Best travel credit cards
Many credit card companies offer travel rewards cards that let the cardholder earn points on everyday purchases. Points can be cashed in for airfare, hotel stays and other travel expenses, and cardholders often get access to exclusive perks and benefits. We reviewed offers from more than 30 travel credit cards and created a list of our top picks to help you compare and decide which travel credit card is best for you.
Our picks for
Good Travel Rewards Credit Cards
- Good for overall travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- Good for travel and dining: Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Good for initial bonus offer: Capital One Venture Rewards Card
- Good for no annual fee: Capital One VentureOne Rewards
- Good for 0% APR period: Wells Fargo Propel
- Good for luxury benefits: The Platinum Card
Good all-around travel rewards credit card
Chase Sapphire Preferred
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Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review
If you're someone who travels frequently, Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great card because it's one of the most flexible credit cards when it comes to rewards for both international and domestic travel. You'll earn rewards points for every dollar you spend, plus double points on purchases in travel and restaurant categories.
Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits
You’ll be able to transfer your reward points to frequent travel programs at a 1-to-1 value without any foreign transaction fees. Chase Sapphire Preferred perks include trip interruption or cancellation insurance, as well as baggage delay insurance.
- Earning Chase Sapphire Preferred points
At a minimum, you'll receive at least one point for every dollar you charge to this card. You’ll earn two points per dollar when you spend on travel and dining out. The travel category will include purchases you make with airlines, hotels, rental cars, travel agencies, trains, parking and more. Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders also gain access to a complimentary DashPash from DoorDash, giving them free delivery on all orders over $12. Be aware that some types of travel-related spending won't be covered, like in-flight purchases and tourist attractions. - Using Chase Sapphire Preferred rewards
Points are redeemable for cash, gift cards and travel. If you redeem points for cash, each point is worth one cent (e.g., the redemption value of 100 points would be $1). If you redeem points for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards, each point is worth $1.25 (e.g., the redemption value of 100 points would be a $1.25), which is 25% more valuable than redeeming your points for cash.
What to know before you apply for a Chase Sapphire Preferred card
The annual fee for this card is $95. Even though this card has more flexible ways to cash in rewards, you'll still be limited to the companies they have available.
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred card worth it?
While the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card's sign-up bonus isn't unique from its competitors, this card stands out when it comes to earning and redeeming rewards points over time.
Good travel and dining credit card
Chase Sapphire Reserve
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Chase Sapphire Reserve review
This card is best for people who want large rewards for travel and dining and don’t mind paying higher annual fees for premium perks and benefits. The sign-up bonus alone can be redeemed for $750 for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards, making it one of the most desirable credit card rewards programs out there.
Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get a $300 annual travel credit and $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Plus, enjoy access to over a thousand exclusive airport lounges around the globe with one-time enrollment in Priority Pass Select. Sapphire Reserve also comes with some of the best travel and purchase protections available and 24/7 access to Visa Infinite Concierge.
- Earning Chase Sapphire Reserve points
Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3 points per $1 spent on travel and dining purchases, plus 1 point for $1 spent on all other purchases. Currently, when you sign up for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, get 10x the total points on all Lyft rides, as well as one year of complimentary Lyft Pink membership (business profile not eligible). Cardholders also get access to a complimentary DashPash from DoorDash, giving them free delivery on all orders over $12. - Using Chase Sapphire Reserve rewards
Chase Sapphire Reserve points transfer at 1:1 ratio to many popular airline and hotel loyalty programs. You can get 50% more value for points when you redeem through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.
What to know before you apply for a Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card
In addition to the $550 annual fee, there is a $75 fee to an authorized user. Sapphire Reserve cardholders don’t have to worry about paying foreign transaction fees, but keep in mind that late payment and returned payment fees are both up to $39.
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve card worth it?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve travel rewards card comes with premium perks and benefits that make the higher annual fee worth it for those who frequently spend on dining and travel.
Good for initial bonus offer
Capital One Venture Rewards Card
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Capital One Venture Rewards Card review
The Capital One Venture Rewards card has a generous early spend bonus offer that's easy to reach and gets you the most value per dollar, making it best for people who want to quickly rack up a lot of travel points.
