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24 Best Travel Websites to Find Deals and Save You Money

Use our guide to the best travel websites and find discounts and deals so you can vacation without breaking the bank.

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Whether you’re looking for a cheap last-minute vacation or planning to go home for the holidays, you’ll want to know the best travel websites to use. And if you’re tired of wondering which sites are best for each part of your trip planning, we’ve got you covered. 

Here are some of the best travel sites we’ve found to help you bag bargains on airfares, lodging, car rentals and all your other travel needs. Best of all, almost all of the travel websites are free to use. Bon voyage! 

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Best websites to save on airfare

Keeping up with airfare prices has gotten easier thanks to sites like Google Flights and Kayak . To use them, just type in your home and destination airport, pick the flights that work best for you and then set an alert to track the price. For example, Google Flights will send you an e-mail showing if your tracked flight went up or down in price. Both sites also let you see which days are cheaper to fly in that month. Airfarewatchdog also lets you search flight deals.

If you haven’t decided on where exactly you want to go,  sign up for Going (formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights.) Their newsletter comes straight to your inbox with deals on domestic and international locations. Or you can follow Twitter handles such as @TheFlightDeal for flights, too.

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Best websites for flight information

Once your flight is booked, you’ll want to keep tabs on gate changes, layover information and more. FlightStats.com can help you plan a smooth trip by advising you on the best time of day to fly from a specific airport and which terminals to avoid when connecting flights. You can also view live updates of flight delays and sign up for free e-mail and phone alerts. Flightaware.com also tracks and predicts flight delays.

If you’re delayed by weather or some unforeseen event, it pays to act quickly. The TripIt Pro smartphone app ($49/year) will send you alerts about cancellations, delays or gate changes, sometimes even ahead of an airline announcement. Use it to locate alternate flights, find out when better seats are available, get fare refund notifications, track your rewards program points, and more.

Best websites to save on hotels

Hotels.com lets you search just one site for accommodations at hundreds of thousands of properties. Plus, its rewards program is simple: For every ten nights you spend at any combination of the program’s 500,000 member properties, you’ll earn a free night’s stay. As a member, you also unlock an average discount of 15% on select hotels. 

Similarly, HotelTonight is an app that lets users book hotels at low last-minute rates. Priceline Express Deals helps you find the best bargains, but there’s a catch. Priceline doesn’t tell you which hotel you’re booking until after you pay.

And try TripAdvisor.com for a detailed list of rated hotels (and excursions) that are close to your destination. The site links you to partner sites, such as Expedia and Travelocity for fulfillment. Click on the "check rates" button and select the site or sites you’d like to try — a new window with results will open for each partner.

Best websites to save on vacation rentals

Vacation rentals are an especially good value for groups because they generally offer more space and amenities for prices similar to or less than hotel rates, particularly if you look at it on a per-bed basis. Check out VRBO and Airbnb to find the perfect experience. For Marriott loyalists, Marriott Bonvoy lets you browse its 30-brand portfolio — which includes more than 2,000 private homes.

At the other end of the scale, if you don’t mind college-dorm-level amenities, check out Hostelworld.com , as a way to save money on vacation rental properties . The site lists 36,000 properties in 178 countries around the globe and includes reviews.

Best websites for cruises and vacation packages

At CruiseCompete.com , more than 500 travel agencies vie to give you the lowest prices for dates, ports and ships you specify, whether you’re booking well in advance or at the eleventh hour. You set up a CruiseCompete account, and they send you their best offers without ever seeing your personal information.

Kayak.com and Tripadvisor.com will also knit together vacation packages for you. Just type in your destination and travel dates to get the best prices.

Best websites to save on rental cars

Hotwire often offers the best-published deals on cars by collecting rates from its eight rental car company partners, including Alamo, Enterprise and Hertz. The site also offers "hot rates" from rental companies that aren't identified until after you’ve paid.

And while Hotwire does offer some good prepaid rental car deals, in certain international cities for the best overseas auto deals you should check out AutoEurope . It offers rentals at more than 20,000 locations worldwide, and customer service is available 24/7.

AutoSlash is also a good site to find rental deals, as it will apply the best coupons and discount codes to your rental and re-book your reservation if the system finds a better deal.

Best websites to save on international train tickets

Trains are often the fastest and cheapest way to travel within and between European countries. Our favorite for checking timetables and booking tickets on European train lines is RailEurope . But you might be able to catch better deals directly from European railways’ sites if you don’t get lost in translation — and make sure you have what you need to travel to Europe as an American!

Best websites for travel insurance

You never know when an emergency situation will spoil your travel plans. That's what travel insurance is for. But don't just go for the default options from agencies and travel providers. At Squaremouth , you can compare plans and prices from multiple insurance providers with just one search and narrow your search results by specifying the kind of coverage you need. Another option is InsureMyTrip.com .

Rivan joined Kiplinger on Leap Day 2016 as a reporter for Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. A Michigan native, she graduated from the University of Michigan in 2014 and from there freelanced as a local copy editor and proofreader, and served as a research assistant to a local Detroit journalist. Her work has been featured in the Ann Arbor Observer and Sage Business Researcher . She is currently assistant editor, personal finance at The Washington Post.

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The 8 Best Travel Package Sites for Booking a Cheap Vacation

Sarah Schlichter

Deputy Executive Editor Sarah Schlichter's idea of a perfect trip includes spotting exotic animals, hiking through pristine landscapes, exploring new neighborhoods on foot, and soaking up as much art as she can. She often attempts to recreate recipes from her international travels after she gets home (which has twice resulted in accidental kitchen fires—no humans or animals were harmed).

Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com. Sarah's practical travel advice has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Budget Travel, and Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A journal. Even years later, reading my notes from a trip can bring back incredibly vivid memories."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Road tripping and hiking through the rugged mountains of Patagonia."

Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.'—Freya Stark"

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle. I get restless on long flights and like to be able to move around without disturbing anyone else."

Email Sarah at [email protected] .

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Booking a flight, hotel, and rental car together doesn’t just save you time—it can often save you money, too. But before you make such a significant purchase, it’s important to find the best travel package sites for booking your vacation.

I tested more than a dozen vacation package sites to see which ones had the lowest prices and best user experience. I discovered that many of the best vacation package websites allow you to book any combination of flight, hotel, and rental car, while others are more limited (flight + hotel is often the default). Fortunately, some sites will let you add a car onto a hotel+flight package, even if a car isn’t listed on the initial booking page.

It’s also important to compare the price of a vacation booked as a bundle to that same trip booked a la carte as separate components. Booking a package isn’t always cheaper, and sometimes you’ll get  better flight options to choose from if you search for your airfare separately. In some searches, I discovered that the flight options included by default with my vacation package had ridiculously long layovers or undesirable departure times (4:30 a.m., anyone?).

The Best Car Rental Booking Sites

Keep a sharp eye out for resort fees; many of the best vacation booking sites don’t count them in their initial per-person price estimate because they’re collected separately by the hotel, but they can drive up the final cost of your trip. Similarly, optional airline baggage fees can also increase your total bill, especially if you book a flight in basic economy, and some vacation package sites don’t disclose these fees as clearly as others.

Finally, it’s important to know that many of the best sites for vacation packages are owned by the same parent company, so you’ll often find similar inventory and prices from one to the next. Knowing which sites are mostly interchangeable can save you some research time.

The Best Travel Package Sites

We put them to the test to compare prices, inclusions, and more. The following are the best websites to book vacations, listed in no particular order. Scroll down for more in-depth analysis of each one.

• Expedia’s sister sites: Travelocity , Orbitz , and CheapTickets

CheapCaribbean.com

Funjet vacations.

This well-known site is one of the best travel package sites for a reason. Expedia offers a full complement of bundle options (flight/hotel, flight/car, hotel/car, and flight/hotel/car) as well as trips to just about every corner of the globe. It’s reliable when it comes to pricing, too: Expedia offered the lowest price in two of my five tests, and was cheaper than average in all but one test booking.

That said, the amount the site said I was saving on a given package didn’t always match up to the actual price difference when I added up the cost of the trip’s individual elements. In one of my test cases, it was actually cheaper to book my flight, hotel, and car separately. So take those supposed savings with a grain of salt (or even better, price out the components separately on your own to be sure you’re getting the best deal).

Expedia has plenty of useful filters to help you find what you need. You can sort hotels by price, distance from a city’s downtown, guest rating, package discount, and property class, while flight options can be filtered by general departure and arrival times (for example, morning vs. evening), airline, whether carry-on bags are included, and more. You can also sort flight options by duration (longest or shortest), price (highest or lowest), departure time (earliest or latest), and arrival time (earliest or latest). There’s also a map view so you can check out the location of each hotel.

Best Feature: The breadth of choice and consistency of pricing make Expedia perhaps the best site for vacation packages. You may not always get the absolute lowest price here, but chances are you’ll pay a fair rate and have plenty of options to choose from.

Check out Expedia

How Far in Advance Should You Book a Vacation Home?

Expedia’s Sister Sites: Travelocity, Orbitz, and CheapTickets

Many travelers don’t realize that Travelocity , Orbitz , and CheapTickets are all owned by Expedia Group, and typically have very similar inventory and pricing to Expedia. Each of these sites has similar layouts and filter options, too. Like Expedia, these three sites offer every possible vacation package combination involving a flight, hotel, and/or rental car.

It was rare for any of these sites to beat out Expedia’s prices in my tests; in general, the rates were identical (especially on Travelocity, where I didn’t find any deviations from Expedia) or a little bit higher. However, Orbitz and CheapTickets did offer slightly cheaper packages on one flight/car itinerary.

Because the pricing is so similar, it’s probably not worth searching all three of these sites in addition to Expedia unless a difference of a few dollars will make or break your travel budget.

Best Feature: Travelocity, Orbitz, and CheapTickets offer a checkbox on their main booking page to specify “I only need accommodations for part of my trip”—a feature that allows user to select a subset of their trip dates and search for travel packages only within that period. This feature is also reflected on Expedia’s search page.

Note: Expedia Group also owns Hotwire , which I didn’t find quite as reliable as the other three in my tests. For one itinerary, a nonstop flight that the other sites offered was not available when booking a Hotwire package (though it was available when booking a separate flight on Hotwire), and the pricing on some searches was a little higher than on the other sites.

Check out Expedia’s sister sites below:

Like Expedia and its partners, Priceline also offers every possible combination of flight, hotel, and rental car. Its search results pages are easy to navigate, with plenty of filter and sort options, plus a map view for hotels. Priceline offers numerous hotel options in popular vacation destinations at every price point.

One quirk to prepare for: Priceline’s flight result page lists departure and return flights together as a pair rather than letting you choose each one separately. This cuts down on the number of screens you have to click through but could mean extra scrolling while you try to find the exact two flights you want. Not all flights that are available when booking airfare separately on Priceline seem to be accessible to those booking a package—so it’s worth checking both.

Priceline was in the middle of the pack as far as pricing was concerned. It won one of my tests but was the most expensive option in two others; overall, it offered cheaper-than-average prices 60 percent of the time. To help you save money, the site offers “Express Deals” for rental cars, an opaque option in which you don’t know which rental car brand you’ll get until after you’ve booked. If you’d rather choose which company you’re renting from, standard car rentals are also available.

Best feature: Once you’ve selected your flight and rental car preferences, the site will keep them the same as you click through alternate hotel possibilities—saving you the hassle of having to select them over and over again.

Check out Priceline

What Happens If You Don’t Turn Your Phone to Airplane Mode?

As its name suggests, CheapCaribbean.com has a more limited scope than other sites on this list, but it’s worth checking if you’re planning a trip to the Caribbean, where package trips such as honeymoons are particularly popular. The site turned up cheaper-than-average prices for both of my Caribbean tests.

CheapCaribbean.com is one of the best vacation websites for all-inclusive packages. Once you’ve entered your trip information, you can also filter your results by “adults only,” “children’s amenities,” and “luxury.” Each hotel-specific page includes a list of active promotions, on-site activities, and the property’s Tripadvisor Traveler Rating.

In some ways CheapCaribbean.com isn’t quite as sophisticated as other travel package sites. There’s no map available to compare locations of the listed hotel options. Also annoying: not being able to group Houston’s two airports into a single search, though you can select “all airports” for New York City and Washington, D.C. But the affordable deals are worth a few snags, as long as you’re only looking for a flight/hotel package—there’s no option to add a car or create any other package combinations, though you can add travel insurance and transfers, at least for the destinations I checked.

Best Feature: The “ Deals of Fortune ,” or bookings where you know the destination but not the exact resort until about a week before the trip. This is a fun feature for value-conscious travelers who aren’t set on a particular island or property.

Check out Cheapcaribbean.com

A popular meta-search site, Kayak saves travelers time by searching many of the best travel package sites with a single click. Unfortunately, you can’t specify which elements of your trip you’d like to bundle; it searches flight + hotel by default. You can add a car later on some of its partner sites, but if you’re looking for a flight/car package, you’ll have to go elsewhere.

Results list the cheapest available packages from sites such as Priceline (Kayak’s sister company), Expedia, and CheapCaribbean.com. There’s a map view available, and the results page shows both air- and hotel-related filters to make it easy to find nonstop flights, free breakfast, or a specific hotel.

I found that the prices listed on Kayak didn’t always match the price on the source site when I clicked over to find the deal—a fairly common problem with meta-search sites. But I also occasionally discovered that I got a different price after clicking from Kayak than I did when searching the same itinerary from the booking site’s home page. For example, a Las Vegas package was $819 per person on Priceline when I clicked over from Kayak, but just $783 when I booked the same package from the Priceline home page. Another test offered the opposite result, with the price being cheaper after clicking from Kayak than it was when booking directly on Priceline. The lesson: Test both options when using a meta-search site.

Best Feature: Being able to search some of the best vacation booking sites in a single place is a major time saver. Though Kayak doesn’t always find you the lowest possible price, it’s a good place to start your search and get an idea of what’s out there.

Check out Kayak

The Essential Caribbean Packing List

The Funjet home page gives you a single package option: flight/hotel. However, you can work around this by adding a rental car on at the end of a flight/hotel or individual flight booking. There are plenty of sort options for your results, including price, hotel name, rating, points of interest, and location.

One annoyance: Similarly to CheapCarribbean.com, there is no option to select “all airports” for certain cities like Houston or Chicago. And Funjet’s prices aren’t the most consistent, ranking as the cheapest in one test and the most expensive in another. Still, the site is worth comparing to others when booking your vacation.

Best Feature: Rather than making you scour the web for coupons, Funjet automatically applies any relevant promo codes to your search.

Note: If you’re headed to the Caribbean, Central or South America, Hawaii, or Mexico, try your search on Funjet’s sister site, Apple Vacations . The destinations it covers are more limited than Funjet’s, but I found that the prices were often a little better. CheapCaribbean.com is also owned by the same parent company, Apple Leisure Group.

Check out Funjet

Book Your Stay With SmarterTravel Hotels

If you’re ready to book your next adventure but don’t want to commit to a prepackaged bundle, you can still save big by booking your hotel stay with SmarterTravel Hotels.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Follow Sarah Schlichter on Twitter @TravelEditor for more travel tips and inspiration.

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We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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35 BEST Travel Deal Sites [2024]: Flight, Hotel & Tour Deals

* This article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you.

Short on time? My top two picks for the best bargain travel sites to find cheap deals are Hotels.com and Going .

Our ultimate list of the best travel deal sites to make sure your money is well spent when planning your next trip.

It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling for one week or one year; everyone wants to have their money go as far as possible. 

You can achieve this by finding cheap flights, reasonable prices on car rentals, and other great deals on the best vacation package websites.

Since 2020, travel deals have become harder to find due to labor shortages, the rising cost of fuel, and inflation. 

However, you can still find a good handful every month– if you know the best websites to find the best fares. And that’s is where this article comes in.  

Over the years, I’ve used numerous vacation websites and have narrowed down which are the best booking sites for saving the most amount of money and finding the best deals. 

With my years of first-hand experience, I’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to the best deal sites so that you can take advantage of them too.  

My style of travel ranges from budget to luxury, and so do these sites.

Note: this post contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you so we can keep providing free travel advice and tips.

Here’s a Quick Look at the Best Travel Deal Sites

• Best Tour and Travel Agency Deal Site – GetYourGuide
• Best Hotel Deal Site – Hotels.com
• Best Flight Deal Site – Going
• My Favorite Other Deal Site – Expedia

Table of Contents

Best Travel Websites for Finding Flight Deals

Google Flights

Google Flights is one of the overall best travel websites for flights to use when looking for cheap airfare. 

However, I use this website more as a jumping-off point rather than the only tool to book the cheapest flights possible. 

One of my favorite aspects about Google Flights is that it separates top-rated routes from the more unusual ones.

Also, Google Flights now has a price guarantee if their own price decreases after purchase, which can be pretty amazing.  

Just note that this will only apply to those flights that have the ‘price guarantee badge’ next to them.

For years now, Skyscanner has topped the list of my go-to travel websites when looking for cheap flight deals. 

It allows me to brainstorm an upcoming dream vacation easily by comparing graphs and calendars of prices. 

If my travel schedule is flexible, I can even search for the cheapest month to fly to that destination. 

One of Skyscanner’s better features is the option to search for flights without a destination. 

The ‘explore everywhere’ option gives a list of countries in order, starting from the cheapest to fly to from your starting destination. 

You can then click the box to get more details on the best fares for these flights. 

Another nice feature is the ability to turn on notifications for when prices drop for a certain route. The interface is also very easy to use, which is always a plus. 

If you want to keep it simple, you could honestly get away with just using Skyscanner and Google Maps to start planning a cheaper dream vacation today.

Hopper is a unique travel website that gives you deals only available on the platform. 

You are also able to collect carrot cash that you can redeem on their site for even better deals. 

Personally, I’ve found Hopper to be better in the United States than outside of it. Even with this limitation, flights in the United States can be expensive, so a deal is a deal. 

When you first join the website or app, you’ll immediately get money off your first flight, so that alone makes it worth using at least once.

Is Hopper all it’s cracked up to be? Check out our full Hopper review !

Skipplagged

Skipplagged is a unique resource that you can use on top of Google Flights and other travel sites. 

If you do flight research for long enough, you’ll come across destinations that are cheaper to fly to if you have it as a layover instead of the final destination. 

For example:

• If you want to fly to Panama City in Panama, the flight might cost you $200 one-way from Antigua. 
• You can then look at a flight from Antigua to Medellin and see that the flight has a layover in Panama City and only costs $150. 
• That’s $50 in savings if you get off at your layover.

Skipplagged cuts out the middleman in this scenario and helps you easily find these types of cheap flights. That $150 Medellin flight will appear in your search results for Panama City, marked as a ‘Skiplagged rate.’ It’s a sneaky way to score cheap nonstop flights.

Check out our Skiplagged review for more information on how this travel booking site works .

Going (Formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights)

Going (Scott’s Cheap Flights) is a newsletter and website that began in 2015 when a guy named Scott wanted to share flight deals with friends and family. 

Today, Going (Scott’s Cheap Flights) is one of the top travel sites to find cheap flights around the world (don’t worry, you no longer need to know Scott personally to get on the email list). 

Once you sign up, you can choose your home airport and any nearby airports and you’ll then start receiving monthly or bi-monthly deals directly to your email. 

The Going (Scott’s Cheap Flights) newsletter list has a free version and a premium version. 

The free version works great for those who don’t travel that often. 

If you’re a regular traveler, however, I’d recommend getting the premium version since it’s not that expensive compared to how much you can save on flights. 

Plus, you’ll not only receive their best flight deals but error fares as well (which are flights that an airline mistakenly lists as much cheaper than it’s worth.)

Secret Flying

Secret Flying is a company very similar to Going. On their site, they show you trending flight deals from all around the world. 

These deals can have savings of up to 90%. There’s also a search bar in case you’re looking for something very specific. 

Although I prefer Going over Secret Flying, it doesn’t hurt to have multiple options to check before you purchase a flight just in case you missed a great deal.

CheapOair has been around since 2005 and is one of the earliest travel websites to offer great deals on flights. 

They’ve since expanded their game to include certain travel packages, rental car bookings, and other activities. 

They also have a rewards program called ClubMiles where every 1,000 points equal $5 of rewards for their site.

Momondo is another free tool that allows you to compare prices on flights and travel packages. 

It used to be the main competitor to Skyscanner, but Skyscanner has since pulled ahead and is the app most travelers prefer these days. 

With that said, Momondo can still be a good site to check to see if you can find a lower price for a flight. 

It’s now also owned by Kayak, which makes sense when you see the different options that come up when you’re searching for travel deals. 

Some of the best ways this site can help you save money are through its flexible dates tool & multi-city option. 

The flexible dates tool is very easy to use for a quick glance at comparing prices and the multi-city option can help those long-term travelers plan their trips better.

Dollar Flight Club

Dollar Flight Club is the most comparable to Scott’s Cheap Flights (or Going). 

It has three different levels of membership. The free plan, premium, and premium plus. 

Similar to Going, they send the best flight deals straight to your inbox so you don’t have to do any of the work. These deals can also be up to 90% off.

With the premium plans, you can also get discounts on other discount travel sites for airfare and online travel agencies that they work with, like Babbel and Jubel.

Best Travel Booking Sites for Hotels Deals

Hotels.com is, in my opinion, the best website for booking hotels. Oftentimes, you’ll be able to find the best hotel deals here. 

What makes this site so unique is its rewards program. 

For each night you stay at a hotel, you’ll get a stamp. After collecting 10 stamps, you’ll get one night free (or the average price of your 10 stays), which can rack up a lot of savings.

Airbnb has changed the accommodation game since its arrival. 

The main perk of going through Airbnb compared to a hotel is that you get more of a feel of living in your destination. This is because people are renting out their homes to you. 

It’s also very possible to find great deals with this website. The best way to get a deal with Airbnb is if you plan to stay for longer periods. 

If you stay for a week or more, there are often weekly discounts that apply to your stay. If you plan to stay for one month or longer, the savings can be astronomical. 

The owners will oftentimes give you a great deal if you message them directly, and it’s what makes slow travel so enjoyable. 

Case in point–when our editor, Mimi, and her partner stayed at an Airbnb in Tahoe for a month, they were able to get it down to $3,000 total instead of the $7,000+ that was initially listed. 

Owners will often appreciate a guaranteed long-term stay and will be open to lowering prices to secure that. And really, it never hurts to ask!

Hostelworld

Hostelworld is the king of finding the best hostels from around the world. This platform is amazing for those travelers out there who are on a budget, particularly solo travelers.

The reviews are very important on this website because you don’t want to get stuck in a party hostel when you’re trying to sleep, so just do your research and you’ll be fine. 

There are all kinds of hostels, but the one thing hostels all have in common is that they’re usually a fraction of the price of a hotel. 

And, if you don’t like the idea of sharing a dorm, some still offer cheap private rooms. 

Hostels can also be a great way to meet other travelers, especially if you’re traveling solo but even if you’re traveling with a friend or two. 

Be sure to look for the ones with a free breakfast!

Booking.com

Booking.com is one of the best travel websites for booking accommodations because of how many options it gives you. 

You can find hotels and hostels on the website, although it focuses more on hotel stays.

Another huge perk of it being one of the biggest travel sites is the number of reviews. 

Reviews are huge when it comes to choosing which accommodation you want. Since Booking is such a popular site, there are usually a lot of reviews to read through for each property. 

Booking.com also just started offering its own reward program. 

Everyone starts out at Genius Level 1 and can find 10% discounts on select accommodation deals. 

Genius Level 2 unlocks after you stay at five places within two years, and it gives you 15% off!

The best deals come when you unlock Genius Level 3. 

Once you’ve stayed at 15 places, you can start enjoying 20% off on properties and even start getting rewards for each stay. You can then use the rewards balance to book other properties.

Although I love Hotels.com, it’s hard to ignore how strong of a contender Booking.com is as one of the best hotel deal sites, especially with its loyalty program.

HotelTonight

HotelTonight is great for those travelers who like to save and also don’t enjoy booking accommodation far in advance. 

This company specializes in last-minute deals. If you’re more of an off-the-cuff traveler who likes to decide where you’ll be staying for the night only once you arrive, this is the perfect website and app.

It allows you to still save some money on accommodation when booking things last-minute, which can be hard to come by in the hotel industry.

Kayak is a large search engine for everything travel-related. This site is easy to use and has some great tools to compare prices to get the cheapest possible rental car or hotel.

One of the best features of Kayak is its ‘Pricebreaker’ option. 

Once you turn on this option, you can get up to 50% off top hotels, but you won’t know which one until after the booking is complete. 

It’s a bit of Russian Roulette, but if you’re flexible, you can get some great savings from it.

Hotwire is on this list of travel deals because of its exclusive deals for hotels that it gives to its customers. 

