t large enough

6. Best for Hilton Bonus Points: Hilton Honors American Express Card

20.99% – 29.99% Variable | Hilton Honors American Express Card – Rates and Fees 29.99% variable for cash advances

If Hilton Hotels are your choice when it comes to overnight stays, this credit card could help you earn enough points for some free hotel rooms. You will earn 7X Hilton Bonus Points when you stay at Hilton hotels or resorts, 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations, or 3X points when you purchase anything else. Each area of spending has varying points associated with it, but the bottom line is that if you love Hilton, you can spend your way to free nights in the hotel.

• You can save for trips using this card and could even pair it with an airline card
• Because the points vary, it’s easy to decide what to buy with this card
• Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months you hold the card
• There may not be Hilton locations near where you prefer to stay, making this card ineffectual

7. Best for Delta Miles: Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

20.99% – 29.99% variable | Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card – Rates & Fees 29.99% variable for cash advances

If Delta is your preferred airline, you can earn Delta SkyMiles® by making purchases at Delta, in restaurants or for other purchases—2X miles on Delta purchases, 2X miles at restaurants worldwide, in the U.S. for takeout and delivery along with 1X miles on all other purchases. The purchases you make at Delta or in restaurants will earn double the amount of rewards as other purchases do. When you purchase food on a Delta flight, you will earn a 20% statement credit. Also, when you purchase your airline ticket at Delta.com and use the Pay With Miles option, you will get a discount on your ticket.

• Works well for someone who is already a frequent flyer with Delta
• Delta has hubs across America and flies routinely into some of the busiest airports in the world
• As with any airline card, Delta may not have the flights and time you’re looking for

How Do No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards Work?

Compared to a business credit card or travel cards that do charge an annual fee, no annual fee travel cards don’t offer as many perks. But if your intention is to get travel rewards on a budget and skip the annual fee, these cards may be right for you. For example, most no annual fee cards do not charge foreign transaction fees. That alone can save you a lot of money when you travel. This, however, does not take the interest rate into account.

And these cards offer points and miles that can really add up, depending on how much you spend. Every time you make a qualified purchase, whether that’s a flight, hotel stay, groceries, or gas (each card has different requirements), you will earn a point or a mile depending on the type of rewards card you have.

The points or miles will continue to accumulate as you make purchases with the card. Once you’ve earned enough to purchase a flight or a hotel, you use the card and make the purchase using the points or miles instead of cash. Some of the best cards give you the option of getting a statement credit and using that to purchase your travel-related items.

Who Can Get a Travel Credit Card With No Annual Fee?

Because these types of cards are reward based, you will need a higher credit score than you do with some other cards. To get a basic no annual fee travel credit card, you should have a minimum credit score of 670. If you want to get a business card, your business needs good credit, and a travel rewards card could take the place of a traditional business account. And if you want a travel card that offers premium perks and rewards, your credit score should be a minimum of 740.

That’s just one of the reasons why it’s important to understand your credit score before applying for a credit card .

Pros and Cons of Travel Credit Cards

When thinking about getting a travel card, there are some pros and cons that you should consider before applying for one. A credit card offer is nice, and cash back rewards can help pay down your balance, but there’s more to it than that.

Here are the pros of travel credit cards:

• Depending on the card you have, you may be able to rack up miles or points on purchases other than travel. Some card issuers allow you to earn points while purchasing everyday items such as gas and groceries.
• Some cards allow users to sign up for related rewards programs and earn double or triple rewards that go toward travel. For instance, a credit card issuer may give a certain amount of points for spending related to hotels, and if the user has a reward card with the hotel, they can earn even more points for the same purchase.
• Some card issuers give users the option of redeeming their points or miles as a statement credit. And if the rules require that travel purchases are made from certain partners, using a statement credit instead would allow you to purchase your tickets from any place you desire.
• Some travel cards come with perks that will enhance your travels. For example, you may get access to luxury airport lounges, discounts on flights or hotels or free travel insurance when you book your trip.
•  Many travel cards offer new customers sign-up bonuses that consist of miles or points. Depending on the card, you can rack up a good amount of them on day one.
• You may be able to use your points or miles for merchandise or gifts instead of travel. This can come in handy if you can’t travel but still want to use your rewards.
• Many travel rewards issuers partner with other travel-related businesses and allow card users to transfer their miles or points to them. For instance, if you want to use an airline outside of the card’s network, you may be able to transfer your miles to that airline.