Capital One Venture benefits
With this card, you'll get a $100 credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry. Plus, The Venture card is fully integrated with Apple Pay and includes other benefits like complimentary concierge service, identity theft resolution services, travel upgrades, travel protection and price protection.
- Earning Capital One Venture points
You’ll get two miles for every dollar on every purchase and 10 miles when you use it on hotels.com (100 miles is equal to one dollar in travel rewards). There’s no limit to how many rewards points you can earn, and rewards won’t expire as long as you hold the account. - Using Capital One Venture rewards
Once you make a travel-related purchase, you can redeem your miles as a statement credit toward the cost of that purchase. You’ll be able to easily transfer your miles to participating airline partners. You can fly any airline and stay at any hotel—no blackout dates—or easily transfer your miles to one of 10+ participating airline partners for more flexibility.
What to know before you apply for a Capital One Venture card
While the travel benefits on this card are great for frequent travelers, you'll have a lot less flexibility if you ever want to redeem your miles for cash back or statement credits. Rewards are only worth half as much if they're redeemed for non-travel expenses.
Is the Capital One Venture card worth it?
This travel credit card is designed for frequent travelers who want a simple plan with an easily obtainable early spend bonus. For a $95 annual fee, you can earn two miles for every dollar spent anywhere in the world, and you can earn even more when booking rooms through hotels.com/venture.
Good for no annual fee
Capital One VentureOne Rewards
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Capital One VentureOne review
If you want a card for earning easy travel miles with no annual fee, then the Capital One VentureOne credit card is best for you. Like Capital One’s other travel rewards cards, the VentureOne card is also fully integrated with Apple Pay and comes with travel upgrades, travel protection and price protection.
Capital One VentureOne benefits
VentureOne's early spend bonus is easier to reach than other cards, but the bonus amount is smaller. You can earn 20,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,000 on purchases within three months of opening your account. Other benefits include travel and roadside assistance.
- Earning Capital One VentureOne points
You'll earn 1.25 miles for every dollar you spend, plus 10 miles for every dollar spent on hotel stays booked through hotels.com. There’s no cap on how many rewards you can earn. - Using Capital One VentureOne rewards
You can redeem your miles directly through Capital One’s Rewards Center or through Purchase Eraser. Rewards never expire and can be redeemed to fly any airline and stay at any hotel, or you can redeem miles for account credits, cash rewards, gift cards and more. Easily transfer miles to any of Capital One’s 10+ travel partners.
What to know before you apply for a Capital One VentureOne card
Unlike other travel card rewards programs, your monthly income must exceed your monthly rent or mortgage by at least $425 to qualify. If you do qualify, calculate how many miles you’ll need to redeem your travel purchase by simply multiplying the total cost by 100 (e.g., if total travel purchase is $800, you need 80,000 miles).
Is the Capital One VentureOne card worth it?
VentureOne Rewards Card is worth it if you want to earn miles but aren’t concerned with VIP status or luxury perks—what this card lacks in extra benefits it makes up for with convenience and simplicity.
Good travel credit card with 0 APR
Wells Fargo Propel American Express card
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Wells Fargo Propel review
Wells Fargo Propel is a very flexible travel reward credit card. The card has minimal fees, plus there’s no APR on new purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months after opening an account. Cardholders earn points across several popular categories, and the sign-up bonus alone can be redeemed for $200 in cash value.
Wells Fargo Propel benefits
In addition to a full year of 0% APR, Wells Fargo Propel cardholders also enjoy benefits like 24/7 fraud monitoring with zero liability purchase protection and Rapid Alerts to track purchases. Wells Fargo also provides complimentary cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your Propel card — up to $600 protection with a $25 deductible.
- Earning Wells Fargo Propel points
Wells Fargo Propel cardholders earn 3 points for every $1 spent on dining (eating out or ordering in), travel (flights, homestays, hotels and car rentals), gas stations, rideshares, transit and popular streaming services. All other purchases earn 1 point per $1 spent. - Using Wells Fargo Propel rewards
Through Go Far Rewards, Wells Fargo points can be redeemed for travel with no blackout dates, or you can cash in points for cash, gift cards and more. There’s no limit to how many points you can earn, and points never expire as long as your account is active.
