credit card travel promotion 2023

The Best Travel Credit Cards, For Beginners, Pros, and Everyone in Between

By Carly Helfand

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Looking for the best travel credit card? That's easy—there’s just one issue: choosing which one to go with. There’s no shortage of travel rewards credit cards out there, and while having plenty of options is great for consumers, it can also make things a little confusing. The truth is, there’s no single consensus pick. However, there are some cards that stand out above the rest. Below, we’ve outlined our top choices and exactly why they made the cut—plus an idea or two on how to spend the welcome bonuses with some of our favorite hotels and airlines.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

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

What are the benefits of a travel credit card?

For many, the driving factor in opening a travel credit card is the ability to earn points that can later be turned into free flights or hotel stays—but the best travel credit cards also offer perks like  free night certificates ,  elite status , trip delay protection, and annual travel credits that are pretty motivating, too.

Is a travel credit card worth the annual fee?

The answer is almost always yes, thanks to their generous rewards structures, flexible redemption options, and travel perks—provided you can use them. Going through a list of these features is a great place to start when looking for your perfect match, whether you’re just getting acquainted with the options or looking to add a second or third travel card to your rotation. Plus, some of the welcome bonuses are upwards of six figures, sweetening the deal even more and setting you well on your way to free flights and hotel stays.

What should I consider before choosing a card?

If you want to find the absolute best travel credit card for you, you’ll need to take into account a number of factors—where you live, where you want to go, and your  spending habits  included. All of this means that a card that's great for you may not be such a hot pick for someone else.

Below, I’ll walk you through 10 of the best travel cards available right now. Looking specifically for the  best airline credit cards  or  hotel credit cards ? We've got you covered there, too.

• Best for beginners : Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Best for building credit : Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Best for airfare and lounge access : The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Best for groceries and dining : American Express® Gold Card
• Best value : Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Best for flexible rewards : Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Best for varied bonus categories : Citi Premier Card
• Best hotel card : Hilton Honors American Express Aspire
• Best for cash back : Citi Double Cash Card
• Best for rent : Bilt Mastercard
• Best for retail : Chase Freedom Flex
• Best business credit card : Chase Ink Business Preferred

Reach your Chase Sapphire Preferred Card welcome bonus to book a night at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Best for beginners

Why we love it:  The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been a popular card for years, and with good reason. For a modest annual fee, it boasts a sizable welcome bonus, strong earning rates in popular spending categories, and the option to redeem points through the Chase portal at a rate of 1.25 cents per point or transfer them to airline and hotel partners. It’s widely considered a top pick for those who are  venturing into the world  of points and miles for the first time. The Chase Sapphire Reserve , the preferred’s pricier, $550-a-year sibling, is not on this list, as many find its extra benefits don’t justify the added cost. But it is an option for those looking for a product that comes with lounge access.

How it earns points:  The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns two points per dollar on all travel purchases, as well as five points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase, three points per dollar on all dining and online grocery purchases, and three points per dollar on select streaming services. It earns one point per dollar on everything else.

Additional perks:  In the event of a  travel delay , the Preferred offers up to $500 per ticket in reimbursement for hotels, meals, and incidentals (this means if you booked flights for you and your partner on the same card, you’d each qualify for the stipend). It also offers a 10 percent anniversary points bonus and a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards hotel credit.

Annual fee:  $95

Foreign transaction fees:  None

Current welcome bonus : Earn 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

How to spend it:  Transfer the points to World of Hyatt to book two nights at at a Category 7 property at standard rates, such as the Park Hyatt Tokyo or the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa .

Laura Walsh

Alex Erdekian

Charlie Hobbs

Read a   full review   of this card.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Best for building credit

Why we love it:  Travel cards often require strong credit scores, so the Freedom Unlimited is a great way to build your credit with a free, easier-to-open card while earning rewards that can convert to travel rewards in the long term. While the Chase Freedom Unlimited is technically a cash-back card, if you pair it with a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points—such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred—you’ll be able to instantly convert your rewards into valuable travel points by moving them between accounts.

How it earns points:   You’ll earn five points per dollar on  travel booked  through Chase Ultimate Rewards, three points per dollar on drugstore purchases and dining, and 1.5 points per dollar on everything else.

Additional perks:  This fee-free card is understandably light on perks, but it does come with some shopping and auto insurance protections.

Annual fee:  None

Foreign transaction fees:  3 percent

Current welcome bonus:   Earn $200 in cash back (20,000 points) after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, five percent cash back on gas station and grocery store purchases on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.

How to spend it:  Transfer to British Airways to book a short-haul economy flight on Alaska Airlines, such as Seattle to Los Angeles.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Best for airfare and lounge access

Why we love it:  The Platinum Card from American Express is a heavy hitter. With its strong points-earning potential and perks, it takes the headaches out of traveling. This American Express card has access to not one, but two networks of domestic and international  airport lounges ; elite status with two top hotel chains; and so many credits, it’s hard to keep track—especially with a list that keeps on growing. And when it’s time to cash in points, cardholders have the option to transfer to numerous airline and hotel partners, including some of the  world’s top carriers .

How it earns points:  The Platinum earns five Membership Rewards points per dollar on flights booked directly with an airline or via Amex Travel on up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year, as well as five points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. It earns one point per dollar on other eligible purchases.

Additional perks:  Amex is all about offsetting this card’s high annual fee with a slate of compelling benefits and statement credits galore. It comes with an annual $200 credit to the airline of your choice to cover incidentals; $200 per year in Uber credit; a $200 hotel credit on qualifying prepaid bookings of at least two nights through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts; a $300 Equinox credit to put toward gym membership; a $240 entertainment credit for eligible digital subscriptions; an $189 CLEAR Plus credit; a  Global Entry  or TSA PreCheck credit worth up to $100; up to $100 in annual Saks Fifth Avenue credits; cell phone protection; airport lounge access to both Amex’s own network of  Centurion Lounges  and Priority Pass; Gold Elite status with both Hilton and Marriott; and more. (Enrollment is required and terms apply to all of the aforementioned perks and statement credits.) The card comes with shopping, baggage, and rental car insurance, as well as access to sought-after restaurant reservations through a partnership with Resy.

Annual fee:  $695 ( see rates and fees )

Current welcome bonus:  Earn 80,000 points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within six months of account opening.

How to spend it:  Transfer the points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club to book round-trip business class tickets to Japan on Virgin's partner ANA. You can fly from the West Coast to  Tokyo  or  Kyoto  for 90,000 miles or the Midwest or East Coast to the island country's major cities for 95,000 miles.

Read a  full review  of this card.

Use Amex points to enjoy a stay at the St. Regis in Mexico City.

American Express® Gold Card

Best for groceries and dining

Why we love it:  We all need to eat, and no matter how you do it,  you’ll be rewarded  if you hold the American Express Gold Card, which offers bonus points on both  restaurant  and supermarket spending. The card also comes with credits you can put toward takeout and delivery, as well as Uber. Gold Card users will also have access to Amex’s extensive transfer partner list when it comes time to put their hard-earned points to good use.

How it earns points:  The Gold Card earns four Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and US supermarkets (on up to $25,000 each year, then one point per dollar). It also earns three points per dollar on flights booked directly with an airline or with AmEx Travel, as well as one point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Additional perks:  The Gold Card comes with a dining credit of up to $120 that can be used on dining through GrubHub, Goldbelly, and more (enrollment required, terms apply), as well as a $120 Uber Cash and a $100 The Hotel Collection credit when you stay two nights or more (enrollment required, terms apply). It also provides shopping, baggage, and rental car protections. Annual fee:  $250 ( see rates and fees )

Current welcome bonus:  Earn 60,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within six months of account opening.

How to spend it:  Transfer 63,000 points to Cathay Pacific to book a one-way business class ticket between the US and Helsinki on Finnair.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Why we love it:  Capital One’s first foray into the premium credit card space is a good one. On top of solid earning potential, the  Venture X  offers an array of easy-to-use perks that make it a solid competitor against top offerings from Chase and Amex—with a much lower annual fee. Points earned with the card can be transferred to Capital One’s solid list of transfer partners, including Air Canada Aeroplan and Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles.

How it earns points:  The Venture X nets two miles per dollar on every purchase, with bonuses on travel. The card gets 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked via the Capital One Travel portal, along with five miles per dollar on flights booked through the portal.

Additional perks:  The card comes with $300 annual credit good for bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal, a 10,000-mile bonus on every account anniversary, unlimited access for you and two guests to  Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges  worldwide, and a $100 statement credit for TSA PreCheck or  Global Entry .

Annual fee:  $395

Current welcome bonus:  Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

How to spend it:  Transfer to Air Canada's Aeroplan to book Lufthansa first class on a one-way flight to Europe of up to 6,000 miles long, such as Chicago to Frankfurt.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best for flexible rewards

Why we love it:  Simplicity is the name of the game with the Capital One Venture Rewards card, the Venture X's predecessor. It’s a straightforward card for those who don’t spend a ton of money in any one category and who want to avoid a hefty  annual fee . Use your miles to wipe travel purchases off your statement or transfer them to one of 17 loyalty partners, including AirFrance-KLM and Turkish Airlines.

How it earns points:  The Venture card earns two miles per dollar on all purchases, plus five miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Additional perks:  The Venture card doesn’t have the perks of a more expensive premium card, but cardholders do get a $100  TSA PreCheck or Global Entry  credit every four years.

Current welcome bonus:  Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

How to spend it:  Transfer the miles to Turkish Airlines' Miles&Smiles program to nab four round-trip business economy class tickets between anywhere on the US mainland and Hawaii on Turkish Airlines' partner United.

A trip to Casablanca is in reach with the Citi Premier card.

Citi Premier Card

Best for varied bonus categories

Why we love it:  The Citi Premier often flies under the radar—but it shouldn’t. The card boasts a slew of easy-to-maximize bonus categories, earning customers extra points on dining, groceries, gas, air travel, and hotels. And while Citi’s lineup of transfer partners doesn’t get as much attention as Chase or Amex, it still features top-notch choices for booking flights, both  domestic  and international (JetBlue TrueBlue and Qatar Airways Privilege Club are among Citi’s list of partners).

How it earns points:  The Premier earns three Citi ThankYou points per dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, as well as three points per dollar spent on airfare and hotels. It earns one point per dollar on everything else.

Additional perks:  The card offers a once-a-year credit of $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more when booking through the Citi ThankYou portal, as well as access to ticket pre-sales and cardmember-only events.

Current welcome bonus:  Earn 60,000 points once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

How to spend it:  Transfer the points to Etihad Guest to book round-trip business class tickets between New York and  Casablanca  on Royal Air Maroc. You’ll be well on your way to the 88,000 requisite points after you spend the money required to trigger the welcome bonus.

A weekend at the Waldorf Astoria Grand Wailea on Maui could be in your future.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

Best hotel card

Why we love it:  You won’t find a more lucrative hotel card than the Hilton Honor American Express Aspire, which gives cardholders its top-tier Diamond status, an uncapped free night reward, resort credits, and sky-high earning rates. But the best part is, it’s more than just a hotel card. It also offers airfare credits and bonus points at US restaurants, providing a more well-rounded travel experience.

How it earns points:  The Aspire earns 14 Hilton Honors points per dollar spent with Hilton hotels and resorts, as well as seven points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel, on car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies, and at US restaurants. It earns three points per dollar on everything else.

Additional perks:  Cardholders automatically receive Hilton’s highest elite status, Diamond, as well as one free night every year after renewal that can be redeemed at most Hilton properties. Each account year, cardholders are also eligible for up to $400 in statement credits toward purchases at Hilton Resorts, as well as $200 worth of statement credits for airfare purchases.

Annual fee:  $550

Current welcome bonus:  Earn 180,000 bonus points once you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months from account opening.

How to spend it:  Combine 120,000 points with the card’s free night certificate for a weekend at the  Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal .

Citi Double Cash Card

Best for cash back

Why we love it:  Like the Chase Freedom Unlimited, the Citi Double Cash Card is actually a cash-back card, but if you have a second card—like the Citi Premier—that earns ThankYou points, you’ll be able to convert your  cash back  into travel rewards. It’s also easy to use, earning a flat two points per dollar on every dollar spent, no matter what the category.

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

Additional perks:  The card comes access to ticket pre-sales and cardmember-only events.

Current welcome bonus:  Earn $200 cash back once you spend $1,500 on purchases within the first six months from account opening.

Bilt Mastercard

Best for rent

Why we love it:  Bilt is a relative newcomer to the scene, and it’s shaking things up in the best way. It allows renters to earn points on their rent without paying credit card processing fees—and not just any points. Bilt’s points are transferable, and its list of transfer partners, including American Airlines AAdvantage, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and World of Hyatt, is unmatched in the industry. The card also earns on travel and dining, and while it doesn’t have a sign-up bonus, it does unveil fun new bonuses each month for Rent Day, or the first of the month, in addition to the ability to double your points earned on that day. And all of these benefits come without an annual fee.

How it earns points:  The Bilt Mastercard earns three points per dollar on dining, two points per dollar on dining, and one point per dollar on everything else, including rent. Those bonuses double for purchases aside from rent made on the first day of each month.

Additional perks:  The card comes with trip delay and interruption protection of up to $5,000, trip delay reimbursement, an auto rental collision damage waiver, and a $5 Lyft credit when you take three rides in a calendar month.

Current welcome bonus:  None

Chase Freedom Flex

Best retail card

Why we love it:  Like the Chase Freedom Unlimited, the Chase Freedom Flex Card is actually a cash back card whose points can convert to Ultimate Rewards if you have another card that earns them. Its unique earning structure allows you to earn a bonus in a rotating category each quarter, many of which are categories not often covered by other cards—such as Amazon purchases, department stores, or PayPal purchases.

How it earns points:  You’ll earn five points per dollar on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in rotating bonus categories each quarter. You’ll also earn five points per dollar on  travel booked  through Chase Ultimate Rewards, three points per dollar on drugstore purchases and dining, and one point per dollar on everything else.

Additional perks:  Like its sister card, the Freedom Flex comes with some shopping and auto insurance protections, as well as cell phone protection.

Current welcome bonus:  Earn $200 in cash back (20,000 points) after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, five percent cash back on gas station and grocery store purchases on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.

How to spend it:  Transfer the points to Southwest Rapid Rewards for a domestic winter getaway to a Sun Belt state.

Chase Ink Business Preferred

Best business credit card

Why we love it:  For small business owners, the Chase Ink Business Preferred is a great card to have in the rotation. For a modest $95 annual fee, it earns three points per dollar on travel, as well as on a host of useful business categories ranging from shipping to advertising and beyond. It also comes with a sky-high welcome bonus right now, making it a great opportunity to jump-start or boost your balance of Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

How it earns points:  The Chase Ink Business Preferred earns three points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent each account anniversary year combined on shipping purchases; internet, cable, and phone services; advertising purchase with social media sites and search engines; and travel. It earns an uncapped one point per dollar on all other purchases.

Additional perks:  The card comes with an auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, purchase protection, cell phone protection, and extended warranty protection.

Current welcome bonus:  Earn 100,000 points once you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

How to spend it:  Transfer the points to Iberia to fly round trip in business class to Madrid from Boston, Chicago, or New York on off-peak dates for just 68,000 miles or from West Coast hubs for 95,000 miles.

See rates and fees for American Express cards listed: The Platinum Card ; The Gold Card , Aspire . All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Condé Nast Traveler; this card is no longer available through Condé Nast Traveler.

Condé Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Condé Nast Traveler and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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Best travel credit cards of 2023

By Kendall Little

Edited By Matt Richardson

May 15, 2023 / 11:17 AM EDT / CBS News

If you're planning to go on a trip this year, it pays to have a travel credit card in your wallet.

With this type of rewards card , you can save on travel expenses while enjoying added benefits, annual credits and travel protections. Whether you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime whirlwind vacation or a family road trip for the summer, applying for the right card now can save you money and stress both while booking and when it's time to go.

Below, we've gathered our top picks for today's best travel credit cards.

Get started by comparing the  top travel credit cards you can qualify for now.

6 best travel credit cards of 2023

Our list of best travel credit cards includes options for both beginners and travel pros. These cards offer a range of benefits, rewards and costs to help you maximize your spending at home and away.

To find the best option for you, choose a card with rewards categories and redemption options that align with your spending and travel preferences. And remember, the best way to maximize the value of any  rewards credit card  is by paying your balance in full and on time each month, so you can maintain good credit and avoid high-interest credit card debt.

Best perks for a low fee: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Best everyday rewards: capital one venture rewards credit card, best for dining out: american express® gold card, best for premium perks: the platinum card® from american express, best for annual credits: chase sapphire reserve®, best for no annual fee: discover it® miles.

Right now, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card  is one of the best travel cards for seasoned travel enthusiasts or beginners. You can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within three months of the account opening. And because Sapphire Preferred points are worth 25% more when you use them to book travel through Chase, you can get up to $750 in value from the bonus alone.

As for added benefits, this card has a $50 annual credit for hotel stays booked with Chase, a 10% anniversary points bonus each year, a free year of DoorDash DashPass (activate by Dec. 31, 2024), bonus points on Lyft rides (activate by March 31, 2025) and more.

• Annual fee: $95
• Rewards:  5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card  has one of the most straightforward rewards structures for travel rewards, with a flat rate on everything you purchase. The Venture card benefits from flexible redemptions, too; you can use miles to book travel through Capital One's portal, transfer to partners or put them toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days as a statement credit. When you sign up, you can earn a 75,000-mile bonus after spending $4,000 within the first three months. 

• Annual fee:  $95
• Rewards:  2x miles on every dollar you spend, plus 5x miles when you book hotels or rental cars through Capital One Travel

Learn more about how to earn 2x miles with the Capital One Venture today.

The American Express® Gold Card is a great option for anyone who spends a lot on food. Benefits include up to $120 in annual Uber Cash ($10 per month) and up to $120 in dining credits ($10 monthly) to use at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations (terms apply). 

When you sign up, you can also earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first six months. Terms apply and enrollment is required for select benefits. And, when you're ready to redeem your rewards, you can transfer your points to partners at a 1:1 value or book travel through American Express — as well as standard redemption options like statement credits and gift cards.

• Annual fee:  $250 ( see Rates and Fees )
• Rewards:  4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x), plus 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com and 1x points on everything else (Terms apply)

Start saving on travel and dining now with Amex Gold.

The Platinum Card® from American Express caters to travelers looking for both convenience and luxury. It charges a whopping $695 annual fee but offers plenty of premium perks in exchange ( see Rates and Fees ).

To start, you can earn 80,000 bonus points when you spend $8,000 within the first six months of the account opening. Just a few notable benefits include airport lounge access, hotel elite status and more. And, to top it all off, annual travel credits include:

• Up to $20 in monthly statement credits toward eligible digital entertainment services
• Up to $200 back in statement credits on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel (requires a minimum two-night stay)
• $155 in Walmart+ credit, put toward your monthly membership charge to your card (subject to auto renewal)
• Up to $200 airline fee credit with your choice of airline
• Up to $200 Uber Cash and Uber VIP status
• Up to $300 Equinox credit toward Equinox+ or gym membership
• Up to $189 toward CLEAR® Plus membership
• Up to $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit  
• Annual fee:  $695
• Rewards:  5X Membership Rewards® points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year), 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel and 1 point per dollar on other purchases (Terms Apply)

Learn more about upgrading your travel experience with the Platinum Card from Amex.

Chase's premium travel credit card option, Chase Sapphire Reserve® , also has plenty to offer frequent travelers. The card comes with a $300 annual travel credit — which itself goes a long way to offset the annual fee. You'll also get Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership; an up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck and more. 

You can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within three months of account opening. Like the Sapphire Preferred Card, this card earns a boosted rate for redemptions. Sapphire Reserve cardholders will get a 50% points boost when redeeming points through Chase Ultimate Rewards, making the bonus worth up to $900 in value. 

• Annual fee:  $550
• Rewards:  10x points on hotels and car rentals and 5x points on flights purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining and other travel (points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on purchases in the travel category; the first $300 spent goes toward the $300 annual travel credit) and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

If you're looking for an option with no annual fees, the Discover it Miles card offers solid rewards value and a welcome bonus. Not only will you earn on every dollar you spend — which you can use toward any purchases on your card statement — but Discover also doubles your total rewards earned in the first year. With the Cashback Match first-year bonus, you'll get an unlimited match of every mile you earn within the first year of the account opening, with no limits. 

• Annual fee:  $0
• Rewards:  1.5x miles on every dollar you spend

What to consider before opening a travel credit card

Choosing the right travel card can depend a lot on how you spend your money and how you like to travel.

First, you'll want to decide what type of travel card user you are. Do you want to maximize your spending at home to put toward future travel? Then a travel card with everyday rewards but great redemption options, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture, might be the best choice. 

If you want to earn rewards when you book travel to put toward future travel, on the other hand, you'll want to focus on high-earning travel rewards. The Platinum Card from Amex or Chase Sapphire Reserve could be good options, in that case.

Another thing to consider is the annual fee. While travel cards with high annual fees have a lot to offer, make sure you'll actually use the benefits before you apply. If you don't like to get to the airport early and rarely fly with layovers, for example, airport lounge access may not hold much value for you. With the right travel card, the value of your benefits and rewards should more than make up the annual fee cost.

Finally, explore all your redemption options. Many travel credit cards are most valuable when you use your points or miles toward travel. This includes booking on your issuer's portal or transferring to airline and hotel partners. Look into the value of your points when you make certain redemptions — the Chase Sapphire cards, for example, offer boosted value when redeeming for travel — and review travel partners to make sure they include the travel brands that you prefer.

Learn more about top travel credit card options today .

The bottom line

A travel credit card is one of the best tools you can use to save on your next vacation. But timing is important. Apply early enough so that you can earn the sign-up bonus and start banking rewards to redeem toward your trip. Then, you can enjoy the annual perks and ongoing rewards to keep getting value from your card long-term. 

Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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9 Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2023

May 12, 2023 — 05:06 pm EDT

Written by Amarilis Yera for Money.com  ->

A travel credit card can be a valuable tool to help you save on travel expenses . If you spend strategically, you could snag free flights, hotel stays and more.

These cards earn points (or miles) for travel and other everyday purchases at a set rate for every dollar you spend, sometimes with bonus rewards of up to ten points (10x) per dollar when you use them to pay for your trips.

Some travel credit cards offer additional benefits like airport lounge access, baggage delay insurance and a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit.

Read on for our list of the best travel credit cards, how they work and how to pick the best one for you.

Our Top Picks for Best Travel Credit Cards

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® – Best low annual fee travel credit card
• Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card – Best no-annual fee credit travel card
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card – Best no-annual fee travel credit card runner-up
• American Express® Gold Card – Best travel card for dining rewards
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express – Best travel card for businesses
• Bank of America Premium Rewards – Best travel card for everyday spending
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Best premium travel credit card
• Capital One Venture X – Best premium travel credit card runner-up
• The Platinum Card® from American Express – Best travel card for perks and benefits

Best Travel Credit Cards Reviews

• Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel purchases through Chase
• Receive a point bonus each account anniversary
• Includes primary rental car insurance
• Earn 3x per $1 points on dining, including eligible delivery and takeout meals, select streaming services and grocery purchases
• $95 annual fee
• Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Why we chose it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is an excellent option for frequent travelers who want to earn valuable rewards while paying a low annual fee.

The card features six reward categories that offer outstanding rewards on flights, hotels, tours, restaurants and more. Cardholders can earn:

• 5x points for travel bookings made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal
• 2x points on all other travel purchases
• 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery and takeout meals,
• 3x points on select streaming services
• 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
• 1x on all other purchases

You can redeem your points for statement credits or account deposits, but redeeming them through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal gives them a higher rate. Chase points are generally worth one cent; however, with the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, the rate is 1.25 cents per point when redeemed for travel through the portal.

You can also transfer your points to one of Chase’s 14 travel partners at a 1:1 ratio (one Chase point equals one hotel point or airline mile). These include popular airlines and hotels like JetBlue, Southwest, United, Marriott and Hyatt.

Another benefit is that you can combine points from multiple Chase cards under your Chase Sapphire Preferred® account (as long as they earn Ultimate Rewards points). For example, if you have the Chase Freedom Unlimited , you can transfer its points to your Chase Sapphire Preferred® account. This would increase their usual one-cent-per-dollar value to 1.25 cents for bookings made through the Ultimate Rewards® program.

In addition to its standard travel insurance benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® includes primary rental car coverage — a perk not many travel cards provide. This type of insurance covers theft or damages without first filing a claim with your auto insurer. You also get to skip paying for the rental car company’s collision coverage.

• Unlimited 3% back on dining, entertainment, grocery stores and select streaming services
• No annual or foreign transaction fees
• Includes travel accident insurance
• 5% cash-back rate for travel doesn't apply to flights

Why we chose it: The Capital One SavorOne is ideal to use while sightseeing or on nights out since it offers high rewards on dining, entertainment and more without charging any annual or foreign transaction fees.

With the Capital One SavorOne, cardholders can earn cash back at restaurants, tourist attractions, concerts, theme parks and more. The card’s reward categories include:

• 10% back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases (plus statement credits to cover the costs of an Uber One membership) through November 14, 2024
• 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 3% back on dining, eligible streaming services, grocery stores and entertainment
• 1% back on all other purchases

None of the listed categories have yearly caps, which means the card offers tremendous earning potential — especially for foodies who spend a lot eating out, on takeout or doing groceries.

Those that are always searching for things to do might find Capital One Entertainment quite useful. The ticketing platform gives cardmembers access to numerous events, like celebrity meet-and-greets and dinner reservations at acclaimed restaurants. You can also find tickets to sold-out events at discounted prices, all while receiving a stellar 8% cash-back rate.

Keep in mind that this card’s travel bonus only applies to hotel and rental car bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal. This means that you won’t get any cash back or points for flight reservations, which other travel credit cards do offer.

However, it’s worth noting that the card’s 3% cash-back rate on dining and entertainment is valid at establishments worldwide. (Some credit cards limit their bonuses to only U.S. locations.) Dining and tourist attraction purchases can quickly rack up while traveling, so you can feel free to use this card as often as you’d like since it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

• Earn 3x points on restaurants, travel and gas
• Earn 3x when paying your monthly streaming services and cell phone bills
• Includes cell phone protection plan
• No foreign transaction fees
• No airline or hotel transfer partners
• Doesn't include travel insurance
• Netflix, Hulu and HBO are not eligible for streaming bonus

Why we chose it: The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has no annual or foreign transaction fees and earns high rewards for travel, dining, gas, streaming services and cell phone plan purchases.

Travel credit cards typically only offer rewards when you book flights and hotels through the card issuer’s travel portal. If you were to book your vacation through one-stop travel sites like Booking.com, you’d only earn the card’s minimum bonus (which is usually one point per dollar).