The way this system works is that hotels often have unsold rooms so they sell them at a super-discounted price. 

The only downside to this is that you don’t get to see the hotel name until after booking. However, you’re still able to see reviews, amenities, and the area where the hotel is.

Agoda is another great tool to use when looking for hotel deals. You can use it all over the world, but it’s especially great for properties located in Asia. 

Agoda also has a nice feature for recommending other hotel ideas if your travel dates are flexible. This is how to find the best deals.

Super (Formerly SnapTravel)

Super (what used to be SnapTravel) is more than a travel company these days. Not only can you save up to 50% on hotels, but they also have a shopping section.

Their shopping section is where you’ll find different deals on items you can purchase. These items include everything from apparel to furniture, health and beauty products, electronics, and beyond.

Super now also has its own credit card, which gives you up to 10% cash back when booking things on the website.

Best Websites for Tour and Travel Agency Deals

GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide is a great tour operator to use for finding guides with lots of reviews. It’s very popular in places like the United States and Europe. 

With thousands of reviews on popular activities, great photos, and an easy-to-use interface, GetYourGuide is one of the best tour booking sites. 

If you use the app or sign up with your email, you can enjoy up to 10% off on bookings. 

Although I’ve found the quality of their tours to be hit or miss sometimes (which is why the reviews are important to look at!), they offer a lot of dirt-cheap tours. 

I usually find their tours to be cheaper and to attract a younger clientele than their main competitor, Viator. 

Also, for Viator tours, I’m usually always with other Americans, whereas for GetYourGuide it’s usually a mix of Americans, Europeans, and Australians.

GetYourGuide is one of the best vacation booking sites for solo travelers to book tours on, since it helps you get out and easily meet people while doing a fun activity.

Costco Travel

Costco Travel is owned by one of my favorite stores for discounts and deals, Cosco Wholesale. 

Costco Travel finds some of the best travel deals around and only gives them to their members. 

When purchasing through Costco Travel, you know that the quality will be as top-notch as their stores because everything is hand-picked by their skilled travel buyers.

Costco members also receive an annual 2% reward on all Costco Travel purchases.

Viator is an extremely popular tour company owned by Tripadvisor. This means you know you’re getting a good product with many reviews to back it up. 

On their website, you can search for a place or activity to help find what you’re looking for, or you can scroll down to see their most popular tours. 

When you download the app, you can also get exclusive promo codes and deals. 

Viator has a wide range of cheap to more expensive tours and usually attracts an older, mostly American clientele. 

The quality of most of their tours is top-notch, and their depth of tour options for most destinations is unbeatable.

My Other Favorite Travel Deal Websites

Expedia is one of the largest travel companies in the world and one of the best vacation deal websites. 

The Expedia group owns the companies of Orbitz, Hotels.com, Hotwire, Travelocity, Trivago, VRBO, and more. 

Because of this, Expedia is an all-in-one travel agent that allows you to book discounted travel packages. 

On the website, you’re able to purchase many things related to travel, like cruises, flights, hotels, resorts, tours, and even car rentals. 

The search engine for rental car bookings is comparable to travel websites like Kayak. 

These bundles can save you a lot of money as well as being part of their rewards program.

Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor is one of the best-known and overall best websites for travel. 

There’s a reason store owners want that green logo on their front window. It means something. 

With thousands of reviews on activities and restaurants, you can simply book whole vacation packages here or find a cruise line.

No travel deal or vacation package is a good deal if the experience is bad. 

What makes Tripadvisor a great travel deal site is the millions of reviews on all things travel. You’ll know if an experience is likely to be worth the money when you’re using this site.

Travelocity

Travelocity is comparable to other sites like Expedia, but it won’t have as many cheap vacation packages as those other sites. 

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find good deals. It’s still one of the best vacation booking sites on the market these days. 

In fact, you can sometimes find better deals to save money than sites like Expedia because Travelocity isn’t connected with other large travel agencies and their vacation package deals. 

Plus, if you use their app, you can earn up to 15% off on certain vacation packages.

Daily Drop is one of the fastest-growing newsletters in the travel space. This daily newsletter is all about travel tips and hacks to find the best travel deals around the world. 

These deals range from hotels to flights to cruises and use various tactics, such as credit card points and hotel loyalty programs. 

This isn’t the place to find easy and quick last-minute deals; rather, it’s more where you can learn how to become a top-notch travel hacker to always save on future travel.

Homestay is a great way to meet locals and stay in their homes. This will still cost money, but a lot of times, it can be cheaper than staying in a hotel. 

Depending on the host, they might even make meals for you as well.

Workaway is one of the largest volunteer sites for travelers on the web. 

On the site, you can apply for different jobs, such as working on a farm, greeting guests at hostels, or bartending. In return, the host will let you stay at their place for free. 

They sometimes also include other amenities such as free tours and meals.

Trusted Housesitters

Trusted Housesitters is one of my favorite travel sites on the internet. If you’re a slow traveler or just want to take a week off, this is a great tool. 

Most homeowners on this site want you to watch their pets while on vacation. In return, you can stay at their house for free!

You can filter it to have certain pets, no pets, and even a free car to use! Trusted Housesitters is the best website I’ve found to help you travel for as long as possible for cheap.

Discover Cars

Discover Cars is one of the best websites for car rentals on the web today. 

This site looks at over 500+ rental car companies from around the world to help give you the best deal on rental cars. 

Simply type in your pick-up location and dates and they will show you all of the best options for a car rental to keep you saving money. 

If you’re looking for a rental car for your next trip, Discover Cars needs to be on your list.

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is a very cool concept in which people from all around the world lend out their bed or couch to a stranger for free. 

This is a fantastic way to meet the locals and for those hosting, it’s a great way to meet foreigners. 

Couchsurfing has changed a lot over the years. It used to be 100% free but now costs around $15/year. 

This is still an extremely great deal considering how much money you can save on accommodation.

Rome2Rio 

Rome2Rio is one of the best travel sites you can add to your arsenal. Choose any two locations, and it will show you all the different options for how to get from point A to B. 

I used it a ton in South America for travel tips on how to find the cheapest ways to get around. 

For instance, when looking for the best routes from Quito to Baños in Ecuador, I clicked the bus option and instantly found the cheapest company to book a ticket from.

Tip : It’s often cheaper to book with the company directly than going through a third party.

Travel Zoo is another large search engine that helps you find the best deals from across the world.

A useful feature of this site is its “Last-Minute Deals” section. Here you can find the best travel deals, cruises, hotels, flights, and more!

Priceline is another one of the best sites to find travel deals this year. 

It was founded in 1997 and still has the same goal now as it did back then: to help you save money when trip planning. 

On the site, you’re able to search for hotels/flights and then bundle these together with other things like a rental car to save even more money. 

Priceline also has a VIP membership program that can save you up to 50% on hotels, 20% on car rentals, and a 10% coupon for express deals after every purchase. 

Another feature that many people might not be aware of is Priceline’s express deals. You can save up to 70% on hotels but you won’t know which one until after booking.

Orbitz hit the scene in 2001 to compete against the fast-growing companies of Expedia and Travelocity, and it’s one of the best travel package sites.

On the Orbitz site, you can search for any type of travel package you’re interested in as well as look at the day’s top deals. If you’re a member, then the prices get even better. 

As a member, you can get instant hotel savings of up to 10% once you sign up. 

They also have something called Orbucks, where you can get reimbursed up to $50 a day on travel expenses, making your vacation package even more affordable.

Cruisewatch

Cruisewatch is a website that you should definitely bookmark if you love going on cruises. 

This is one of the best websites to use to find great deals on cruises. 

You can sign up for Cruisewatch and then let them do all the work for you by sending you any price drops you might be interested in. 

Plus, if you book a cruise by destination, you can save up to 71%. 

Their search engine also allows you to find that perfect cruise, or it can find you many options to choose from if you don’t care about the dates or cruise line. 

Keep an eye on prices, as their price prediction has an 80% accuracy rate.

Bonus Travel Deal Sites

• Travel Pirates : This is a team of travel deal hunters that give you insane prices for flights, hotels, tours, and all-inclusive vacation packages. It helps if you’re flexible with your travel dates.
• Holidu : If you’re looking for vacation rental homes, this is one of the best websites on the market with up to 55% in savings.
• Airfare Watchdog : This is a great website for getting notifications for cheap airfare and its feature “the weekender” helps those looking for a quick getaway.
• Dayuse Hotels : If you’re a digital nomad looking to use a hotel room just for the day to get some work done, this is a great site to find cheaper options. It’s also ideal for anyone who wants a place to crash for the day after a long haul flight.
• Hotels By Day : This is another hourly hotel website that can help save you money, up to 70% off. 
• The Flight Deal : This is another tool to add to your list of travel websites. It’s essentially a blog that highlights hot deals on airfare, travel credit cards, and more. Check back every day for the latest in best travel deals right now.

FAQs About Travel Deal Sites

What is the best website to find vacation deals?

The overall best vacation websites to find travel package deals would be Kayak or Expedia . 

There are other sites that sometimes have better fares for airline tickets and hotels or have a better rewards program, but Kayak and Expedia do everything all in one place. 

These two best vacation deal sites are great for trip planning because you can do a price comparison before you book vacation packages.

Where is the best place to find last-minute deals?

The best place to find last-minute travel deals would have to be Hotwire . 

This is because their hotel deals are almost always going to be the best price you can find. 

Some people might not like waiting until the last minute, but it’s sometimes necessary to find the lowest prices.

What is the most used travel deal website?

The most used travel deal website is Booking.com . 

It currently ranks 1st, right above TripAdvisor. This is due to the fact that Booking.com normally has the most accommodation options out of any website.

How do I book the best travel deals?

When planning a trip, many people like booking their flight (especially international flights) for a specific date. The same goes for hotels. 

However, if you want the best travel deals, then you need to be flexible . 

Being flexible on hotel dates and flights is huge. Prices will rise and fall depending on when and where you go. 

Traveling in the low or even shoulder season is generally cheaper than going in the high season. And the experience can sometimes be even better with fewer crowds!

Another tip for getting the best travel deals is something called The Greek Island Trick . 

This is where you purchase the cheapest possible ticket to the continent of the country you’re going to. 

Once there, you can then find another cheap mode of transportation to your final location. 

This works especially well in Europe or Asia, where you can find ultra-cheap regional flights, buses, and trains. 

It doesn’t work quite so well in the US with how expensive our flights, trains, and overall transportation is here.  

This mode of travel usually takes more time, but the cost savings will be worth it for some.

Is it cheaper to book vacations through a travel agent?

In this day in age, you usually don’t get cheaper vacations when booking through a travel agent. 

It can be far more convenient to travel this way, but you’re paying extra money to have someone do the work for you.

Are travel deals worth it? Is it actually cheaper to book through these travel deal sites?

Travel deals are totally worth it if you’re looking to make your money last as long as possible and are capable of being a flexible traveler. 

The top websites we’ve mentioned above can save you money, and lots of it.  

The pros of good travel deal sites are simple. They can find you the best vacation packages for cheap and most likely will do the majority of the work for you.  

The cons of travel deal sites stem from them being 3rd party retailers. You may lose out on perks like free cancellation and free breakfast.

This means if something goes wrong with your booking, there’s a possibility you’ll have trouble getting it sorted out or your money back.

This is the subject of many of the negative reviews for these types of sites, so it’s important to always read the fine print and have good travel insurance.

How far ahead should you book a flight? What’s the Goldilocks window?

The Goldilocks window varies depending on whether you’re booking for peak or off-peak season. For domestic flights in peak season, you should book between three and seven months in advance. Off-peak, that range goes down to between one and three months. 

If you’re booking international flights in peak season, this timeframe should be increased to between four and ten months in advance. The best time for off-peak international travel booking is between two and eight months. 

The Goldilocks window refers to the timeframe above. If you buy flights too far in advance or wait until the last minute, then you run the risk of missing out on a cheap flight.

Do flight prices go down on Tuesdays?

In the early days of the internet, airlines would release new flights on Tuesday nights. 

They did this manually because the technology wasn’t as good as it is today. This is where the rumor started about Tuesdays being the best day to purchase plane tickets. 

Now, these same flight routes are updated constantly every day based on algorithms. 

My suggestion would be to frequently look at Google Flights in incognito mode, so you know you’re getting the best price.

Why are some websites cheaper for flights?

Some of the best sites are also partner sites with airlines. Other times these websites can buy up flights when they’re cheaper than they currently are to offer users a better deal. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Phillip Anderson

Phillip Anderson is a freelance travel writer, personal trainer, and adventure enthusiast. With years of travel experience under his belt, Phillip is an expert in finding the best deals through travel apps and websites. He knows how to find cheap domestic and international flights, like a flight to Peru for as low as $350.

When looking for cheap accommodations, Phillip combines his knowledge of websites like Airbnb, Booking.com & Hostelworld with more unique sites like TrustedHousesitters, for even more savings. Whether it’s flights, accommodations, or local experiences, he teaches travelers to make informed decisions, ensuring their adventures are both memorable and economical.

Looking for more travel tips and recommendations? Check out these related articles below!

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Hi, I'm Mimi! I'm an outdoorsy Californian who has spent over 28 years immersed in the incredible natural beauty that California has to offer. My goal is to inspire others to get out and find their next adventure in California. Whether it’s escaping to an alpine lake in the Sierras, finding peace among the giant redwoods, or road tripping down the PCH, there’s always more to explore in this beautiful state.

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Best Online Travel Agencies

Booking.com is our top choice for making your trip arrangements

Ligaya Malones is an editor, blogger, and freelance writer specializing in food and travel. Ligaya's work has appeared in publications including Lonely Planet and BRIDES.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Planning a trip can be easier through an online travel agency than if you handle each aspect of the planning separately. You can book hotels, air travel, rental cars, and more through a single site, and booking everything together sometimes results in discounts. By inputting a destination, a range of dates, and other preferences, you will see a list of options for each aspect of travel.

The best online travel agencies offer options from the largest number of airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and more. Look for sites that offer discounts for combining reservations for different aspects of your trip. For example, the best sites will have lower rates if you book both plane tickets and a hotel through their services. The best sites also provide reviews from customers who actually have booked through the service. These are our top picks.

• Best Overall: Booking.com
• Best Budget: Skyscanner
• Best Price Predictor: Hopper
• Most Innovative: Kiwi.com
• Best for Eco-Conscious: Kind Traveler
• Best for Social Impact: I Like Local
• Best for Design-Forward Homestays: Plum Guide
• Our Top Picks
• Booking.com

Kind Traveler

I Like Local

• See More (4)

Final Verdict

Frequently asked questions, methodology, best overall : booking.com.

 Booking.com

This industry leader offers one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms on the Internet.

Lots of options to choose from

Interface is easy to use

Numerous filters to customize your search

Tricky to tell whether changes/cancellations can be made with Booking.com or the vendor directly

Booking.com was founded in 1996 and has grown into an industry leader that stands out for being one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms out there. From one website, you can compare and book accommodations, flights (including one-way and multi-city flights), sightseeing activities, and even airport taxis. The website lists more than 28 million accommodation options, from hotels, hostels, and B&Bs to vacation homes and luxury resorts—you can browse more choices per destination on Booking.com than other online travel agencies. The website also performs well on cost and typically returns lower-than-average prices for flights and hotels. 

Booking.com's interface is also easy to use. On the home page, search for a hotel by entering your chosen destination and dates. Then, use the extensive list of filters—such as price range and distance from the city center—to narrow the results down and find the best fit. You can also search for a specific hotel, or seek inspiration by clicking through options grouped by destination or property type or by topic such as the country’s best Michelin-starred hotel restaurants or the top cities for vegan travelers. The flights, car rental, and other tabs are just as intuitive. 

Best Budget : Skyscanner

 Skyscanner

You can compare prices across airlines, hotels, and car rentals.

Simple interface

Option to toggle searches between specific dates or by monthly calendars

Search Everywhere button is great for spontaneous planners

Extra clicks are required to make a final purchase

Must read fine print for changes/cancellations—may need to deal directly with the vendor

Ads on the sidebar can be distracting

Find deals on airfare, hotels, and car rentals with an aggregator site like Skyscanner , which uses a metasearch engine to compare prices from all online travel agencies and the airline, hotel, or car rental company in question. Run searches with fixed dates, opt to compare airfare prices month to month, or click “Cheapest Month.” Searches also include options for nearby airports or non-stop flights only. With hotel searches, you can choose to select only from properties with free cancellation, a cleanliness rating of 4.5/5 or higher, or 3- or 4-starred hotels only. Car rental searches include an option to select “return car to different location.”

Once you’ve found the best rate, click on the link to be redirected to the third-party site to make your booking. Feeling spontaneous? The Search Everywhere button on the homepage offers a list of the cheapest flight deals for destinations both locally and across the world—just plug in your departure airport first.

Best Price Predictor : Hopper

The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting when flights and hotel rates will be cheapest.

Color-coded system makes it easy to determine cheapest days to buy

App is easy to use

Option to track flights and receive alerts when the best time to buy arises

Some have mentioned the app functions better as a research tool than a booking tool

Unclear whether Hopper will price match if you find a cheaper flight elsewhere

Hopper is a travel app available on iOS and Android that aims to help travelers save on airfare by usng historical data and their own algorithm to predict when flights will be cheapest. Just type in where and when you’d like to fly and Hopper will present you with a color-coded pricing calendar indicating how much tickets are likely to cost. (Green is the least expensive, then yellow, orange, and red for most expensive.) Hopper will also recommend you either buy now or wait, or you can choose to watch a trip and receive notifications on the best time to buy. In addition, the app has expanded to offer hotel and car rental price predictions, too.

Some newer features since the app’s inception in 2009 include an option to freeze a price for a limited time—for an extra fee—as well as exclusive app-only discounts. Hopper is free to download, and you can choose to book directly through the app, though some users mentioned they use Hopper as more of a research tool before booking directly with the airline or hotel. The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting flight rates up to a year ahead.

Most Innovative : Kiwi.com

This metasearch engine scours the web to piece together the ideal itinerary using planes, trains, buses, and more.

Creative itineraries get you where you need to go, especially if you’ve got a multi-stop trip

Kiwi Guarantee offers rebooking or cancellation protections

Nomad option appeals to travelers with a lot of flexibility

Creative itineraries mean you may not fly out of the same airport you flew into

Kiwi Guarantee has an additional fee

Charges all-in-one fee for booking flights, trains, buses (though you can always purchase a la carte)

Travelers planning multi-city destinations and seeking a bargain, as well as those looking to take planes, trains, and automobiles to get there, might consider Kiwi . Kiwi is a metasearch engine that scours and pieces together itineraries from various airlines (even if they don’t have a codeshare agreement), considers multiple airports (even if your arrival airport is different from departure), and offers booking options, whether you’re looking at very specific dates or more general ones (up to 60 nights).

Some will find the ability to make multiple bookings for a particular trip more convenient than going at it manually several different times, though note that you must opt into the Kiwi Guarantee program to access rebooking and refund protections should your reservation change or be canceled. Kiwi’s Nomad option allows you to plug in a bunch of destinations you’d like to visit and the length of your intended stay, and the website will churn out the most affordable itineraries for review.

Best for Eco-Conscious : Kind Traveler

A give-and-get business model means booking accommodations with exclusive perks, a donation to environmental organizations, and more.

All participating hotels include a local give-back component

Exclusive savings and perks

Participating hotels are located in some of the most beautiful places in the world

Inventory is much smaller compared to other booking platforms

Some of the amenities mentioned are based on availability only

In 2022, Kind Traveler (an online trave agency focused on hotel bookings) announced an increase in environmentally and socially conscious hotels, charity donations, voluntourism opportunities, and additional perks like waived resort fees or a welcome amenity.

Unlock exclusive hotel rates and perks from participating Kind Traveler hotels with a minimum $10/night minimum donation to a local charity. For example, stay at the Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives and receive up to $33 off the nightly rate and perks such as a food and beverage credit and an Earth Lab or Alchemy Bar workshop when you make a donation to Manta Trust. The organization funds coastal research to protect the island nation’s large yet fragile population of reef mantas.

Select from more than 140 participating hotels from the Hawaiian Islands to Bozeman, Montana, and the Maldives. Charities include wildlife, human rights, arts, education, and environmental preservation organizations.

Best for Social Impact : I Like Local

Choose from a host of travel experiences with the peace of mind that 100 percent of the cost goes directly to local partners.

Social impact mission woven into organization’s business model

Immersive experiences led by local guides

Range of experiences offered

May not be best fit for those seeking upscale, luxury experiences and stays

Can’t sort experiences by a list of countries (though an interactive map is available)

No experiences outside of Africa and Asia

For an online travel agency with a booking platform designed to route dollars spent directly to the communities travelers intend to visit, consider I Like Local . Visit the website to browse a host of travel experiences in countries including Indonesia, Kenya, and Cambodia. Experiences include homestays and farmstays as well as wellness and culturally oriented experiences—from cooking and cycling tours to weaving classes.

To search for an experience, select from drop-down items like travel dates and experience categories, or view a global map and click on a country to view experiences that way.

The platform got its start in 2014 and has grown to 4,000 local hosts across nearly 20 countries. As a social impact organization, 100 percent of each booking fee goes to local hosts. To date, 16,000 travelers have booked with I Like Local.

Best for Design-Forward Homestays : Plum Guide

Browse and book seriously vetted, design-forward vacation homes.

Highly curated inventory of vacation rentals across the world

Design-forward

Thorough vetting process

Does not publish guest reviews

Other platforms have homes available across more destinations

When it comes to booking a vacation home, serviced apartment, or condo, travelers are spoiled for choice. Plum Guide is an online travel agency that specializes in accommodations—though not just any home makes its directory. The company claims that each potential home listed on its site must jump through 150 hoops to be included, from internet speed and mattress and pillow quality to the showers’ water pressure and the home’s proximity to dining, shopping, and attractions.

Search by a featured collection on the website such as “ pet-friendly homes ” or “one-of-a-kind homes in Palm Springs.” Scroll to the bottom of its homepage to view its top destinations, as well as a list of all destinations where Plum Guide homes are available, including Barbados, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, the U.S., and Turkey. Note: From the top right-hand corner of the site, use the dropdown menu to select currency of choice.

As long as you know what you value most out of your travel experience—such as affordability, social impact, or luxe accommodations—there’s an online travel agency to help plan your next trip. Be sure to read the fine print, as some agencies are third-party websites and not direct vendors. If you're not sure where to start, Booking.com is your best bet for a smooth user experience and hard-to-beat offers on flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.

What Is the Biggest Travel Agency?

Our choice for best overall, Booking.com, is known as an industry leader with listings for all major hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and more. It boasts more choices for accommodations per destination than any other site, and we found its interface to be user-friendly.

Are Online Travel Agencies Worth It?

This depends on your needs and priorities. The best online travel agencies certainly can save time by booking everything all at once. However, if you're someone who is good at haggling and enjoys the details of planning a trip, you might be able to find better deals by reaching out to hotels or other destinations and speaking to someone personally.

Is It Cheaper to Book Online Than With a Travel Agent?

Not always. A travel agent you know and trust should have the experience and connections to find deals that can match or surpass what you'll find online. Additionally, if something goes wrong, travel agents provide you with an actual person you can use as an advocate to correct the problem . But if you don't have access to a good travel agent, online sites still provide plenty of ways to streamline planning and save money .

We considered dozens of online travel agencies and narrowed down the options based on user experience, volume and quality of inventory, unique offerings and specials, and customer reviews. We also assessed travel companies’ environmentally and socially conscious policies.

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The 11 Best Travel Websites To Save Money

Everybody loves to travel. Of course, you need money to do so, but it isn’t as expensive as most people believe.

The secret to travelling more is to use the best travel websites to find the cheapest deals.

Hi, we’re Rach & Marty!

We’ve visited every country in the world and want to help you get the most out of your travels!

Whether you need an expertly planned itinerary , some experienced hints and tips , or just craving a delicious food adventure , we’ve got you covered!

We may earn affiliate commissions from websites we link to, at no cost to you. Click here for details.

I used to spend hours each day searching through websites for the cheapest price so I could turn travel into a lifestyle.

Well, it’s taken some time and lots of practice, but I’ve found the best travel websites to save you money. And I want to share them with you.

Here is a collection of the best travel websites and resources when it comes to planning your travels.

This includes websites to get you the best transportation, accommodation, travel insurance, and more deals.

The Best Travel Websites To Save Money

Best travel websites to save money on flights, 1) skyscanner.

This flight search engine is fantastic! Skyscanner is the one we use to book most of our travels around the world.

It allows you to search for the cheapest flights over the entire month and shows you the most affordable destinations you can fly to. 

Related Post – How to find and book the cheapest flights

Best Travel Websites to Save Money on Accommodation

2) booking.com.

