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• Our top picks
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• 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. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
• 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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Best travel credit cards of May 2024

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

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

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Bankrate's Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

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

Travel credit card perks

How do credit card points and miles work.

• Expert advice on travel cards

How we assess the best travel credit cards

• Frequently asked questions
• Ask the experts

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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

Intro offer

Earn 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℠.

Offer valuation

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

Rewards rate

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

Regular APR

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

What we love: This popular card comes loaded with features that can make it easy even for occasional travelers to offset the modest $95 annual fee without eating into hard-earned rewards. Plus, its rewards program is one of the best, giving you some of the most valuable travel redemptions — through both Chase and transfer partners — and Chase card pairing opportunities if you want to build your card portfolio eventually. Learn more: Why expert Margaret Weck loves using the Chase Sapphire Preferred Alternatives: The Citi Premier® Card not only has a comparable sign-up bonus and the same annual fee as the Sapphire Preferred, but also covers even more everyday categories, including  supermarkets and gas stations, potentially making it a better fit as a standalone rewards card. 

• You earn Ultimate Rewards points with this card — some of the most valuable and flexible rewards around, especially if you pair it with Chase’s cash back cards in the future.
• The card touts significant long-term benefits like anniversary bonus points and travel credits, as well as travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and a car rental collision damage waiver.
• Doesn’t offer airline- or hotel-specific perks like free checked bags, elite status or free night stays.
• The sign-up bonus is decent, but the card has previously offered higher, chart-topping bonus points.
• Earn 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

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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

2 Miles - 5 Miles

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

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

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

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

The Platinum Card® from American Express

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.

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

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

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

• Comes with a generous welcome offer and a longer time period to earn it compared to most rewards cards.
• A robust line-up of airline and hotel partners and related perks make this card truly valuable for travelers.
• The $695 annual fee may not be worth it if you don’t spend much on travel frequently or can’t take full advantage of the card’s luxury — and often niche — perks.
• Redeeming and maximizing the card’s credit and benefits requires some legwork and can be a bit confusing.
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on 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

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

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

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

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

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

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

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

1.25 Miles - 5 Miles

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

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

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

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

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
• Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• 1.5X Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.

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

• Its easy-to-earn sign-up bonus and intro APR offers give this card good short-term value.
• No annual fees or foreign transaction fees sweeten this offer.
• It only offers 1.5X points on purchases, and you can’t transfer points can’t to airline partners for more rewards value, so it may not be as lucrative as competing cards.
• The top tiers of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program may be out of reach for many cardholders.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 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

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

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

• 3X Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
• 3X Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
• 1X Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases

What we love: This mid-level travel card packs a high rewards rate on both travel and everyday spending, making it a great standalone rewards option for everyday spenders who want to pay an easily justifiable annual fee. In fact, the card includes an annual hotel credit that can offset the card’s annual fee on its own. Learn more: Read why travel podcaster Julia Menez loves the Citi Premier Card Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card boasts fewer everyday bonus categories, but it may offer more valuable rewards, perks and travel protections. Chase points are worth 25 percent more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠.

• Offers some of the best rates for a variety of daily expenses like dining, groceries and gas, making the card a good option for less frequent travelers.
• Citi has a robust line-up of travel partners, making it a valuable partner alongside Citi’s cash back cards.
• Doesn’t carry some key perks that competing cards offer, like travel insurance or notable travel benefits beyond the annual hotel credit.
• Budget-conscious customers might balk at the annual fee, especially if they won’t get much use from the hotel credit.
• 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

• 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

2 Miles - 10 Miles

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

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

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

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

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

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

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

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

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

• Boasts several valuable travel perks, including priority boarding, a free first checked bag and specialized annual credits for select rideshare services and reservations with Delta Stays and Resy.
• Gets you closer to Medallion Status and discounts on in-flight purchases, complimentary upgrades, and more.
• Its rewards rate on non-travel purchases is lacking — a general-purpose travel card could potentially offer better rewards value and flexibility for rewards travel outside Delta.
• No longer offers complimentary Delta Sky Club lounge access as of this year, although airport lounge access is a staple perk for premium travel cards.
• Receive a Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Resy Credit: With the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Resy Credit, earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
• $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment Required.
• Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
• Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive $100 back for Global Entry or up to $85 back for TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
• $350 Annual Fee.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

Offer valuation is not available for this credit card.

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

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

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

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

Hilton Honors American Express Card

• Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.

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

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

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

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

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

• Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

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

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

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

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

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

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

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

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

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

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

Discover it® Miles

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

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

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

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

• All miles earned in your first year will be matched at the end of the year, which could make it one of the most valuable first-year offers for no annual fee.
• Miles don’t lose value when they’re redeemed for cash back, which gives it a leg up over many travel rewards programs for occasional travelers.
• You’ll miss out on pretty standard travel perks like travel insurance, and car rental damage protection.
• The rewards structure lacks flexibility; you won’t be able to transfer your miles or use them to book travel.
• Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
• No annual fee
• Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 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

• Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bilt Mastercard®

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

1X Points - 3X Points

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

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

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

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

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

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

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

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

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

• The $95 annual fee is relatively affordable for this card category thanks to the up to $100 in yearly airline incidental statement credits.
• You can smooth out your travel experience with great benefits like credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and comprehensive travel insurance.
• Attaining the highest rewards rate is not an easy feat, since you’ll need to hold significant funds in Bank of America accounts.
• This card does not offer a few popular premium travel perks like lounge access.
• 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®

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℠.

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

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

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

• You can kickstart your rewards bank with one of the most valuable sign-up bonuses on the market.
• Its top-tier benefits include up to $300 in annual travel statement credits, Priority Pass airport lounge access, exhaustive travel protections and stand-out partner perks.
• The card’s cost could be a deterrent for some new cardholders, especially if they plan on encountering adding multiple authorized users.
• You won’t get as many luxury hotel and airport lounge perks with this card as you would with some of its rivals.
• Earn 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

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

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

Compare Bankrate's best travel credit cards of 2024

What are travel credit cards.

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

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

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

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

Tips on choosing the best travel credit card for you

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

How to choose a travel credit card

1. know how you prefer to travel.

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

2. Prioritize redemption value

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

3. Match your card to your spending habits

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

4. Note what's worth the extra money

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

5. Look toward your next trip abroad

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

Co-branded travel cards vs. general travel cards

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

• Co-branded cards
• General travel cards

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

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

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

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

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

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

Who should get a travel credit card?

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

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

Frequent travelers

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

Travel beginners

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

Brand loyalists

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

Business travelers

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

International travelers

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

Luxury travelers

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

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

Here’s how a Bankrate editor chose his travel card

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

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

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

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

Travel insurance

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

Travel credits

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

In-flight perks

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

Free hotel award nights

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

Airport lounge access

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

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

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

What people say about travel credit cards perks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What are your points and miles worth?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When to use rewards vs. cash

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

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

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

Bankrate experts share their advice on using travel credit cards

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

Combine cards to maximize rewards

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

Expert Insight:

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

Maximize your rewards value with transfer partners and issuer travel

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

Expert Insight

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

Make the most of your travel perks

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

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

Plan for the sign-up bonus

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

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

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

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

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

Track your spending and rewards each account statement

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are some of the key factors that we considered:

Great rewards value

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

To estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings, we first calculate its average rewards rate based on how much it earns in different bonus categories and how closely its categories align with the average person’s spending habits. In other words, we assess whether the card earns rewards at a high rate in the most popular spending categories. 

We use consumer spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to get a reliable third-party measure of people’s spending habits. The most recent BLS data estimates average total spending in 2022 was $72,967 per consumer. We then narrow our focus to which purchases are likely to be put on a credit card and earn rewards, subtracting expenditures like housing, vehicle purchases and education. This gives us a total “chargeable” annual spend of around $25,500.  

This includes the following spending by category:

• Groceries: $5,700
• Dining out: $3,600
• Entertainment: $2,400
• Gas: $3,100
• Apparel and services: $1,900

Using this data, we assign a weighting to each of a card’s bonus categories. For example, a card’s grocery rewards rate receives a 22 percent weighting based on how much of the average person’s budget is spent on groceries.

We also estimate the redemption value of points or miles from various issuer, airline and hotel rewards programs.

This weighting and rewards valuation allows us to estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings — how many points or miles you’d earn with a given card if your spending was about average and you used the card for all of your purchases — as well as what those points are worth. We also use point valuations to determine a card’s sign-up bonus value

With these calculations complete, we assign each card a score based on how its average rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value, rewards rate and redemption value stack up against other rewards cards.

The better these values, the higher its score will be, making it more worthy of inclusion in our list and increasing its potential ranking.

Reasonable rates and fees

We also score cards based on how much it costs to keep them in your wallet or carry a balance. 

To start, each card is scored based on whether it offers an intro APR and how its ongoing APR compares to the rates available on other rewards cards. However, the latter rating only has a slight influence on the card’s score and whether the card is included in our list, since rewards card users generally try to avoid carrying a balance.

More important to both a card’s score and its inclusion in our list is how its annual fee influences its overall value. We consider a card’s annual fee in two ways — how it ranks relative to the fees you’ll find on other cards in the category and how it impacts a card’s overall rewards value. 

Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value. However, if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score and a spot in our list even if it carries a high annual fee. After all, the highest rewards rates and most valuable perks are often found on cards with annual fees. 

With this in mind, we rate a card based primarily on how its ongoing rewards value and ongoing perk value (such as annual credits or bonuses) stack up against those of other cards in the category when you subtract annual fees.

That said, we strive to include as many no-annual-fee options in our list as possible since many people would rather not worry about offsetting fees, even if a card carries impressive rewards and perks.

Redemption flexibility

Rewards cards may make it easy to earn a lot of points, miles or cash back, but how easy is it to use those rewards? After all, if it takes a ton of effort to redeem rewards or you can only redeem rewards in a couple of ways, a card may be more trouble than it’s worth. 

As such, we rate each card’s flexibility based on the restrictions it imposes on earning and redeeming rewards. We factor this rating into a card’s overall score and consider it when deciding on a card’s inclusion in our list. 

Flexibility factors include whether a card only allows you to earn a high rewards rate on only a small amount of spending or requires you to meet a certain earning threshold before you can redeem rewards. We also examine whether your points are worth less when you opt for some redemption options over others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to travel partners.

Valuable perks

We also score each card’s set of features – its perks and benefits — against five tiers of features to provide a rating. 

We break down these tiers as follows:

• Tier 1 includes fewer features than even standard credit cards (for example, an ultra-streamlined card that offers basic utility and next to nothing in the way of ancillary benefits). 
• Tier 2 includes the benefits you’d expect on standard Visa or Mastercard credit cards, such as free access to your credit score, car rental insurance and $0 liability for fraudulent charges. 
• Tier 3 includes “prime card” or better-than-average card features like cellphone insurance, lost luggage insurance, concierge services and purchase protection. 
• Tier 4 includes luxury features such as airport lounge access, elite status with an airline or hotel and credits for expedited security screening membership programs. 
• Tier 5 includes the sort of exemplary benefits you’ll find on top-tier luxury cards, such as high-value travel credits, cardholder memberships and other unique and valuable perks.

In evaluating the best cards, we tend to favor cards that offer at least Tier 3 benefits, unless they include other unique features that could make up for less-impressive perks.

More information on travel credit cards

Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards, are travel credit cards worth it.

Travel cards can be well worth it since they often have exclusive travel perks like credits for airfare, hotel stays, expedited airport security services and more, as well as complimentary airport lounge access and airline or hotel privileges. However, many of the best travel credit cards come with annual fees. It’s important to at least offset the cost of these cards by taking advantage of the various travel perks and features included on the card. 

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

It’s possible to get a travel credit card with bad or fair credit, but most travel rewards cards are geared toward people with good or excellent credit (a FICO score of at least 670, or a VantageScore of at least 661).

Do travel miles or points expire?

Even though many major credit cards earn rewards that don’t expire, you may lose your points and miles if your account closes or isn’t in good standing. However, some co-branded cards’ rewards may expire if you don’t earn or redeem rewards within a certain timeframe (typically 12 to 36 months after the rewards are earned).

Check out our guide to credit card rewards expiration for a thorough breakdown of several popular issuers’ policies.

Are points or miles better on a credit card?

Whether points or miles offer better value will depend on the specific rewards program and how you redeem rewards. One airline loyalty program may earn miles that offer less than 1 cent each in average redemption value while another program’s points may offer close to 3 cents each on average. Similarly, a hotel card’s points may be worth less than half of a credit card issuer’s rewards points. Some programs offer points with only average baseline redemption value but high value when transferred to a partner airline or hotel. 

Ask the experts: Is it a good idea to have multiple travel credit cards?

Thomas Nitzsche

Stephanie Zito

Erica Sandberg

Financial Educator, Debt and Credit

Whether you should have multiple travel credit cards depends on several factors, including your brand affinity, frequency of travel and ability to pay off your cards in full each month. As a credit counselor, I see many people carrying credit card debt at high interest rates while continuing to make charges to the account for the sake of earning rewards. They lose far more than they earn each month. Having more than one travel credit card could make sense for you if you’re able to maximize your earnings by strategizing spending across each card. Just take into account annual fees and actual interest paid.

Contributor, Personal Finance

If you’re up for managing multiple cards and their benefits, then there are definitely big reward payouts to be had. But if the thought of multiple cards is overwhelming, it’s also a good strategy to have one or two more flexible cards and focus on maximizing your earnings and redemptions until it becomes second nature.

Contributor, Credit Cards

Definitely! I currently have two travel credit cards. In addition to the Chase card that I use for my United Airlines purchases, I have the Capital One Venture card for all other airlines. I earn a solid amount of miles on everything I buy with it, so it's an easy go-to for non-travel related expenses.

Article sources

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.

Global entry: Trusted traveler enrollment program . U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Accessed on Feb. 21, 2024

Discover International acceptance . Discover. Accessed on Feb. 21, 2024.

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.

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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

Discover will match all the Miles earned for all new cardmembers at the end of your first year.

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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10 Best Personal Card Welcome Bonus Offers in April 2024

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Since credit card welcome bonus offers are constantly changing, and the value of certain point programs can vary drastically, we’ve put together this monthly guide to keep you up to date on which cards are currently offering the best welcome offers.

* This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by Upgraded Points after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability, and how much Upgraded Points would pay to buy these points. ** Calculated as bonus points divided by the dollars spent to achieve the bonus.

Best Personal Credit Card Welcome Bonus Offers Card Details

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment ( airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit )
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
• Access to Amex International Airline Program
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates and fees )
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• 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.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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• Amex Platinum 150k Welcome Bonus Offer
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• Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Not only does the Amex Platinum card have one of the best welcome offers , but it is also one of the best travel rewards cards that you can apply for. While it does charge a large annual fee, frequent travelers are more than able to make up for the expense thanks to the various credits it offers. Cardholders get hotel and rental car elite status , and the fact that it is the best credit card for airport lounge access — including access to Amex Centurion Lounges , Priority Pass lounges (upon enrollment), Plaza Premium Lounges , and many more.

Check out some of the best ways to redeem the Amex Platinum card’s welcome offer .

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
• Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• 10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• Add authorized users for no additional annual fee ( rates & fees )
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees )
• $395 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Capital One Miles

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• Choice Privileges Loyalty Program Review

The Capital One Venture X card is a great all-in-one premium rewards card thanks to perks like 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel , 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and an uncapped 2x miles on all other purchases.

Plus, you’ll receive lounge access to Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges , and Capital One Lounges , a $300 annual travel credit , 10,000 annual bonus miles , cell phone protection , and more.

Look at all the best ways you can put the Capital One Venture X card welcome offer to good use.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card   is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• Access to Capital One transfer partners
• $95 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Limited elite benefits
• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• How To Find the 75k or 100k Bonus for the Capital One Venture
• Travel Insurance Benefits of the Capital One Venture
• Capital One Venture Card vs. Capital One VentureOne Card [Detailed Comparison]
• Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Capital One Venture
• Best Travel Credit Cards
• Best Everyday Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards for Groceries and Supermarkets
• Best Credit Card Sign Up Bonuses
• Capital One vs. Citi Credit Cards – Which Is Best? [2024]
• Recommended Minimum Requirements for Capital One Credit Cards

Playing little brother to the Capital One Venture X card is the Capital One Venture card . While it doesn’t offer all the bells and whistles of the premium version, it currently has the same great welcome offer and plenty of solid perks.

It also earns an uncapped 2x miles on all purchases, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and more.

Need more redemption ideas? Read our full guide on the best ways to redeem Capital One miles .

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

The American Express ® Gold Card  is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
• Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com , Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
• Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash : get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
• No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees )
• Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
• Access to American Express transfer partners
• $250 annual fee (see rates and fees )
• No lounge access
• 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.
• Find the Amex Gold 75k or 90k Welcome Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Amex Gold
• Upgrade Amex Gold to Amex Platinum
• Amex Gold Benefits for Military
• Amex Gold vs Blue Cash Preferred
• Amex Platinum vs Amex Gold
• Amex Gold vs Delta Gold

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90,000 points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is 60,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Gold card is easily one of our favorite rewards cards. Amex Membership Rewards points are some of our favorite points to earn, and the Amex Gold card is great at earning them. With it, you’ll earn 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in spend) and restaurants, plus 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or at AmexTravel.com .

Cardholders also receive great benefits (some of which require prior enrollment), such as Uber Cash of up to $120 annually (up to $10 monthly Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S.), up to $120 in annual dining credit (up to $10 each month at select restaurants and food delivery services), travel protections , and access to Amex Offers .

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card  is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy   program
• 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
• 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
• 25 Elite Night Credits each year
• Priority Pass Select membership upon enrollment
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit
• Annual Free Night Award after card renewal
• Complimentary Platinum Elite status
• Steep annual fee of $650 ( rates and fees )
• 6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card
• Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton ® or St. Regis ® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ® : Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck ® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy ® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• $650 Annual Fee.
• APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
• Hotel Credit Cards

Marriott Bonvoy

• Best Credit Cards for Marriott Loyalists
• Best Marriott Credit Cards

If you’re a Marriott loyalist, then the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card is definitely one you’ll want to have in your wallet. In addition to helping you earn extra Marriott points on Marriott hotel stays, restaurants, flights, and all other spending, the card comes loaded with perks.

This includes automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status , an annual Free Night Award (redeemable at Marriott hotels costing up to 85,000 points per night), 25 Elite Night Credits to help you achieve elite status faster, Priority Pass airport lounge access, up to $300 annual dining statement credit (up to $25 per month), and up to $100 annual Marriott property credit.

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide
• $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
• 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
• Excellent travel and car rental insurance
• 10% annual bonus points
• No foreign transaction fees
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• 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
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable

Chase Ultimate Rewards

• The Chase Sapphire Preferred 80k or 100k Bonus Offer
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• Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Score Requirements
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• Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Sapphire Preferred
• Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve
• Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is one of our top picks when it comes to starter travel rewards credit cards thanks to its combination of bonus categories, benefits, and the value of Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Cardholders earn 5x points on travel purchased through the Chase Travel portal , 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services, and 2x points on all other travel purchases. Plus, on your account anniversary, you’ll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.

You’ll also receive statement credits for hotel stays and Instacart , along with excellent travel and purchase protections. When you’re ready to redeem, you receive a 25% bonus when redeeming through the Chase Travel portal, or you can transfer your points to one of the excellent Chase airline and hotel transfer partners .

Read more about the benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card to learn why it’s one of our favorite travel rewards cards.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel SM
• 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass airport lounge access
• TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
• Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
• Rental car elite status with National and Avis
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• 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
• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
• Chase Sapphire Reserve 100k Bonus Offer
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Airport Lounge Access
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Insurance Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Military Benefits
• Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is the premium, big brother version of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and offers more perks and higher bonus categories but with a higher annual fee.

It earns 10x points on hotels and rental cars purchased through the Chase Travel portal, 5x points on flights purchased through the Chase Travel portal, and 3x points on dining and general travel purchases. Cardholders receive a $300 annual travel credit , Priority Pass lounge access , and top-notch travel and purchase protection .

Of course, it still offers the same great access to the Chase airline and hotel transfer partners, but when you redeem points through the Chase Travel portal, your point bonus value increases by 50%.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card , the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.

• 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
• 4x points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2X points)
• Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
• 15 Elite Night Credits per year
• 1,000 bonus points per paid stay
• 1 Free Night Award (up to 50,000 points) when you spend $15,000 on the card in a year
• $250 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Free Night Award certificate is not an automatic benefit
• Earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy ® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
• Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Marriott Bonvoy 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy ® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy ® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit, available for Qualifying Rates.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy ® points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy ® . Certain hotels have resort fees.
• 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card ® you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy ® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Plan It ® is a payment option that lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee. Plus, you'll still earn rewards the way you usually do.
• $250 Annual Fee.
• Terms apply.
• Marriott Transfer Partners

In addition to its great welcome bonus, cardholders of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card enjoy perks, including automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, 15 annual Elite Night Credits, 1,000 Marriott bonus points per stay, and the ability to earn 1 Free Night Award (redeemable at hotels costing up to 50,000 points per night) after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year.

Citi ® / AAdvantage ® Executive World Elite Mastercard ®

Access to Admirals Clubs, tons of added benefits, and a way to spend towards elite status make this a great option for American Airlines loyalists.

The Citi ® /AAdvantage ® Executive World Elite Mastercard ® is a go-to card thanks to its exclusive perks and benefits for people who love to fly American Airlines. With a complimentary Admirals Club membership, free checked bags, inflight discounts, and the ability to earn Loyalty Points for every $1 you spend, there is plenty to love about the card.

• Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage ® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening
• Earn 10 miles per $1 spent on eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars
• Earn 10 miles per $1 spent on eligible hotels booked through aa.com/hotels
• Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
• After you spend $150,000 in purchases in a calendar year, earn a total of 5 miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases for the remainder of the year
• Earn 1 per $1 spent on other purchases
• Admirals Club ® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
• Earn a 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year. Earn another 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points in the same status qualification year
• Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage ® mile earned from purchases
• First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation
• $595 annual fee
• Doesn’t earn many miles on all other eligible purchases
• Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage ® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
• APR: 21.24% - 29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees:
• Airline Credit Cards

American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

• Benefits of the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Card
• Best American Airlines AAdvantage Credit Cards
• Best Citi Credit Cards
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• How To Get American Airlines Elite Status (And Is It Worth It?)

The AAdvantage Executive World Elite card underwent a major refresh in 2023, which added new perks to the card.

In addition to Admirals Club access for you and up to 2 traveling companions, the card still offers a free checked bag for you and up to 8 traveling companions, a 25% rebate on inflight food and beverage purchases, priority boarding , and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit.

The new perks of the card include 4x miles on American flights on up to $150,000 in spending, and then 5x miles for the remainder of the year, plus 10x miles on rental cars booked through aa.com/cars and hotels booked through aa.com/hotels . There are also new statement credits, including an up to $120 annual statement credit for Avis or Budget car rentals (earn $1 statement credit per $1 spent on eligible rentals), an up to $10 monthly statement credit for Grubhub, and up to $10 monthly Lyft credit after taking 3 eligible rides in a month.

Cardmembers can also earn 10,000 bonus Loyalty Points after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year, plus an additional 10,000 bonus Loyalty Points after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points in the same status qualification year.

Frequent flyers will enjoy 3x ThankYou Points at restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, air travel, and hotels.

The Citi Premier ® Card is an excellent option for anyone looking for an all-around travel rewards credit card. The card helps you earn points fast with great 3x bonus categories such as restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels. Plus, it offers access to airline and hotel transfer partners, doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, and has a reasonable annual fee!

• 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotel purchases
• Access to Citi transfer partners
• Annual hotel credit
• No foreign transaction fees
• $95 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 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
• APR: 21.24% - 29.24% Variable

Citi ThankYou Rewards

• Benefits of the Citi Premier
• Authorized User Benefits of the Citi Premier
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Citi Premier Card [Detailed Comparison]
• Best Virtual Credit Cards

In terms of great all-around starter travel rewards cards, the Citi Premier card is up there with the best of them. It’s excellent at earning points, as it offers 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels. You’ll also receive $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more each year you hold the card.

While we don’t value Citi ThankYou Points quite as highly as other transferable points currencies, they are still incredibly useful when redeemed through the ThankYou portal . You also have access to excellent transfer partners , including Avianca, Turkish Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.

If you need some inspiration, read through our complete guide to some of the best ways to redeem your Citi ThankYou Points .

Best Business Credit Card Welcome Bonus Offers Card Details

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges , along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 150,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
• Statement credits on select purchases with your card
• 35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year)
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
• Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program
• High annual fee of $695 ( rates & fees )
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards ® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card ® . Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card ® , here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR ® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card ® .
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
• Best Business Credit Cards
• Find The Amex Business Platinum 150k Welcome Bonus Offer
• Find The Amex Business Platinum 170k Welcome Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Amex Business Platinum
• Authorized Users Benefits of the Amex Business Platinum
• 35% Points Rebate with the Amex Business Platinum
• Amex Business Platinum vs Amex Platinum

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 150,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Business Platinum card offers a welcome offer large enough to redeem for some big-time travel value. Plus, the card is also a great fit for traveling business owners who are looking for a premium credit card that offers the best airport lounge access , expedited security screening through Global Entry and CLEAR Plus , and helpful annual statement credits with companies including Dell , Indeed , and Adobe (enrollment required).

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

The Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases , especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.

Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.

Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance , rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.

• 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
• Cell phone protection
• Purchase protection
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Rental car insurance
• Extended warranty coverage
• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
• Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• APR: 21.24%-26.24% Variable
• The Chase Ink Business Preferred 100k Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Ink Business Preferred
• Chase Ink Business Preferred Cell Phone Protection
• Chase Ink Business Preferred vs Amex Business Gold
• Ink Business Cash vs Ink Business Preferred
• Amex Business Platinum vs. Chase Ink Business Preferred
• Ink Business Preferred vs Ink Business Unlimited
• Best Chase Business Credit Cards
• Best Business Credit Card for Advertising
• High Limit Business Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards with Travel Insurance
• Best Credit Cards for Car Rental Insurance

The Ink Business Preferred card is a great all-around business rewards card that offers 3x points on your first $150,000 in spending each year on travel, shipping purchases, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines, plus internet, cable, and phone services — allowing business owners to really rack up points with this card.

Plus, even with only a $95 annual fee, it offers access to Chase transfer partners, your points are worth 25% more through the Chase Travel portal, and you have great coverage, including cell phone insurance , purchase protection, extended warranty protection, and rental car insurance.

Read through our guide on the best ways to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points to see just how much value this welcome offer can provide you.

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.

As a business owner, you likely keep pretty busy and probably prefer a credit card that just keeps things simple.

If so, the Ink Business Unlimited ® Credit Card might be just the card for you. From zero annual fee to a flat cash-back rate, the card is a no-frills option that you don’t have to think twice about.

Don’t forget too, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter

• 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
• No annual fee
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
• Employee cards at no additional cost
• Earn flexible rewards
• 3% foreign transaction fee
• Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
• No Annual Fee
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards ® .
• Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
• With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
• APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
• No Annual Fee Cards
• The Ink Business Unlimited $900 Welcome Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card
• Ink Business Cash vs Ink Business Unlimited
• Best Business Credit Cards with No Annual Fee
• Best Business Credit Cards for Multiple Employees
• Best 0% APR Business Credit Cards

Another great $0 -annual-fee business card option, the Ink Business Unlimited card earns an unlimited 1.5% cash-back on all purchases and offers useful perks for business owners, including employee cards at no additional cost, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection. Further, it’s also one of the best 0% APR business credit cards .

This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.

The Ink Business Cash ® Credit Card has a lot going for it that makes it a compelling choice for small business owners. The card features a very lucrative 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year.

When you factor in that the card has no annual fee , and 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter, you could be adding big value back into your business for no cost out of pocket.

• Earn 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year
• Earn 2% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back on all other purchases
• 10% Business Relationship Bonus if you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
• Travel insurance and purchase protection
• Spending caps in bonus categories
• Low points earning outside of bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fees
• Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
• Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
• Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• 10% Business Relationship Bonus If you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
• APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 18.49% - 24.49% variable thereafter.
• Chase Ink Business Cash $900 Welcome Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Chase Ink Business Cash

The Ink Business Cash card is a fantastic $0 -annual-fee business credit card for those whose spending habits align with its bonus categories.