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, however, gives you:

• 3x points on flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more (regardless of where you make your purchase)3x points on transit, including subways, parkings, tolls, ride-sharing services and more
• 3x points on dining, gas, select streaming services and cell phone plans

However, although the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers solid travel earnings, its travel benefits are lacking. It doesn’t have hotel and airline transfer partners and doesn’t offer luxury perks like airport lounge access or a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit. (Having said that, note that these perks are generally only included with premium travel cards with high annual fees.)

The card does include rental car insurance. You’re covered up to $50,000 for accidents or theft if you use it to book the rental car. The card also features a cell phone protection plan when you use it to pay your monthly bill. If your phone is damaged or stolen, you can be reimbursed up to $600 per claim (up to $1,200 per year).

If you’re looking for unlimited rewards on travel and everyday spending, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is an excellent option. However, it may not be the best fit if you’re looking for comprehensive travel insurance coverage and luxury benefits.

All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

• Earns 4x points on restaurants worldwide, takeout and food delivery within the U.S.
• $120 annual dining credit ($10 per month in statement credits) in select restaurants
• $120 annual Uber Cash ($10 per month) for food delivery orders and rides in the U.S.
• Earn 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
• High annual fee ($250)
• Includes few travel perks and insurance policies compared to other cards

Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.

Why we chose it: The American Express Gold Card® is ideal for people who enjoy dining out. It earns 4x points at restaurants worldwide and on takeout and food delivery within the U.S. (Terms apply.)

The card also earns 4x points (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1X) at supermarkets within the U.S., 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amextravel.com and one point on all other eligible purchases.

The American Express® Gold Card offers two statement credits worth $240 combined — almost enough to offset the card’s $250 annual fee. You can get up to $120 every year in dining credits ($10 per month) for select restaurants and food delivery services. The list includes Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and Shake Shack. Additionally, each month you’ll automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year (Enrollment is required).

Cardmembers receive up to $100 in credit for stays of two nights or more booked through American Express’ The Hotel Collection. It can be used for eligible dining, spa and other activities. Cardholders also get 24/7 access to Global Assist Hotline representatives who can help coordinate lost passport replacement, translation services, missing luggage assistance and more.

However, note that the American Express® Gold Card offers fewer travel perks than some other premium cards — for instance, it doesn’t offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance or TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit.

• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/travel" ; target="_blank" rel="noopener">AmexTravel.com
• Around $1,000 in yearly statement credits for select business purchases
• Access to a wide network of airport lounges
• Complimentary benefits at hundreds of hotels
• High annual fee ($695)
• Secondary rental car coverage

Terms apply. Click here for applicable rates and fees.

Why we chose it: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express features an extensive list of benefits that make it an ideal travel and business credit card.

The card grants cardmembers access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, comprehensive travel insurance and extra amenities at hundreds of hotels (like daily breakfast and free internet access). Other valuable benefits include a credit of up to $200 to cover baggage fees, in-flight refreshments and more and up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

The card also includes around $1,000 in yearly statement credits for business-related purchases at Dell, Indeed, Adobe and U.S. wireless telephone providers and the following bonus categories:

• 5x points on flights and hotels booked through the American Express Travel portal
• 1.5x points (up to $2 million per year) at U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, software and cloud system providers and shipping providers
• 1.5x points (up to $2 million per year) on purchases of $5,000 or more, regardless of the category

Users can get a 35% point refund when they redeem their points for either a first- or business-class ticket or any service class on their selected airline — you can pick a preferred airline once per year. Note that to obtain the rebate, you first need enough points to cover the total amount of the flight you’d like to book.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express does have one of the steepest annual fees ($695) among travel credit cards, but its extensive list of benefits makes it a no-brainer for business owners who frequently travel.

• Earn 2x points on travel and dining
• Earn 1.5x points on all other purchases
• Up to $100 credit for airline incidental fees per year
• Up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA Precheck every four years
• Lower travel bonus rate than other cards

Why we chose it: The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card earns 2x points on travel and dining. It also gets 1.5x points on all other purchases, a higher base reward rate than most other credit cards — including those with similar or higher annual fees.

While many credit cards offer high rewards on several spending categories, you’ll mainly get one point per dollar on most if your day-to-day spending doesn’t align with those categories. However, the 1.5x base rate on the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card makes it an excellent choice for those who want to get the most out of their spending, regardless of spending categories.

The card’s two other bonus categories, travel and dining, can further boost your rewards. The travel category has the most earning potential since Bank of America has one of the broadest definitions of what counts as a travel purchase. While most travel cards only give bonus points for reservations made directly through their booking portal, Bank of America offers points regardless of how or where you book your vacation. You’ll also get points on Airbnb, Uber, art galleries, amusement parks, zoos and more.

The card can be even more valuable if you’re a Bank of America customer and a Preferred Rewards® program member. Members can earn up to 75% more points on every purchase. For example, instead of 1.5x points per dollar on most purchases, you could get 2.62 points. To qualify for the Preferred Rewards program, you must have at least $20,000 in a Bank of America deposit or Merrill investment account — or a combined balance between the two.

The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® has a $95 annual fee but has perks that can offset its cost. You get a statement credit of up to $100 for incidental airline fees, which can cover the cost of seat upgrades, baggage fees, in-flight purchases and airport lounges. You also get another statement credit of up to $100 every four years to cover Global Entry or TSA Precheck fees. The card also provides insurance for trip delays, interruptions and cancellations, lost luggage and baggage delays.

This card’s base reward rate gives it an edge when compared to others. However, if your focus is maximizing your travel-purchase earning, note that similarly priced cards can get you up to 5x points if you’re willing to book through the card’s travel portal. However, if you simply want to earn points without worrying about spending categories and rules, this card is a great option — especially for current Bank of America customers.

• Annual statement credits ($300) for travel purchases
• 14 travel partners including United, Southwest, JetBlue and Marriott
• Points worth 50% more when redeemed for travel expenses through Chase
• Emergency medical and dental insurance
• High annual fee ($550)
• Doesn't include a cell phone protection plan
• Welcome offer is less impressive than other premium cards

Why we chose it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers a high reward rate on travel and dining and has additional benefits like comprehensive travel insurance and airport lounge access worldwide.

Most premium cards have the same bonus rate for airfare, hotels and rental cars. The Chase Sapphire Reserve®, on the other hand, offers an increased rate for room reservations and auto rentals. It also gives points for all travel bookings, unlike other card issuer’s that limit their rewards to purchases made through their travel portals. With this card you can earn:

• 10x points on hotels and rental cars purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal
• 10x through the Chase Dining program
• 5x points on air travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal
• 3x points for all other travel-related purchases
• 3x points on restaurants, including takeout and delivery

Another advantage of the Sapphire Reserve is that its points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal — that is, 1.5 cents per point instead of the usual one cent.

In addition to its generous rewards, the Sapphire Reserve has several notable perks. It provides statement credits to cover fees for the expedited traveler programs Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus, plus discounts or upgrades on select car rental companies, to name a few.

One of the card’s outstanding benefits is a $300 annual travel credit that can cover travel-related purchases like airfare, hotels, car rentals, rideshares, buses, trains, tolls and/or parking. Other cards that feature an annual travel credit are usually more restrictive, and you can often only use it on flights or hotels purchased through the card issuer’s travel portal.

The Sapphire Reserve does have a $550 annual fee. But if you take advantage of the $300 annual credit and other perks, the benefits can definitely outweigh its cost.

• 10,000 bonus miles every year
• Statement credit of up to $300 for bookings made through Capital One Travel
• Up to a $100 credit on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• Skip the line and get car upgrades when renting a car with Hertz
• No dining bonus category
• No domestic airline transfer partner

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture X Rewards features premium benefits like statement credits and airport lounge access for a lower annual fee ($395) than many competitors.

The Venture X includes perks like a Priority Pass Select membership, which provides access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. This type of perk is typically only offered by luxury cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or The Platinum Card® from American Express, both of which have much higher annual fees ($550 and $695, respectively).

Other benefits include 10,000 bonus miles on every account anniversary and the option to add up to four authorized users at no extra cost. (Many cards have an annual fee of $75 or more for each additional user.) The card bonus categories include:

• 10x miles on hotels & rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles on all other purchases

The Venture X features a $300 annual travel credit that can be used for airfare, hotel stays, rental car reservations and more. However, do note the credit can only be used for Capital One Travel bookings. (Some competitors are more flexible and let you use the credits on any type of travel purchase, including taxis and buses.)

Although the card includes travel insurance, its coverage is limited compared to other premium travel cards. For example, the Venture X doesn’t cover baggage delays, travel accidents or emergency evacuations and transportations. It does, however, provide primary rental car insurance, which isn’t offered by most travel cards.

All in all, the Venture X is a solid option that can easily compete with other premium travel cards, especially considering its more affordable annual fee. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, our main pick for the best premium travel card, might be a better fit if you’d prefer a less restrictive annual travel credit and a more comprehensive travel insurance policy.

• Access to the widest network of airport lounges of any card
• Complimentary elite status in the Marriott and Hilton hotel loyalty programs
• Hundreds of dollars in annual statement credits for travel, dining and more
• Doesn't include baggage delay, travel accident and primary rental car insurance
• Limited bonus categories

Terms apply. Click here for rates and fees.

Why we chose it: The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a list of premium benefits that no other travel card offers, including the widest network of airport lounges and room upgrades at Hilton and Marriott hotels. (Terms apply.)

This American Express card includes complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges around the world. Other premium cards (like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® ) also give cardholders access to lounges through Priority Pass, a global network of over 1,300 lounges. However, the Platinum Card® from American Express grants access to Priority Pass and additional lounge networks such as Delta SkyClub and Amex’s own Centurion lounges.

The card awards cardholders gold status in the Marriott and Hilton loyalty programs, which makes you eligible for perks like room upgrades, free breakfast and late checkouts. You would typically need to stay at least 25 nights in Marriott and 28 nights in Hilton locations per year before achieving gold status with each company.

Platinum cardmembers also get elite status in three car rental programs: Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive. This status gives you perks such as skipping the line, car upgrades and/or discounts.

In addition to travel benefits, the card includes several statement credits such as:

• $12.95 monthly for a Walmart+ membership
• Up to $240 annually for select digital entertainment services (like Disney+ and Hulu)
• Up to $200 ($15 per month and $20 in December) for food delivery or rides with Uber
• $100 for Global Entry and $85 for TSA PreCheck (every 4 and 4.5 years, respectively
• $189 for a Clear (once per year)

When it comes to its bonus categories, the card offers:

• 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year)
• 5x points on prepaid hotels booked on the company’s travel portal
• One point per $1 on all other eligible purchases

The Platinum Card® from American Express does charge a hefty $695 annual fee. However, for people who travel often and will take advantage of its annual credits and travel perks, it might almost pay for itself.

Other travel credit cards we considered

We picked the best credit cards for travel based on their reward rates, travel insurance, additional benefits and overall value for most travelers. The following cards were close runner-ups:

Chase Freedom Flex℠

• No annual fee
• Includes trip cancellation/interruption and car rental insurance
• Includes cell phone protection when you pay your monthly bill with the card
• Earn 5% cash back in quarterly categories, on up to the first $1,500 spent
• 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards(R)
• 3% foreign transaction fee

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers several benefits that aren’t common among no-annual-fee cards. It provides coverage for rental cars as well as trip cancellations and interruptions. It also includes a cell phone protection for theft or damages plan when you pay your phone’s monthly bill using the card.

While it’s technically a cash-back card, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ still earns points that you can use for travel purchases through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. The card also offers high rewards on some travel purchases. Cardmembers can earn:

• 5% back on bookings made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal
• 5% back on up to $1,500 spent per quarter in rotating categories
• 3% back on dining at restaurants (including eligible delivery services and takeout),
• 3% back on drugstore purchase
• 1% back on all other purchases.

However, note that the card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, so using it while abroad is not recommended to avoid extra expenses.

All information about the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Money.com.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards

• Earns 1.5x points on all purchases
• No travel transfer partners
• No bonus category for travel
• Few benefits compared to other cards

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards is an easy-to-use card suited for travel reward beginners or for those who are already Bank of America customers. It earns a flat 1.5x points on all purchases, but some cardholders can earn up to 75% more if they have a checking account with the bank. It also includes coverage for trip cancellation or interruption and trip delays. However, the card doesn’t offer additional bonus categories, hotel and airline point transfer partners, which kept it out of our main list.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards

• Can transfer your points to 16 travel partners
• Earns 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
• Doesn't earn bonus points on airfare or dining

The Capital One VentureOne earns a consistent 1.25x miles on every purchase and 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

You can use your miles to book travel through the Capital One Travel portal or transfer your points to one of Capital One’s 16 travel partners, which include international airlines such as Avianca and British Airways. The card also includes travel accident and rental car insurance to some cardholders, depending on their credit score.

However, the card’s list of bonus categories is lacking compared to some other no-annual-fee credit cards, and Capital One doesn’t have any domestic airline travel partners.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

• Earns 5% cash back on travel bookings made through Chase

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of the few no-annual-fee credit cards that includes trip cancellation/interruption and rental car insurance. Its reward categories are also appealing, giving you:

• 5% cash back on bookings made through the Chase travel portal
• 3% on restaurants and drugstores
• 1.5% on everything else.

However, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® charges a 3% fee on foreign transactions.

Discover it® Miles

• Discover matches the total miles you earned at the end of the first year
• Earns 1.5x miles on all purchases
• See your FICO score on the Discover mobile app, online and on statements
• Few benefits compared to other travel cards
• Doesn't include extended warranty or purchase protection

The Discover it® Miles is a no-frills card that earns 1.5x miles on all purchases. Its welcome bonus is easily one of the best: Discover matches every mile you’ve earned at the end of your first membership year. However, it has fewer bonus categories than other no-annual-fee cards, and doesn’t have any travel transfer partners. Additionally, Discover cards aren’t as widely accepted internationally as Visa and Mastercard.

All information about the Discover it® Miles has been collected independently by Money.com.

Capital One Venture Rewards

• High rewards on everyday spending (2x miles per dollar)
• $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• Includes travel accident and car rental insurance
• Fewer bonus categories than other cards with a similar annual fee ($95)
• Car rental insurance is secondary

The Capital One Venture Rewards credit card is an excellent card for everyday spending. It offers cardmembers:

• 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One’s travel portal.
• 2x miles per dollar on all other purchases

Most travel credit cards earn one mile (or point) per dollar on most purchases and give high rewards only for specific categories like dining or gas. The card also includes auto rental coverage, travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and up to $100 to cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.

However, some cards with the same annual fee ($95) — like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® — offer more travel coverage and a longer list of bonus categories.

Travel Credit Cards Guide

The best credit cards for travel do more than offer high reward rates on flights and hotel stays. They also provide rewards for everyday spending and perks such as travel insurance, airport lounge access and annual statement credits.

However, travel credit cards with the most benefits also feature high annual fees and usually only award bonus points for travel bookings made through a card issuer’s travel portal, not third-party travel sites like Expedia. While this might be a downside for some, keep in mind that travel portals from card issuers often feature special offers to some of the best places to travel.

Here’s a rundown of how these cards work:

What is a travel credit card?

Travel credit cards (or travel rewards credit cards) typically provide generous rewards for travel purchases and let cardmembers redeem points (or miles) for travel bookings. Most card issuers also let you redeem points for statement credits, cash back or gift cards.

These cards may offer additional benefits such as rewards for dining purchases, access to airport lounges and late hotel checkouts.

Bonus categories, redeeming options and included benefits vary widely across card issuers. However, you can generally expect cards with higher annual fees to offer more perks and benefits. For example, premium cards with annual fees over $400 often feature hundreds of dollars in statement credits (money credited to your card’s outstanding balance) to cover travel or food purchases.

How do travel credit cards work?

Like other reward cards, travel credit cards give you a certain number of points per dollar spent on eligible purchases.

How points earning works

These cards allow users to earn points on travel purchases, as well as many other purchases.

Some offer bonus points for dining out, groceries, drugstores, streaming services and more. However, they usually offer an enhanced rewards rate for travel. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns 10x points on hotels and rental cars booked through the Chase’s travel portal. They also have a flat point rate for purchases that don’t fall within these categories — usually between one and 1.5 cents per dollar.

It’s important to note that a card’s travel rewards can be earned on more than airfare, lodging and car rentals. For example, bus fares, cruise lines, tolls and ferries may also qualify as travel purchases, depending on your credit card issuer.

What are point programs?

Many credit cards have point programs — also known as rewards programs — through which members can redeem earned points for travel, cash back, gift cards and more.

In most cases, you’ll earn at least one point per dollar when paying with your card, and each point is worth one cent each. However, many cards give you bonus points when used to cover expenses in specific categories, such as three points per dollar (3x) at restaurants or supermarkets.

Additionally, some issuers increase your points’ value when you redeem them for travel. For example, points earned with the Chase Sapphire Preferred have a 1.25-cent value when you book flights through the Chase travel portal.

You can also transfer your points to travel partners. Not all point programs allow transfers to airline or hotel loyalty programs, but if they do, it’s at a 1:1 ratio, meaning 1,000 points are worth 1,000 points in the partner program.

Point values may also vary depending on how you choose to redeem them. Some cards let cardholders use points when shopping at Amazon or Paypal, for example. But, while convenient, this option may bring down the value of points to 0.8 cents.

Well-known point programs include Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards® and Citi ThankYou® Rewards.

Difference between points and miles

Travel credit cards usually earn rewards as points. But some card issuers, like Capital One, call their rewards “miles” instead of “points” — even though they can be redeemed the same way as points.

Cards that earn miles are often (but not always) tied to a specific airline. Additionally, bear in mind that the term “mile” doesn’t refer to miles traveled with the airline. One airline mile is usually the equivalent of one reward point, which you can redeem for free flights, seat upgrades and more.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

• Some cards offer up to 10x points per dollar on travel purchases.
• Many have additional bonus categories for dining, grocery shopping and more.
• They may include travel benefits like priority boarding, airport lounge access and late hotel checkouts.
• Points or miles can also be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, gift cards and more.
• Highest reward rates are usually limited to purchases made through the card issuer's travel portal.
• They might not offer high rewards on spending outside of the travel category.
• The best ones have steep annual fees.
• Redeeming points or miles for anything other than travel can reduce their value to less than one cent per dollar.

Types of travel credit cards

Here’s a rundown of the differences between the three main types of travel credit cards:

Airline credit cards

Airline credit cards are ideal for people who fly with the same airline regularly. These cards earn miles that you can use with one specific airline, and their rewards (called frequent flier miles) are redeemable for airfare. Some of the best airline travel credit cards include benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding and discounts on in-flight purchases.

Hotel credit cards

Hotel credit cards are similar to airline cards. Points earned can only be used with one particular hotel chain.

For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns points for Hilton’s loyalty program. Points can be redeemed for free nights in the company’s properties, including Hilton Garden Inn and Waldorf Astoria hotels. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, on the other hand, includes room upgrades and late checkouts on select locations.

Other benefits may include discount rates, late checkouts or free in-room Wi-Fi.

Hotel credit cards may also offer complimentary breakfasts, room upgrades, late checkouts and bonus points for purchases made during your stay.

General travel credit card

General travel credit cards are much more flexible and convenient than airline or hotel cards. Since they aren’t affiliated with a single airline or hotel chain, general travel card points can be redeemed for a wide variety of travel-related expenses.

These cards allow cardholders to book flights, hotel stays, rental cars and more from different companies using your card issuer’s online travel portal. Other ways to use card points include statement credits, cash back or gift cards. Some issuers also let you transfer points to airline and hotel partners.

These cards may offer handy perks for frequent travelers, like airport lounge access. They can also cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership, which allow you to skip the long lines at airport security or customs.

How to choose a travel credit card

Picking the best travel rewards card boils down to how often you travel, which cardmember perks you’d benefit the most from and the categories you spend the most on.

Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing the best card for you:

• Do you travel often? A travel rewards credit card offers high reward rates on most travel-related spending, and you’ll get the most bang for your buck when you use their points on flights, hotels and car rentals. If you don’t take trips often but want to pile up rewards, a cash-back credit card might be a better fit.
• Assess your everyday spending. Many travel cards have additional bonus categories other than travel, like dining, supermarkets, streaming services and drugstores. Consider your day-to-day spending habits and pick a card with bonus categories that fit your lifestyle.
• Consider the card’s annual fees. There are several no-annual-fee travel cards available, but they usually have few bonus categories and benefits. The best travel credit cards charge annual fees of at least $90 and can go as high as $700. However, these are often best for those that travel enough to take advantage of their benefits.
• Choose between a general travel card or a co-branded one. General travel cards are more flexible than company-specific cards when it comes to redeeming points. You can use a general travel card’s rewards to get statement credits, cash back or gift cards, or book flights, hotel stays, rental cars and more from different companies. Rewards from co-branded cards, on the other hand, can typically be used only with one specific airline or hotel. However, co-branded cards do include valuable perks like free checked bags, in-flight discounts, hotel room upgrades or complimentary breakfast.
• Compare extra travel perks. Some cards offer extras like annual statement credits for flights and hotels or upgrades when renting cars. Take the time to compare each card’s roster of add-ons and pick one that will best suit your travel plans.
• Compare insurance policies. Some cards offer insurance policies that cover travel accidents, rental cars, trip cancellations and more. They also include purchase protection and extended warranties for items bought using the card. These policies can vary widely based on the issuer and the card’s annual-fee tier.
• Beware foreign transaction fees. Most travel credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees. Some cash-back cards may offer outstanding rewards for travel purchases but charge around 3% fees on purchases outside the U.S.
• A welcome bonus shouldn’t be the end-all, be-all perk. A 100,000-point welcome bonus can be enticing. However, it shouldn’t be your deciding factor, especially if you’ll end up paying a high annual fee without getting your money’s worth.

Best Travel Credit Cards FAQ

Travel credit cards give you points or miles for every dollar you spend using them. The standard reward rate is one point per dollar. However, many cards have bonus spending categories that allow you to earn five or more points per dollar. You can redeem points for travel, cash back and other perks.

What credit cards offer free travel insurance?

Some travel cards with complimentary travel insurance include the Chase Sapphire Preferred(R), Capital One Venture X and The Platinum Card(R) from American Express. However, note that cards that include travel insurance typically charge annual fees of $95 or more.

What is the best travel credit card?

Our list of the best travel credit cards includes the Chase Sapphire Preferred(R) , Wells Fargo Autograph? Card , The Platinum Card(R) from American Express and more. When choosing the best one for you, consider its annual fee, reward rates and ongoing benefits.

What is the best travel credit card for lounge access?

Some of the best travel credit cards for lounge access include the Platinum Card(R) from American Express and Chase Sapphire Reserve(R) , both of which get you entry into over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide.

What is the best credit card for international travel?

The best credit cards for international travel are those that don't charge foreign transactions fees, offer high reward on travel spending and include benefits that can improve your travel experience, like travel insurance and statement credits for TSA Precheck or Global Entry.

How We Chose the Best Travel Credit Cards

We ranked the best credit cards for travel based on their annual fees, benefits, reward rates and redemption flexibility.

Fees: We compared the foreign, cash advance and balance transfer fees for more than 50 credit cards. We also considered their annual fee, looking for those that offered the most for the money.

Ongoing benefits: Intro APR and bonus offers are attractive, but they can only get you so far. We focused on cards with year-round benefits such as travel insurance or cell phone protection plans.

Reward rates: We preferred cards that allow you to earn extra points from travel expenses, as well as those that provide significant bonus rewards in popular spending categories, like dining, supermarkets or streaming services.

Redemption flexibility: Our picks don’t limit your redemption options to just travel. Some let you use your points for Amazon purchases, for example. We also preferred issuers that allowed cardholders to transfer their points to airline and hotel partners.

Summary of Money’s Best Travel Credit Cards of 2023

* Insurance disclosures for American Express Cards on this page:

Trip Delay Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Global Assist Hotline: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Baggage Insurance Plan: 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.

Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance: 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. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

© Copyright 2023 Money Group, LLC . All Rights Reserved. This article originally appeared on Money.com and may contain affiliate links for which Money receives compensation. Opinions expressed in this article are the author's alone, not those of a third-party entity, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. For more information, read Money’s full disclaimer .

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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The 6 Best Credit Cards for Frequent Travelers

Looking for a new credit card in 2023? These are the best travel credit cards currently on the market.

The best travel credit cards offer a lot of flexibility and value through their rewards programs and additional perks. While many of our top choices charge steep annual fees, they also provide ways for even casual travelers to make up for them and still enjoy top-tier perks like travel credits, airport lounge access, and more. There are also some solid options for people who prefer to limit their annual fees or even avoid them altogether. As you consider your travel habits, here are some of the top options to consider.

Capital One Venture X

This relatively new premium credit card from Capital One offers a lot of value for its $395 annual fee, and you don't have to do a lot to make up for that yearly charge in card benefits alone. Here's what you'll get with the Capital One Venture X:

• 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.
• 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, five miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel and two miles per dollar on all other purchases.
• Redeem your miles for travel at a rate of 1 cent per mile by booking through Capital One Travel or booking on your own with the card and requesting a statement credit.
• Transfer your miles to 17 airline and hotel transfer partners.
• 10,000-mile anniversary bonus.
• $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel.
• Up to a $100 credit toward your application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
• Complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges within the Priority Pass, Plaza Premium Lounges, and Capital One Lounge networks.
• Access to reservations at exclusive restaurants and tickets to various culinary experiences.
• Various trip protections, including primary auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, and travel accident insurance.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

If you like the flexibility of Capital One Venture Miles but don't want the high annual fee, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and its $95 annual fee may be a better choice. Here's what the card offers:

• Five miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and two miles per dollar on all other purchases.
• Two complimentary lounge visits each year with the Plaza Premium Lounges and Capital One Lounge networks.
• Complimentary Hertz Five Star elite status, which provides a wider selection of rental cars and the ability to skip the counter.
• Five miles per dollar on Turo car rentals through May 16, 2023.
• Trip protections include auto rental collision damage waiver and travel accident insurance.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve provides a lot of premium travel perks, as well as some other valuable lifestyle benefits. While its stiff $550 annual fee is a bit harder to make up for than the Venture X Card's, it's still doable for savvy credit card users. Here's what you can expect:

• 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.
• 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Chase Dining purchases; five points per dollar on flights booked through Chase; three points per dollar on other travel worldwide and other dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out; and one point per dollar on all other purchases.
• Redeem your rewards for travel through Chase or for statement credits on rotating categories and get 1.5 cents per point in value.
• Transfer your points to 14 airline and hotel transfer partners.
• $300 annual travel credit. 
• Complimentary access to more than 1,300 airport lounges in the Priority Pass network.
• $10 monthly statement credit toward GoPuff orders through Dec. 31, 2023.
• Complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership for at least one year if you activate by Dec. 31, 2024, plus $5 in monthly DoorDash credits.
• Complimentary 12-month Instacart+ membership plus $15 in monthly statement credits toward Instacart orders.
• 10 points per dollar on Lyft rides through Mar. 31, 2025.
• Various trip protections, including primary auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement, and emergency evacuation and transportation.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve's sister card doesn't offer the same premium perks, but you also don't have to pay as much to carry the card with its $95 annual fee. Here's what the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers:

• Five points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; three points per dollar on select streaming services, online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs) and on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out; two points per dollar on other travel purchases; and one point per dollar on everything else.
• Travel rewards redeemable through Chase or for statement credits on rotating categories get 1.25 cents per point in value.
• Points transferable to 14 airline and hotel transfer partners.
• Up to $50 in annual statement credits toward hotel stays booked through Chase.
• Complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership for at least one year if you activate by Dec. 31, 2024.
• Complimentary six-month Instacart+ membership plus $15 in quarterly statement credits toward Instacart orders.
• Five points per dollar on Lyft rides through Mar. 31, 2025.
• Various trip protections, including primary auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, and trip delay reimbursement. 