By a mile, Booking.com is one of the best travel websites to save money on accommodation. These guys always have the cheapest deals on rooms all over the world.

It offers many accommodation options worldwide, from hostels and budget hotels to 5-star hotels and villas.

We find they offer the lowest prices with no hidden fees. Once confirmed, your reservation is sent to your email and you can see the amount due on arrival in local currency.

You will also be advised if that property accepts credit cards or other hard currency for payment.

The feature we like most is that you can often make a reservation and cancel up to 24 hours before arrival without penalty. This feature is really handy if you need a confirmed booking reservation to print out to apply for visas, or simply if your plans change last minute and you must cancel your room.

Our Tip: Search by price and filter by best reviews. The map feature on this website helps book the best-located properties if you prefer to be close to train stations, tram stops etc.

Airbnb is one of our favourite ways to travel. Not only do you get the experience of living like a local in a real house or apartment, but you also save heaps of money.

You can check out many different types of accommodation from private rooms in a home or renting an entire apartment or a gorgeous villa for the week.

Airbnb is a fantastic option if you’re travelling with a family or a group of friends. Sometimes it’s the small things like having access to a full kitchen, fridge or even a washing machine that makes Airbnb accommodation so amazing.

– Why you should use Airbnb when you travel

Best Travel Websites to Save Money on Day Tours & Activities

4) get your guide.

Get Your Guide has a fantastic user-friendly website that has some unique and unmissable things to do in many destinations. Browse and book activities all over the world.

We love that if plans change, you can cancel most bookings for free up to 24 hours before they start. Their customer service is excellent and available 24/7 in multiple languages.

We use GetYourGuide to book many food experiences and cooking classes around the world too.

Viator  is our favourite site for booking food tours, day tours and attraction tickets for the best price.

It’s so easy to just browse the tours on Viator, pay online with a variety of payment options and immediately receive your tour voucher.

You can choose to print it or simply save it as a display on your smartphone.

Best Travel Websites to Save Money on Travel Planning

Omio is the BEST booking platform to reserve tickets for trains, buses, flights, ferries, cars, and airport transfers in EUROPE, USA & Canada. We love their easy-to-use app for booking tickets on the go. It’s quick, reliable and most importantly, they offer the best deals too. 

Download the App to your phone and make life easier for yourself to get the most up to date information at your fingertips.

Search buses, trains, air, ferries & rideshares and easily plan your route. Compare travel options and find how to get anywhere!

7) Lonely Planet

This website is a great information source for planning your travels. We love the information provided in Lonely Planet guide books too.

It’s so easy to purchase a guidebook online and have it sent to your address or purchase the E-Book version so you can access it at any time on your iPhone.

We use these guidebooks frequently during our travels around the world.

They’re easy to use, and we love them! Get 10% off all Lonely Planet guides !

Best Travel Websites to Save Money on Group Tours

8) tourradar.

Tourradar  is a booking engine that allows you to filter and search for the best group tour in the destination you’re travelling to.

It’s the best travel website for saving money and it’s super clever too. It openly tells you which company will operate the tour, the age group, itinerary details etc.

When people book a tour through TourRadar, they can also download an app that allows them to instant message other people that will be on their tour.

Subscribe to their newsletter so you don’t miss out on many flash sales they run throughout the year. This is the time to book your trip and save heaps of cash.  TourRadar is the way forward when it comes to choosing the right group tour for you.

Best Travel Websites to Save Money on Travel Insurance

9) safetywing.

SafetyWing Travel Insurance is created by travellers, for travellers.

SafetyWing is on our list of best travel websites to save money because it does just that!

These guys offer Travel Medical Insurance that covers people from all over the world, while outside their home country – The best part is that COVID-19 coverage is included in their very affordable plans. 

10) Heymondo Travel Insurance

Easy, fast, and customisable travel insurance. Personalise your insurance to your type of trip and budget.

As frequent travellers, we use their Long Stay Insurance – perfect for medical coverage and all of the other essentials.

Get 5% off Heymondo travel insurance HERE ! 

Best Travel Website to Save Money on Sending Money Worldwide

Wise  – An online account that lets you send money, get paid, and spend money internationally.

This service has saved us loads of money in International fees.

With a Wise account, you can get paid in other currencies and send money overseas.

When you  sign up for a Wise account using our personal invite  – send your first International transfer for FREE!

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Expert travel tips, resources and exclusive discounts worldwide

Travel is only super expensive if you make it that way. If you use these travel websites above, you’ll be able to discover more of the world and more often.

Now that you know the best travel websites to save money, check out these 20 best (and free) travel apps.

More Travel Tips

We have so many tips to help you travel more!

These 21 cheapest countries to visit will help you stretch your hard-earned dollars further.

Read our top 6 travel hacks to save money and the  20 best travel apps to make travel easier! 

For food lovers, don’t miss our top 10 best countries for foodies. And, if history is your thing, these 30 amazing historical places worldwide will fascinate you!

We have many tips to save money for travel and consider these 20 jobs that PAY YOU to travel the world to help you travel longer.

If you become a trusted housesitter , you can also get FREE accommodation worldwide. Read more about how this works .

Check out our ultimate packing list for travellers , and remember to pack travel insurance! We recommend these two travel insurance companies for excellent coverage.

Our  12 essential tips for safe travel in any country are worth a read. 

You’ll need to stay connected while travelling the world. We recommend eSIM. It’s easy, reliable and affordable. View eSIMs for individual countries , or consider  a Global eSIM if you travel to multiple countries or regions. This eSIM connects you in 124 countries , offering data-only eSIM and data/call/text eSIM .

The Global eSIM has been a game-changer; we couldn’t imagine travelling without it now.

If you want to travel with like-minded travellers, consider joining a group tour. Get the best deals on worldwide group tours with Tourradar .

Check out our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience.

Travel Planning Resources

✈️ Flights : We use Skyscanner to book cheap flights worldwide.

🏨 Accommodation :  Booking.com is our preferred platform for booking hotels and accommodation. We use Vrbo to book apartments and long-term stays.

🏥 Travel Insurance : We recommend Heymondo ( Get 5% off Heymondo)  & SafetyWing

🚌 Transportation : Trainline is the best website to reserve trains. We use Omio to book transport worldwide. For travel in Asia, we use 12Go.  

🚘 Car Rental : We use DiscoverCars to book rental cars worldwide.

👫 Group Tours :  G Adventures OR compare multi-day tours worldwide with Tourradar .

📸 Day Tours & Trips :  GetYourGuide  & Viator are the only two platforms you need.

📚 Lonely Planet: The Best Range of Travel Guides & Ebooks , and FREE Shipping! (use code RACHELDAVEY10 for a 10% discount)

🎒 Luggage :  Osprey Farpoint 40L Backpack  or  Samsonite Luggage Range.

🛄 What to Pack:  Don’t forget your Universal charger and a good  power bank .  To help you pack the essentials, here is our ULTIMATE Packing List for all Travellers .

🐶 Become a House Sitter:  Join Trusted Housesitters and enjoy FREE accommodation worldwide. Use our invite to receive 25% off your new membership.

💰 Send Money Anywhere: WISE  &  Revolut  are the best online accounts that let you send money, get paid, and spend money internationally. Both are so easy to use and way cheaper than any bank transfer.

📶  Stay Connected: Airalo eSIM allows you to get connected the moment you land at your destination, and you can avoid those expensive data roaming charges. We LOVE this product! Use promo code NOMAD15 for 15% off ALL eSIMs (new Airalo users only) OR use NOMAD10 for 10% off ALL eSIMs (for existing Airalo users)

✅ Check out our Travel Gear  and  Travel Resources for more valuable tips to save you money!

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4 Comments . Leave new

I’ve heard of a few of them but not all. Aviator has increased in popularity since it was acquired by TripAdvisor.

Am not sure about others other than booking.com and skyscanner. I felt these two were pretty good. I may need to try aviator though.

I love the USA. Ten years ago I did my road trip with a friend and I wished I had your great saving tips back then

I really needed some tips, it’s amazing, I’ll keep reading and wait for more content like this.

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How To Plan a Trip: Clark’s Best Travel Tips To Save Money

Most of us have to book travel at some point or another, whether it’s for work, to visit family and friends or just to get away from it all on vacation.

Money expert Clark Howard , a former travel agent himself, has spent decades perfecting the art of planning and booking trips. In this article, we’ll share his secrets and show you how to use all of the available tools to make travel plans that suit your needs at the lowest possible price.

Booking Travel the Clark Howard Wa y

How to plan a trip, how to book flights, how to find a hotel or other lodging.

• How To Reserve a Rental Car

How To Book Bus or Rail Tickets

• How To Select a Cruise

When To Buy Travel Insurance

• Travel the Clark Howard Way

The very first thing you need to do is to make a plan. It can be as simple or as involved as you want it to be. Some people love to fly by the seat of their pants and do minimal planning, while others like to have every minute of an itinerary accounted for before they leave the house.

No matter which type of traveler you are, there are some basic steps you’ll need to take if you want to travel on a budget:

• Select your destination: In some cases, your destination will be selected for you, and there will be no decision to make. Other times, you might have some days off from work and decide you want to scratch a place off your bucket list. Or, if you’re like Clark, you might just wait for a deal to come along and let the destination pick you .
• Figure out your trip length: If you have only a few days off, this might already be decided for you. But if you have some flexibility in your schedule, being fluid with the number of days in your trip could be the key to saving money on travel expenses. And your destination can play into this part of the decision-making. For example, you might be able to do everything you want to do in a smaller city in a day or two, but taking in everything important to you in New York City might take a week or more.
• Research your destination: If you’re going somewhere for the first time, you’ll want to get the lay of the land. Figuring out what you want to accomplish on your trip can help you decide exactly where you want to stay and how you intend to get around. The research process can also help you start figuring out approximate costs of things (lodging, transportation, attractions and meals) so that you can make sure you stay within your budget.
• Know the rules: Policies and procedures can change frequently and quickly. It’s crucial to ensure you have all documents (like a driver’s license, passport and any other required information) before leaving home. Lori Silverman from Team Clark’s Consumer Action Center recommends checking Travel.State.Gov for the latest information on your destination. And also remember to check the latest health-related regulations for your destination at the CDC website .

Once you’ve got the planning part down, it’s time to figure out how you’re going to get to where you’re going. If your destination isn’t within easy driving distance or you simply don’t want to drive, an airline flight is probably going to be your best option.

Booking flights has come a long way since the days when you had to call a travel agent or the airline itself to buy tickets. Now, there are literally thousands of places to turn to book a flight. So how do you find the best price?

Conventional wisdom has held for a while that there is a “perfect” day of the week to book air travel. With the advent of dynamic pricing , that has changed. According to Team Clark’s travel expert, Clara Bosonetto, “Technology has marched on from the days of manually loading new prices. Airfares are now updated constantly and automatically using complex algorithms.”

But it’s still important to have a strategy. Flexibility is the key to landing a great deal. When you have firm travel plans, start gathering airline quotes several weeks in advance , but resist making a purchase until you’ve learned the fare patterns to your destination or until an excellent deal comes along.

We’ve found that the most robust flight search engine is Google Flights .

“Google Flights should be the first website to visit to search domestic and international airfares before you jump over to a specific airline to book a flight,” according to travel expert Clara Bosonetto. “With its many filters, it’s the best site to use when you must fly on a specific airline, must have a nonstop flight, you have a multiple city trip (flying into one city and out of another) or you want to book one-way travel.”

When you search your itinerary, Google Flights will show you options for your selected dates and let you know if the prices are higher, lower or about average for your route. The site also lets you explore fares on alternate dates with its calendar and price graph features.

Once you’ve selected a flight, the site will show you the total cost of your ticket and what’s included with that fare. You’ll also see options for upgraded tickets (if available) and what paying more will get you. If checked bags are not included in your fare, the site will let you know what that will cost you.

When you’re ready to book, Google Flights will send you directly to the airline’s website to complete your transaction.

The site will also let you track prices, which can potentially help you save big on airfare. When you toggle the “Track Prices” button (you must be signed in to your Google account), Google will send you alerts if the price on your selected route changes. It is important to note that fares on Southwest Airlines do not appear on Google Flights.

See our full guide to using Google Flights here.

When it comes to planning where you stay during your trip, there are a lot of options. The increasing popularity of Airbnb and other private accommodation booking services means more choices for travelers.

Still, some people prefer to stay in a hotel when they travel, and Clark has a three-step process for booking a great hotel room on a budget.

1. Book a Refundable Room

“If I’m flying somewhere — you usually book your airfare pretty well in advance — I also book a hotel room at the same time,” Clark says. “I book the best deal I can find for where I’m going but always a refundable room.”

Doing this leaves you the option to cancel the room if you find a better deal in the days leading up to your trip.

2. Search for Better Deals Before Your Trip

That’s where the next step comes in: really doing the research to find the best deal.

“I already know I have a room if I need it,” Clark says. “But I want a deal!”

Clark primarily relies on Priceline and Booking.com to research hotel deals before an upcoming trip.

As for when you’re likely to find the best deals, Clark has a strategy: “I’ll check throughout the time period leading up to my travel, but I especially concentrate one week out and less,” he says. “A lot of times, the best deals are the last few days before you travel.”

3. Cancel the Original Booking

The last thing you need to do, assuming you’ve found a better deal, is to cancel your original refundable booking.

“Occasionally that room you booked when you booked your airline deal will be the best hotel deal you’ll find,” Clark says. “But if you do it my way, most of the time you’re going to save big bucks.”

See Clark talk about his three-step hotel booking process in the video below.

If you’re looking for a more unique travel experience, Airbnb , VRB O or the vacation rentals offered through major travel sites such as Tripadvisor or Expedia , might be the way to go. This also applies if you need a larger space, prefer to have your own cooking facilities or if you plan to stay for more than a couple of nights in a destination.

You’ll sometimes get a much better deal by renting a home or condo from a private owner. But take care to know the all-in price before you hit that “Reserve Now” button. In a recent podcast , Clark pointed out that more and more vacation rentals are tacking on fees that end up making the total much higher than you’d expect when you look at the nightly rate.

See our guide for how to book the best — and safest — Airbnbs here.

How To Book a Rental Car

So, you’ve taken care of your flight and lodging plans, but you might need some way to get around on your trip. Some destinations are totally walkable. Others have great public transportation. But if you need a car, there is a strategy to booking a cheap rental.

Here are Team Clark’s six steps to getting a great deal on a rental car.

1. Figure Out What Kind of Vehicle You Need

Whether you get a sedan, SUV or van, you need to make sure the vehicle you rent makes sense for you. Important questions to ask yourself include:

• How many people will be traveling?
• How much, if any, luggage will I need to stow?
• Do I need more than two doors to accommodate car seats or special needs?
• Will I need a vehicle that can handle rough terrain?
• Do I care if the vehicle is a basic model, or do I want something more luxurious?

2. Start Your Research With AutoSlash

The first part of your search for a rental car is a secret to a lot of people, but one that Team Clark has found can save you a lot of money: a site called AutoSlash .

One of the great things about AutoSlash is that the site will monitor the vehicle you select and email you if the price on the rental drops between the time you book and the time you pick it up, allowing you to re-book at the lower price. Read our full review of saving money on rental car bookings with AutoSlash here.

3. Check the Other Aggregator Sites

Once you’ve established the lowest price you can get on your desired vehicle through AutoSlash, it’s time to compare prices on the other sites that aggregate rental car rates. Some of the most popular and trustworthy are:

• Travelocity

4. See if You Can Get a Better Deal Directly From the Rental Car Company

Once you’ve established the best deal available between AutoSlash and the major travel booking sites, head directly to the rental agency to see if it can match or beat the price you’ve already found, either on the agency’s website or by calling on the phone.

5. Book the Best Deal

Generally, with car rentals, you’re just reserving the car and not paying upfront. That means you won’t even have to give up a credit card number to lock in your reservation. It also means that, unlike most airline tickets and hotel reservations, you won’t be penalized if you need to cancel or change your reservation later.

6. Check Back a Week Before Your Trip To See if Prices Have Dropped

Finally, since you’re not locked into your reservation with a credit card, you have one more trick up your sleeve, and it’s one of Clark’s favorite travel tips.

“When I book my flight weeks or months before the actual date of travel, I also book my car rental at the same time,”  he says. “Then a week before my travel date, I re-shop the car rental rate. At least 90% of the time, I find that I can book a new car cheaper at the last minute, so I just let my old reservation go.”

READ MORE: 6 Steps To Getting the Best Car Rental Deal

Whether you don’t like flying or you want to enjoy the landscape, you might decide to travel by bus or train. If that’s your plan, here’s how to find the best deals.

Bus Tickets

There are a number of internet resources for booking bus tickets. Go online to the following bus travel sites:

• Wanderu : This transit website and app specialize in affordable bus and train fares (but also offers flights and hotels) in North America and Europe.
• Gotobus.com : This lists ticket prices for bus rides, bus rentals and hotels. The Deals  tab has some of the most affordable bus tickets around.
• CheckMyBus : CheckMyBus is a travel portal that claims it can save you up to 70% on average and offers the most bus routes worldwide.
• Busbud : Busbud is well-regarded for its comprehensive search results and mobile app. The site, which shows routes in more than 63 countries, also has user-submitted travel reviews for every route. If you search online, you may even be able to find a discount code, which could save you up to 20% on selected travel routes.

Read more about how to find cheap bus fares here.

Train Tickets

When it comes to domestic train travel, Amtrak is pretty much your only interstate choice. The rail carrier covers more than 21,000 miles across 46 states.

If you want to purchase train tickets at the lowest possible price, keep these things in mind:

• Look for discount Saver and SmartFares: Saver Fares are usually web-only specials that require the advance purchase of tickets. SmartFares are weekly discounts that are typically used to fill up trains. The tickets are nonrefundable and subject to availability.
• Seek out discounts: Amtrak offers 50% discounts for children , 10% for seniors , 10% for military personnel and their families and 10% for disabled adults and their companions.
• Check out Amtrak’s Deals page: Amtrak’s Deals page often features buy-one-get-one-free specials and special prices on select routes.
• Sign up for the rewards program: Join Amtrak’s Guest Rewards program , and not only will you get deals sent straight to your inbox, but you earn two points per dollar spent on Amtrak. You can redeem those points for upgrades and free travel.
• Look for special offers at RailServe.com : It has an Amtrak coupons section .

Read more about how to save on domestic train tickets here.

For booking international rail travel, it’s hard to beat UK-based International Rail . Bookings can be made for 66,000 point-to-point routes in Europe, including on Eurostar, French TGV, German ICE, InterCity, EuroCity and Spanish high-speed trains. Rail bookings for other regions include Australia, New Zealand, Asia and South Africa.

How To Book a Cruise

During an episode of his podcast early this year , Clark warned about booking a cruise in 2022 because of still-changing conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. He cited the fact that, depending on COVID restrictions, some ports on your cruise might not allow passengers to disembark. He also pointed out that COVID protocols on some ships can make for a less than optimal cruising experience.

As the pandemic waxes and wanes, so does the availability of cruises and deals. “Now you have to do a lot more picking and choosing,” Clark says, adding that before you can find a good cruise deal, you need to make a couple of adjustments regarding your mindset and travel plans.

“You have to adjust to today’s reality and adjust  how you book  with the flexibility of the ship you go on, and particularly  when you sail to get the best deal,” he says.

It is important to check on current guidelines from the CDC and the policies of individual cruise lines before you book.

Keeping in mind all those caveats, Clark has three primary rules to follow when it comes to booking cruises.

1. Let the Calendar Save You Money

“There are certain cycles through the year when cruise lines have trouble filling all their cabins, and that’s when you steal the great deals,” he says.

So when is typically the best time to book?

“After Thanksgiving but before Christmas kicks off is a bargain time for any kind of travel — and cruises are right in the midst of that,” he says.

Comparison shopping will give you a better understanding of what prices should look like at certain times of the year.

One of Team Clark’s favorite sites for finding last-minute cruise deals is  VacationstoGo.com . (Note: We do not recommend that you book on this site , but it’s a good place to do research.) If you want to compare prices from multiple travel agencies, CruiseCompete.com can also be a good source.

2. Don’t Let Cruise Brand Loyalty Cost You More

Some people are really loyal to cruise line brands, but that can absolutely kill your budget.

Clark’s advice is when planning your trip, venture away from what you know and explore other companies and what they’re about: “Look at things like experimenting with cruise lines you’re not that familiar with.”

Clark does offer this one caution though: “Never book a deal on a cruise just because it’s a deal. You need to really be comfortable that that ship is going to fit your lifestyle, the things that you’re interested in.”

The price won’t matter much if you find yourself on a cruise ship that doesn’t mesh with your expectations. Do the research.

3. Read the Reviews

You should try to get a balanced view of the cruise lines and particular ships you’re interested in, so it’s best to read some reviews.

Clark recommends a site where you can take a deep dive into cruise ship specs as well as deals and booking tips.

“I’d love for you to spend time on CruiseCritic.com , reading about a ship before you book on that ship,” he says. “Additionally, you can look closely at the various individual cabins to make sure you don’t get in a cabin that’s going to be a problem because it’s in a noisy area of the ship, for example.”

Another really helpful tip is to ask family, friends and coworkers if they have any recommendations. And travel agents who specialize in cruises sometimes have the inside scoop on particular ships and itineraries.

Now more than ever, it is important to consider purchasing travel insurance because of the still-changing travel conditions related to COVID-19. There are many different types of travel policies available, but there are two types we recommend that will likely cover most of your needs.

The best policy is one that allows you to cancel for any reason. It happens to be called Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance, and Clark says it’s great because it can you get at least most of your money back no matter why you decide not to make the trip.

Even before the pandemic, Clark recommended getting CFAR insurance for these four types of travel:

• Embarking on a cruise
• Booking a tour as part of your trip
• Traveling on an itinerary that requires prepayment of thousands of dollars
• Purchasing a trip that is non-refundable

“If you book a tour or you book a cruise — those two in particular — if you’re going to lose all your money regardless of why you can’t come, then you need to get insurance,” Clark says.

Clark recommends that you comparison shop for travel insurance that suits your needs at InsureMyTrip . It’s an aggregator site that helps you analyze all of the different choices available.

In addition to a CFAR policy, you may also want to consider travel medical insurance.

“The thing with international travel, which almost nobody knows until it’s a big problem, is that your health insurance usually doesn’t cover you outside the United States,” says Clark.

Read our full article on travel medical insurance here .

Travel the Clark Howard Way: Let the Destination Pick You

Over the years, Clark has used a trip-planning strategy that has allowed him to visit 49 states and almost every corner of the globe without spending a lot of money. His secret is surprisingly simple.

“My #1 rule of travel is buy the deal first and then figure out why you want to go there. By following that simple rule, I’ve been able to visit every continent except Antarctica and every state except North Dakota. And I’ve done it all on a dime.”

In order to accomplish this, Clark does three things that you can do, too.

1. Don’t Pick a Destination

How do you figure out where the deals are? Kayak Explore is a tool that lets you find great airfare deals that fit your budget.

You simply select how much you’re willing to pay and available destinations in your price range pop up on a world map. You can drill down further by season and month of travel.

2. Sign Up for Cheap Flight Services

Another way to approach the question of how to travel on the cheap is to sign up for any of a variety of cheap flight services. Clark likes and subscribes to all three of these to get the early word about the best airfare sales:

• Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights )
• Dollar Flight Club

Going and Dollar Flight Club both operate on a freemium model. You can use a basic version of their services for free, but you have to pay to upgrade in order to access a more robust version of the service. Clark says the upgrade is worth it if you really love to travel.

3. Set Up Fare Alerts

Not everybody can be flexible and let the deal drive their travel plans all the time. If you have a place you know you need to go — maybe a wedding or a family reunion — your best bet is to set up fare alerts.

Fare alerts will let you know when the price on a particular route drops and by how much. This kind of pricing perspective can save you a lot of money.

“They’ll be able to give you historical averages, telling you this fare is lower than normal by X number of dollars,” Clark says.

Try setting up fare alerts on both Google Flights and Kayak to ensure you find the best deal.

Read more about how Clark Howard books travel here.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have Clark’s advice for planning and booking a trip on a budget, you should be ready to pack your bags.

We know the process can be intimidating, especially when you’re going somewhere you’ve never been before. In fact, there are times when we recommend you consult a travel agent for help .

But for the majority of cases, if you follow the steps outlined above, you’ll be on your way to your next adventure without breaking the bank.

All set to go? Find your next vacation destination at a great price over on Clark Deals!

• 9-night Prague, Vienna & Budapest escape with flights & train from $1,326
• 9-night Rome, Cinque Terre, Florence & Venice trip with flights from $1,419
• 7-night Alaska cruise on Holland America from $489
• 17-night France & Portugal cruise from $788

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12 Unconventional Ways to Save on Travel

Points and miles are major, but there are other cheap ways to travel too.