You can earn 5% cash-back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each year and 2% cash-back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each year.

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

The American Express ® Business Gold Card is excellent at racking up rewards for your business spend.

The card earns a whopping 4x points per $1 in the 2 categories (from a list of 6) that your business spends the most money on each month. With no need to opt-in or preselect your categories, so you can focus on what matters most — running your business.

• NEW! Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
• NEW!  U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
• NEW!  Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
• U.S. purchases at gas stations
• U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
• Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, plus TV and radio)
• 3x points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
• Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
• Trip delay insurance
• Car rental insurance
• Cell phone insurance
• $375 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access or elite status
• Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards ® points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most each billing cycle from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.
• Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
• Get $12.95 back in statement credits each month when you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. $12.95 plus applicable taxes.
• Your Card – Your Choice. Choose from Gold or Rose Gold.
• *Terms Apply
• Amex Business Gold 110k Welcome Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Amex Business Gold
• Amex Business Rose Gold Card
• Amex Business Gold Walmart+ Credit
• Amex Business Gold vs. Amex Plum
• Amex Business Gold vs. Amex Gold

The Amex Business Gold card is a compelling option for those looking to earn as many points as possible on their business expenses. With it, you’ll earn 4x points on the top 2 categories in which your business spends the most every month (up to $150,000 in combined purchases every calendar year) from the following categories:

• Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
• U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers
• Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
• Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)

The card also offers 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com, up to $20 in monthly statement credits for purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and office supply stores, a monthly statement credit for a Walmart+ membership, and more (Enrollment required).

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 110,000 points with the Amex Business Gold card! The current public offer is 70,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Earn up to 5% cash-back for your business without complex bonus earning categories!

Chase has introduced the Ink Business Premier ® Credit Card  to its business credit card lineup. With straightforward cash-back earnings on everyday purchases and large expenses, tools to help you monitor your business, and multiple ways to redeem your rewards, this is a great card option to consider.

• Earn 2.5% total cash-back on purchases of $5,000 or more
• Earn 2% cash-back on all other business purchases
• Unlimited 5% total cash-back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
• Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance
• No additional cost for employee cards
• Primary rental car coverage
• $195 annual fee
• Some purchases need to be paid in full each month and don’t qualify for Flex for Business APR
• Rewards cannot be pooled with Chase cards that offer access to transfer partners
• Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Earn unlimited 2.5% total cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases.
• Travel Benefits: Unlimited 5% total cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, No Foreign Transaction Fees and Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance.
• The only business credit card with 2.5% cash back on every purchase of $5,000 or more.
• Get the buying power you need to make large purchases, cover monthly expenses and help your business grow. While you must pay your Pay In Full balance each month, this card has built-in flexibility. The Flex for Business feature allows for qualifying purchases to be paid over time with interest.
• Purchase with confidence with built-in protections like Fraud Protection, Zero Liability Protection, Purchase Protection, Cell Phone Protection, and Extended Warranty Protection.
• There's no additional cost for employee cards. Monitor spend with digital tools like purchase alerts, set spending limits, reporting, and more.
• APR: Flex for Business Variable APR: 19.49% - 27.49%
• Cash Back Credit Cards
• Benefits of the Chase Ink Business Premier
• The Best Business Credit Cards

The Ink Business Premier card is a hit for business owners with large expenditures, as the card earns an uncapped 2.5% back on every purchase of $5,000 or more and 2% back on every other purchase .

While the card does earn Ultimate Rewards points, unfortunately, the rewards are not combinable with cards that have access to Chase transfer partners, such as the Ink Business Preferred card. That said, the card is still very compelling , especially with its lucrative welcome bonus: Earn $1,000 cash-back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

Southwest ® Rapid Rewards ® Performance Business Credit Card

Southwest frequent flyers will love the upgraded boarding positions, inflight Wi-Fi credits, and bonus points on each cardmember anniversary.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Performance Business Credit Card is a phenomenal option for business owners who are Southwest frequent flyers. It helps you earn more points on all of your business expenses, offers upgraded boarding certificates and Wi-Fi credits, and helps you reach higher levels of Southwest elite status. 

• 4x points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases
• 3x points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases
• 2x points per $1 spent on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services
• 2x points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare services
• 9,000 bonus points each year after your cardmember anniversary
• Up to 365 inflight Wi-Fi credits per year
• 4 Upgraded Boarding certificates per year
• Earn 1,500 tier qualifying points towards Southwest status for every $5,000 spent on the card
• Up to a $500 fee credit for points transfers when you use your card to transfer points to another Southwest Rapid Rewards member
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Baggage delay insurance
• Extended warranty protection
• $199 annual fee
• Doesn’t earn transferable rewards
• Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary.
• Earn 4X pts on Southwest ® purchases.
• Earn 3X points on Rapid Rewards ® hotel and car rental partners.
• Earn 2X points on rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services and 1X points on all other purchases.
• 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
• Business Credit Cards
• Best Southwest Airlines Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards for Southwest Airlines Flyers
• How To Earn Southwest Points Quickly

If you’re a frequent Southwest flyer, the Southwest Performance Business card can offer great value. It earns 4x points on Southwest purchases , 3x points on hotel and rental car partners, and 2x points on local transit, social media and search engine advertising, and internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services.

You’ll get 4 complimentary Upgraded Boardings each year, 9,000 annual bonus points, inflight Wi-Fi credits, and up to a $500 annual fee credit towards point transfers.

Beyond the value that you can receive from the welcome bonus offer, one aspect that is so great is that this welcome offer gets you 64% of the way to the 135,000 points needed to earn the highly coveted Southwest Companion Pass . If you’re unfamiliar, the Southwest Companion Pass allows a companion to travel with you for only taxes and fees on your companion’s ticket — talk about big-time value!

The Capital One Venture X Business card offers at least 2x miles on all purchases, and comes packed with premium perks.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Business card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The Capital One Venture X Business card is a great all-around premium rewards card that helps you rack up miles on all of your business expenses.

From 2x miles on all purchases, airport lounge access, an annual travel credit, complimentary employee cards, and more, there is plenty to love about the Capital One Venture X Business card.

• Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges
• No-additional-fee employee cards ( rates and fees )
• No preset spending limit
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates and fees )
• $395 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• 10x and 5x bonus categories are limited to Capital One Travel bookings
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
• This card has no preset spending limit, so you get purchasing power that adapts to your spending needs. The annual fee on this card is $395
• Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
• Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get the best prices on thousands of options
• Every year, you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
• Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
• Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck ® or Global Entry. Then enjoy unlimited complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and a network of 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Priority Pass™ and Plaza Premium Group lounges
• This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
• Elevate your stay at luxury hotels and resorts from the Premier Collection with a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits on every booking
• APR: All charges made on this account are due and payable in full when you receive your periodic statement. The minimum payment due is the New Balance as indicated on your statement.

In addition to its massive welcome offer, the Capital One Venture X Business card is a great option for business owners. With it, you’ll always earn at least 2 Capital One miles per dollar spent, access Capital One’s transfer partners and 1,400+ airport lounges, and breeze through airports with priority security screening thanks to the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application credit.

While a credit card welcome offer is great, consider other details to determine whether or not a card is a good fit for you before signing up. Consider the card’s bonus categories, benefits, protections, redemption options, and annual fee.

If most of the card’s perks seem like a good fit for you, then the welcome bonus offer you receive is just that — a bonus!

A credit card welcome offer is extremely worth it. A new bonus can kick-start your rewards balance and get you that much closer to your next vacation. The best welcome bonus offers can be worth thousands of dollars in travel.

Consider this: if the welcome offer on a card like the Amex Gold card is 60,000 points, you would need to spend a combined $15,000 on its 4x bonus categories of U.S. supermarkets and restaurants before you’d earn 60,000 points. This is why a great card welcome bonus offer can be so lucrative!

We rank the best credit card welcome bonus offers based on the dollar valuation the bonus provides. Of course, not all loyalty programs offer the same value proposition, so we determine the value of a current bonus offer based on our monthly points and miles valuations. For instance, if a welcome bonus offer is 60,000 points, and we value those points at 2 cents each, we’d say that bonus is worth $1,200, and it would be ranked accordingly.

There you have it — the best credit card offers for this month! Keep in mind that though a welcome offer might be great, it might not necessarily be the right card for you. Make sure you are weighing which cards can offer you the most value, beyond just the welcome offer, when deciding what new card to add to your wallet.

Don’t forget that we update this page each month, so remember the check back next month as new welcome offers are released to see which cards make our top list.

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.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click  here . For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® card, click here . For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card, click here . For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Business Gold Card, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Which credit card has the best welcome bonus offers.

Credit card welcome bonus offers can vary drastically from month to month, often increasing or decreasing by tens of thousands of points at a time. That is why we’ve put together this monthly guide to make sure you’re always up to date on the current top welcome bonus offers.

How do credit card welcome bonus offers work?

Credit card welcome bonus offers are a one-time bonus that you can receive when you open up the card. Credit card welcome offers are accompanied by a minimum spend requirement that require you to spend a certain amount of money (often somewhere between $3,000 to $5,000) on the card in the first few months of opening your card to receive the bonus.

Are credit card welcome bonus offers taxable?

Credit card welcome bonus offers and the rewards you receive for your card spend are categorized as a rebate and therefore are not taxable.

Can I be matched to a higher welcome bonus offer?

If you were recently approved for a credit card, and then the welcome bonus offer increased, you can contact the bank and ask that they match you to the higher welcome bonus offer. Some issuers, like Chase, have a history of matching cardmembers to higher offers, while others, like American Express, usually do not. There are no guarantees either way, but it never hurts to ask.

Can I get a credit card welcome bonus more than once?

Usually, yes, though it depends on the card. Some cards require a waiting period of 2 to 4 years before you can receive a bonus again. Some credit cards from American Express are “once in a lifetime,” though you can usually get them again after 7 years.

What credit score do I need to apply for a welcome offer?

There isn’t a set credit score that will guarantee your approval for a new credit card. However, generally speaking, you should have reasonably good approval odds for most credit cards if you have a credit score of 670 or better.

Are welcome bonuses paid upfront?

Usually, you’ll receive the welcome bonus offer for your new card in the statement after you meet the minimum spend requirement. The minimum spend requirement is the amount of money you must spend on the card to get the welcome bonus offer, and it usually must be completed within the first 3 months of opening the card.

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About Jarrod West

Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times.

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UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

Best Travel Credit Cards of April 2024

14 best travel credit cards of 2024, best overall: chase sapphire preferred® card.

Why we chose it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is an affordable option fit for beginners and experienced travelers. For a reasonable $95 annual fee, you get generous perks, including high bonus rewards, intro bonus, annual hotel credit and bonus anniversary points. Plus points can be redeemed for 25% more value toward travel through Chase Travel. Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred review .

• Earns flexible rewards that transfer to airline and hotel partners
• Get 25% more value when redeeming for travel booked through Chase Travel
• Generous welcome offer and bonus categories
• No intro APR
• No luxury travel perks like airport lounge access

Best for Travel Rewards: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Why we chose it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the best premium travel cards thanks in large part to the generous rewards and outsized redemption value. On top of travel credits, lounge access and other airport perks, the card rakes in flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points in a range of bonus categories. Plus cardholders get 50% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase. Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve review .

• Comes with luxury travel benefits
• Generous welcome bonus and earning rates
• Get 50% more value for travel when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel
• No intro APR offer
• $550 annual fee and $75 annual fee per authorized user
• Earns just 1X points on regular purchases

Best Premium Value: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital one venture x rewards credit card.

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers enhanced travel perks for a lower annual fee than other premium cards. For $395 per year, users get a $300 annual travel credit, a credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership, Priority Pass Select membership, access to Capital One airport lounges and more. Read our Capital One Venture X review .

• Comes with robust travel benefits
• Generous minimum earning rate of 2X miles on all other purchases
• Earns flexible miles that transfer to partners
• Transfer partners aren’t as good as some competing programs
• $300 annual travel credit must be used through Capital One Travel
• Fewer rewards bonus categories than some other premium cards

Best for Luxury Perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Why we chose it: The Platinum Card from American Express is best for luxury perks since, in our view, it comes with the most extensive list of credits and features. This includes the broadest airport lounge membership possible, airline fee credit for incidental fees and automatic Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. Cardholders also earn a very generous welcome bonus and heightened rewards on eligible travel purchases. Read our Amex Platinum Card review .

• Comes with the best airport lounge membership available
• More than $1,500 in annual statement and merchant credits available
• Earns flexible Amex Membership Rewards points
• $695 annual fee and $195 annual fee for each additional Platinum Card ( see rates and fees )
• Earns just 1X points on other eligible non-category purchases
• Statement credits may be difficult to use

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

Capital one venture rewards credit card.

After spending $4,000 in first 3 months from account opening

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card comes with a promising flat rewards rate of unlimited 2X miles on all purchases and unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. This card also earns flexible miles that can be used for multiple purposes like travel statement credits, gift cards , travel bookings through Capital One or miles transfers to Capital One airline and hotel partners. Read our Capital One Venture Rewards card review .

• Earns impressive flat-rate rewards
• Miles come with flexible redemption options

Best With No Annual Fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Wells fargo autograph℠ card.

After spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months

Why we chose it: For no annual fee, the Wells Fargo Autograph Card comes with a solid sign-up bonus and earns an unlimited 3X points on travel, gas, transit, restaurants, popular streaming services and phone plans, and 1X points on other eligible purchases. Read our Wells Fargo Autograph review .

• No annual fee required
• Earns 3X points in six popular categories
• Intro APR on purchases
• No transfer partners
• Few travel-specific benefits

Best Overall Hotel Card: World of Hyatt Credit Card

World of hyatt credit card.

Earn 30,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 more by earning 2 bonus points total per $1 spent in the first six months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point, on up to $15,000 spent.

Why we chose it: The World of Hyatt Credit Card is packed full of features. It offers an annual free night certificate each year after your cardmember anniversary, five elite qualifying nights per year just for having the card and a way to spend toward additional elite nights and an additional free night certificate each year.

• Category 1-4 free night certificate annually after your cardmember anniversary
• Earns two nights toward elite status for every $5,000 spent on the card
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance and lost luggage reimbursement
• Full welcome bonus requires costly spending
• Lackluster earnings outside of Hyatt stays
• Lower overall point value on hotel stays than some competing cards

Best for Budget-Friendly Delta Loyalists: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Why we chose it: The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers excellent value for its $150 ongoing annual fee. The card’s first free checked bag benefit applies to you and up to eight other people in your same reservation. When redeeming miles for Delta flights, you’ll receive a 15% off discount when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. You’ll also get a $200 Delta flight credit when you spend $10,000 on the card in a calendar year. Finally, you can receive an annual statement credit of up to $100 when you use your card book hotel nights through Delta Stays bookings on delta.com. Read our Delta SkyMiles Gold review .

• Free first checked bag for you and up to eight other people on your reservation
• 15% off Award Travel when using miles on Delta flights (through delta.com and the Fly Delta app)
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $150)
• Earns only 2X miles on Delta purchases
• No ability to earn Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) using the card
• $200 Delta flight credit requires $10,000 in spending on the card in a calendar year

Best for Business Travel Rewards: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Why we chose it: The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card earns generous rewards on travel and in a range of popular business categories. Plus cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. Read our Ink Business Preferred review .

• Earns flexible Chase Ultimate rewards points
• Get 25% more value when booking travel with points through Chase Travel
• Earns 3X points in popular eligible business categories (on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year, then 1X points)
• Bonus category spending caps limit rewards potential
• Earns just 1X points on all other regular purchases

Best for Business With No Annual Fee: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Why we chose it: For no annual fee, the Blue Business Plus Credit Card offers 2X points on up to $50,000 spent in purchases each year, then 1X points on other purchases. Plus rewards earned fall within the flexible American Express Membership Rewards program. Read our Blue Business Plus card review .

• Earns Amex Membership Rewards points
• Get 2X points on the first $50,000 spent in purchases each year (then 1X points)
• Earns just 1X points after $50,000 in spending each year
• Small welcome bonus
• Limited travel-specific benefits

Best for Everyday Spending: Citi Premier® Card

Citi premier® card.

After spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com

Why we chose it: The Citi Premier Card offers a robust selection of bonus rewards categories. Not only do cardholders earn a generous sign-up bonus, but they also earn 3X points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels. All other purchases earn 1X points. Cardholders can also earn 10X points on hotels and car rentals booked through the Citi Travel portal (through June 30, 2024). Read our Citi Premier review .

• Earns flexible rewards for travel
• Generous 3X earning rate in five popular categories
• Elevated rate on eligible travel purchases via Citi Travel through June 2024

Best for Travel Rewards on Dining: American Express® Gold Card

Why We Chose It: The American Express Gold Card might be the ultimate dining card for travelers. It offers 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide—that’s the most points you’re likely to earn without jumping through hoops like making dining purchases through a portal. Read our Amex Gold card review .

• 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide (plus on takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
• 4X points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per year in purchases (then 1X points)
• Up to $120 in Uber Cash annually
• Steep $250 annual fee
• Poor redemption value beyond airfare
• U.S. supermarket bonus rewards are capped at $25,000 in spending each year

Best for Travel and Transit: American Express® Green Card

American express® green card.

After spending $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

Why We Chose It: The American Express Green Card offers 3X Membership Rewards points on almost every type of eligible travel and transit expense. If you prefer to earn travel rewards and want a single card to consolidate your expenses on, the Amex Green Card is likely your best choice.

• Earns 3X points on a wide variety of eligible travel and transit, plus at restaurants worldwide
• Earns transferable Membership Rewards points
• Offers trip delay insurance*, baggage insurance plan* and car rental loss and damage insurance*
• $150 annual fee
• Limited cash redemption options
• No introductory APR

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• Best Rewards Credit Cards
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A Closer Look at the Best Travel Cards

Best overall: chase sapphire preferred card.

Why we love this card: The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points that transfer to airline and hotel partners like British Airways, Southwest Rapid Rewards and World of Hyatt, yet cardholders can also get 25% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase.

Other reasons to love this card include its exceptional welcome offer (earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, worth $750 redeemed through Chase Travel) and earning rates: 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 5X points on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025); 3X points on dining, online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs) and select streaming services; 2X points on general travel; and 1X points on all other purchases.

Who should have this in their wallet: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is ideal for consumers who want to earn flexible travel rewards they can redeem in more than one way without having to pay hundreds of dollars toward an annual fee each year. That said, the fact you can redeem points for cash back, statement credits, gift cards and merchandise means the Sapphire Preferred can also work as a cash back credit card.

Other cards to consider: If you want a travel credit card with perks like airport lounge access or annual travel credits, you’ll have to be willing to pay a higher annual fee. In that case, you can consider cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Best for Travel Rewards: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Why we love this card: The Chase Sapphire Reserve starts new customers off with a welcome offer to earn 60,000 bonus points when they spend $4,000 within three months of account opening, and they also earn 10X points on hotels and rental cars booked through Chase; 10X points on Chase Dining purchases with Ultimate Rewards; 5X points on flights booked through Chase Travel; 5X points on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025); 3X points on dining and general travel purchases (not purchased through Chase); and 1X points on everything else. Rewards on travel are after the $300 travel credit is spent each year.

Premium perks that come with the card include a $300 annual travel credit, an application fee credit for Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck membership, Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership and a suite of premium travel insurance benefits.

Who should have this in their wallet: The Sapphire Reserve is for frequent travelers who want to earn flexible rewards they can use for direct travel bookings through Chase or point transfers to airlines and hotels. The ideal cardholder also wants luxury travel benefits like airport lounge access and annual travel credits.

Other cards to consider: For a more affordable premium travel card, consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. But for more extensive lounge access and the chance to earn more credits, look into the Amex Platinum Card.

Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve

Best for Premium Value: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Why we love this card: Despite the fact this card charges just $395 per year, it comes with a $300 annual travel credit, a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership, Priority Pass Select membership, access to Capital One airport lounges and more. Users also earn flexible Capital One miles that can be redeemed for travel through Capital One Travel, used for gift cards, merchandise and travel statement credits or transferred to Capital One airline or hotel partners. Rewards include 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel and 2X miles on all other purchases.

Who should have this in their wallet: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is for people who can utilize its airline and hotel partners or want to use their miles to book travel directly through Capital One. Individuals who want a card with airport lounge access at the lowest possible cost can also consider this premium travel credit card.

Other cards to consider: If you research Capital One airline and hotel partners and like what you see but want to pay a lower annual fee each year, you should also consider the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ($95 annual fee). If you want airport lounge access and other premium benefits, however, you should check out the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve .

Read our review of the Capital One Venture X

Best for Luxury Perks: The Platinum Card from American Express

Why we love this card: The Platinum Card from American Express has so many perks and statement credits it’s hard to keep track. For example, cardholders get more than $1,500 in statement and merchant credit offers with the card, plus the broadest airport lounge membership possible (Global Lounge Collection), Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy with enrollment, access to Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and plenty of other luxury travel perks.

Cardholders also earn a generous welcome bonus (earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new card in the first six months of card membership), plus 5X points on up to $500,000 spent each calendar year on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, 5X points on eligible prepaid hotels booked via American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases.

Who should have this in their wallet: The Platinum Card from American Express is best for frequent travelers who can use most of its statement credit offers and benefits each year. Individuals who fly a lot and want access to the most airport lounges worldwide will also love the fact they can enter Priority Pass lounges, Amex Centurion lounges and even Delta Sky Clubs when they fly with Delta Air Lines. This card also works best for people who want to earn flexible points for travel that can be redeemed for airfare, hotel stays, car rentals and other travel in more than one way. After all, points earned with the card fall within the popular American Express Membership Rewards program.

Other cards to consider: If you want airport lounge access, consider premium travel credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Capital One Venture X, which charge annual fees of $550 and $395, respectively. You can pay an even lower annual fee if you give up some luxury travel benefits and pick a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Citi Premier.

Read our review of the Amex Platinum

Why we love this card: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns a nice flat rewards rate of 2X unlimited miles on all purchases and 5X unlimited miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Plus, miles can be redeemed for options like statement credits to offset travel, gift cards, travel through Capital One or transfers to airlines and hotels. While the annual fee is just $95, cardholders get perks like a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership every four years.

Who should have this in their wallet: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is ideal for frequent travelers who want some upgraded perks without paying more than $100 per year for their travel credit card. The card’s flat rewards rate also makes it a good choice for consumers who don’t want to keep track of confusing earning rates or bonus categories. Finally, this card works well for people who want to use their miles for travel but also want some flexibility in how they redeem them.

Other cards to consider: Several other flexible travel credit cards let users transfer rewards to airlines and hotels without paying more than $100 in annual fees each year. For example, you could consider the Citi Premier or the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which earn points in the Citi ThankYou Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards programs, respectively.

Read our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review

Best for No Annual Fee: Wells Fargo Autograph Card

Why we love this card: The Wells Fargo Autograph Card earns 3X points in so many bonus categories with no annual fee required. The welcome offer is also higher than other travel and cash back credit cards with no annual fee (30,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in purchases in the first three months), and rewards are fairly flexible. For example, you can redeem rewards with this card for travel, gift cards, statement credits or PayPal purchases. The card also has more benefits than one would think, including cellphone protection, auto rental coverage, travel and emergency assistance services and roadside dispatch.

Who should have this in their wallet: The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is best for people who want to earn rewards with no annual fee required, as well as those who want some flexibility when it comes to cashing in their rewards. The intro APR offer on purchases also makes this card a good option for people who want to earn rewards on a large purchase and then pay it down interest-free for the first year.

Other cards to consider: If you want to earn travel rewards with no annual fee required, several top cards can fit the bill. For example, you could also look at the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, the Discover it® Miles and the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

Read our Wells Fargo Autograph Card review

Why we love this card: The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers 4X points on Hyatt hotels, an annual free night certificate and a second free night certificate once you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. The card also helps you earn elite status with Hyatt. You start out with World of Hyatt Discoverist status and five elite-qualifying night credits just for having the card, plus you earn two bonus elite night credits for every $5,000 you spend on the card. That’s plenty of value for a $95/year card.

Who should have this in their wallet: The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a great choice for anyone who stays at Hyatt hotels at least a few times a year. If you stay at Hyatt hotels occasionally and can make use of the annual category 1-4 free night, you’re likely to get value in excess of the card’s $95 annual fee. Those who stay at Hyatt hotels often enough to pursue Hyatt status will find that the card both helps boost their status and offers the best rewards value on Hyatt stays of any card.

Other cards to consider: If you want a credit card that offers a free night certificate, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card also offer a free night annually each account anniversary just for having the cards.

Why we love this card: The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card comes with plenty of features and benefits. The card’s first checked bag free benefit applies to everyone in your reservation—up to eight companions—making it a great value for family travelers. The $100 Delta Stays credit offers easy value when you book a hotel stay through Delta Stays on delta.com and the $200 Delta Flight credit you’ll receive after spending $10,000 in a calendar year should be easy to use for loyal Delta flyers.

Who should have this in their wallet: Anyone who regularly checks bags on Delta and doesn’t already have Delta elite status should get the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. The card will pay for itself in saved checked bag fees after just three round trips each year by our estimation.

Other cards to consider: If you’re pursuing Delta elite status, consider holding one of the airline’s more premium cards. The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card both earn the Medallion Qualifying Dollars you’ll need to earn frequent flyer status with Delta.

Best for Business Travel Rewards: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Why we love this card: The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card earns 3X points on up to $150,000 in spending each anniversary year in the following categories (then 1X points): shipping purchases; advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines; internet, cable and phone services; and travel. You earn 1X points on all other purchases.

Rewards fall within the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, so points can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, merchandise, travel through Chase Travel (for 25% more value) or 1:1 point transfers to Chase airline and hotel partners. Benefits for business owners include free employee cards, primary auto rental coverage when renting a car for business purchases, cell phone protection, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty protection and more.

Who should have this in their wallet: The Ink Business Preferred is for business owners who spend a lot in its bonus categories and want to earn travel rewards points they can use in more than one way. Many business owners also pair this card with the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve as their personal card since Chase lets users pool rewards in one account for convenience (and premium redemptions).

Other cards to consider: If the bonus categories don’t fit your spending, the no-annual-fee Amex Blue Business Plus offers a flat rate of 2X points on up to $50,000 in purchases each year, followed by 1X points.

Read our review of the Ink Business Preferred

Best for Business With No Annual Fee: Blue Business Plus Credit Card

Why we love this card: The Blue Business Plus Credit Card earns Amex Membership Rewards points with no annual fee required. While the welcome bonus is on the small side (earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 in purchases with the card in the first three months), cardholders can earn 2X points on up to $50,000 spent on purchases each year, then 1X points on other purchases.

Who should have this in their wallet: This business credit card is ideal for business owners who want to earn Amex points without paying an annual fee each year. Many consumers pair this card with a Membership Rewards card for consumers such as the Amex EveryDay, the American Express® Gold Card, and the American Express® Green Card.

Other cards to consider: There are few other business credit cards to consider if you want a card for travel with no annual fee that’s specifically for small businesses and entrepreneurs. However, you can consider consumer credit cards for travel with no annual fee required, including the Discover it® Miles and the Capital One VentureOne.

Read our review of the Amex Blue Business Plus

Best for Everyday Spending: Citi Premier Card

Why we love this card: The Citi Premier Card is a solid choice as a top-of-wallet card due to its bonus category potential. The card earns 3X points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels; 10X points on hotels and car rentals booked through the Citi travel portal (through June 30, 2024); and 1X points on other purchases. While a $95 annual fee applies, benefits like a $100 annual hotel savings on a $500+ hotel stay booked with Citi Travel help make up for it. Also note that this card earns Citi ThankYou points that can be redeemed for gift cards, merchandise, travel through Citi or transfers to Citi ThankYou airline and hotel partners.