Here are some of the cons of travel credit cards:

• Some cards require that you pay an annual fee. Typically, the cards that offer luxury perks such as airport lounge access charge these fees. On the other hand, you can get a no-annual fee travel card and still earn points and miles toward your travels.
• No annual fee travel cards don’t typically charge foreign transaction fees, but if you get a card that charges an annual fee, you’re likely to pay these fees. They can add up, making your trip more expensive.
• Many times, you will have to spend a certain amount of money in the first few months of owning your card to receive the sign-up bonus. Make sure you can spend that amount to make signing up for the card worth your while.
• Many issuers reserve certain dates where you cannot redeem your rewards, usually during peak travel seasons. Also, some issuers impose restrictions on how you can use your rewards. It’s important to understand any restrictions before applying for a travel credit card.
•  While many travel cards allow you to pay for things with your points other than travel expenses, doing so may reduce the value of your rewards. Be sure to check the value ratio before spending your points on something else.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What credit score do i need to get a no-annual-fee travel credit card.

To get a no-annual-fee travel card, your credit score should range from 670 to 739 if you want a basic card. If you want to apply for a premium card with more rewards, your score should be higher — at least 740.

Are there airline cards with no annual fee?

Yes, there are airline cards with no annual fee. For instance, in the list provided above, Delta Airlines partnered with American Express to provide a card that gives its users Delta airline miles. And there is no annual fee associated with that card.

How do I get free flights with a credit card?

To get free flights with a credit card, you will first need to apply for a credit card that offers miles as points. Then, as you make purchases on the card, the miles will add up. Once you reach the required number of miles for the flight you want to book, you can use the miles on your card to pay for the trip.

How much do I have to spend to get a free flight?

To get a free domestic flight, you would typically have to earn about 25,000 miles. How much you have to spend depends on your card’s rewards program. For instance, if you received two times rewards, you would have to spend $12,500. But if you earned seven times rewards, you would have to spend about $3,500. That’s why it’s important to understand the points system offered by each travel credit card before applying.

About Suzanne Kearns

Suzanne is an expert in the insurance, personal finance, real estate and retirement planning space.

17 best travel credit cards of September 2024

The best travel credit cards offer premium perks and benefits . Our team at The Points Guy curated a selection of the best travel credit cards for anyone from the occasional traveler to frequent flyer. We’ve chosen the top cards to earn rewards and save money.

Discover which travel credit card from our partners makes the best addition to your wallet.

Browse by card categories

Comparing the best travel cards, more details on the best travel credit cards, helpful tools.

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best for earning miles
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best for beginner travelers
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best for premium travel
• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for lounge access
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card : Best for occasional Delta flyers
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card : Best for no annual fee
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card : Best for Sky Club access
• American Express® Gold Card : Best for dining at restaurants
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card : Best for maximizing business purchases
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best for travel credits
• American Express® Business Gold Card : Best for flexible rewards earning
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for business travel
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card : Best for unlimited point earning
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card : Best for variety of bonus categories
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : Best for travel rewards beginners
• Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card : Best for Alaska Airlines miles
• American Express® Green Card : Best for Travelers who value Membership Rewards points
• Airport Lounge Access

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 2 miles per dollar 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, valued by TPG (not provided by the issuer) at $1,388
• 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.
• Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
• 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, vacation rentals 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 $120 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
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

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 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases, 2 points per dollar on all other travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
• Annual $50 Chase Travel Hotel Credit
• 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 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 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, 60,000 points are worth $750 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, 2027.
• Member FDIC

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, 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 and vacation rentals 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
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection

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. (enrollment required)
• 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 monthly 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 through American Express Travel using 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.
• $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 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 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, 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.
• See Rates & Fees

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.
• 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 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible 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 on your Card in a calendar 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 $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
• Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
• $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays 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.

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.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• 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
• 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
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

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.

• Up to $100 statement credit (increasing to $120 Oct. 1, 2024) for Global Entry every 4 years or $85 TSA PreCheck credit every 4.5 years (enrollment is required)
• 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 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club. 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. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.
• Receive four Delta Sky Club® One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly Delta so you can share the experience with family and friends.
• 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 round-trip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 for round-trip 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: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
• $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. 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.

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 (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar) 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 ,  and Five Guys, 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. Card must be added to Uber app to receive this benefit.  All this make it a very strong contender for all food purchases, which has become a popular spending category. Enrollment is required for select benefits. Read our full review of the Amex Gold .

• 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar) 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 amextravel.com.
• Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of account opening. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases (up to $100) within 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 on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
• Get the American Express® Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $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.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Dunkin' locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. 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, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
• Annual Fee is $325.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card's sign-up bonus is a generous offer for the card. 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 .

• 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.
• Perks including cellphone and purchase protection; extended warranty; trip cancellation/interruption insurance; trip delay reimbursement.
• Yearly cap on bonus categories.
• No travel perks.
• Subject to Chase's 5/24 rule on card applications.
• Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 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.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of our top premium travel cards. With a $300 travel credit, bonus points on dining and travel purchases and other benefits, you can get excellent value that far exceeds the annual fee on the card. Read our full  review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card .