The Platinum Card from American Express

One of the most expensive travel credit cards on the market, the Platinum Card from American Express has a $695 annual fee. However, frequent travelers can get far more than that back in value every year. Here's what the card has to offer:

• 100,000 bonus points when you spend $6,000 in the first three months from account opening, plus an introductory 0% APR on eligible charges for six months.
• Five points per dollar spent on flights booked with airlines or through the American Express Travel portal (up to 500,000 per year), five points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, and one point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
• Redeem your points for travel at up to 1 cent per point with American Express. 
• Transfer your points to 20 airline and hotel transfer partners.
• Up to $200 in incidental airline fee credits with one qualifying airline each calendar year.
• Up to $200 in Uber cash benefits each calendar year. That's up to $15 most months and $35 in December. 
• Up to $240 in digital entertainment credits each calendar year ($20 per month) toward subscription fees with Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times . Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
• Up to $200 in hotel credits each calendar year on select prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings when you stay at least two nights and book through American Express Travel. 
• Up to $300 in credits each calendar year ($25 per month) toward a monthly membership to Equinox All Access, Destination or E by Equinox, or for Equinox+.
• Up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year ($50 every six months) toward purchases made with Saks Fifth Avenue or on saks.com. 
• Complimentary CLEAR membership, which expedites airport security.
• Complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges through The Centurion Lounge, American Express Global Lounge Collection, Airspace Lounge, Delta Sky Club, Escape Lounge, Priority Pass Select, Plaza Premium and Lufthansa networks.
• Complimentary Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Gold status with Hilton Honors when you enroll. 
• Complimentary Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, and National Car Rental Emerald Club status.

Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card

If you're thinking about just dipping your toes in the water of travel rewards, or you generally like to avoid fees, the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card could be a great fit with its $0 annual fee. Here's what you'll get with the card:

• 25,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days from account opening, plus an introductory 0% APR on purchases and on balance transfers made within the first 60 days for 18 billing cycles.
• Three points per dollar on travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases.
• Earn up to 75% more rewards as a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, which requires at least $20,000 in deposits between eligible Bank of America and Merrill Lynch accounts.
• Redeem points for travel through Bank of America at a rate of 1 cent per point.

While the card doesn't offer any valuable benefits beyond its rewards program, it can be a great option for casual travelers who are unsure about paying a big annual fee.

How to Choose the Right Travel Credit Card for You

There's no single credit card out there that's the best fit for everyone. As such, it's important that you take the time to consider your travel goals and spending habits to determine the right fit for you. Many of these cards offer bonus rewards on select spending categories, so if you spend a lot in one or two areas, try to find a card that will reward you more for those purchases.

While some of these cards charge hefty annual fees, if you travel often enough, it can be easy to make up for them. Look for benefits and features that are the most important to you and the type of experience you want to have. And don't forget that most of the top travel rewards credit cards require good or excellent credit, which means a credit score of 670 or above. If you're not there yet, take some time to work on building your credit before you apply.

GOBankingRates works with many financial advertisers to showcase their products and services to our audiences. These brands compensate us to advertise their products in ads across our site. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site. We are not a comparison-tool and these offers do not represent all available deposit, investment, loan or credit products.

Critics' Choice

Balance Transfer

10 Best Travel Credit Cards for 2023

Greg Garrison

Travel credit cards enable you to earn points and miles that you can use on hotels, flights and other travel-related items. They’re often packed with additional travel perks and bonuses.

CardCritics, GOBankingRates’ resident credit card experts, identified the best travel credit cards by compiling and extensively analyzing data on all of the major credit cards available, then rating them on a 5-star rating system. The comparison factors include annual fees, APRs, sign-up bonuses, ongoing rewards, accessibility, redemption options and more. These factors were then weighted by importance to focus on key features that are most important in each specific category.

Unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars

GET STARTED

Why we like it

The Capital One Venture X Card is a winning option for those with excellent credit who want to take their travel rewards to the next level. It does come with a steep annual fee of , but that’s offset by the welcome bonus, rewards and perks. You earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. You also earn 2X miles on all other purchases and will receive 10,000 miles each year as an anniversary bonus. There’s also a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months. To offset the annual fee even further, you’ll receive a $300 annual travel credit and a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Credit.

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Purchase APR

Welcome Bonus

Balance Transfer APR

Recommended Credit Score

Excellent/Good670-850*

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, 10X miles on hotels and rental cars, plus 5X on flights booked through Capital One Travel.

• Excellent rewards rates, especially if you book through Capital One Travel
• Generous welcome offer

Pros & Cons

Generous and uncomplicated rewards rates

Welcome bonus

Ongoing annual rewards

Key Features

• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 toward travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel

Versatile Travel Card with a Massive Bonus

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card offers a straightforward flat rate on all purchases with 1.25X miles on every purchase and an elevated 5X rate on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One travel. There’s also a one-time bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening, which equals $200 in travel. Your rewards won’t expire and you can redeem them as a statement credit to cover travel purchases. The card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months; APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 18 months. There is no annual fee or foreign transaction fees for the card.

20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening, which equals $200 in travel

0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then

Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase and 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

• Solid rewards rates, especially if you book through Capital One Travel

No annual fee

Intro APR for the first 18 months

Missing some travel perks

• Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
• Members can transfer miles to more than 15 partner rewards programs

Great for JetBlue fans

Barclays JetBlue Plus Mastercard

The Barclays JetBlue Plus Mastercard is tailor-made for anyone who flies JetBlue. The card offers 6X points on eligible JetBlue purchases, plus 2X points at restaurants and on eligible grocery store purchases. For a limited time, you earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days. Other features include earning 5,000 bonus points every year after your account anniversary, an annual $100 statement credit after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more with your JetBlue Plus Card, and you’ll get 10% of your points back as a bonus after you redeem for and travel. Plus, save 50% on eligible inflight food and drink purchases.

Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.

0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening, then

6X points on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores, and1X points on other purchases

• Excellent rewards rates if you fly with JetBlue

5,000 bonus points every year after your account anniversary

Annual $100 statement credit

10% points back bonus

No intro APR offer on purchases

There’s a $99 annual fee

• First checked bag free
• 50% inflight savings on eligible food and drink purchases

3X Rewards on popular categories plus a bonus

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card has an impressive welcome bonus for a card that doesn’t have an annual fee. New card members can earn a 20,000-point ($200 cash redemption value) welcome bonus after spending $1,000 in the first three months. You can also earn unlimited 3X points on popular categories like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans, making it an excellent pick for those who spend regularly in those categories. Plus, you’ll earn 1X points on your other purchases and there’s a generous 0% introductory offer on purchases for 12 months, then a will apply.

Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases

• Impressive welcome bonus from a card that does not charge an annual fee
• No caps on the 3X bonus categories

Generous bonus offer

High rewards on popular categories

No intro APR offer on balance transfers

• $600 cellphone protection option (subject to $25 deductible)
• You can redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards or statement credits

Anniversary points every year

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority

The Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card is the highest tier offered by Chase/Southwest. It also carries the highest annual fee at $149, but its features more than make up for that for Southwest flyers. For the sign-up bonus, you can earn 50,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. You’ll earn three points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases and 2X points on purchases with Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, local transit and commuting, internet, cable, phone services and select streaming. You also get four upgraded boardings per year (when available), a $75 annual Southwest travel credit, 7,500 anniversary points each year and 25% back on inflight purchases. Plus there are no foreign transaction fees.

Earn 50,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn 3 points for each $1 spent on Southwest purchases. Earn 2 points for $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental purchases, plus local transit, commuting, internet, cable, phone services and select streaming. Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on everyday purchases.

• Excellent rewards rates, especially if you book through Southwest

Four upgraded boardings per year, when available

$75 annual Southwest travel credit

7,500 anniversary points each year

There’s a $149 annual fee

• 25% back on inflight purchases

No foreign transaction fees

Annual fee waived the first year

The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card combines generous travel perks and rewards with a welcome offer. There is a $95 annual fee, but it’s waived for the first year. For the welcome offer, you can earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 in the first 120 days, worth $500 redeemable toward merchandise, gift cards, cash back, travel and more. You can earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked with the Altitude Rewards Center. Plus, 4X points on travel, at gas stations and EV charging stations and 2X points at grocery stores and on dining and streaming services. There are no foreign transaction fees and a $30 credit for annual streaming service purchases.

5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked with the Altitude Rewards Center. 4X points on travel, at gas stations and EV charging stations. 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, dining and streaming services. 1X point on all other purchases.

• Solid rewards rates, especially if you book through the Altitude Rewards Center

There’s a $95 annual fee

• Up to $100 as a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS every 4 years
• $30 credit for annual streaming service purchases

solid benefits with great sign-up bonus

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier

The Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card occupies the middle tier of the three-tier Chase/Southwest card structure. It offers solid benefits for a modest annual fee for the occasional Southwest flyer. For a sign-up bonus, you can earn 50,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, which helps offset the $99 annual fee. You’ll earn 3X rewards on Southwest purchases and 2X points on purchases with Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, local transit and commuting, internet, cable, phone services and select streaming. You also get 6,000 anniversary points each year, 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points for every $10,000 you spend, two EarlyBird Check-Ins each year and 25% back on inflight purchases. Plus there are no foreign transaction fees.

6,000 anniversary points each year

1,500 Tier Qualifying Points for every $10,000 you spend, with no limit

Generous and uncomplicated rewards rate

The Capital One Venture Rewards Card offers a generous and uncomplicated flat rate on all purchases with 2X miles on every purchase and an elevated 5X rate on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. There’s also a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months from account opening, which equals $750 in travel. Members can transfer miles to more than 15 partner rewards programs and redeem rewards for statement credits or travel purchases. To help offset the annual fee, you will get two free airport lounge visits per year, complimentary Hertz Five Star status and up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck.

Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase and 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

• Strong rewards rates, especially if you book through Capital One Travel

Miles can be transferred to other loyalty programs

There’s a annual fee

• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

Great for travel and dining rewards

TD First Class SM  Visa Signature® Credit Card

The TD First Class Visa Signature Card is geared toward those who charge their travel and dining purchases, with 3X miles for those categories (including flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and dining). The miles never expire and the card offers a good selection of travel perks. If you spend $3,000 in the first six billing cycles after receiving the card, you’ll earn 25,000 bonus miles worth $250 toward travel and dining purchases. The card has an $89 annual fee that’s waived the first year. There’s also an intro APR offer of 0% for the first 12 billing cycles on balance transfers, then a APR will apply.

Earn 25,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 within the first 6 billing cycles.

0% introductory APR for first 12 billing cycles, then

3X First Class miles on travel and dining and 1X miles on all other purchases

• Highly competitive APR

0% intro balance transfer APR for the first 12 billing cycles

There’s an $89 annual fee

• Get reimbursement for your stolen or damaged cellphone
• ID Navigator Powered by Norton LifeLock

Lots of perks and big welcome offer

The American Express Platinum Card comes with oodles of perks, a generous welcome offer and great rewards, albeit with a annual fee. For the welcome offer, you can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your card in your first six months. Other features and perks can get you over $1,500 in value including a $240 digital entertainment credit, $155 Walmart+ credit, access to The Global Lounge Collection, a $200 hotel credit each year (requires a minimum 2-night stay), $200 in Uber Cash, $300 each year toward Equinox charges, and a $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit with an Equinox+ subscription. Plus, you’ll earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel on up to $500,000 spent each year and 5X on prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com.

5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel and prepaid hotels, and 1X on other purchases

• Card prequalification tool available before you apply with no effect on your credit score

Over $1,500 per year in statement credits for select purchases

Access to First Class lounges

Superior travel perks and benefits

• $200 hotel credit each year; minimum 2-night stay required
• $20 digital entertainment credit each month
• Up to $189 back each year on your Clear membership

Full List of Our Picks for Best Travel Credit Cards

Click on the card name to read our full review.

Capital One Venture X Rewards

What we love about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Card: Outstanding rewards rates

The Capital One Venture X Card is an ideal choice for those with excellent credit who want to rack up miles at an accelerated rate. This card’s generous welcome bonus, rewards and perks make the steep annual fee of $395 worth it for many travelers. When you book through Capital One Travel , you’ll get unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights. You also earn 2X miles on all other purchases. Each year you’ll receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus. Sweetening the deal is a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months. Finally, you’ll also receive a $300 annual travel credit and a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Credit. Read our full review

Capital One VentureOne Rewards

What we love about the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card: Solid rewards with no annual fee

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card offers a flat rate of 1.25X miles on all purchases and an elevated 5X rate on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. You’ll also collect a sign-up bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening, which equals $200 in travel. Those who plan to make a large purchase or who need to carry a balance will appreciate the 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months; APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 18 months. The card charges no annual fee or foreign transaction fees. Read our full review

What we love about the Barclays JetBlue Plus Mastercard Card: Big rewards and bonus points

The Barclays JetBlue Plus Mastercard is a powerful tool for JetBlue travelers. You can earn rewards at an accelerated pace with 6X points on eligible JetBlue purchases as well as 2X points at restaurants and on eligible grocery store purchases. If you take advantage of their limited time offer, you can get 80,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days. Other features include an anniversary bonus of 5,000 points each year and an annual $100 statement credit after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more with your card. Plus, you’ll save 50% on eligible inflight food and drink purchases. Read our full review

Wells Fargo Autograph

What we love about the Wells Fargo Autograph: Generous rewards in popular categories

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card offers a high rewards rate on some of the most common types of purchases, and it also comes with an impressive welcome bonus for a card without an annual fee. New card members can earn an offer of 20,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first three months, which is a $200 cash redemption value . You can also collect unlimited 3X points on key categories like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans, making it a great choice if you spend regularly in those categories. Other purchases will get you 1X points. The card also comes with a notable 0% introductory APR offer on purchases for 12 months, then a will apply. Read our full review

What we love about the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card: Strong sign-up bonus and competitive rewards

As the top tier offered by Chase/Southwest, the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card gives you a generous rewards rate. You’ll get 3X points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases and 2X points on purchases with Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partners, commuting and transit, internet, cable, phone services and streaming. Upgraded boardings (four per year when available) sweeten the deal for this card. There’s also a $75 annual Southwest travel credit, 7,500 anniversary points and 25% back on inflight purchases, helping to offset the $149 annual fee. The card also charges no foreign transaction fees. Read our full review

U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature®

What we love about the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card: Excellent rewards and perks for travelers

The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card comes with a nice sign-up bonus and expansive rewards. While it comes with a $95 annual fee, that fee is waived for the first year. When you spend $2,000 in the first 120 days you’ll receive 50,000 bonus points, worth $500 redeemable toward merchandise, gift cards, cash back, travel and more. You can also rack up rewards quickly when you book through the Altitude Rewards Center, as prepaid hotels and car rentals will earn you 5X points. Additionally, you’ll collect 4X points on travel, at gas stations and EV charging stations and 2X points at grocery stores and on dining and streaming services. The card even gives you a $30 credit for annual streaming service purchases. Read our full review

What we love about the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Card: Generous rewards and travel benefits

Occupying the middle tier of the Chase/Southwest card hierarchy, the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card offers strong benefits that pay off for the occasional Southwest flyer. With a welcome bonus that hands you 50,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, it justifies the $99 annual fee for many cardholders. You’ll earn 3X rewards on Southwest purchases. Plus, you’ll also get 2X points on any purchase made on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, local transit and commuting, internet, cable, phone services and select streaming. You’ll also enjoy 6,000 anniversary points each year, 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points for every $10,000 you spend, two annual EarlyBird Check-Ins and 25% back on inflight purchases. And you won’t pay any foreign transaction fees. Read our full review

Capital One Venture Rewards

What we love about the Capital One Venture Rewards Card: Flexible and generous travel rewards

The Capital One Venture Rewards Card offers a rewards rate of 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, plus 2X miles on all other purchases. The welcome offer is also enticing: 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months from account opening. That adds up to $750 in travel, which helps offset the annual fee. When it comes to redeeming points, you’ll enjoy a wider range of options than you would with many similar cards. Members can transfer miles to more than 15 partner rewards programs and redeem them for statement credits or travel purchases. The card also grants you two free airport lounge visits per year, complimentary Hertz Five Star status and up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Read our full review

TD First Class Visa Signature®

What we love about the TD First Class Visa Signature® Card: Annual fee waived the first year

The TD First Class Visa Signature Card can be a great choice for those who frequently spend on travel and dining, with 3X miles for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and restaurants. The card also comes with an array of travel perks and a strong welcome offer . You’ll get 25,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 in the first six billing cycles after receiving the card. The card charges a $89 annual fee, but it’s waived the first year. The card also offers a 0% intro APR for the first 12 billing cycles on balance transfers, then a APR will apply. Read our full review

American Express The Platinum Card®

What we love about the: American Express The Platinum Card®: Wide range of valuable perks

The American Express Platinum Card comes with a huge welcome offer, plenty of perks, and opportunities to compile major rewards points. However, there’s also a annual fee to consider. After you sign up, you can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points when you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first six months. The features don’t end there. You can get a $240 digital entertainment credit, $155 Walmart+ credit, a $200 hotel credit each year, $200 in Uber Cash, $300 each year toward Equinox charges, and a $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit with an Equinox+ subscription. You’ll also get access to The Global Lounge Collection. For rewards, you’ll earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel on up to $500,000 spent each year. You’ll also enjoy 5X points on prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com. Read our full review

What Is a Travel Card?

A travel credit card is a card that offers rewards in the form of miles or points that can be redeemed for travel purchases such as flights, hotels and rental cars. These points may also be redeemable for statement credits, gift cards and more, depending on the card. A travel card usually offers a higher rate of rewards points when you use it to book travel. 

Travel cards also typically come with a host of additional perks that make travel more enjoyable. Your card may score a free checked bag for your flight, a hotel room upgrade, access to airport lounges and more.

How Do Travel Credit Cards Work?

Travel cards reward cardholders with miles or points for every purchase they make. Those miles or points can be redeemed for future travel. You can usually earn more points when you use the card to book flights, hotels, rental cars and other travel-related services.

How Do Travel Miles and Points Work on Credit Cards?

You earn points or miles for purchases you make with your credit card. The value of those points varies from card to card and can depend on what you want to redeem them for. For example, a certain number of miles or points may equate to an airline ticket or hotel stay. Some cards will also allow you to use points for perks such as seat upgrades. You may also be able to redeem those points for cash or gift cards, although with most travel cards you can get more value out of using the points or miles for travel purchases.

Types of Travel Credit Cards

There are several types of travel cards. Let’s look at a few of the most popular:

General travel cards – If you tend to fly with a variety of airlines and you’re not particular about which hotel chain you stay at, a general travel card may be your best option. These cards give you more flexibility when it comes to earning and redeeming your points because you’re not limited to a specific brand. The Capital One Venture X Rewards card — our top choice in the travel category — is an example of a general travel card. 

Co-branded airline cards – These cards, such as the Barclays JetBlue Mastercard and Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards , can be an excellent choice for travelers who regularly fly the same airline. While you typically can only redeem miles for flights on one airline (and sometimes its partner airlines) you may be able to rack up points faster with generous miles rewards. These cards will usually have the bank or credit card issuer and the airline in the card’s name.

Co-branded hotel cards – As with airline cards, these cards are best for travelers who prefer to always stay at the same hotel chain. 

Pros and Cons of Using a Travel Card

Travel cards can deliver some of the most valuable rewards of any type of credit card when used strategically. But they aren’t the best choice for everyone. Here’s a rundown of the pros and cons:

Rewards optimized for travel – If you travel frequently, or if you’re trying to compile miles for a big upcoming vacation, travel cards can really pay off for you. Whereas a general cash back card might earn you 1% or 2% back on each purchase, a travel card can often reward you with 5X or 6X miles for every dollar you spend on travel. That can add up fast.

Travel-friendly benefits – Most travel cards provide much more than a chance to score free or discounted flights and hotels. They usually give you all types of perks that can make the entire travel experience more enjoyable. Common travel perks include free bag check, credit for TSA PreCheck, access to airport lounges, priority boarding or hotel room upgrades. Many cards also provide various travel protections in case of an unexpected cancellation or another hiccup on your trip.

Credit score requirements – Most travel cards, including the cards on our Best Travel Cards list, require you to have good to excellent credit. That means your score will likely need to be 670 or higher to be approved for the card.

Must book through the card’s site for maximum points – Many travel cards advertise enticing rewards rates for travel purchases, such as 6X miles for flights and hotels. But to get that rate, you’re often required to book the travel through the card’s travel portal. Capital One, Chase and American Express — three of the top travel card issuers — each have their own travel portal, and to earn maximum points you’ll usually have to book through those sites. The problem? Some airlines can’t be booked through some portals, and some flights or hotels may be more expensive through the card’s website than if you were to book them directly.

Complicated to use rewards – It can be hard to anticipate how many points you’ll need to redeem for future travel purchases, and eligibility restrictions can add another layer of uncertainty.

Annual fees – Top-of-the-line travel cards typically charge an annual fee , and that fee can sometimes be downright eye-popping. We’re talking fees of at least $95 and often much higher, up to $695. So if you’re thinking about shelling out that kind of cash for the right to use a card, you want to make sure you’ll get enough value out of it to offset the cost.

When You Shouldn’t Get a Travel Card

You don’t travel much – Let’s get the obvious out of the way: A travel card probably isn’t the best choice if you travel infrequently . Even if the points earned on a travel card can be redeemed for cash, it’s very likely that the cash redemption will come at a reduced value to what you would get if you used the points for travel. If you want to redeem points for cash, you’re better off getting a cash back card.

You plan to carry a balance – Travel credit cards don’t usually offer a $0 introductory APR for purchases or balance transfers, and their regular APRs also tend to be on the high side. So if you want to pay off a major purchase over time or you need to transfer an existing credit card balance, this may not be the category of cards that suits you.

You want to avoid annual fees – Most of the top travel credit cards charge an annual fee. Sure, you can find some good cards with no annual fee and plenty more with a fee under $100. But if you’re strongly opposed to paying for the privilege of using a credit card, this category may not offer many great options.

How To Compare Travel Credit Cards

Travel cards all have their own unique features, and what works great for one person may not be as beneficial for another. Here’s what you’ll want to look at when assessing which is best for you:

Rewards structure – Which types of purchases will earn you the most points or miles? How easy is it to redeem those points, and are you sure you can redeem them for travel or other purposes that you’ll actually use? This is often the hardest part of credit card comparisons because you’ll need to anticipate how you will use the card and then crunch the numbers to forecast which card will produce the best value for you.

Travel perks – Travel cards are about much more than just points and miles. They usually come with some pretty sweet perks that make your trip a little more relaxing. Features may include free checked baggage, TSA PreCheck credits, airport lounge access and all sorts of upgrades.

Annual fees – Don’t simply look at which card has the highest and lowest annual fee. Try to predict whether you think the points and perks you’ll get in return will make that fee worth it.

Sign-up bonus – Travel cards love to wow you with a welcome offer. In fact, for many travelers the sign-up bonus is the final tiebreaker when choosing a card. Many cards will offer tens of thousands of bonus miles just for signing up, which can give you a big head start as you accumulate points for that first trip.

Foreign transaction fees – Many credit cards come with foreign transaction fees , but travel cards often advertise no fees on purchases abroad. Makes sense, since their target customer is more likely to set foot on foreign soil. If you’re eyeing a travel card to earn points for international travel, this could be an important category to consider.

How To Maximize Rewards

With rewards structures that are complex and fine print that houses all sorts of perks and restrictions, travel cards can test your credit card mastery. Strategize correctly, and you’re living large.

Airline and hotel rewards loyalty – It’s important to take a close look at how the loyalty programs connected to your card of choice work. When you select a co-branded airline or hotel card, you’ll likely automatically get signed up for that brand’s loyalty program. Dive deep into how to fully use those points when on a trip.

Track the points and miles you earn – Some people get quite elaborate when performing this task, creating spreadsheets to calculate when to use which card. While you don’t have to take it to that level, you should develop an understanding of which card you should pull out for most of your purchases, especially the bigger buys that generate the most points.

Think regional with co-branded cards – This doesn’t apply to all types of travelers. It may not be as important if you travel all over the world for business or pleasure. However, if you’re considering a co-branded card but you aren’t sure where future travel may take you, it may be wise to choose an airline with many flights departing from your local airport or a hotel chain with locations all over your area.

Look for companion fares – Some cards, especially those co-branded with an airline, will offer the cardholder a companion fare each year. A companion fare is a heavily discounted ticket that usually requires you to book another ticket on the same flight. Basically, it’s buy one, get one (almost) free. This can mean huge savings on some airlines. For example, if you’re going with a friend to Hawaii and your round-trip ticket costs $800, you could get the second ticket for $100 or less. That’s $700 worth of savings right there!

Best Credit Cards 2023

• 10 Best Rewards Credit Cards for 2023
• 10 Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards for 2023
• 10 Best Cash Back Credit Cards for 2023
• 10 Best Credit Cards for 2023
• Best Airline Credit Cards for 2023

Methodology

CardCritics, our resident credit card experts, identify the best credit cards by compiling and extensively analyzing data on all of the major credit cards available, then rating them on a 5-star rating system. The comparison factors include annual fees, APRs, sign-up bonuses, ongoing rewards, accessibility, redemption options, and more. These factors were then weighted by importance to focus on key features that are most important in each specific category.