Who should have this in their wallet: The Citi Premier Card is best for people who want to earn 3X points in as many categories as possible, as well as those who want some flexibility in how they redeem their rewards. This card also works well for people who have a cash back credit card from Citi that they use for points pooling.

Other cards to consider: The Wells Fargo Autograph is another flexible credit card for travel that earns 3X points in a bunch of different categories, yet with no annual fee. If you want points that transfer to partners with an annual fee below $100 each year, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred or even the Amex EveryDay.

Read our review of the Citi Premier Card

Best for Travel Rewards on Dining: American Express Gold Card

Why we love this card: Almost every rewards card that earns extra points for dining at any restaurant worldwide will give you at most three points per dollar. The Amex Gold Card gives you 4X points. If restaurants worldwide (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) is one of your biggest spending categories, this bonus to the amount of rewards you earn can really add up. Plus, the card offers respectable rewards of 4X points on up to $25,000 a calendar year at U.S. supermarkets (then 1X) and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

Who should have this card in their wallet: If you are invested in the Membership Rewards ecosystem and know how to use the points for high-value redemptions, the Amex Gold Card is a rewards powerhouse. The Gold card can earn you a great return on your worldwide restaurant spending and up to $25,000 of charges you make at U.S. supermarkets a calender year (4X points before cap, then 1X).

Other cards to consider: If you prefer earning travel rewards that are easier to use, the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve might be a better bet. Both cards earn 3X points on dining at restaurants—rewards that can be easily redeemed for cash back, travel or transferred to travel partners.

Best for Business Travel Expenses: American Express Green Card

Why we love this card: With the Amex Green Card, you’ll earn 3X Membership Rewards on core travel expenses like eligible airfare and hotels, but you’ll also earn increased rewards on most other eligible travel expenses like tours, cruises, travel purchases on third party websites, rideshare, tolls and dining at restaurants worldwide. If you’re after travel rewards, you can do pretty well carrying only the Amex Green Card when you travel.

Who should have this card in their wallet: The frequent traveler who wants a single card that offers a good rate of rewards on all of their travel purchases should carry the Amex Green Card. The card not only offers 3X Membership Rewards on almost every eligible purchase you’ll make on the road, but it also provides essential travel insurance protections.

Other cards to consider: If cash-like rewards on your travel is your preference, you can earn rewards on most of your travel and transit expenses with the Wells Fargo Autograph Card. You won’t get the travel protections that you will with the Green Card, but you will pay no annual fee for the card.

What Is a Travel Credit Card?

A travel credit card is a type of rewards credit card that offers points that can be redeemed for travel and other options. Many travel credit cards also offer travel-specific benefits that can apply in certain situations, such as free checked bags when flying with an airline or late checkout when staying with specific hotel brands.

While some travel credit cards earn airline miles for a specific airline or hotel points that work within a specific hotel loyalty program, other cards earn flexible travel rewards points that can be redeemed for several flexible options. Additional travel credit card benefits can also be included, such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, auto rental coverage, roadside dispatch, automatic elite status, annual travel credits, airport lounge access and more.

How Do Travel Credit Cards Work?

How travel credit cards work depends on the type of card and the program its rewards fall in. However, all travel credit cards have certain things in common. For example:

• Travel credit cards tend to offer welcome bonuses when you meet a minimum spending requirement within a few months of account opening.
• You can earn travel rewards points (or miles) based on spending and the card’s earning structure.
• Some cards offer bonus points or miles in certain categories, while others do not.
• Travel credit card benefits (e.g. travel insurance, annual travel credits, airport lounge access, free checked bags, etc.) can apply, although these perks vary widely by card.
• Travel credit card annual fees range from $0 all the way up $695, and there are cards for consumers as well as businesses.

Other than the card amenities that apply specifically to travel, cards in this niche work like other types of credit cards. All travel credit cards give consumers a line of credit they can borrow against, and they can avoid credit card interest if they pay their statement balance in full by their payment due date. When consumers don’t pay their balance in full, they get charged interest based on the average daily balance and the card’s annual percentage rate (APR).

Types of Travel Credit Cards

As you decide on a travel credit card for your wallet, you should know about the types of cards that are out there. This can help you figure out which travel credit card is best for you based on the type of rewards you want to earn and the benefits you desire.

• General travel credit cards: Some cards are considered general travel credit cards because they earn bonus points or miles in multiple categories and let you redeem rewards for travel without offering a lot of travel-specific perks or benefits. Cards in this category do not let you transfer points to airline and hotel programs like flexible travel credit cards do.
• Flexible travel credit cards: Flexible travel credit cards fall within programs like Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards, and they let you redeem rewards for travel through a portal or rewards transfers to airlines and hotels affiliated with the program. Premium cards in this category may also come with benefits like airport lounge access, annual travel credits and robust travel insurance protections.
• Co-branded airline cards: Co-branded airline credit cards are offered by card issuers alongside frequent flyer programs like American Airlines AAdvantage and Delta SkyMiles. Cards in this category earn miles that are redeemable for flights with the airline itself or its partners, and they can come with perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, airport lounge access and more.
• Co-branded hotel cards: Hotel brands like Hilton Honors and World of Hyatt also offer co-branded credit cards alongside major card issuers . Cards in this category earn hotel points that can be used for free award stays, suite upgrades and other on-site benefits, and they tend to come with perks like automatic elite status, early check-in and late checkout. Some premium hotel credit cards also come with annual travel credits and airport lounge membership.

How To Choose the Best Travel Credit Card

The best travel credit card for one person can be totally different for another, mostly because there are so many variables to keep in mind. Not only are there different types of travel rewards you can earn, but earning rates and cardholder perks and fees vary widely by product.

As you look for the right travel credit card for what you’re hoping to get in return, keep the following factors in mind.

Type of Rewards

First off, you’ll want to think over the type of travel rewards you want to earn, whether that’s flexible points, airline miles or hotel points. If you fly with a specific airline or stay with a specific brand of hotels often, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of earning rewards that are specific to that program versus earning flexible rewards that may or may not transfer to your favorite travel brands.

Redemption Options

Speaking of that, make sure you have a general idea of the redemption options available for the rewards you earn, and keep in mind that airline miles and hotel points tend to be more limited overall. If you want rewards that are as flexible as they can be, consider picking up a flexible travel credit card that lets you redeem rewards through a portal or transfer to a range of airline and hotel partners.

Cardholder Benefits

Also consider the perks you want to get with your credit card for travel, keeping in mind that some cards offer general benefits and others offer more specific perks. For example, airline credit cards tend to offer benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding, whereas hotel credit cards offer hotel-specific perks like entry-level elite status, early check-in and late checkout. Meanwhile, flexible travel credit cards tend to offer more general benefits like fee credits as reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership or Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership.

Learn more about the benefits found with some of the best travel rewards cards:

• New Amex Delta SkyMiles benefits (and fees)
• Amex Platinum benefits
• Amex Gold Card benefits
• American Express® Business Gold Card benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits
• Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits

Earning Rates

Also look at the earning rates travel credit cards offer and compare them to see which cards would net you the most in rewards over time. If you spend a lot of money in specific categories each month like gas, groceries or travel, it can help to look for cards that offer bonus points in these categories.

Welcome Offers

Consider travel credit card welcome bonuses and see which ones entice you the most. If a card has a high minimum spending requirement to earn a welcome bonus, make sure you can easily meet it with regular, organic spending and bills within the timeline required.

If you have to spend $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening, for example, that breaks down to spending at least $1,334 on purchases each month for the first three consecutive months in a row after becoming a cardholder.

Travel Protections

Although you might be tempted to book your travel with your card that earns the greatest amount of rewards, you should also consider what travel protections your card provides. Many travel credit cards offer a suite of travel protections that can be far more valuable than a few marginal points if things go wrong. Here are a few of the essential travel protections that many travel cards offer.

• Trip delay insurance can cover incidental expenses and even an overnight stay if travel you book with your card is delayed significantly or overnight. Booking a trip with a card that offers this benefit can mean that you’re not out hundreds of dollars if you suddenly need to check into a hotel for an overnight flight delay.
• Auto rental collision damage waiver insurance can cover damage to or theft of a rental car you book using your card. Ideally, you’d rent a car using a card that offers primary insurance, which can provide protection without requiring you to make a claim to your personal auto insurance. Keep in mind that this benefit doesn’t cover liability and often doesn’t cover car-sharing services like Turo.
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance may cover reimbursement of non-refundable prepaid travel expenses in the event that your trip gets interrupted or canceled for a covered reason. Which expenses this benefit covers vary widely by card—some cards only cover prepaid travel by common carrier, while others will cover expenses like tours and lodging booked through travel providers.

Finally, compare travel credit cards based on their annual fees, and make sure you feel comfortable with the annual fee you’re planning to pay. If a credit card for travel you’re considering charges an annual fee, look closely at its benefits and rewards to make sure you’re getting more value out of the card than its annual fee the first year. Also check for other fees like foreign transaction fees, but note that credit cards geared to travel usually don’t charge them.

You can also look at cards based on their variable interest rates and intro APR offers. That said, you’ll typically only want to get a travel credit card if you plan to pay off your purchases in full each month. If you carry a balance on your card or end up in long-term debt, the variable rates you pay will more than wipe out the rewards you earn.

What Are Your Points and Miles Worth?

How much points and miles are worth may not seem like a big consideration, but this is one of the most important factors to keep in mind as you compare card earning rates and redemption options. After all, some rewards points are worth considerably more than others, and some cards have different redemption rates depending on how you use your points.

Knowing how much your points are worth can help you decide if a travel credit card is the right fit for you. For example, Amex Membership Rewards points are worth an average of 1.19 cents per point according to Newsweek valuations. For maximum value, you’ll need to transfer your points to an airline partner.

Other Amex redemption options aren’t as valuable. You can redeem Amex points for airfare through AmexTravel.com at 1 cent per point. But points are only worth 0.6 cents per point if you redeem for statement credits and 0.7 cents per point for many travel redemptions through Amex Travel.

If cash back is your preferred redemption option, a cash back credit card is likely a better fit over an Amex travel card. And if you’re not booking flights through Amex travel or transferring to a high-value transfer partner, a different travel rewards card could give you better value when redeeming your rewards.

Also note that similar points from different programs can be worth varying amounts, and this can skew how generous the earning rates and welcome bonuses appear with different cards. For example, Hilton Honors points are worth an average of 0.41 cents each, whereas World of Hyatt points are worth 2.11 cents each based on our internal valuations.

*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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do you need for the best travel credit cards.

Minimum credit score recommendations vary by card product and card issuer. But the best travel credit cards are geared toward individuals with good to excellent credit (or a FICO Score of 670 and up).

What Is the Best Credit Card for Travel Points?

The best credit card for travel rewards can vary based on the type of rewards, fees charged and perks included. However, some of the best travel credit cards on the market today include the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X.

Do I Have To Pay Interest on a Credit Card?

Avoid interest completely on credit cards by paying your card’s statement balance in full by your card’s payment due date each month. Some cards also come with introductory APRs for purchases, balance transfers or both, yet this isn’t a common feature among credit cards for travel rewards.

The post Best Travel Credit Cards of April 2024 first appeared on Newsweek Vault .

Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards April 2024

Leisure and business travelers can use travel rewards credit cards to turn miles logged into other things — including more travel.

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• No annual fee
• Worth the Annual Fee
• Flexible Redemptions
• Luxury Travel Rewards
• Dedicated Airline Cards
• Dedicated Hotel Cards
• Best Dining Cards

How Do Travel Rewards Cards Work?

What are travel rewards worth, how to compare travel credit cards, is the annual fee too high, how to get the most out of your travel card.

• Best Bonus Deals

We may get compensation if you visit partner links on our site. We may not cover every available offer. Our relationship with advertisers may impact how an offer is presented on our website. However, our selection of products is made independently of our relationship to advertisers. All information about the American Express EveryDay® credit card has been collected independently by Kiplinger. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. We calculate a typical annual reward for each card, assuming $34,000 spent annually and less any annual fee. Interest rates, fees, rewards and other terms listed in this article are subject to change. Before you apply for a credit card, check its current terms and conditions with the issuer. Rates and sign-up offers were checked as of April 1, 2024.

A travel rewards credit card can be an excellent companion whether you travel often or just take the occasional vacation. With every purchase, you can use a travel card to collect points or miles that you can redeem for flights, hotels, or other travel bookings. Many travel rewards cards come with extra benefits, too, from free entry into airport lounges to statement credits toward application fees for TSA PreCheck and other programs that expedite security screening at the airport. 

You may notice that our list of the best cards differs from many other reviewers. That's because we crunch the numbers on a wider variety of cards, such as those issued by credit unions and smaller banks.

If you’d rather have a card that offers cash back or another type of reward, see our article on the best rewards credit cards . If you just want a smoking-hot sign-up bonus for new cardholders, jump to our current travel credit card bonus deals list .

Know what kind of travel card you want? Jump to these sections, below to see our top three picks in each category. 

• No Annual Fee
• Flexible Travel Redemptions
• Luxury Travel
• Airline Cards  
• Hotel Cards
• Dining Cards

Best Travel Card Bonus Deals Right Now

Best travel rewards credit cards with no annual fee.

With these cards, you reap points or miles without paying an annual fee. You will still need to consider foreign transaction fees if you plan to do a lot of international travel.

Chase Freedom Unlimited ®  

Sign-up bonus:   Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel , 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. After your first year or $20,000 spent, the rewards rate reverts to 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.

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.

You can trade the Ultimate Rewards points you earn at a rate of a penny each for cash back, gift cards or travel bookings. 

This card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, so consider one of our other travel winners for trips abroad. 

Chase cards also offer excellent rental car insurance .

• Interest rate : Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% to 29.24%.
• Annual fee : None.
• Foreign transaction fee : A hefty 3%, so for trips abroad, look to our other winners that charge no such fee.
• Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, the rewards program portal that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more.
• Earn 5% total cash back on qualifying Lyft rides through March 2025.
• Earn 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, including takeout and eligible delivery service.
• Earn 1.5% on other spending.
• Redemption: Redeem points at a rate of a penny each for cash back, gift cards or travel; points do not expire.
• Sign-up bonus: Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.  After your first year or $20,000 spent, the rewards rate reverts to 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.
• Member FDIC

Discover it® Miles  

This card acts as a hybrid travel and cash back card. All purchases earn 1.5 miles per dollar, and the redemption options are flexible. You can exchange miles at a rate of a penny each for statement credits on travel purchases, cash back, account credits to pay your card bill, and purchases with Amazon and PayPal. 

The card offers a generous sign-on bonus, doubling your miles earned after the first year . Other nice-to-have perks include free access to your FICO score and online privacy protection. The card does not provide free travel insurance, access to airport lounges or similar travel perks.

• Interest rate:  0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then 17.24 to 28.24% variable APR.
• Annual fee:  None.
• Foreign transaction fee:  None.
• Rewards:  1.5 miles per dollar spent on purchases.
• Sign-up bonus:  A match of miles earned after one year, doubling your rewards.
• Redemption:  Unlike a co-branded credit card, the miles earned on the card can be used to cover travel purchases made at any airline, car rental or hotel over the past 180 days; miles may also be redeemed for statement credit to pay your bill.

American Express EveryDay®  

Sign-up bonus : 10,000 points if you spend $2,000 in the first six months.

Amex EveryDay provides a way to earn Amex’s Membership Rewards points without paying an annual fee. You get two points per dollar on up to $6,000 of supermarket purchases per year and one point per dollar on all other spending. If you make at least 20 purchases on the card in a billing period, you get a 20% bonus on the points you earned on those purchases. 

You can trade points at a rate of 1 cent each for flight bookings through Amex Travel or certain gift cards (points are worth less for most other redemption options). You can also transfer points to a partner travel loyalty program, including Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. The card charges a 2.7% foreign-transaction fee, so it’s best for domestic travel

See rates and fees.

• Interest rate : 0% APR for purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then 18.24% to 29.24% variable APR.
• Annual fee: None.
• Foreign transaction fee : 2.7%.
• Rewards : Two points per dollar on up to $6,000 spent at supermarkets per year, then 1%; two points per dollar on certain prepaid travel purchases through Amex Travel; other spending gets one point per dollar, and each month that you make at least 20 purchases with the card, you get a 20% points bonus on those purchases.
• Redemption : The best way to redeem points includes booking flights through Amex Travel at a rate of a penny per point or transferring points to loyalty programs including Delta SkyMiles (at a ratio of one Amex point to one SkyMile), Hilton Honors (1:2 ratio) and Marriott Bonvoy (1:1).
• Intro offer: Earn 10,000 points if you spend $2,000 in the first six months.
• Terms apply

Best Travel Cards Worth the Annual Fee

With a high payback on travel spending and some perks on the side, these cards make the annual fee worth paying.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card  

Annual fee : $95 

Sign-up bonus : 75,000 miles if you spend $4,000 in the first three months. 

Capital One Venture offers five miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars that you book through Capital One Travel and two miles per dollar on all other spending. Miles are worth a penny apiece if you redeem them for statement credits on travel purchases or travel bookings through Capital One, or you can transfer miles to partner airline and hotel loyalty programs. Extra perks include two free yearly visits to Capital One’s own airport lounges or Plaza Premium lounges (though the lounge-pass benefit expires in January 2025), as well as reimbursement of the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, which provide expedited airport security screening.

For details on this bonus offer and how to use bonus miles, read Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Launches $750 Bonus Offer .

• Interest rate : 19.99% to 29.99% variable APR for purchases.
• Balance transfer fee : $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.
• Annual fee : $95
• Foreign transaction fee : None.
• Rewards : Five miles per dollar spent on hotel stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; all other spending earns two miles per dollar; limited airport lounge access and other benefits apply.
• Redemption : Redeem miles at a rate of a penny each for statement credits on travel purchases or to book a new travel reservation through Capital One. Or transfer miles to any of more than 15 travel loyalty programs.
• Sign-up bonus: 75,000 miles if you spend $4,000 in the first three months. That's worth $750 when used to book travel or reimburse travel expenses.

Citi Premier® Card  

Sign-up bonus : 60,000 points if you spend $4,000 in the first three months. 

Earn 10 Citi ThankYou® Points per dollar on hotel and rental car bookings through June 30, 2024, and three points per dollar thereafter. You also collect three points per dollar on dining, supermarket, gas station and air travel purchases and one point per dollar on other spending. 

Points are worth a penny each when you trade them for travel bookings or gift cards, or you can transfer points to participating airline loyalty programs. Once per year, cardholders also get $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more booked through Citi’s ThankYou program.

• Interest rate : 21.24% to 29.24% variable APR for purchases.
• Annual fee : $95.
• Rewards : Get three points per dollar spent in a range of categories: restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets , air travel and hotels; all other spending earns one point per dollar. Once a year, get $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, through thankyou.com.
• Redemption : Points are worth a penny each if you redeem them for gift cards or travel bookings through the Citi ThankYou program; you can also transfer points to partner airline and hotel loyalty programs; there are no blackout dates and points do not expire.
• Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points if you spend $4,000 in the first three months. That's a $600 value when redeemed for travel or gift cards. And 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, on ThankYou.com or by calling 1-800-Thankyou (TTY: 711) and saying “Travel”. Offer is valid through 11:59 PM ET 6/30/2024. 

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

Annual fee : $95, waived the first year.

Sign-up bonus : 50,000 points if you spend $2,000 in the first 120 days.

This card delivers five points per dollar on hotel and rental car bookings through U.S. Bank’s travel portal; four points per dollar on other travel purchases and at gas and EV charging stations; two points per dollar on grocery store, restaurant and streaming-service spending; and one point per dollar on other spending. 

You can redeem points at a rate of a penny each for travel, gift cards, cash back, merchandise and other options. Cardholders are also reimbursed for the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and receive four free yearly visits to Priority Pass Select airport lounges. 

• Interest rate: 21.24% to 29.24% variable APR for purchases or balance transfers.
• Annual fee:  $95, waived the first year.
• Top rewards rate: Five points per dollar on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.
• Other rewards: Four points per dollar on other travel purchases and at gas and EV charging stations; two points per dollar on grocery store, restaurant and streaming-service spending; and one point per dollar on other spending.
• Redemption:   Redeem points at a rate of a penny each for travel, gift cards, cash back, merchandise and other options; cardholders also get reimbursement of the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, four free yearly visits to Priority Pass Select airport lounges, and a $30 annual credit if you make 11 months of purchases with eligible streaming services.
• Sign-up bonus:  50,000 points, worth $500 , if you spend $2,000 in the first 120 days.

Best Cards for Flexible Travel Redemptions

Redeem points for travel bookings or transfer them to a broad range of partner airline and hotel loyalty programs.

BILT Mastercard®

The BILT Mastercard from Wells Fargo rewards you with one point per dollar on rent payments (up to 100,000 points each year), and you bypass the transaction fees that usually apply when you pay rent with a credit card.  Read our dedicated article on the BILT credit card for the full skinny.

If you enable BiltProtect , your rent payments are drawn directly from your linked bank account, and you earn points on the payments without using your available credit. Keeping your credit line clear of rent payments can help lower your credit-utilization ratio (the amount of available credit that you use), and that’s good for your credit score. 

You also earn three points per dollar on dining, two points on travel and one point on other purchases. The BILT card takes honors in this travel category because you can transfer points that you earn with it on a one-to-one basis to 16 different transfer partner programs , including those of American Airlines, Marriott, United Airlines and Hyatt. 

This card is great for renters, but be sure you can pay your balance in full every month. 

• Annual fee : None
• Interest rates : 21.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable APR.
• Top rewards rate : Three points per dollar on dining.
• Other rewards : Get two points on travel, one point per dollar on rent payments (up to 100,000 points each year), and one point on other purchases.
• Redemption : Transfer points that you earn with it on a one-to-one basis to 16 different transfer partner programs, including those of American Airlines, Marriott, United Airlines and Hyatt. Or you can redeem your rewards toward a down payment on a property, in which case points are worth 1.5 cents each.
• Rent Day bonus : On the first of each month, or  "Rent Day,"  the card will double your rewards, in addition to the one point you receive for paying rent. So, instead of getting three points on dining purchases, you get six points for every dollar you spend on that day, and so on. The card also offers a surprise benefit each Rent Day, such as transfer bonuses to airlines or extra points for purchasing sporting event tickets.
• Trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance.  Get up to a maximum of $1,800 for a trip delay. Get up to $5,000 for non-refundable fares booked with your card.
• Sign-up bonus : None.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card  

Sign-up bonus : 60,000 points if you spend $4,000 in the first three months. For our review of this bonus offer, read Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card Launches $750 Bonus Offer .

This card boasts a strong network of travel transfer partners, including Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt. 

Cardholders earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, redeemable for travel bookings through Chase at a heightened value of 1.25 cents per point on Chase Travel℠ or for cash back or gift cards at 1 cent per point. 

You earn five points per dollar on travel that you purchase through Chase Travel℠ (two points per dollar on other travel spending); three points per dollar on restaurants, online grocery purchases and select streaming services; and one point per dollar on other spending. Plus, you get $50 in statement credits annually for hotel stays booked through Chase. On each yearly anniversary of opening your account, you get a 10% points bonus on total purchases made the previous year.

• Bonus offer : 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℠. For details, read Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card Launches $750 Bonus Offer .
• Rewards : Five points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ and two points per dollar on other travel spending; three points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online groceries; and one point per dollar on other spending. 
• Other benefits : Get $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. And on each yearly anniversary of opening your account, you get a 10% points bonus on total purchases made the previous year. Chase offers excellent travel benefits, including rental car insurance and general travel insurance .
• Redemption : 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. You also get an extra 25% back when you use points to donate to certain charities; to learn more, read Is Chase Pay Yourself Back Worth It?
• Interest rate : 21.49% to 28.49% variable APR for purchases and balance transfers, and 29.99% variable APR on cash advances.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Annual fee : $95. 

Sign-up bonus : Three Free Night Awards  (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first three months. Certain hotels have resort fees. For details on this $1,050 offer, read Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Offer: Three Nights Free .

Though Bonvoy points are less valuable than those of some competitors, the card provides ample ways to rack up a large bank of points. Cardholders get up to 17 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels; three points per dollar on up to $6,000 in combined spending annually at grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants; and two points per dollar on other spending. Points don’t expire if you make a purchase on the card every 24 months. 

Marriott Bonvoy points are redeemable for stays at Marriott properties, but you can also transfer them to the frequent-flier programs of 39 airlines , including American, Delta, Southwest and United. Plus, you get 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points you transfer. (Note, however, that most airlines require three Bonvoy points per mile.) Among the card’s benefits are Silver Elite status with Marriott and a one-night hotel stay each year.

• Interest rate : 21.49% to 28.49% variable.
• Annual fee: $95, or if you prefer to pay no annual fee, check out the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card .
• Rewards : Earn up to a total of 17x bonus points by layering reward categories. Earn six Marriott points per dollar spent at Marriott properties, ten points for being a Marriott Bonvoy member, and one point if you are a Silver Elite Status member.
• Other rewards: Earn three points per dollar on up to $6,000 spent yearly at grocery stores, gas stations and dining, and two points per dollar on all other spending. 
• One free night per year : Earn a free one-night Marriott stay per year after each account anniversary, valid for a one-night hotel stay at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points; note that certain hotels have resort fees.
• Redemptions : Marriott Bonvoy points are redeemable for stays at Marriott properties, but you can also transfer them to the frequent-flier programs of 38 airlines, including American, Delta, Southwest and United; plus, you get 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points you transfer; among the card’s benefits are Silver Elite status with Marriott and a one-night hotel stay each year; points expire if your account is inactive for 24 months.
• Welcome offer: Earn three Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first three months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card .

Best Cards for Luxury Travel Rewards

Frequent travelers can more than overcome the high annual fees on these cards by taking advantage of a bevy of perks. 

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card  

Annual fee : $395. 

Sign-up bonus : 75,000 miles if you spend $4,000 in the first three months. If you are in the market for a business card, the Capital One Venture X Business card has a welcome offer worth between $1,500 to $2,775.

You can rack up points quickly with this card, and it has a lower annual fee than most premium cards. Cardholders receive 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, five miles per dollar for flights reserved through Capital One Travel, and two miles per dollar on all other spending.

You can redeem miles at the rate of a penny each for statement credits on travel purchases or travel reservations through Capital One. Cardholders get a $300 annual credit toward travel bookings through Capital One, 10,000 miles on each yearly account anniversary, reimbursement of the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and free access to Capital One’s airport lounges, as well as lounges in the Priority Pass and Plaza Premium networks.

Hot tip: You can also earn 75,000 miles on the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit card (after spending $4,000 in the first three months). But that card only has a $95 annual fee, while this card's annual fee is $395. It all comes down to the perks that you value.

• Interest rate : 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR for purchases.
• Balance transfer fee : $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.
• Annual fee : $395
• Foreign Transaction fee : None.
• Rewards : Earn 10 miles per dollar spent 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.
• Other benefits : Perks include 10,000 bonus miles on your account anniversary each year, an annual credit of $300 for bookings made through Capital One Travel, free entry to more than 1,300 Priority Pass and Plaza Premium airport lounges, complimentary access for you and two guests to Capital One’s airport lounges, and President’s Circle status with Hertz.
• Redemption : Redeem miles at a rate of a penny apiece for statement credits on travel purchases or travel bookings through Capital One, or transfer them to partner airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• Sign-up bonus: 75,000 miles if you spend $4,000 in the first three months.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Annual fee : $550. 

Sign-up bonus : 60,000 points if you spend $4,000 in the first three months. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

This card provides the kind of travel perks you would expect from a high-end card, such as access to VIP airport lounges and hotel room upgrades, but with some thoughtful additions. Sapphire Reserve offers industry-leading rental car insurance benefits , for example, which are especially valuable for international travel. 

The card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be transferred to the loyalty programs of popular airlines such as United, Southwest and JetBlue. 

Cardholders get 10 points per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals purchased through the rewards travel portal and five points per dollar for flights booked through Chase Travel℠. You also earn 10 points per dollar spent on purchases with Chase Dining — which provides reservations at participating restaurants and access to special dining events — three points per dollar on other travel and dining purchases, and one point per dollar on the rest of your spending. 