• $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Access to Chase Travel hotel and airline travel partners.
• 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel, 10 points per dollar on Chase Dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 5 points per dollar on flights booked through the Chase Travel portal, 3 points per dollar on all other travel and dining, 1 point per dollar on everything else
• 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel directly through Chase Travel
• Steep initial $550 annual fee.
• May not make sense for people that don't travel frequently.
• $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, 60,000 points are worth $900 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®

American Express® Business Gold Card

The Amex Business Gold card is a solid choice for high-spending small businesses with the flexibility to earn 4 points per dollar in the two categories where you spend the most. The card is ideal for businesses who value simplicity above all. Read our full  review of the American Express Business Gold Card .

• You'll earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar in the top 2 spending categories each billing cycle (on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).
• Hefty $375 annual fee.
• There may be better options for small businesses who don't spend a lot.
• Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
• 0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 18.99% to 27.99% variable APR.*
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
• Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
• Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
• The Business Gold Card now comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and Limited Edition White Gold. White Gold design is only available while supplies last. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
• *Terms Apply

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 on 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, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• 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.
• $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 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.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey credit card offers healthy reward earning rates on top of uncapped point-earning meaning the sky's the limit — especially if you strategize and spend in popular categories.

• No foreign transaction fees
• Uncapped earning potential
• $50 annual statement credit
• Solid point earning rates in popular categories
• This card features an annual fee
• 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.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph card packs a punch for a no-annual-fee product, with an array of bonus categories plus solid perks and straightforward redemption options. Read our  full review of the Wells Fargo Autograph here .

• This card offers 3 points per dollar on various everyday purchases with no annual fee. It also comes with a 20,000-point welcome bonus and an introductory APR offer on purchases. Plus, you'll enjoy up to $600 in cellphone protection when you pay your monthly bill with the card. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Despite the lucrative earning structure, Wells Fargo doesn't offer any ways to maximize your redemptions — you're limited to fixed-value rewards like gift cards and statement credits.
• 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. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% 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.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is a great starter card thanks to its no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees when you travel internationally. Earning and redeeming is effortless, with no confusing bonus categories to keep track of and the ability to redeem your points for all of your travel needs. Read our  full review of the Bank of America Travel Rewards  card.

• 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases
• No annual fee
• Bank of America does not offer airline or hotel transfer partners like other banks such as American Express, Chase or Capital One.
• No travel and purchase protections.
• 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.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card

There’s a lot to love about the Alaska Airlines credit 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 you spend $6,000 or more on purchases 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 Airline credit card.

• Free checked bag for you and up to six guests on your reservation.
• Alaska discounts, including 20% back on in-flight purchases.
• Limited Time Online Offer—Buy One, Get One + 50,000 Bonus Miles!
• Buy one ticket, get one for just the taxes and fees ($0 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) and get 50,000 bonus miles 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.

American Express® Green Card * *The information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by ThePointsGuy.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

• Decent earning rates across popular spend categories
• Annual Clear Plus credit
• Annual LoungeBuddy credit
• $150 annual fee
• May not offer much value if you’re not a frequent traveler

The American Express® Green Card is packed with value for the frequent jet setter who will maximize the travel credits and related perks that come with it. In addition to earning valuable Amex Membership Rewards points on purchases such as transit, flights, hotels and vacation rentals, this card offers a nice starter stash of points in the form of an attainable welcome bonus.

With the Capital One Venture, you’re earning 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which makes it easy to rack up rewards without having to juggle different bonus categories or spending caps. And with flexible redemption options and a manageable annual fee, this card is an excellent choice if you’re looking to keep just one credit card in your wallet for all spending.

Those looking to earn flexible rewards should use the Capital One Venture card as it allows you to redeem miles for a fixed value or transfer the miles you earn to 15+ airline and hotel transfer partners , including Avianca, Etihad Airways, Turkish Airlines and Singapore Airlines.

“The Capital One Venture 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 content operations editor

Even if you’re a casual traveler, consider jumping to the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card  (see  rates and fees ). The card’s up to $300 annual credit for purchases made with Capital One Travel nearly covers the higher annual fee — and that’s not even considering the added perks you’ll enjoy.

You’ll earn a solid return on dining and travel (6% back and 4% back, respectively, based on TPG valuations ) on top of your generous sign-up bonus, and you also have access to some of the best travel protections offered by any travel rewards credit card.

We’ve long suggested the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card   as an excellent option for those who are new to earning travel rewards because it lets you earn valuable, transferable points  with strong bonus categories and a reasonable annual fee.

“The Chase Sapphire Preferred has remained a top card in my wallet for years. Between the consistently strong sign-up bonus, low annual fee and continual improvements that have been made over the years, it’s hard for any other mid-tier rewards card to compare. I love that I can earn bonus rewards on travel, dining, streaming and online grocery purchases — all with just one card. Plus, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are valuable and easy to use whether you’re new to points and miles or an expert.” — Madison Blancaflor , senior content operations editor

To add more luxury to your travel experience, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . Though it comes with a higher annual fee, you’ll enjoy Priority Pass lounge access plus a $300 annual travel credit.