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Consider setting up airfare alerts, housesitting and traveling midweek to help stay in budget.

Traveling can be expensive, and even when you rely on widely known savings tactics – such as traveling in off-peak seasons or staying at a hostel or a rental with a kitchen – the costs inevitably add up. If you're looking for ways to save on your next trip, add these unconventional tips provided by travel industry experts to your hat of travel tricks.

Get a set of packing cubes

Traveling with just a carry-on bag is a cost-effective option since it's typically free on most major airlines, but it's often easier said than done. That's why packing cubes are a good investment. They don't cost much – you can get a quality set like this one by Bagail for less than $25 – and they inevitably allow you to save space and fit more in your carry-on (or checked luggage ).

[Read: Guide: Carry-on Luggage Sizes by Airline .]

Choose the flight, then the destination

Scott Keyes, flight expert and founder of Scott's Cheap Flights , recommends changing the way you search for flights to save on airfare . Instead of looking for flights to a specific destination, use a flight comparison tool like Google Flights , Momondo or Skyscanner to browse a variety of airfares from your preferred airport(s). Maybe a trip to Barcelona wasn't what you originally had in mind, but if the price is right, why not head there instead?

Consider alternate airports

While flying from the airport closest to home is always the most convenient option, Keyes also suggests comparing fares from other airports, even those that are a few hours away. You may find prices are hundreds of dollars less to get to the same location, making the combined cost of gas, parking and driving time an excellent investment.

If you can drive a few hours to a larger airport with more flight options in general, that may be even better. Not only do you have the potential to save money, but you're more likely to find a direct flight or a route with fewer layovers.

[Read: What to Do If Your Flight Is Canceled or Delayed .]

Set up airfare alerts

If you're eager to travel far and want to save big on airfare, keep an eye out for short-term airfare offers on websites like Hopper and Trip.com . These sites offer deals that usually last a short time, meaning you have to strike while the iron is hot. "I do this every time I book a flight and I usually save at least 10%, but sometimes up to 75%," says Josh Band of A Backpacker's World . "I once got a flight that should have been $200-plus for just over $50 by setting up an alert."

Go to Europe for Thanksgiving

Many Americans opt to head to Grandma's house or another domestic destination for turkey dinner. However, not as many escape to the Caribbean and Mexico, and even less go to Europe – which means you're more likely to find flight deals to Paris , London and other European vacations you've been wanting to cross off your bucket list.

Travel midweek

There's no set day of the week to book the cheapest airfare, but there are less expensive days to travel, says Keyes. He recommends flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays since most business travelers fly on Sundays and Mondays (and consequently drive up the cost of airfare on those days).

Consider a 'bleisure' trip

If you have an upcoming business trip in a unique or new-to-you destination, consider tacking on a few personal days to the journey. This way, you can enjoy a mini-vacation sans airfare (assuming your company will cover that portion).

[Read: The Best Garment Bags for Travel, According to Reviews .]

Buy travel insurance

It may sound counterintuitive, but purchasing travel insurance can save your bank account (and your sanity) in the event that you or a family member falls ill or has another emergency that forces you to change your vacation plans before or during the trip. A basic and cheap travel insurance policy will suffice, though there are coverage options for a wide variety of needs – including cancel for any reason travel insurance (which is exactly what it sounds like).

Housesit for free accommodations

Did you know you can enjoy free accommodations in exchange for housesitting? Sites like House Sitters America and Mind My House offer housesitting opportunities for a small annual fee (less than $50). Many of the homeowners have pets who need TLC while they're gone, too, making this a fun and budget-friendly alternative to traditional rentals like Airbnb. No matter where you travel, it doesn't get much better than living like a local and playing with pups.

Similarly, you can try couch surfing, which allows you to stay with a local for free. Services like the site Couchsurfing charge a negligible monthly or annual fee to sign up and get verified for safety purposes, while others such as BeWelcome are free. These services also provide exclusive meetups with other travelers.

Read: The Best Vacation Rental Travel Insurance Plans

Sign up for a family loyalty program

Did you know there are loyalty programs that allow family members or groups to pool rewards or freely transfer rewards to others?

"This can be a great option for infrequent travelers who may not rack up enough points or miles for a free flight or hotel room individually – but can reach those rewards when combined," says Nick Ewen, director of content for The Points Guy . "In some cases, it's a single, pooled account that automatically combines points (like JetBlue). In other cases, you can simply transfer points from one account to another (like Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, or Marriott Bonvoy)." He recommends reading the full terms and conditions of these programs, as some impose time limits, maximum transfer amounts and other restrictions.

Use travel rewards on experiences

Don't forget that both airline credit cards and airline rewards programs can be used to cover more than flights and hotels. Programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards make it easy to redeem points for sporting events, dining (including reservations, exclusive culinary experiences and takeout orders) and more.

You can also use points earned on hotel credit cards as well as hotel rewards programs to pay for fun experiences in hundreds of destinations around the world. Options range from cooking classes and concerts to outdoor activities and spa experiences .

Book a refundable car rental

While some companies offer discounts for prepaid car rentals, many travelers say they've had better luck with booking refundable car rentals , allowing them to secure a reasonable rate while keeping a watchful eye for price drops. If a better price pops up, simply cancel your original reservation and book at the lower rate. Frequent traveler Pamela Howard, who writes about her experiences on Our Adventure Is Everywhere , says she's consistently able to save anywhere from $25 to $100 using this tactic on Costco Travel car rentals. "It's simple and that little bit of time rechecking rates pays substantially in savings."

Ewen says you can do the same when you book a flight or hotel using points since many loyalty programs have flexible cancellation policies. "If you lock in a flight at 35,000 miles and see that your same ticket is 30,000 miles just a week later, you should be able to rebook and get those 5,000 miles back into your account," he explains.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Cruise Lines for the Money
• The Top Cheap All-Inclusive Resorts
• The Top Cheap Weekend Getaways in the U.S.
• The Top All-Inclusive Resorts Where Kids Stay Free
• Cruise Lines That Let Kids Sail Free

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USA TODAY 10Best

10 travel memberships that are worth the money

November 11, 2021 // By Leila Najafi

By Leila Najafi November 11, 2021

We live in a subscription-obsessed world and there’s a subscription for everything you can imagine, from razors to clothing and even hot sauces. Travel memberships are on the rise, providing new ways to ease some of the stress that comes with traveling these days and help make the journey more seamless.

Whether you’re willing to pay a premium for exclusive travel experiences that provide a little more privacy or you're more budget-conscious and want to find the best travel deals, there’s a membership for every type of traveler. Here are 10 travel memberships that are worth considering.

Wheels Up offers private jet charter memberships so travelers can access a fleet of aircrafts, including a King Air 350i, an 8-passenger Citation Excel/XLS, and one of the fastest aircrafts, the Citation X. Wheels Up uses a dynamic pricing model offering competitive rates, so members can book flights on-demand with the flexibility to pay as they go.

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Additional m embership benefits include invites to signature events, President’s Circle status with Hertz, a complimentary trial of Inspirato Club subscription for 12 months (Core members only), certain perks at select Waldorf Astoria hotels across North America, a partnership with Delta SkyMiles, dedicated partnership rates with Porsche and more.

Membership cost: Three membership options are available – Connect, Core and Business. The Connect membership requires a one-time initiation fee of $2,995 and annual dues of $2,495 which begin on year two. The Core membership has an initiation fee of $17,500 and annual dues of $8,500 which begin on year two. The Business membership requires an initiation fee of $29,500 and $14,500 for subsequent years and includes up to six lead passengers.

Getting through airport security lines can be a drag, especially during holiday weekends and a pandemic that has increased the demand for more seclusion when traveling. PS (formerly known as Private Suite) is designed for first and business class travelers who are seeking privacy and convenience, allowing them to bypass LAX altogether.

Travelers check into a private terminal where they can relax in a fully-stocked luxury private suite that includes complimentary in-suite meals catered by h.wood Group , as well as additional services upon request such as in-suite massages, manicures and detailing services for personal cars. PS also provides a designated on-site TSA and Customs agent for expedited screening.

Upon boarding, travelers are transported across the tarmac directly to their aircraft in a BMW 7 Series sedan. Earlier this year, the Salon at PS launched, which features a new full-service lounge at the terminal for travelers who want the same benefits of PS but seek a more social experience.

Membership cost: Annual membership costs $4,500, which gives members access to a preferred rate of $3,250 for a one-way Suite experience for up to four travelers. The Salon is available to members and non-members for $695 per use per person.

Inspirato is a subscription-based luxury travel service that gives members exclusive access to over 150,000 luxury vacation homes and resorts around the world that are staffed by Inspirato. There are two membership types: Inspirato Club and Inspirato Pass. The former gives you access to the luxury residences and hotels around the world, on-site concierge and daily housekeeping with additional benefits such as late check-in and check-out, room upgrades, spa credits and more. However, members also pay nightly room rates.

With the Inspirato Pass, you automatically get the benefits of Inspirato Club plus nightly rates are already factored into the price of membership, so you can book as many vacations as possible in one month with one active reservation at a time. There is also no long-term commitment, so you can cancel the membership at any time.

Membership cost: Inspirato Club membership is $600/month plus a $600 enrollment fee and you pay nightly rates as you go. Inspirato Pass is a flat rate of $2,500/month which includes all hotel stays.

Scott’s Cheap Flights

A membership to Scott’s Cheap Flights includes flight deals and “Mistake Fares” accidentally published by airlines sent straight to your inbox. The team scours the internet for the lowest published airfare rates to popular destinations and shares them with members.

Subscribers can also track deals from a specific airport close to home or destinations of interest. A membership to Scott’s Cheap Flights is best for travelers who have flexibility on the destination and dates and are willing to fly based on low airfare rates. Flight deals don’t last long so you’ll have to act fast.

Membership cost: There are three membership tiers including Limited which is free, Premium costs $49/year and Elite $199/year.

PRIOR was started by a former travel editor who saw a gap in the market for travelers wanting a more immersive experience during their vacation. A team of experienced travel editors and local tastemakers on the ground design itineraries for curious travelers.

A PRIOR WORLD membership includes access to curated destination guides, unique local experiences in cities around the world, pre-planned group trips led by experts and for an additional fee, the team can create a custom itinerary based on your interests.

If you're a frequent traveler, PRIOR BESPOKE might be the membership better suited for you. For a flat fee per year, members get unlimited trip planning by their expert team of travel editors and membership managers.

Membership cost: PRIOR WORLD membership costs $249 per annum. PRIOR BESPOKE is $5,000 per annum.

Priority Pass

Airport terminals may have come a long way in the last decade, but killing time for a three-hour layover in a crowded airport isn’t exactly on anyone’s list of things to do, especially on vacation. Trade the busy terminals for private lounge access with Priority Pass and enjoy guaranteed Wi-Fi and snacks.

Members of Priority Pass receive access to over 1,300 airport lounges globally, including several airline lounges such as Virgin Atlantic, Air France and Turkish Airlines. Several credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Platinum and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express offer free Priority Pass memberships as part of their member benefits.

Membership cost: Choose from three membership tiers which start at $99/year for the Standard membership plus $32 per visit and go up to $429/year for the Prestige membership which includes unlimited lounge visits.

TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry are services that allow travelers to expedite the security screening process upon departure and arrival. With CLEAR Plus, enrolled members get escorted to the front of the security line once they’ve been verified using facial recognition or fingerprint scans, so they no longer have to verify identification at security. However, for expedited clearance through security screenings, TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry are still required.

CLEAR uses biometric identifiers to create a unique ID assigned to each member that is used for verification at stations across airports, stadiums and other major venues nationwide.

Membership cost: A CLEAR Plus membership is $179 per year. American Express Platinum Card Members receive a $179 statement credit and United MileagePlus members receive a discounted membership rate.

Well Traveled

Well Traveled is a members-only social and booking platform that allows members to connect with friends to find and share travel recommendations. The community-driven platform is intended to make travel planning easier by allowing you to follow people in your network that you trust, in addition to other like-minded travelers who share similar budgets and travel preferences.

Members can also take advantage of the personalized booking service that includes perks like exclusive rates, room upgrades, food & beverage credits, complimentary breakfast and more. Currently, membership is invite-only but you can also apply to be considered.

Membership cost: $150 per year.

Travel + Leisure Club

Travel + Leisure Club is a new travel subscription service offered by Travel + Leisure Group. Members can pay a monthly fee for access to preferred pricing on curated itineraries and an average of 25% savings on hotels, resorts, car rentals and activities that are listed on Travel + Leisure GO, the online travel booking site. Plus, members get a subscription to the glossy print magazine.

Members also get access to a personal concierge that can assist with travel planning, scoring tickets to sold-out events, making dinner reservations and more.

Membership cost: Travel + Leisure Club is currently offering an introductory rate of $9.95/month.

Exclusive Resorts

Designed for families who value privacy, Exclusive Resorts is a small community of members (only 150 new members accepted each year) that get access to over 350 luxury residences around the world including the Amalfi Coast, Barcelona, Deer Valley, Kaua’i, Los Cabos, St. Barts and more.

Guests enjoy a more personalized experience with a dedicated on-site team who can assist with pre-trip planning details such as stocking the fridge with your favorite snacks, booking a massage or private chef, and housekeeping services.

Membership cost: There is a one-time, non-refundable initiation fee of $150,000 for a 10-year membership. Annual dues are $1,395/night and members travel 15-30 nights per year.

About Leila Najafi

Leila Najafi is a luxury travel writer based in LA who is a member of more subscription services than she'd like to admit.

Read more about Leila Najafi here.

Connect with Leila via: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok

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Corporate Travel Savings, Save Money on Business Travel Costs

Optimize your travel spend with non-stop savings

Whether you’re a start-up or a global organization, we can help you save on business travel costs with every booking.

Business travel features to save time and money

Egencia Savings Finder for Hotel and Air delivers the best travel savings and deals, even after you’ve booked. If rates go down, fares and accommodation are automatically rebooked.

Egencia Smart Mix uses machine learning to give business travelers a fast, intuitive booking experience. Traveler’s preferences and history are factored in, along with company travel policy to deliver better results to save time and money.

We're with you every step of the way

Egencia makes booking corporate travel quick and easy. Travel managers can customize travel options to highlight preferred hotels, easily build or adjust travel policies or implement rate caps and advanced purchase requirements – all to reduce the cost of business travel.

We help increase employee productivity by allowing business travelers to easily book online, on the mobile app, or over the phone.

Achieve savings with self-service business travel

Data to find more savings in your corporate travel program

Egencia Analytics Studio lets you access reports for travel spend, traveler adoption and travel policy compliance.

These actionable insights empower decision-making, giving you complete visibility of your travel spend. Know how much you're getting in negotiated savings and where you are missing savings.

The benchmarking dashboard allows you to see how your travel program stacks up against your peers to identify potential business travel cost savings.

See Egencia Analytics Studio in action

Umpqua Bank boosted its business travel ROI

“Here’s the brilliant thing about Egencia: The fee structure is low, and what we make up in unused ticket management pays for it, so it’s fantastic. And then on top of it, you have a tool that people want to use.”

JJ Giachetti Corporate travel manager Umpqua Bank

Your essential checklist for business travel savings

Get the savings your company deserves.

More on savings with Egencia

See how you can reduce overall business travel costs

Already a customer? Contact Egencia customer service

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The 10 best ways to save money on business travel

Finding business travel savings might sound like a challenge – especially with anticipated travel price increases, as detailed in our 2024 Global Travel Forecast . But there are ways to keep your costs down without compromising on traveler safety or services.

With a smart process in place, you can save money on every trip – and make both your travelers and your stakeholders happy. Check out 10 of the most effective ways to reduce your overall business travel spend.

• Tighten up your business travel policy From booking flights to meal allowances and handling expenses, there’s a lot to consider when setting out a business travel policy. Take a close look at your existing business travel policy and consider whether it’s robust enough to cover every area of travel spend within your company. Focus first on getting the fundamentals in order – a proper approval process, along with guidelines on bookings and reservations, on-site spending and expenses. Setting clear procedures will help your business travelers make decisions that stay within your policy and don’t incur additional costs that hurt your bottom line. If you don’t have a travel policy in place, read our handy guide on how to write one .
• Have a pre-trip approval process One of the simplest ways to reduce your business travel spend is by having an approval system in place for every booking. By making it clear who needs to approve travel, you won’t have the problem of trips having to be canceled after they’ve been booked, triggering wasted expenditure. If you partner with a travel management company, make full use of their online booking tool , which often includes trip approval processes. This should give you better oversight when it comes to setting up travel arrangements. CWT’s tool allows you to choose which employees can book their own hotels and flights and easily monitor their bookings. It means you can take immediate action if they venture outside your travel policy. 
• Save on airline flights Airline tickets can be expensive, so be smart about which ones your employees’ book. Employees could save just by being flexible on the dates of travel and airline they use, and by booking economy flights only. However, once booked, having a fixed travel plan is usually cheaper. Encourage traveling employees to only buy flexible tickets that provide an option of return dates, if absolutely necessary for the trip. Getting alerts for airfare promotions and discounted rates can also massively reduce your business travel costs. For example, CWT’s innovative travel management software searches for the best prices and the most competitive rates on airfares. Our additional  price optimization tool  uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically cancel and rebook tickets when it finds a cheaper deal to the same location, saving you even more money. On average, our customers can save USD 150 per ticket.
• Cut the cost of hotels Room rates can vary enormously, even within the same hotel, so being smart can deliver big savings. You may decide you want to let your business travelers choose where they want to stay. That’s fine – just make sure you set a budget threshold or star rating. You might also want to specify that standard rooms should be the required room type, and clearly outline whether you’ll be covering minibar charges, Wi-Fi costs and so on. If you want to stay in control of the booking, research will also pay off. Our hotel offering on our easy-to-use booking tool, myCWT , provides genuine, independent peer reviews from business travelers who have stayed in those hotels. If your employees visit the same location regularly, we can help you negotiate special discounts on hotel rates. Available for hotel fares as well, you can also watch savings mount with our price optimization tool , which will cancel and rebook accommodations automatically when prices drop. On average, our customers save USD 100 per stay.
• Consider bleisure travel Combined leisure and business trips allow for more flexibility when it comes to timing, which helps bring travel prices down. There’s also more openness to blended travel from senior management. According to a Future Market Insights (FMI) global report, bleisure travel already accounts for 33% of all business travel. This follows a cultural shift from the strains of the pandemic, but also how travel intersects with well-being, employee retention and recruitment, especially for younger employees.
• Explore trip batching Embrace the shift towards sustainability and lower costs through a strategy called trip batching. Rather than travelers booking individual trips, trip batching involves choosing a region and booking multiple trips in the area at once. Since the pandemic, there’s been a 10% increase in such multi-destination trips. Consolidation of trips can lead to reduced emissions, cost savings, and more efficient use of your employees’ travel time.
• Understand ancillary charges Additional charges such as Wi-Fi and parking easily add up to give you an unpleasant surprise at the end of a trip – especially when you thought everything had been accounted for. Some business service providers can bundle these costs into one combined package, helping you factor them into your budget forecasts and keeping you in control of your spend.
• Help your employees be more productive on the road If your employees are spending less time organizing their trip, they’re spending more time working – which is good for your company. Making their journey run as smoothly as possible at every stage will help them stay productive during their trip. Software can play a big part in this – for example, our complimentary  myCWT app  syncs employees’ travel schedules with their business smartphone calendars, giving them important travel details whenever needed.  Additionally, employees stay in the know with trip and safety alerts, destination intelligence and real-time flight status updates supporting the broader objective of enhancing employee productivity and safety throughout their travels.
• Partner for travel optimization Hiring a business travel specialist can rein in your overall business travel spend. As experts in the field, we work with global organizations to implement customized travel management programs and services – and our industry-leading travel support can save you money, time and stress. By teaming up with a travel management company like ours you can benefit from preferential rates on airfares and hotels, as well as on-site offers and promotions. Plus, our best-in-class business intelligence and reporting solution combines data from trip expenses such as airfares and non-trip expenses such as business meals. It gives you full visibility of all your travel arrangements, helping you make the right decisions that will lead to significant reductions in your costs.
• Reward your employees – and your business Every time your employees pick a more cost-effective travel option, they save the company money. Over the course of a year, that can really add up. So, how about giving them an incentive to deliver further savings? It could be a voucher for their favorite store, a share of the savings, or time off – just some way of thanking employees for reducing your travel costs and encouraging them to keep doing it. There are also savings to be had by ensuring your business makes the most of business reward schemes. These cost nothing to join and give your company points every time you make a booking. Once your points have built up, they can be redeemed against the cost of airline tickets, upgrades, and often hotels and car rental.

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• Best overall
• Best for exotic trips
• Best for trip interruption
• Best for medical-only coverage
• Best for family coverage
• Best for long trips
• Why You Should Trust Us

Best International Travel Insurance for June 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

If you're planning your next vacation or trip out of the country, be sure to factor in travel insurance. Unexpected medical emergencies when traveling can drain your bank account, especially when you're traveling internationally. The best travel insurance companies for international travel can step in to provide you with peace of mind and financial protection while you're abroad.

Best International Travel Insurance

• Best overall: Allianz Travel Insurance
• Best for exotic travel: World Nomads Travel Insurance
• Best for trip interruption coverage: C&F Travel Insured

Best for medical-only coverage: GeoBlue Travel Insurance

• Best for families: Travelex Travel Insurance
• Best for long-term travel: Seven Corners Travel Insurance

How we rate the best international travel insurance »

Compare the Best International Travel Insurance Companies

As a general rule, the most important coverage to have in a foreign country is travel medical insurance , as most US health insurance policies don't cover you while you're abroad. Without travel medical coverage, a medical emergency in a foreign country can cost you. You'll want trip cancellation and interruption coverage if your trip is particularly expensive. And if you're traveling for an extended period of time, you'll want to ensure that your policy is extendable. 

Here are our picks for the best travel insurance companies for international travel.

Best overall: Allianz

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good option for frequent travelers thanks to its annual multi-trip policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Doesn't increase premium for trips longer than 30 days, meaning it could be one of the more affordable options for a long trip
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans include free coverage for children 17 and under
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Concierge included with some plans
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Coverage for medical emergency is lower than some competitors' policies
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Plans don't include coverage contact sports and high-altitude activities
• Single and multi-trip plans available
• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage starting at up to $10,000 (higher limits with more expensive plans)
• Preexisting medical condition coverage available with some plans

Allianz Travel Insurance  offers the ultimate customizable coverage for international trips, whether you're a frequent jetsetter or an occasional traveler. You can choose from an a la carte of single or multi-trip plans, as well as add-ons, including rental car damage, cancel for any reason (CFAR) , adventure sport, and business travel coverage. And with affordable pricing compared to competitors, Allianz is a budget-friendly choice for your international travel insurance needs. 

The icing on the cake is Allyz TravelSmart, Allianz's highly-rated mobile app, which has an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars on the Google Play store across over 2,600 reviews and 4.8 out of five stars from over 22,000 reviews on the Apple app store. So, you can rest easy knowing that you can access your policy and file claims anywhere in the world without a hassle.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.

Best for exotic trips: World Nomads

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer coverage for travelers older than 70
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
• Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
• 2 plans: Standard and Explorer
• Trip protection for up to $10,000
• Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
• Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
• Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)

World Nomads Travel Insurance  offers coverage for over 150 specific activities, so you can focus on the adventure without worrying about gaps in your coverage. 

You can select its budget-friendly standard plan, starting at $79. Or if you're an adrenaline junkie seeking more thrills, you can opt for the World Nomads' Explorer plan for $120, which includes extra sports like skydiving, scuba diving, and heli-skiing. And World Nomads offers 24/7 assistance, so you can confidently travel abroad, knowing that help is just a phone call away. 

Read our World Nomads Travel Insurance review here.

Best for trip interruption: C&F Travel Insured

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 2 major plans including CFAR coverage on the more expensive option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancellation for job loss included as a covered reason for trip cancellation/interruption (does not require CFAR coverage to qualify)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Frequent traveler reward included in both policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is only $100,000
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews on claims processing indicate ongoing issues
• C&F's Travel Insured policies allow travelers customize travel insurance to fit their specific needs. Frequent travelers may benefit from purchasing an annual travel insurance plan, then adding on CFAR coverage for any portions of travel that may incur greater risk.

C&F Travel Insured offers 100% coverage for trip cancellation, up to 150% for trip interruption, and reimbursement for up to 75% of your non-refundable travel costs with select plans. This means you don't have to worry about losing your hard-earned money on non-refundable travel costs if your trip ends prematurely. 