You will also get a $300 annual credit for travel purchases and up to $1,200 per year in partner benefits , such as subscriptions to delivery services, luxury hotel upgrades and discounts on Peloton purchases. Exchange points at a high rate of 1.5 cents each for travel booked through Chase Travel℠ or for 1 cent per point for gift cards or cash back.

• Interest rate : 22.49% to 29.49% variable APR.
• Annual fee : $550; $75 for each authorized user.
• Earn five total points on flights and ten 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 three points on other travel and dining and one point per $1 spent on all other purchases. 
• Other benefits : An annual statement credit of up to $300 for travel purchases (purchases that qualify for the credit do not earn points until the $300 travel credit has been applied), a Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access, perks at properties in the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, 10 points per dollar on Lyft rides through March 2025, at least a year of free membership to DoorDash's delivery subscription service, and a $10 monthly statement credit toward purchases from home delivery service Gopuff .
• Redemption : Points are transferable to partner airline and hotel loyalty programs, or trade points at a healthy rate of 1.5 cents each when you redeem them for travel bookings through Chase Travel℠, or for statement credits against purchases in rotating categories through Chase's Pay Yourself Back program (including Airbnb, dining, charitable donations, and other categories).
• Sign-up bonus : 60,000 points if you spend $4,000 in the first three months, for a total value of $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

The Platinum Card® from American Express  

Annual fee : $695. 

Sign-up bonus : Up to 80,000 points if you spend $8,000 in the first six months.

Frequent travelers can offset the card’s hefty annual fee by taking advantage of its bountiful perks and valuable points structure. For example, you can get yearly credits of up to $200 for incidental fees with one airline you choose, $200 for select hotel bookings through Amex, $189 for membership with the CLEAR airport security screening program, $200 in Uber Cash (for Uber Eats orders and Uber rides) and $155 for a Walmart+ membership (which provides free shipping from Walmart, among other benefits). 

Travelers enjoy access to a range of airport lounges , including Amex’s Centurion lounges as well as those in the Airspace, Delta Sky Club, Escape, Plaza Premium and Priority Pass Select networks. Plus, you get up to $100 in fee reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. 

Cardholders earn five Membership Rewards points per dollar for flights booked with airlines or through American Express (on up to $500,000 per year spent) and on prepaid hotel bookings through Amex; two points per dollar spent on other qualifying Amex Travel reservations (such as cruises); and one point per dollar on other spending. Exchange points at a rate of a penny each for flights booked through Amex or for certain gift cards (points are worth less for most other redemption options).

Terms Apply. See rates and fees .

• Interest rate : Pay over time 21.24% to 29.24% APR, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
• Annual fee: $695, plus $195 for up to three authorized users and $195 per card for each user beyond three.
• Rewards : 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.
• Annual Hotel Credit: $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.
• Cruise benefits : Cardholders can receive exclusive benefits through the Cruise Privileges Program , available on cruise bookings of 5 nights or more with participating cruise partners; qualified cardholders can also get two rewards points per dollar when booking through the American Express travel portal. 
• $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.
• Other benefits : 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.
• Redemption : There is no option for cash back; the greatest value comes from booking travel with points, and from the many discounts and other perks.
• Intro bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first six months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Terms apply: See Rates & Fees

Best Dedicated Airline Cards

If you’re loyal to a certain airline or hotel chain, you may be a good candidate to use a credit card that provides points or miles from your preferred loyalty program. Such cards often provide perks such as complimentary checked baggage or free hotel stays each year, too. See whether our picks of the top airline and hotel rewards cards are a good match for you. And note that if you would rather not pay an annual fee, many of the hotels and airlines mentioned here offer no-fee cards, too, but they come with fewer perks.

Traveling with a friend or loved one? Check out our assessment of the best airline credit card bonuses that come with a free ticket .

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Annual fee: $350

Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first six months of Card Membership. 

This mid-tier card from American Express has a strong earning rate. You'll rack up three miles per dollar on Delta and related flights, two miles per dollar on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, and one mile per dollar on all other qualified purchases. You also get an annual companion ticket, 15% off when booking Delta flights with award miles and a 20% credit for Delta in-flight purchases. Cardholders get their first checked bag for free.

Read more at Earn Delta SkyMiles Worth up to $720.

• Intro offer : Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first six months of Card Membership. For details on this card and related cards, read our article Earn Delta SkyMiles Worth up to $720 .
• Interest rate : 20.99% to 29.99% variable APR for purchases. See  rates and fees .
• Annual fee :  $350.
• Rewards rates : Earn three miles per dollar on Delta purchases and purchases made with hotels. Earn two miles per dollar on restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn one mile per dollar on all other qualified purchases.
• Other rewards : Card Members save 15% when booking Award Travel with miles on Delta flights when using  delta.com  and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Free baggage check : Check and stow your bag with ease: First Checked Bag Free + Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta Flights.
• $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive $100 back for Global Entry or $85 back for TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider.
• $150 Delta Stays Credit: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members can earn up to $150 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com.
• Get a discount of up to $50 on flights for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on  delta.com .
• Receive a round trip domestic, Caribbean, or Central American First Class, Delta Comfort+® or Main Cabin  Companion Ticket  each year after renewal of your Card. Payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• Medallion program : If you want to improve your access to the lounges with this card, you can earn $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
• Redemption :  Miles can be used for travel on Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection carriers (Endeavor Air, Inc., Republic Airline, and SkyWest) and 30+ partner airlines.  Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
• See  rates and fees .

JetBlue Plus Card

  Annual fee: $99

Sign-up offer: 60,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. This offer is worth about $780 when redeemed for travel.

JetBlue recently overhauled its TrueBlue loyalty program so that even infrequent flyers could earn perks. Cardholders get six points for each dollar spent on JetBlue flights, two points per dollar for restaurant and grocery stores (excluding wholesalers such as Costco) and one point on all other spending. You also get a 5,000-point bonus each year, 10% of points back after you redeem for travel on JetBlue award flight and an annual $100 statement credit after you purchase a JetBlue Vacations package.

Read more in JetBlue Credit Card Offer Worth $780 .

• Top rewards rate : Get six points back for each dollar spent on qualifying JetBlue purchases, like airline tickets.
• Other rewards rates : Get two points per dollar for purchases made at restaurants and grocery stores. Note that big box retailers like Costco and Target do not qualify as grocery stores. Get one point per dollar back on all other purchases.
• Get 10% TrueBlue Points after taking award flights : With the award flight redemption bonus, you will receive 10% of your TrueBlue points back as a bonus after you redeem points and travel on a JetBlue-operated Award Flight. For example, if you redeem 30,000 TrueBlue points toward a JetBlue-operated Award Flight, 3,000 of your TrueBlue points will be deposited back into your account after you take the flight. 
• Annual bonus : Get a 5,000 TrueBlue points bonus credited to your Membership Account, 4-6 weeks after your Card Account anniversary, as your Card Account remains open and in Good Standing.
• Vacation package credit : Spend at least $100 on a vacation package in a given year and get a $100 statement credit.
• Welcome bonus : Earn 60,000 TrueBlue points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days. That's worth about $780 when redeemed for travel . It will take four to six weeks for your account to reflect the bonus, so plan to use your points accordingly.
• Redemption : Redeem points for travel on JetBlue flights. Points do not expire as long as your account is in good standing, and there are no black-out dates. You may also redeem points for travel packages.
• Interest rate : 21.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% variable APR.
• Annual fee : $99. If you want a similar card with no annual fee, check out the  JetBlue Card .
• Foreign transaction fee : None, so this card is a good choice for purchases abroad.
• More travel perks : Read about other ways to benefit from the  TrueBlue loyalty program .

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Annual fee: $149 

Sign-up bonus: The Southwest card has a stellar intro offer . New cardholders earn 50,000 bonus points (worth up to $750) after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. 

The Priority card from Southwest Airlines comes with attractive annual benefits, including 10,000 companion pass points, a $75 annual credit for eligible Southwest purchases, reimbursement of up to four upgraded boardings per year, 25% back on in-flight purchases, and 1,500 tier qualifying points toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent on the card. 

Cardholders also get three Rapid Rewards points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases. Spending with Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, local transit, and internet, cable, phone and streaming services earns two points per dollar, and all other purchases earn one point per dollar. 

Southwest flights aren't limited to U.S. destinations; you can save your travel rewards for flights to Costa Rica, Aruba, Mexico and other getaways south of the U.S. border. Plus, points don't expire, and there are no blackout dates. 

Read more at Southwest Credit Cards Launch $750 Bonus Offer .

• Interest rate : 21.49% to 28.49% variable APR for purchases and balance transfers.
• Annual fee: $149.
• Rewards : Get three points per dollar on Southwest purchases, two points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, and two points per dollar on internet, cable, phone services and more; all other spending earns one point per dollar.
• Annual benefits : Cardholders receive four hefty bonuses on each account anniversary: a $75 Southwest® travel credit, a bonus of 7,500 Rapid Rewards points, four upgraded boardings when available and a 10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points boost.
• Other benefits : Reimbursement for up to four upgraded airline boardings per year; 1,500 tier-qualifying points toward A-List status for each $10,000 spent on the card; and 25% back on in-flight purchases.
• Redemption : Points may be redeemed for travel on Southwest Airlines or through its Rapid Rewards program; points may also be redeemed for gift cards, merchandise, and entertainment.
• Sign-up bonus: New cardholders earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Read our article on the Southwest bonus reward and how to use the card . 

Best Dedicated Hotel Cards

Frequent guests of the hotel chains associated with these cards can get great value out of them, earning extra points for hotel stays and certain other purchases. Plus, enjoy benefits such as free-night awards and elevated loyalty status.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Annual fee: $95.

Intro bonus: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points  (worth about $780 in hotel stays) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first six months of Card Membership. For details, read our article on the Hilton Honors Bonus Offer Worth up to $780 .

If you are or will soon become a Hilton Honors member, two promotions are worth the moment it takes to register for them. First, through May 1, 2024 , get 2,000 extra points for each stay at a Hilton Honors property, plus 500 points if you use a digital key (a contactless "key" on your phone to open your room door and access other areas). To be eligible, you must register at the promotion website .

Second, for stays booked for May 2, 2024, through September 1, 2024 , get double the points for each stay at a Hilton Property by registering at the promotion website.

When you make eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and resorts, you earn 12 points per dollar with this card. Plus, get six points per dollar at restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations, four points per dollar for online retail purchases and three points per dollar on other spending. 

Additional benefits include Gold loyalty status with Hilton (or Diamond status if you spend at least $40,000 on the card in a calendar year), a free night reward if you spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year, and up to $200 back on purchases at Hilton properties.

Terms apply. See rates and fees .

• Intro bonus : Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first six months of Card Membership. According to Bankrate , that's worth about $780 in stays at Hilton properties (when one point is valued at 0.6 cents).
• Annual benefit : Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.  
• Car rental status : NEW Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required. Terms apply. Read about credit cards that cover rental car insurance .
• Free Night : Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
• Earn 12 Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio. 
• Earn six Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn four Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
• Earn three Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
• Other benefits : Get a Priority Pass Select membership that provides 10 free yearly visits to participating airport lounges and complimentary Gold status . If you spend $40,000 on the card in a calendar year, you’re bumped up to Hilton Honors™ Diamond status through the end of the following calendar year.
• Activate additional bonus point promotions: Through May 1, 2024 , get 2,000 extra points for each stay at a Hilton Honors property, plus 500 points if you use a digital key. To be eligible, you must register at the promotion website . For stays booked May 2, 2024, through September 1, 2024 , get double the points for each stay at a Hilton Property by registering at that specific promotion website.
• Redemption : Points typically expire if you are inactive in the Hilton Honors program for 24 months, and earning points with the credit card counts as activity; expiration terms may vary by membership tier.
• Interest rate : 20.99% to 29.99% variable APR for purchases. See rates and fees.
• Annual fee : $150. If you prefer to skip the annual fee, try the Hilton Honors American Express Card instead. The interest rate for that card is 20.99% to 29.99% variable APR for purchases. See rates and fees for the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
• Foreign transaction fee : None. See rates and fees .

Terms apply.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card  

• Annual fee: $95

Sign-up bonus: 30,000 World of Hyatt Bonus points if you spend $3,000 in the first three months; plus up to 30,000 more bonus points (two bonus points per dollar in the first six months on purchases that normally earn one point, on up to $15,000 spent). The total offer is worth up to $1,380.

Cardholders earn nine World of Hyatt Bonus points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels; two points per dollar on restaurant spending, airline tickets, local transit and gym memberships; and one point per dollar on other spending. You also get a free night at an eligible property each year after your cardmember anniversary, an additional free night if you spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year, automatic Discoverist loyalty status and credits toward the next tier of status each year.

Want more ways to earn points? The World of Hyatt Business credit card has a similar welcome offer. Read more in World of Hyatt Launches Offer Worth up to $1,380 .

•  Interest rate: 21.49% to 28.49% variable.
• Foreign transaction fee : None
• Top rewards rate : Earn nine points per $1 spent on Hyatt stays and experiences (four points technically earned plus five bonus points for being a World of Hyatt member).
• Earn two points per dollar at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from airlines, on local transit, and on fitness club and gym memberships.
• Earn one point per dollar on other spending.
• Other benefits : Each year after your cardmember anniversary, you get a free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort, plus an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year, automatic Discoverist loyalty status, five qualifying nights toward the next loyalty tier each year, and two more qualifying night credits each time you spend $5,000 on the card. 
• Redemption : Redeem points for a wide array of benefits offered by the World of Hyatt , such as through travel partnerships with MGM Resorts and American Airlines.
• Sign-up bonus: Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning two Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first six months from account opening on purchases that normally earn one Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent. According to Bankrate , World of Hyatt points are worth 2.3 cents each, so the value of the 65,000 total sign-up bonus is $1,380.

Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Visa  

Annual fee:  $75.

Sign-up bonus:   Earn up to 100,000 Wyndham Rewards points (enough for 13 nights)  if you spend $2,000 in the first six months. This bonus is a steep increase from Wyndham's latest offer of 45,000 points. 

This card offers flexible benefits to several categories of travelers. First, the Earner Plus card is designed for travelers who frequent budget or mid-tier hotels such as La Quinta, Ramada and Days Inn and vacation rentals for families or large groups. Second, luxury travelers can enjoy premium resorts and hotels like Wyndham Grand, including the  Grand Bonnet Creek Hotel  near Disney World. Finally, gamblers take note; since Wyndham partners with Caesar's, you could use your points at the  Caesar's Palace  in Las Vegas.

The Wyndham Rewards program is flexible. You can redeem Capital One miles for Wyndham points. Wyndham partners with  ten airlines . And if you have earned a high tier with another hotel's loyalty program, Wyndham's Status Match will bump your Wyndham loyalty tier up to the competitor's tier.

Purchases with Hotels by Wyndham and gas stations earn six points per dollar spent. Restaurant and grocery store purchases get four points per dollar, and other spending earns one point per dollar. Cardholders enjoy automatic Platinum status with Wyndham, a bonus of 7,500 points on each account anniversary, and discounts on the hotel’s best available rates. 

• Six Wyndham Rewards points per dollar spent on gas and with Hotels by Wyndham.
• Four points per dollar on dining and grocery-store purchases (excluding Walmart and Target).
• One point per dollar on all other spending. 
• One free night per year : Cardholders get a 7,500-point bonus for each anniversary year.
• Other benefits:  You’ll also get an additional discount on the best available rate when making reservations at participating properties, and automatic Platinum loyalty status.
• Redemption : Points may be redeemed at thousands of Wyndham properties worldwide, including hotels, resorts, casinos, vacation homes, and European parks; points expire if your Wyndham Rewards account is inactive for 18 months.
• Sign-up bonus :  Earn 100,000 bonus points  after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months. That's typically enough for 13 nights at participating properties. According to  Bankrate , the value of this offer is about $900. Free nights can require between 7,500 and 30,000 points per bedroom at participating properties and are subject to availability. Resort fees may apply and cannot be paid with points.
• For  purchases : get a 0% promotional APR for 6 billing cycles on all Wyndham Timeshare Purchases (see Terms and Conditions for details). After that, your APR will be 20.99%, 25.24% or 29.99%, based on your creditworthiness. 
• For  balance transfers (not recommended) : the card offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening, then 20.99%, 25.24% or 29.99% variable APR on purchases, with 0% on purchases for 6 billing cycles on all Wyndham Timeshare Purchases. Given the high balance transfer fee, you should look for a different card if you hope to offload some credit card debt onto a balance transfer card.
• Balance transfer fee : 5% of the amount you transfer, which is higher than many other cards. For this reason, you should look for another card with a balance transfer fee of no more than 3%.
• Annual fee : $75; for a no-fee option, look to the  Wyndham Rewards Earner Visa .

Best Dining Rewards Cards

Frequent diners can enjoy cash back and other perks using these cards.  For other everyday expenses like gas and groceries, see our guide to the  best cash back credit cards .

American Express® Gold Card

Annual fee : $250 

Sign-up bonus : Up to 60,000 points if you spend $6,000 in the first six months 

This is a great travel rewards card for foodies who like to cook or dine out. Earn four points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets and on dining or food delivery, three points on air travel, and one point on other spending. When you use your Gold Card as a payment option on your Uber account, you get $10 in Uber Cash each month toward Uber Eats or Uber rides, up to $120 per year. You can also get $10 credits to your monthly statements for purchases at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack restaurants. 

The most lucrative way to redeem points is for airfare booked through Amex Travel, or transfer them to hotel or airline partner programs. Though you can use points to pay for purchases at many retailers, such as Amazon and PayPal, the conversion rate is only 0.7 cents per point.

See rates and fees .

• Intro bonus : Up to 60,000 points if you spend $6,000 in the first six months.
• Earn four points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (but not superstores such as Walmart or Target), on up to $25,000 spent per year. 
• Earn four points per dollar on dining or food delivery.
• Earn three points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel; two points per dollar on other eligible Amex Travel purchases; and one point per dollar on other spending.
• Redemption : Points are redeemable at a rate of 1 cent each for flights booked through Amex and certain gift cards (points are worth less for most other redemption options).
• Interest rate : Pay Over Time APR: 21.24% to 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. See  rates and fees .
• Annual fee : $250.
• Terms Apply .

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Sign-up bonus : Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel , 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. After your first year or $20,000 spent, the rewards rate reverts to 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.

Get 5% back on travel that you book through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards portal, plus 3% on restaurant and drugstore purchases and a strong 1.5% back on other spending. Points that you earn are redeemable at a rate of 1 cent each for cash, gift cards and travel bookings. Prefer to get takeout? The card provides discounts on DoorDash and Instacart+ memberships and delivery fees.

• Interest rate:  Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% to 29.24%.
• Foreign transaction fee:  3%.
• Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel.
• Earn 3% at restaurants and drugstores.
• Earn 1.5% on all other purchases. 
• Get three months of free membership to DashPass (usually $10 a month), which waives the delivery fee and reduces service fees on eligible orders through food-delivery service DoorDash. After three months, you’re automatically enrolled for nine months of DashPass membership at a rate of 50% off (you can cancel membership anytime). 
• Cardholders also get three free months of Instacart+ membership, which comes with no delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders through the Instacart grocery-delivery service ($99 a year) after three months, you’ll be automatically enrolled in an annual membership unless you cancel. Through July 2024, cardholders who are enrolled with Instacart+ get up to $10 in quarterly statement credits for eligible Instacart purchases.
• Redemption : Redeem points at a rate of a penny each for cash back, gift cards or travel. Cash back rewards don't expire.
• Sign-up bonus:  Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel , 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. After your first year or $20,000 spent, the rewards rate reverts to 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.

Sign-up bonus : 60,000 points if you spend $4,000 in the first three months. For our review of this bonus offer, read  Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card Launches $750 Bonus Offer .

Cardholders earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which are redeemable for travel bookings through Chase at a heightened value of 1.25 cents each, or 1 cent per point for cash back or gift cards. You earn five points per dollar on travel that you purchase through Chase Travel (two points per dollar on other travel spending), three points per dollar on restaurant spending, online grocery purchases and select streaming services, and one point per dollar on other spending. Plus, get $50 in statement credits annually for hotel stays booked through Chase. On each yearly anniversary of opening your account, you get a 10% points bonus on total purchases made the previous year. 

Prefer to get takeout? The card provides discounts on DoorDash and Instacart+ memberships and delivery fees. 

• Bonus offer : 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. For details, read  Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card Launches $750 Bonus Offer .
• Rewards : Five points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel and two points per dollar on other travel spending; three points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online groceries; and one point per dollar on other spending. 
• Other benefits : Get  $50 annual Hotel Credit,  plus more. And on each yearly anniversary of opening your account, you get a 10% points bonus on total purchases made the previous year. Chase offers excellent travel benefits, including  rental car insurance  and general  travel insurance .
• Redemption :  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. You also get an extra 25% back when you use points to donate to certain charities; to learn more, read  Is Chase Pay Yourself Back Worth It?

Travel rewards credit cards offer points or miles on your purchases and may also offer other travel-related benefits. There are three main types of travel credit cards, including general travel cards, airline cards and hotel cards. 

General travel credit cards

General travel rewards credit cards aren't linked to a specific airline or hotel loyalty program. Instead, you'll earn points or miles with the card issuer's rewards program. Examples include American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards.

General travel rewards programs typically allow you to redeem your rewards for travel through their online portal and may also offer other options, including cash back, gift cards and online shopping. They may even allow you to transfer your rewards to partner airline and hotel programs. 

These cards typically won't give you travel perks with a specific airline or hotel brand, but you may get general travel benefits, such as travel credits, airport lounge access and more.

Airline credit cards

These credit cards are co-branded with a specific airline, such as Delta Air Lines or United  Airlines. You'll earn miles or points that you can use to book award flights with that airline or for other travel-related purposes. 

Airline credit cards also typically offer perks when you fly with the co-branded airline. Examples include priority boarding, free checked baggage, inflight discounts and companion passes.

Hotel credit cards

Like airline cards, hotel cards are co-branded with a particular hotel brand, such as Hyatt or Marriott. You'll earn points with that specific hotel chain's loyalty program, which you can use to book award stays, on-property experiences and other travel.

You'll also typically get perks with that hotel brand, which may include a free anniversary night certificate and elite status, which can come with benefits like room upgrades, late checkout and free premium Wi-Fi.

The value of the points or miles you earn with a travel credit card will vary depending on the rewards program and sometimes even the card. General travel programs typically offer predictable redemption rates. For example, you may earn one cent per point on travel bookings, one cent per point on gift cards and half a cent per point for cash back. 

With airline frequent flyer programs and hotel loyalty programs, redemption values can vary depending on several variables. With an award flight, for instance, the departure and arrival airports, flight dates and cabin will influence how much your points or miles are worth. With hotel programs, your stay dates, the property category, location and room type can impact your value.

To get an idea of how much value you're getting per point, divide the cash price of an airline ticket or hotel stay by the number of points or miles required to book it. For example, if you can book a $300 flight with 15,000 miles, divide $300 by 15,000, giving you a value of two cents per point.

If you're thinking about a travel credit card, it's important to choose one that's aligned with your travel habits and goals. Here are some of the factors to consider when shopping around and comparing your options:

• Welcome bonus: Consider how much value you can get with the card's upfront bonus and whether you can meet the minimum spending requirement to earn it.
• Rewards rates: Travel credit cards may offer a flat rewards rate on all purchases or a tiered rewards structure, with bonus rewards on certain spending categories. Try to pick a card that allows you to rack up as many points or miles based on where you spend your money.
• Redemption options: Consider how much flexibility you'll get with your rewards. If your goal is to get free flights or hotel stays with a particular airline or hotel brand, pick an airline or a hotel credit card. If you want more options, however, consider a general travel credit card.
• Redemption values: If you're comparing two different cards, one may offer a higher welcome bonus and more points per dollar spent than the other. However, if the value of those points is lower than what you'd get with the second card, you might actually get less value.
• Perks: Think about how you want to use your credit card to elevate your travel experience, then seek out perks that can help you accomplish that objective. And don't forget about trip protections, which can save you some money if things don't go as planned on a vacation. For example, cards issued by Chase and American Express offer some of the best rental car insurance benefits.
• Annual fee: Travel credit cards tend to charge annual fees, but some can run in the hundreds of dollars. Consider how much you're willing to pay each year for a credit card's rewards and benefits.
• International acceptance: If you pick an American Express or Discover credit card, you may have trouble using your credit card abroad. In this case, you can either bring a Visa or Mastercard credit card as a backup or simply get a Visa or Mastercard in the first place.

Even if you generally like to avoid credit card annual fees, it can be worth paying one in exchange for great benefits. To determine whether an annual fee is worth it to you, consider the following:

• Calculate the value of the card's welcome bonus to see how many years' worth of the fee it covers.
• Add up the monetary value of the card's benefits, making sure to include only benefits you'll actually use. 
• Consider the benefits that are difficult to assign a monetary value — rewards flexibility, trip protections or airport lounge access — and what they're worth to you.
• Estimate how much value you'd get in rewards each year based on your spending habits.

Some travel credit cards offer enough value to cover the cost of the annual fee in benefits alone. If a card charges an annual fee and is scant on perks, it might not be worth the cost.

Once you pick a travel rewards credit card, here are some tips to help you maximize its value:

• Make sure you earn the bonus: You'll typically have three or six months to meet the minimum spending requirement to earn a credit card's welcome bonus. Note, however, that the clock starts when you're approved, not when you receive the card. Track your spending to ensure that you earn the bonus points or miles.
• Use your card for everything: Try to use your credit card for everything that you can use it for. Just be sure to avoid overspending for the sake of earning rewards — the value you get likely won't make up for the extra cost.
• Pay in full every month: Make it a goal to pay off your balance in full every month to avoid paying interest, which can neutralize the value of the rewards you earn.
• Get to know your card benefits: You can find most of the card's benefits on the card issuer's website, but make sure you read through the benefits guide you receive with your card, so you know everything about its perks. 
• Research the best ways to redeem: Each program is different in how you can redeem rewards, and some may offer outsized value if you redeem them in a certain way. For example, you may be able to get more value by transferring your general travel points or miles to an airline or hotel loyalty program than if you were to redeem them with the card issuer's rewards program.
• Avoid getting too many cards: Having multiple rewards credit cards can help you maximize different bonus rewards categories and card benefits, but if you get too many cards, it can be difficult to keep track of everything. There's no correct answer to how many credit cards you should have, so it's important to consider your preferences and organizational skills to determine the right amount.
• Hilton Honors Bonus Offer Worth $780 (+ $200 annual credit)
• Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Offer: Three Nights Free (worth up to $1,050)
• Wyndham Bonus Offer: 13 Nights Free (worth up to $900)
• Jet Blue Credit Card Offer Worth over $780
• Capital One Venture Rewards Launches $750 Bonus Offer
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Launches $750 Bonus Offer
• Best Airline Credit Card Bonuses with a Free Ticket
• Southwest Credit Cards Launch $750 Bonus Deal
• Earn Delta SkyMiles Worth up to $720

All information about the American Express EveryDay® credit card, the Platinum Card from American Express, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card from American Express, the Hilton Honors American Express card, and the American Express Gold Card has been collected independently by Kiplinger. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.   As an independent publication dedicated to helping you make the most of your money, the article above is our view of the best deals and is not the opinion of any entity mentioned such as a card issuer, hotel, airline etc. Similarly, the content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of those entities.

• The 10 Safest Countries to Visit
• Kiplinger's guide to the best rewards credit cards
• Kiplinger's guide to the  best cash back credit cards
• Credit Cards That Cover Rental Car Insurance

Ellen writes and edits personal finance stories, especially on credit cards and related products. She also covers the nexus between sustainability and personal finance. She was a manager and sustainability analyst at Calvert Investments for 15 years, focusing on climate change and consumer staples. She served on the sustainability councils of several Fortune 500 companies and led corporate engagements. Before joining Calvert, Ellen was a program officer for Winrock International, managing loans to alternative energy projects in Latin America. She earned a master’s from the U.C. Berkeley in international relations and Latin America. 