At $395 per year (see rates and fees ), this premium card is cheaper than all of its competitors without sacrificing the breadth of valuable perks it includes. Cardholders will get unlimited visits to Capital One’s premium network of lounges and 1,300-plus Priority Pass lounges worldwide  and able to bring up to two guests for no additional charge.

For frequent travelers, the Capital One Venture X is a must-have and is well worth the $395 annual fee. If you travel frequently with your significant other, family or friends, you can even add some authorized users for no additional cost. This will grant them their own lounge access (and the ability to bring up to two guests for no fee), among many other benefits, making this a huge cost-saver for those who travel in groups.

“With an annual fee that is $300 less than The Platinum Card® from American Express (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 credit, which I use to book flights. That effectively brings the annual fee down to $95 per year (see rates and fees ). Cardholders enjoy a Priority Pass Select membership. Authorized users — you geta number of them at no cost — also enjoy their own Priority Pass Select membership. 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 — like auto maintenance, pharmacies and medical bills.” — Kyle Olsen , former points and miles reporter

Those turned off by the Venture X’s annual fee could opt for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , which has a $95 annual fee (see rates and fees ) and similar earning and redemption options.

The Amex Platinum is a stellar premium travel card that can provide amazing redemptions . Besides the welcome offer, it comes with more than $1,400 in credits each year and various lounge access options. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Anyone looking for luxury travel benefits will find that the ton of annual statement credits make the annual fee worth it. Plus, you’ll get unparalleled lounge access , automatic Gold status with Hilton and Marriott, and extra perks with Avis Preferred , Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and National Car Rental Emerald Club . Enrollment is required for select benefits.

“While 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 on this card to earn 5 points per dollar spent and trip protection insurance. I make sure to take full advantage of the Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hulu/Disney+ and Clear 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

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card  can be a great alternative to the Amex Platinum, with a notably lower annual fee, similar perks and a more rewarding earning rate on everyday purchases.

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 no-annual-fee Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (see  rates and fees ) has the same redemption options as its sibling card (the Venture Rewards 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 (see rates and fees ).

“I wanted a credit card that earns Capital One miles without an annual fee, and this is a winner (see rates and fees ). 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.

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.

The Amex Gold earns 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar), with no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ), meaning you’ll get an 8% return on purchases (based on TPG’s valuations ). While a few other cards temporarily offer higher return rates on dining, this is the best option for long-term spending, making it one of the best dining cards and best rewards cards .

Those looking for a great return on dining and purchases at U.S. supermarkets will get a lot of value from this card.

“I'm a huge foodie, especially when I travel, so I make sure to grab the dinner bill for all my friends in order to earn 4 points per dollar at restaurants every time (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar).” — Stanley Sanford , compliance manager

For those who dine out a lot and also want additional bonus categories and other valuable perks for a lower annual fee, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .

The Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 in combined travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services and advertising purchases made on social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. TPG’s most recent valuations peg the value of Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents apiece, so you’ll get a fantastic return of 6.2% on purchases in these categories.

If you spend a lot on business travel or social media advertising, you’ll be able to earn significant points using the Ink Business Preferred card .

“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 writer

If you don’t want to worry about maximizing specific purchases and are looking for a lower spending requirement to earn a sign-up bonus, consider the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card , which offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases and carries no annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with an annual $300 travel credit to offset a variety of expenses — such as airfare, hotels, rental cars, transit and more. You’re also getting an up-to-$100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit  once every four years along with Priority Pass Select membership. And Chase’s slate of transfer partners allows plenty of opportunity to get the maximum value from your points.

Those looking for elevated earning rates and extensive travel protections should have this card in their wallet. The 50% redemption bonus when you use your points to pay for travel through the Chase portal  is also a nice perk.

“I’ve had the Sapphire Reserve for years, and it’s going to stay in my wallet for the near future. I get $300 off travel every year along with great earning rates on travel and dining (3 points per dollar) and various trip protections that can reimburse me when things go wrong. And by leveraging other cards in the Ultimate Rewards ecosystem, I’m able to maximize the earnings across all of my purchases.” — Nick Ewen , director of content

If you just can’t stomach the Sapphire Reserve’s $550 annual fee, go for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card  instead. It has similar perks, redemption options and travel protections — for a much lower $95 per year.

The American Express Business Gold card comes packed with perks and benefits, but its most unique feature is the ability to shift your monthly billing cycle bonus categories. Cardholders will automatically earn 4 points per dollar in their top two spending categories each billing cycle on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar thereafter), so if your business spending varies month to month, you won’t have to commit to a bonus category.

The American Express Business Gold card is an excellent choice for business owners who are looking for a premium business card with premium business perks like monthly office supply statement credits, travel and shopping protection and access to The Hotel Collection.