Travel Insured also stands out for its extensive "reasons for cancellation" coverage. Unlike many insurers, the company covers hurricane warnings from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Read our C&F Travel Insured review here.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. A subsidary of Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers strong medical plans as long as you have a regular health insurance plan, but it doesn't have to be through Blue Cross
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers long-term and multi-trip travel protection
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Multiple complaints about claims not being paid or being denied
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Does not provide some of the more comprehensive coverage like CFAR insurance
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers who do get claims paid may need to file multiple claim forms

GeoBlue Travel Insurance offers policies that covers emergency medical treatments when you're abroad. While GeoBlue lacks trip cancellation coverage, that allows it to charge lower premiums than the other companies on this list. 

GeoBlue plans can cover medical expenses up to $1 million with several multi-trip annual plans available. It offers coinsurance plans for trips within the U.S. and 100% coverage for international trips. It also has a network of clinics in 180 countries, streamlining the claims process. It's worth noting that coverage for pre-existing conditions comes with additional costs. 

Read our GeoBlue Travel Insurance review here.

Best for family coverage: Travelex Travel Insurance

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Options to cover sports equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Option to increase medical coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Optional "adventure sports" bundle available for riskier activities
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only two insurance plans to choose from
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage maximum is low at up to $50,000 per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage

Travelex travel insurance is one of the largest travel insurance providers in the US providing domestic and international coverage options. It offers a basic, select, and America option. Read on to learn more.

• Optional CFAR insurance available with the Travel Select plan
• Trip delay insurance starting at $500 with the Travel Basic plan
• Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000

Travelex Travel Insurance offers coverage for your whole crew, perfect for when you're planning a family trip. Its family plan insures all your children 17 and under at no additional cost. The travel insurance provider also offers add-ons like adventure sports and car rental collision coverage to protect your family under any circumstance. Got pets? With Travelex's Travel Select plan, you can also get coverage for your furry friend's emergency medical and transportation expenses. 

Read our Travelex Travel Insurance review here.

Best for long trips: Seven Corners

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Diverse coverage options such as CFAR, optional sports equipment coverage, etc.
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Available in all 50 states
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Prices are higher than many competitors
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews around claims processing are mixed
• Trip cancellation insurance of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption insurance of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance available

Seven Corners Travel Insurance offers specialized coverage that the standard short-term travel insurance policy won't provide, which is helpful if you're embarking on a long-term trip. You can choose from several plans, including the Annual Multi-Trip plan, which provides medical coverage for multiple international trips for up to 364 days. This policy also offers COVID-19 medical and evacuation coverage up to $1 million. 

You also get the added benefit of incidental expense coverage. This policy will cover remote health-related services and information, treatment of injury or illness, and live consultations via telecommunication. 

Read our Seven Corners Travel Insurance review here.

How to Find the Right International Travel Insurance Company 

Different travelers and trips require different types of insurance coverage. So, consider these tips if you're in the market to insure your trip. 

Determine your needs 

Your needs for travel insurance will depend on the type of trip you're taking. You'll need to consider your destination and what you'll be doing there, either business, leisure, or adventure traveling. Policies covering adventure sports and activities will cost more. Longer, more expensive trips will also cost more. 

Research the reputation of the company 

When researching a company, you'll want to closely review the description of services. You'll want to see how claims are handled, any exceptions, and limitations.

You'll also want to look at the company's customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot, BBB, and Squaremouth, as this will provide insight on the quality of customer service and the claims process. You should also take note of whether companies respond to customer reviews.

Compare prices

You can get quotes through a company's website or travel insurance aggregators like InsureMyTrip and VisitorsCoverage. You'll need to be prepared to provide the following information about your trip:

• Trip destination(s)
• Travel dates
• Number of travelers
• Traveler(s) age/birthday
• State of residence
• Total trip cost

For companies that offer travel medical insurance, you'll also want to play around with the deductible options, as they can affect your policy premium. 

Understanding International Travel Insurance Coverage Options

Travel insurance can be confusing, but we're here to simplify it for you. We'll break down the industry's jargon to help you understand what travel insurance covers to help you decide what your policy needs. Bear in mind that exclusions and limitations for your age and destination may apply. 

Finding the Best Price for International Travel Insurance

Your policy cost will depend on several factors, such as the length of your trip, destination, coverage limits, and age. Typically, a comprehensive policy includes travel cancellation coverage costs between 5% and 10% of your total trip cost.

If you're planning an international trip that costs $4,500, you can expect to pay anywhere from $225 to $450 for your policy. Comparing quotes from multiple providers can help you find a budget-friendly travel insurance policy that meets your needs.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed International Travel Insurance Companies

We ranked and assigned superlatives to the best travel insurance companies based on our insurance rating methodology . It focuses on several key factors, including: 

• Policy types: We analyzed company offerings such as coverage levels, exclusions, and policy upgrades, taking note of providers that offer a range of travel-related issues beyond the standard coverages. 
• Affordability: We recognize that cheap premiums don't necessarily equate to sufficient coverage. So, we seek providers that offer competitive rates with comprehensive policies and quality customer service. We also call out any discounts or special offers available. 
• Flexibility: Travel insurance isn't one-size-fits-all. We highlight providers that offer a wide array of coverage options, including single-trip, multi-trip, and long-term policies.
• Claims handling: The claims process should be pain-free for policyholders. We seek providers that offer a streamlined process via online claims filing and a track record of handling claims fairly and efficiently. 
• Quality customer service: Good customer service is as important as affordability and flexibility. We highlight companies that offer 24/7 assistance and have a strong record of customer service responsiveness. 

We consult user feedback and reviews to determine how each company fares in each category. We also check the provider's financial rating and volume of complaints via third-party rating agencies. 

Read more about how Business Insider rates insurance products here.

International Travel Insurance FAQs

The best insurance policy depends on your individual situation, including your destination and budget. However, popular options include Allianz Travel Insurance, World Nomads, and Travel Guard. 

You should pay attention to any limitations regarding covered cancellations, pre-existing conditions, and adventure activities. For example, if you're worried you may have to cancel a trip for work reasons, ensure that you've worked at your company long enough to qualify for cancellation coverage, as that is a condition with some insurers. You should also see if your destination has any travel advisories, as that can affect your policy. 

Typically, your regular health insurance won't cover you out of the country, so you'll want to make sure your travel insurance has adequate medical emergency coverage. Depending on your travel plans, you may want to purchase add-ons, such as adventure sports coverage, if you're planning on doing anything adventurous like bungee jumping.

Travel insurance is worth the price for international travel because they're generally more expensive, so you have more to lose. Additionally, your regular health insurance won't cover you in other countries, so without travel insurance, you'll end up paying out of pocket for any emergency medical care you receive out of the US.

You should purchase travel insurance as soon as possible after making payment on your trip. This makes you eligible for add-ons like coverage for pre-existing conditions and CFAR. It also mitigates the chance of any losses in the days leading up to your trip. 

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Best travel credit cards of June 2024

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Bankrate expert Garrett Yarbrough strives to make navigating credit cards and credit building smooth sailing for his readers. After regularly featuring his credit card, credit monitoring and identity theft analysis on NextAdvisor.com, he joined the CreditCards.com and Bankrate teams as a staff writer to develop product reviews and comprehensive credit card guides focused on cash back, credit scores and card offers.

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Stephanie Zito is a professional traveler, self-employed humanitarian consultant and collector of credit card points. She shares savvy travel tips that she’s learned firsthand circling the globe for more than 25 years. She’s a backpacker, expect and premium traveler who’s visited more than 130 countries and all seven continents. Her life motto is “See the world, change the world, have fun doing it!” and her mission is to inspire others along the journey.

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Travel credit cards help you earn valuable points and miles on your purchases. For maximum value, some cards earn rewards not only on travel, but also everyday purchases like dining, groceries and gas. You can redeem these rewards for free or discounted flights, hotel stays or to cover other travel-related expenses.

The best travel cards also come with additional features. Even no-annual-fee travel cards are likely to offer perks like sign-up bonuses, intro APR offers and travel insurance. But for top-of-the-line benefits like airport lounge access, elite status and travel credits, expect to pay an annual fee.

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Bankrate's Best Travel Credit Cards of June 2024

• Best starter travel card:  Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Best for flat-rate rewards:  Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Best for luxury travel:  The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Best for no annual fee:  Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card  ( See Rates & Fees )
• Best for foodies:  American Express® Gold Card
• Best for everyday spending: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
• Best for intro APR:  Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
• Best for point values:  Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Best for practical perks:  Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Best for pairing:  Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Best for hotel bookings: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
• Best no-annual-fee hotel card:  Hilton Honors American Express Card
• Best luxury hotel card:  Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• Best for transfer partners:  Bilt Mastercard®
• Best for gas:  Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
• Best for companion tickets:  Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Best starter airline card:  Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
• Best for expedited security screening:  Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
• Best for first-year value:  Discover it® Miles
• Best for fair credit:  Credit One Bank Wander® Card
• What to know about travel credit cards
• Tips for choosing the best travel card

Travel credit card perks

How do credit card points and miles work.

• Expert advice on travel cards

How we assess the best travel credit cards

• Frequently asked questions
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Credit range

A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

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Best starter travel card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.

Intro offer

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

We calculate this number by multiplying the card's intro offer by Bankrate's valuation of this issuer's rewards program , showing you how much your points or miles are worth in dollars.

Rewards rate

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.

Regular APR

• 5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
• 3x 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
• 2x 2x on all other travel purchases.
• 1x 1x on all other purchases.

What we love: This popular card comes loaded with features that can make it easy even for occasional travelers to offset the modest $95 annual fee without eating into hard-earned rewards. Plus, its rewards program is one of the best, giving you some of the most valuable travel redemptions — through both Chase and transfer partners — and Chase card pairing opportunities if you want to build your card portfolio eventually. Learn more: Why expert Margaret Weck loves using the Chase Sapphire Preferred Alternatives:   If you’re looking for an even simpler travel card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a terrific option. Its flat rewards rate makes it easy to know exactly how much you’ll earn with every purchase and though it can’t match the Sapphire Preferred’s redemption flexibility, it offers more redemption options than the typical travel rewards card. 

• You earn Ultimate Rewards points with this card — some of the most valuable and flexible rewards around, especially if you pair it with Chase’s cash back cards in the future.
• The card touts significant long-term benefits like anniversary bonus points and travel credits, as well as travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and a car rental collision damage waiver.
• Doesn’t offer airline- or hotel-specific perks like free checked bags, elite status or free night stays.
• The sign-up bonus is decent, but the card has previously offered higher, chart-topping bonus points.
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Best for flat-rate rewards

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

New Venture cardholders can earn 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

2 Miles - 5 Miles

• 5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2 Miles 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

What we love: It’s a great option for travelers looking for a straightforward rewards program and flexible redemption options. You'll earn unlimited miles on all eligible spending and can redeem not only for travel bookings, but also as a statement credit to cover travel purchases made in the past 90 days. Learn more: Why expert Jacqueline DeMarco loves the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a higher rewards rate in some everyday spending categories and potentially more valuable points. Chase points are worth 1.25 cents each if you redeem for travel through Chase, while Capital One miles are only worth 1 cent each when you redeem for travel. Plus, Chase rewards are more helpful for occasional travelers since you can redeem as cash back at 1-cent-per-point value.

• Carries solid perks given its low annual fee, including expedited airport purchase security and hotel experience credits, lost luggage reimbursement and more.
• Zero foreign transaction fees make this an excellent choice for international travelers.
• You can’t offset the annual fee with annual travel credits or bonuses alone as you can with some rival cards.
• The card’s sign-up bonus carries a high spending requirement, so it may be tough to earn if you don’t have large purchases on the horizon.
• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Best for luxury travel

The Platinum Card® from American Express

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.

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. Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

• 5X Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• 5X Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

What we love: Luxury travelers and big spenders will appreciate the bevy of travel benefits, including annual statement credits worth around $1,700, elite hotel loyalty status and access to perhaps the most comprehensive airport lounge access available with a credit card. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Platinum Card® from American Express Alternatives: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a taste of luxury at a lower cost than many premium travel cards. You can unlock a generous rewards rate on both travel and general purchases, complimentary access to popular airport lounge memberships and valuable annual travel credits and anniversary miles.

• Comes with a generous welcome offer and a longer time period to earn it compared to most rewards cards.
• A robust line-up of airline and hotel partners and related perks make this card truly valuable for travelers.
• The $695 annual fee may not be worth it if you don’t spend much on travel frequently or can’t take full advantage of the card’s luxury — and often niche — perks.
• Redeeming and maximizing the card’s credit and benefits requires some legwork and can be a bit confusing.
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Best for no annual fee

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel

5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

1.25 Miles - 5 Miles

• 1.25 Miles 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

What we love: This card offers some of the same advantages as the Capital One Venture, without the burden of an annual fee. It gives you the chance to earn flat-rate miles on your everyday spending and the option to transfer miles to over 15 loyalty program partners to even cover travel purchases outside Capital One — a unique level of redemption flexibility for a starter travel card. Learn more: Reasons to get the VentureOne Rewards Card Alternatives: A general-purpose flat-rate credit card that offers 2X points or 2 percent cash back on all purchases may bring more value if you don’t travel often and aren’t ready to upgrade to a travel rewards credit card with an annual fee. However, the Discover it® Miles earns a flat-rate 1.5X miles that can also be redeemed for cash back at 1-cent per mile, which is unusual for travel rewards.

• The welcome offer is generous for a no-annual-fee travel credit card.
• Booking hotel stays and rental cars through Capital One Travel nets you an impressive 5X miles.
• Unlike several no-annual-fee travel cards, redeeming for non-travel purchases waters down your rewards’ value.
• Capital One has no major U.S. carrier in its line-up of travel partners.
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Best for foodies

American Express® Gold Card

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

• 4X Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4X Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• 3X Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

What we love: Few credit cards are more rewarding for traveling foodies than the American Express Gold Card. Both the food-related annual credits and the rewards rates at restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and on flights booked directly with airlines or via the Amex travel portal are some of the best on the market. In fact, the up to $240 in credits each year alone nearly make up for the annual fee. Learn more: Why the Amex Gold is worth the annual fee Alternatives: If the Amex Gold Card’s annual fee sounds high, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . It carries key travel perks, high travel and dining rewards rates, and a much lower annual fee.

• This card features one of the best rewards return rates available on dining, groceries and food deliveries.
• There is no preset spending limit, so you can enjoy extended purchasing power, and you also have the option to pay off purchases with Pay Over Time if necessary.
• Although the card touts a solid collection of travel perks, it doesn’t include popular premium card perks like airport lounge access or trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
• Only eligible airfare earns more than 1X points, while rival cards often earn similar (or higher) reward rates on hotel stays and other travel purchases as well.
• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.

Best for everyday spending

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

• Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com

Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com. Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations. Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases

• 10X Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• 3X Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
• 1X Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases

What we love: This card’s high rewards rate in everyday bonus categories makes it an especially good choice for occasional travelers and people looking for a standalone rewards card. Its practical bonus categories mean you can earn rewards quickly, even if you don’t actually spend a ton on travel. Alternatives:   As long as you don’t mind buying groceries online, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could be an even more lucrative everyday rewards card. That’s thanks mostly to its high point redemption value (1.25 cents per point when you use points to book travel with Chase, versus just 1 cent per point when you book with Citi using the Strata Premier).

• It’s one of the only travel cards that offers a high rewards rate on groceries, dining and gas, so it should work well whether it’s your standalone card or just one part of your card stack.
• Its annual hotel benefit carries enough value to potentially offset the annual fee on its own.
• The annual hotel benefit, though generous, isn’t very flexible: You’ll only get the $100 discount if you book a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) through CitiTravel.com.
• Based on Bankrate’s latest point and mile valuations, Citi ThankYou rewards carry a lower average redemption value than Chase, Amex and Capital One rewards.
• Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Best for intro APR

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

• 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.
• 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.
• 1.5X 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.

What we love: This entry-level travel card keeps things simple for occasional travelers. It offers simple flat-rate rewards and lets you redeem for a broad mix of travel options not typically available on many travel cards, such as cash back toward purchases with travel agencies,  zoos, art galleries and more. It’s even more valuable if you’re a Bank of America customer and can qualify for a rewards boost through the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program. Learn more: Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card worth it? Alternatives: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is another great starter travel card, but, unlike many cards in this category, it lets you transfer your miles to airline and hotel partners, potentially for a higher redemption value.

• Its easy-to-earn sign-up bonus and intro APR offers give this card good short-term value.
• No annual fees or foreign transaction fees sweeten this offer.
• It only offers 1.5X points on purchases, and you can’t transfer points can’t to airline partners for more rewards value, so it may not be as lucrative as competing cards.
• The top tiers of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program may be out of reach for many cardholders.
• 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.

Best for point values

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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

Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠. Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

• 10x Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
• 5x Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠.
• 3x Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
• 1x Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

What we love: Rewards-savvy travelers will be hard-pressed to find a card with better rewards potential than the Sapphire Reserve. Points are worth 50 percent more through Chase Travel, and potentially more with the right transfer partner. It’s a stellar partner for Chase’s cash back cards and stacks on even more value with enough perks to recoup the annual fee without relying on hard-earned rewards. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Alternatives: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers some of the same key perks as the Sapphire Reserve at a much lower cost. Along with a generous rewards rate on both Capital One Travel and general purchases, the card boasts valuable, practical benefits like competitive airport lounge access , up to $300 in annual Capital One Travel credits and 10,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary.

• You can kickstart your rewards bank with one of the most valuable sign-up bonuses on the market.
• Its top-tier benefits include up to $300 in annual travel statement credits, Priority Pass airport lounge access, exhaustive travel protections and stand-out partner perks.
• The card’s cost could be a deterrent for some new cardholders, especially if they plan on encountering adding multiple authorized users.
• You won’t get as many luxury hotel and airport lounge perks with this card as you would with some of its rivals.
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

Best for practical perks

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

• 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

10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

2 Miles - 10 Miles

• 10 Miles 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel

What we love: This is the perfect middleground for travelers who want the practical benefits from luxury travel cards without dealing with bloated features and an annual fee upwards of $500. It offers complimentary lounge access, high-earning bonus rewards categories, anniversary credits and bonus miles, which can easily make the card worth it for frequent travelers. Learn more: Capital One Venture X Benefits Guide Alternatives: If a higher annual fee is no issue, consider The Platinum Card® from American Express. It’s a top choice for frequent travelers thanks to its impressive welcome offer and luxury perks like annual travel credits, lounge access and hotel elite status. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® may be better if your luxury travel experience calls for racking up more rewards.

• Offers anniversary bonus miles and a chance to earn credits worth hundreds of dollars starting at your first account anniversary.
• Comes with complimentary lounge access at over 1,300 lounges for you and two guests per visit.
• To earn the anniversary credit, travel must be booked through the Capital One Travel portal. That’s not as flexible as some other cards, which offer credits that cover any travel purchases, regardless of how you book.
• Lacks some perks found on other premium travel cards like airline or hotel elite status, which can get you benefits like free checked bags or room upgrades.
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Best for pairing

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service 1.5% on all other purchases

• 5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
• 3% 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
• 1.5% 1.5% on all other purchases

What we love: Not only does it earn 1.5 percent cash back on general spending, but it also has a bonus cash back rate for drugstores and dining at restaurants. And if you pair it with one or two premium Chase travel cards, you could pool your rewards for better travel redemption value.  Learn more: Why I love the Chase Freedom Unlimited Alternatives: If you want to take advantage of even more rewarding cash back categories and remain in the Chase family, consider the Chase Freedom Flex℠ .

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

Best for hotel bookings

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

• 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 Earn unlimited 4X points on airlines Earn unlimited 3X points on other travel and restaurants Earn 1X points on other purchases

• 5X Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels
• 4X Earn unlimited 4X points on airlines
• 3X Earn unlimited 3X points on other travel and restaurants
• 1X Earn 1X points on other purchases

What we love: It offers a great rewards rate on hotel bookings and gives you a chance to earn a $50 annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase. Add in a solid rate on airline purchases, other travel and restaurants and this card carries great value as a standalone mid-tier card for occasional travelers. Alternatives: If you want to earn travel rewards but don’t actually spend much on hotels and airfare, the lower-tier Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is also worth a look. Though it earns also rewards on travel, it boasts a great mix of other practical everyday categories (including gas stations).

• You can transfer points to Wells Fargo’s new list of airline and hotel partners, including popular programs like British Airways Executive Club, Choice Privileges and more, which could boost the redemption value of your rewards.
• The $50 annual statement credit offsets more than half the card’s $95 annual fee and should be a cinch to earn if you fly at least once per year.
• Wells Fargo only offers one other card that earns travel rewards (the Autograph), and there is some category overlap between the two, so they may not be as lucrative as some competing card stacks.
• The card doesn’t carry some popular travel perks available on other mid-tier travel cards, such as credits for expedited airport security screening or rideshares.
• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• 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.

Best no-annual-fee hotel card

Hilton Honors American Express Card

• Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/31/2024.

Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.

• 7X Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• 5X Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• 3X Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.

What we love: This card earns rewards in a terrific mix of everyday bonus categories, so it should be easy to rack up Hilton points even if you don’t spend a ton on hotel bookings. Since it charges no annual fee and provides a few Hilton Honors benefits like Silver status, it’s also a great fit if you’re new to hotel cards and want a single no-annual-fee option instead of juggling multiple rewards cards. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Hilton Honors American Express Card Alternatives: The American Express® Green Card could be more flexible since it lets you earn and redeem rewards on a much wider variety of travel purchases, including airfare and bookings with several hotel brands, not just Hilton. You can transfer points to the Hilton Honors program as well, but the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card may be better if you prefer upgraded Hilton-specific rewards, loyalty status and other perks.

• Comes with automatic Silver Elite status, which includes a free fifth award night when you book at least four consecutive nights with points.
• Earns rewards in three of the average person’s biggest spending categories, making it a terrific standalone option for earning Hilton points.
• A higher-tier Hilton card would earn more on Hilton bookings and could be more lucrative for frequent guests, even with an annual fee.
• You can only redeem points with Hilton and its partners, which limits the rewards value you earn on the everyday categories compared to a general-purpose cards’ rewards.
• Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
• No Annual Fee.

Best luxury hotel card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

• Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines 2X points on all other eligible purchases

• 6X Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
• 3X 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines
• 2X 2X points on all other eligible purchases

What we love: Frequent Marriott guests looking for luxury card-level perks and elite status should be able to justify this premium card. Along with a terrific rewards rate on Marriott bookings and an annual free night award, you could enjoy generous annual credits for restaurant purchases and Marriott property stays, airport lounge access, elite night credits and more. Learn more: Best Marriott credit cards Alternatives: If you’re looking for top-tier travel perks but want the flexibility to earn and redeem rewards for stays at any hotel chain, consider an elite travel card from Chase or Amex, which can come with generous travel benefits, airport lounge access and the ability to transfer points to Marriott. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is another lucrative alternative.

• Outperforms other Marriott cards with its boosted rewards on travel-related categories and 21X points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, thanks to the automatic Platinum Elite status.
• It’s one of the only hotel cards that includes complimentary Priority Pass lounge access, top travel protections and credits for expedited airport security screening.
• Unlocking some of the card’s best perks — like Five Suite Night Awards — requires a $60,000 annual spend, which may be tough to reach even for frequent Marriott guests.
• Unless luxury perks are at the top of your wishlist, the annual fee may not be worth it and a lower-tier hotel card may offer more value overall.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• $650 Annual Fee.

Best for transfer partners

Bilt Mastercard®

Intro offer is not available for this Wells Fargo credit card.

3x points on dining 2x points on travel 1x points on other purchases Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. When you make at least 5 posted transactions in a statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you'll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.

1X Points - 3X Points

• 3X Points 3x points on dining
• 2X Points 2x points on travel
• 1X Points 1x points on other purchases
• 1X Points Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. When you make at least 5 posted transactions in a statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you'll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.

What we love: Not only is this card is a terrific choice for renters since it earns rewards and waives transaction fees when using it to pay rent, it’s also great for rewards strategists considering the extremely robust travel rewards program. You can earn rewards on travel and dining and your points carry a high value whether you redeem through the Bilt travel portal or one of the many airline and hotel transfer partners. Alternatives: If you like the Bilt card’s travel rewards program but don’t see yourself renting long term, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It earns generously on both travel and dining and also boasts high-value points and transfer partners. If the way you pay rent doesn’t incur credit card payment fees, a flat-rate card may also be worth weighing. 

• It’s the only card that helps you avoid the fees typically associated with paying rent with a credit card.
• Offers a solid collection of travel perks for a no-annual-fee card, including trip cancellation and interruption protection, trip delay reimbursement and other high-level travel protections.
• You can only use rewards to cover rent, toward a future home down payment or for travel and shopping. Cash back isn’t an option.
• There is no sign-up bonus. Most competing travel cards — even those with no annual fee — offer at least a $200 bonus.
• $0 Annual Fee.
• Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year.
• 2x points on travel.
• 3x points on dining.
• 1x points on other purchases.
• Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
• When renting at a Bilt Alliance property, you can choose to have your rent payments automatically reported by Bilt to the three major credit bureaus each month; Experian™, TransUnion™, and Equifax™.