• Lisa Gerstner Editor, Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine

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Best Travel Credit Cards of April 2024

Some of the card offers on this site are from companies who are advertising clients of U.S. News. Advertising considerations may impact where and in what order offers appear on the site but do not affect any editorial decisions, such as which card products we write about and how we evaluate them. Terms apply.

• Chase Freedom Unlimited® : Best feature: Flexible cash back rewards.
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best feature: Travel rewards.
• Hilton Honors American Express Card : Best feature: Hilton hotel rewards.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best feature: Travel rewards.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card : Best feature: Delta Air Lines rewards.

Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, travel credit cards can help you save money. There are many types of travel cards, and they often come with sign-up bonuses and robust rewards programs. A general travel card is a good option for those who want flexibility. But if you do have a favorite airline, an airline-branded card might be just what you need. Terms apply.

U.S. News’ Best Travel Credit Cards of April 2024

See all of our credit cards here .

On This Page

• U.S. News’ Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• How Travel Credit Cards Work

Commonly Compared Travel Credit Cards :

Popular categories:.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Airline Credit Cards

Rewards Credit Cards

Credit Cards With Sign-up Bonuses

How Do Travel Credit Cards Work?

You can use travel credit cards to save money on travel expenses such as airfare, hotel stays, car rentals and baggage fees. Use your travel rewards credit cards to pay for travel and other monthly expenses, and you'll be amazed by how quickly your earnings accumulate. I use a combination of travel rewards and cash back cards, and I earn thousands of dollars' worth of rewards every year.

Depending on the credit card, you can redeem your rewards for airfare, statement credits, hotel stays, merchandise, upgrades and more. Many of these cards also allow you to transfer miles or points to partner airlines and hotels.

Within the travel rewards credit card category, there are three basic types of travel cards: general travel cards, airline cards and hotel cards.

General Travel Credit Cards

With general travel credit cards, you can redeem rewards for many things. Options may include statement credits, trips booked via the issuer's travel portal, online purchases and gift cards. Depending on the rewards program, which varies by credit card, you may also be able to transfer rewards to other airline or hotel loyalty programs.

General travel cards are more flexible than co-branded airline or hotel credit cards, which is a big plus for travelers who aren't loyal to a particular brand or who travel to destinations with fewer options for hotels or airports. Cardholders can worry less about blackout dates or other travel restrictions because rewards are not tied to a sole provider.

Airline credit cards

Airline credit cards offer perks that are especially useful to frequent flyers. They can be co-branded, meaning you earn rewards with a particular airline.

Airline cards can deliver a more economical, comfortable flying experience. Benefits often include free checked bags, priority boarding, complimentary or discounted access to airport lounges, and discounts on in-flight purchases.

Hotel credit cards

Hotel credit cards are generally most valuable when used to book eligible accommodations. Co-branded hotel credit cards work best for loyal guests of a specific hotel group. If you regularly stay at properties within a hotel group, you can earn rewards that you can use for free nights at participating hotels.

Choosing the Best Travel Card

Before you begin searching for a travel card, think about your travel preferences. Do you prefer to use one airline or do you enjoy the flexibility to choose different airlines? You also want to consider if you want a straighforward rewards program or if you're willing to navigate a complex program to get more enticing rewards.

To find a travel card that meets your needs, evaluate each card using the following criteria:

1. Pick the right travel rewards program for you .

Your travel credit card will work in conjunction either with the loyalty program of an airline or hotel chain or with the issuer's rewards program. Each program has unique terms and conditions for earning, redeeming and transferring points.

Airline loyalty programs: For some travelers, loyalty to any particular airline lasts only as long as that airline offers the cheapest flights. But frequent flyers might be willing to forgo initial cost savings in exchange for benefits later.

Which airline program works best for you depends on how frequently you fly with the airline and how much value you can get from your rewards. Also consider how active the airline is at the airport you're planning to use. If that airport isn't the main hub of your favorite airline, figure out if there are still enough flights to make the card worthwhile. Highly rated airline rewards programs include:

• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.
• Delta SkyMiles.
• HawaiianMiles.
• United MileagePlus.

Hotel loyalty programs: As with airline cards, choosing a credit card from a hotel group you regularly patronize is likely to offer the best value for earning and redeeming rewards. Highly rated hotel rewards programs include:

• IHG One Rewards.
• Marriott Bonvoy.
• World of Hyatt.
• Wyndham Rewards.

General travel rewards programs: Using a general travel credit card can earn you rewards that can be redeemed for a statement credit or through the issuer's travel portal, or transferred to partners. Many of these programs also have redemption options for gift cards, experiences and more. Examples:

• American Express Membership Rewards.
• Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Which is the right choice? If you're loyal to a particular hotel group or airline and want to earn rewards while taking advantage of brand-specific benefits, a co-branded airline or hotel card is the way to go.

But if you travel infrequently or with many different airlines, or simply want more flexibility, a general travel card may be a better choice.

2. Calculate earning potential.

Travel cards can earn rewards at different rates for spending in different categories, so analyze your spending habits to determine which card will provide the highest rewards value. A good travel card will have a range of purchases that qualify as travel spending, which may include flights, hotels and car rentals.

Depending on the card, these purchases can earn two points/miles per dollar or more. Other purchases may earn one point/mile per dollar or more.

3. Factor in sign-up bonuses.

Some travel cards offer bonuses for meeting a spending threshold within a few months of opening an account. These bonuses can be worth hundreds of dollars.

4. Calculate redemption value.

The value of your points or miles depends on your card as well as your preferences and priorities.

For general travel cards, point valuation may be as simple as the number of points multiplied by the redemption rate, often 1 cent per point. Point value can also vary depending on whether the issuer uses dynamic pricing, which can depend on other factors, such as demand for the date you've chosen.

Award travel booked through airline or hotel loyalty programs can get more complicated. The number of points or miles needed to book can depend on factors such as destination, fare or hotel class, demand, and other factors. And rewards values aren't consistent across all programs: You might be able to redeem a point or mile for a value of 2 cents with one program or less than 1 cent with another.

5. Subtract annual fees.

The average annual fee for travel credit cards is about $139, according to U.S. News research. Credit card companies sometimes entice new users by waiving the annual fee for the first year.

Once the fee kicks in, be sure you're earning enough rewards or enjoying the other card benefits to more than just compensate for it. Also, about a third of travel cards don't carry an annual fee.

6. Understand travel benefits.

Travel benefits can be practical tools, discounted pricing or luxe perks. Benefits can include no foreign transaction fees, access to concierge or customer service assistance, a free checked bag – and sometimes, a free checked bag for one or more traveling companions. Air travel is frequently disrupted these days, and some travel credit cards offer travel cancellation insurance as well as coverage for lost baggage.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , for example, comes with trip cancellation and interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and more.

7. Avoid foreign transaction fees.

Many travel cards don't charge a foreign transaction fee, which is typically 3% on every purchase in a foreign currency or country. Because these fees can outweigh any rewards you earn, frequent international travelers will want to make this card feature a top priority.

Compare Credit Cards

You can compare cards side-by-side, plus get info about rewards, points, interest rates, and how to apply — all in one place.

How to Redeem Travel Points

Each travel rewards credit card has its own rewards program. The rewards program will highlight the rewards rate, explain any tiered categories and outline redemption options. Be sure you understand the rewards program for your credit card so you can maximize your benefit.

You can find out how much you've earned in rewards by logging into your account or referring to your card's monthly billing statement. Here's a brief summary of what to expect when you redeem rewards, but note that specific details vary by credit card issuer.

Redeeming Travel Points on a General Travel Card

Redemption options might include using points or miles to pay for airfare, getting a statement credit, receiving free hotel nights or buying merchandise on discount.

One of the best features of a general travel card is that you have flexibility to choose the airline that meets your needs. Some general travel cards also have their own travel portal where you might get more value for each mile or point redeemed.

Log into your account and you'll find redemption options as well as directions for redeeming your rewards. Many general travel rewards cards have airline partnerships, which gives you many options when booking your travel.

Redeeming Points With an Airline Credit Card

An airline-branded credit card often comes with generous rewards and excellent benefits, including in-flight credits, priority boarding, waived baggage fees, baggage insurance and 24/7 emergency assistance.

The method for redeeming airline-branded credit cards will vary by issuer, but you can usually redeem them online or by phone. Some airline-branded cards allow you to redeem miles on their page. For specific details, go to the credit card's homepage for instructions.

Some airline cards use dynamic pricing, which means award rates can vary throughout the month. With these airline credit cards, flexibility with travel dates can help you get the most value from your miles.

Redeeming Points With a Hotel Credit Card

Hotel-branded credit cards are best for those who are loyal to a specific hotel group. Hotel cards often come with generous rewards, including tiered rewards, and perks. Redemption options might include using your points for free or discounted hotel stays, hotel services and upgrades, gift cards and airfare.

Similar to airline cards, some hotel cards use dynamic pricing, so award values can vary depending on changes in demand for a date or time. Your rewards will be worth less during a period of high demand.

How to Compare Travel Credit Cards

You're unlikely to find the perfect travel credit card, but if you take time to compare several cards, you're going to find a card that meets most of your needs.

• Credit score: Rewards credit cards require good credit scores, so know your credit score before you start comparing cards. This way, you won't spend time looking at cards you're unlikely to qualify for. By focusing on cards you might get approved for, you also protect your score. Each time you apply for a credit card, you can lose up to five points off your score.
• Annual fees: Many travel rewards cards have annual fees. The more generous the rewards and perks, the higher the annual fee. Be sure the amount of rewards you expect to earn far outweighs the annual fee.
• Sign-up bonus: Most travel rewards cards offer enticing sign-up bonuses. Usually, there's a spending requirement you have to meet within the first three months or so. Read the terms, because every travel card has its own requirements.
• Foreign transaction fees: If you travel overseas and make purchases, businesses may charge foreign transaction fees. The fee is usually around 3% of your bill. Using a credit card that waives these fees will save you a lot of money.
• Purchase APR: Rewards cards, as already noted, have higher interest rates. While it's always prudent to compare APRs among credit cards, it's important that you never carry a balance with a rewards card. Due to the high rate and compound interest, you can slip into debt quickly.
• Rewards programs: Take time to review the programs of the cards you're considering. Some cards have simple programs, but others are complex. Comparing rewards programs is a great way to see which cards offer rewards that match up well with your spending style.
• Benefits and perks: The best travel credit cards not only have generous rewards, but also come with excellent benefits, such as waived baggage fees, airport lounge access, lost baggage insurance, airline fee credits, travel cancellation insurance and much more. Decide what benefits are important to you and see which credit card is the best match.

As I said, you won't find your credit card soulmate, but if you compare travel cards, you'll find the one that will make you the happiest.

Pros and Cons

For the right consumer, travel credit cards can make a lot of financial sense, but make sure you know the advantages and disadvantages of these cards.

• Better earning rates and higher redemption value for travel. Travel credit cards can accrue points and miles at higher rates on travel-related spending than other rewards credit cards. When cardholders redeem those rewards for travel, they could get more value out of them than if they redeemed them for other rewards, such as cash back , statement credits or gift cards.
• May not charge foreign transaction fees. A foreign transaction fee is a surcharge on every purchase made using a credit card in a foreign country or foreign currency. The fees are typically 3% of every purchase. So if you have an international trip planned, a travel rewards credit card that waives foreign transaction fees can save you a lot of money.
• Sign-up bonuses. Lucrative sign-up bonuses are common among travel credit cards and are typically available to new cardholders who hit a minimum spending amount within the first few months.
• Potentially high annual fees. Most travel rewards credit cards have an annual fee. Fees can range from a low $39 to fees that exceed $500. Premium travel cards provide premium benefits, and that's reflected in their annual fees. If the travel card is a good match for you, the annual fee might be worth it.
• Possible complexity and restrictions. Travel credit cards can also cost you time. Some travel cards require lots of planning or working with customer service to navigate blackout dates, limited seat availability or confusing terms and conditions. Depending on the travel card, there can also be caps and expiration dates on points or miles. And, of course, bonus points from airline and hotel cards may be restricted to redemption with certain brands or qualifying partners.
• Low value for infrequent travelers. If you don't travel regularly, then you'll want to make sure that the rewards and benefits you're getting from the card are outweighing the annual fee.

How to Maximize Travel Rewards

• Pick the right travel card. When you're starting out with travel cards, select one with a general rewards program that gives you the flexibility to earn rewards for all spending and redeem with the largest variety of brands. Unless you spend a lot with a particular travel brand, co-branded airline and hotel cards aren't the best choice to start.
• Combine a general travel card with a co-branded card. Used in tandem with a general travel card, a co-branded airline card or a hotel card makes sense for frequent travelers who are comfortable committing to one travel brand. This combination allows you to use the co-branded card to earn bonus points on purchases with your preferred brand and to use the general travel card to earn bonus points in other categories.
• Apply for a card before a planned large purchase to reach your sign-up bonus. The best way to guarantee that you'll get your sign-up bonus is to activate a new travel rewards card before you'll be making a lot of purchases (a family vacation, for instance).
• Use your travel credit card to pick up the tab. Does your card give you extra points for dining? You can offer to pick up the tab the next time you go out with friends. So long as they pay you back, it's worth it to get more of those sweet, sweet rewards points .

Travel Cards vs. Cash Back Cards

Nate Hellman

If you're not sure whether a travel card or cash back card is the best fit for you, there is good news: You can get a card that offers great travel rewards and solid cash back. There is overlap between the best cash back credit cards and the best travel credit cards.

There are cash back credit cards that come with travel rewards, but many others focus on rewards for everyday expenses. Take a look at your spending habits and decide which benefits you'll enjoy most before picking a card.

And if you're like me, you'll want to have both a travel credit card and a cash back card. I use several rewards cards strategically, and I usually travel for free. It's simply a matter of knowing your rewards programs and using the right rewards card at the appropriate time. This way, you maximize your rewards!

What Are Some Alternatives to Getting a Travel Credit Card?

• Use a cash back rewards credit card. Many cash back rewards cards offer significant cash back for everyday purchases, and some offer travel benefits such as rental car protection and travel insurance.
• Join a frequent flyer program. Many major airlines offer rewards for booking its flights, spending through its travel partners and shopping with select retailers. These points may have no caps and offer redemption options such as flights, exclusive vacations, premium drinks and cabin upgrades.
• Sign up for a hotel loyalty program. Hotel loyalty programs offer various incentives, such as exclusive rates, late checkout and bonus points, for keeping your overnight stays within its family of properties. Be sure to book your stays directly with the hotel and not a third-party service to rack up bonus points, then redeem for perks such as free drinks, spa packages and free nights.

U.S. News Survey

U.S. News Survey: More Than Two-Thirds of Respondents Say Recent Financial Events Have Affected Their Summer Plans

According to a May U.S. News survey, inflation and recent stock market drops have put a crimp in many people's summer travel plans. Almost 21% of respondents are cutting the number of trips they plan to take, while another 21.7% are reducing their travel budgets. Only 28.8% of respondents say they aren't changing their plans at all. While the past two years of summer travel have been seriously disrupted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, most respondents say they aren't planning to make up for lost time and splurge. Though 30.1% say they plan to spend more on travel compared with pre-pandemic vacations, 43% say they plan to spend less, and 26.9% plan to spend about the same amount. Respondents are also fairly split on how much COVID-19 will affect their plans. For 31.9% of respondents, it's a moderate consideration, but 28.2% of respondents say they aren't thinking about COVID-19 at all. A smaller percentage, 15.9% of respondents, say the coronavirus is a major consideration, and it has dictated their destination or transportation plans.

Additional Survey Insights

Most respondents plan to take either one (36.6%) or two (36.7%) vacations this summer.

Only 14.6% of respondents say they plan to travel internationally this summer, while 25.7% of respondents plan to stay in the same state., roughly two-thirds of respondents plan to travel by car, and about one-third plan to travel by air. a limited number of people are traveling by rail, boat or bus., a large majority of respondents, 61.2%, plan to pay for their trips with savings. in contrast, 13% of respondents plan to add the costs to their credit card balances, and 5.6% plan to use a buy now, pay later plan., over half of the respondents (54.2%) plan to spend $1,000 or less per person per trip., there are two summer travel trends that are especially popular: 30.6% of respondents are taking a multigenerational trip with their families, and 31.1% of respondents are taking a vacation focused on self-care and wellness., the most popular type of credit card for traveling is none at all – 28.7% of respondents say they don't plan on using one., people aren't earning that much in rewards with their credit cards. the largest group of respondents, 28.2%, say they've earned $350 or less in rewards in the past 12 months., if respondents did get a travel credit card, 40.8% say the most important secondary benefit would be free checked bags..

Survey Results

• U.S. News ran a nationwide survey of 1,211 respondents through PureSpectrum between May 19 and May 23, 2022. Only people who planned to travel this summer answered questions.
• The survey sample drew from the general American population, and the survey was configured to be representative of this sample.
• The survey asked 12 questions relating to summer travel and spending.

Best Credit Cards for Travel Methodology

U.S. News has been helping consumers make money decisions for decades. The Best Travel Credit Cards are selected based on ease and flexibility of rewards redemption, travel rewards earning rate, rewards redemption value, annual fee, APR, sign-up bonus value, cardholder benefits, foreign transaction fee and balance transfer fee. Cards are also scored on U.S. News' overall issuer satisfaction rating.

To qualify as one of the best travel credit cards, a card must earn bonus travel rewards, including general travel, airline or hotel. Remember to consider your spending and travel habits as you compare travel cards so you can find the best credit card for you.

Can You Get Travel Rewards for Business Travel?

If you are an entrepreneur, a small-business owner or have a side hustle, you have more options to consider. You can keep all of your spending on one travel rewards credit card to consolidate your points. Alternatively, you can open a separate business credit card . Business cards typically have different rewards categories that might be more beneficial to you.

What Credit Score Is Needed for a Travel Credit Card?

Travel credit cards require good to excellent credit , with a typical minimum credit score of 670.

Is There a Difference Between Points and Miles on a Credit Card?

There is a difference, but it's a minor one. Miles are the reward unit for airline credit cards, while points are the reward unit for hotel and general credit cards. The important thing to check is how easy it is to redeem your points or miles once you earn them.

Should I Get a Separate Credit Card Just for Travel?

[READ: What Does Your Credit Card Number Mean? ]

What Are the Best Travel Credit Card Perks?

The best travel credit card perks for you will depend on your priorities when you travel. If you’re a frequent flyer, for example, you might want a card that gets you airport lounge access and covers the fee for TSA PreCheck. If you instead prioritize hotel stays, you can look for perks such as late checkout.

Comparative assessments and other editorial opinions are those of U.S. News and have not been previously reviewed, approved or endorsed by any other entities, such as banks, credit card issuers or travel companies. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired.

Beverly Harzog , Credit Card Expert

Beverly Harzog  is a nationally recognized personal finance and credit card expert for U.S. News & World Report. She’s the bestselling and award-winning author of five personal finance books. Harzog puts her expertise to practice in her personal life by saving thousands every year on travel and everyday expenses by using a combination of credit cards in various categories. Read more

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Credit Cards

Best travel credit cards of April 2024

Robin Saks Frankel

Megan Horner

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

Updated 4:54 a.m. UTC April 1, 2024

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

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

We analyzed a broad swath of credit cards in this category, from a variety of issuers, to curate a list of the very best travel credit cards for 2024. Here are our selections.

Best travel credit cards

• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best travel card for premium airline perks.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best travel credit card for boosted redemption value.
• Bilt World Elite Mastercard® : Best travel credit card for renters.
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card : Best travel credit card for commuters.
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card* : Best credit card for travel.
• United℠ Explorer Card  *: Best low-cost travel credit credit card for airline benefits.
• The World of Hyatt Credit Card  *: Best low-cost travel credit card for hotels.
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card  *: Best travel credit card for elite hotel status.
• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card  *: Best travel card credit for road warriors.

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

Why trust our credit card experts

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

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

our partner

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

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Welcome 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℠.

Regular APR

Credit score.

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

Editor’s Take

• Flexible points that can be transferred to 14 travel partners or redeemed through Chase Travel℠ at 1.25 cents each.
• $50 annual statement credit toward Chase Travel hotel bookings.
• Valuable travel protections.
• $95 annual fee.
• Category bonuses are limited and not competitive against other travel cards.
• Transfer partner list is limited compared to programs like Amex Membership ® Rewards and Citi ThankYou ® .

Card details

• 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

Best travel card for premium airline perks

The platinum card® from american express.

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

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

Best travel credit card for boosted redemption value

Chase sapphire reserve®.

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℠.

• Up to $300 annual travel credit and Priority Pass Select lounge access.
• Redeem points for 50% more value to book travel through Chase Travel ℠ .
• Transfer points 1:1 to partners such as United Airlines and World of Hyatt.
• High annual fee.
• Not ideal if you aren’t interested in transferring points.
• May not qualify if you’ve applied for 5 or more credit cards in the last 24 months.
• Earn 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

Best travel credit card for renters

Bilt world elite mastercard®.

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

Best travel credit card with a low annual fee

Best travel credit card for commuters, wells fargo autograph℠ card.

Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s a $200 cash redemption value.

• Generous rewards rate across a wide range of categories.
• No annual fee.
• Introductory APR period on purchases.
• Minimal cardholder perks compared to other cards.
• Potentially high purchase APR after the introductory period.
• Lacks an intro APR period on balance transfers.
• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up – like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
• $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Best credit card for travel

Capital one venture x rewards credit card.

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

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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

Best low-cost travel credit credit card for airline benefits

United℠ explorer card.

The information for the United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

• Reasonable annual fee.
• Ability to earn elite status via credit card spending.
• Access to United Saver awards.
• United miles are more limited in use than transferable rewards like Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Benefits are not useful for those who don’t often fly United.
• Very limited airport lounge access.
• Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Rewards: Earn 2 miles per $1 on dining including eligible delivery services, hotel stays and United purchases and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• APR: 21.99% to 28.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies .
• Perks and benefits: Free first checked bag for the primary cardmember and one travel companion, priority boarding for the primary cardmember and travel companions on the same reservation, two annual United Club passes, complimentary Premier Upgrades on award tickets for MileagePlus Premier members and one companion on the same reservation, earn 500 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) for every $12,000 spent, up to a maximum of 1,000 PQP per calendar year, 25% back on United in-flight purchases, up to $100 as a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA Precheck or NEXUS every four years.
• Foreign transaction fees: $0.

Best low-cost travel credit card for hotels

The world of hyatt credit card.

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

Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.

• High rewards potential on hotel bookings through Hyatt.
• Points don’t expire.
• Free night certificate each year.
• There’s a $95 annual fee.
• Hyatt doesn’t have as expansive a footprint as Marriott and Hilton.
• Annual fee: $95.
• Rewards: 9 points total per $1 at Hyatt — 4 points at Hyatt hotels and 5 base points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member. Earn 2 points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: 30,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months, plus up to 30,000 points by earning 2 points per $1 total on up to $15,000 in the first six months of account opening (then 1 point).
• APR: 21.49% to 28.49% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies .
• Perks and benefits: One free night at any category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year after your card opening anniversary, plus an extra free night if you spend $15,000 on the card throughout the year, one year of no-extra-charge DashPass, automatic Discoverist status and credits toward the next level of World of Hyatt elite status, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, Visa Signature Concierge and purchase protection.

Best travel credit card for elite hotel status

Hilton honors american express aspire card.

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

Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 4/17/2024.

• High rewards rates on Hilton bookings, flights and dining.
• Annual credits and complimentary Diamond status.
• A free night each calendar year with the potential to earn two additional nights after required spend.
• High $550 annual fee.
• Hilton points often have a lower redemption value than competing programs.
• May require significant effort to take advantage of the annual credits.
• Annual fee: $550.
• Rewards : 14 Hilton Honors points per $1 at hotels or resorts in the Hilton Portfolio, 7 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and U.S. restaurants and 3 points per $1 on other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: 175,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $6,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends 4/17/2024.
• Perks and benefits: Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status, annual free night reward with the opportunity to earn a second free night after spending $30,000 on the card in a calendar year and an additional night after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, up to $400 in statement credits (up to $200 semi-annually each calendar year) for eligible purchases through participating Hilton resorts, up to $200 airfare statement credit (up to $50 per quarter) on flights booked directly with airlines or via amextravel.com, up to $100 in property credit when you book a two-night minimum stay at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts or Conrad Hotels & Resorts, (enrollment required for select benefits).
• APR: 20.99% to 29.99% variable APR on purchases
• Foreign transaction fees: None.

Best travel card credit for road warriors

Wyndham rewards earner® plus card.

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

Earn 100,000 bonus points, enough for up to 13 free nights at participating properties, after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months. Free nights can require up to 30,000 points per bedroom at participating properties and are subject to availability. Resort fees may apply and cannot be paid with points.

• High rewards rates on Wyndham hotel stays, gas and groceries.
• Valuable welcome bonus and account anniversary bonus points.
• Automatic Wyndham Rewards Platinum status.
• $75 annual fee.
• Redemptions other than Wyndham bookings likely to offer subpar value.
• Lacking in travel and purchase protections.
• Annual fee: $75.
• Rewards: 6 points per $1 on Hotels By Wyndham and gas purchases, 4 points per $1 on restaurants and grocery purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: 100,000 points, enough for up to 13 free nights at participating properties, after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. Free nights can require up to 30,000 points per bedroom at participating properties and are subject to availability. Resort fees may apply and cannot be paid with points.
• APR: 0% intro APR on Wyndham Timeshare purchases made in the first 6 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 20.99%, 25.24% or 30.24% on purchases and balance transfers. A 0% introductory APR on balance transfers made within the first 45 days is applicable for the first 15 months. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies .
• Foreign transaction fees: 0% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
• Perks and benefits: Wyndham Rewards Platinum status, annual bonus of 7,500 points, 10% discount when redeeming for go free® awards.

Compare the best credit cards for travel

Why this card made the list

The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, rates & fees ) offers the most widespread lounge access benefits of any card on the market. While the high price point may be prohibitive for some, consider that the card offers more than a $1,000 value in potential statement credits. Among its most notable are up to $200 in Uber Cash annually, an up to $200 airline incidental fee statement credit per calendar year (applicable to one qualifying airline of your choice) and an up to $240 digital entertainment statement credit that can be used toward certain streaming services. Enrollment is required to enjoy these benefits.

• Annual fee: $695.
• Rewards: Earn 5 Membership Rewards® points per $1 for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
• Foreign transaction fee: None.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® ‘s $550 annual fee can be offset by an up to $300 annual travel credit, access to airport lounges via Chase Sapphire Lounges and the Priority Pass Select network (enrollment required), food delivery service memberships, 1:1 points transfer to a long list of airline and hotel loyalty program partners and generous protections for travel, car rentals and purchases.

In addition to a slew of benefits, the Chase Ultimate Rewards® points earned on this card can be redeemed at a 50% increase in value when used to book travel through Chase Travel. So for example, 100,000 points on this card can be redeemed for $1,500 worth of travel booked through the issuer , helping you stretch the value of your rewards even further.

• Annual fee: $550 plus $75 per authorized user.
• Rewards: Earn 5 points per $1 on flights and 10 points per $1 on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠ after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• Foreign transaction fee: $0.

Here’s how two of the top cards compare to each other. Capital One Venture X vs. the Chase Sapphire Reserve .

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

• Annual fee: $0.
• Rewards: 1 point per $1 on rent payments without a transaction fee (on up to 100,000 points each year), 2 points per $1 on travel (when booked through the Bilt Travel Portal or directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company), 3 points per $1 on dining and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. At least five transactions must be made per statement period to earn these rewards.
• Welcome bonus: None.
• Foreign currency conversion fee: None.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers generous rewards on travel and dining and a straightforward redemption program. It’s an excellent choice for both frequent and aspiring travelers looking to maximize their everyday spending.

Card perks include an annual bonus point award equal to 10% of total purchases made in the past year, the ability to transfer points 1:1 to Chase’s travel loyalty partners and a long list of travel and purchase protections including primary auto rental coverage. Plus, rewards on this card are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel ℠ . You’d be hard-pressed to find another travel card that packs more punch in an affordable package.