The American Express Business Gold is an excellent choice for small businesses that have changing bonus categories but still want more premium business perks and benefits.

If you still want to earn Membership Rewards points without paying an annual fee, consider The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (see rates and fees ), which earns 2 Membership Rewards points on all business purchases (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).

There are certain ways to earn bonus points for spending on the Amex Business Platinum Card, but it’s the array of perks on the card that make it a great option. Beyond airport lounge access and automatic hotel elite status, there are a number of statement credits that are specifically targeted to common business expenses.

If you travel for business frequently, this card could help you upgrade your experience in the air and on the ground while saving you money on select business-related services. And the current welcome bonus is just the icing on the cake.

“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, 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

For less-frequent travelers, consider the American Express®  Business Gold Card , which offers 4 points per dollar spent on your top two spending categories each billing cycle on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar thereafter).

The Autograph Journey offers cardholders the chance to earn elevated rates across travel categories including 5 points per dollar spent on hotels, 4 points per dollar on airline purchases and 3 points per dollar on restaurants and 'other travel' which includes timeshares, car rentals, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites and campgrounds. On top of this, cardholders also get the added benefit of earning a flat rate of 1 point per dollar on other purchases for a $95 annual fee.

If you travel frequently and are looking for a card to help you rack up points you can redeem for future travel, this card is a decent option. Additionally, those looking for a way to fill gaps in their points earning strategy will benefit from the flat 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases outside of the main travel categories.

Another great perk the Autograph Journey features is an annual $50 statement credit triggered by an airline purchase of at least $50. This is on top of elevated earning rates in the certain travel categories and a solid welcome offer for new applicants. There's also no foreign transaction fees on the Autograph Journey card making it a good first travel card as well as a decent supplemental card to add to your travel credit card roster.

If you're looking for a more general use credit card with no annual fee, consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see  rates and fees ). It earns a flat rate of 2% cash rewards on purchases making an excellent choice to help fill gaps in your reward earning strategy. The best part? Like the Autograph Journey card, the Active Cash Card doesn't put a cap on the amount of cash back you can earn.

The Wells Fargo Autograph is a great no-annual-fee card that offers quality earning categories and travel and shopping protection.

Travel card beginners who are looking to get into points earning should consider the Wells Fargo Autograph, which offers a welcome bonus, 3 points per dollar on a variety of everyday spending categories and cellphone protection.

If you’re just getting into the travel credit card world and are not sure travel cards are for you, consider the Wells Fargo Autograph, which will allow you to earn bonus points on travel spending without the commitment of an annual fee.

If you’re looking to earn transferable reward points but still maintain a similar earning structure, consider the Bilt Mastercard® (see rates and fees ). The card earns 3 points per dollar on dining and 2 points per dollar on travel purchases for no annual fee. Plus, Bilt points can be transferred to any of its multiple travel partners. 

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card operates similarly to the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . You’re earning flat-rate rewards across all spending, and then you can use those rewards as a statement credit to cover eligible travel purchases.

It’s perfect for low-budget beginner travelers  who want a card with no annual fee and a simple way to earn and redeem points.

“I’m happy earning 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases on a card without an annual fee. I can’t pay for everything in life with transferable points, and it’s nice to have a card with fixed-value points for those situations. I use this card for travel purchases where I need to pay in cash, then I can reimburse myself with the points.” — Ryan Smith , former credit cards writer

If you’re interested in a card with transferable miles that still has no annual fee (see  rates and fees ), consider the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card .

The Alaska Airlines Visa earns 3 miles per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases; 2 miles per dollar on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services and transit (including local ride share purchases); and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. You get a free checked bag on Alaska flights for you and up to six guests on your reservation, an annual Companion Fare on your account anniversary and 20% back on all inflight purchases.

Whether you live on the West Coast or not, the Alaska Airlines Visa is a good cobranded airline card to consider adding to your wallet. The Seattle-based airline is mostly limited to North American routes, but international destinations through Oneworld partners make this card valuable for all travelers.

“With new benefits, this card is even more valuable to me — even with its higher annual fee. 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

If you’re not looking to collect airline-specific miles, a general travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card might be a better option.

The Amex Green Card is straightforward and easy to use. It earns 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide — which is great, especially because this card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees — and 3 points per dollar spent on various modes of transit, including trains, ferries and buses, plus tolls you may encounter during your travels. On top of these earning healthy earning rates, the Amex Green Card also earns 1 Membership Reward point per dollar spent on other eligible purchases.

*The information for the Amex Green 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.

This card is designed for travelers who want airport lounge access without having to pay a sky-high annual fee on a more premium card. It’s also a great fit for people who often spend in the high-earning bonus categories (restaurants, transit and travel).

If you like airport lounge access but don’t want to pay a super premium fee for a card with access to exclusive lounges. the annual LoungeBuddy credit that comes with this card will serve you well.