Best for gas

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

• 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 restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Earn 1X points on other purchases

• 3X Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans.

What we love: The Wells Fargo Autograph card is a great option for occasional travelers and households on the go looking to earn rewards while avoiding an annual fee and reduced redemption value for cash rewards. It’s one of a few entry-level travel cards to offer high, year-round bonus rewards for gas, dining, transit and other key travel needs. Learn more: Is the Wells Fargo Autograph worth it? Alternatives: If you’re looking for ways to maximize the value of your rewards, you should consider a travel card that lets you transfer your points to airlines or hotels, like the Bilt Mastercard® or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

• While some issuers only reward travel purchases made directly with airlines or through issuer portals, this card lets you shop around for the best deal on third-party travel sites and still earn extra rewards.
• Carries decent perks such as rental car collision damage waiver coverage, roadside assistance and Visa Signature® Concierge benefits, like access to Visa’s Luxury Hotel Collection (terms apply).
• Unlike with traditional travel cards, you cannot transfer your points to airlines or hotels
• The travel perks and intro APR are weak compared to competing travel-oriented cards’ offers.
• Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
• $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.

Best for companion tickets

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

• Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

• 3X Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• 2X Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
• 1X Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

What we love: The annual companion certificate on Main Cabin domestic flights (taxes and fees apply) comes with this card after the first year is valuable enough to justify the annual fee even if you’re just looking for great Delta perks to make travel smoother with a partner. Plus, the companion certificate is easier to obtain than other airline cards’ since it carries no spending requirement that must be met beyond the card’s annual fee. Alternatives: The American Express® Green Card could be a great alternative since it charges a lower $150 annual fee, lets you earn and redeem rewards on travel with any eligible airline (not just Delta) and offers credits for Loungebuddy lounge access and Clear Plus. You can even transfer points to Delta at a 1:1 ratio.

• Boasts several valuable travel perks, including priority boarding, a free first checked bag and specialized annual credits for select rideshare services and reservations with Delta Stays and Resy.
• Gets you closer to Medallion Status and discounts on in-flight purchases, complimentary upgrades, and more.
• Its rewards rate on non-travel purchases is lacking — a general-purpose travel card could potentially offer better rewards value and flexibility for rewards travel outside Delta.
• No longer offers complimentary Delta Sky Club lounge access as of this year, although airport lounge access is a staple perk for premium travel cards.
• Receive a Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum 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.
• Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Resy Credit: With the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Resy Credit, earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
• $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment Required.
• Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
• Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive $100 back for Global Entry or up to $85 back for TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
• $350 Annual Fee.

Best starter airline card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

• Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

• 2X Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
• 2X Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• 2X Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• 2X Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
• 1X Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

What we love: This card’s anniversary bonus offers enough value to nearly offset the annual fee on its own, so it should be a terrific low-stakes option whether you’re new to airline cards or a regular Southwest flyer looking for a low-maintenance card. Plus, its sign-up bonus value is on par with the value you’ll get with much pricier airline and travel cards. Learn more: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus benefits guide Alternatives: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card could offer better value overall, despite its $149 annual fee. It carries an annual $75 Southwest travel credit and 7,500 bonus points each year on your account anniversary — more than enough value to justify the higher fee.

• You’ll automatically earn 3,000 Rapid Rewards points each year after your account anniversary, which could offset much of the card’s already-low annual fee.
• Delivers the same hefty sign-up bonus as higher-tier Southwest cards.
• Unlike several travel cards, it doesn’t carry rewards categories for popular everyday purchases like gas or dining.
• It may not be the best Southwest value for frequent flyers since it poses a 3 percent foreign transaction fee and doesn’t offer perks like upgraded boardings or elite status benefits.
• 3,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Best for savers

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

• Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases. Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

• 2X Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases.
• 1.5X Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

What we love: If you do your banking with Bank of America and qualify for Preferred Rewards status, this card could provide an exclusive 25 percent to 75 percent rewards rate boost. The  rewards rates — 2X points on dining and travel, with 1.5X points on all other purchases — could increase to an incredible 3.5X on travel and dining with an unrivaled flat 2.62X points rate. Learn more: Why expert Sara Coleman loves the Bank of America Premium Rewards Card Alternatives: The similarly-priced Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best alternatives thanks to its stellar travel protections, yearly bonus rewards and stronger rewards program. However, flat-rate cards like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card or the Discover it® Miles card could be lucrative if you don’t think the $95 annual fee is worth it.

• The $95 annual fee is relatively affordable for this card category thanks to the up to $100 in yearly airline incidental statement credits.
• You can smooth out your travel experience with great benefits like credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and comprehensive travel insurance.
• Attaining the highest rewards rate is not an easy feat, since you’ll need to hold significant funds in Bank of America accounts.
• This card does not offer a few popular premium travel perks like lounge access.
• Low $95 annual fee.
• Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 - 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
• Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
• Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Best for first-year value

Discover it® Miles

• Unlimited Bonus: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.

Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

• 1.5X Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

What we love: In addition to the exceptionally valuable Discover Match® , this card combines solid flat-rate rewards with consumer-friendly terms, like minimal fees and an equal value for both travel and cash back redemptions. Travelers who value simplicity will appreciate this card’s straightforward rewards and adaptability — even when you aren’t traveling. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Discover it® Miles Alternatives: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card carries a more straightforward and still easy-to-reach welcome bonus. The VentureOne card also gives you the option of transferring miles to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners, which could increase the redemption value of your rewards.

• All miles earned in your first year will be matched at the end of the year, which could make it one of the most valuable first-year offers for no annual fee.
• Miles don’t lose value when they’re redeemed for cash back, which gives it a leg up over many travel rewards programs for occasional travelers.
• You’ll miss out on pretty standard travel perks like travel insurance, and car rental damage protection.
• The rewards structure lacks flexibility; you won’t be able to transfer your miles or use them to book travel.
• Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
• No annual fee
• Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
• Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
• Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
• Terms and conditions apply.

Best for fair credit

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

Intro offer is not available for this Credit One Bank credit card.

Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas Earn 1x points on all other purchases

• 10X Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• 5X Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
• 1X Earn 1x points on all other purchases

What we love: The Credit One Bank Wander® Card is a solid option if you want to earn points on travel but have trouble qualifying for mainstream travel cards. Not only is this card accessible with only fair credit, but its rewards program boasts generously high rewards rates in key travel categories. Learn more: Best travel cards for people with bad or fair credit Alternatives: If you don’t mind putting down a refundable security deposit, consider a no-annual-fee secured card like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card *. It’s a unique secured card that lets you build credit while earning rewards in a category of your choice (with travel just one of many popular options) as well as grocery stores and wholesale clubs.

• It’s one of the only travel rewards cards available with a fair credit score, making it a decent option if you want to earn travel rewards as you work on your score.
• Provides 5X points in travel, dining and gas, plus 10X points on eligible hotel and rental car bookings through Credit One Bank — rare and impressive rates with only fair credit.
• Its annual fee is high compared to other cards you can get with a fair credit score , so it may not be the best fit if you prioritize building credit over earning rewards.
• Other travel cards may offer better perks, fewer redemption restrictions and more value, so it may be worth working on your score with a lower-cost card before committing to the costly annual fee.
• Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
• Earn 1x points on all other purchases
• Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
• With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
• Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
• If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
• See Rates & Fees

Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit  AmericanExpress.com/benefitsguide  for more details. Underwritten by Amex assurance company.

The information about the American Express® Green Card and Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuers.

Compare Bankrate's best travel credit cards of 2024

What are travel credit cards.

Travel credit cards allow cardholders to earn points or miles on a variety of purchases (typically travel-related), which are redeemable for travel bookings, statement credits, gift cards and more.

The best travel credit cards do more than help you foot the bill for your next flight — travel cards also offer perks to upgrade your entire travel experience. Trip insurance , annual travel credits, concierge services and lounge access are all common benefits. Airline and hotel co-branded credit cards sometimes offer specific discounts and perks for loyalty program members.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

Although a well-chosen travel card can pay huge dividends, it might not be the right move for every traveler. Before you apply, take time to weigh the benefits versus the drawbacks of travel credit cards .

Tips on choosing the best travel credit card for you

The right travel credit card for you will carry features and benefits that give you the best value. To help you narrow down your choices, here are the steps to choosing the best travel card.

How to choose a travel credit card

1. know how you prefer to travel.

Knowing whether your travel expenses lean toward airfare, hotel stays or a mix of other travel will help you decide whether you should get an airline card, hotel card or general-purpose travel card. A co-branded airline or hotel credit card may be a good fit if you mostly travel with a certain brand and want exclusive privileges to enhance your experience. A general-purpose travel card is better if you prefer to keep your travel options open.

2. Prioritize redemption value

You may have to pick between simplicity and maximum value when comparing cards and rewards programs. Many travel cards offer a standard point or mile redemption value of 1 cent when you redeem toward travel through the issuer portal, but some cards can get you a higher redemption value when you transfer rewards to airline or hotel partners. However, it's common for many travel reward programs to reduce the redemption value toward non-travel options or limit these redemption options altogether. If you prefer simplicity over maximizing rewards, you may want to consider cards that allow you to redeem points or miles at an equal 1-cent value toward general travel purchase credits, cash back or other non-travel options.

3. Match your card to your spending habits

Take a look at your typical spending and find which travel categories and non-travel categories you spend the most in to help you choose a card that offers a high rewards rate for your regular spending. Just make sure you factor in rewards spending caps.

4. Note what's worth the extra money

High rewards rates and valuable travel perks are the biggest reasons to get a travel card, but many of the best cards carry a high annual fee. You could stick with a no-annual-fee travel card (or at least one with around a $99 fee) if you're mainly focused on earning rewards, but you may have to pay up to $500 or more for luxurious perks like airport lounge access, comprehensive travel insurance and hundreds of dollars in annual travel credits .

5. Look toward your next trip abroad

If you travel overseas, check to see if the card you're considering charges a foreign transaction fee. And since some credit cards aren't as widely accepted as others, you'll also want to make sure your credit card will work when traveling overseas . For example, merchants may not accept Discover and American Express cards as widely as Visa and Mastercard. If a trip is coming up in the next three to six months, keep an eye out for the big sign-up bonuses travel cards are known for. As a rule of thumb, the higher the annual fee, the higher the sign-up bonus should be.

Co-branded travel cards vs. general travel cards

Experts typically divide travel credit cards into two categories: co-branded travel cards and general travel cards. Co-branded cards are linked to a particular airline or hotel, while general travel cards offer more flexible reward opportunities. Here’s why and when you might want one or the other.

• Co-branded cards
• General travel cards

Co-branded travel cards tend to offer higher rewards rates on eligible travel purchases in exchange for limiting your reward redemption options to just one airline or hotel program . These cards may also feature more specific perks associated with the respective hotel or airline, such as free award nights, complimentary airline elite status or priority boarding — which general-purpose travel cards don’t often carry).

However, you won’t be able to use your rewards with a wide variety of different hotels and airlines like general-purpose cards allow. Plus, despite co-branded travel cards’ typically higher rewards rates, many brand-specific rewards tend to be worth less than the potential value of general-purpose cards’ points and miles.

When to get a co-branded travel card : When you often fly or stay with a specific airline or hotel and want to maximize your benefits with that brand.

General travel cards earn rewards on various travel categories and aren’t limited to a particular airline or hotel. Such cards may lack some of the dedicated perks you’ll find on a co-branded travel card, such as in-flight discounts, but make up for it with rewards flexibility and broader perks like general travel credits, expedited security screening and wider airport lounge access. 

The top travel cards even let you transfer your points or miles to airline and hotel loyalty programs, often at a 1:1 rate. Redeeming with some airlines and hotels can even make your rewards more valuable than they would be if you redeemed with the card issuer.

When to get a general travel card : When you have no preferred airline or hotel and want the additional flexibility a general travel card offers. 

Who should get a travel credit card?

A travel credit card is almost always worth it for frequent travelers or anyone who wants to earn rewards toward their next vacation.

If you can save up airline miles, rack up points for free nights at hotels or get discounted travel through your credit card issuer, you’re on your way to significant travel savings. However, the right travel card for you will depend on your travel habits.

Frequent travelers

Naturally, the ideal candidate for a travel card is someone who travels a lot or plans to book several flights and hotel stays per year. However, in some cases, you don’t have to be a frequent traveler to reap the benefits of a travel rewards card. A number of cards offer good rewards rates on general purchases.

Travel beginners

If you’re new to travel rewards, a good place to start is with a travel card that makes it easy to earn and redeem points, without requiring you to navigate a complex rewards program or worry about tiered rewards rates or varying point redemption values. 

Brand loyalists

If you tend to book travel with the same brands frequently or already belong to an airline or hotel loyalty program, a co-branded travel card can offer terrific value.  Airline- and hotel-specific rewards cards often earn a top rate on bookings with the brand as well as exclusive perks like lounge access and automatic elite status. 

Business travelers

Some of the most valuable travel credit cards are business cards . Whether you're a freelancer on the go or the CEO of a Fortune 500, the right travel credit card can help you earn high rewards rates on everyday business purchases. 

International travelers

If you frequently travel abroad, a card with no foreign transaction fees is a great way to help you avoid extra costs on overseas purchases. Plus, if you hate waiting in line at airport security or customs, a lot of travel cards offer statement credits to reimburse you for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.

Luxury travelers

Luxury travel cards often charge a pretty penny but also offer a ton of value via perks like lounge access and annual travel credits. These perks not only make travel more comfortable, but also often carry enough value to offset the card’s cost on their own.

Still unsure if a travel credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool where you can get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

Here’s how a Bankrate editor chose his travel card

Here’s how a bankrate editor chose his travel card.

With all of this advice in mind, let’s see how a credit card expert made their pick. Here’s Bankrate editor Nouri Zarrugh on how he chose his travel card:

When it comes to earning rewards, I’ve always stuck with cash back cards, preferring the simplicity of knowing exactly how much my rewards are worth and the ease of redeeming for statement credits. Recently, though, I decided I wanted to travel a bit more frequently, and I figured a new travel rewards card could be a great tool to help me earn free trips. When choosing the right card for me, a few major points of consideration stood out: Cost: I didn’t feel like I traveled enough to justify a huge annual fee. Simplicity : I wanted to stick with a single, streamlined travel card and not worry about juggling multiple rewards programs or rewards rates. Perks : While I didn’t need anything too fancy, I thought it might be nice to have a perk like TSA Precheck included, since I hate waiting in long airport security lines. To my surprise, the card that stood out most was the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Though it carried an intimidating annual fee of $395 ( See Rates & Fees ), I found this cost was more than worth it once I dug into the details. In fact, its benefits were so valuable, I barely needed to worry about offsetting the cost.  Two of its annual perks — a $300 Capital One travel credit and 10,000 bonus miles every year on my account anniversary — are valuable enough to offset the fee on their own. This means as long as I take one flight a year, I can basically break even on the card. Any rewards or perks I get beyond that feel like pure upside. It’s a huge bonus, then, that the card also includes practical benefits like Priority Pass lounge access and a credit of up to $100 toward the cost of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. While I’ve never frequented airport lounges, I see these privileges as essentially free considering the value of the annual travel credit and bonus miles. So, I figure, why not take advantage?  For me, the Venture X strikes the perfect balance: A flat rewards rate that makes it easy to earn miles on everything I buy; flexible redemption through Capital One or via transfer to airlines and hotels, and practical perks I know I’ll use when I travel. I never imagined I’d have a $395 travel card in my wallet, but for me, it’s at worst a coupon for a flight every year, which can nudge me to take that next trip. — Nouri Zarrugh, Editor, Bankrate

Travel benefits may differ from card to card, but some of the most popular travel cards available often feature a few key perks. 

Travel insurance

Travel cards may offer various travel insurances , such as trip delay protection, trip cancellation insurance, lost baggage insurance or car rental insurance. These benefits aren’t worth anything until you need them, but you’ll be glad you have them when your flight is canceled or your luggage gets lost.

Travel credits

Credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry are a popular and common benefit on many travel cards. You can typically use this credit once every four years, which roughly corresponds to how long a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership lasts. Some cards may also provide an annual credit toward Clear Plus — another expedited security membership. Higher-end travel cards often offer annual statement credits toward travel purchases, and many of these credits nearly offset these cards’ annual fees. 

In-flight perks

Co-branded airline cards typically offer some airport and in-flight benefits on top of their reward-earning capabilities. These can include discounts on in-flight purchases (usually 25 percent back on refreshments and WiFi), free checked bags, flight seating upgrades or priority boarding. 

Free hotel award nights

Co-branded hotel cards may include free hotel award nights annually as part of their benefits. Some cards also add an extra complimentary awards night to your stay if you’ve booked a certain number of consecutive nights. These nights are typically capped at a certain value (sometimes based on the card or your elite status), and may be valuable enough to make up for some cards’ annual fees.

Airport lounge access

One of the most popular (and valuable) travel benefits featured on high-end and luxury travel cards is complimentary access to airport lounges. The lounges you gain access to depend on the card, though co-branded cards will often grant access to the lounge corresponding to the card’s airline. The Amex Platinum card currently offers the best airport lounge access .

If you want to add a credit card to your portfolio for your travel needs, knowing what cards are popular and why people like them can help steer your decision. We regularly stay abreast of these conversations online and noticed two travel cards come up regularly: the Chase Sapphire Reserve and The Platinum Card from American Express .

These cards shine because they offer some of the best rates on travel purchases and the most comprehensive set of benefits and perks . Despite their annual fees, what you get in return can far outweigh your costs. And the conversation around these two cards isn’t new: Is the effort of maximizing their perks worth it?

What people say about travel credit cards perks

The Sapphire Reserve is often referred to as the gold standard in travel benefits and protections, and the value of its trip insurance is a big part of that. A member of the Rick Steves Forum remarks on the value of the insurance: “It has pretty extensive coverage wherever I travel … my entire trip is covered as long as I charged any portion of the trip to my card.” This feature is unique to the Sapphire Reserve and sets it apart from other premium cards, which require you to charge your entire trip purchase to the card to have active coverage.

But using trip insurance isn’t always a simple process. As a user in the r/CreditCards forum on Reddit cautions: “Credit card travel insurance in general is very specific on what it covers, and people tend to overestimate just how useful the coverage actually is,” they write. “These are named peril policies, so unless you see your exact situation as a covered hazard the policies won't pay out.”

The Platinum Card from American Express gets a lot of buzz for reasons similar to the Sapphire Reserve. The card gives so many benefits, credits and additional perks that it’s often called a coupon book for luxury travel. But for many people, the value comes down to whether they’re willing to do the work to maximize its features. Another r/CreditCards member says they use the card’s Hilton and Marriott status boosters, rental car company loyalty program automatic status features, Centurion lounge access, hotel and airline incidental credits, membership credits and more. Using all these features helps them offset the annual fee.

While some people love maximizing the card’s features to extract  as much value as possible, others, like this Redditor, think it’s too much work:

“The only benefit the Platinum card really adds is Centurion and Delta Sky lounge access but only to the [cardholder] … I believe the Platinum is worth [it] at least the first year for the [sign-up] bonus but then it doesn't get much use after that. Trust me the credits are really annoying to use.” — r/CreditCards user

These two premium cards stand out from the rest because they offer the most comprehensive features available to suit your travel needs and protect you from any issues that arise. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is an exceptional option to protect you from travel issues, but make sure you know the fine print. While the Amex Platinum may not be as ideal for travel protections, the credits offered more than offset its annual fee if you can put in the effort to fully maximize them.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned cardholder, your travel card should always work in your favor by offering the features and benefits you’ll actually use and that make your travels more enjoyable. But whether you’re willing to put in the effort to maximize a card’s value is something you’ll need to decide for yourself.

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Be sure to check the issuer's website/terms and conditions for all up to date content. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

Credit card points and miles are two of the key types of credit card rewards , along with cash back. You’ll earn points and miles by making purchases with your credit card, but you can typically redeem these rewards for travel, gift cards and more — not just statement credits.

Points and miles tend to be more flexible than cash back, but since their value depends on how you redeem them — and, in the case of travel redemptions, where you’re going, when you book, your fare class and more — it may take a bit more effort to make the most of them.

What are your points and miles worth?

Since many airlines and hotels use dynamic pricing models that continually optimize airfare and room prices, it can be hard to know exactly how much your rewards are worth without doing a little math.

Luckily, you don’t need to be a travel hacker to get a sense of this idea. Before you redeem, you can check your reward redemption value by dividing the cost of a plane or hotel booking in cash by its cost in points or miles. This calculation will result in the cash value of your points or miles.

You can also compare this value to Bankrate’s latest points and miles valuations to determine if you’re getting a good deal on your redemptions. Bankrate collected data on hundreds of bookings across dozens of airline, hotel and credit card rewards programs and estimated how much each program’s rewards are worth on average .

• Airline rewards values
• Hotel rewards values
• Credit card program rewards values

The table below shows Bankrate’s estimated reward redemption value for a variety of popular airline loyalty programs. You’ll notice how widely the value varies between airlines, with some offering close to 3 cents per point in average redemption value and others struggling to meet a 1-cent-per-point value.

Keep in mind, however, that these values are averages based on a variety of fare classes, destinations, booking periods and more. For example, while Bankrate estimates Delta SkyMiles carry an average redemption value of around 1.2 cents per mile, they could be worth more or less depending on the details of your booking. 

*Based on weighted average of median point/mile values across economy and first/business class fares.

Like airline miles, hotel points fluctuate in value. The table below shows Bankrate’s estimated point values for some of the most popular hotel brands. 

As you can see, hotel points tend to be worth less than airline and credit card rewards on average, often carrying less than 1 cent per point in redemption value. That said, hotel loyalty programs sometimes offer more favorable exchange rates when you transfer rewards from a credit card rewards program. For example, you may be able to turn 1,000 credit card points into 2,000 hotel points (a 2:1 transfer ratio). 

*Based on median point values across budget, mid-tier and luxury hotel bookings.

Unlike hotel and airline rewards programs, credit card reward programs typically earn points or miles that offer a consistent redemption value when you use them with the issuer. Though the redemption value of your rewards may vary based on how you redeem, each redemption method should offer a consistent baseline value. 

Some credit card rewards programs may also allow you to transfer your points or miles to airline and hotel loyalty programs, which could boost their value considerably. For each major credit card rewards program, we estimate a baseline redemption value (assuming you book for travel with the issuer) and a Bankrate’s Value, which averages the program’s best-value transfer partners.

*Based on an average of the issuer’s five highest-value transfer partners (if available).

When to use rewards vs. cash

To demonstrate when it’s best to use your reward miles versus paying in cash, we set up this example:

We estimate American Airlines AAdvantage miles are worth 1.0 cents. If you book a seat in the main cabin on a one-way flight from Boston to Miami, and it costs either $139 or 21,500 miles, your miles are only worth $0.006 ($139 / 21,500 miles = $0.006). Since your miles for this flight are worth less than 1.0 cents, you may want to save your miles and pay cash for this flight.

But if you book a first-class seat on the same flight for $433 or 31,500 miles, your miles are now worth $0.013 ($433 / 31,500 = $0.013). Since 1.3 cents is higher than our latest valuation, you’re coming out ahead if you use your miles to pay for this flight.

Bankrate experts share their advice on using travel credit cards

It’s important to know how to maximize your rewards and perks. Otherwise, a travel card could end up being a money pit. Here are a few pointers from our experts for making the most of your travel card: 

Combine cards to maximize rewards

Knowing how much you spend in different categories and which merchants are eligible for rewards will help you earn more and build an optimized stack of rewards cards. A flat-rate card is often a great starting point to earn the same rate on every purchase you make. As you build out a rewards strategy, you can incorporate a card with bonus categories to earn even more in your highest spending areas.

Expert Insight:

“For a long time, I’ve used a combination of Chase credit cards known as the Chase trifecta for all my family’s spending…. [I] don’t typically use my Sapphire Reserve for everyday spending and bills. Since it only offers 1X points on non-bonus category spending, I use my Freedom Unlimited to make sure I earn a minimum of 1.5 percent cash back on everything I buy.” “I use each card strategically to earn as much in rewards as possible, then I pool them in my Sapphire Reserve account to redeem them for airfare, excursions, hotels and more.” — Holly D. Johnson — Award-winning personal finance writer and Bankrate contributor: Why I love the Chase Sapphire Reserve

Maximize your rewards value with transfer partners and issuer travel

Save your rewards for the most valuable redemption options. Travel points and miles often lose value toward non-travel options like cash back, so you’ll want to redeem your rewards for travel through the issuer portal for at least 1 cent per point or mile. However, transferring your rewards to the right airline or hotel partner program is usually worth the extra effort since it could net you even more value.