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

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has a wide range of high reward categories and those earnings can be redeemed as a statement credit, used to book travel or redeemed for gift cards with multiple merchants.

The card also comes with cellphone protection and some travel and purchase protections. While it doesn’t offer the travel benefits of a premium travel rewards credit card, there are no foreign currency conversion fees and, as a Visa Signature® card, it comes with access to the benefits and perks of the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection.

• Rewards: Earn 3 points per $1 at restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: Earn 20,000 points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers great value with its lineup of travel credits, including a $300 annual credit reimbursement for travel bookings made through Capital One Travel, Capital One’s online travel agency. Among its many benefits, the card offers airport lounge access, cellphone protection¹ and the ability to transfer miles to airline and hotel partners. The rewards earned on this card don’t expire and bookings made with Capital One aren’t subject to blackout dates. Card ownership also comes with Hertz President’s Circle status².

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

The United℠ Explorer Card * The information for the United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers a jumbo jet’s worth of United Airlines benefits including a free first checked bag perk, priority boarding on United-operated flights and 25% back as a statement credit on United in-flight purchases. The card also reimburses application fees up to $100 for either Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS every four years and offers a one-year complimentary DashPass membership. United fans who don’t want to pay for the pricier cards in the United card lineup should consider this card, as the benefits can outweigh the cost of the annual fee.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card * The information for the The World of Hyatt Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. stands out among cobranded hotel cards for its earning power and access to ongoing brand benefits at a fairly low cost. Hyatt’s rewards program often provides better redemption values than other hotel reward programs, allowing you to maximize your points potential. The card also offers a free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort after every cardmember anniversary. This perk alone can be worth much more than the annual fee.

• Rewards: Earn 9 points total per $1 at Hyatt — 4 points at Hyatt hotels and 5 base points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member. Earn 2 points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: Earn 30,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months, plus up to 30,000 points by earning 2 points per $1 total on up to $15,000 in the first six months of account opening (then 1 point).

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card * The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply) is the only cobranded hotel card on the market that confers the highest elite status with card ownership. You won’t have to stay a single night to get the Hilton Honors Diamond status that comes with card ownership, but when you do, that status will give you access to room upgrades where available and a daily food and beverage credit or continental breakfast (varies by brand and region), among other perks like resort credits and airfare statement credits, plus an annual free night award each year of card membership.

• Rewards: Earn 14 Hilton Honors points per $1 at hotels or resorts in the Hilton Portfolio, 7 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and U.S. restaurants and 3 points per $1 on other purchases.
• Welcome bonus: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $6,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends 4/17/2024.

The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card * The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers a rewards structure tailor-made for those frequently on the road or visiting small towns, offering high rewards on Wyndham-branded hotels and filling up at the gas pump. The card offers complimentary Platinum status, which is the second highest tier in the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program. This status level grants flexible check-in and check-out times and preferred room choice. Plus, the card also comes with an intro offer for those interested in owning a Wyndham timeshare.

• Foreign transaction fee: 0% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.

Methodology

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

• Annual fees.
• Travel reward rates.
• Value of rewards.
• Redemption options.
• Additional benefits that a card may offer for travelers, such as travel insurance.

How do travel credit cards work?

A travel credit card is typically a card that earns points or miles on your spending, and those rewards are usually worth the most when redeemed for travel. Generally, there are two types of travel rewards cards: Ones that earn a specific currency tied to a brand, like Delta SkyMiles or Hilton Honors points and cards that earn “flexible” rewards that can be used to book travel across several hotels and airlines.

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

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

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

How to travel for cheaper with travel cards in 2024

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

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

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

Best places to travel with rewards in 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nonstop routes are priced favorably for just 13,000 Avios plus $5.60 in taxes and fees for a one way flight from the West Coast. Depending on when you’re traveling, you may also be able to find multiple award seats per flight. This is great news for big families.

Types of travel credit cards

Travel rewards credit cards can be a great way to earn more value on your next vacation or business trip. They often provide a wide range of benefits, from travel and purchase protections to airfare and hotel redemptions.

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

Airline-specific cards 

The best airline credit cards offer exclusive discounts and rewards when you use them with a specific airline. Many also offer free companion tickets or priority boarding benefits. Examples include: The United℠ Explorer Card * The information for the United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , the JetBlue Plus Card * The information for the JetBlue Plus Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. and the Aeroplan® Credit Card * The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. . 

Hotel-specific cards

These cards may give you access to exclusive discounts at certain hotel chains and resorts, as well as rewards to be redeemed for free nights or upgrades. Hotel loyalty status is a common benefit among the best hotel credit cards . Examples include: The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card * The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card * The information for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (terms apply).

Flexible points cards

These cards allow you to earn points for every dollar spent that can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, car rentals and other travel bookings. Often issued by major issuers with online travel booking portals, these cards may also allow you to transfer points to airline or hotel partners, providing the most flexibility when it comes to redemptions. Examples include: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® .

Co-branded travel cards vs. general travel cards

A co-branded travel card is one that earns specific rewards with a specific brand. For example, the United Explorer card only earns United’s MileagePlus miles and the World of Hyatt card only earns Hyatt points.

General travel cards earn rewards that can be redeemed in a variety of ways for multiple types of travel. For example, the Venture X card earns miles that can be redeemed for airfare, hotels, cruises and other types of travel.

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

How to compare and choose the best travel rewards card

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

• What type of rewards do you want to earn? Do you want points that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses? Or do you prefer cash back on all your purchases? Different cards offer different types of rewards, so it’s important to pick one that best suits your needs.
• Does the card come with a good welcome bonus? Many cards offer a generous welcome bonus (sometimes called a sign-up bonus) when you make a certain amount of purchases in the first few months of receiving the card. This can be an easy way to get an infusion of rewards when you first open your account — but when calculating a card’s value, remember the welcome bonus is a one-time deal. 
• Are you willing to pay the annual fee and any additional fees associated with the card? Some cards have no annual fee, while others have a high annual fee but offer more generous rewards or benefits. Make sure you understand all the fees before making a decision so that you don’t end up paying more than you’d like.
• Does it come with any additional benefits that offer value? Card perks such as travel insurance , airport lounge access or exclusive discounts and offers can help make your travel smoother and your card more cost effective.

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

Evaluating if a travel credit card is right for you

Consider how you like to travel and what you’re looking to achieve with a new travel card. Before you shell out a high annual fee for a perk-laden card, consider if the benefits it comes with are ones you’d actually use. If you rarely travel and are considering saving up over a long period of time for a trip, keep in mind that rewards don’t earn interest, and in fact often lose value over time and may even expire. It’s generally best practice not to sit on your rewards for too long.

Flexible rewards vs airline or hotel credit cards

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

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

If you only take an occasional trip, then a different type of reward card may be a better choice. 

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

Evaluating reward potential

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

In a year, we expect a household might make about $84,352 and spend about $25,087 of this on a credit card. Of this credit card spending, we’d expect about $2,941 to be spent on overall travel — which breaks down as $1,188 spent on airfare, $868 spent on hotels and $885 spent on all other travel. For frequent travelers carrying high-annual-fee travel rewards cards — like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , which charges an annual fee of $395 — we expect about twice this much spending in the travel categories. 

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

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

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

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

Pros and cons of travel cards

Pros: reasons to consider a travel card.

• Travel rewards can be easy to earn with a credit card. Use your travel credit card to pay for everyday expenses and earn rewards you can use for travel.
• Can lower the out-of-pocket cost of travel. Whether you use your points to pay for airfare, nights at a hotel or for a rental car, redeeming your earnings for travel can significantly reduce the cost of a trip.
• Free nights, checked bags and other perks. Many cobranded credit cards come with a free night perk or waive the fees for checking luggage, both of which can save you money and may be worth more than the cost of the card itself.
• May enable you to have a travel experience you might not have had otherwise. Stories abound of people who have used their credit card rewards to take over-the-top luxury trips. Even if an overwater villa in the Maldives is not within reach or something you’re interested in, having enough points for a free flight or hotel may be enough incentive to nudge you towards taking a trip to a new city or to see family and friends in far-flung places.

Cons: Why a travel card might not make sense for you

• Top travel cards often carry ultra-high annual fees. If you end up getting a travel card with an expensive price tag, you’ll have to put in the work to maximize credits and benefits to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth from the card.
• Travel programs can be complicated. Many points-and-miles programs can be complex and take some time to understand how to get the most out of your rewards.
• Cash-back redemptions may be a poor option. Most travel cards are designed to offer the best value from using your rewards to book more travel, which may have you caught in a loop of having to spend even more money on travel. A cash-back card might be better for some, as it allows you to spend those earnings on anything you’d like, travel or otherwise.

Tips for maximizing your travel credit card

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

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

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

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

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

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

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

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

If you’re not sure, or you have a wider variety of needs, a card with flexible point currencies — like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — may be a better bet.

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

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

Travel reward credit cards earn points or miles for every dollar spent. These rewards can typically be redeemed for award travel including flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel bookings.

Some cards offer bonus points for purchases made in certain categories, such as purchases made with airlines or at grocery stores. Many cards also offer welcome bonuses for meeting certain spending requirements and provide a wide variety of travel-related protections and other benefits.

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

¹For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

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

*The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, JetBlue Plus Card, The World of Hyatt Credit Card, United℠ Explorer Card and Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

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

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

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

Megan Horner is editorial director at USA TODAY Blueprint. She has over 10 years of experience in online publishing, mostly focused on credit cards and banking. Previously, she was the head of publishing at Finder.com where she led the team to publish personal finance content on credit cards, banking, loans, mortgages and more. Prior to that, she was an editor at Credit Karma. Megan has been featured in CreditCards.com, American Banker, Lifehacker and news broadcasts across the country. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and editing.

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Best hotel credit cards for May 2024

Anytime you go on vacation, the hotel you choose can have a big impact on your trip — whether you prioritize luxury accommodations with the best views and amenities, or just need a place to sleep and recharge before setting back out to explore.

No matter what type of traveler you are, you could save more on hotel stays when you travel with a hotel credit card. Get started below with our top picks for any traveler looking to maximize hotel rewards today.

Here’s a look at the best credit cards to save on an upcoming hotel stay:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best for general travel rewards

Annual fee: $95

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months

5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel (not including hotel spending that applies toward your annual credit)

3x points on dining

3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)

3x points on select streaming services

2x points on all other travel

1x points on all other purchases

More details: Get a $50 statement credit toward hotel bookings you make through Chase Travel each account year, plus an annual points bonus worth 10% of your spending over the prior year. Chase Sapphire Preferred also has travel and purchase protections and a few added benefits from partners like Instacart, Lyft, and more.

Why we like this card: We like the value you can get from the Chase Sapphire Preferred , whether you’re a seasoned travel pro or a beginner to travel rewards. For hotels specifically, the small $50 annual credit alone can make up more than half the annual fee cost — and beyond that, you’ll earn 5x points on hotels through Chase Travel and 2x on hotels you book elsewhere.

Redeeming your rewards for hotel stays or other travel expenses through Chase Travel is also a great benefit. The redemption boost you’ll get makes each Chase Sapphire Preferred point worth 25% more, or 1.25 cents per point. Take the 60,000-point bonus for example — you can earn $750 toward your next hotel stay (or other travel purchase) when you book through Chase.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card : Best for Marriott

Welcome offer: Earn 3 Free Night Awards (worth up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months

Up to 17x points on purchases with Marriott Bonvoy hotels (6x points with your card, 10x points for being a Bonvoy member, and 1x point with Silver Elite status — complimentary with card membership)

3x points on the first $6,000 in combined spending at grocery stores, at gas stations, and on dining

2x points on all other purchases

More details: Marriott Bonvoy members get plenty of extra savings on hotel stays with this card. Start with a Free Night Award every account anniversary, worth up to 35,000 points. Plus get 15 Elite Night Credits each year, another Elite Night Credit for every $5,000 you spend, automatic Silver Elite status, Gold Elite status after spending $35,000 in a calendar year, and more.

Why we like this card: For a relatively affordable $95 annual fee, loyal Marriott customers can rack up plenty of free nights and other benefits with the Bonvoy Boundless card. Not only will you get an annual Free Night Award starting on your first cardmember anniversary, but you can earn three free nights right from the start with the card’s welcome bonus.

We also like that the Bonvoy Boundless benefits your purchases at home and while traveling. Take the 3x grocery store , gas station, and dining categories for example. If you max out these categories with a combined $6,000 spent each year, you’ll earn 18,000 points. With award night redemptions starting at 7,500 points, that’s two more nights each year — before even accounting for your other earnings.

Then there are the status benefits. You’ll get complimentary Silver Elite status, which comes with 10% bonus points on eligible stays, late checkout, and more — plus the opportunity to earn Gold Elite status (adding welcome gifts at check-in and room upgrades) after you spend $35,000 in a calendar year.

Hilton Honors American Express Card : Best for Hilton

Annual fee: $0 ( see rates and fees )

Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $2,000 within the first 6 months

7x points on eligible purchases directly with Hilton hotels and resorts

5x points at U.S. restaurants

5x points at U.S. supermarkets

5x points at U.S. gas stations

3x points on all other purchases

More details: This no annual fee card doesn’t offer a ton of extra benefits, but you will get complimentary Silver status with the opportunity to upgrade to Gold status after you spend $20,000 in a calendar year.

Why we like this card: The Hilton Honors Amex Card proves that you don’t have to pay a big annual fee to get big rewards. While you’ll earn the most rewards on your stays with Hilton, you can also earn a solid 5x points on everyday spending at U.S. supermarkets, restaurants, and gas stations — plus 3x rewards in all non-category spending. With Hilton Honors reward nights starting at 5,000 points per night, those extra points can take you far.

You can also get a lot of value from your complimentary Silver status the Hilton Honors American Express Card offers. Status perks include a 20% points bonus on Hilton stays, your fifth night free on award stays, elite rollover nights, and more. If you score the Gold status upgrade (after spending $20,000 in a calendar year), you’ll also receive room upgrades when available, daily food and beverage credits, milestone bonuses, and a boosted 80% points bonus on stays.

Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card : Best for Wyndham

Annual fee: $75

Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 Wyndham Rewards points after spending $2,000 within the first 3 months (worth up to 13 free nights)

6x points on purchases at Hotels by Wyndham

6x points on qualifying gas purchases

4x points on dining

4x points on grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart)

More details: This card’s added benefits help make the most of your Wyndham stays. There’s an automatic upgrade to Platinum membership level, with perks like early check-in, late checkout, preferred room choice, Caesar Rewards status match, and upgrades on Avis and Budget car rentals. Each year after your first account anniversary, you’ll receive 7,500 bonus points (enough for a free night). This card also has a 0% intro APR on balance transfers .

Why we like this card: Wyndham may not have as many well-known credit card options as chains like Hilton or Marriott, but it does have a comparable number of locations — with more than 9,000 worldwide properties. And with the Rewards Earner Plus, there are plenty of ways to save anytime you book a stay.

Automatic status and the anniversary points bonus are two perks you can benefit from year after year. And for new cardholders, this card’s 100,000 welcome bonus — enough points for up to 13 free nights — is hard to beat.

Like other hotel cards on our list, we also like that the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus rewards non-travel spending. Not only are gas station purchases one of the card’s top-earning bonus categories, but each of the everyday rewards categories has no annual spending cap, guaranteeing you can maximize every dollar you spend.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best premium hotel card

Annual fee: $395

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 Capital One miles after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months

10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel

2x miles on all other purchases

More details: The Venture X card offers $300 in annual credits for travel you book through Capital One Travel. Each year starting on your account anniversary, you’ll also get 10,000 anniversary bonus miles. Other benefits include a fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, airport lounge access, and more.

Why we like this card: The Capital One Venture X is our premium travel credit card pick for hotel stays. It’s a good alternative for travelers who aren’t loyal to a single hotel brand but do want to maximize frequent bookings.

First, it offers one of the highest rewards rates around for hotel stays, at 10x points when you book through Capital One Travel. As a Venture X cardholder, there are more benefits to booking through the issuer’s portal, too. You’ll get up to $100 in experience credits, daily breakfast, and more when you book The Premier Collection hotels — as well as up to $50 in experience credits, room upgrades, early check-in, and more when you book The Lifestyle Collection hotels.

The Capital One Venture X $300 annual travel credit also helps its premium price. Before you start earning those 10x miles on Capital One Travel spending, you’ll get reimbursed with credits for the first $300 you spend on travel through the site each year. Not only can that go a long way toward reducing the annual fee cost, but it’s also worth a lot of value toward your next hotel stay — whether you want to splurge on a night away or save on multiple nights at a lower price.

The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for elite status

Annual fee: $695 ( see rates and fees )

Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 within the first 6 months

5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 spent per year, then 1x)

5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel

More details: The added benefits and credits are where the Platinum Card shines. To name a few, you’ll get up to $200 in annual statement credits toward incidental fees with your chosen airline, up to $200 annual Uber Cash ($15 per month and a bonus $20 in December), $189 in annual statement credits for CLEAR Plus membership, up to $240 in digital entertainment credits ($20 monthly; enrollment required) with eligible providers, airport lounge access, concierge services, and much more.

Why we like this card: While it offers a seemingly limitless suite of benefits, we’ll stick with specific Platinum Card perks for frequent travelers looking to maximize hotel stays.

For one, you’ll get up to $200 back each year in statement credits toward hotel purchases you make through Amex Travel . This credit applies to prepaid Amex Travel bookings you make with either Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection (minimum two night stay). Of course, you’ll also benefit from hotel stays you book through Amex Travel with the 5x points rewards.

The other big Platinum Card hotel perk is elite status with both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. The complimentary Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy will get you a 25% points boost on hotel purchases, room upgrades, late checkout, welcome gifts at check-in, and more. Similarly, complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status comes with an 80% bonus on the points you earn on hotel stays, daily food and beverage credits (or continental breakfast), room upgrades when available, bonus points after meeting certain milestone hotel stays, and more.

What are hotel rewards programs?

When you’re a member of a hotel rewards program, you can earn points on your stays and other purchases to use toward future bookings with the hotel chain. Joining a hotel’s loyalty program is a great way to save on hotel stays — often one of the most expensive parts of a vacation. Common hotel rewards programs include Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, Wyndham Rewards, IHG Rewards Club, and more.

Generally, the most common (and most valuable) way to redeem the points you earn from a hotel rewards program is for future hotel stays. Under most programs, you can either redeem your points toward a booking in full or pay with a combination of points and cash.

You might also have the option to redeem your hotel points for online purchases, experiences, gift cards, and more. Some even allow transfers to partner airlines. Before you choose an alternative redemption, make sure you compare the redemption value. Sometimes, these options may give you a lesser value for your points than if you wait and redeem them for your next hotel booking.

In addition to points you can use for future stays, hotel rewards programs also come with added benefits for members. That might include small perks like discounted rates and free wi-fi for basic members, but the value quickly grows as you move up in elite status. Top-tier hotel program members can earn everything from bonus earnings on hotel stays to suite-level room upgrades, welcome gifts, dedicated assistance, and more.

How much are hotel rewards worth?

Unlike some other rewards programs, it’s difficult to pin down a value for many hotel rewards programs. That’s because hotels often use dynamic pricing when it comes to points redemptions. The value of your redemption can change over time depending on the property, when you book, when you plan to travel, and more factors.

Credit card rewards programs for hotels

In addition to hotel credit cards from specific hotel brands, you can also use a general travel credit card for hotel rewards. The points and miles you earn with these travel cards are typically more flexible, but still offer great savings on hotel stays.

One thing to consider is the different ways to maximize rewards you earn on hotel stays. Instead of booking directly from the hotel — like you would with a co-branded hotel card — you may only earn maximum points when you book through your card issuer’s travel portal. When you book this way, you can often still input your hotel loyalty program number and earn points as a member of the hotel program in addition to your credit card rewards.

Many credit card rewards programs also have transfer partners, which include hotel loyalty programs. This can be a good option if you’re a member of a specific hotel program, but you’re not sure you want to commit to a hotel credit card. Here are the hotel transfer partners offered by three popular rewards programs today:

American Express Membership Rewards

Choice Privileges

Hilton Honors

Marriott Bonvoy

Capital One Travel

ALL Accor Live Limitless

Wyndham Rewards

Chase Ultimate Rewards

IHG Rewards Club

World of Hyatt

What to look for in a hotel credit card

These are some details to consider before you choose a new hotel card:

Welcome bonus

A hotel card’s welcome bonus can often get you multiple free nights, whether you choose a co-branded hotel card or general travel card.

Before applying, make sure you understand the requirements to score the bonus your card offers. You’ll typically need to spend a few thousand dollars at minimum within three to six months of account opening.

If this isn’t within your regular budget, strategize how you can meet the bonus without risking high-interest card balances . For example, you could plan your application around an upcoming trip you’ve already saved money for — the extra expenses can help you hit the spending threshold without risking a debt balance you can’t pay off.

Rewards categories

Look for the card with rewards categories that fit where you already spend most.

If you travel year-round and are always moving onto your next destination, you’ll probably want to prioritize travel rewards and top earnings on your hotel bookings. But if you only reliably travel a few times each year — a summer vacation , for example, followed by a holiday trip to visit family — you’ll likely get more value from a card with rewards on things like groceries , gas, and other essentials.

This is also a factor to consider if you’re adding a hotel credit card to cards you already have in your wallet. To make the most of every dollar you spend, look for categories you might be missing. Alternatively, you may choose a travel card with flat rewards on most purchases (or branded hotel card with a high non-category earning rate) to use as a catch-all for the spending categories you don’t maximize elsewhere.

Added benefits

Your card’s added benefits should add value over time — not just in the first year.

This is especially important for hotel cards that carry annual fees. Card benefits can be a great way to make up the cost of the annual fee , but they’re only valuable if they save you money on purchases you would have made anyway.

For hotel cards specifically, common benefits include annual Free Night Awards and elite status upgrades. If you stay with the hotel chain often, it can be easy to take advantage of the added benefits. Otherwise, you may want to look for other rewards cards that better fit your spending and travel.

Rewards program

As much as the credit card rewards and added benefits can make a big difference, the program under which you earn your rewards can, too.

For co-branded hotel credit cards, choose the loyalty program offered by the hotel brand you like and use most. If you’re already a member, look for ways your card can help you maximize your stays even further, with boosted points on bookings and faster paths to elite status.

If you’re considering a general travel card with great hotel rewards instead, you’ll still want to do your research into the card’s rewards program . Make sure you’ll get a good value when you use your rewards for hotel bookings, and compare other redemption options that may work for your travel plans . Don’t forget to also check out the program’s transfer partners — you may get more long-term value when you have the ability to transfer points and miles to your preferred airline and hotel brands.

Pros of hotel credit cards

Hotel savings: The best reason to open a hotel card is for the potential savings on hotel stays. Not only do these cards earn points that you can put toward future reward nights, but they also often come with annual Free Night Awards and other annual bonuses that can help you rack up savings on your stays over the long-term.

Status benefits: One of the easiest ways to increase your status level with a hotel loyalty program is with a credit card. Many of our favorite co-branded hotel cards come with complimentary status boosts and paths to earn the next level with card spending. If elite status is important to you and you travel frequently enough to gain value from the perks, these benefits are worth considering.

Welcome offers: Many hotel cards offer very high welcome bonus offers for new cardholders. With any of the hotel cards on our list above, you can get multiple free nights with the welcome bonuses alone. Consider planning ahead for when you apply for your hotel card to make the most of the welcome bonus offer for your next trip — and make sure the spending threshold is within your budget.

Cons of hotel credit cards

Rewards value: Because of hotel program dynamic pricing, the value of your points can vary greatly depending on when you book and your itinerary. If you have any flexibility, you can compare different stays before you book to get the best redemption value.

Limited rewards in other categories: While many of the cards on our list offer great rewards on travel and everyday expenses, that’s not always true for hotel cards. Many hotel credit cards can provide limited rewards in everyday categories. If you’re looking for a well-rounded card for earning hotel rewards, make sure you compare each of the bonus categories offered to your regular spending.

Maximize with frequent travel: Consider your travel habits before you open a hotel card. If you don’t travel often or you often choose to stay in AirBnBs and other rentals, a hotel card may not be worth it.

Our methodology

While we believe co-branded hotel credit cards can offer great savings for some hotel brand loyalists, they’re not for everyone. That’s why we focused on curating a list that includes both general travel cards with great hotel savings and hotel credit cards for specific chains.

We started with cards we’ve already rated highly among the dozens of card options we compared for our list of best travel credit cards . This helped us narrow down a short list of cards with solid rewards value and welcome bonus. We also looked for baseline details useful for travelers, like no foreign transaction fees and fraud protections.

For co-branded options, we included the best card options for the top three hotels by number of locations worldwide among those cards on our short list. Those hotels were Marriott and Wyndham, both with 9,000+ properties, and Hilton with 7,500+. We wanted to focus on hotels with the greatest number of properties to ensure the cards are useful for the greatest number of travelers.

We also focused on co-branded hotel credit cards with lower annual fees. For many people, we estimate that the hotel card may not be the only card in their wallet . And the more credit cards you have with high annual fees, the more you could be eating away at your potential annual value

If you have a favorite hotel brand not included above, you may get better value from another co-branded hotel card with, for example, IHG or Hyatt rewards. The most important thing to consider if you’re opening a co-branded card is your own relationship and spending with the brand. You should have a strong preference for the hotel and be sure that you can maximize the loyalty program rewards before you open a hotel credit card.

For the general travel credit card recommendations, we sorted out our top travel card picks by those that offer some added benefit specifically for hotel stays. Then, we created the superlatives included above to call out the features we believe set these cards apart for hotel spending.

While we believe these travel cards (and more on our best travel credit cards list) can offer great value even beyond hotel rewards, we specifically chose cards that provide maximum savings or benefits for hotel stays.

This article was edited by Rebecca McCracken

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers.

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This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com . This relationship may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

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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Best travel credit cards of April 2024

Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.  

Travel credit cards make it possible for you to earn free and discounted travel with your everyday spending. What’s more, some of the best travel credit cards also offer valuable perks that elevate your trip experience.

At the same time, each card has its own set of rewards rates, intro bonuses, annual fees and other terms, so take your time picking one that aligns well with your travel and spending habits. We reviewed over 50 travel credit cards to help you find the ones that take flight and those that are best left on the ground. Learn more about our methodology .

The best travel credit cards of April 2024

• Best premium card: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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

• Best for lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Best mid-range card: Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card
• Best for airline loyalists: United Explorer Card
• Best for hotel loyalists: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
• Best no annual fee travel card: Bilt Mastercard®

Best 0% intro APR card: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

• Best for earnings: U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

Best for fair credit: Credit One Wander

• Best for credit building: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best premium card: Capital One Venture X Card

The Venture X packs a lot of travel rewards into a card that costs hundreds of dollars less than its competitors.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Intro bonus.

Rewards Rates

• 10X 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5X 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• 2X 2x miles on everyday purchases
• Annual $300 travel credit and 10,000 Miles upon card anniversary make up for the annual fee
• Airport lounge access
• Capital One Miles require effort to maximize
• Limited cash redemption options

Other benefits

• Travel protections including car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption and travel delay protection
• Consumer protections including extended warranty and return protection

Why we like it: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers rich rewards and travel perks, and unlike many other premium travel credit cards, the Venture X doesn’t make you jump through many hoops to earn back the cost of its steep annual fee. In addition to a Capital One Travel credit and bonus miles each year, you’ll also get complimentary access to a number of airport lounge networks with more than 1,300 locations around the world. 

The card also offers ultimate flexibility when it comes to redeeming your rewards for travel. You can book with miles through Capital One Travel, or if you want more options, you can use your card to pay for travel-related expenses and request a statement credit. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even transfer your rewards to various frequent flyer and hotel rewards programs and potentially get more value from your miles.

The Venture Card puts the power into your hands by earning miles that you can either use against your travel purchases or transfer to travel partners.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Intro bonus.