If you’re looking for a travel card with several perks and a sub-$100 annual fee, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. This card earns valuable and transferable Ultimate Rewards points you can use to book flights and hotel stays with several transfer partners. The Sapphire Preferred also features healthy earning rates across popular categories, including dining, select streaming services and travel booked via Chase Travel℠ to name a few.

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What are travel credit cards, and how do they work?

What is a travel credit card.

Travel rewards credit cards earn points, miles or cash back that can be redeemed toward travel expenses. They also have many perks and rewards geared toward travelers. If you have the right card (or cards) in your wallet, the sky is the limit on where your travels can take you — literally.

Are you new to travel rewards? Check out our beginner’s guide to all things points and miles . You’ll learn about top loyalty programs, how to maximize your credit card strategy to reach your travel goals and so much more.

Related: The complete history of credit cards, from antiquity to today

We have researched various types of travel credit cards to help you figure out which one is best for you.

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel credit cards offer rewards on different purchases, which can help you book flights, hotels and more with little to no out-of-pocket expenses.

Some cards also provide valuable perks and benefits that upgrade the overall travel experience — from Global Entry application fee credits to lounge access to complimentary elite status . 

Related: How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value

Types of travel credit cards

Typically, when talking about travel credit cards, we are referring to transfer rewards credit cards, airline credit cards and hotel credit cards. There are additional types of travel credit cards that are less popular but can still be a good option for the right traveler. Luckily, there are many types of travel credit cards which means there is a good option for any traveler.

Transferable rewards credit cards earn points and miles that can be redeemed through a card’s rewards program directly or by transferring them to a travel partner . Many of our best travel credit cards fall under this category because they are the most valuable type of points you can earn. Transferable rewards give you the flexibility to redeem your rewards in a way that will be most beneficial to you. Examples of top transferable rewards cards are the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express .

Airline cobranded cards earn a specific type of airline miles. These cards also generally come with perks specific to that airline. For example, an airline card may offer free checked bags , a certain number of elite-qualifying miles to help you reach status, priority boarding privileges, inflight discounts and more.

Hotel cobranded cards work like airline cards. You’ll earn rewards that are redeemable for a particular hotel program, such as Hilton or Marriott. Hotel cards come with their own benefits, such as complimentary elite status or free award-night stays. In addition, hotel cards can help you stack your earnings on hotel stays with the hotel’s program.

For example, if you have a Marriott credit card , you’ll earn bonus points for every dollar spent at participating Marriott properties on top of the 10 base points you get as a member of the Bonvoy program. This can really amplify the rewards you can earn when you use your hotel card to pay for your booking.

The points and miles world can be confusing for new credit card users but it doesn’t have to be. While transferable rewards cards are arguably the best way to earn points and miles for travel, they can also be incredibly confusing. Fixed-value credit cards and cash-back credit cards are good alternatives for beginners who are looking to get into the travel credit card world.

Fixed-value cards earn points or miles that are always redeemed for the same value. For example, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card earns points worth 1 cent each. These cards are great for beginners who haven’t quite gotten the hang of maximizing transferable points or casual travelers who are looking for their first travel credit card . Fixed-value credit cards are often the best travel credit cards for beginners. 

As more hotels and airlines move to a dynamic pricing model where award pricing shifts dramatically, fixed-value rewards programs are becoming more popular.

Another great credit card option for casual travelers or credit card beginners is cash-back credit cards. You don’t have to worry about points, transfer partners or maximizing your rewards with these cards. Cash-back cards provide a percentage of cash back on your spending and provide a simple way to save on your upcoming travels. 

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees ) is a great option for beginners to travel rewards. It earns unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and has no annual fee.

Travel vs cash back credit cards

A travel credit card is a card that is geared toward travel spending. A cash-back credit card is a card that earns cash back on purchases made with the card.

Generally, when we are talking about travel credit cards, we refer to cards that earn points, such as transferable points earned with The Platinum Card® from American Express or Hilton points earned with Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card. These cards do not earn cash back on any purchases.

Cash back cards generally offer cash back as a flat rate or feature bonus categories that earn an elevated cash back rate. Select cash-back cards can also be a great travel card, such as the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, which offers 3% cash back on transit, including rideshare, trains, buses, and more (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout).

The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire 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. 

Pros + cons of travel credit cards

• Using credit cards responsibly can help build your credit score
• Travel credit cards can earn cash back, points or miles on every dollar you spend
• Travel credit cards can provide purchase, theft and fraud protection
• Travel credit cards provide perks like travel insurance, complimentary hotel stays and more
• Credit cards can encourage overspending
• Carrying a balance and using your card irresponsibly can damage your credit score
• The cost of borrowing on credit cards is higher than traditional loans
• Having too many card applications can negatively affect your credit score
• Travel credit cards may be too complicated (or expensive) for those who aren’t frequent travelers

How to choose the best travel credit card

• 1 Sign-up bonus Choosing a card with a healthy sign-up bonus will help jumpstart the possibility of unlocking elite status across different areas, including airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• 2 Annual fee Premium travel credit cards typically feature higher annual fees. Double-check that the card you choose suits your spending habits and travel needs before applying.
• 3 Bonus categories It also helps to check which bonus categories a card offers to ensure that they align with your spending, whether it’s at restaurants, at grocery stores or on streaming subscriptions.