• This depends which airline you want to fly, your desired destination and when you hope to take off and land. Generally speaking, fewer miles are required for a free domestic flight than for a free international flight. Some regional flights may only require 5,000 miles or fewer, while overseas flights can easily require 50,000 miles one way.
• Whether a travel card’s annual fee is worth the cost depends mostly on the travel habits of the person using it. If you travel several times a year, it’s likely that the savings you’ll get through rewards will offset the fee, especially if that fee is $100 or less. In many cases, the miles you receive just for signing up for the card will more than make up for the annual fee, at least for the first year.
• Most upper-tier travel cards require you to have a credit score of 670 or higher.
• Technically, there isn’t much difference between points and miles on a credit card. An airline-focused card is more likely to call its rewards points miles, while a more general travel card may use the term points

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Find the best credit card for you

The 13 best travel credit cards of may 2024, the best travel credit cards can earn you hundreds of dollars in rewards each year and make your travels more enjoyable..

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

The best travel credit cards offer more than just great  cash-back , points or miles incentives — they also come with a range of perks that can take your next trip from basic to bougie without spending extra money.

Some travel card features are nearly standard across the board:  no foreign transaction fees ,  travel insurance  and various travel credits. More  premium cards  take things up by offering  lounge access  and credits for expedited airport security.

To help you choose the best travel rewards card for your needs, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of popular travel cards and dug into each card's perks and drawbacks to find the best of the best based on consumer habits. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel credit cards.)

Best travel credit cards

• Best for no annual fee: Discover it® Miles
• Best for dining when traveling: American Express® Gold Card
• Best for authorized user perks: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees )
• Best for welcome bonus:   Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Best for bonus categories: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Journey Visa® Card
• Best for earning points on rent: Bilt Mastercard®
• Best for lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Best for luxury travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Best for fair credit: Credit One Bank Wander® Card
• Best secured travel card: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
• Best for low annual fee: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Best for low interest: First Tech Credit Union Choice Rewards World Mastercard®
• Best for students: Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students

Best for no annual fee

Discover it® miles.

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

Welcome bonus

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.

0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases

Regular APR

17.24% to 28.24% Variable

Balance transfer fee

3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Good / Excellent

*See rates and fees , terms apply.

Read our Discover it® Miles review.

• Miles program
• Generous welcome bonus
• No blackout dates
• No limit to the amount of miles you can earn and miles never expire
• No Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit offerings
• Travel spending does not receive additional rewards
• No airport lounge access

Who's this for?  The  Discover it Miles  card comes with a generous rewards program and welcome bonus — all for zero annual fee.

Standout benefits:  Discover has a welcome bonus that's hard to beat: It will do a mile-for-mile match of all miles earned the first year (for new card members in their first year only). If you rack up 35,000 miles within the first 12 months, Discover will match you with 35,000 miles. That's a total of 70,000 miles or $700 toward travel. Plus, the card has no foreign transaction fees.

[ Jump to more details ]

Best for dining when traveling

American express® gold card.

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

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.

Not applicable

See Pay Over Time APR

Excellent/Good

See rates and fees , terms apply.

Read our American Express® Gold Card review .

• Up to $120 dining credit annually ($10 a month) for purchases made with Grubhub, Goldbelly and other eligible restaurants (after a one-time enrollment)
• Up to $120 Uber Cash annually ($10 a month) for U.S. Uber Eats orders and U.S. Uber rides (card must be added to Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit)
• Strong rewards program with 4X points earned at restaurants and 3X points earned on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com
• Baggage insurance plan covers up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage that is damaged, lost or stolen
• No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
• No introductory APR period
• $250 annual fee
• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $1,074
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,969

Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus

Who's this for? The American Express® Gold Card is a smart choice for consumers who love traveling and dining out due to its generous rewards rates. While the card comes with a $250 annual fee ( see rates and fees ), it offers premium rewards that help offset the cost.

Standout benefits:  Travelers will appreciate the Amex Gold card's various statement credits. Cardholders get up to $120 in annual dining credit (up to $10 per month at Grubhub , Goldbelly, The Cheesecake Factory and other participating restaurants; enrollment is required) and up to $120 in Uber Cash ($10 per month) to put toward rides in the U.S. and dining via Uber Eats (you must add your Amex Gold Card as a payment method in the Uber app to enroll).

Best for authorized user perks

Capital one venture x rewards credit card.

Unlimited 2X miles on all eligible purchases, and 5 Miles per dollar on flights and 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booked via Capital One Travel portal

Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

Foreign transaction fees

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.

• Large welcome bonus
• No foreign transaction fees
• Up to $100 statement credits for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• High annual fee
• No introductory 0% APR period

Who's this for? The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want a premium credit card at a lower price point than other high-end cards with similar benefits. Plus, up to four authorized users can be added for free (see rates and fees ).

Standout benefits:  This card is loaded with benefits, including a $300 Capital One Travel credit to use toward purchases made through Capital One Travel and a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary (worth at least $100 for travel). Cardholders also receive an up to $100 statement credit for either  Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® , complimentary  cell phone insurance , access to Capital One and partner airport lounges and more. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.

Best for welcome bonus

Chase sapphire preferred® card.

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, and $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

• Terms apply.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review .

• Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel via Chase Travel℠
• Transfer points to leading frequent travel programs at a 1:1 rate, including: IHG® Rewards Club, Marriott Bonvoy™ and World of Hyatt®
• Travel protections include: auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement
• $95 annual fee
• No introductory 0% APR

Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a loyal following among travelers looking for a travel-centric rewards program and a robust suite of perks. What makes this card shine the most is its generous welcome bonus offer.

Standout benefits:  This card comes with many helpful benefits, such as an up to $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, no foreign transaction fees, primary rental car insurance , trip cancellation and interruption insurance and baggage and trip delay insurance. Cardholders can also benefit from a 10% points boost on each card anniversary and complimentary DashPass membership for a minimum of one year through Dec. 31, 2024.

Best for bonus categories

Wells fargo autograph journey℠ visa® card.

Earn 5X points on hotels; 4X points on airlines; 3X points on other travel; 3X points on dining. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases

Earn 60,000 bonus rewards points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first three months.

21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99% variable based on your creditworthiness

Introductory fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that, up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5.

Terms apply

• Excellent rewards rate for hotel, airfare and travel
• Strong welcome bonus
• Access to transfer partners
• Fewer transfer partners than comparable programs
• Doesn't have several key travel protections (trip delay, primary rental car coverage in the U.S.)

Who's this for? The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Journey Visa® Card has just about everything you could want in a travel card: A great welcome offer, a reasonable annual fee, useful bonus spending categories and meaningful perks.

Standout benefits:  The Wells Fargo Autograph card will help you rack up rewards quickly for travel spending. It earns 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines and 3X on dining and other travel. The best part is that you can transfer Wells Fargo points to airline and hotel travel partners including Choice Privileges, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Executive Club and Air France/KLM Flying Blue.

Best for earning points on rent

Bilt mastercard®.

Earn Bilt Points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period - up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year), 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and 1x points on other purchases.

Introductory fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that, up to 5% for each balance transfer ($5 minimum).

See rates/fees and rewards/benefits ; terms apply.

• No annual fee
• Solid rewards on broad spending categories
• Ability to pay your rent with no transaction fees
• Transfer points to leading frequent traveler programs at a 1:1 rate, including American Airlines, United and World of Hyatt®
• No welcome offer

Who's this for? If you rent your home and don't have the Bilt Mastercard® , you're leaving points on the table. The Bilt Mastercard is the only card that lets you earn travel rewards on rent payments with no fees .

Standout benefits:  Bilt makes it easy for even beginners to get maximum value from their points through a unique partnership with the award search engine point.me . The BiltProtect feature also protects cardholders from using up their entire credit limit or risk going into debt by charging their rent every month. Other benefits include cell phone protection; Purchase Assurance Plus, which covers your purchases for 90 days; discounts with partner brands; and access to the Mastercard Luxury Hotels & Resorts portfolio, which offers amenities like upgrades, free breakfast and property credits.

Best for lounge access

The platinum card® from american express.

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 Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 1X points on all other eligible purchases

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.

Credit Needed

Read our The Platinum Card® from American Express review .

• Up to $200 in annual airline fee credits
• $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.
• Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
• $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.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive a statement credit that covers the full cost each month. $12.95 plus applicable taxes. Plus Up Benefits not eligible.
• $695 annual fee
• No special financing offers on new purchases

Who's this for? The Platinum Card® from American Express is for road warriors who want to make their travels more comfortable. It grants access to more airport lounges than any other card on the market and is loaded with lots of other travel and lifestyle benefits that help justify its high annual fee (see rates and fees ).

Standout benefits:  Cardholders have an extensive list of opportunities to earn over $1,500 in statement credits each year and enjoy ongoing benefits like automatic hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy and various travel and shopping protections. Even if you only take advantage of half of this card's perks, it's worth paying the annual fee (see rates and fees ).

Best for luxury travel

Chase sapphire reserve®.

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 plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

22.49% - 29.49% variable

5%, minimum $5

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® review.

• $300 annual travel credit for travel purchases
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit up to $100 every four years
• Priority Pass™ Select lounge access at 1,000+ VIP lounges in over 500 cities worldwide
• Points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel via Chase Travel℠
• Special benefits at The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
• Complimentary year of Lyft Pink membership
• High annual fee, but it can be offset by taking advantage of all the card’s perks
• No introductory APR
• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $1,469
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $3,346

Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Reserve is enormously popular among frequent travelers for its luxe perks, including comprehensive travel protections, and a strong rewards program. While this card comes with a substantial annual fee of $550 , the many statement credits help to offset the costs.

Standout benefits:  This card provides an annual $300 travel credit, which can cover everything from airfare and hotels to parking and tolls. Cardholders   can also get a statement credit of up to $100 (every four years) to help cover Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fees as well as enroll in Priority Pass™ Select for airport lounge access . Other benefits include elite-like benefits when booking hotels through The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection; trip interruption/cancellation coverage; primary rental car coverage; lost luggage reimbursement; and trip delay reimbursement. 

Best for fair credit

Credit one bank wander® card.

10X points on eligible hotels and rental cars book through the Credit One Bank travel partner; 5X points on eligible flights, dining and gas purchases; 1X points on all other purchases

No current offer

29.74% Variable

Average to excellent credit

See rates and fees. Terms apply.

• Great return on travel purchases
• Available to those with average credit
• No welcome bonus

Who's this for? The Credit One Bank Wander® Card is ideal for those with fair or average credit who want to earn generous rewards on their travel, dining and gas purchases.

Standout benefits: You'll earn a whopping 10X points when you book eligible hotels and rental cars through the Credit One Bank travel site (5X when you book and 5X when you complete the booking). This card also earns 5X points on flights, dining and gas purchases, so it's rewarding for a wide variety of travel spending. Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees.

Best secured travel card

Discover it® secured credit card.

Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Discover will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year

N/A on purchases

28.24% Variable

New / Rebuilding

Read our Discover it® Secured Credit Card review.

• Cash-back program
• Starting at seven months from account opening, Discover will automatically review your credit card account to see if you can transition to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit
• Cash-back program limits earnings: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%
• Low credit line prevents cardholders from charging high-cost items or many expenses

Who's this for? For anyone who is working to build their credit , the Discover it® Secured Credit Card offers an opportunity to earn rewards along the way.

Standout benefits: The Discover It Secured card earns cash back on every purchase and offers a generous cash-back matching welcome bonus. Plus, the card charges no foreign transaction fees.

Best for low annual fee

Capital one venture rewards credit card.

5 Miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase

Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

N/A for purchases and balance transfers

19.99% - 29.99% variable

$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

• 5 miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit up to $100 every 4 years
• There’s a $95 annual fee

Who's this for? The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers an abundance of travel benefits. It's especially valuable for those who want a straightforward way of earning rewards without having to juggle bonus categories.

Standout benefits:  Travelers going overseas can take advantage of  no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ). Cardholders also get a credit of up to $100 to cover  Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership .

Best for low interest

Choice rewards world mastercard®.

Earn 2X points on groceries, gas, electronics, medical, household goods and telecommunications, 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 20,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first 60 days from account opening

13.50% - 18.00% variable

• Good rewards program for everyday purchases
• No balance transfer fee
• Balance must be transferred within 90 days of account opening date
• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year:  $344
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $1,720

Who's this for? You should consider the Choice Rewards World Mastercard® from First Tech Federal Credit Union if you're looking for a card that offers an introductory APR. It made our list of the top travel cards for its unique rewards program and relatively low variable APR of 13.50% - 18.00%.

Standout benefits:  The 13.50% - 18.00% variable APR rate is significantly lower than many other competitor cards (though we recommend that you pay off your card in full and on time each month). There are also no foreign transaction fees, which is a huge plus when traveling abroad.

Best for students

Bank of america® travel rewards for students credit card.

Unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases

25,000 online bonus points after you spend at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening, which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward qualifying travel and dining purchases

0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account

18.24% - 28.24% variable

3% of each transaction intro balance transfer fee for the first 60 days from account opening, then 4%

Good/Excellent

• Strong welcome bonus of 25,000 points if you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days
• Intro 0% APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers
• No student-centric benefits or incentives to practice responsible credit behavior
• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $466
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years:   $1,528

Who's this for? The Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students is a great choice for students who plan on studying abroad or traveling during breaks. The rewards program is geared toward travel, and cardholders earn 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases.

Standout benefits: There are no foreign transaction fees, making it an ideal card for college students studying abroad. This card also comes with a longer-than-average special financing offer of no interest for 15 billing cycles (then 18.24% to 28.24% variable APR). A full year of no interest is a great way for you to pay off new purchases over time, without incurring interest charges, though we recommend you pay off your balance on time and in full each month.

More on our top travel credit cards

The Discover it Miles card is an exceptionally rewarding credit card for everyday purchases , especially when you consider that it has no annual fee.

• 1.5X miles per dollar on every purchase

Discover will match the miles you earn during the first year with no minimum spending requirement or limits on how much you can earn through the match.

Notable perks

The appeal of the Discover it Miles card is its simplicity of not having to worry about paying an annual fee or paying foreign transaction fees. The card also has an introductory 0% APR offer for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers , then a 17.24% to 28.24% variable APR (3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% balance transfer fee on future transfers, see terms ).

There are also no blackout dates when you pay for travel purchases using your card. And, you can easily redeem miles as a statement credit for travel,  restaurant or gas station  purchases, as well as a deposit to your bank account. The best part is, the miles you earn never expire even if your account is closed (Discover credits your account with your rewards balance if your account is closed).

[ Return to card summary ]

The American Express Gold Card earns elevated rewards for several popular spending categories, including dining, groceries and airfare. To top it off, the Amex Membership Rewards points you earn are some of the most valuable travel points out there.

• 4X points per dollar spent at restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
• 4X points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X)
• 3X points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
• 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first 6 months of card membership.

$250 (see rates and fees )

In addition to the up to $240 in annual credits for dining and Uber Cash, the American Express Gold Card has a variety of other useful benefits. For example, cardmembers get a $100 experience credit and potential room upgrade when booking stays of at least two nights through The Hotel Collection. Experience credit varies by property.

Eligible purchases also qualify for the following insurance coverages*:

• Baggage insurance (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.)
• Extended warranty (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.)
• Purchase protection (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.)
• Trip delay insurance (Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.)
• Car rental loss and damage insurance (secondary) (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.)

You can use the American Express Membership Rewards points you earn with this card in a variety of ways, from redeeming for gift cards and statement credits to booking travel through the  Amex Travel Portal . To get a potentially bigger bang for your buck, transfer your Membership Rewards points to a variety of airline or hotel partners, including Delta SkyMiles, JetBlue TrueBlue, Hilton Honors,  Marriott Bonvoy , Choice Privileges and more. * Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a luxury travel credit card with a straightforward rewards structure and a myriad of benefits that easily make its annual fee worth it.

• 10X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel portal
• 5X miles per dollar on flights booked via Capital One Travel portal
• 2X miles on all other eligible purchases

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

$395 (see rates and fees )

On top of the annual $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, the Capital One Venture X card is loaded with other benefits. Cardmembers receive up to $100 statement credit for either  Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® , complimentary  cell phone insurance , special perks on hotel stays booked through the Premier Collection** and Lifestyle Collection  and unlimited access to  Capital One Lounges  as well as the extensive network of Priority Pass and Plaza Premium airport lounges worldwide. 

You can add up to four authorized users for free and each additional cardholder also gets airport lounge access (see rates and fees ). If you value rental car perks, cardholders receive complimentary Hertz President's Circle status (enrollment required)***, which grants benefits such as guaranteed upgrades.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has the same redemption options as the Venture Rewards Card. You can use miles to offset eligible travel purchases or transfer them to various airline and hotel partners.

*Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.

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

In addition to an excellent  welcome bonus , the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers lucrative bonus categories and other useful perks like travel and purchase protections, all for a modest annual fee.

• 5X points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 5X points per dollar on Lyft rides through Mar. 31, 2025
• 3X points per dollar on dining
• 3X points per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).
• 3X points per dollar on select streaming services.
• 2X points per dollar on all other travel purchases
• 1X points per dollar on all other purchases
• 10% anniversary points boost
• $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit

Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers travelers many important protections, including  primary rental car insurance , trip cancellation and interruption insurance and baggage and trip delay insurance. Travelers can also rack up rewards faster thanks to a 10% points boost on each card anniversary. That means if you spend $50,000 on purchases, you'll get a 5,000-point bonus (worth $75 in travel booked through Chase).

Cardholders can take advantage of various statement credits for specific purchases. For starters, the card offers up to $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit. Through July 31, 2024, you can register your Sapphire Preferred to receive six months of free Instacart+ membership and up to $15 back each quarter for Instacart purchases. You'll also receive a complimentary DashPass membership and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.

One of the best benefits of the Sapphire Preferred is that it unlocks access to Chase's 14 airline and hotel transfer partners. You can transfer points to United Airlines MileagePlus,  Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards , Air Canada Aeroplan, World of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards,  Marriott Bonvoy and more. Otherwise,  your points are worth  1.25 cents each through Chase Travel℠ or one cent per point when redeemed for gift cards or cash back.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Journey Visa® Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Journey Visa® Card stands out for having a modest annual fee and high rewards rate on airline and hotel purchases which are uncapped and don't require you to book through a specific site to get the increased return.

• 5X points on hotels
• 4X points on airlines
• 3X points at restaurants
• 3X points on other travel
• 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Every year, cardholders receive a $50 airline statement credit with a minimum purchase of $50. This credit covers more than half of this card's annual fee and applies to purchases such as airfare, baggage fees and more.

You can also save money and increase your peace of mind by taking advantage of this card's many insurance benefits. Cardholders receive these coverages:

• Cell phone protection
• Roadside dispatch
• Travel accident insurance
• Lost baggage reimbursement
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection
• Auto rental collision coverage
• Travel and emergency assistance

You can redeem Wells Fargo rewards for gift cards, cash back, travel and more. However, you'll typically get the best value when you transfer Wells Fargo rewards to travel partners. You can transfer points to these airlines at a 1:1 ratio:

• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Air France/KLM Flying Blue (partners with Delta)
• Avianca LifeMiles  (partners with United)
• British Airways Executive Club (partners with American Airlines and Alaska Airlines)
• Iberia Plus (partners with American Airlines and Alaska Airlines)

Wells Fargo points also transfer to Choice Privileges at a 1:2 ratio.

Normally it's not worth paying rent with a credit card because of the fees, but the Bilt Mastercard offers a path to earning points for paying rent without any fees.

When you make at least five transactions in a statement period, you'll earn points at the following rates:

• Up to 1X points per dollar on rent payments without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year)
• 2X points per dollar on travel
• 1X point per dollar on all other purchases

Thanks to the BiltProtect feature, Bilt Mastercard cardholders are protected from using up their entire credit limit or risk going into debt by charging their rent to their card every month. Other benefits include a $5 monthly Lyft credit after taking three Lyft rides in a month (through March 31, 2024), as well as a free ShopRunner membership (through March 31, 2024).

For a no-annual-fee card, the Bilt Mastercard has a surprising amount of built-in insurance perks, including:

• Trip delay reimbursement
• Rental car collision damage waiver
• Purchase protection

Bilt Rewards points can be redeemed for travel either by transferring them to airline and hotel partners or by booking through the Bilt Travel Portal at a fixed rate of 1.25 cents per point. Other redemption options include using them to shop online, book fitness classes, pay rent and even make a down payment on a home.

The Platinum Card from American Express has a high annual fee but also packs a punch in benefits. If you're able to take advantage of its numerous annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access and elite status perks, you'll be sure to come out ahead.

• 5X points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
• 5X points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel

Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.

$695 (see rates and fees )

Cardholders can enjoy a long list of benefits, including:

• Up to $200 annual hotel credit (Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay)
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit
• Up to $300 per calendar year Equinox credit (enrollment required)
• Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit (enrollment required)
• Up to $189 credit to enroll in CLEAR® Plus (subject to auto-renewal)
• Up to $240 annual digital entertainment credit (enrollment required)
• Up to $155 annual Walmart+ credit. (Plus Ups are not eligible. Subject to auto renewal)
• Worldwide airport lounge access, including Delta SkyClubs and Amex Centurion Lounges
• Up to $200 annual Uber credit. Benefit renews annually. (Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.)
• $100 fee credit for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSAPreCheck
• Automatic hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
• Comprehensive travel insurance
• Complimentary Amex concierge service

Membership Rewards points can also be exceptionally valuable. The best way to use Amex points is to transfer them to one of Amex's airline and hotel partners. They can also be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards and when  checking out at retailers like Amazon , though you'll usually get a lower value for your points.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve ® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee. Its travel insurance perks can add peace of mind to any adventure and the card's airport lounge access and credits for expedited airport security can help reduce airport stress.

• 10X total points per dollar on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠*
• 10X points per dollar on Lyft purchases through March 2025
• 5X total points per dollar on flights purchased through Chase Travel℠*
• 3X points per dollar on other travel*

*After the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually

Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Chase Sapphire Reserve ® card members get up to $300 in annual travel credits, which covers more than half of the card's annual fee. Additional benefits include an up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit (every four years), elite-like perks when booking hotels through The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, access to Sapphire airport lounges and a Priority Pass Select membership (valued at $469), which unlocks access to more than 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide.

Cardholders also have access to a wide range of limited-time benefits and credits, including:

• Two years of complimentary Lyft Pink All Access membership (worth $199 a year) when activated by Dec. 31, 2024
• At least 12 months of complimentary DashPass membership when activated by Dec. 31, 2024
• $5 in DoorDash credit each month through Dec. 31, 2024
• One year of free Instacart+ membership (activate by July 31, 2024)
• Up to $15 in Instacart credits each month (through July 31, 2024)

Some of the easiest benefits to overlook are this card's top-notch travel and purchase protections, such as purchase protection, extended warranty protection, return protection, primary rental car collision coverage, trip delay protection, trip interruption/cancellation insurance, baggage delay protection, travel accident insurance, emergency medical and dental insurance and more. Cardmembers traveling internationally also don't need to worry about foreign transaction fees.

The value of the points you earn depends on how you use them. If you redeem points for cash and gift cards, each point is worth one cent. However, the value of points increases to 1.5 cents apiece when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 travel. This is a great way to maximize the value of your rewards and makes this card stand out from the pack. Of course, transferring your points to Chase's airline and hotel partners is also an option.

Credit One Bank® Wander Card

The Credit One Bank® Wander Card is special because it allows you to earn rewards while working on your credit score and doesn't require a security deposit.

• 10X points on eligible hotels and rental cars you book through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• 5X points on eligible travel
• 5X points on dining
• 5X points on gas purchases

It's easy to redeem the rewards you earn with your Credit One Bank Wander card. You can use points for cash back, gift cards and consumer goods and services. There is a 1,000-point minimum redemption amount when you're using points for a statement credit .

When you make a purchase in a foreign currency with this card, there are no foreign transaction fees. Eligible purchases are also covered by this card's built-in travel accident insurance .

The Discover it Secured Credit Card is ideal for anyone with no credit or poor credit because you don't need a credit score to apply. It has no annual fee and has a generous rewards structure for a secured credit card .

• 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Discover will match the cash back you earn during the first year with no minimum spending requirement or cap on the match.

The Discover it Secured card is designed for those who have no credit history or need to repair their credit score. You don't need a credit score to apply. Instead, you're required to make a refundable deposit of at least $200 to open the card. Whatever amount of money you deposit becomes your credit limit.

At seven months from account opening, Discover will automatically review your credit card account to see if they can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit. The card also has no foreign transaction fees, so you won't be dinged for using it abroad.

Cashback earned with this card doesn't expire and you can redeem your rewards at any time for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise and more.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card stands out for earning versatile rewards that can be used for just about any travel expense while having a reasonable annual fee and convenient benefits for travelers.

• 5X miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase

$95 (see rates and fees )

Capital One Venture Rewards cardholders receive a credit of up to $100 to cover  Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership . Other perks include access to extended warranty protection*, Travel Assistance Services*, Purchase Assurance*, MasterRental Insurance*, Master RoadAssist®*, and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage*.

Travelers going overseas can take advantage of no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ). As an added plus, you can use your Venture Rewards card to get access to exclusive sporting and music events, plus premiere culinary experiences through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment .

You can use Capital One miles to book flights, hotels, rental cars and more through  Capital One Travel , or you can use them to offset recent travel purchases at a fixed value of one cent per point. Alternatively, you can transfer them to any of Capital One's hotel and airline partners including Accor Live Limitless, Air Canada Aeroplan, Etihad Guest and others to get even more value from your miles.

*Benefit available to accounts approved for the World Elite Mastercard product, subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions in the World Elite Mastercard Guide to Benefits. See Account Terms or Application Terms for more details. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

First Tech Credit Union Choice Rewards World Mastercard®

Although we always recommend aiming to pay off credit card debt , if you have the debt, the Choice Rewards World Mastercard has one of the lowest interest rates you can find on a credit card.

• 2X points per dollar on everyday purchases such as groceries, gas, electronics, household goods and telecommunications

Earn 20,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first 60 days from account opening.

Not only does the Choice Rewards World Mastercard have a low APR, but it also has no foreign transaction fees, which is a huge plus when traveling abroad. It is a World Mastercard and as such, comes with purchase protection, Mastercard ID Theft Protection and 24-hour worldwide assistance for lost or stolen cards. It has an array of travel protections as well, including insurance for trip cancellations, travel accidents, baggage delays, lost luggage and rental cars (secondary).

Membership to First Tech Federal Credit Union is required to apply, but anyone can join through affiliation with select organizations or employers, a relationship with a current member, working or living in Lane County, Oregon, attending Cogswell Poly Technical College or by joining the Community History Museum (CHM) or Financial Fitness Association (FFA). First Tech pays the membership fee for the CHM and FFA on your behalf.