Reward Rates

• 5x Earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x Earn 2x miles on every purchase

Flexible travel rewards

• No foreign transaction fee
• Maximizing Capital One Miles requires a learning curve
• Cash redemption value is limited
• The Venture offers travel accident insurance, rental car coverage, extended warranty protection, exclusive access to events through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment

Why we like it: Travel rewards can get complicated, which is why the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card feels like a breath of fresh air. The card offers a high, flat rewards rate on your everyday spending, so you don’t need to keep track of different bonus rewards categories. It also offers extra miles on select travel booked through the Capital One Travel platform.

You can redeem your miles by booking travel through Capital One Travel or by using your card to pay for travel on your own and requesting a statement credit. Alternatively, you can transfer your miles to airline and hotel rewards program partners for more dynamic redemptions. The card also comes with complimentary Hertz Five Star status, which lets you skip the rental counter and get access to a wider selection of vehicles. When you use it to pay the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, Capital One will reimburse you.

What is Global Entry and why should you want it?

Best for lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express 

The platinum card® from american express.

See Rates and Fees

• 5X Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
• 5X Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
• 1X Earn 1x points on all other eligible purchases
• Packed with valuable potential credits for digital entertainment, Equinox gym, Walmart+ membership, and more.
• Airport lounge access with a larger network than any other card
• Membership Rewards are valuable due to their flexibility.
• The multiple potential credits can be cumbersome to track.
• Sky-high annual fee
• Some of the perks can be hard to use if they don’t align with your lifestyle.
• Travel benefits including hotel and car rental chain statuses, car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption and travel delay protection

Why we like it: The Platinum Card® from American Express charges an annual fee that some will find hard to stomach. But if you’re a frequent flyer, it may well become your favorite travel companion. The card offers access to more airport lounge networks than any other credit card. At larger airports, you may even have your pick among several lounge options. 

The card also comes packed with more than $1,500 in annual travel and lifestyle credits, CLEAR Plus membership credit, concierge service , elite status with select hotel and car rental rewards programs and many other perks that touch just about every aspect of your travel experience. That said, many of the credits are doled out in increments and are for specific vendors, making them harder to redeem.

Credits only have value if you use them in your daily life. If a credit or benefit is causing you to make purchases you don’t usually make, you might want to reconsider whether it is worth it for you.

Best mid-level card: Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers both robust earnings on travel and a useful suite of travel protections. Plus, Chase’s dozen-plus transfer partners offer flexibility in travel redemptions.

Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card

• 5x 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit)
• 3x 3x points on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
• 2x 2x points on travel purchases not booked through Chase
• 1x 1x points on other purchases
• 5x 5x points on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025 (that's 3x points in addition to the 2x points you already earn on travel)
• Valuable welcome bonus
• Extensive list of transfer partners
• Extra value on travel redemptions
• No premium travel perks
• Has an annual fee
• Additional perks: $50 annual hotel credit, trip cancelation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, complimentary Doordash and Instacart+ membership along with quarterly Instacart+ credits
• Foreign transaction fee: None

Why we like it: If you’re looking for a way to maximize your travel rewards without paying a steep annual fee, look no further than the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card . The card offers an impressive welcome bonus and several opportunities to earn bonus points on your everyday spending. Annual perks include a $50 credit toward hotel stays booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, a 10% points bonus on your spending throughout the year and benefits with partners like Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, and Peloton. It also has a healthy sign-up bonus for a card with a moderate annual fee.

The card offers flexible redemption options, including cash back, but you’ll get 25% more value if you use your points to book travel through Chase. Alternatively, you can transfer your rewards to one of the card issuer’s airline or hotel rewards program partners and potentially squeeze more value out of your points. It even offers primary rental car insurance , which means you don’t have to contact your insurer first if you have a fender bender in a rental car.

Best for airline loyalists: United SM Explorer Card

The United Explorer card makes sense if you are one of the over 140 million passengers that flew United last year.

United SM Explorer Card

• 2x 2x miles on dining (including eligible delivery services), hotel stays, and United® purchases (including tickets, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, Economy Plus® and more)
• 1x 1x miles on all other purchases
• Free first checked bag benefit.
• Expanded award availability on United Saver flights.
• No foreign transaction fee.
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (then $95) annual fee
• Subject to Chase 5/24 rule.
• United perks: 25% back on in-flight purchases checked bag benefit, expanded Saver award ticket availability
• Travel perks: TSA/Global Entry credit, trip cancellation and interruption protection

Why we like it: If you like the idea of enjoying rewards and perks with an airline rather than general travel rewards and benefits, you can’t go wrong with the United Explorer Card . The card offers a sizable welcome bonus and a few different bonus rewards categories, and with a strong domestic and international presence, you’ll have plenty of options when it comes to redeeming your miles for award flights.

You’ll get some standard airline card benefits, such as a free checked bag for you and a companion, priority boarding, and a discount on select inflight purchases. But you’ll also get some perks that most mid-tier airline cards don’t offer, including expanded access to Saver award tickets, premier upgrade eligibility on award tickets, two one-time passes to the United Club lounge each year, and an application fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

If you’re loyal to United but not sure if the Explorer is right for you, check out our list of the best credit cards for United Airlines . Or if you’re loyal to a different airline (or none at all) check out our list of best airline credit cards .

Best for hotel loyalists: IHG One Rewards Premier Card

The IHG One Rewards Card offers a free night upon card renewal along with a slew of other benefits, making it well worth the modest annual fee.

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

• 10x 10X on IHG purchases 
• 5x Earn 5X points on travel, gas stations, and restaurants
• 3x Earn 3X points on all other purchases
• Staggering welcome bonus which when leveraged properly could get you over a week of stays
• Automatic Platinum Elite status grants free upgrades and early check-in
• Free night upon card renewal
• Fourth night free on award bookings
• Limited redemption options outside of IHG
• IHG points are worth less than some other rewards currencies
• Anniversary night certificate is capped
• Additional perks: $50 annual United credit, TSA/Global Entry rebate, trip cancelation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, purchase protection, ability to spend to Diamond status

Why we like it: If you want to focus your efforts on earning free hotel stays, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers an impressive array of benefits. The card makes it easy to earn points quickly, though it also requires a lot of points to get free stays with IHG. 

Where it really shines, though, is in its perks, which offer value that far outweighs the card’s modest annual fee. You’ll get a free night reward each year worth up to 40,000 points, plus a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points if you spend $20,000 in a calendar year. When you stay at IHG hotels, you’ll enjoy Platinum Elite status, which includes perks like the fourth night free on award bookings, reward night discounts, complimentary upgrades, and a welcome amenity. You’ll also get an application fee credit toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS.

To see all of the IHG options check our list of the best credit cards for IHG , or if you’re loyal to a different chain check out our list of the best credit cards for hotels .

Best no annual fee card: Bilt Mastercard

The Bilt Mastercard® not only has no annual fee, it has a robust set of travel transfer partners. Even better, it lets you earn rewards for paying rent.

Bilt Mastercard®

Special feature.

• Make at least 5 transactions in a statement period, in order to earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases (purchases minus returns /credits) for that statement period.
• 3X 3X Bilt Points on dining
• 2X 2X Bilt Points on flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruises when booked directly with airlines, hotels, and car rental agencies
• 1X 1X Bilt Points on rent paid through the Bilt App with your card account up to a maximum of 100,000 points each calendar year
• 1X 1X Bilt Points on purchases
• Rewards and benefits terms.
• Uniquely earns points on rent
• Rent Day bonus every first of the month offers double points (excluding rent)
• Robust travel transfer partners
• Cash redemption rate is poor
• No traditional welcome bonus
• Travel perks: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection, Trip Delay Reimbursement, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver. See this page for details.
• Foreign Transaction Fee: None

Why we like it: While it technically isn’t billed as a travel credit card, the Bilt Mastercard®—the only credit card that offers rewards on rent payments—offers travel benefits that are hard to ignore. Most importantly, the card allows you to transfer your points to several airline and hotel loyalty programs, a rare feature for a travel card with no annual fee. You’ll also pay no foreign transaction fees—so it’s great for international travel—and get a few trip protections, including trip cancellation and interruption reimbursement, trip delay protection and auto rental collision damage waiver.

For more no-annual-fee options, check out our list of the best travel cards with no annual fee .

T o view rates and fees of the Bilt Mastercard®, see this page

If your vacation plans stretch farther than your budget, the VentureOne has an extended 0% APR period on purchases so you can enjoy the sun without getting burned with interest.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

• 1.25x Earn 1.25x miles on every other purchase
• No annual fee
• The VentureOne offers travel accident insurance, rental car coverage, extended warranty protection, exclusive access to events through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment

Most travel credit cards don’t offer introductory 0% APR promotions, but if that feature is a top priority and you don’t want a cash-back card, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card may be worth a look. 

The card offers an introductory 0% APR promotion on both purchases and balance transfers, giving you plenty of time to pay off a large chunk or all of a significant purchase or high-interest debt from another card. The card’s rewards rate isn’t very exciting, but it does offer flexible travel redemption options, including access to transfer partners.

For more 0% APR options check out our list of the best 0% APR cards .

Best for earning on travel: U.S. Bank Altitude Connect

If cash back is your preference, the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect has a robust rewards rate on travel purchases plus a selection of perks unusual for a sub-$100 annual fee card.

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect

• 5x 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center
• 4x 4X points on travel, at gas stations and EV charging stations
• 2x 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, dining and streaming services
• 1x 1X on all other purchases
• High earnings on travel
• No annual fee the first year
• 4 Priority Pass lounge visits per year
• Points not transferable to travel partners
• Additional perks: Cell phone protection, Trip cancellation/interruption, TSA/Global Entry fee rebate

Why we like it: Interestingly enough, many travel credit cards don’t offer great rewards on travel spending unless you’re booking through the card issuer’s travel portal. If you want a card that offers best-in-class rewards on all of your travel spending, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is your best bet. 

The card also offers great rewards on other everyday spending categories, along with four free visits to Priority Pass lounges each year (which made it top our list of best credit cards for cheap airport lounge access ), an application fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and an annual bonus when you use your card to pay for an eligible streaming service.

The Credit One Wander card flies under the radar but is worth a look for its strong earnings on travel, dining and gas in addition to its more lenient fair credit score requirements.

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

• 10x 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• 5x 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
• 1x 1x points on all other purchases
• High earnings on travel, gas and restaurants
• Available to those with fair credit
• High interest rate

Why we like it: You typically need good or excellent credit to qualify for one of the best travel credit cards, but if you’re not quite there yet, the Credit One Bank Wander® Card should be on your radar. The card offers great rewards on select travel purchases and other everyday spending. 

Points can be redeemed in a variety of ways, but to get a consistent redemption rate, statement credits are your best option.

Best for credit building: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Card

You aren’t out of options if you need to build your credit score before getting a standard travel card. The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Card is a rewarding option while you get on track.

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card

Who is this card good for.

Why we like it : If you’re looking to build or rebuild, you’ll be hard-pressed to get approved for a true travel credit card. However, the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card can be a solid alternative until you have the chance to establish a good credit score.

The card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, making it a good choice for international travel, and you’ll earn a solid rewards rate on every purchase you make. While you need to make a security deposit equal to your desired credit limit when you get started, you don’t have to wait to close your account to get your money back. With responsible use, you can start earning unsecured credit line increases after six months, and you can also qualify for an upgrade to an unsecured Quicksilver card down the road, at which point you’ll get a deposit refund.

Our methodology

The Fortune Recommends TM team analyzed more than 50 travel credit cards across various issuers to come up with the top picks.

Here are the key elements we ranked each card by:

• Annual fee: Some card issuers require cardholders to pay an annual fee for cards with rewards and extra features or benefits. For most of our rankings, we rated cards with lower or zero-dollar annual fees higher.   
• Rewards: Travel cards typically provide rewards in the form of points or miles. For some rankings, we rated cards with better rewards rates higher on our list. 
• Insurance and protections: When you use your card to make purchases, you may be eligible for different types of protections on those purchases. Some cards offer insurance on travel-related expenses, like trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and more. Some cards also provide non-travel-related reimbursements like cell phone protection. For some rankings, we rated cards higher based on the number of protections they offered.
• Welcome bonus: When you sign up for a new credit card, you may be eligible for a one-time welcome bonus in the form of points or miles. You’ll need to spend a certain amount within a few months of card opening to earn the bonus. We ranked cards with higher bonuses and lower spending requirements higher on our list. 
• Perks: Travel credit cards may offer a variety of perks—like statement credits for TSA PreCheck, airport lounge access, a free checked bag, and more. We rated cards with more perks higher for some of our rankings. 
• Foreign transaction fees: Some cards charge a flat rate on purchases when you use your card abroad. We rated cards with no foreign transaction fees higher.  

How do travel credit cards work?

Unlike cash-back rewards, which tend to work the same regardless of the card issuer, travel rewards can get complicated quickly. Ultimately, your redemption options and the value of your points and miles will vary depending on the rewards program. For a primer, check out our beginner’s guide to travel rewards .

Flexible travel rewards credit cards offer points or miles through the card issuer’s proprietary rewards program. Some examples include Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Capital One Miles. 

With flexible travel rewards, you’ll typically get several redemption options, and your rewards are worth a set amount — usually between 0.5 cents and 1.5 cents apiece — depending on how you redeem them. Travel redemptions typically get more value, but that can vary by program.

Many of these programs also allow you to transfer your points to airline and hotel loyalty programs, giving you access to more dynamic redemptions. If you’re savvy enough, you could get more value with a transfer partner than if you were to redeem through the card issuer’s rewards program.

Airline rewards

Airline miles, or points in some cases, are designed primarily to help you earn award flights with your favorite airline, such as American , Delta , or Southwest . But unlike general points or miles, airline rewards typically don’t have a set value. 

In some cases, the number of points or miles required for a flight may be linked to the cash value of the ticket, but they may be unrelated. As a result, the value of your rewards will vary based on your flight dates, itinerary, cabin choice, and other factors. 

In some cases, you may be able to redeem your airline rewards in other ways, but you typically won’t get as much value that way.

Hotel rewards

Hotel points allow you to book free hotel stays with a single hotel chain, such as Hyatt , Hilton , or Marriott . Like airline rewards, hotel points have dynamic value, so your redemption rate will vary based on your destination, the property, your stay dates, and other variables.

Hotel loyalty programs may also allow you to redeem your rewards in other ways, but it’s generally best to stick to free nights.

Should you pick a travel credit card?

If you frequently travel or you’re looking for opportunities to travel more in the future, a travel credit card can make it easier to earn free or discounted flights, hotel stays, rental cars, and more. 

What’s more, some of the top travel credit cards also offer perks that can save you more money or give you a better overall experience at the airport, in flight, or throughout your trip. 

That said, most travel credit cards don’t offer as much redemption flexibility as cash-back credit cards. If you’re not sure you want to go all in on travel rewards, a cash-back credit card may be a better choice. 

Also, most of the top travel credit cards charge an annual fee. While many of them make it easy to offset that cost with rewards and perks, the fee is still an out-of-pocket cost. If you’re on a tight budget or you’re generally fee-averse, think carefully about whether you can afford that yearly cost and make sure you can get enough value from a card to make its annual fee worthwhile.

How to choose the best travel credit card

With so many different options available, there’s no single travel credit card that’s best suited for all travelers. To determine which one is best for you, you’ll want to think about your travel habits, spending profile, and general preferences.

Travel habits

Consumers who travel frequently may benefit more from a premium travel card that offers a broad range of perks, while more casual travelers may be better off with a mid-tier or no-annual-fee travel card. 

If you’re loyal to a specific airline or hotel chain, it could make sense to get an airline or hotel credit card, but if you don’t want to be tied down to a single brand, a general travel card might be the right move.

You’ll also want to think about how you travel and which travel card benefits would give you the best experience. For example, if your home airport has one or more airport lounges, it can make sense to get a card that offers lounge access. 

Spending profile

Most travel credit cards offer tiered rewards, meaning you’ll earn bonus rewards on certain spending categories. If you spend a lot in certain areas of your budget, try to find a card that will reward you more for those purchases. 

However, if you don’t spend a lot in any single category or you don’t want to earn a low rewards rate on most of your spending, consider a card that offers a high, flat rewards rate on everything.

General preferences

Consider other features you’re looking for in a travel credit card. Options may include transfer partners, straightforward benefits, redemption options, 0% APR promotions, and more. 

As you research and compare travel credit cards, familiarize yourself with all of their benefits to determine which one feels like the best fit based on your needs and preferences.

Frequently asked questions

Which card is better for international travel.

Generally speaking, you’ll want a credit card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee. With cards that do charge this fee, you’ll typically pay an extra 3% on all of your purchases made abroad.

Additionally, Visa and Mastercard credit cards tend to be better for international travel because they’re more widely accepted than American Express and Discover credit cards. If you have an Amex or Discover card, consider bringing a Visa or Mastercard as a backup.

Is Visa or Mastercard better for travel?

Mastercard boasts acceptance in more than 210 countries, while Visa says it operates in more than 200 countries. So, if you’re traveling to a country that’s off the beaten path, so to speak, Mastercard may be a better choice. But for most major international destinations, you’re likely fine with either Visa or Mastercard.

What is the best credit card to accumulate travel miles?

Miles have historically been associated with airline frequent flyer programs, but some card issuers, including Capital One and Discover, use the miles nomenclature for their rewards currency. 

With that said, the best miles credit card for you depends on your travel habits and preferences. If you want to earn miles with a particular airline, check out that airline’s co-branded credit cards to see which one offers the best fit. If you want more general rewards, consider a card that offers miles or points with more flexible redemption options.

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.

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

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.

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EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE : The advice, opinions, or rankings contained in this article are solely those of the Fortune Recommends ™ editorial team. This content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of our affiliate partners or other third parties.

Guide to travel rewards credit cards

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17 best rewards credit cards of April 2024

If you’re looking to optimize your spending and save on every purchase, we recommend these top picks for the best rewards credit cards. Each card on this list was carefully selected by our team of experts to help our readers get the most out of their spending. Whether you’re looking to earn the most cash back on your spending or to pay for your next vacation with points and miles, we’ve got you covered.

At The Points Guy, we aim to provide comprehensive insights and expert analysis on credit cards to help our readers make the right choice for their wallets. So, check out our curated selection and comprehensive guide on finding the best rewards cards from our partners below.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best for beginner travelers
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card : Best for maximizing business purchases
• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for luxury benefits
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best for airline rewards
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card : Best for freelancers
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best for airline rewards
• American Express® Gold Card : Best for dining rewards at restaurants
• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express : Best for U.S. streaming rewards
• Citi Double Cash® Card : Best for no-frills cash-back rewards
• Citi Premier® Card : Best for starter travel
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® : Best for bonus categories
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : Best for travel rewards beginners
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card : Best for no annual fee
• Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card : Best for entertainment rewards
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for travel perks
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card : Best for flat-rate earning
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express : Best for cash back beginners

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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

• You’ll earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases, 2 points per dollar on all other travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
• Annual $50 hotel statement credit when booked through Chase Travel
• Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance
• The card comes with a $95 annual fee
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. 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

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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

• One of the highest sign-up bonuses we’ve seen — 100,000 bonus points after $8,000 worth of spend in the first three months after card opening
• Access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for points redemption
• No travel perks
• Subject to Chase's 5/24 rule on card applications
• Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

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

• The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
• This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, and more than $1,400 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more.
• The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
• The $695 annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
• Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning bonus rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
• The annual airline fee credit and other statement credits can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on 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.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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

• This flexible rewards card delivers a solid sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles, valued by TPG at $1,388.
• You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
• Rewards earned are versatile as they can be redeemed for any hotel or airline purchase for a statement credit or transferred to 15+ travel partners
• Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
• Capital One airline partners do not include any large U.S. airlines
• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels 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

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

The Ink Business Unlimited’ sign-up gives you a generous $750 cash back spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening plus unlimited 1.5% cash back on every business purchase. It fills in rewards gaps not covered by the Ink Business Cash Credit Card and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. You can maximize this card by pairing it with cards including the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. Read our full review of the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card .

• No annual fee
• A generous $750 cash-back sign-up bonus
• Flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases
• Higher spend to receive sign-up bonus
• No conversion to Chase points without holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink Business Preferred
• Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
• No Annual Fee
• Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
• 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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

• 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
• $395 annual fee
• The $300 back annual credit only applicable for bookings made through Capital One Travel portal
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more

American Express® Gold Card

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

• 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar)
• 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
• Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership
• Weak on travel and everyday spending bonus categories
• Not as effective for those living outside the U.S.
• Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
• Few travel perks and protections
• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.
• See Rates & Fees

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred Card is one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. You’ll get a great return across a wide range of bonus categories, a solid welcome bonus and a low annual fee. Read our full  review of the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express .

• This card has one of the best earning structures out for among cash-back credit cards
• The card comes with access to Amex Offers (activation required), which can save you even more money on specific purchases.
• There is a $6,000 spending cap on the U.S. supermarket bonus category, which may not work for those with large grocery budgets
• You’ll have to pay a foreign transaction fee on international purchases, so it’s not a great choice when you’re traveling abroad
• Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
• Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
• 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
• 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
• 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
• 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
• Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
• Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
• Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required.

Citi Double Cash® Card

The Citi Double Cash Card caters to beginners establishing good credit habits, since users will earn 2% cash back; 1% when they buy and 1% when they pay their statement. The Citi Double Cash is a great pick for those looking for the utmost simplicity and want cash back in their pocket. Read our full review of the Citi Double Cash here .

• Earning 2% back on every purchase is an industry-leading return on everyday spending for a no-annual-fee credit card.
• Now that you have the ability to convert rewards to ThankYou points with an eligible card, your redemption options are even more flexible.
• It’s great for those looking to consolidate debt, since it offers new cardmembers 18 months of 0% intro APR on balance transfers made. After that, the variable APR of 19.24% - 29.24% applies.
• Those looking to make a balance transfer will have to pay 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
• Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
• If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
• There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

Citi Premier® Card

The Citi Premier is a solid travel card choice with a plethora of travel partners and solid earning rates. Since the card earns the same number of points at gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets, airlines and hotels, it’s a great pick for beginner travel cardholders who want a simplified point system. Read our  full review of the Citi Premier .

• For a limited time earn 10 points per $1 dollar spent on hotels, car rentals, attractions (excluding air travel) when book through Citi Travel portal through June 30, 2024
• Earns 3 points per dollar on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and other hotels.
• $100 annual hotel savings benefit (on single hotel stay bookings of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, booked through thankyou.com)
• $95 annual fee
• Lacks travel protections that other travel rewards cards come with
• 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

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a surprisingly powerful card that earns at least 1.5% back on everything. However, it becomes a standout card if you pair it with a card that earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points, doubling their potential value. Read our full  review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited .

• At least 1.5% back on every purchase, with up to 5% or 3% back on select categories
• There is no annual fee
• Perfect for everyday, non-bonused spending
• Incredible value when paired with a premium Chase card
• There is a 3% foreign transaction fee so the card shouldn't be used abroad
• Limited card perks and benefits
• 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.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

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

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

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

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

• This card offers 3 points per dollar on various everyday purchases with no annual fee. It also comes with a 20,000-point welcome bonus and an introductory APR offer on purchases. Plus, you'll enjoy up to $600 in cellphone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly bill with the card. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Despite the lucrative earning structure, Wells Fargo doesn't offer any ways to maximize your redemptions — you're limited to fixed-value rewards like gift cards and statement credits.
• Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
• Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
• $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 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.

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One SavorOne is a great cash back credit card for beginners looking for a solid rewards structure and no annual fee. Dining, entertainment and groceries are high-value bonus categories, and it’s rare for a card to hit all three. Read our full  review of the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card .

• Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
• The intro APR offer that comes with this card makes it a solid choice for those looking to finance a large purchase. You’ll get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after, there's a 3% balance transfer fee for the first 15 months or at the promotional APR offered at any other time. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR).
• The sign-up bonus isn’t anything to write home about (though it is easy to earn)
• Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
• Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
• No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
• No foreign transaction fee

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

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

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

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash card delivers simplicity to cardholders who want to pay for their purchases without worrying if you’re maximizing every last dollar. With a 2% cash rewards rate, you’ll rest easy knowing that you’re earning bonus points whether you’re online shopping or paying your hairdresser. Plus, enjoy other benefits like cell phone protection and access to the Visa Signature® Concierge and Luxury Hotel Collection. Read our full review of the Wells Fargo Active Cash .

• There’s no annual fee, meaning that you can keep your costs low while focusing on earning rewards.
• Earn 2% cash rewards on purchases — no bonus categories to track or remember.
• Get up to $600 in cell phone protection (with a $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with this card.
• Don’t take this card abroad with you, as this card incurs a 3% foreign currency conversion fee.
• Other cash rewards cards can offer better welcome bonuses.
• Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
• No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday card is a good option for people who want a simple cash back structure with no annual fee. You’ll earn bonus cash back rewards on popular bonus categories, including U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations. Read our full review of the  Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express .

• 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets.
• No annual fee.
• There is a $6,000 spending cap on the U.S. supermarket bonus category, which may not work for those with larger annual grocery spend.
• Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
• No Annual Fee.
• Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
• 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
• Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
• Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.

This is one of the most popular beginner travel rewards cards out there. You can earn a lot of points on a broad range of categories, and the low $95 annual fee makes this card worth keeping both in the first year and beyond.

This card is an ideal choice for someone who takes a few trips a year and wants to maximize their earning on travel and dining purchases.

“The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been in my wallet for 5-plus years and is the midlevel rewards credit card that I recommend to people. It usually has a pretty solid sign-up bonus, with points that can be transferred to some of my favorite loyalty programs, like British Airways Executive Club and World of Hyatt. The strong earn rate on dining and travel as well as streaming services makes it a good choice for a millennial like me. Finally, I like using this card when renting cars, as it provides primary car insurance and a little more piece of mind.” — Matt Moffitt , senior credit cards editor

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a flat 2 miles per dollar spent on most purchases, with bonus miles when booking hotels and rental cars through Capital One’s travel portal. Both cards have the same $95 annual fee (see Venture rates and fees ).

This card offers one of the highest sign-up bonuses of any business card and has a low $95 annual fee. Plus, it earns valuable Ultimate Rewards points on a variety of business expenses.

This card is geared toward small-business owners who want to maximize points-earning on business expenses. It’s also great for those who regularly run into problems with their cellphone, as it provides cellphone protection.

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

This card’s main competitor is the American Express® Business Gold Card , which offers 4-points-per-dollar in select bonus categories that automatically reflect your highest spending areas, such as transit purchases, dining at U.S. restaurants, and U.S. gas station purchases. However, its biggest downside is its relatively high $375 annual fee (see rates and fees ).

This card offers the best lounge access options of any premium travel rewards card and a high earn rate on airfare. It also comes with a plethora of statement credits that can offset the high $695 annual fee (see rates and fees ).

This card is ideal for frequent travelers who spend a lot on airfare purchases and want access to a wide range of lounges along with a large number of lifestyle perks.

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

* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns more points on travel (except flights) and dining purchases and comes with a lower $550 annual fee. However, the Amex Platinum has better lounge access options.

The main attraction of this card is its flat earning structure of 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases. You’ll also get access to 15-plus travel loyalty partners and up to $100 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit, all for a low $95 annual fee (see rates and fees ).

This card is suited to travelers who take a few trips a year and want a simple miles-earning structure with the potential to maximize their rewards.

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

The main competitor to this card is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , which earns more points on dining, streaming and online grocery purchases. However, it earns half the rate of the Venture Rewards on everyday purchases and does not include any lounge passes.

This is one of the best business cards with no annual fee because it earns 1.5% back on every purchase without needing to keep track of bonus categories.

This card is a good match for anyone who doesn’t want to expend mental energy juggling spending categories.

“I have the Chase Ink Business trilogy — the Ink Business Cash Credit Card, Ink Business Preferred Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card. The first two cards maximize my points-earning on things like office supply, internet and phone purchases, while the Ink Unlimited covers everything else with a flat 1.5% earn rate. The fact that I have the Ink Preferred means I can convert my cash back from the Ink Unlimited into more valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. This no-annual-fee card will stay in my wallet for years to come.” — Matt Moffitt , senior credit cards editor

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is the only no-annual-fee (see rates and fees ) business credit card that can potentially be more valuable. It offers 2 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent (on up to $50,000 in annual spending, then 1 point), and these points are immediately transferrable to partners; you don't need to carry another card to enable this functionality.