What TPG readers have to say about their favorite travel credit cards

Fan favorites among top travel credit cards include those that earn both points and miles. In addition to helping offset the cost of travel — whether it’s for rental cars, hotel stays or flights — some TPG readers love that travel cards also offer travel insurance (including protections for things like delayed or lost baggage). We asked our readers which credit card has made the biggest impact when they travel and why — here are their responses.

Note: Reader-submitted responses have not been edited, reviewed or approved by the issuers nor reflect TPG’s opinions of these cards.

“Allowed me to justify staying at nicer hotels and just overall leveling up with how I travel.” — Jackie C via Facebook  

“ Venture X for me - lounge access and my first long haul biz [sic] class flight on points! Changing my travel game for the better!” — Lauren R via Facebook

“Can't beat the flexibility of the $300 travel credit from the Chase Sapphire Reserve .” — Armando S via Facebook

Ask our experts

What's your favorite travel credit card — and why.

Credit pointers with Brian Kelly

How to maximize travel credit cards

Earn the welcome bonus.

One of the best ways to maximize your travel credit cards is to earn the welcome bonus , which allows cardmembers to earn points or miles that would otherwise require a very high spend. If offered, a welcome bonus can be a crucial part of a card’s value. Before you apply for your next travel card, be sure to plan for how you will meet the spending requirement. 

Use a travel card that matches your travel style

There is a travel credit card for everyone, but not every travel card is the best fit for your wallet . Consider what type of traveler you are, whether you have any brand loyalty and what perks you are looking for from your next credit card.

If you travel often and in luxury, consider cards that are loaded with tons of luxury perks like lounge access and automatic elite status .

Alternatively, if you’re a more thrifty traveler who likes to maximize your travel earnings, consider a mid-tier travel card that will allow you to earn points on your travel without a long list of luxury perks. They’re often much more cost-effective for a traveler on a budget .

Even beginners don’t have to veer away from travel cards since many products out there offer an introduction to the travel rewards world without incurring an annual fee.

Also, consider if you'll be taking a lot of international travel or if you'll be away for longer, as there are certain credit cards best for long-term travelers .

Use loyalty programs to stack your rewards

You don’t have to limit your earnings to just travel credit cards . Many airlines and hotel chains have loyalty programs that can be used in conjunction with your travel card to unlock added perks when doing business with a specific brand. In addition, many travel credit cards allow you to transfer points from your card to your eligible loyalty programs . This can open up nearly endless redemption options, including award chart sweet spots that can get you the most maximized redemptions for your points and miles.

Transferable points credit cards earn points or miles when you make a purchase on the cards. These points and miles can then be transferred to travel partners for rewards like flights, hotel stays and more. Different cards will have different currencies, but they are generally called either “points” or “miles” (depending on the issuer). All transferable reward credit cards, airline credit cards and hotel credit cards will have their own currency that is redeemable for travel rewards. 

Travel cards have varying rates for different purchase categories. For example, the American Express® Gold Card card earns 4 points per dollar spent on restaurants (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar) but only 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or Amextravel.com. While the Amex Platinum may be a better card for travel as it earns 5 points per dollar spent on flights (booked directly with airline or Amex Travel and up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), the Amex Gold can be a good addition for Platinum holders who spend a lot of money on dining out.

Related: How to redeem American Express Membership Rewards for maximum value

Once you’ve decided on a travel credit card and earned a welcome bonus, it’s time to put those points or miles toward free travel. There are many ways to redeem your rewards with travel credit cards. Many cards feature an online booking portal through which you can use your rewards to book things like flights, hotels and car rentals. Before booking your flight, you should consider doing a  flight portal comparison to ensure you're getting the best redemption. Others allow you to transfer your points or miles to individual loyalty programs. Depending on the redemption, this could unlock even more value.

There are plenty of ways to ensure you don’t make mistakes with your travel rewards . For instance, be sure you do your research with your rewards to get a high-value redemption and make sure your accounts are in good standing so you don’t risk losing them.  

Related: Tips and tricks to get maximum value from your Capital One miles

It’s up to you to decide whether a specific trip is worth spending your rewards. You can use TPG’s monthly valuations to help you determine if the price of your flight or hotel room is worth your points and miles. Some travels are more affordable in cash, but you can always save your points to splurge on a business-class flight to Europe or an overwater bungalow at a luxury resort. 