The rewards can be redeemed at a fixed rate toward cash-back, travel, merchandise, gift cards and experiences.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students

The Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students card provides a strong return for everyday purchases that competes with many of the top non-student credit cards.

• 1.5X points per dollar on all purchases

Earn 25,000 bonus points after spending at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

In addition to having no annual fee, the Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students card charges no foreign transaction fees, which is useful when studying or traveling abroad.

You must be 18 or older and enrolled in school (college, vocational or trade school) to qualify for this card. Eligible students have access to a 0%-APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles, then a variable 18.24%-28.24% APR applies. Only balance transfers made in the first 60 days of account opening qualify for the 0%-APR offer and there is a 3% balance transfer fee.

Rewards can be redeemed as a statement credit to cover the cost of travel and dining purchases — a simple way to reduce the cost of taking a spring break vacation or buying a plane ticket home. You can redeem rewards at any time and any amount.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

How to choose a travel credit card

There is a variety of travel credit cards available, from general to airline - and hotel -specific, and all the choices can make it hard to settle on one. To choose the best card for your needs, you should consider several factors. Here are some tips on how to choose a credit card.

Consider whether you're willing to pay an annual fee. Some travel cards have steep annual fees of over $500, which can be worthwhile, but not for everyone. Make sure you do the math to see if an annual fee travel card is for you.

Another key factor to consider is the type of travel you do most. If you travel within the U.S., then it doesn't matter if a card charges foreign transaction fees. But if you're off to Mexico or Spain, then it's important to have a no foreign transaction fee card.

Rewards should also play a part in your decision. Do some research to determine which card offers a rewards program more geared toward your spending habits. If you dine out a lot when you travel, consider the American Express Gold Card with 4X points on dining at restaurants. But if you want a competitive rewards rate on all sorts of purchases, the Discover it Miles has no annual fee and unlimited 1.5X miles on every dollar of every purchase.

You can compare card benefits side by side to see if one card rates better than another. The  Chase Sapphire Reserve , for example, offers complimentary lounge access, while the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers cardholders a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck .

Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our  credit card marketplace  or get personalized offers via  CardMatch™ .

Pros and cons of a travel credit card

Many of the top rewards credit cards are also travel credit cards, but that doesn't mean that a travel card is the best option for every situation. Travel cards are rewarding for travel-related purchases and can provide outsized value when you use the rewards to book your next vacation. However, travel can be a small part of the typical consumer's budget and other credit cards can be more rewarding for everyday spending or have simpler rewards programs.

• High-value rewards
• Luxury perks
• Valuable welcome bonuses
• Rewarding for common travel-related purchases
• Travel rewards programs are sometimes more complicated
• May be less rewarding for non-travel purchases (groceries, online shopping , etc.)
• Can have higher annual fees
• Typically require higher credit scores

How travel credit cards work

The premise of travel credit cards is to give you a path to turning your credit card purchases into travel rewards. What you can use travel rewards for and the amount of rewards you earn varies by card.

The type of rewards you earn, the cost of keeping the card and the card benefits depend on the type of travel card. There are co-branded hotel and airline cards that earn miles and points tied to a specific hotel chain or airline. These cards also provide brand-specific benefits such as elite status or elite status credit and statement credits tied to a specific company. A general travel card is typically better for anyone who isn't extremely loyal to a specific company. General travel rewards or flexible rewards can usually be redeemed to offset travel expenses and, with the best cards, you can transfer miles or points to partner travel programs. This gives cardholders the option to pick the best program for a specific trip.

Outside of the rewards a card earns, most of the best travel credit cards also provide ongoing benefits. These benefits run the gamut from travel and purchase protections to statement credits and airport lounge access. Luxury benefits like airport lounge access are typically tied to premium credit cards , which usually have annual fees of $400 or more.

Making the most of your travel card

To make the most of your travel card, you should familiarize yourself with the various credit card benefits and fees. Take note of any annual fees, foreign transaction fees and the APR associated with your account. Also, consider the rewards rates and added perks, such as annual statement credits.

Once you're familiar with the terms of your card, you can start optimizing them. That may include setting reminders to use the annual $300 travel credit provided by the Chase Sapphire Reserve or submitting a Global Entry application with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to take advantage of the up to $100 credit.

If you have multiple credit cards , you might want to have a plan for the best time to use each card. Let's say you have the Discover it Miles and American Express Gold Card . Use the Amex Gold Card for dining expenses at restaurants to earn 4X points, then use the Discover card for all your other purchases to earn unlimited 1.5X miles.

Other types of credit cards to consider

Travel credit cards aren't for everyone. If you travel infrequently, you should consider alternative credit card options, such as cards with dining, grocery or gas rewards. Some cards provide up to 6% back in those categories, allowing foodies, meal-preppers and commuters to benefit.

Beyond rewards, you might benefit from a card that offers a 0% APR period . Some cards offer no interest for a year or more on new purchases and balance transfers, such as the Citi Simplicity® Card . The card has 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from the date of first transfer, plus 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening (after, 19.24% - 29.99% variable APR; balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening.) There is an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your balance transfer fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5; see rates and fees ). When used responsibly, these cards can help you get out of debt without high interest charges.

Should you get a travel credit card?

If you travel often and pay for purchases with cash or a debit card , you're missing out on rewards and perks that can make travel more affordable. It can be in your best interest to get a travel credit card that awards high rewards rates on airfare, hotels, rideshares and other common travel expenses.

Who should apply for a travel card?

If you're interested in submitting a travel credit card application, keep in mind that card issuers usually require you to have good credit or excellent credit (scores above 670). Therefore, it's key to check your credit score before applying for a travel card.

Once you know your credit score and can check if you prequalify for a travel card, choose the best card for your needs and apply.

What's the difference between points and miles?

Unlike cash-back cards , travel credit cards generally earn points or miles. Traditionally, the term points referred to flexible rewards that could be redeemed directly through a bank's portal or transferred to a partner airline or hotel loyalty program. Meanwhile, the term miles has been associated with rewards earned through an airline's frequent flyer program. However, nowadays, points and miles are used interchangeably as there are flexible credit card rewards called miles and more restrictive airline rewards referred to as points.

How do I compare credit cards for travel?

If you're having trouble narrowing down the best travel card for you, it can be helpful to compare credit cards. First list the benefits you're looking for and any deal breakers, such as an annual fee. Then consider cards that have those benefits.

For instance, if you want both travel and dining rewards, the Amex Gold Card is a better choice than the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card since the rewards rate is 4X versus 2X.

But if you don't want to pay a high annual fee, the Venture Card is only $95 (see rates and fees ) compared to the $250 you'll pay for a Gold Card (see rates and fees ).

Bottom line

The best travel credit cards earn rewards you can use to book flights, hotels , rental cars and much more. But the benefits of having a travel credit card go beyond the rewards you earn. Many travel cards offer additional perks, such as travel insurance that reimburses if a trip is delayed or your baggage is lost.

Before you sign up for a travel credit card, consider how you'll use it and how you can best optimize its  rewards program , especially if you're paying a steep  annual fee . It's also important to make sure you can pay off your balance on time and in full each month because many of these cards have  high interest rates .

The good news: If you choose a card from this list, you could earn over $2,000 in rewards over the next five years based on our calculations.

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel credit cards.

Our methodology

To determine which travel credit cards offer the best value, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of travel cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions that are widely available in the U.S.  

We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards (e.g., cash back, points and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cashback).    We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.  

When choosing the best travel cards, we focused on relevant features, like cards that charge no foreign transaction fees, are widely accepted internationally and provide consumers with bonus rewards on travel spending. We prioritized cards that offered the strongest returns on travel purchases but also considered additional perks that may be useful when traveling, such as travel protections, baggage allowances, airport lounge access and elite status benefits. 

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of  credit cards ,  banking  and  money , and follow us on  TikTok ,  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Twitter  to stay up to date.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here .

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here .

For rates and fees of the Discover it® Miles, click  here .

For rates and fees of the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, click  here .

Information about the Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students, has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

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• Best Credit Cards
• Balance Transfer
• No Annual Fee

On this page

• Our top picks
• Travel credit card details
• How travel cards work

Types of travel cards

• Pros and cons
• How to make the most of a travel card
• Alternatives to travel cards
• Our methodology
• Frequently asked questions

The Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

April 5, 2024

How we Choose

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

Best travel credit cards of May 2024

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

Additional Options:

• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Best hotel credit card
• American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®: Best no-annual-fee airline card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Rewards rate

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

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

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

Bottom Line

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

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase 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, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Rates & Fees

Capital one venture rewards credit card.

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

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

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

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• 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

The Platinum Card® from American Express

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

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

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

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

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

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, 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.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $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.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

American Express® Gold Card

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

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

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

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

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

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

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

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

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

• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

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

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

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

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

• Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% 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.

Citi Premier® Card

If you can’t decide between a travel or general rewards credit card, the Citi Premier offers the best of both worlds with a rewards rate of 3X points for every $1 spent on air travel, hotels, restaurants, gas stations and supermarkets, as well as one point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10X points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel portal through June 30, 2024.

The Citi Premier card is currently offering a valuable sign-up bonus of 60,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first three months in addition to its flexible redemption options and exclusive side benefits.

• Annual hotel credit when booked through thankyou.com or 1-800-THANKYOU
• Earn bonus rewards for select travel and everyday purchases
• Domestic airline transfer partner limited to JetBlue
• No travel insurance, which is typical for travel cards in this tier

The Citi Premier card is a smart choice for frequent travelers who want to use a single rewards card for the bulk of their everyday spending and offers premium perks for a reasonable annual fee.

• Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
• 60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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

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

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

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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

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

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

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

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

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

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

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

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

Discover it® Miles

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

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

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

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

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

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

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

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

• Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
• Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
• $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

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

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

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

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

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

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

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

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

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

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

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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

The sign-up bonus is worth a whopping $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠ after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months, so you are getting more than a cent per mile value. With the $300 annual credit for travel purchases, generous earning structure and impressive list of additional perks, seasoned travelers have plenty of opportunity to offset the steep $550 annual fee.

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

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

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase 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, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more

United Quest℠ Card

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

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

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

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

The information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card, the American Express® Green Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Comparing the best travel credit cards of 2024

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

• Best features : This card packs in plenty of value that is rare for only $95 a year. It comes with a high sign-up bonus, generous rewards program and competitive redemption values.
• Biggest drawbacks : You may need to look beyond the Chase Sapphire Preferred if you prefer luxury features like TSA PreCheck, priority boarding, travel credits and lounge access.
• Alternatives: The Citi Premier® Card has a similar annual fee and a generous welcome offer too. Travelers who want to book travel outside of credit card portals and who spend a lot on gas and in-store grocery purchases may get better value out of the Premier card.
• Bottom line : A modest annual fee, impressive sign-up bonus and ultra-flexible rewards redemption give this card great short- and long-term value for travelers who don’t need a ton of luxury perks.

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

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

• Best features : For a reasonable annual fee, this popular Capital One credit card offers standout rewards with an easy rewards structure and versatile redemption options. You can transfer miles to over 15 loyalty programs or redeem for statement credit toward travel.
• Biggest drawbacks : Capital One doesn’t have many domestic travel transfer partners. This can make it harder to maximize the value of your miles when booking domestic flights.
• Alternatives : If you’re looking to earn at a flat-rate but aren’t too pleased with the Venture card’s $95 annual fee ( See Rates and Fees ), the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a suitable alternative. Although cardholders only earn 1.25X miles on all purchases, the card still comes with a sign-up bonus of 20,000 miles for spending $500 in the first three months. This is a smaller bonus and a lower rewards rate than the Venture card, but it’ll also be easier to obtain, making this an ideal option for modest spenders.
• Bottom line : This card is a great option if you’re looking for an easy way to earn high travel rewards on all purchases. But if you’re after top-drawer travel perks, you may want to look elsewhere.

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

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

• Best features : This premium card comes fully-loaded. You can enjoy luxury lounge access, elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy hotels (upon enrollment) and even travel consultants to help plan your trip. A laundry list of travel credits can also help offset the card’s annual fee.
• Biggest drawbacks : The card only earns bonus rewards on flights and prepaid hotels. You might earn more with cards that offer bonus points or miles on both travel and everyday essentials. Plus, some of the credits – like the card’s luxury fitness credit or Walmart+ credit – don’t have broad appeal, making it harder to offset the high $695 annual fee.
• Alternatives : Unlike the Platinum card, the American Express® Gold Card lets you earn high bonus rewards for purchases made in categories beyond travel, including restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases. It also comes with a lot of the same benefits as the Platinum card, such as car rental insurance, purchase protection and Hotel Collection benefits, all for a much smaller $250 annual fee.
• Bottom line : If you can take advantage of its many perks, this card should tick all the right boxes for big spenders and frequent travelers looking for luxury travel perks, particularly complimentary airport lounge access.

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

Best for foodies: American Express® Gold Card

• Best features : Traveling foodies, rejoice – this card offers an industry-leading 4X points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. You’ll also earn 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then one point per dollar) and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com. Trips with common carriers that are booked with your Gold card are covered for baggage insurance worth up to $1,250 for carry-on bags and $500 for checked bags.
• Biggest drawbacks : The annual fee is $250, pricier than other travel rewards cards with mid-level travel perks. And unless food is a significant portion of your spending, the card’s rewards rate and food delivery credits may not be the best fit.
• Alternatives : The Citi Premier® Card comes close to matching the Amex Gold with its rewards rates, but its annual fee is much lower (just $95).
• Bottom line : If you’re a frequent traveler who makes dining out a staple of their vacations and staycations, you’ll get a lot of value with this card.

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

Best first travel card: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

• Best features : The VentureOne card is a basic travel card for beginners who want to earn flexible rewards but aren’t ready to commit to an annual fee ( See Rates and Fees ). VentureOne cardholders can earn bonus miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.25X miles on every other purchase. You can transfer these miles to numerous airline and hotel partners.
• Biggest drawbacks : Other no-annual-fee travel cards offer better perks and higher rewards rates than the VentureOne’s 1.25X miles.
• Alternatives : The Bilt Mastercard® is a unique no-annual-fee card that earns points on rent payments without the processing fees. But the card is also a great beginner travel card, offering bonus rewards on travel and dining (points are transferable too). Plus, if you wait until the first of the month, your patience will be rewarded with double points on all non-rent purchases for 24 hours (on up to 10,000 bonus points). That’s a whopping 6X points on dining, 4X points on travel and 2X points on all other non-rent purchases. You must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points.
• Bottom line : Budget-friendly travelers can get a decent amount of value out of this starter travel card, but if transferring rewards to travel partners isn’t a priority for you, a flat-rate cash back card may be more lucrative.

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

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

• Best features : This card will appeal to infrequent travelers who don’t typically book through travel portals. Instead, you can redeem your points for any travel and dining purchases made on your credit card within the last 12 months. And if you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn up to 25% to 75% more points on every purchase.
• Biggest drawbacks : The best rewards are reserved for Bank of America customers with savings or investment accounts. If that’s not you, you can likely find another card that rewards your travel purchases at a higher rate.
• Alternatives : The Capital One VentureOne also does not charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fee ( See Rates and Fees ), but even casual travelers can benefit from its valuable purchase and travel protections.
• Bottom line : The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a solid choice for occasional travelers focused on earning some rewards and avoiding an annual fee.

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

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

Best for everyday spending: Citi Premier® Card

• Best features : For a modest annual fee, cardholders earn 3X points, not only on air travel, hotels and dining but also supermarket and gas station purchases, two of the most popular everyday spending categories. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10X points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel portal through June 30, 2024. Its sign-up bonus is on par with competitor offers, and cardholders get an annual hotel credit, making it easier to offset the card’s annual fee.
• Biggest drawbacks : If you want to transfer your points to get more value out of your rewards, JetBlue is the only domestic carrier on Citi’s list of airline partners, which can make it harder to book domestic travel.
• Alternatives : The Chase Sapphire Preferred is similar but may be a more attractive option due to its travel protection coverage. Plus, Chase’s Travel℠ program includes a robust list of airlines and hotel partners.
• Bottom line : Someone looking to earn rewards on travel and everyday expenses will appreciate the versatility of the Citi Premier Card, not to mention its generous welcome bonus.

Read our Citi Premier Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

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

• Best features : Cardholders can take advantage of this card’s yearly credits to help offset its annual fee and enjoy additional perks like lounge access. And when you book through Capital One Travel, you’ll earn some of the highest rewards available for hotels, rental cars and flights.
• Biggest drawbacks : You’ll have to book your travel through Capital One Travel instead of directly through an airline or hotel to get the best value out of this card.
• Alternatives: The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best travel cards for lounge access and other luxury perks. Frequent travelers who can take advantage of all those perks can easily offset the card’s high annual fee.
• Bottom line : The Venture X should appeal to both frequent travelers who want to earn more than just 1 mile per dollar on all non-travel purchases and luxury travelers who want to enjoy premium travel without paying the typical sky-high annual fees.

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

Best for pairing with Chase cards: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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

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

Best for fair credit: Credit One Bank Wander® Card

• Best features : Even people with fair credit can take advantage of the card’s bonus rewards in a variety of travel categories. Many travel cards only earn generous bonus rewards for airline or hotel purchases or for travel booked through the issuer’s travel portal. But the Wander card is more flexible, giving you more freedom to book travel the way you like.
• Biggest drawbacks : There are no transfer partners, so your points are worth a maximum of 1 cent each. Plus, the card has fewer perks compared to other mid-level cards with a similar annual fee.
• Alternatives : Your options are limited if you’re looking for another travel card open to people with fair credit. But many Capital One cards like the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® or the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card could help you rack up a lot of rewards that you can use to help cover the cost of travel. You can also take advantage of convenient and cost-saving features found in the Capital One Travel Portal.
• Bottom line : This card is a solid pick for credit-builders who also want to earn travel rewards.

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

Best for no annual fee: Discover it® Miles

• Best features : The Discover it® Miles offers simplicity and flexibility without the annual fee. All purchases earn a fairly average 1.5X miles. But Discover sweetens the deal by matching all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. Instead of travel, you can also redeem rewards online with Amazon or when you pay with PayPal (though redemption value might be lower).
• Alternatives : The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is another solid no-annual-fee travel card ( See Rates and Fees ). It not only offers a flat rate of 1.25X miles on every purchase, but also 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. That could make it easier for frequent travelers to earn rewards. It also has a number of travel and consumer protections that you won’t find with most entry-level travel cards, including the Discover it ® Miles.
• Bottom line : This card skips the annual fee and the generous first-year welcome offer is ideal for budget-friendly travelers or someone looking for their first travel credit card.

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

Best for gas and transit: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

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

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

Best for budget flyers: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

• Best features : This entry-level airline card has some of the same popular features as more expensive Southwest consumer travel cards, including a chance to earn the Southwest Companion Pass® – one of the most coveted perks in all of travel rewards. If you earn 135,000 points in a year, you can pick a companion to fly with you for free (except for taxes and fees) for up to two years on any Southwest flight that you purchase with cash or points.
• Biggest drawbacks : Unlike some other airline cards, this no-frills card doesn’t earn bonus points in popular everyday categories like gas or grocery stores. Plus, the card’s anniversary bonus of 3,000 points is lower than the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card’s bonus.
• Alternatives : The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card may be a better fit for budget travelers. It comes with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year (then $150) and a chance to earn bonus miles faster thanks to practical bonus categories including restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. It also has a number of convenient features like priority boarding and a chance to earn a $200 Delta flight credit. Plus, Delta and its partner network are much more extensive than Southwest.
• Bottom line : The Rapid Rewards Plus card is a decent choice for occasional Southwest flyers looking for a cheap rewards travel card. But if you fly Southwest frequently and want to double your anniversary points while avoiding foreign transaction fees, consider upgrading to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and its higher annual fee of $99.

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

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

• Best features : Along with perks like an annual credit up to $100 for airline incidentals, which includes seat upgrades and airline lounge fees, this card offers a credit of up to $100 to cover the cost of a TSA Precheck or Global Entry application. That perk isn’t always included on travel cards at the $95-annual-fee level. You can also redeem for cash back as a deposit into Bank of America® checking or savings accounts or for gift cards and purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Biggest drawbacks : Unlike many travel rewards cards with an annual fee, this card doesn’t let you transfer rewards to partner airline or hotel loyalty programs to squeeze more value out of your points. Plus, the card’s best rewards rates are reserved for people with large savings or investment accounts with Bank of America.
• Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has greater flexibility for travelers who want to transfer their points to airline or hotel travel partners. It also comes with better redemption value if you book travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal and travel protections.
• Bottom line : This card could be a good fit for heavy packers who can take advantage of the airline incidental fee credits or people who already have a Bank of America account. Those who are loyal to one airline or don’t bank with Bank of America may not find much value in this card.

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

Best for point value: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• Best features : This top-of-the-line card comes with a wealth of travel perks, including a sign-up bonus worth $900 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠ (60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months). In addition to the $300 travel credit, you can try out services like Instacart+ and DashPass for free for one year.
• Biggest drawbacks : Despite the annual credit and elevated bonus categories, the card’s $550 annual fee might be challenging to offset every year.
• Alternatives : If you’re looking for a card with annual credits and luxury lounge access, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a wider network but carries a slightly higher annual fee of $695.
• Bottom line : Frequent travelers who can take full advantage of the Sapphire Reserve card’s perks and bonus categories can also enjoy the card’s boosted value on travel redemptions.

Related : Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Ch ase Sapphire Reserve

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

Best for United MileagePlus members: United Quest℠ Card

• Best features : Even semi-frequent United flyers can come out ahead with this mid-tier airline credit card, thanks to all the ways the card’s perks can offset its $250 annual fee. That includes multiple anniversary credits, priority boarding, checked baggage fee waivers and the up to $100 credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee.
• Biggest drawbacks : Unlike other airline cards with a high annual fee, the United Quest doesn’t offer complimentary lounge access. Plus, the sign-up bonus has a high spend requirement: You’ll need to spend $4,000 in the first three months to earn the sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles plus   500 Premier Qualifying Points.
• Alternatives : If the annual fee doesn’t fit your budget, the United℠ Explorer Card is worth a look since it has a $0 intro annual fee (then $95 annually), but still carries a generous sign-up bonus, priority boarding, purchase and travel protections and an up to $100 credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee.
• Bottom line : The United Quest Card packs in a lot of perks and value, making it a solid pick for loyal United travelers looking for an enhanced travel experience.

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

Best hotel credit card: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

• Best features : This card offers great long-term value for frequent travelers who stay at the world’s largest hotel chain a few nights or more per year. You get plenty of chances to offset the $95 annual fee, including a free night every year after your account anniversary (up to 35,000 points) and a high rewards rate in the popular, practical bonus categories of travel, grocery, gas and dining purchases, as well as a flat rate of 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Biggest drawbacks : You can only use your rewards with Marriott hotels. So if you don’t frequent the brand, you’ll be better served by a different hotel credit card or a general-purpose travel rewards card, which offers greater flexibility in how you redeem your rewards.
• Alternatives : If you’re not loyal to one hotel chain, the Chase Sapphire Preferred should give you more redemption options. It earns bonus points on travel, dining and select online grocery purchases – points that can be redeemed in a variety of ways, including for travel, or transferred to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners. And when you redeem for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal, your points have 25% more value.
• Bottom line : Travelers who stay at Marriott frequently enough to offset the $95 annual fee will appreciate this card. But depending on your spending habits and the hotel features that matter most to you, you may get greater value with another Marriott card .

Read our Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card review .

Best no annual fee airline card: American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card

• Best features : This no-annual-fee airline card gives households a chance to earn miles on more than just travel. You’ll earn 2X miles not only on eligible American Airlines purchases, but also at grocery stores, which increases the card’s earning potential for the average consumer. The MileUp card also has a low spend threshold for its sign-up bonus: Spend just $500 in your first three months and you’ll earn 10,000 miles and a $50 statement credit.
• Biggest drawbacks : This card lacks a number of cost-saving perks found with other airline cards, including a free first checked bag for you and additional passengers and a chance to earn travel credits for your spending. Depending on how often you fly and how many people you travel with, you could actually save more money with a travel card that charges an annual fee.
• Alternatives : The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has a similar rewards rate and charges no annual fee for the first year, then $150 thereafter. That gives you time to test out perks you won’t find with the MileUp card, like priority boarding, a first checked bag free for you and eight additional passengers and a chance to earn a $200 flight credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year.
• Bottom line : This card is worth a look if you’re loyal to American Airlines but only fly occasionally and are looking for a no-annual-fee credit card . But if you want the flexibility to fly with different carriers while still earning high rewards, you may get better value out of a general-purpose travel rewards card.

Read our American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp review .

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel rewards credit cards let you earn points or miles you can redeem for travel purchases. Some offer a flat rate on general purchases, but many offer bonus rewards for typical travel purchases or everyday spending categories, like restaurants, gas or even groceries.

Earning points or miles is usually as easy as swiping your card, and some cards provide limited-time offers and sign-up bonuses to add more incentives. The basics of points and miles cards are pretty much the same. You earn and accumulate rewards by making purchases with your card, and redeem for a discount on your next trip.

Your redemption options will vary by card. Most require that you redeem points or miles for travel purchases. (Some let you redeem for gift cards or cash back, but it might be at a lower value.) You can typically redeem points or miles by booking future trips through a designated portal, like Amextravel.com or Chase Ultimate Rewards, or transferring rewards to an issuer’s travel partners to book flights or hotel stays. Some allow you to redeem for a statement credit on travel purchases made within a certain time frame.

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

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

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

General travel credit cards + –

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

Depending on the card, you can earn higher points not only on travel-related purchases, but also in popular categories like groceries, gas and dining. You can redeem the points you earn in many different ways, like statement credits and travel. A 1-cent-per-point value is typical, but points may be worth less when used for non-travel options or more if transferred to the right travel partner.

Transferring your points over to an airline or hotel loyalty program can help you strategize so you can get the most out of your points. However, average point values vary from program to program, so you’ll need to test out different routes and carriers to see how far your points can take you before you transfer points between loyalty programs.

Some of the most popular rewards programs for general travel credit cards include:

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

Is a general travel credit card worth it?

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

But general travel cards give you more flexibility to choose how you travel and where you stay. Plus, plenty of general travel cards come loaded with valuable benefits not tied to specific airlines and hotels — especially if you’re willing to pay an annual fee.

Most general travel cards carry higher rewards rates compared to airline cards with similar annual fees, which gives you a chance to earn more rewards faster. And you’ll have a number of redemption options that make each of your points worth at least 1 cent, which is worth more than the rewards you’ll earn with most hotel rewards programs and some airline rewards programs.