Expert Insight

“When I redeem my points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, the most I can get is 1.25 cents apiece, which is pretty good. However, if I transfer them to a partner airline’s loyalty program, I will often get much more. For example, I can transfer my points to United Airlines MileagePlus and use them to pay for flights. When I do, I generally get a value of 2 or more cents per point — in line with Bankrate estimates that Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth around 2 cents apiece on average when used with the right transfer partner.” — Margaret Wack — Personal finance expert and Bankrate contributor: Why I love the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Make the most of your travel perks

Travel benefits are one of the main reasons to get a travel card, and are often key to making up a card’s annual fee. Be sure to read the fine print to make sure you can take full advantage of these offers . For example, one card’s travel credit may apply to any travel purchase, including airfare, while another card’s may only cover costs like baggage fees or in-flight purchases. 

“This is the year to take inventory of your credit cards and make sure they’re serving you well. If you’re paying an annual fee, look for a card with recurring benefits. Whether it’s annual award nights, waived luggage fees or elite status benefits, these perks can offset your annual fee and make your travels more pleasant … Despite putting minimal spending on my Hilton Honors Amex Aspire card, I keep renewing it every year. That’s because the card provides automatic Hilton Diamond elite status, which can easily offset the $550 annual fee. Recurring card benefits like [these] can save you a lot on travel and are worth considering when shopping for a new credit card.” — Ariana Arghandewal — Travel rewards expert and Bankrate contributor: Five benefits you need from a travel credit card

Plan for the sign-up bonus

The best travel cards come with generous welcome offers, but these bonuses may require a high spend in a short timeframe. That’s why it’s important to consider whether the spending requirement fits with your typical spending habits or whether you need to plan purchases to meet the requirement. Just be sure not to overextend yourself or take on debt you can’t pay back just to earn a bonus — interest and fees can easily eat through any value you’d get.

“Keep in mind that credit card sign-up offers change often. So if you’re interested in a particular card but not blown away by its current offer (there are some for 100,000 points or more that aren’t always worth the trouble), it could be worth your while to wait for a better one.” — Ariana Arghandewal — Travel rewards expert and Bankrate contributor: 6 ways to get bigger credit card bonuses

Look out for limited-time offers, partner perks and other benefits

Keeping an eye out for limited-time offers like extraordinarily high sign-up bonuses, perks with partner services (like rideshares or delivery services) and other reward-earning opportunities is a great way to squeeze the most value from your travel card. Issuers sometimes provide shopping and travel portals and card-linked reward programs for select purchases (like for pre-paid dining or participating merchant spending), which can help you bank extra rewards.

“Keep an eye on your email inbox and rewards portal for any limited-time promotions your issuer may be offering. Many American Express cards feature Amex Offers, which lets you access perks like statement credits for spending a certain amount on specific hotels and other retailers.  Other cards, like the Capital One Venture X, also have occasional promotional offers, such as a credit for 5 percent back on VRBO rentals.” — Lori Zaino — Travel expert and Bankrate contributor: How to maximize credit cards for cheaper accommodations this holiday season

Track your spending and rewards each account statement

Track your favorite stores’ and services’ merchant category codes (MCCs) to fine-tune your spending habits for maximum rewards. If you notice your expenses changing, this practice may also help you notice whether you need to change which rewards cards you carry.

“The first step to optimizing your spending is to take the time to collect the MCCs of stores you frequently shop at. During the process, you might find that some stores in the same chain may have different MCCs, depending on their primary inventory. Even different counters or sections in the same department store may carry different MCCs. You can use this to your advantage if you know one location near you will provide a better cash back rate than the other. These “loopholes” can provide great opportunities to reap cash back on purchases that typically wouldn’t earn rewards.” — Garrett Yarbrough — Writer and credit cards expert at Bankrate: Merchant category codes: How to earn more cash back

Our data: What credit score do you need for the best travel cards?

It’s no secret that your credit score heavily influences which cards you’re likely to get approval for. But how good does your credit need to be to get the best credit cards for travel? We analyzed our data of Bankrate readers who applied for credit cards on our pages in 2023 and compared the approval rates of readers’ different credit tiers.

We found that, on average, 61.9 percent of users with excellent credit were approved for travel cards on our site. Then, an average of 39.5 percent and 19.5 percent of users with good and fair credit, respectively, got approval for travel credit cards they applied to.

If you have fair or bad credit, you still have options for travel credit cards. For example, the Credit One Bank Wander Card caters to people with fair credit — 57 percent of people with fair credit who applied on our site in 2023 were approved for this card , according to our data.

Obviously, the better your credit, the more likely you are to get the card you apply for , but other factors can affect your application. Issuers may also consider your income, recent credit applications, homeownership status and monthly rental or mortgage payment. Keep these other factors in mind with your credit score when you apply for credit cards.

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email , find us on Facebook , or Tweet us @Bankrate .

When evaluating the best travel cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards in popular categories to scoring a large sign-up bonus or high-value perks. Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points. 

We analyzed over 150 of the most popular cards and scored each based on its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup of the best travel cards.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key factors in our rewards card scoring methodology — our primary scoring category for travel cards — and details we considered when putting together our list of the best travel cards.  

• Flexibility 15%
• Customer experience 5%

Great rewards value

The primary criteria for a rewards-earning card’s rating is its rewards value. This includes the card’s average rewards rate, estimated annual rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value and reward redemption value.

To estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings, we first calculate its average rewards rate based on how much it earns in different bonus categories and how closely its categories align with the average person’s spending habits. In other words, we assess whether the card earns rewards at a high rate in the most popular spending categories. 

We use consumer spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to get a reliable third-party measure of people’s spending habits. The most recent BLS data estimates average total spending in 2022 was $72,967 per consumer. We then narrow our focus to which purchases are likely to be put on a credit card and earn rewards, subtracting expenditures like housing, vehicle purchases and education. This gives us a total “chargeable” annual spend of around $25,500.  

This includes the following spending by category:

• Groceries: $5,700
• Dining out: $3,600
• Entertainment: $2,400
• Gas: $3,100
• Apparel and services: $1,900

Using this data, we assign a weighting to each of a card’s bonus categories. For example, a card’s grocery rewards rate receives a 22 percent weighting based on how much of the average person’s budget is spent on groceries.

We also estimate the redemption value of points or miles from various issuer, airline and hotel rewards programs.

This weighting and rewards valuation allows us to estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings — how many points or miles you’d earn with a given card if your spending was about average and you used the card for all of your purchases — as well as what those points are worth. We also use point valuations to determine a card’s sign-up bonus value

With these calculations complete, we assign each card a score based on how its average rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value, rewards rate and redemption value stack up against other rewards cards.

The better these values, the higher its score will be, making it more worthy of inclusion in our list and increasing its potential ranking.

Reasonable rates and fees

We also score cards based on how much it costs to keep them in your wallet or carry a balance. 

To start, each card is scored based on whether it offers an intro APR and how its ongoing APR compares to the rates available on other rewards cards. However, the latter rating only has a slight influence on the card’s score and whether the card is included in our list, since rewards card users generally try to avoid carrying a balance.

More important to both a card’s score and its inclusion in our list is how its annual fee influences its overall value. We consider a card’s annual fee in two ways — how it ranks relative to the fees you’ll find on other cards in the category and how it impacts a card’s overall rewards value. 

Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value. However, if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score and a spot in our list even if it carries a high annual fee. After all, the highest rewards rates and most valuable perks are often found on cards with annual fees. 

With this in mind, we rate a card based primarily on how its ongoing rewards value and ongoing perk value (such as annual credits or bonuses) stack up against those of other cards in the category when you subtract annual fees.

That said, we strive to include as many no-annual-fee options in our list as possible since many people would rather not worry about offsetting fees, even if a card carries impressive rewards and perks.

Redemption flexibility

Rewards cards may make it easy to earn a lot of points, miles or cash back, but how easy is it to use those rewards? After all, if it takes a ton of effort to redeem rewards or you can only redeem rewards in a couple of ways, a card may be more trouble than it’s worth. 

As such, we rate each card’s flexibility based on the restrictions it imposes on earning and redeeming rewards. We factor this rating into a card’s overall score and consider it when deciding on a card’s inclusion in our list. 

Flexibility factors include whether a card only allows you to earn a high rewards rate on only a small amount of spending or requires you to meet a certain earning threshold before you can redeem rewards. We also examine whether your points are worth less when you opt for some redemption options over others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to travel partners.

Valuable perks

We also score each card’s set of features – its perks and benefits — against five tiers of features to provide a rating. 

We break down these tiers as follows:

• Tier 1 includes fewer features than even standard credit cards (for example, an ultra-streamlined card that offers basic utility and next to nothing in the way of ancillary benefits). 
• Tier 2 includes the benefits you’d expect on standard Visa or Mastercard credit cards, such as free access to your credit score, car rental insurance and $0 liability for fraudulent charges. 
• Tier 3 includes “prime card” or better-than-average card features like cellphone insurance, lost luggage insurance, concierge services and purchase protection. 
• Tier 4 includes luxury features such as airport lounge access, elite status with an airline or hotel and credits for expedited security screening membership programs. 
• Tier 5 includes the sort of exemplary benefits you’ll find on top-tier luxury cards, such as high-value travel credits, cardholder memberships and other unique and valuable perks.

In evaluating the best cards, we tend to favor cards that offer at least Tier 3 benefits, unless they include other unique features that could make up for less-impressive perks.

And since this list focuses on travel cards, we tend to favor cards that carry travel-centric features like travel insurance, airport lounge access and credits for expedited security screening, instead of more general perks like food delivery credits or shopping discounts.

More information on travel credit cards

Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards, are travel credit cards worth it.

Travel cards can be well worth it since they often have exclusive travel perks like credits for airfare, hotel stays, expedited airport security services and more, as well as complimentary airport lounge access and airline or hotel privileges. However, many of the best travel credit cards come with annual fees. It’s important to at least offset the cost of these cards by taking advantage of the various travel perks and features included on the card. 

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

It’s possible to get a travel credit card with bad or fair credit, but most travel rewards cards are geared toward people with good or excellent credit (a FICO score of at least 670, or a VantageScore of at least 661).

Do travel miles or points expire?

Even though many major credit cards earn rewards that don’t expire, you may lose your points and miles if your account closes or isn’t in good standing. However, some co-branded cards’ rewards may expire if you don’t earn or redeem rewards within a certain timeframe (typically 12 to 36 months after the rewards are earned).

Check out our guide to credit card rewards expiration for a thorough breakdown of several popular issuers’ policies.

Are points or miles better on a credit card?

Whether points or miles offer better value will depend on the specific rewards program and how you redeem rewards. One airline loyalty program may earn miles that offer less than 1 cent each in average redemption value while another program’s points may offer close to 3 cents each on average. Similarly, a hotel card’s points may be worth less than half of a credit card issuer’s rewards points. Some programs offer points with only average baseline redemption value but high value when transferred to a partner airline or hotel. 

Ask the experts: Is it a good idea to have multiple travel credit cards?

Thomas Nitzsche

Stephanie Zito

Erica Sandberg

Financial Educator, Debt and Credit

Whether you should have multiple travel credit cards depends on several factors, including your brand affinity, frequency of travel and ability to pay off your cards in full each month. As a credit counselor, I see many people carrying credit card debt at high interest rates while continuing to make charges to the account for the sake of earning rewards. They lose far more than they earn each month. Having more than one travel credit card could make sense for you if you’re able to maximize your earnings by strategizing spending across each card. Just take into account annual fees and actual interest paid.

Contributor, Personal Finance

If you’re up for managing multiple cards and their benefits, then there are definitely big reward payouts to be had. But if the thought of multiple cards is overwhelming, it’s also a good strategy to have one or two more flexible cards and focus on maximizing your earnings and redemptions until it becomes second nature.

Contributor, Credit Cards

Definitely! I currently have two travel credit cards. In addition to the Chase card that I use for my United Airlines purchases, I have the Capital One Venture card for all other airlines. I earn a solid amount of miles on everything I buy with it, so it's an easy go-to for non-travel related expenses.

Article sources

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.

Global entry: Trusted traveler enrollment program . U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Accessed on Feb. 21, 2024

Discover International acceptance . Discover. Accessed on Feb. 21, 2024.

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.

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12 Sustainable Travel Companies Boosting Eco-Friendly Travel 

In a world where environmental concerns are at the forefront of global discussions, sustainable travel has become a crucial aspect of responsible tourism. Traveling sustainably involves conscious choices to minimize environmental impact while exploring the world. 

In this article, we’re diving into sustainable travel by examining what it means and why it matters and exploring the current state of the sustainable travel industry. We’ll also shine a spotlight on 12 sustainable travel companies at the forefront of eco-friendly exploration. These trailblazers are changing the game by offering carbon-neutral tours and community-focused initiatives, ensuring travelers explore the earth while preserving its natural beauty and well-being. 

Moreover, we’ll offer tips to help you embrace sustainable practices to enrich your travel experience and connect you deeply with the places and communities you visit.

Key Takeaways

• Despite the benefits of global travel and tourism, the industry faces the critical challenge of overtourism, which leads to severe consequences such as damage to the local environment and historical sites and diminished quality of life for locals.
• Sustainable travel is seen as one of the most effective solutions for minimizing the impact of tourism by promoting practices focused on reducing carbon emissions, supporting local economies, and respecting indigenous cultures. 
• The sustainable travel sector is experiencing a notable surge in popularity and economic significance fueled by a significant shift in consumer behavior. 
• Travel companies are crucial in promoting sustainable travel by leading by example and inspiring others to follow suit. 
• Sustainable travel companies prioritize environmental conservation and minimize their environmental impact.
• They support local communities and indigenous cultures through responsible tourism and community-based projects.
• They strive to educate travelers about responsible practices and showcase the planet’s beauty.
• They invest in renewable energy projects and work towards reducing carbon footprints to promote sustainability. 
• Some eco-friendly travel options they offer include carbon-neutral tours, locally sourced accommodations, and responsible wildlife encounters.
• Travelers can support sustainable tourism by choosing companies that prioritize ethical and eco-conscious practices.

What is Sustainable Travel, and Why Does It Matter?

Travel and tourism play significant roles in the global economy. They can be a lifeline during economic downturns, help rejuvenate ancient historic sites, and spotlight cultural practices and communities that may have been overlooked. The intention behind promoting such activities is often to share the beauty and heritage of a place with the world.

The growth of global travel and tourism is both staggering and unprecedented. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) there is a leap from 25 million international travelers in 1950 to over 1.3 billion in 2017 . This surge is ongoing, with projections suggesting that by 2030, the world will see 1.8 billion tourists crossing international borders annually , with an expected growth rate of 3.3% each year.

Despite its benefits, travel and tourism face a critical challenge known as ‘ overtourism. ‘ This occurs when an area attracts more visitors than it can sustainably handle. While the influx of tourists brings economic benefits, the scale of visitation can lead to severe consequences, from damage to the local environment and historical sites to diminished quality of life for locals. 

Consequently, while travel and tourism are significant economic engines and vehicles for cultural exchange, responsibly managing them is crucial to avoid the pitfalls of overtourism. Balancing visitors’ desires with the needs of residents and environmental preservation is essential to enrich destinations and those who visit them. This is where sustainable travel can help.

Sustainable travel, also known as eco-friendly or responsible travel, focuses on minimizing the negative impact of tourism on the environment, local communities, and cultural heritage. It involves practices such as reducing carbon emissions, supporting local economies, and respecting indigenous cultures. 

Sustainable travel matters as it significantly benefits local communities and the environment in numerous ways. Here’s how:

Growth of Sustainable Travel 

The sustainable travel sector is experiencing a notable surge in both popularity and economic significance. According to data from Statista , the global ecotourism industry was valued at an impressive $172.4 billion in 2022 . This figure is expected to soar to $374.2 billion by 2028 , showcasing a robust annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.9 percent. 

This remarkable expansion reflects a shifting mindset among travelers towards more environmentally friendly and socially responsible travel practices.

Image Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1221034/ecotourism-market-size-global/

The drive towards sustainable tourism is breaking away from the notion that it’s a preference solely among niche groups like eco-warriors. It’s becoming clear that a broader audience is eager to engage in travel, mindful of its impact on the environment and local communities. This shift reflects a general desire to make more responsible choices while exploring new destinations.

A fascinating study by Bain & Company , focusing on travelers interested in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, offers insight into this trend. The research reveals a strong inclination toward sustainability among tourists. 

An impressive two-thirds of those surveyed across selected markets deemed sustainability factors necessary or extremely important for their leisure travel decisions. Furthermore, a significant 73% anticipate that the importance of sustainable travel will grow even further in the next five years.

These findings underscore a keen interest in sustainable tourism options and demonstrate that travelers are more than passively interested. A majority, 64%, claimed that sustainability concerns shape their travel choices. Additionally, 66% expressed willingness to invest more in sustainable travel options, highlighting that people are ready to put their money where their values are.

Perhaps most encouraging is the social ripple effect suggested by the study: 57% of respondents would recommend a holiday destination based on its sustainability credentials. These figures indicate that sustainable travel isn’t just a personal preference but is becoming a part of how people evaluate and share their travel experiences with others.

Image Source: https://www.bain.com/insights/sustainable-tourism-an-untapped-opportunity-for-green-growth/

How can Travel Companies Promote Sustainability?

The broadening appetite for sustainable tourism or green travel indicates a significant shift in consumer behavior. It conveys to the travel industry that integrating responsible practices into their offerings is good for the planet and aligns with evolving traveler priorities.

Travel companies play a crucial role in promoting sustainable travel . By implementing sustainable practices in their operations, they can lead by example and inspire others to follow suit. This includes adopting eco-friendly policies, reducing single-use plastic and waste, and implementing energy-saving measures.

Furthermore, travel companies can support local communities and economies by partnering with local businesses, employing local guides, and promoting authentic local experiences . This benefits the local people and enriches the travel experience for the traveler, fostering cultural exchange and understanding.

It is also crucial for travel companies to prioritize sustainable accommodation options. By partnering with eco-friendly hotels, lodges, and resorts, travelers can stay in establishments committed to minimizing their environmental impact. Renewable energy use in travel is another important aspect, as it reduces reliance on fossil fuels and helps to create a more sustainable industry.

10 Sustainable Travel Companies to Check Out

As the call for sustainable travel grows louder, it’s encouraging to see a diverse array of travel companies responding with enthusiasm and innovation. Below, we have listed 12 travel companies leading the way in responsible and sustainable travel . 

1. Intrepid Travel

Since its inception in 1989, Intrepid Travel has grown from a grassroots operation into a leading global tour operator, celebrated for its unwavering dedication to environmentally and socially responsible travel.

At the core of Intrepid’s mission is the belief that travel should be exhilarating, conscientious, and beneficial to local communities. This ethos is evident in their commitment to offering small group trips and adventures, which helps minimize environmental impact and allows for more meaningful interactions with local cultures.

Recognizing the significant carbon footprint associated with travel, Intrepid Travel took a bold step forward by becoming carbon-neutral in 2010. They meticulously calculate the carbon emissions from their trips, including transportation, accommodation, and other activities, and then invest in renewable energy projects and reforestation efforts that offset these emissions. 

But they didn’t stop there. Intrepid Travel solidified its position as a leader in sustainable tourism in 2020 by becoming the first global tour operator to have its emission reduction targets officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

The company was also among the pioneering signatories of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism. This declaration, unveiled at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, aims to unite the tourism industry under a common goal: significantly reducing its carbon footprint. By signing this declaration, Intrepid has committed to implementing robust actions outlined in the text, with a key target being the halving of emissions by 2030 and striving to achieve net-zero emissions as soon as possible, but no later than 2050.

Moreover, Intrepid is deeply involved in wildlife conservation efforts and works ardently to ensure their tours do not contribute to animal exploitation. They’ve set strict animal welfare standards and educational programs about ethical wildlife experiences for travelers.

Intrepid Travel’s leadership in sustainable and responsible tourism has not gone unnoticed. They’ve received numerous awards and recognitions for their pioneering efforts. By continuously pushing boundaries and advocating for a more sustainable travel industry, Intrepid Travel offers adventures and fosters a global community of responsible travelers. 

2. Gondwana Ecotours

Named after the ancient supercontinent that gradually split into today’s recognizable land masses, Gondwana Ecotours is on a mission to connect people across continents, one journey at a time.

Operating from New Orleans, this company specializes in creating intimate adventures through small group and private tours, offering exhilarating experiences worldwide.

From thrilling gorilla treks in Rwanda to eco explorations in Patagonia and Mendoza, Gondwana Ecotours brings unique and sustainable adventures to life.

One standout feature of Gondwana is its network of guides residing in the communities visited. This brings unparalleled personal insight, depth, and authenticity to each experience while contributing to the local economy. Furthermore, the company takes serious steps to minimize its carbon footprint through responsible travel practices.

Gondwana’s commitment to sustainability is evident in offsetting over 580 tons of carbon emissions and achieving 100 percent carbon neutrality for its tours since 2021, a distinction verified by the Cooler emissions tracking organization.

3. GreenGetaways 

Green Getaways offers a unique collection of sustainable accommodations in Australia, ranging from glamping to eco resorts, tiny houses, cottages, treehouses, yurts, and 5-star hotels. As a hub for responsible travelers, the platform gathers individuals who are passionate about exploring conscientiously.

The accommodations featured on Green Getaways Australia prioritize sustainability by conserving water, energy, and resources and promoting recycling . These efforts benefit the environment and result in cost savings passed on to travelers.

Green Getaways focuses on delicate environments and supports properties’ commitment to environmental management and rehabilitation.

Committed to responsible tourism, Green Getaways highlights accommodations that encourage energy efficiency , water conservation, recycling, and waste management.

The platform also advocates for fairness and dignity, promoting equal treatment for all guests and staff and championing fair wages and workers’ rights. 

Encouraging transparency, Green Getaways requires listed businesses to share their environmental practices openly, ensuring travelers can make informed choices. 

4. Byway 

Byway is a champion of slow, immersive travel experiences that prioritize connections with local environments and cultures over the speed and convenience of traditional tourism. This innovative company is dedicated to providing travelers with customizable journeys that are 100% flight-free, distinguishing itself as a pioneer in sustainable travel options.

The foundational idea behind Byway’s offerings is simple yet revolutionary—to offer an alternative to modern air travel’s high-speed, high-impact nature. By focusing on ground transportation options like trains, buses, bikes, and boats, Byway enables travelers to take the scenic route, experiencing the landscapes and communities they pass through in a way that flying doesn’t allow. This approach reduces carbon emissions associated with travel and enriches the journey itself, transforming travel time into an integral part of the vacation experience.

The company caters to diverse interests and preferences, from vineyard tours in vintage locomotives to leisurely bike tours through idyllic countryside. Each itinerary is thoughtfully designed to showcase the destination’s natural beauty, culture, and heritage without the rush, offering a more meaningful and satisfying way to explore.

Moreover, Byway places a strong emphasis on supporting local economies. By partnering with small-scale accommodations and recommending locally-owned restaurants and attractions, they ensure their travel packages benefit the communities they touch. This focus on local experiences maximizes the positive impacts of tourism dollars and offers travelers authentic insights into the places they visit.

Furthermore, Byway promotes the concept of “traveling without leaving a trace,” reinforcing the sustainability ethos throughout its operations. From selecting eco-friendly accommodations that practice waste reduction and energy conservation to recommending experiences that promote conservation efforts, Byway embeds environmental consciousness into every aspect of its trips.

5. Responsible Travel

Since its establishment in 2001, Responsible Travel has remained a pioneering force for positive change. What sets it apart is its candid acknowledgment of the challenges within the travel industry, including its journey towards sustainability. This honesty and a proactive stance on initiating change positions the company as a leader and catalyst for transformation.

Choosing to travel with Responsible Travel means more than just booking a holiday. It signifies an active decision to support and participate in a model of tourism that prioritizes the well-being of environments, cultures, and communities worldwide. Each trip designed by Responsible Travel is meticulously crafted to ensure that it aligns with the principles of responsible tourism, offering travelers authentic experiences that are enriching and mindful of their impacts.

One of Responsible Travel’s most heartening aspects is its commitment to social responsibility. The company has implemented an inspiring initiative where every booking contributes to giving a child from an underprivileged background a day out—an experience they might otherwise never have had.

In response to the urgent climate change crisis, Responsible Travel actively advocates for reducing air travel—an industry-wide challenge due to its significant carbon emissions. While recognizing that avoiding flights altogether may not be feasible for all travelers, they encourage choices that reduce flight frequency and highlight destinations accessible via more sustainable modes of transport.

Furthermore, Responsible Travel leads by example in striving to diminish its carbon footprint. It invests in projects and practices that combat global warming, from supporting reforestation efforts to promoting eco-friendly accommodations and activities. By doing so, the company works towards neutralizing its environmental impact and inspires travelers and other businesses within the industry to follow suit. 