In the world of travel credit cards, the four major players are American Express, Capital One, Chase and Citi. These issuers also have their own travel portals which can be used to earn and redeem points for travel. 

Some issuers, like Capital One and Chase , offer an incentive to book travel through the bank’s portal but it is not always worth booking through a portal. 

We do not recommend booking hotel travel through card portals as it typically does not honor elite-status benefits or elite-qualifying stay credits. 

Luckily, flights typically allow you to earn bonus points through a card issuer’s portal and with the airline. Keep in mind that this does not apply to all cards. When purchasing in cash, there generally is little variance in booking through a portal or on the airline’s website so if your travel credit card offers incentives to book through the portal , it can be a great way to earn extra points. 

Related: Ultimate guide to the Citi travel portal

Points and miles redemptions will have a fair variance, especially if there are incentives to book through the travel portals. Overall, travel portals can be a great addition to your points redemption journey if properly used. Always remember to compare the price or redemption value of booking through a portal or directly with an airline. 

Booking through a portal may make matters complicated if you ever need to change or cancel your flight. 

Related: Battle of the credit card travel portals: Which is the best for booking flights?

Travel credit card benefits

Some travel cards offer automatic elite status with various programs when you sign up and can also accelerate the journey to elite airline status by converting points to air miles. If you are loyal to a particular hotel brand, status with that brand will be valuable. You’ll be entitled to room upgrades, resort credits, early check-in, late checkout and more. If you’re not loyal, it won’t. The same goes for elite status with an airline — you’ll get lounge access, upgrades, increased baggage allowance, etc. When comparing the perks of various cards like elite status, be realistic about which ones you will and won’t use.

One of the coveted perks of premium travel credit cards is complimentary airport lounge access. Many premium travel credit cards come with Priority Pass lounge access , a membership that allows access to airport lounges across the world. These lounges are a great place to relax before your flight or have a snack during a long layover. Amenities will vary between lounges but most lounges provide wifi, private seating and refreshments. Be sure to check the priority pass guest policy as many lounges allow you to bring a complimentary guest (or guests).

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are both expedited screening programs for travelers. TSA PreCheck is reserved for expedited security screening for domestic flights and Global Entry provides expedited customs screening for international travelers when entering the United States. 

The application fee for TSA PreCheck is up to $85 and $100 for Global Entry. If you are approved for the program, the membership is valid for 5 years. Many travel credit cards will offer statement credit for the application . 

How we rate cards

Frequently asked questions.

Generally speaking, you need at least a very good credit score in order to get many popular travel credit cards. According to FICO, the scoring model used by most lenders, this is a score of at least 740. However, there’s no hard-and-fast rule, as each individual credit card issuer looks at a variety of factors in addition to your credit score when deciding whether to approve or decline your application.

Thankfully, there are a number of ways to check your credit score for free , so you can get an idea of where you stand before wasting an application (and a hard inquiry on your credit report) for a card for which you’re unlikely to qualify.

Points and miles are simply two different ways to describe the same thing: the rewards you earn on a credit card. As an example, many popular Capital One credit cards earn miles, whereas cards that participate in Chase Ultimate Rewards accrue points. There’s no appreciable difference between the two words.

This gets a little more complicated when you begin discussing cash-back credit cards. Some of these show earnings with a dollar amount, while others show cash-back rewards in points. However, here too there’s no significant difference. It’s simply how the card issuer chooses to describe the rewards you’re earning.

It depends entirely on your typical travel habits. Many popular travel credit cards feature rewards, benefits and redemption options that only come into play when you’re actually on the road. This includes perks like airport lounge access,  rental car insurance  or statement credits for certain travel purchases. Ultimately, you should look at how much value you expect to get out of a given travel card in one year. Then, compare that to the card’s annual fee to make sure you’re getting at least that much value.

It depends. Generally speaking, you should aim to use your rewards from travel credit cards for travel-related purchases – like flights or hotel rooms. However, everyone has a different version of what “value” looks like here. Some travelers are perfectly content redeeming 25,000 miles for a $250 economy flight. Others would rather save up and use 100,000 miles for a $5,000 business-class ticket. The important thing is to avoid redemptions like gift cards or merchandise, since those typically offer poor value for your points and miles.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to determine whether you want to keep cash in your pocket by using rewards for a particular purchase instead.

Many of the luxury travel cards on this list offer hundreds of dollars in annual travel statement credits. However, not all annual travel statements are created equal. While some cards feature easy redemptions, other cards feature redemptions that come with more restrictions. 

Out of the various cards that offer annual travel credits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® has the easiest redemption process for travel credits . The Chase Sapphire Reserve's travel credit covers a broad selection of charges, including flights, hotels, campgrounds and more. Additionally, the travel does not have to be booked through Chase’s travel portal, and the statement credit will automatically post when you make an eligible purchase. 

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