Here’s a look at some of the top features your general travel card may offer:

• Annual travel credits : Premium cards like the Capital One Venture X and Chase Sapphire Reserve reward cardmembers with annual travel credits worth hundreds of dollars, which you can use to offset previous travel costs or book new travel through the card’s travel portal.
• Airport lounge access : A number of mid-level and premium travel cards offer discounted or complimentary airport lounge access for you and your guests. Users can enjoy amenities like complimentary food and drinks, showers or even spa treatments. Popular airport lounge networks include Priority Pass lounges and the exclusive American Express Global Lounge Collection.
• Luxury hotel benefits : Your card issuer may offer Visa or Mastercard’s luxury hotel collection benefit. This perk can lead to room upgrades, free breakfast, food or beverage credits and late check-out. This is typically offered with credit cards with Visa Signature or Infinite benefits or cards with Mastercard World or World Elite benefits, though you’ll have to check with your card issuer to be certain.
• Car rental elite status : With the right general travel rewards card, you can not only rent a car but also get discounts and status upgrades that let you skip the lines when renting and returning, as well as vehicle upgrades based on availability and other exclusive perks.

Airline travel credit cards + –

Airline credit cards are co-branded cards that carry the name of the card issuer and a particular airline. They’re a great fit for travelers who regularly fly with a particular airline and can take advantage of the perks found within its rewards program.

Some of the most popular airline rewards programs include:

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

Like general travel cards, airline rewards cards can earn rewards on a variety of purchases, but your redemption options are more limited. To get the best value, you’ll typically want to redeem your rewards for flights with the airline or one of its partners.

Is an airline credit card worth it?

They offer less flexibility and might have an annual fee, but airline cards can make your travel experience easier and save you a lot of money, even after you factor in the cost of an annual fee.

Here’s a look at some of the top airline credit card benefits:

• Free checked bags :   Avoid paying a fee for your first checked bag and a travel companion’s bag. Many airlines charge $30 to $35 per checked bag, per trip, so the savings can add up, especially if you’re traveling with a large family.
• Fast track to elite airline status : Frequent flyers looking for an enhanced flying experience will have to spend thousands of dollars and spend a lot of time in the air to unlock the top-of-the-line perks that come with elite status. But the right airline credit card can cut down on the eligibility requirements and may even come with automatic elite status or welcome offers and additional credits that get you elite status faster.
• Travel companion pass : Earning an airline companion pass takes some work, but if you qualify you can bring a passenger along on a future flight for free (though you’ll still have to pay taxes and fees). Some airlines even offer companion passes that let you bring a guest with you on any flight you book for a year or more.
• Priority boarding : This perk helps you quickly board a plane and get your carry-on stowed away in an overhead bin before it fills up.
• In-flight discounts : This perk helps you save on drinks, snacks and other extras purchased on your flight. You’ll typically enjoy a discount of 20% to 25% off.

How to choose an airline

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

Hotel travel credit cards + –

Hotel credit cards are co-branded cards that earn points you can redeem for stays with a specific hotel chain. Some of the most popular hotel rewards programs include:

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

Is a hotel credit card worth it?

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

On top of the high-earning potential, hotel travel cards may also come with some of the following benefits:

• Free night : Many hotel cards automatically reward you with a free night at select properties every year on your anniversary. Others give you a chance to earn a free night after you spend a certain amount on the card.
• Room upgrades : Your card could automatically qualify you for room upgrades when available, giving you more space or better views.
• Elite hotel status : Some of the best hotel cards come with automatic elite status, making you eligible for exclusive perks, while others put you on a fast track to achieve higher levels of elite status.

How to choose a hotel

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

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

Business travel credit cards + –

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

Some of the more popular business cards include:

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

Is a business travel card worth it?

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

You might see these benefits on a business travel card:

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

Co-branded travel cards versus general travel cards

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

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

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

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

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

Who should get a travel credit card

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

Who should skip a travel credit card

• Fans of low-maintenance credit cards. While flat-rate travel cards are available, travel cards with fixed bonus categories or a tiered rewards structure often have the best rewards rates. The card that’s most fitting for you will depend on your spending habits. If you aren’t ready or willing to strategize to get the most out of your travel card, a more straightforward rewards credit card may be a better fit.
• Someone looking for flexibility . Cash back credit cards are usually more versatile and might work best for infrequent travelers or people with higher non-travel-related expenses. They can help you maximize your earnings on everyday categories like supermarkets, gas, transit, streaming services or online purchases. Mostly, redeeming can be far less complicated and far more flexible. Depending on the credit card, redemption options may include statement credit, direct deposit, check and travel.
• Someone prone to overspending . The best travel rewards credit cards can help you save a lot of money but only if you avoid a balance. Since rewards cards typically come with higher interest rates, paying your balances in full can save you money and create the best value. If you can’t, you run the risk of losing more money to interest charges than you earn in rewards. You may even fall into credit card debt. If you aren’t able to pay your balances in full, consider a low-interest credit card .

Do you know how much your points or miles are worth?

Choosing a card based solely on the number of miles or points you stand to earn can be a costly mistake. Redemption values can vary, and points and miles do not always transfer on a 1-to-1 basis, meaning 1,000 “miles” earned do not always translate to 1,000 miles of travel.

For example, the Citi Premier card has a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in your first three months of account opening. With the Premier card, most redemption options have a baseline value of 1 cent, so this offer can be worth at least $600. But based on Bankrate’s latest point valuations , we estimate that the right high-value transfer partner could boost your point value up to 1.9 cents on average. That could make your sign-up bonus worth an incredible $1,140.

Compare that to a card like the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, which offers a sign-up bonus of 140,000 points after spending $3,000 within the first three months. Since IHG Rewards are estimated to be worth 0.7 cents on average based on our points valuation, that comes out to a value of $980 dollars.

Understanding the true value of your rewards program can help you to maximize value and select the card that offers the best rewards for your spending habits.

How to calculate the value of your points and miles

To find the value of your points and miles, divide the cost of paying cash for the booking (such as the plane ticket or hotel room) by the number of points or miles required. Then compare this number to Bankrate’s points and miles valuation for the airline, hotel or credit card rewards program.

For example, if a flight on Southwest Airlines costs $800 out of pocket or 50,000 miles, the value is 1.6 cents per mile ($800 divided by 50,000 miles equals $0.016 or 1.6 cents). Since this is slightly higher than our estimated value of 1.5 cents per mile, you’re getting a good deal if you book this flight.

But if you redeem for a gift card instead and find a $25 card costs 10,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards miles, your value drops to 0.25 cents per mile ($25 divided by 10,000 miles equals $0.0025 or 0.25 cents). Since this is far below the 1.5-cent-per-point value you should look for, you’re better off using cash for this gift card and saving your points for a better deal.

How to compare travel credit cards

Deciding which travel credit card is best for you can be difficult. Many cards have similar redemption options, earn rewards in the same categories or cost more than you’re willing to pay for an annual fee. The right card for you will provide value with both perks and rewards rates that match your needs and align with purchases you already make.

To find the right one, you may find it helpful to compare several cards at once so you can see which one offers the best value for your personal finances and travel habits.

• Are you an occasional or frequent traveler? Frequent travelers typically have an easier time taking advantage of the numerous perks found with a travel card. If you travel less frequently, then a cash back card may make more financial sense.
• Are you loyal to a certain airline or hotel? If you’re a fan of a particular airline or hotel chain, you can enjoy specific benefits with that company’s co-branded travel card, like companion pass or annual hotel credits. A general-purpose card, however, gives you flexibility to choose any travel partner when traveling.
• What travel perks and protections matter most to you? Higher rewards status with hotels or airlines, access to airport lounges or automatic elite status are a few examples of travel perks a card might offer. You can also have more peace of mind with any travel protections that a travel card might provide, like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost baggage insurance and 24/7 global assistance. Make sure to look for a card that has the features that matter most to you.
• Do you have to change your spending habits to earn and redeem rewards?  Rather than tailoring your spending to match a card’s bonus categories, you might choose a card that already rewards your typical spending habits. Also, watch out for restrictions like spending limits, which can hinder your ability to earn maximum rewards. And when redeeming, make sure your card provides the best value. Some travel cards don’t provide the best value when redeeming for non-travel-related options, such as gift cards or statement credits.
• Does the card have sign-up bonuses and annual fees?  A card’s welcome offer can boost your first year earnings. Look for the spend requirement to ensure you can meet it without overspending. Additionally, a card’s annual fee can be a significant factor. Cards with high annual fees often offer some of the best rewards and perks, but if you can’t offset the fee every year it might not be worth it.
• How does the card’s international acceptance and foreign fees measure up?  For people who frequently travel internationally, this detail can be a game changer. A card without a foreign transaction fee can help budget your trip. But you also want to make certain that the card has broad international coverage. Some cards, like Discover, while working on their international network, might be riskier to carry abroad.

How to make the most out of your travel credit card

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

• Score a welcome offer . To make the most of your purchases and capitalize on travel rewards, seek out a welcome offer with an affordable spend requirement. Some of the top sign-up offers could be large enough to help you score free travel.
• Take advantage of the card’s bonus rewards categories . Find a travel rewards card that offers bonus points for purchases you already make to supercharge your earnings. For example, if your weekly work plans include lunch outside of the office, you could earn 3 points for every $1 spent at restaurants as a Citi® Premier cardholder, maximizing your earnings potential.
• Consider a travel card that earns transferable points . Transferable points are points earned with one travel card that can be redeemed with another participating program. Based on Bankrate’s latest point valuations, the right high-value transfer partner could be the best way to maximize your rewards earnings.
• Don’t forget your credit card benefits . Your travel credit card could have hidden credit card perks that make travel more enjoyable and save you money, such as complimentary breakfast at hotels or free checked bags. In just one trip, a family of four could easily offset a card’s annual fee through baggage fees alone. Other benefits, such as lost baggage coverage, not only reimburse you for clothing, toiletries or medication you had to purchase because of delayed or lost luggage, but provide additional peace of mind while traveling.
• Consider a credit card combination . Pair your travel card with another credit card that earns high rewards in areas you spend the most to maximize value. You may even be able to combine cards within the same rewards program. Chase, American Express, Capital One and Citi all offer some of the best credit card combinations that can help you rack up transferable rewards.
• Skip the foreign transaction fees . Make sure to take along a card that skips this common overseas charge, typically 3% charge anytime you use the card internationally. You can avoid this by choosing a travel credit card that waives foreign transaction fees, such as the Capital One and Discover credit cards.

Alternatives to Travel Credit Cards

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

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

In the news: What is credit card travel insurance?

Travel insurance, or trip insurance, is a policy providing reimbursement or resources if something goes wrong during your trip. The coverage of the trip insurance varies depending on if it’s provided through a credit card or purchased as a separate policy.

Credit cards may provide a form of trip insurance when you use your card to pay for trip-related expenses. Credit card travel insurance can cover everything from trip cancellation and trip interruption, to lost luggage and car rental loss and damage insurance.

In some cases, the coverage provided by the credit card may be enough to cover your needs for a travel-related event. But confirm the benefits before you travel and make sure it offers the right coverage, for example, if you are traveling internationally or need a “cancel for any reason” policy.

How we picked the best travel cards

Research methodology : We analyzed 300 travel rewards credit cards to identify the best offers currently on the market. The major factors we considered include:

• Rewards rate : Does the card offer a competitive rewards rate for the travel category? For general purpose travel cards, this rate is generally between 1.25X to 2X rewards. For co-branded hotel or airline credit cards, we looked for a rate between 3X and 10X points on brand purchases, plus a competitive rate in other bonus categories.
• Welcome offer : Annual fee travel credit cards, in particular, may offer a welcome bonus valued between $500 to $900. We considered the value of the sign-up bonus, alongside the required spend to receive it.
• Additional travel perks : We considered whether the card offers additional travel benefits beyond base rewards. For instance, for airline credit cards, we considered whether they offered priority boarding, a free checked bag or lounge access. For hotel credit cards, we considered whether they offered upgrade opportunities for Wi-Fi and free hotel stays with a card anniversary. For premium travel credit cards, we considered whether the card touted travel credits, travel insurance and other benefits that justified the high annual fee.
• Rates and fees : Travel credit cards do tend to carry annual fees and higher APRs than low-interest credit cards. However, we considered how a card’s APRs compared to the current credit card industry average and whether any fees could be avoided or recouped by its travel rewards and benefits.

All criteria used : Rewards rates, rewards categories, sign-up bonus, point values, transfer partners, redemption options, redemption flexibility, annual fee, other rates and fees, travel credits, airport lounge access, travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, concierge service, other travel benefits, travel portal functionality, credit needed, customer service, events or other perks

More information on travel credit cards

For more information on all things travel cards, continue reading content from our credit card experts:

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

Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards

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

When you’re shopping for a travel credit card, you’ll likely have two rewards currencies to choose from: points and miles.

Credit card points are the more flexible of the two options, usually allowing you to redeem your rewards for flights or hotel stays with a number of brands. Some cards allow you to redeem points for cash back, gift cards or merchandise, but often at a lower value than a travel redemption.

Credit card miles usually refer to frequent-flyer miles with a particular airline, such as Delta or United. If you have a miles-earning card, this usually means you can only redeem your miles for flights with one particular airline, though there are exceptions. These types of cards are also called co-branded cards and often come with additional perks like free checked bags.

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

Travel credit cards often feature higher rewards rates and numerous benefits, which typically means the odds of approval are higher for someone with a good or excellent credit score — usually around a 670 FICO score or higher.

But someone with bad or fair credit still has options. Although the credit card may not be labeled specifically as a travel rewards card, cards like the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card don’t require great credit and offer rewards in travel categories like hotels and rental cars.

Do travel points and miles expire? + –

Typically, rewards won’t expire for the life of the account. However, each card is different so it’s always best to read your card’s terms and conditions. For instance, some cards do have rewards that expire after a period of inactivity. In some cases, you could forfeit your rewards by missing a payment or canceling a card . Every card comes with its own set of rules, so always read the fine print.

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

The miles you’ll need for a free flight depend on the type of card you have, its rewards and redemption structure and whether it offers bonus value on travel redemptions.

For example, If you book through Amex, your points are worth 1 cent apiece on travel redemptions. That means if a flight costs $500, you’ll need 50,000 points to book. However, with Chase Ultimate Rewards, points are valued at 1.25 cents, so a $500 trip would need only 25,000 points.

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

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

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

About the Author

Jeanine Skowronski

Jeanine Skowronski is a credit card expert, analyst, and multimedia journalist with over 10 years of experience covering business and personal finance. She has previously served as the Head of Content at Policygenius, Executive Editor of Credit.com, Deputy Editor at American Banker, Staff Reporter at TheStreet and a columnist for Inc. Magazine.

About the Editor

Robert Thorpe

Robert Thorpe is an editor for CreditCards.com

About the Reviewer

Stephanie Zito

Stephanie Zito is a professional traveler, humanitarian and credit card points collector sharing savvy travel tips she has learned firsthand from more than 20 years of circling the globe as a backpacker, expat and premium traveler in more than 125 countries and all seven continents.

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The Best Travel Credit Cards for 2024

W hat do savvy travel bloggers, backpackers, business owners, and all other frequent flyers have in common? A high-earning travel rewards credit card. If you want to fly for free like the pros do, you need to understand that every dollar you spend that isn't earning you rewards is a dollar wasted . Plus, there are huge welcome bonuses to be had just for signing up and hitting the minimum spend with your everyday purchases – sometimes as much as $750 worth of points, like with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . That's enough for a free return flight already!

A good travel credit card will also save you money during your trip, charging no foreign transaction fees (often 2.5-3% of every purchase with a regular credit card), and offering perks like car rental insurance, airport lounge access, and premium hotel status.

Without further ado, here are our top choices for the best travel credit cards in 2024.

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• 60,000 reward points (worth $750 ) after meeting the minimum spend of $4,000 in the first 3 months
• $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x points for purchases on Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, and 2x points on all other travel purchases.
• Points are worth 25% more on airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises when booking through Chase Ultimate Rewards (e.g. 60,000 points worth $750 toward travel)
• Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, lost luggage insurance and more.
• Can transfer your reward points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• No foreign transaction fees
• Annual fee: $95

The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been our #1 credit card for awhile now – and with good reason. This card checks a lot of boxes at a low annual fee: a huge welcome bonus of 60,000 points worth up to $750 in travel, no foreign transaction fees (saving 2.5% on every overseas purchase), included insurance on rental cars, baggage delays, and trip delays, 3x points on dining, and 2x points on all other travel purchases worldwide.

Points can be transferred 1:1 with a huge number of airline and hotel points programs. However, redeeming your points in the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal boosts their value by 25% – and you also get a lot more flexibility.

While official airline points programs have blackout dates or limited number of reward seats on each flight, the Chase portal lets you use points on any flight or hotel that would appear on other travel booking sites like Expedia and Kayak. In other words, if a flight or hotel is available, you can book it with points – period. It also means that the cheaper a flight or hotel is, the less points required to redeem it. So if you're thrifty like us and keep your eyes peeled for cheap flights and error fares , you'll usually use less points than if you were using an official airline points program.

2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

• 75,000 bonus miles (worth $750 ) once you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months
• Up to $100 credit for  Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• 2 complimentary lounge visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges
• Earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Miles don't expire. Book flights, hotels, or transfer points to 10+ travel loyalty programs.

The Capital One Venture Rewards card offers similar perks to the Chase Sapphire Preferred , but with a few differences. The annual fee is only $95, with a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles (worth $750 ) once you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. Like the Chase Sapphire Preferred , you get no foreign transaction fees, car rental and travel accident insurance, and you can redeem your points for flights, hotels, or transfer your points to 15+ travel loyalty program partners.

One unique perk is a $100 credit towards TSA Precheck or Global Entry. These programs allow you to save time at the airport going through security or clearing immigration, and are well worth signing up for if you're a frequent traveler. Don't miss our ultimate guide on using TSA Precheck or Global Entry, saving you hours at the airport .

Overall, we think the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a better choice as you get a larger welcome bonus, 3x points on dining, and 2x points on all other travel, which more than make up for the $95 annual fee. But if you want a second card (and second welcome bonus), the Capital One Venture Rewards card is still one of the best travel cards you can get.

3. The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express

• 80,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months
• $200 per year in hotel credit on select prepaid bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel
• $155 Walmart+ credit , covering the cost of a monthly membership
• Up to $200 in Uber rides and eats savings in the US annually, and Uber VIP status
• 5x points on up to $500,000 per year spent on flights booked directly with airlines, or through American Express Travel
• Unlimited access to 1,400+ airport lounges worldwide through the American Express Global Lounge Collection (including Priority Pass Select lounges)
• Annual fee: $695. Terms apply.
• Learn how to apply – See Rates and Fees

If you're serious about points travel and card perks, you have to bring in the big guns, and you can't get much bigger than The Platinum Card from American Express . It has some of the most impressive benefits of any travel rewards card we've seen – but it also comes with a hefty annual fee of $695. Is it worth it? Absolutely – but it requires you to be strategic in taking advantage of the benefits, and you should probably be traveling more than once a year. For the hardcore traveler, this card is our #1 choice.

The Platinum Card from American Express truly checks all the boxes. A 80,000 points bonus after hitting the minimum spend, 5x the points on flights and hotels booked through American Express Travel, no foreign transaction fees, baggage and car rental insurance, and the flexibility to transfer your points to 18 airline and 3 hotel points programs, or to book any flight or hotel through the American Express Travel portal.

On top of that, there are perks and credits galore. You get access to the Global Lounge Collection, one of the largest airport lounge collections in the world. That's food and drink, shower access, and strong wifi with every visit to the airport. You also get a $200 airline fee credit per year (which works on baggage fees, now an additional charge on most flights), Uber VIP status and up to $200 in rides and eats savings, a $189 CLEAR® Plus statement credit per year (after paying with your Platinum Card) to zoom through airport security, and $100 in credits for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue (*Enrollment Required).

Finally, you get gold status in Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, membership in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, Avis Preferred, and National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive, and access to AMEX's own Fine Hotel & Resorts program. What does all that mean? Discounts on hotels and cars, room upgrades, late checkouts, wi-fi, and an amenity specific to the property worth $100. American Express estimates the benefits of the Fine Hotel & Resorts program alone to be worth an average of $550.

As you can see, if you frequently travel or are strategic in using the card, you can more than make up for the $695 annual fee. Not to mention, the luxury of all these perks is pretty nice too! Learn More .

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card from American Express, please this page

Other cards to check out

The above 3 cards are our top all-around travel cards for both before and during your trip. But if you're looking for a specific feature, there are a few other cards you can consider checking out.

The Best Business Credit Card for Travel

• 100,000 reward points (worth $1250 ) after meeting the minimum spend of $8,000 in the first 3 months
• 3x points on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each year
• Can transfer your reward points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs, or redeem for any flight or hotel in Chase Travel(SM)

Own a small business? Get the Ink Business Preferred card from Chase and earn even more points. The perks are even better than our #1 consumer choice, the Chase Sapphire Preferred , for the same annual fee. A whopping 100,000 welcome bonus (worth $1,250 in travel), no foreign transaction fees, flexible rewards with no blackout dates, and 3x the points on even more categories like travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone, and online ad purchases make this card a solid choice both at home and overseas.

The Best Credit Card with No Annual Fee

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

• 20,000 bonus miles (worth $200 ) once you spend $500 in the first 3 months within 3 months from account opening
• 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases
• Transfer your miles to over 15 leading travel loyalty programs
• Annual fee: $0

Although paying an annual fee can seem scary, it's always worth it, because the benefits on a card with an annual fee are far greater than on cards without, and you'll earn points at a much higher rate.

But if you never want an annual fee, your best choice is the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card. It's similar to the Venture Rewards card, but the welcome bonus is 20,000 (worth $200 in travel) instead of 75,000 (worth $750 in travel). You only get 1.25 miles per dollar instead of 2, and no TSA Precheck or Global Entry credit. That's a lot less value compared to what you get with the Capital One Venture Rewards card , which has a low annual fee of $95, so we think it's a better card for most people.

The Best Credit Card for Travel Insurance

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• 60,000 reward points (worth $900 ) after meeting the minimum spend of $4,000 in the first 3 months
• $300 annual travel credit
• 5x points on air travel and 10x points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards (after using the full travel credit). 3x points on other travel and dining.
• Free access to 1300+ airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass Select
• Annual fee: $550

Though most travel cards these days offer a limited amount of insurance on car rentals, lost luggage, and trip cancellations, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of just a few cards offering emergency medical and dental insurance as well. Medical insurance is essential when travelling, and can often cost up to a few hundred dollars, so having this included with your credit card is great value. Other perks on this card are similar to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, but your points are worth 50% more in the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, you get access to airport lounges worldwide, and you get a credit towards a Global Entry or TSA Precheck application.

The Best Credit Card for Airport Lounge Access

The best credit cards for airport lounge access are the previously mentioned American Express Platinum Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve , but both have high annual fees. These cards have a huge number of benefits, and are definitely worth it if you take advantage of them, but  if the annual fee is too steep, we recommend sticking with the Chase Sapphire Preferred .

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has a lower annual fee of $95 and 10 airport lounge visits per year, but since your points are locked into the Hilton Honors program, we recommend foregoing the lounge access to get the Chase Sapphire Preferred for the same fee, with the flexibility to book any flight or hotel you want. Plus, there's other ways to get cheap lounge access – check out our full guide!

All information about Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has been collected independently by Thrifty Nomads. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card is no longer available through Thrifty Nomads.

The Best Credit Card for TSA Precheck and Global Entry

Signing up for TSA Precheck or Global Entry can save you hours at the airport over time. The Capital One Venture Rewards Card offers a credit of up to $100 on your statement when you apply for this handy perk.

Thrifty Nomads has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Thrifty Nomads and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions expressed here are author's alone. Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Disclosures Many of the listings that appear on this website are from companies which we receive compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). The site does not review or include all companies or all available products. Thrifty Nomads has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Thrifty Nomads and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

The best in credit cards

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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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Most recently before joining Bankrate, Robert worked as an editor and writer at The Ascent by The Motley Fool, covering a number of personal finance topics, including credit cards, mortgages and loans.

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You deserve the best in credit cards

Finding a new credit card is sometimes easier said than done. With a ton of options to choose from and so many features to consider — from rewards and perks to APRs and annual fees — picking the best fit for you can be overwhelming.

But fear not: Our credit card experts rated and reviewed over 250 of the top credit cards on the market to give you our picks for the best cards in every major category. Whether you want to travel the world in luxury, beat inflation with cash back on every purchase, level up your credit score or put debt in the rearview mirror, we’ve got a card for you.

These are the winners of the 2023 Bankrate Awards for best credit cards.

How we rated these cards

• Bankrate ranked each card’s estimated rewards rate, rewards value, sign-up bonus value, average APR, annual fee, redemption flexibility and other relevant features against those of other cards in its primary scoring category (cash back, rewards, balance transfer, etc.).
• We assigned each of these elements a score based on how it stacked up, weighted these scores based on the top priorities of a cardholder in the card's primary category and combined them to give the card an overall rating.
• We compared each card's overall rating against the ratings of all other cards in the relevant Bankrate Awards category (for example, "Everyday use" or "Jet-setters").

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Why they won.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is one of the most versatile cards around. It offers both bonus rewards and a higher-than-typical flat rewards rate, which makes it a great standalone option. Frequent travelers will also love how easily it pairs with premium Chase cards.

Top features

• Offers both bonus rewards in popular categories and a higher-than-average flat rate on general purchases
• You can redeem points for more than just cash back cards, including for travel, online shopping and gift cards
• You can pool points with other Chase cards and boost the value of your points by 25 to 50 percent when you pair with a premium Ultimate Rewards card and redeem for travel
• Carries a solid list of benefits for a no-annual-fee card

American Express® Gold Card

The Amex Gold boasts top-shelf dining credits and superb rewards rates on eligible restaurant, U.S. supermarket and delivery service purchases, making it a terrific fit for restaurant lovers and home cooks alike.

• You can nearly offset the annual fee just with the credits included
• Earns some of the most valuable travel rewards on the market
• Few cards reward both dining and supermarkets, let alone at such a high rate
• Plenty of purchasing power via its flexible spending limit and financing options

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

This is a great pick for travelers who want a taste of luxury travel without the $500-or-higher annual fee that comes with other premium cards. The Venture X not only offers valuable perks like airport lounge access and elite rental car status, but also anniversary credits and bonus miles that help cover the $395 annual fee.

• It has one of the lowest annual fees for a premium travel rewards card
• Luxury perks include lounge access, rental car status upgrade and travel credits
• Travelers earn twice as many miles on general purchases as they would with many other premium cards
• Extra-flexible redemption lets you redeem miles for travel with Capital One or to cover outside travel purchases made within the last 90 days

The Freedom Unlimited card’s unique blend of flat-rate cash back and bonus categories can help it rack up more rewards than its rivals. You’ll earn at least 1.5 percent cash back on every purchase along with bonus cash back in popular categories like dining and travel, making it viable as a standalone card or great for pairing with cards like the Chase Freedom Flex℠.