6. Seacology

Seacology is a nonprofit organization focused on conserving island ecosystems around the globe. It plays an essential role in protecting these unique and vital habitats. The urgency of their mission cannot be overstated, as island environments face various threats, from climate change to deforestation, which in turn endanger the rich biodiversity and cultural heritage they harbor. 

Seacology’s dedication to preserving terrestrial and marine ecosystems on islands has made significant environmental impacts and brought them into the spotlight of international acclaim. Their impressive accolades include being named a finalist for the ORG Impact Awards in Overcoming Climate Change (2021), winning the Energy Globe National Award in Sri Lanka (2020), receiving a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize (2020), and earning the United Nations Momentum for Change climate action award (2018).

The organization’s unique approach is compelling; Seacology launches expeditions that offer direct conservation outcomes by working closely with local communities. These expeditions are carefully designed to support conservation efforts that benefit the environment and the people living there. 

By engaging in projects ranging from establishing marine protected areas to restoring critical habitats such as mangroves and coral reefs, Seacology ensures that their actions lead to sustainable outcomes. Their comprehensive strategy underscores a commitment to tackling environmental challenges while recognizing the inseparable link between thriving ecosystems and the well-being of indigenous peoples and local communities.

7. Gondwana Tours 

Gondwana Tours beckons adventurers seeking a deeper connection with the natural world and aiming to contribute positively to the communities they visit. This isn’t your ordinary travel experience; it’s an immersive journey into the heart of Africa. 

The company’s tours cover a breathtaking array of destinations, from the lush deltas of Botswana to the majestic peaks of Rwanda and the rich cultural tapestry of South Africa to the pristine beaches of Mauritius. Each location offers a unique window into the diverse ecologies and cultures that make Africa a continent of wonders. 

Apart from traditional safari drives, Gondwana Tours understands the yearning for adventure diversity and responds with many activity-based experiences. Whether gliding through waterways in a kayak, galloping alongside wildlife on horseback, quietly stalking birdlife, trekking across vast landscapes, or casting lines into abundant waters, there’s something for every active traveler. 

Gondwana Tours goes beyond the conventional travel experience, emphasizing smaller, more intimate settings outside the well-trodden paths of “mainstream tourism.” This deliberate choice promises adventurers a more personal and enriching journey and aligns with a more profound commitment to sustainability and meaningful community engagement. By focusing on these less-visited destinations, the company fosters local employment opportunities. It ensures that the benefits of tourism directly support community development and contribute positively to the country’s economy and wildlife conservation efforts. 

8. ROW Adventures

ROW Adventures is deeply committed to leading adventures into the heart of the wilderness and engaging in meaningful dialogue about the environment, climate change, and preserving natural resources. This commitment goes beyond mere words to tangible actions, actively collaborating with conservation groups and local communities to bolster efforts in protecting the environments it explores. 

Understanding the significant carbon footprint associated with travel, particularly air travel, ROW Adventures strives to balance this by making conscientious choices in conducting tours and seeking ways to mitigate its environmental impact. This acknowledgment of the broader implications of travel reflects a responsible approach that values sustainability alongside exploration.

Bringing people into untouched or wild areas does come with its footprint; however, ROW Adventures sees this as an opportunity to transform travelers into passionate advocates for these natural places. Through immersive experiences in pristine wilderness settings, visitors develop a deep appreciation for these landscapes, becoming invested in their protection. This direct engagement offered by the company provides a powerful counterbalance to threats such as unchecked development, mining, or the construction of dams that endanger these habitats. 

Contiki is a global travel company known for its vibrant selection of over 350 journeys worldwide, catering to young travelers aged 18 to 35. 

The company has outlined comprehensive plans to offset carbon emissions for its trips in a bold move towards sustainability. 

This ambitious initiative aims to cover every aspect of the travel experience, from the meals served to the choice of accommodation and modes of transport used. By integrating these changes, Contiki aspires to reduce its ecological footprint and enhance the travel experience in alignment with the values of environmentally conscious consumers.

The steps taken by Contiki include significant investments in environmental conservation and clean energy projects. Proceeds are allocated towards supporting crucial forest conservation programs in Australia, which are pivotal in preserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change. Similarly, contributions are directed towards fostering renewable energy developments in the USA, marking a clear commitment to combating global warming. 

Moreover, Contiki’s operations are evolving, with the introduction of biofuel-powered coaches and an expanded range of vegan-friendly dining options, reflecting a deeper understanding of the impact of sustainable practices. The company also achieved carbon neutrality in January 2022, setting a precedent in the travel industry and demonstrating that memorable travel experiences can be exhilarating and ecologically responsible.

10. Sawday’s 

Sawday’s , a distinguished accommodation provider renowned for its curated collection of unique places to stay across the UK and Europe, is proactively addressing the challenge of overtourism. By deliberately capping the number of properties they include in specific locales known to suffer from the adverse effects of excessive tourism, Sawday’s adopts a conscious approach to tourism management. 

This strategy, which applies across its brands — Sawday’s, Canopy & Stars, and Paws & Stay — targets 13 destinations grappling with overtourism pressures. The company’s commitment to not increasing its portfolio in these regions is aimed at mitigating further impact on already strained local infrastructure, curbing the rise of properties turned second homes, easing housing affordability, reducing overcrowding, and safeguarding the environment from tourism-related damage. By refraining from adding new properties in these areas, Sawday’s sets an example of sustainable operation within the hospitality sector.

The intention behind such a considered move is twofold. While acknowledging that this initiative may have a modest direct impact, Sawday’s envisions it as a catalyst for change within the broader travel industry, hoping to inspire other companies in the travel and hospitality sectors to reevaluate their approaches to expansion in tourist-heavy areas. 

Sawday’s champions the cause of sustainable growth and emphasizes the importance of achieving an equilibrium between welcoming tourists and preserving the quality of life for residents, as well as protecting natural and built environments. 

11. Rickshaw Travel

Rickshaw Travel is a UK-based independent travel company providing tailor-made holidays that embrace and promote sustainable tourism practices. For over 15 years, the company has worked closely with local partners, ensuring that each travel experience is authentic and contributes positively to preserving the environment and local cultures. 

Such an approach allows travelers to immerse themselves in genuinely enriching experiences, such as staying in family-run accommodations, participating in tours with knowledgeable local guides, and engaging in activities that directly benefit the community. Rickshaw Travel’s commitment to sustainability is evident in every trip it curates, highlighting that travel is a force for good, fostering environmental stewardship and encouraging cultural exchange and appreciation.

Rickshaw Travel’s concept of responsible travel extends beyond just minimizing negative impacts; it seeks to create benefits for travelers and host communities. By integrating sustainable practices into every aspect of their holidays—from selecting transport methods that reduce carbon footprint to supporting initiatives aimed at conserving wildlife and natural habitats—Rickshaw Travel demonstrates that thoughtful travel can contribute to a healthier planet. 

Furthermore, the company’s dedication to cultural preservation ensures that local traditions and lifestyles are respected and sustained. Through Rickshaw Travel’s tailored journeys, travelers get more than a holiday; they gain insights into the importance of maintaining the world’s diverse ecosystems and cultures for future generations to explore and cherish.

12. Aracari

Aracari is a luxury travel agency offering sustainable travel experiences in Peru, Bolivia, and the Galapagos Islands.

With an emphasis on conservation initiatives and cultural exchange programs, Aracari crafts exclusive journeys that offer travelers unique insights into local traditions, lifestyles, and efforts to protect endangered ecosystems. The company meticulously selects accommodations that share its sustainability ethos, promotes eco-friendly activities, and works closely with communities to ensure tourism benefits are felt locally.

Aracari’s dedication to creating tailor-made travel experiences also involves active participation in projects to preserve the environment and support indigenous cultures. By choosing Aracari, discerning travelers embark on unforgettable adventures and contribute to meaningful efforts that encourage ecological conservation and cultural preservation. 

The compelling blend of luxury travel with a conscience empowers guests to explore breathtaking landscapes and ancient civilizations while fostering a positive impact.

Ways to Travel More Sustainably

Now that you’re equipped with a list of responsible companies for your upcoming travel plans, let’s explore additional strategies to ensure your future journeys are even more sustainable.

• Choose Eco-Friendly Transportation : Opt for trains, buses, or bicycles whenever possible. These options reduce your carbon footprint and offer a deeper connection with your surroundings.
• Support Local Economies : Make an effort to support local economies by dining at family-owned restaurants, staying in locally-owned accommodations, and purchasing gifts and souvenirs from local artisans. This enriches your travel experience and helps distribute tourism dollars more equitably. 
• Reduce Environmental Pollution : Play your part in reducing environmental pollution by carrying and using reusable water bottles and shopping bags, thus minimizing reliance on single-use plastics. 
• Respect Wildlife and Natural Habitats : Do so respectfully and ethically when engaging with nature or wildlife. Adhering to guidelines that ensure you don’t disturb natural habitats or wildlife behaviors is crucial. 
• Offset Your Carbon Footprint : This is an impactful way to counterbalance the ecological impact of your travels. Offset your carbon footprint by investing in carbon offset programs that fund renewable energy, forest conservation, or other sustainability projects, and choosing to travel with companies committed to achieving carbon neutrality. 
• Rethink Your Approach to Travel : Avoid viewing travel merely as a leisure activity. Instead, use it as a chance for meaningful exchange with host communities by learning and sharing. More importantly, reflect on the impact of your stay on the destination and its residents, aiming to leave a positive legacy.

Check out The Lonely Planet’s video below for more strategies to becoming an environmentally responsible traveler: 

The Future of Sustainable Travel

Looking ahead to the future, the travel industry has set ambitious goals for the coming years. Many travel companies have committed to becoming carbon neutral or even carbon negative by investing in renewable energy, offsetting carbon emissions, and implementing sustainable travel practices.

Likewise, numerous ethical travel companies are developing climate action plans to address the environmental impact of the travel industry and ensure a greener future for all. However, the future of sustainable travel relies not only on the efforts of travel companies but also on the actions of individual travelers.

Travelers can play a vital role in boosting sustainable travel by making conscious choices, such as opting for slow travel and eco-friendly trips, reducing waste, and supporting local communities. 

The future of eco-friendly travel looks promising with the emergence of sustainable travel companies. They strongly emphasize reducing their carbon footprint and promoting environmentally friendly practices. Likewise, they set a new standard for sustainable tourism by consciously using renewable energy sources, minimizing waste, and supporting local communities.

With the growing awareness and demand for eco-friendly travel options, these sustainable travel companies will likely continue to thrive and inspire others in the industry to adopt more sustainable practices.

As a traveler, you have the power to make a positive impact on the world through your choices. By supporting the sustainable travel companies above and adopting eco-friendly practices, you can contribute to preserving the planet’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Travel responsibly. Leave behind only footprints and memories while inspiring others to follow in your footsteps towards a more sustainable future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the concept of sustainable travel.

Sustainable travel, also known as responsible or eco-friendly travel, refers to the practice of minimizing the negative impact of tourism on the environment, local communities, and cultural heritage while maximizing the benefits for all involved.

How can sustainable travel companies help reduce their carbon footprint?

Sustainable travel companies strive to reduce their carbon footprint by implementing various initiatives. They may use sustainable materials , support local projects worldwide, promote conscious travel, and encourage eco-friendly transportation options like trains instead of cars.

What is the significance of sustainable travel policies in businesses?

Sustainable travel policies in businesses play a crucial role in promoting eco-friendly practices among employees and creating a positive impact on the environment. These policies encourage employees to choose sustainable transportation, reduce waste, and support responsible travel choices.

How do sustainable travel companies contribute to local communities?

Sustainable travel companies often collaborate with local communities to ensure the tourism industry benefits everyone involved. They may support local businesses, contribute to community development projects, and promote cultural exchange between travelers and locals.

What is the goal of sustainable travel companies?

Sustainable travel companies aim to enhance further their efforts in promoting responsible and regenerative tourism. They aim to reduce environmental impact, protect the planet’s natural resources, and ensure the well-being of local communities.

How can travelers contribute to sustainable travel?

Travelers can contribute to sustainable travel by choosing eco-friendly accommodations, engaging in environmentally sustainable travel activities, respecting local cultures and traditions, supporting local businesses, minimizing waste generation, and opting for sustainable transportation options.

What is the difference between sustainable and regenerative travel?

While sustainable travel focuses on minimizing negative impacts, the regenerative expedition aims to improve and actively restore the environment and communities. It goes beyond sustainability and focuses on leaving a positive, lasting impact on the places visited.

Are there any other sustainable travel companies that travelers may also like?

Yes, apart from the mentioned companies, travelers may also like to explore B Corp-certified sustainable travel companies, which meet rigorous sustainability standards to ensure a positive impact on the planet and communities.

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10 Best B2B Travel Companies, For Money Saving and a Safe Business Trip

In an age where globalization is the norm, the corporate world is more interconnected than ever. Businesses are not just confined to their localities; they span continents, cultures, and time zones. This expansion has given rise to a unique niche in the travel industry: B2B travel agencies. 

These specialized entities cater to the intricate needs of businesses, ensuring seamless travel experiences for their employees and stakeholders. Even as customers move away from tour operators to turn to their preferred online travel agency, the role of corporate travel agent stays important in the business world.

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the pivotal role of B2B travel agents in corporate travel solutions providers, the criteria for selecting the right agent, and a list of top global B2B travel agents that have made a mark in this domain.

1. The Integral Role of a B2B Travel Agent in offering Corporate Travel Solution  

The term "B2B travel agent" might seem like just another industry jargon, but its implications in the corporate world are profound. Let's dissect this term and its significance in today's business travel landscape.

• B2B vs. B2C: Unlike traditional travel agency who cater to individual travelers (B2C or Business-to-Consumer), B2B (Business-to-Business) travel agents specialize in serving businesses. Their clientele ranges from small enterprises to multinational corporations.
• Tailored Travel Solutions: One of the primary responsibilities of B2B travel companies is to provide bespoke travel services, beyond flight booking, car rental and travel arrangements. These plans are meticulously crafted, keeping in mind a company's objectives, budgetary constraints, and preferences. Whether it's a last-minute business meeting in Tokyo or a month-long project in London, a corporate travel agent ensures that the traveler itinerary is optimized for efficiency and comfort.
• Cost Efficiency and Negotiations: In the corporate world, every penny saved is a penny earned. B2B travel agents understand this ethos. They leverage their vast networks and industry relationships to negotiate corporate rates with airlines, hotels, and car rental agencies. This not only ensures cost savings but also provides businesses with value-added services like flexible booking options, booking holdings and loyalty program benefits.
• Risk Management: Traveling, especially internationally, comes with its set of risks. From flight cancellations and baggage losses to political unrest in a destination country, the uncertainties are myriad. B2B travel agents offer comprehensive risk management solutions. They provide travel insurance, real-time updates, and round-the-clock support through a travel portal to address any disruptions or emergencies. In essence, they act as a safety net, ensuring peace of mind for traveling employees.
• Reporting & Analytics: In the age of data, informed decision-making is crucial. B2B travel agents provide businesses with detailed reports on travel expenses, trends, and potential areas of savings. These insights enable companies to streamline their travel policies and make data-driven decisions.

2. Criteria for Choosing the Right B2B Travel Agent  

Selecting the right corporate travel agent is akin to choosing a business partner. The right choice can lead to significant cost savings, efficient travel management, and satisfied employees. Here are some key criteria to consider:

• Experience & Reputation: In the world of corporate travel solutions, experience matters. Companies should look for agents with a proven track record in handling corporate clients. Online customers reviews, testimonials, and case studies can provide valuable insights into an agent's reputation and expertise.
• Global Network: The world is a vast place, and businesses operate on a global scale. A corporate travel agent's network determines the breadth and depth of travel options they can offer. Access to a wide range of suppliers globally ensures comprehensive and flexible travel solutions.
• Technology Integration: We live in a digital era. Modern booking platforms, b2b travel portal, mobile apps, real-time tracking capabilities, and AI-driven insights are no longer luxuries; they are necessities. B2B travel agents that invest in technology offer a seamless and efficient travel experience.
• 24/7 Support: The unpredictable nature of travel necessitates round-the-clock support. Whether it's a flight delay, a hotel booking issue, or an emergency evacuation, businesses need the assurance that their travel agent is just a call away.
• Customization and Flexibility: Every business is unique, and so are its travel needs. B2B travel agents that offer tailored solutions based on a company's specific requirements stand out from the competition.

3. Top 10 Global B2B Travel Agents  

American express global business travel (gbt).

• Description: A leader in corporate travel management solutions, GBT offers comprehensive solutions from booking to expense management.
• Website: GBT
• Email: [email protected]
• Description: Renowned for its innovative travel business and management solutions and a vast global presence.
• Website: BCD Travel
• Email: [email protected]

CWT (Carlson Wagonlit Travel)

• Description: A global leader with expertise in business travel, meetings, and events.
• Website: CWT
• Email: [email protected]
• Description: The business travel arm of Expedia Group, offering a seamless travel experience.
• Website: Egencia
• Email: [email protected]
• Description: Known for its personalized service and global travel solutions.
• Website: Frosch
• Email: [email protected]

Ovation Travel Group

• Description: A high-touch b2b travel agency and management company with a focus on technology and service.
• Website: Ovation Travel
• Email: [email protected]

Travel Leaders Corporate

• Description: Offers innovative corporate travel solutions with a focus on cost savings.
• Website: Travel Leaders
• Email: [email protected]

Direct Travel

• Description: A top-tier travel management company with a focus on personal touch and technology.
• Website: Direct Travel
• Email: [email protected]
• Description: A global travel booking and management company specializing in sectors like shipping, energy, and sports.
• Website: ATPI
• Email: [email protected]

Omega World Travel

• Description: A woman-owned travel management company with over four decades of experience.
• Website: Omega World Travel
• Email: [email protected]

In conclusion, as businesses expand their horizons with international travel, to Latin America, North America, Europe or Asia, the role of B2B travel agents becomes increasingly crucial. As your travel partner, they act as allies, ensuring that your employees travel is not just about reaching a destination but about experiencing a customers journey that's efficient, safe, and value-driven.

Check our article about the 10 Ways to Diminish Your Carbon Emissions When Traveling the World or the solutions to Convince Your Boss to Accept your Business Travel Request .

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The complete guide for incentive trips for employees

Top 7 incentive travel companies, what is an incentive travel company, benefits of using a travel incentive company, utilizing established supplier networks, expert destination knowledge, managing on-site logistics, cost optimization, risk management and mitigation, measuring and evaluating the trip’s success, 1. travelperk.

• Over 25,000 negotiated rates on hotels when booking with TravelPerk
• A concierge team to suggest once-in-a-lifetime activities and book pre-paid restaurants for your stay.
• Access to a 24-hour customer service line for all attendees, where a team of real people is on hand to answer any questions.
• VAT recovery reports can help you save up to 20% on incentive trip costs.
• Improved compliance with travel policies baked into the platform.
• The ability to pay, report, and invoice all company travel with just one account.

See how to save your company time and money on business travel

2. ita group.

• Expertise in destination management.
• Immersive brand experiences.
• Concierge air travel.
• Risk management and traveler safety services.
• Pre- and post-analytics for insights into the trip’s success.

3. Maritz Global Events

• Travel program design and campaign communications.
• Sourcing and contracting hotels and venues.
• Simplified registration and ticketing.
• On-site support and coordination.

4. Creative Group

• Customized group incentive travel programs tailored to a business’s specific goals, preferences, and budgets.
• Relationships with hotels, independent properties, destination management companies, airlines, and transportation companies.
• Mobile apps, interactive platforms, and digital tools provide attendees with real-time information, engagement opportunities, and personalized communication.

5. BI Worldwide

• An event management app that engages attendees before, during, and after trips.
• Destination selection and management.
• Planning unique excursions, team-building exercises, and exclusive events.
• On-site event management services.
• Data analytics and reporting tools to measure the performance and impact of group incentive travel programs.

6. Cadence Travel

• Customized incentive travel programs according to requirements and preferences.
• A dedicated trip planner that acts as a single point of contact for all trip-related operations.
• Hotel sourcing, negotiating, and contracting specialists.
• On-site staffing for logistical support.
• Attendee travel monitoring to ensure duty of care.

7. Brightspot

• Customized sales incentive programs to help drive performance improvement and sales engagement.
• Incentive trip planning.
• Integrated engagement campaigns.
• Incentive software platform to help companies manage their incentive travel programs.

Wrapping up

Make business travel simpler. Forever.

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How to Get the Best Car Insurance

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

For a lot of people, buying car insurance is like buying sliced bread. It’s not the most exciting purchase, and the options all seem similar. So thrifty shoppers might simply reach for the cheapest thing on the shelf. But like cheap bread, cheap car insurance may leave you wishing you spent a little more on quality.

“The cheapest is not always the best,” warns Jessica McNally, an agency owner with Goosehead Insurance in Dallas. That’s because there are lots of factors that make up a car insurance company. And while price is one of them, it’s best to look at the bigger picture.

Here’s what to look for when picking the best car insurance company.

1. Choose a financially stable company

The best car insurance companies have plenty of money on hand to pay for customers’ claims. It’s important to check an insurer’s financial stability before buying a policy, especially if it’s a smaller insurer you’ve never heard of.

There are several independent agencies that evaluate the financial strength of insurance companies. One example is A.M. Best. You can use its online search tool to find an insurer’s financial strength rating. Companies with a rating of A or higher are considered to have an excellent ability to pay out customer claims.

2. Check customer satisfaction ratings and reviews

Not every insurer is customer-first. That’s why it’s important to research the customer satisfaction of insurers you’re considering.

You can turn to surveys from companies like J.D. Power to find insurers with the best customer satisfaction scores [0] J.D. Power . Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds . Accessed May 21, 2024. View all sources . Or, if you don’t mind doing a little detective work, you can compare customer complaints against insurers by using the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ website . But take other people’s emotionally charged comments about companies or agents you might read online with a grain of salt, McNally advises.

3. Look for convenience

A great auto insurer should offer multiple ways to manage a policy. For example, some insurers allow customers to use a mobile app to file and track claims. But it’s hard to tell how simple it’ll be to file a claim or perform other essential tasks, like paying your premium, before becoming a customer.

Some telltale signs that an insurer will be easy to work with are high mobile app ratings, flexible customer service hours and an easy-to-use website with helpful content. Consider asking a company representative to walk you through the claims process to learn what you’ll need to do if you have to file a claim. And pay attention to how the company communicates with you. "If they don't properly communicate, well, that's a warning sign," says Michael DeLong, a research and advocacy associate for the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America.

4. Pick an affordable company

Car insurance premiums are stretching to record-breaking heights [0] U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS . Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) . Accessed May 21, 2024. View all sources , and almost half of U.S. consumers shopped for a new car insurance policy in the past year, according to an April 2024 report by J.D. Power [0] J.D. Power . Half of Auto Insurance Customers Currently Shopping for New Policies, J.D. Power Finds . Accessed May 21, 2024. View all sources . The best car insurance companies offer competitive rates and a variety of potential discounts.

It’s not hard to get car insurance quotes online from many companies. Make sure you compare the same coverage options throughout the quote-gathering process. And don’t forget to look for car insurance discounts, like breaks for being a good driver, paying your premium in full or driving a new car.

More tips to find the best car insurance

When shopping for the best car insurance, keep the following tips in mind.

Assess your needs. Before buying car insurance, take a moment to reflect on what’s important to you and your family. For example, maybe you prioritize affordability and a well-polished mobile app, but don’t need accident forgiveness .  

Consider small insurers. There are lots of small insurance companies you’ve probably never heard of. These regional insurers may provide lower rates and better customer service than the big companies you see advertised on TV.

Work with an independent agent. While it may be easy to get quotes yourself, independent car insurance agents and brokers can streamline the process. These experts vet companies and compile quotes from small and large insurers on your behalf. Independent agents and brokers can especially come in handy if you have a less-than-perfect driving record and can’t find insurance on your own.

Do your research. Search online for recent mentions of a company in the news before buying a policy, recommends DeLong. If you find a company has lots of recent lawsuits against it, you may want to think twice about signing on the dotted line. “And if they've had to pay out settlements, that's an even bigger red flag,” DeLong says.

Shop around once a year. Make a practice of shopping for car insurance every year — especially if price is important to you. Insurers adjust car insurance rates regularly, so what might have been the most affordable option last year may no longer be a bargain.

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Tuniu: Q1 Earnings Snapshot

NANJING, China — NANJING, China — Tuniu Corp. (TOUR) on Tuesday reported earnings of $1.9 million in its first quarter.

The Nanjing, China-based company said it had profit of 3 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to 4 cents per share.

The online travel company posted revenue of $15 million in the period.

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This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on TOUR at https://www.zacks.com/ap/TOUR