This is one of the best value premium travel rewards cards out there. It offers lounge access to you and two guest, all for a reasonable $395 annual fee (see rates and fees ). Most of that is offset by a $300 annual travel credit, and you’ll receive 10,000 bonus miles each year, which more than covers the rest.

This card is suited to frequent travelers who want lounge access and transferable miles for maximum-value travel redemptions.

“With an annual fee that is $300 less than The Platinum Card® from American Express (see Amex Platinum rates and fees ), the Capital One Venture X is my favorite travel credit card. The card comes with an annual $300 Capital One travel portal credit, which I use to book flights. That effectively brings the annual fee down to $95 per year (see rates and fees ). Cardholders enjoy a Priority Pass Select membership. I use my Venture X to earn 2 miles per dollar (a 3.7% return, based on TPG's valuations) in spend categories where most cards would only accrue 1 point, such as auto maintenance, pharmacies and medical bills.” — Kyle Olsen , former points and miles reporter

The popular Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns more bonus points on travel and dining purchases but comes with a higher $550 annual fee. Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth slightly more than Capital One miles.

This is the best card for those looking to earn bonus points at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants. You have an array of valuable transfer partners, while the dining and Uber statement credits help offset the considerable $250 annual fee (see rates and fees ).

This card is a great addition to the wallets of those who want to earn a lot of points when dining out and grocery shopping.

  “Groceries and dining at restaurants are two of my top spending categories, and I love that the Amex Gold rewards those purchases with 4 points per dollar (up to $25,000 in spending at U.S. supermarkets). When you factor in the $10 dining credit and $10 in Uber Cash each month, the $250 annual fee is a net cost of $10.” — Senitra Horbrook , former credit cards editor

There are few direct competitors to this card, but it’s worth checking out the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® , which offer more points for travel purchases but fewer bonus points for groceries and dining.

This is a lucrative cash-back card for those who spend a lot on groceries, gas, transit and streaming. You’ll also earn statement credits for select monthly subscriptions with Disney and Equinox (enrollment required; subject to auto-renewal; terms apply).

This card is best suited to someone looking for a lot of cash back on groceries, gas, transit and streaming.

“The Blue Cash Preferred Card is the card I recommended to my parents when they were looking for a new cash-back rewards card for their groceries. My parents prefer the simplicity of cash-back rewards, and I knew they'd benefit from earning 6% cash back on up to $6,000 per year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets, then 1% back after that. Compared to the 1.5% cash back they were earning on these purchases, the elevated earnings easily justified adding the Blue Cash Preferred to their wallet.” — Katie Genter , senior points and miles writer

If you want a flat cash-back rate on all purchases, then the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees ) is a great option, offering 2% back on every transaction — 1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay your bill.

One of the simplest and most rewarding cash-back cards out there is the Citi Double Cash Card. It awards 1% cash back when you buy and then another 1% as you pay off your bill. You can even convert the cash back to ThankYou points via a linked ThankYou card, such as the Citi Prestige® Card or Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees ). 

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

This card is best for two groups of people: those who want to keep rewards lucrative but simple, earning 1% cash back as you buy things and 1% cash back as you pay them off, and those who want to ramp up rewards-earning by converting these rewards to Citi ThankYou points, which TPG values at 1.8 cents each .

“ I wasn’t the biggest fan of this card previously, thinking it was just average, but I am a big fan now that it earns Citi ThankYou points. Paired with my other Citi cards, it unlocks huge earning potential on everyday spending. The fact it has no annual fee means it’s a long-term keeper for me.” — Ryan Smith , former credit cards writer

If you want an even simpler rewards-earning structure, also with no annual fee, check out the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees ), which earns 2% back in cash rewards on purchases.

The Citi Premier offers bonus earnings on a variety of everyday spending. The card accrues 3 points per dollar on airlines, hotels, gas stations, restaurants and supermarkets – all for a fair annual fee of $95

If your everyday spending correlates with the Citi Premier’s bonus categories, the card can be a great way for you to earn on spending you are already doing.

“Out of all of my credit cards, the Citi Premier Card is often my everyday card and a card I typically recommend to friends and family. Earning 3 points per dollar for gas, groceries and restaurants allows you to rack up points even when you’re not on the road. Being able to transfer Citi ThankYou points to valuable partners like Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles and Avianca LifeMiles is also a key reason this card stands out, all while having a modest annual fee of $95.” – Danyal Ahmed , credit cards writer

If you love the bonus earning of the Citi Premier but are looking to get a high reward rate, additional travel benefits and don’t mind a higher annual fee, consider the American Express® Gold Card .

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is one of the most popular no-annual-fee cards at TPG because it has a good mix of elevated everyday earning and bonus categories that go as high as 5%. But perhaps even better is that the Chase Freedom Unlimited can be paired with a premium Chase credit card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, to amp up the value of the rewards when used for travel. In fact, it makes up one-third of what we call the Chase Trifecta .

This card is unique in that it’s a great match for those new to credit card rewards and those looking to squeeze all possible value out of every dollar charged. This makes it a good match for almost anyone, but especially for those who want to one day use some of their rewards for travel.

“ The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a great option, especially for anyone with a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve. It has solid bonus categories but also gives 1.5% back on all other purchases. And, if you have a higher-end Chase card, you can effectively convert these cash-back earnings into fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points.” — Nick Ewen , director of content

If you like the idea of a no-annual-fee card in the Chase credit card ecosystem but want even more bonus categories, check out the Chase Freedom Flex℠ , which has unique, rotating 5% bonus categories (up to $1,500 in total spending each quarter, activation required).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you’re looking to earn transferable reward points but still maintain a similar earning structure, consider the Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees ), which offers 3 points per dollar on air travel, gas station, and hotels, restaurants and supermarket purchases. In addition, you can transfer ThankYou Rewards points to any of Citi’s travel partners.

This card earns excellent cash back on meals, groceries and entertainment without having to pay an annual fee (see rates and fees ). Additionally, if you also have a card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, you can transfer your cash-back rewards from the SavorOne into fully transferable miles.

This is a good starter card for enthusiastic foodies, avid streamers and regular concertgoers — especially for international travelers, since the card has no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ).

For no annual fee, you’re getting an excellent return on a variety of purchases — both in and out of the U.S (see rates and fees ).

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers 5% back on travel purchased through the Chase portal and 3% on dining and drugstore purchases. It also has valuable rotating quarterly categories, earning 5% cash back (on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter) after activation.

While its $695 annual fee (see rates and fees ) may appear jarring at first, the Business Platinum Amex offers unmatched benefits, including lounge access, plus other value-added perks that can easily offset the card’s annual fee each year. Not to mention, it has an earning structure that can add up quickly for those who travel frequently. If you want to be rewarded for travel spending with American Express Travel and want extra comfort on your trips, this card provides both. New applicants can earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership.

You don’t have to be a high spender to find value in this card. It’s well suited for those who travel frequently, will enjoy airport lounge access , will benefit from automatic elite status with Marriott and Hilton (enrollment required) and can maximize the card’s various statement credits. Plus, the card’s return on spending for travel purchases is very strong — as is the return in select business categories and purchases totaling more than $5,000. You’ll also enjoy a 35% points rebate on eligible flights booked with Amex Travel on up to 1 million points back per calendar year.

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

Enrollment is required for select benefits.

If you have a business banking relationship with Capital One, consider the Capital One Venture X Business Card . It comes with a lower annual fee and access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One Lounges. Additionally, it earns at least 2 Capital One miles per dollar spent on all purchases.

The Active Cash card (see rates and fees ) is a great beginner card since it features a flat 2% cash rewards on purchases. The card features a simple earning strategy, includes cellphone protection and has no annual fee.

Credit card beginners should consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash if they’re looking for a simple cash back card.

"This card offers a generous 15 months of 0% APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then a variable APR of 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% applies) and 2% cash rewards. When the time came to pay my daughter’s preschool tuition, I got the card. I figured I could split the expense up monthly and pay a service fee to the school, or I could spread it out with the introductory APR and get 2% cash rewards. It was a no brainer for me!” — Eileen Sullivan, senior UX researcher

New credit card users who are looking to earn cash back but want the option to transfer their cash back into travel points should consider the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees ). It features a similar simple earning strategy as the Wells Fargo Active Cash but when combined with select Citi cards, the cash back can be transferred into Citi ThankYou points.

This is a great card if you want to bonus cash back on groceries, gas and online shopping with no annual fee (see rates and fees ). Rewards are easily redeemed at a fixed rate, eliminating guesswork on whether you're getting good value from your earnings. You’ll also earn statement credits with Disney and Home Chef (enrollment required; subject to auto-renewal; terms apply).

This is a solid cash-back card for many, especially students and credit card beginners with low monthly budgets.

If groceries, gas and online shopping are among your largest spending categories, this is a great starter card to help you dip your toes into the world of credit card rewards.

If you want higher earning rates on a similar card, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express may be a better choice. You’ll get expanded bonus spending categories and additional perks, though you’ll want to be sure the card’s $95 annual fee (see rates and fees ) starting in year two is worth it.

Have a reward strategy in mind

Choosing the best rewards credit card and then maximizing the rewards you earn will vary depending on your personal goal(s). Thankfully, whether your goal is cash back to offset everyday expenses or points and miles that can fund your next trip, there is a card that will fit your reward strategy.

Start by considering what rewards you’re hoping to earn from your spending. Then, you can narrow down your choices and begin looking for the best cards for your wallet .

Card pairing

Good card pairing is crucial to any reward strategy. Popular card groupings like the Chase Trifecta and the Amex Trifecta are very popular due to their ability to maximize your earning potential.

A good card pairing generally is a group of cards that help you earn the same type of rewards by having different elevated reward categories. This allows you to get the most out of your spending across various categories of spending. Card pairing helps you earn more rewards than utilizing only one card.

Know the value of your rewards and redemption options

How you redeem your rewards is a critical part of your reward strategy and can further increase the value of the points. Cash-back earnings typically offer a percentage of the spending back in the form of statement credits or gift cards. Meanwhile, most travel cards allow you to earn points or miles for your spending. These can still be used for cash-back rewards, but they’re often most valuable for travel.

There are some programs — like Chase Ultimate Rewards — that allow you to pool all of your points or miles in a single account. This allows you to effectively convert your cash-back earnings into much more flexible travel rewards.

It’s important to consider how much your rewards are worth in order to get the best redemption from your rewards. TPG’s monthly valuation guide can help give you a starting point for this decision, but remember that everyone’s definition of “value” is different. If you’re happy with a specific use of your points and miles, then that’s a good redemption.

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

Rewards credit cards are credit cards that earn rewards, typically in the form of points, miles or cash back, on your spending that is charged to the card. There are a wide variety of rewards credit cards (with an array of annual fee price points) that offer all sorts of rewards currencies in various amounts on different spending categories.

How do rewards credit cards work?

When you charge a purchase with a rewards credit card , you will earn rewards on your spending. You can then redeem those rewards for options such as travel, statement credits, gift cards, etc.

How to redeem credit card rewards

Once you have decided on your rewards credit card and earned the welcome bonus, it is time to see what you can do with those credit card rewards. How you should redeem your rewards will depend on the type of your rewards card and your goals. 

Cards that earn transferable points can provide the most valuable rewards but can also be the most difficult to utilize when learning how to redeem rewards for maximum value . If you have a trip coming up and are hoping to use transferable points to book your flights or hotels, you can use TPG’s monthly valuations to determine if a redemption you have in mind is worth your points. TPG also has redemption guides to help get you started with most of the main loyalty programs. Some travels are better booked with cash or with cashlike equivalent rewards. 

Cash-back cards offer the easiest redemption option, as it is typically a cash amount that can either be redeemed on your statement balance or directly deposited into your account.

What are credit card points or miles worth?

The value of a point or mile varies widely across the many travel brands out there. TPG uses a combination of the cash cost of a mile, the average cost of awards in a given program, and our own expertise from decades of earning and redeeming rewards to determine the value of a point or mile. 

TPG’s monthly valuations are a great guide to understand the average valuation of the various points and miles currencies.  

What types of credit card rewards can you get?

There are a variety of rewards credit cards geared toward different spending categories. All of the cards listed below earn some type of rewards, but the rewards differ from card to card.

This type of rewards card generally earns rewards in the issuer’s currency, which can then be transferred to certain partners to maximize value. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns Ultimate Rewards points , which can be redeemed in multiple ways via the Chase portal but can also be transferred to one of Chase’s travel partners , such as United Airlines, Southwest Airlines or Hyatt. Rewards cards that earn transferable points and miles are highly valued because of their redemption flexibility.

This is the most straightforward type of reward. With a cash-back rewards card, you will earn a percentage back on each purchase that you make with the card. This reward can be redeemed for cash (via a statement credit, check, etc.) at a later date, hence the “cash-back” name. Although cash back has a fixed value, unlike some of the transferable currencies, it can be lucrative if you have aligned your cash-back card’s earning rates with your spending patterns.

For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). If you are already spending $6,000 on groceries a year, having the Blue Cash Preferred can help you get up to $360 back on your current spending. The card also offers a higher rate of cash back on U.S. streaming subscriptions, on transit and at U.S. gas stations. Cash back is received in the form of reward dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

Hybrid cards are a newer type of rewards credit card. These cards earn cash back when used alone but can be paired with other cards to convert those cash-back rewards to more valuable points. 

A prime example of the type of card that can earn hybrid rewards is the Chase Freedom Unlimited® . You’re earning cash back on purchases with that card, but those rewards can be converted to more valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you pair the Unlimited with an eligible premium Chase card that earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points.

If you are a frequent traveler with a specific hotel brand or airline, a rewards card aligned with its loyalty program may be a good fit for you. Most of the time, these cards also come with brand-specific benefits like complimentary elite status (for hotel cards ) or priority boarding and waived fees for checked baggage (for airline cards ). These currencies aren’t as flexible as transferable currencies in that they generally have to be used within that one program, but they can still be highly valuable — especially if the benefits associated with having the card save you money or help you earn a higher elite status within a program.

What are the most popular credit card rewards programs?

There are many credit card rewards programs available, but major players in the rewards credit card space are American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo and Bank of America.

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of the top rewards programs for good reason. TPG values these points at an average of 2 cents each when used with travel partners such as United Airlines and Hyatt. You can also use the points at a fixed value (at a rate that depends on which Chase cards you hold) to book travel via the Chase travel portal.

American Express Membership Rewards

Another top rewards program is American Express Membership Rewards , where points are also valued at 2 cents each when used with travel partners. Amex has the most extensive network of airline and hotel transfer partners — 22 — of the top issuer programs, and you can sometimes find transfer bonuses available for some of these partners. Of course, you can also redeem points through Amex’s travel portal, though often at a lower rate than maximizing a transfer partner.

Citi ThankYou

Citi ThankYou Rewards points aren’t quite as valuable on average as Chase and Amex points in the eyes of TPG ( we value the points at 1.8 cents each ), but there is still a lot to like about this program. There are some great transfer partners available through Citi ThankYou, including Avianca LifeMiles, Etihad Guest and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

Capital One 

Capital One has 15-plus airline and hotel program partners , including high-value options like Air Canada Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles and Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles.

Cash-back rewards cards honorable mentions

Not all rewards cards require transfer partners. A great cash-back rewards card is a great wallet addition for people who want to keep their rewards simple but still be rewarded for everyday spending. 

• 1 Sign-up bonus Choose the best rewards card for your wallet by opting for a card that offers a welcome bonus that you can transfer to certain rewards like free night certificates at hotels. This plays a large part in the card’s value.
• 2 Annual fee Many of the cards on this list feature an annual fee. To determine if an annual fee is worth it, you should consider if the card’s benefits and perks outweigh the fee.
• 3 Bonus categories The best rewards cards on this list feature various bonus categories to match anyone’s spending.

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

• Using rewards credit cards responsibly can help you build your credit score.
• Rewards credit cards can earn cash back, points or miles on every dollar you spend.
• Many rewards redit cards provide purchase, theft and fraud protection.
• Some rewards credit cards provide perks like travel insurance, complimentary hotel stays and more.
• Rewards credit cards can encourage overspending.
• Carrying a balance and using your rewards card irresponsibly can damage your credit score.
• The cost of borrowing on rewards credit cards is higher than traditional loans.
• Having too many rewards card applications can negatively affect your credit score

Reward redemption options vary based on the type of rewards credit card you have. Cash-back rewards can be redeemed via options such as a statement credit, direct deposit to your account, check, etc.

Points and miles rewards are typically redeemed for flights or hotels. Other redemption options, such as gift cards and merchandise, also exist but redeeming for travel is often the way to get maximum value out of travel-focused rewards cards.

The best credit card for rewards will depend on you, your spending habits and rewards strategy. Some cards offer great cash back on grocery store purchases, while others offer bonuses for travel. There is no rewards credit card that will be the best fit for everything. The one that will result in the best value for your goals and your spending patterns is the best rewards credit card for your wallet.

Typically, the answer is no. You should consult an accountant for more information , but if you are using your purchases to earn a welcome bonus and/or rewards, it is generally considered a rebate on spending and not taxable income. However, bonuses you may earn outside of your own spending (such as referring friends to the card) may be considered taxable.

Yes, for most people. If you have a good credit score and pay off your balance every month , a rewards credit card is a great addition to your wallet. You can earn points and miles or cash back on everyday purchases you were going to make anyway.

Generally, credit card rewards do not expire as long as your card is open and in good standing. It is still good practice to check the terms and conditions of your specific rewards credit card to see if your rewards can expire. And if you ever plan to close an account, make sure to utilize all of your rewards before closing the card.

The rewards credit card world can be confusing with rotating rewards, bonus categories and points and miles transfers. Which is what makes fixed-rate rewards credit cards so valuable. 

With a f ixed-rate rewards credit card , you can earn flat rewards rates on all purchases without the need to track rotating categories or activate certain offers on a monthly or quarterly basis. With this streamlined method, you can earn rewards on every purchase while maintaining an easy and straightforward reward-earning process. 

Many credit cards offer a  bonus category , which is a spending category that earns elevated reward rates. For example, the Amex Platinum has airfare as a bonus category and earns 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with an airline or via Amex Travel. All other purchases, like dining or online shopping, earn just 1 point per dollar.

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Chase Freedom Unlimited Review: A Potential One-Card Solution

What’s on This Page

The bottom line, pros and cons, detailed review, compare to other cards, benefits and perks, drawbacks and considerations, how to decide if it's right for you.

The card's rewards structure isn't the easiest to remember. But its useful bonus categories, flexible rewards and outstanding welcome offer make it a top contender among cash-back cards.

Rewards rate

Bonus 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!

0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months

Ongoing APR

APR: 20.49%-29.24% Variable APR

Cash Advance APR: 29.99%, Variable

Penalty APR: Up to 29.99%

Balance transfer fee

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

Foreign transaction fee

3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

• 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.
• Member FDIC

No annual fee

Intro APR period

High rewards rate

No minimum redemption amount

Requires good/excellent credit

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers a compelling combination of valuable rewards, flexible redemption options, a lengthy 0% introductory APR period and a sign-up bonus that’s worth more than most cash-back cards offer — all for an annual fee of $0 .

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® earns 3% cash back on restaurants and drugstore purchases, 5% back on travel booked through Chase and 1.5% back on other purchases. Put that together and you have a card that can really pile up the cash back. And if you carry other credit cards that also earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points , it packs even more value.

But all those different rewards rates make the card more complicated than competitors that offer a simpler 1.5% back on everything. One remedy: Make the Chase Freedom Unlimited® a top-of-wallet card for every purchase, and you’ll be sure to score those bonus rewards without having to think much about it.

It’s why this card makes a compelling case to be a one-card solution among cash-back credit cards.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® : Basics

Card type: Cash back .

Annual fee: $0 .

Sign-up bonus: 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! ( NOTE: This offer is available when you apply through NerdWallet. If you apply directly with Chase or through a different website, you may not be eligible for this offer.)

5% back on travel booked through Chase.

3% back at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.

3% back on drugstore purchases.

Through March 31, 2025, 5% back on qualifying Lyft services purchased through the Lyft app.

1.5% cash back on everything else.

Interest rate: 0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 20.49%-29.24% Variable APR .

Foreign transaction fee: 3%.

» MORE: Benefits of the Chase Freedom Unlimited

Chase Ultimate Rewards® points

Although the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is marketed as a cash-back card, your spending actually earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. Points are worth a penny apiece when redeemed for cash back, thus you get 1.5% cash back or more depending on the category of your purchase. Points may also be redeemed for:

Gift cards at 1 cent per point.

Travel booked through Chase at 1 cent per point.

Amazon purchases at 0.8 cent per point.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent card on its own, but it's even better as a companion to other cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. More on that below.

» MORE: Chase credit cards mobile app review

Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Chase Freedom Flex℠

If you're looking at the Chase Freedom Unlimited® , it's logical to wonder how it compares with the similarly named Chase Freedom Flex℠ .

Both Freedom-branded cards have an annual fee of $0 , and both offer lucrative ways to earn cash back.

The choice mostly comes down to rewards: 5% quarterly rotating categories on the Chase Freedom Flex℠ or the 1.5% “everything else” (instead of 1% everything else) of the Chase Freedom Unlimited® .

A quick evaluation:

Chase Freedom Flex℠ : The 5% cash back is enticing but complicated. Bonus cash back is also capped at $1,500 per quarter in spending before reverting to 1% back. Category activation is required; all other purchases earn 1% cash back.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® : The 1.5% back on everything else is less exciting but simpler and way more flexible.

Which is more valuable will depend on how well the rotating bonus categories of the Chase Freedom Flex℠ match your spending. It also depends on how much you spend overall. Big spenders might get more value from 1.5% on everything else because it’s unlimited.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® runs on the Visa payment network, while the Chase Freedom Flex℠ is a Mastercard. In terms of acceptance, it doesn't matter much if you carry a Visa or a Mastercard . But Visa and Mastercard do offer some differing side perks.

The table in the dropdown menu below highlights the differences in rewards between the two cards and the older Chase Freedom® , which is no longer accepting applications and has been effectively replaced by the Chase Freedom Flex℠ .

For more information on which of these Freedom credit cards is right for you, see our full comparison story .

(There is yet another rewards-earning Freedom product — the Chase Freedom Rise℠ — but unlike the cards above, it is meant for beginners to credit.)

As a cash-back card, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® delivers a great treat for new cardholders followed by high ongoing value at a low cost. Its best features include:

Potentially rich sign-up bonus

Unlike a standard credit card bonus, which pays you a lump sum once you hit a specific spending amount, the bonus on the Chase Freedom Unlimited® comes in the form of higher reward rates in the first year, which, depending on how much you spend, can really add up: 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! ( NOTE: This offer is available when you apply through NerdWallet. If you apply directly with Chase or through a different website, you may not be eligible for this offer.)

Comparable no-fee cash-back cards nowadays offer bonuses of around $200.

Useful bonus categories

The bonus rewards categories are useful and lucrative:

5% back on travel purchased through Chase.

Restaurants and drugstores are especially useful rewards categories for many households. Spend $3,000 a year combined in those categories, and you’ll earn $90 annually.

And if you book travel through Chase, 5% can add up quickly on pricey travel itineraries. Vacation travel costing $6,000 gets you back $300, for example.

1.5% on 'everything else'

Cash-back credit cards with bonus categories, like 3% back on restaurants, typically offer 1% cash back on “everything else.” The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers 1.5% back on everything else.

While 0.5% more doesn’t seem like much, it adds up for big spenders because it has no limit. And many big-ticket expenses seldom fall neatly into typical bonus categories — think medical bills, car tires and furnace repair.

For those who spend a lot, say $5,000 per month on “everything else,” the extra 0.5% rate on the Chase Freedom Unlimited® means an extra $300 a year in cash back, compared with its typical competitors.

» MORE: Which 1.5% cash-back credit card should you choose?

Point transfers to maximize value

Because Chase allows you to transfer its points among cards that earn them, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® can be a cornerstone of a strategy to get maximum value out of every dollar you spend. If you have multiple Chase cards, you can:

Earn more points by splitting your spending between this card and the Chase Freedom Flex. By using the Chase Freedom Flex for purchases in the 5% bonus categories and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® on all other spending, you'd boost your overall rewards earnings significantly.

Get more value per point by transferring rewards to a card with elevated redemption values. Points earned with this card are usually worth a penny apiece. But several Chase cards give you more value per point when you use them to book travel through Chase's online portal, operated by Expedia:

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card , each point is worth 1.25 cents when redeemed for travel through Chase.

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , points are worth 1.5 cents apiece when redeemed for travel through Chase.

These three cards also allow you to transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to about a dozen airline and hotel loyalty programs, including United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Marriott and Hyatt. Depending on how you use transferred points, you could reap even more value.

» MORE: What is the 'Chase trifecta'?

It’s complicated

The 1.5% flat rate is easy enough to understand, but the mix of reward rates in other spending categories is head-spinning — especially for cash-back lovers, who tend to value simplicity. Add in the extra 1.5% in the first year, and things get even more ... interesting.

If you don’t want to carry around a rewards cheat sheet to optimally use a credit card and you’re just interested in cash-back rewards — not necessarily Chase Ultimate Rewards® — the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is one of the best flat-rate cards on the market. It offers 2% cash back on everything — and not just for a limited time.

» MORE: Credit cards that earn 2% cash back or more on purchases

Better rates available in specific categories

Cards with rewards bonus categories are most valuable when you spend a significant amount in those categories.

Alternative options include:

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express pays an industry-leading 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 a year in spending (then 1%), plus 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% at U.S. gas stations, 3% on transit and 1% on all other spending. Terms apply ( see rates and fees ). It comes at a cost, though: A $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. Terms apply. This is an ideal card for high grocery spenders.

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card pays 3% in a category of your choice (gas/EV charging, online shopping (including cable, phone, internet and streaming services), dining, travel, drugstores or home improvement/furnishings) and 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, on up to $2,500 in combined choice-category/grocery-store/wholesale-club spending per quarter. All other spending earns 1% cash back.

You can find out more about how this cash-back credit card compares versus the competition by visiting our list of best credit cards to get .

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great deal for consumers — especially for those who already have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® .

It comes with a potentially rich sign-up offer, useful bonus rewards categories and plenty of options for cashing in rewards. It’s not as simple as a flat-rate cash-back card, but its versatility and value make it a strong choice.

» MORE: Which Chase Freedom credit card is right for you?

To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express , see this page .

Looking For Something Else?

Methodology.

NerdWallet reviews credit cards with an eye toward both the quantitative and qualitative features of a card. Quantitative features are those that boil down to dollars and cents, such as fees, interest rates, rewards (including earning rates and redemption values) and the cash value of benefits and perks. Qualitative factors are those that affect how easy or difficult it is for a typical cardholder to get good value from the card. They include such things as the ease of application, simplicity of the rewards structure, the likelihood of using certain features, and whether a card is well-suited to everyday use or is best reserved for specific purchases. Our star ratings serve as a general gauge of how each card compares with others in its class, but star ratings are intended to be just one consideration when a consumer is choosing a credit card. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.

Frequently asked questions

Cardholders earn 5% back on travel booked through Chase and 3% back at restaurants and drugstore purchases. All other purchases earn 1.5% back. Plus, through March 31, 2025, cardholders earn 5% back on qualifying Lyft services purchased through the Lyft app.

You’ll need good to excellent credit to qualify for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® . Generally speaking, this is defined as a credit score of 690 or better. But a credit score alone isn’t enough to qualify for any credit card. Issuers take into account your income, existing debts and other information.

It depends on your spending habits. The cards have identical sign-up bonuses, 0% APR periods and $0 annual fees. The main difference is in the rewards. The travel, restaurant and drugstore rewards are the same on both cards. But the Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers a solid 1.5% back on "everything else," while the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories and 1% on other spending.

The annual fee on the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is $0 .

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a Visa.

Yes. The bonus is: 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!

Yes. The cards have some identical rewards, but you can use them together to maximize your cash back.

About the author s

Claire Tsosie

Gregory Karp