• Can earn more than 2 percent flat-rate cards thanks to its bonus categories
• Points are worth 25 percent to 50 percent more when paired with a premium Ultimate Rewards card
• Carries better perks than many no-annual-fee cards
• Offers great short-term value thanks to its sign-up bonus and intro APR offers

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

This card offers some of the best everyday bonus category variety out there for families, allowing you to earn generous cash back on dining, entertainment and grocery store purchases, without worrying about offsetting annual fees or navigating complicated redemption programs.

• Its cash back program is focused on key household spending categories
• Boasts several valuable perks, including a complimentary Uber One membership through Nov. 14, 2024
• Along with ongoing rewards, it boasts lengthy intro APR offers and an easy-to-earn sign-up bonus
• Carries no annual fee and offers straightforward redemption — ideal for low-maintenance cardholders

Discover it® Secured Credit Card

This one of the most valuable and consumer-friendly secured cards on the market, offering credit-builders a chance to work on their score while earning rewards and avoiding an annual fee. You even have a chance at one of the best sign-up bonuses around: Discover’s Cashback Match™.

• It’s one of the only secured cards to offer rewards and a sign-up bonus
• Cardholders may qualify for an upgrade to an unsecured card in as little as seven months
• It doesn’t charge a late payment fee the first time you make a late payment (up to $41 after that)
• High credit limit potential could help you keep credit utilization in check

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

This student card delivers the same incredible bonus category variety and stellar cash back as the full-fledged Capital One SavorOne card, and few student cards can match its rewards value and simplicity. To make things ultra low-maintenance, you can even set your rewards to redeem automatically.

• Dining, entertainment and grocery stores are especially valuable categories for students
• You can upgrade your credit line after just six months of responsible card use — faster than many starter cards
• Easy-to-earn sign-up bonus of $50 after just $100 in spending in your first three months
• Minimal fees, including no foreign transaction fees or penalty APR, plus a potentially low ongoing APR

BankAmericard® credit card

This card can play a central role in just about any debt repayment strategy. Its intro APR period is one of the longest available, giving you more time to pay off debt while avoiding the burden of interest charges.

• It offers one of the longest intro APR offers out there for both purchases and balance transfers
• You won’t face a penalty APR if you make a late payment
• Carries a potentially low ongoing APR after its intro APR period ends
• Low balance transfer fee of just 3 percent or $10, whichever is greater (many cards charge a fee of 5 percent)

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

No other major business card features this many annual credits and valuable perks. On top of the card’s prized travel rewards, small-business owners can take advantage of over $3,500 worth of perks, including extensive airport lounge access, coveted hotel privileges, statement credits and more.

• Includes over $2,500 in annual credits for expenses like expedited airport security, hotel stays, software and more
• Rewards hard-to-find business bonus categories like construction materials and software
• Features excellent travel partners and 35 percent of your points back on points reward bookings with Amex travel (up to 1,000,000 points back per calendar year)
• No preset spending limit and payment flexibility via Pay Over Time

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

This card’s restaurant and U.S. supermarket bonus categories make it easy to stock up on miles via everyday spending, and Delta perks like a complimentary Annual Companion Certificate make its annual fee easy to justify.

• Includes valuable Delta perks like Main Cabin 1 priority boarding, inflight discounts and a free checked bag
• Comes with Status Boost, getting you closer to elite status benefits like boosted rewards rates and complimentary upgrades
• Discounted Delta Sky Club lounge access and expedited screening credits can improve your airport experience
• Valuable welcome offer that gets you closer to Delta’s elite Gold Medallion Status level

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

This card carries some of the best year-round rewards rates available on popular commuter expenses, including gas, public transit and more. It also boasts generous perks like an intro APR offer and cash back in other commuter-friendly categories like audiobook, podcast and music streaming services.

• Rewards a wide variety of commuting and transit costs, including U.S. gas stations, parking, trains, subways, buses, taxis and rideshares
• Its cash back rate at U.S. supermarkets and on streaming services is perhaps the highest out there
• Its list of eligible streaming services includes audiobook and podcast services often excluded from credit card bonus categories
• Annual fee should be no trouble to offset via rewards

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

• Automatically qualifies you for a Free Night Award and Hilton’s highest elite status level
• It comes with annual travel perks like airline credit and unlimited airport lounge access
• Includes a slew of premium Hilton benefits and luxury travel perks
• Though high, the annual fee can be offset if you take advantage of the card’s perks

Citi® Double Cash Card, Citi Custom Cash℠ Card, Citi Premier® Card

If you’re an occasional traveler looking to earn rewards in nearly every major spending category without drowning in annual fees, this stack is tough to beat. Used strategically, these three cards make it easy to rack up points and cash back on everyday spending and redeem rewards for cash back or travel, potentially at a high value when you transfer to airline partners.

• The Custom Cash can offer one of the highest cash back rates available in key categories like groceries and gas without charging an annual fee
• Only $95 in total annual fees across all three cards — a low cost for such terrific rewards variety
• Boasts a solid list of airline transfer partners, especially for international travelers
• The Citi Premier offers one of the best sign-up bonuses available on a card in this price range

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday Card provides great value for a no-annual-fee rewards card. It not only offers rewards for online and grocery purchases but also comes with additional bonus rewards, discounts and statement credits from select merchants.

• It earns rewards in some of the most popular everyday categories
• Online shopping is a relatively hard-to-find bonus category
• Its long intro APR offer can help you pay down debt or cover emergency expenses
• Gives you access to Amex Offers, which helps you save money with select merchants

The Blue Cash Preferred card is more than just a fantastic grocery rewards card. It also provides exceptional value for household entertainment, offering one of the highest cash back rates for select U.S. streaming services and a credit for the Disney Bundle.

• It offers one of the highest cash back rates for select streaming services and groceries
• It comes with a statement credit worth up to 50 percent off a Disney Bundle streaming subscription
• The bonus rewards and credits help provide exceptional value for households
• Annual fee should be easy to offset for most households

Bilt Mastercard®

If you’re looking for a way to earn rewards on rent payments, this card is the obvious choice. It not only earns points on rent, but also waives the fees that typically come with paying rent with a credit card. You can also enjoy terrific value via this card’s top-tier travel rewards program.

• Bilt points are some of the most valuable rewards on the market based on Bankrate’s latest point valuations
• It’s one of the only no-annual-fee travel cards to offer top-tier travel transfer partners
• You can redeem points for travel via the Bilt Travel portal, to cover rent or toward a down payment on a home
• Solid perks for a no-annual-fee card

Sunrise Banks Everyday Rewards+ Card

If you want to support a socially responsible bank without sacrificing rewards, this card is worth a look. It not only charges no annual fee and boasts a great mix of everyday bonus categories, but also earns top marks for corporate responsibility.

• Offers a solid mix of everyday bonus categories, including supermarkets, restaurants and gas — all at no annual fee
• A certified B Corp, Sunrise Banks boasts a terrific B Impact score for its governance, social sustainability and community impact
• Sunrise Banks is Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certified, demonstrating a commitment to offering financial services to marginalized communities
• Sunrise Banks reinvests heavily in the local community, offering an estimated $65 of community investments for every $100 customers deposit (via Mighty )

Winners for your wallet

Our 2023 credit card predictions and trends: What did we get right and wrong?

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

A year ago, we made our best guesses at what would happen with credit card rewards in 2023 .

The past year has been filled with innovative developments — and persistent challenges — in the credit card industry.

Let's take a moment to revisit the predictions we made at the start of the year and assess their accuracy.

Best-ever offers will be rare: Correct

2021 and 2022 saw much more lucrative welcome offers than this year.

Of our top 10 most popular credit cards , the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , The Platinum Card® from American Express and the mid-tier Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees ) featured lower welcome offers for most of 2023 compared to the previous year. While there have been continued targeted offers for select Amex cards through the CardMatch tool (subject to change at any time), there were very few publicly available and best-ever welcome bonuses.

However, some of Chase's cards have been the exception.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® launched a special double cash back offer in October. On the business side, we've seen a repeat of the best-ever offers on the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, as well as an almost halving of the spending requirement to earn a 100,000-point bonus on the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (you now must spend $8,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening).

Shift from premium cards to those with financial benefits: Correct

With continued economic uncertainty and stubbornly high interest rates, consumers have been shifting away from premium cards like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card to cards offering cash back , attractive balance transfer rates, and zero or low interest on purchases.

Credit card debt will increase: Correct

Total debt on credit cards hit $1 trillion for the first time in the second quarter of 2023, reaching an all-time high of $1.08 trillion in Q3.

As a result, consumers are concerned with paying down debt and shifting to credit cards that offer more tangible and immediate cash-back and interest-saving benefits.

Related: How to consolidate and pay off your debt

Increase in 'buy now, pay later' offerings and usage: Partially correct

We haven't seen a significant increase in the number of buy now, pay later (BNPL) offerings like PayPal Credit, Afterpay and Klarna in 2023. However, usage of these services has increased.

According to Bankrate , 10% of consumers planned to use BNPL services for winter holiday shopping in 2023.

C+R Research has found that BNPL offerings are more popular among women (compared to men), renters (vs. homeowners) and Gen Zers and Millennials (vs. Gen Xers and Boomers).

Less interest in crypto-earning cards: Correct

Consumers remain wary of receiving crypto rewards like Bitcoin and Ethereum when spending cash on daily purchases. That's despite most top cryptocurrencies remaining stable or increasing in value in 2023, following the 2022 cryptocurrency crash .

Related: A round-up of cards that earn cryptocurrency rewards

2% cash back is the standard going forward: Partially correct

With the best cash-back credit cards, like the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees ), offering a 2% back on all purchases (1% cash back at the register and 1% cash back when you pay off your bill, it has become increasingly difficult for credit card issuers to acquire new customers with cards offering less than 2% back on everyday spending.

That potentially explains why Chase is currently offering an unprecedented double cash-back offer on one of its most popular cash-back cards (the Chase Freedom Unlimited). For new cardholders, you'll enjoy an effective earning rate of at least 3% on all purchases for the first 12 months — with up to 10% on select purchases. Just note that your bonus cash back will be deposited as a single lump sum within six to eight weeks of the end of your 12th monthly billing cycle.

If consumers are looking for cash-back earnings in the year ahead, they'll want to earn as much cash back on each purchase as possible.

Annual fees will continue to climb: Correct

We certainly haven't seen annual fees decrease this year. In fact, just in the second half of the year, we've seen fees increase on four popular travel rewards cards , mostly from American Express :

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees ): From $450 to $595 (32% increase)
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: $95 to $150 (58% increase; see rates and fees)
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card : $450 to $550 (22% increase; see rates and fees )
• American Express® Business Gold Card: $295 to $375 for applications received on or after February 1, 2024 (27% increase; see rates and fees)

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

We've also seen increases in authorized user fees, with the Amex Platinum increasing its authorized user fee from $175 total for up to three users to $175 per user (see rates and fees ). Similarly, the Citi AAdvantage Executive card removed its highly valuable perk of up to 10 free authorized users (including Admirals Club access). Now, you'll pay $175 for up to three users and $175 for each additional cardholder thereafter.

More niche and partner products: Partially correct

We predicted brand partnerships between credit card issuers and brands would expand this year, as we thought credit card issuers would seek new partnerships to generate more revenue — like the Instacart Mastercard® from Chase, launched in 2022.

This proved to be partially correct. While we didn't see a slew of new product launches, the following cards did hit the market in 2023:

• DoorDash Rewards Mastercard in March
• Choice Privileges® Mastercard® (see rates and fees ) in April
• Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® (see rates and fees ) in April
• Capital One Venture X Business in September
• Two new Universal credit cards in December

We also learned about at least one new product coming from Wells Fargo in 2024 — though it's unclear if new card options will continue to be the exception rather than the norm next year.

Fewer business-related travel perks: Correct

Business travel continues to lag behind leisure travel — and will probably continue to do so — prompting issuers to shift business credit card perks away from travel toward spending.

For example, although the refresh of the Amex Business Gold card in October saw the addition of higher earning rates for transit and Amex Travel bookings, it was also accompanied by the introduction of statement credits for eligible purchases at FedEx, Grubhub and office supply stores and a Walmart+ membership as well as cellphone protection.*

*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

More complimentary subscriptions and tough-to-use credits: Correct

We've seen a continuation of the "couponization" of credit cards via statement credits — some of which can be challenging to use.

In previous years, we saw the introduction of broad-category or multiple-merchant statement credits, like Amex Platinum's $20 monthly digital entertainment credit — to be used with seven merchants, including Disney+ and The New York Times — and the $10 monthly wireless telephone provider statement credit on The Business Platinum Card® from American Express . Enrollment required for select benefits.

This year, issuers have introduced more merchant-specific statement credits, often with stricter restrictions.

Following a Hilton card portfolio refresh in the second half of the year, Hilton Surpass cardmembers now receive up to $200 in annual Hilton statement credits — but it is broken up into $50 quarterly chunks to encourage more frequent stays at Hilton properties.

Similarly, the Citi AAdvantage Executive card was refreshed with three new statement credits. One of them was straightforward (up to $120 back on eligible Avis or Budget car rentals every calendar year). However, the other two require more effort to utilize:

• Up to $10 in statement credit for Lyft each month — but only after you've taken three eligible rides in a given month
• Up to $120 back on eligible Grubhub purchases — distributed as up to $10 per month

On the plus side, Walmart+ members now get a complimentary Paramount+ subscription , and Instacart+ members get a free subscription to Peacock .

Read more: How long does it take to receive statement credits from Amex, Capital One, Chase and Citi?

Customers will look for travel protections after headaches: Partially correct

There have been far fewer travel disruptions in 2023 compared to last year's summer travel chaos and Southwest's holiday meltdown .

Still, consumers continue to search for useful travel protections either through a good travel insurance policy or a credit card that offers them for free . Travelers want assurances that extra costs they incur due to delays, cancellations, lost luggage or other problems will be reimbursed.

Niche access and products with costs to card issuers will go away: Correct

The start of the year saw Capital One remove Priority Pass restaurant benefits from eligible cards, including the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card . Furthermore, due to overcrowding in the issuer's lounge network, they will remove lounge access for select cardholders from the start of 2025.

Similarly, Amex has tightened up its lounge policy. As of February 2023, Platinum cardmembers must spend $75,000 or more each calendar year to get guest privileges . Some Hilton cobranded cards are losing Priority Pass lounge access beginning February 2024, and starting in February 2025, access to Delta Sky Clubs will be restricted for Platinum and Delta cobranded cardmembers.

More cardholders will spend their way to elite status: Correct

It's possible to spend your way toward elite status through credit cards in multiple loyalty programs — for both airlines and hotels . We expect more people to take advantage of this benefit in 2024 — because they have to.

Credit card issuers and loyalty programs are increasingly turning frequent flyers into frequent spenders. They make a ton of money from consumers using their cobranded credit cards, so they are incentivizing this avenue.

Delta caused an uproar among its fan base in September by announcing drastic changes to its loyalty program . From 2024, Delta will consolidate all Medallion status-earning activities into one metric called Medallion Qualification Dollars.

Travelers will still earn MQDs on flights but will be pushed to spend more on its cobranded credit cards — and via car rentals, hotel stays and vacation packages through the Delta website and app. Delta calls this "rewarding customers for total engagement." However, these changes have led some to give up on earning Delta elite status — even with Delta backtracking on some of them just weeks after the original announcement.

Read more: Is Delta Air Lines status worth it? What this disappointed soon-to-be-Diamond thinks

Bottom line

Looking back at our predictions for credit cards in 2023, we did pretty well — as we got nine correct and four partially correct. None were completely off base.

Overall, the value proposition of travel rewards credit cards was challenged due to increasing fees, high interest rates, less lucrative welcome offers and more difficult-to-redeem statement credits.

However, there is still tremendous value to be found in the rewards and benefits offered by credit cards, especially for those willing to put in the effort to maximize their perks. That's as long as the Credit Card Competition Act doesn't gut credit card rewards significantly.

As we bid farewell to 2023, stay tuned for our predictions for 2024 and get ready to follow what lies ahead in the ever-evolving world of credit cards, points and miles.

For rates and fees of the Amex Business Gold, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here . For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire, click here . For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass, click here.

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NerdWallet’s Credit Card Best-Of Award Categories 2023: What’s Changed and Why

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A Nerd's work is never done, and preparation for our eighth annual awards was no exception.

For our 2023 Best-Of Awards, the credit card Nerds painstakingly considered nearly 300 credit cards — and the awards categories themselves. We want each new batch of award winners to reflect how our readers are using their credit cards, and we also want to make sure the categories are clear.

All told, we spent 115 hours debating and voting, which would be the equivalent to around 14 days of eight-hour video calls (though, thankfully, we spread those meetings apart a bit more). 

Compared with 2022, we’ve made a few changes to our awards categories: Here’s what’s different for 2023.

» SEE: 2023's Best-of Awards: Credit cards

Revamped travel rewards categories

Out: Best basic travel rewards credit card

In: best all-purpose travel rewards credit card.

Travel rewards credit cards don’t have to be ultra-expensive to come packed with useful perks that a wide array of people would enjoy. But who wants to be called basic? The contenders in this category, which all have annual fees under $100, are anything but. This year’s winner, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , offers a generous sign-up bonus, elevated ongoing rewards and other benefits. The annual fee is $95 . Travelers who wouldn’t be able to use a significant portion of what a pricier premium card offers can get more value out of an all-purpose travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .

Out: Best credit card for travel perks

In: best premium travel credit card.

We updated the name of this category to better represent the cards we consider — higher-end cards with fees north of $100. In exchange for a $550 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® makes it easier to indulge in more luxurious travel, thanks to airport lounge access, an easy-to-use $300 annual travel credit and a statement credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years. You can also earn a big welcome bonus and even more rewards compared with some travel cards with lower fees.

» MORE: How to choose a travel credit card

More specific categories for 0% interest promotions

Out: best 0% intro apr and balance transfer credit card, in: separating that one category into two.

In 2022, we combined cards with 0% interest offers on new purchases and balance transfer cards into one category. And for good reason: At the onset of the pandemic, balance transfer offers all but disappeared as banks tightened their belts amid uncertain economic conditions. But balance transfer offers have since come back in a big way. This year, we split this one category into two to better help people select cards that fit the specific task at hand. Of course, some cards, like the ones mentioned below, offer no-interest promotions for both new purchases and balance transfers.

There are two very different purposes for seeking out no-interest offers. If you have a major purchase coming up and want to spread out the cost over a longer period of time, 0% APR promotions for new purchases can give you ample time to make payments without the added cost of interest. With the $0 -annual-fee Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card , you’ll pay 0% intro APR on Purchases for 18 billing cycles and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. You can earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice from a list of options (including gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores or home improvement and furnishings), plus 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% on everything else. There’s a $2,500 quarterly spending cap on the 3% and 2% categories, but you can still earn a respectable cash-back rate on big purchases, like a new sofa, and pay them back over time. 

If you already have high-interest credit card debt, balance transfer cards provide a way to eliminate interest for a set time frame, potentially reducing your total interest payments by hundreds of dollars. The BankAmericard® credit card offers 0% Intro APR for 18 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 16.24% - 26.24% will apply . There’s no sign-up bonus, and your spending won’t earn rewards, so it’s less ideal for new purchases compared with the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card . But if debt payment is your main priority, the $0 -annual-fee BankAmericard® credit card provides the gift of extra time.

» MORE: How to avoid credit card debt — or at least reduce it

The return of credit cards for gas

In years past, gas wasn’t as big a part of many household budgets as other spending. So for several years, we eliminated the gas category from our awards altogether because we found that for many people, the best credit card is one that rewards you well on other spending, too.

But with the spike in gas prices in 2022, more people started looking for ways to save at the pump. The Citi Custom Cash® Card earns 5% cash back on up to $500 in purchases in your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle, and then 1% cash back after you reach that limit (you’ll also earn 1% cash back on all other purchases). Gas is one of the eligible 5% categories, so if you exclusively use this card at the pump, it means you’ll always earn a high rewards rate when you top off the tank. 

Should you ever go car-free, know that you can also earn 5% cash back at restaurants, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment. The card’s annual fee is $0 .

» MORE: NerdWallet’s best gas credit cards

On a similar note...

Find the right credit card for you.

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

10 Travel Credit Cards With The Best Perks For 2024

Unlock travel rewards with every purchase; the top travel credit cards for 2024 offer generous rewards on travel spending, flights, hotels, and more.

• Different travel credit cards cater to various needs and preferences, so prioritize the benefits that matter most to you.
• Some travel credit cards offer valuable perks like travel insurance coverage that regular credit cards do not provide.
• Some of 2024's best credit cards with travel rewards include Bilt Mastercard, Amex Green, and Capital One Venture.

There are many excellent travel credit cards that offer specific benefits to travelers , frequent flyers, and explorers that go beyond those of regular credit cards. With new card options and updates constantly emerging, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but considering key features is a great first step.

Whether you're a travel newbie or a seasoned collector, you'll need to prioritize your needs when researching which credit cards are best for travelers. For instance, do you value premium perks like airport lounges, or are you more focused on a low annual fee?

What about unforeseen, sudden circumstances? For example, imagine if you had to cancel your Barcelona trip due to an unexpected medical emergency; travel credit cards with insurance coverage could help recoup some of those lost flight and hotel costs. You'd likely be stuck with those costs with a regular credit card.

Whatever the case, deciding which benefits matter most will help you navigate the crowded market and find the perfect travel credit card for your adventures. To help travelers choose, here's a roundup of some of the best travel credit cards with the best perks in 2024.

7 Ways To Stay In Hotels For Free

10 bilt mastercard, best for: transfer partners.

While not typically classified as a travel credit card, the Bilt Mastercard offers rewards points transferable to travel partners. This card has no annual fee and earns 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and 1x points on everything else.

Cardholders also benefit from trip cancelation and interruption insurance, auto rental collision and damage waiver, and cell phone protection, along with no foreign transaction fees and a Lyft credit after three rides in a month.

Renters should definitely consider this card because it accumulates rewards and waives transaction fees when used to pay rent. The points are highly valuable whether used on the Bilt travel portal or any of the numerous airline and hotel transfer partners.

In the context of travel rewards credit cards, "transfer partners" refer to loyalty programs of airlines and hotels that your credit card points can be transferred to. This essentially allows you to convert your credit card rewards into miles or points usable with those specific travel programs.

No welcome bonus. Earns points transferable to travel partners

9 Capital One Venture Card

Best for: mid-tier travelers.

The Capital One Venture Card, with its annual fee, is perfect for individuals seeking to maximize their spending without the hassle of tracking bonus categories and spending limits. It earns 5x points on hotels and rental cars booked through the Capital One travel portal and 2x points on all other purchases.

Compared to other travel credit cards in 2024, this one has a larger base reward of 75,000 points, which may be redeemed for travel at one cent per point. You can transfer your points to one of Capital One's 18 travel partners , including international airlines such as Singapore Airlines (voted the best airline in 2023) and British Airways, a feature uncommon among travel credit cards with no annual fee.

75,000 bonus points

8 Capital One Venture X

Best for: frequent travelers.

The Capital One Venture X is an excellent travel credit card with a $359 annual fee and a welcome bonus of 75,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.

This card earns 10x points on hotels and rental cars booked through the Capital One travel portal, 5x points on flights booked through the Capital One travel portal, and 2x points on everything else.

Cardholders receive a $300 travel credit, a 10,000-point anniversary bonus, global entry or TSA pre-check credit, Capital One lounge access, Plaza Premium lounge access, Priority Pass lounge access, travel insurance, and protection.

7 Chase Sapphire Preferred

Best for: travel beginners.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee and a current welcome offer of 60,000 Chase Ultimate Reward points. These points are worth 1.25 cents each, making the welcome offer worth $750. The card earns 5x points on travel purchased through the Chase travel portal, 3x points on dining and online groceries, 2x points on all other travel, and 1x points on everything else.

Cardholders receive a $50 hotel credit for hotels booked through the Chase travel portal, travel insurance and protection, and no foreign transaction fees. One of the more interesting benefits of this card is the ability to transfer points to travel partners.

For individuals who are unfamiliar with travel rewards credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a good place to start as it gives a good mix of benefits that are clear and affordable.

60,000 bonus points

6 Chase Sapphire Reserve

Best for: advanced travelers.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is the more expensive option from Chase, with a $550 annual fee. This card earns 10x points on hotels and rental cars booked through the Chase travel portal, 5x points on flights booked through the travel portal, and 3x points on dining and all other travel.

It is among the best options for travelers seeking worldwide airport lounge access, a high reward rate on their trip, and full travel insurance. The points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel portal, and each point holds a value of 1.5 cents, surpassing the standard 1.0-cent valuation of most travel cards.

This card also offers a $300 travel credit, making it a more attractive option despite the higher annual fee.

Flight Attendant Travel Hacks & Tips That Actually Work

5 wells fargo autograph card, best for: no-fee travelers.

The Wells Fargo Autograph card is ideal for those who travel occasionally and want to earn rewards without an annual fee or reduced cash redemption value. With high bonus rewards for gas, dining, transit, and other travel essentials, it stands out among entry-level travel cards.

Plus, you can swiftly accumulate rewards for travel expenses and transfer points to airline and hotel partners like British Airways Executive Club and Air France/KLM Flying Blue program.

20,000 bonus points

4 Bank Of America Premium Rewards Elite Card

Best for: travel & dining.

The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Card offers a generous 75,000 online bonus points, equivalent to a $750 value, along with up to $550 in combined Airline Incidental, TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry, and Lifestyle Statement Credits. Additionally, cardholders can save 20% on domestic or international airfare for any class when paying with points.

Travel planning is effortless with free access to airport lounges and experiences across the globe via up to four Priority PassTM Select Memberships and a round-the-clock Full-Service Concierge. The card also earns unlimited 2 points for every dollar spent on travel and dining, 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases, and offers flexible redemption options, including travel, cash back, experiences, and more.

3 American Express Green Card

Best for: moderate traveler & points transfer.

This card boasts a $150 annual fee and a welcome bonus of 40,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months . It earns 3x points on travel, dining, and select streaming services, and 1x points on everything else.

Cardholders receive airport lounge access through Priority Pass Select membership, baggage credits, and travel insurance. The Amex Green Card offers trip delay insurance (up to $300 per trip), no foreign transaction fees, car rental insurance, and lets you use points for travel on AmexTravel.com.

30,000 bonus points

2 American Express Gold Card

Best for: foodies & grocers.

This card has a $250 annual fee and a welcome bonus of 90,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months. It earns points at a rate of 4x points on restaurants and groceries (up to $25,000 per year in combined spending), and 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amex Travel.

Cardholders receive a hefty list of benefits, including airport lounge access through Priority Pass Select membership and Amex Centurion Lounges (subject to space availability), Uber credits, travel insurance, and hotel elite status Marriott Bonvoy, and Hilton Honors, perfect for making the most of the best Hilton hotels around the world .

The Amex Gold Card gets you hotel upgrades (when available) and a $100 credit for spa/dining experiences at over 700 hotels, including major hotel chains Hyatt (which has excellent hotels in the US) and Kempinski.

90,000 bonus points

Frequent Flier: Airlines With The Best Points System

1 american express platinum card, best for: frequent flyers & luxury travelers.

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers unparalleled luxury benefits, albeit with a steep $695 annual fee. However, if you prioritize VIP treatment while traveling, the rewards can be substantial. Cardholders gain access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, comprehensive travel insurance, and exclusive hotel amenities such as daily breakfast and complimentary internet access.

There are credits available for baggage fees, in-flight refreshments, and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® enrollment. When booking via American Express Travel, guests staying at Fine Hotels + Resorts® locations for two nights or longer can enjoy benefits valued at almost $600. The card also gives complimentary premium status in Avis Preferred®, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®, and/or National Car Rental® Emerald Club.

This card is highly coveted due to the extensive benefits that can potentially outweigh the high annual fee for frequent travelers.

100,000 bonus points

This is the No. 1 most-recommended travel credit card in America

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If you’re like the vast majority of us, you probably have plans to travel this year. Nearly nine in 10 Americans in a recent TripIt survey said they’ve already traveled in the past three months.  Of those who are planning a vacation in 2023, one in four said they expect to pay for one of those trips with credit card rewards, according to a Forbes Advisor survey. 

To help with that endeavor, we’ve pulled together the 10 most recommended travel rewards credit cards for May 2023 (more details below). To create this ranking, our team scours the internet in search of credit card recommendations from 16 of the most-trusted financial sites in America, including Forbes, The Wall Street Journal’s Buy Side, CNBC, Money, and more (full methodology below). We then rank these accounts based on the total number of recommendations. Here are the top picks:

• Most recommended: Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card
• Best for flat-rate rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Best for high-end travel: Capital One ® Venture X ®
• Best for annual cash: The Platinum Card ® from American Express
• Best for dining rewards: American Express ® Gold Card
• Best for no-fee travel: Discover it® Miles 
• Best for luxury travel: Chase® Sapphire Reserve Card
• Best for occasional travelers: Bank of America ® Travel Rewards credit card
• Best for everyday purchases: Citi Premier® Card
• Best no-fee rewards: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

There is little question rising inflation has left its impact on travel costs this year. The price of  airfare surged 17.7% over the past 12 months, dining out climbed 8.8% and lodging costs rose 7.3%, over the period. That said, NerdWallet credit cards expert Sara Rathner says the right travel card can potentially help offset some of the rising costs. “If you’re loyal to a specific airline or hotel brand, carrying the brand’s credit card can get you access to really helpful extras like free checked bags, priority boarding, discounts on in-flight food and beverage purchases, room upgrades, late checkout and more,” Rathner says, adding however that “if you don’t stick to any one airline or hotel, a general travel rewards credit card can give you a lot of flexibility since you can redeem those points in a variety of ways.”

Most recommended 

Winner: 13 ‘best of awards’

Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card  

A high introductory bonus for newcomers, solid rewards package, and credit available on nearly all facets of travel; it doesn’t take long to see why the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card is the most recommended card of May 2023. There’s even points for Lyft rides and spending at supermarkets. 

Rewards: Earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards ® , excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the card’s $50 Annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, and earn 2x points on all other travel. You can also earn 5x points on Lyft rides when you travel through March 31, 2025 (or 3 points in addition to the 2x points earned for travel. For streaming services and online supermarket purchases, you can earn 3x points, and 1x point for each dollar spent on all other purchases. 

Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points — the equivalent of $1,000 — toward travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards ® when you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. 

Annual fee: $95

Regular APR: 20.74% to 27.74%, variable APR based on creditworthiness. 

Intro APR: None

Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is higher

Foreign transaction fee: None

Credit requirements: 670-850 (Good to Excellent)

• Good bonus for newcomers 
• Flexible redemption options 
• Good travel coverage
• High intro bonus 
• Dining rewards
• Has an annual fee
• Complex rewards package
• Does not offer Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• No intro APR
• Best rates are only for bookings through Chase

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

It doesn’t take long to see why this card from Capital One was one of the most recommended for March. With unlimited two miles per $1 on every purchase and five miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars, the points here add up fast. What’s more, new cardholders can also earn 40,000 bonus miles for spending $1,000 in the first three months of opening an account.

Rewards rate: 2 unlimited miles per $1 on every purchase and 5 unlimited miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

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

Regular APR: 20.74%, 25.74% or 28.74% variable APR based on creditworthiness. 

Intro APR: N/A

Balance transfer fee: 0% at the regular transfer APR

• Good rewards package
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit up of to $100 every 4 years
• Comes with travel accident and car rental insurance
• 3% fee on transferred balances that post to your account during a promotional APR period
• No introductory APR
• $95 annual fee
• Rental car insurance is secondary

Best for high-end travel - Capital One® Venture X®

This card from Capital One really has it all. Earn points for hotels, flights and all other purchases; take advantage of its solid sign-up bonus; and enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges for you and your guests. There is also a premium rental car program with Hertz and rewards for hotels when booked through Capital One Travel. All in all, we really love the Capital One ® Venture X ® credit card and it’s easy to see why it’s so highly recommended. 

Rewards: Unlimited 2x miles on all eligible purchases, 5x on flights, and 10x on hotels and rental cars when booked through the Capital One ® Travel portal. Receive a $100 credit on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ® and a $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel. Just for resigning, the Capital One ® Venture X ® also delivers an additional 10,000 miles, equal to $100, after your first year. 

Welcome bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of opening an account

Annual fee: $395

Regular APR: 21.74%, 25.74% or 28.74% variable APR based on your creditworthiness. 

Balance transfer fee: None at the transfer APR 

Credit requirements: 740-850 (Excellent)

• Unlimited miles 
• Good travel credits and perks
• Access to Hertz President’s Circle for car rentals
• Access to Capital One Lounges for you and 2 guests per visit
• High requirements for sign-up bonus
• Excellent credit required

Best for annual cash - The Platinum Card® from American Express

Yes this card has one of the highest annual fees in the ranking, but it may just be what you’re looking for. Like most travel rewards cards, this one comes with points for flights and hotels, and also cash back on entertainment as well as online and in-person shopping rewards at Walmart; all of which can add up to as much as $1,500 in annual statement credits. In addition, there is a sizable sign-up bonus and you can also apply for a preferred metal card design.  Enrollment required for select benefits. Terms apply. See rates and fees. 

Rewards: Earn a $200 hotel credit, $200 airline fee credit, $155 Walmart+ credit, $240 digital entertainment credit, $200 in Uber Cash, $300 Equinix Credit and SoulCycle at-home bike credit, each year. You can also earn a $189 CLEAR credit to help move faster through security checkpoints and a $100 statement credit annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com.

Welcome bonus: Earn 125,000 Membership Rewards ® points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership. You can also earn either the classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu metal card design.

Annual fee: $695

Regular APR: 20.74% to 28.74% variable APR based on creditworthiness and other factors determined at the time of account opening. 

Balance transfer fee: N/A

• Large number of travel credit and perk options
• Points are transferable to airlines including Delta Airlines
• Great sign-up bonus 
• WIde range of airline and hotel partners 
• Annual fee is among the highest in the category
• Limited bonus categories 
• Redeeming and maximizing credits can be complicated 

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

Best for dining rewards - American Express® Gold Card

Earn points for flights, rides and shopping with this top-ranked credit card. Rewards here are also good at restaurants and on takeout and deliveries in the U.S., grocery shopping at U.S. supermarkets, and all other everyday purchases. Cardholders also have access to premium seating at cultural and sporting events. Enrollment required for select benefits. Terms apply. See rates and fees . 

Rewards: 4x Membership Rewards ® points at restaurants around the world and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases) per year. 3x Membership Rewards ® points for flights booked with amextravel.com and 1x point on all other purchases. There is a $120 dining credit and $120 annual Uber Cash credit for both rides in the U.S. and food purchases on UberEats. 

Welcome bonus: 90,000 Membership Rewards ® points — depending on the offer — after spending $4,000 within the first six months of card membership. 

Annual fee: $250

Regular APR: 20.74% to 28.74% variable APR based on creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. 

• Points are transferable to various airlines including Delta Airlines
• Good rewards for U.S. supermarkets
• $120 dining credit
• $120 Uber Cash
• Points at U.S. supermarkets 
• Relatively pricey annual fee
• Few travel perks
• Rewards must be redeems via amextravel.com
• $250 annual fee

Best for no-fee travel - Discover it® Miles

Earn 1.5x miles for every dollar spent and the balance never expires. Miles used here are also redeemable for hotel rooms, rental cars, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more without blackout dates. Even more, Discover also matches your miles earned at the end of the first year, so be sure to use this one a lot right out of the gate.

Rewards: Earn 1.5x miles on every dollar with purchases and redeem miles to pay any part of your monthly bill, including your minimum payment.

Welcome bonus: Welcome offer matches every mile you earn at the end of your first year

Annual fee: $0

Regular APR: 16.74% to 27.74% variable APR

Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months from date of account opening that post to your account by  June 10, 2023, then the standard purchase APR of 16.49% variable to 27.49% variable applies, based on your creditworthiness.

Balance transfer fee: 3% intro fee for the amount of each transfer that posts to your account by Aug. 10, 2023 with the previously mentioned 0% intro APR balance transfer offer. After that, the rate becomes 5% of the amount of each transfer.

Foreign transaction fee: N/A

• No annual fee
• First year miles match is a unique bonus offer
• No blackout dates
• Redeem rewards for cash back
• No limit for earning miles
• Earned miles do not expire 
• Rewards are not as good after the first year
• Miles can be transferred to airline frequent-flyer programs
• Does not include Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit offerings
• No access to airport lounges

Best for luxury travel 

Winner: 9 ‘best of awards’

Chase ® Sapphire Reserve Card

If you don’t mind paying the annual fee, the Chase ® Sapphire Reserve Card just might be the tool for you. With this card in your wallet, you can easily earn cash towards travel and points for flights, hotels and dining, and a whole lot more. This one ultimately pays for itself with its high rewards package and attractive introductory offer. It’s easy to see why this credit card is among the most recommended on the market. 

Rewards: Earn $300 in statement credits as reimbursement for travel purchases each year. After meeting that threshold, earn an additional 5x points on flights when you use Chase Ultimate Rewards ® card, 10x points on hotels and car rentals, and 3x points on all other travel purchases. Your points are also worth 50% more when you redeem them via the Ultimate Rewards. There are also 10x points on Chase Dining SM and 1x point per dollar spent on all other purchases. What’s more, receive Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ® or NEXUS Fee Credit access, earn exclusive reservations at popular restaurants, 10x points on Lyft, complimentary DoorDash and DashPass subscriptions, a $10 monthly statement credit from Gopuff, as well as VIP access and early ticket sales to sporting events, festivals and more.

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points — the equivalent of $900 — toward travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards ® when you spend $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.  

Annual fee: $550; and additional $75 for each authorized user

Regular APR: 21.74% to 28.74% variable APR based on your creditworthiness. 

Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

• Great travel perks and rewards 
• Point value can be increased by 50% after redeeming through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• Excellent credit required 
• High annual fee

Best for everyday purchases - Citi Premier® Card

In addition to earning solid points at airports and hotels, the Citi Premier ® Card also comes with a large lineup of everyday perks. To be sure, redeemable points here amount to 3x for every $1 spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and even matches on other purchases. Just be sure to qualify for the intro bonus and claim your $600 in gift cards to add to your perks.

Rewards: Earn 3x points per dollar at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels; and 1x point per dollar on all other purchases. There is also a $100 annual hotel savings benefit for this card when you spend $500 or more when booked through thankyou.com.

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening and redeem them for travel rewards or in the form of a $600 gift card at thankyou.com.

Regular APR: 20.74% to 28.74% variable APR based on your creditworthiness

Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

• Great lineup of travel partners
• Earn points for everyday purchases
• Contactless pay option
• Travel insurance is not offered

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

The points here are pretty straightforward. Earn 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases everywhere. What makes this card unique is you can also redeem your point for statement credits to pay for travel and dining purchases. 

Rewards: Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent

Welcome bonus: Earn 25,000 online bonus points after making a minimum of $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. That can be redeemed as a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.

Regular APR: 17.74% to 27.74% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days. After that the variable APR will be 17.74% to 27.74%. 

Balance transfer fee: 3% of the amount of each transaction

• Flexible redemption policy
• No annual fees
• Rewards program is not as travel-focused as other options
• Not the best sign-up bonus offer

Best no-fee rewards - Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

This is one of the most comprehensive plans for earning travel points available today. Earn a high 3x rewards points for every $1 on travel (hotels, motels, timeshares, car rentals, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites and campgrounds), transit (rail, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways, parking and garages), gas (including both gas stations and electric charging stations), dining (restaurants, drinking places and fast food), phone plans and popular streaming services (including Apple TV+, Sling TV, Prime Video and more ). All other purchases earn 1x points for every $1 spent.

Rewards: Unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas and transit, as well as on streaming services and cell phone plans, and 1x on all other purchases. 

Welcome bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points (a $200 cash value) when you spend $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening

Regular APR: 

Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening and a variable APR afterwards of 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74%, based on your creditworthiness.

Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, or whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that it is 5% for each transfer with a $5 minimum

• No membership fees
• 3x points for ever dollar spent is among the highest available ways to earn
• $600 cell phone protection against damage or theft with a low $25 deductible
• No foreign transaction fees
• No intro APR bonus for balance transfers
• 5% balance transfer fee after the 120 intro period

Our methodology for choosing travel rewards credit cards

To create this ranking, our team scours the internet in search of credit card recommendations from industry experts to bring you the very best of the best, including Forbes , The Wall Street Journal , NerdWallet , Business Insider , CNN , CNBC , Bankrate , Money , U.S. News , WalletHub , The Ascent/Motley Fool , CreditCards.com , Compare Credit , Credit Karma , Value Penguin and LendingTree . We then rank these accounts based on the total number of recommendations. Winners are determined by the number of times they appear on any of these experts’ lists. Simply put, credit cards that appear the most will be deemed the winner! In the event of a tie, we select our choice for the card with the best deal. 

What is a rewards credit card? 

Credit cards that are most commonly known as rewards credit cards offer some kind of benefit for its use. Typically these rewards include cash back, points or miles earned when you spend money on the card. There are of course limits with these rewards and you are often given a variety of ways to use or spend these rewards — often with gift cards, dollars or points. 

What is an annual percentage rate (APR)?

The annual percentage rate, also known as the APR, is the yearly interest that is charged to credit card holders or borrowers. This is essentially the cost of funds over the term of a loan or income earned on any given investment, including fees or any other costs that come with a given transaction. 

How is APR calculated?

The calculation for APR is made by multiplying the periodic interest rate by the number of periods in a given year that it should be applied. Here is a helpful calculation provided by Investopedia: 

APR=((Fees+Interest Principal/n)×365)×100

Interest=Total interest paid over life of the loan

Principal=Loan amount

n=Number of days in loan term

How much can I expect to pay in interest with an average credit card? 

The average credit card interest rate today is 24.10%, according to a Forbes report .  If you had a credit card balance of $500 at 24.10% APR, you would theoretically owe $10 in interest at the end of a 30-day billing cycle period. Check out this useful calculator from NerdWallet for help running the numbers on your own credit card balances. 

How often do rates change? 

First, it’s important to understand the three types of interest rates for credit cards: variable, fixed and promotional. The frequency at which credit card interest rates change depends on the type of rate a credit card has:

• Variable rates: The interest rate for a card with a variable rate fluctuates over time because it is tied to a benchmark interest rate or index that periodically changes. 
• Fixed rates: A fixed rate remains stable during a set period of time and can sometimes become variable at the end of the period. These rates do not fluctuate due to inflation or changes in the prime index.
• Promotional : Credit cards that offer a promotional rate typically require that you meet some sort of balance requirement to earn a temporary interest rate. Much like a fixed rate offer, these promotional periods typically come to an end and one day revert back to a variable rate. 

How do I choose the best credit card?

Choosing the best credit card for your needs really comes down to preference and how much you intend to spend. Some key factors to consider here are fees, interest rates, your credit score and your monthly spending habits. The annual percentage rate (APR), which changes depending on the bank and card you ultimately choose, will also vary based on your score; the higher your score, the better the rate you will receive. 

What is a good credit score? 

Anything from 670 to 739 is considered a good credit score. Scores from 580 to 669 are considered fair; 740 to 799 are considered very good; and 800 and up are considered excellent.

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• Travel insurance plans

Tin Leg Travel Insurance Cost

Compare tin leg travel insurance.

• Why You Should Trust Us

Tin Leg Travel Insurance: An In-Depth Review

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.

Before finalizing your travel plans, look into various insurance policies to safeguard yourself against potential risks. Travel insurance is an invaluable resource that can protect you from many unforeseen issues, but not all companies provide the same level of coverage. And some companies' policies may cost more than others.

That's where Tin Leg Travel Insurance comes in. Created by travel agency Squaremouth, Tin Leg Travel Insurance offers eight different plans with varying coverage levels and benefits, with the option to add Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage to select plans. Keep reading to see if Tin Leg Travel Insurance is the right travel insurance for you.

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. Policy coverage includes most pre-existing health conditions
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical and evacuation amounts for peace of mind
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. COVID coverage included by default on all insurance plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a wide range of plans for various budgets and travel needs
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans offer CFAR, “cancel for work reasons,” financial default, and unemployment coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited add-on coverage options
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage loss and delay coverage is low compared to competitors

Tin Leg travel insurance offers eight travel insurance plans to meet the unique needs of travelers.

• Tin Leg was founded in 2014 by the travel insurance industry experts at Squaremouth. Designed to meet the most common needs of travelers, these policies offer comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, and a range of Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation limits.

Overview of Tin Leg Travel Insurance

Tin Leg Travel Insurance is a travel insurance provider founded in 2014 by travel insurance aggregator SquareMouth. With eight different plans, Tin Leg Travel Insurance is one of the providers listed in our guide on the best travel insurance companies , specifically for travelers with pre-existing conditions. We chose Tin Leg Travel Insurance because seven of its eight plans offer pre-existing condition waivers, with a 15-day purchase window and no extra cost.

That said, Tin Leg Travel Insurance has other coverages that are noteworthy. Its coverage limits for emergency evacuation go up to $1 million, which is great particularly if you have nautical travel plans as water-to-land rescues can be costly.

Additionally, sports equipment loss is included with seven of Tin Leg Travel Insurance's eight plans. However, you will need to call for more information on adventure sports, as Tin Leg Travel Insurance doesn't guarantee coverage.

Tin Leg's Travel Insurance Plans

Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance offers eight travel insurance plans: Economy, Basic, Standard, Luxury, Adventure, Silver, Platinum, and Gold. Each plan offers varying levels of protection that correspond to the premium costs.

Here's a look at what you'll get with each plan. We've split the eight plans into two tables to make things easier to follow.

Here's how the Adventure, Silver, Platinu, and Gold plans compare:

Additional Coverage Options

Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance offers additional coverage options, but they're only available on specific plans.

You can add rental car damage coverage to the Luxury plan for an additional fee. And both the Gold and Silver plans allow you to add on CFAR (cancel for any reason) coverage . With CFAR coverage travel insurance, you can cancel for any reason not listed in the base policy and be reimbursed — in the case of Tin Leg Travel Insurance, for 75% of your trip costs.

How to Purchase and Manage Your Tin Leg Policy

Travel insurance coverage varies greatly, and  the amount you pay reflects the range of protection . However, since travel insurance protects your financial investment, it's typically worth spending a few extra dollars for higher coverage maximums, especially for medical insurance and evacuation expenses.

Getting a quote from Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance is an easy process. You can do so from their website or an insurance aggregator like SquareMouth. You should be prepared to provide the following information:

• Number of travelers
• Age of traveler(s)
• Duration of trip
• Whether you want trip cancellation coverage
• Date of booking
• If you have any trip payments left to make
• One country you're traveling to
• Country of residence/citizenship

After inputting some personal information, such as your age and state of residence, along with your trip details, like travel dates, destination, and trip costs, you'll get an instant quote for the plans available for your trip. And from there, it's easy to compare each option based on your coverage needs and budget.

Now let's look at a few examples to estimate Tin Leg Travel Insurance's coverage costs.

As of April 2024, a 23-year-old from Illinois taking a week-long, $3,000 budget trip to Italy would have the following  Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance quotes:

Premiums for Tin Leg Travel Insurance plans are between 1.8% and 3.9% of the trip's cost, well below the average cost of travel insurance . It's also relatively cheap compared to many of its competitors

Tin Leg Travel Insurance provides the following quotes for a 30-year-old traveler from California heading to Japan for two weeks on a $4,000 trip:

Once again, premiums for Tin Leg Travel Insurance plans are between 3.4% and 5.2%, below the average cost for travel insurance.

A 65-year-old couple looking to escape New Jersey for Mexico for two weeks with a trip cost of $6,000 would have the following Tin Leg Travel Insurance quotes:

Premiums for Tin Leg Travel Insurance plans are between 6.9% and 9.4%, which is roughly in line with the average cost for travel insurance. This is to be expected, as travel insurance is often more expensive for older travelers.

How to File a Claim with Tin Leg Travel Insurance

One exceptionally nice aspect of Tin Leg Travel Insurance is that you can report a claim online or over the phone. You can contact Tin Leg Travel Insurance's claims department at 844-240-1233 or by email at [email protected] . It's available on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET.

You'll be asked to fill out a claims form that asks about your trip details and the issue you faced. Tin Leg Travel Insurance will then ask you to file supporting documents related to your claim. If you're filing a claim because you canceled a flight due to an illness, they'll likely require medical documentation that supports this claim. 

Tin Leg Customer Service and Support Experience

Tin Leg Travel Insurance is well reviewed, receiving an average of 4.6 stars out of five on SquareMouth across nearly 3,800 reviews. Reviews on its Better Business Bureau are consistent with its SquareMouth score, also averaging 4.6 stars across over 110 reviews, admittedly a limited sample size. Additionally, Tin Leg Travel Insurance is not certified with the BBB.

While most customers reported a smooth and speedy claims service, some noted that communication from Tin Leg Travel Insurance during the process can be spotty. Additionally, customers complained about their claims being denied due to requirements they were unaware of when purchasing coverage. One customer wrote about how they had to cancel a trip because of work, but hadn't been working at their company long enough to qualify for trip cancellation coverage.

See how Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance stacks up against the competition. 

Tin Leg Travel Insurance vs. AIG Travel Guard

To compare Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance to Travel Guard , we'll consider the coverage limits from their highest-rated, Gold and Travel Guard Deluxe plans, respectively.

With AIG Travel Guard's Deluxe plan, you'll get:

• Trip cancellation coverage up to $150,000
• Trip interruption coverage up to $225,000
• Emergency medical coverage of $100,000
• Coverage for baggage loss, theft, or damage up to $2,500
• Travel delay coverage of up to $1,000

Comparing those coverages with Tin Leg Travel Insurance's Gold plan, you'll see that AIG's coverages are better than Tin Leg Travel Insurance's in all areas except one – emergency medical. While AIG offers emergency medical coverage of $100,000, Tin Leg Travel Insurance's coverage limit is $500,000 (in primary coverage).

If the medical coverage piece is what's most important to you, Tin Leg Travel Insurance would be the right choice in this scenario. That said, having $100,000 in emergency medical coverage is nothing to scoff at, so it may come down to comparing premium costs.

Remember that the premium costs will depend on the traveler's age, trip destination, and trip cost. So you'll need to compare these two insurers using your trip-specific information to get a solid idea of the costs associated with each plan.

Read our AIG Travel Guard insurance review here.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance vs. Allianz Travel Insurance

Both Allianz Travel Insurance and Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance offer a variety of travel insurance plans designed for different types of travelers with varying types and degrees of coverage.

In this comparison, we'll look at Allianz Travel Insurance's most popular single-trip plan, the OneTrip Prime plan, compared to Tin Leg Travel Insurance's Basic plan.

With Allianz Travel Insurance's most popular single-trip OneTrip Prime plan, you'll get:

• Up to $100,000 in trip cancellation coverage
• Up to $150,000 in trip interruption coverage
• $50,000 in emergency medical coverage
• Up to $1,000 in coverage for baggage loss, theft, or damage
• Up to $800 in travel delay coverage

In looking at Tin Leg Travel Insurance's basic plan, you'll find that these two policies offer the same $50,000 coverage limit for emergency medical. Still, Allianz Travel Insurance's plan exceeds Tin Leg Travel Insurance's in the other coverage limits. That said, you'll have to quote both of these policies using your personal trip information to make an informed decision, especially if cost is the most important factor to you.

Read our  Allianz travel insurance review here.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance vs. Credit Card Travel Insurance

Do you have a travel credit card? If so, consider the type of insurance coverage it may (or may not) offer. Some basic coverages, like primary rental car insurance, are provided through your credit card's travel protection . And if you don't need medical coverage or don't have a lot of non-refundable trip expenses, the coverage offered by your credit card could suffice.

That said, don't forget that credit card coverage is sometimes considered secondary coverage. That means you'll have to file a claim with any other applicable insurer before filing a claim with your credit card company.

Read our guide on the best credit cards with travel insurance here.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance FAQs

All policies except Economy cover pre-existing medical conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 15 days of trip deposit.

You have 14 days after you purchase your policy to refund your Tin Leg Travel Insurance policy, as long as you haven't left for your trip. 

All Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance policies include 24/7 emergency assistance services.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance claims can be submitted online or over the phone at 844-240-1233 during business hours. You'll need to provide details about your trip and the problem that arose during your trip. The claims process is quick, according to customer reviews, but be sure to review your policy for guideline related to claims. 

Yes, all tiers of Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance offer cancellation coverage if you or a non-traveling loved one contracts COVID-19, though you will need to provide a positive test to receive reimbursement. 

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Tin Leg

To review Tin Leg Travel Insurance travel insurance, we looked at several different factors. These included premium costs, coverage categories, and claim limits. In addition, we compared the policies and premiums available through Tin Leg Travel Insurance to those from the best travel insurance providers to see how they stack up — and also considered any additional add-on coverages available and the ease of getting a quote and filing a claim.

In the end, the best policy for you will be the one that provides the coverage you need and limits you're comfortable with while also staying within budget.

Read more about how Business Insider rates insurance products here.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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