What to know before you apply for a Wells Fargo Propel card
There’s no annual fee or foreign transaction fees; however, balance transfer fees apply if you take advantage of the introductory APR 0% period. Expect to pay 3% ($5 minimum) on the amount of each balance transfer, and balance transfers must be completed within 120 opening your account. Penalty fees for late and returned payments are up to $37 each.
Is the Wells Fargo Propel card worth it?
The Wells Fargo Propel card is worth it for those who want to earn bonus rewards across different categories without paying interest on new purchases (or balance transfers) for a year. Cardholders who take advantage of the early-spend bonus and pay their cell phone bill with this card get the most out of it.
Good travel card with luxury benefits
The Platinum Card from American Express
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American Express Platinum Card review
American Express Platinum is good if you’re a frequent traveler who enjoys VIP status and luxury benefits, like access to the Global Lounge Collection, which is the only credit card airport lounge collection with more than 1,200 airport lounges around the world.
American Express Platinum Card benefits
This card is loaded with a long list of extra benefits. Get up to $200 per year for Uber rides, $200 in airline fee credits and up to $100 in statement credits on purchases made at Saks Fifth Avenue. American Express Platinum Card memberships also access Global Dining Collection for special offers on exclusive culinary events. Plus, receive complimentary benefits with an average total value of $550 with Fine Hotels and Resorts, a $200 Airline Fee Credit and up to $200 per calendar year in baggage fees at qualifying airlines.
- Earning Platinum Card points
You’ll earn five Membership Rewards points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel and on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com. Flights and hotels on amextravel.com qualify for extra rewards and savings. - Using Platinum Card rewards
You can redeem your Membership Rewards Points for airfare, gift cards and more, but the value of your points will vary by how you choose to redeem them. American Express’s online tool lets you see how much your points are worth for different redemption options.
What to know before you apply for a Platinum Card
American Express Platinum comes with many perks, but it also comes with a high annual fee. Be sure to consider how frequently you'd use the perks. You will have to pay your full balance each month, but you won’t have to pay any interest on those purchases.
Is the American Express Platinum Card worth it?
American Express Platinum is a prestigious card that offers luxury perks that are beneficial to those who travel often. Considering the high annual fee, the rewards are only worth it if you maximize this card’s potential.
How do travel credit cards work?
With travel rewards credit cards, you earn reward miles or points when you make new purchases. Most credit cards we’ve seen give you a mile or point per dollar you spend, and some cards award more bonus points for purchases made in particular categories. Certain cards come with more benefits, like complimentary concierge or VIP lounge service.
Compare rewards points and perks.
When you’re fielding different credit card travel offers, pay attention to details that will matter most to you. If you're an international traveler, make sure you get a card without foreign transaction fees. If you're a frequent traveler, consider applying for a card that will provide luxury travel perks like grants you hotel room upgrades or access to exclusive airport lounges. Also, look for cards without blackout dates so that your points aren’t restricted.
Use your card for big purchases.
Many travel rewards credit cards will offer initial sign-up bonuses for spending a certain amount of money within a few months of opening your account. A good time to apply for a travel rewards credit card is right before making a big purchase—that way, you can be sure to hit the sign-up bonus and maximize the amount of points you gain right off the bat.
How to redeem travel rewards points
The steps to redeem your travel rewards will differ depending on which card you use. Cards most often require you to book your flights or hotel stays through the company website. However, some cards, like the Capital One Venture Rewards, give you points for booking through third-party sites like hotels.com.
Compare travel credit cards
With a travel rewards card, you can earn rewards by making purchases that can be redeemed for airfare, hotel stays, cruise lines, gift cards, statement credits and more. When comparing travel rewards cards, consider how easy it is to earn extra points or miles during the welcome bonus period.
| Card | Sign-up Bonus |
|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Get 50,000 if you spend $4,000 in first 3 months |
| Capital One Venture | Earn 50,000 miles if you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months |
| Capital One VentureOne | Earn 20,000 bonus miles if you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months |
| Wells Fargo Propel | Get 20,000 points if you spend $1,000 in first 3 months |
| The Platinum Card from American Express | Earn 60,000 bonus points if you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months |
Types of travel reward credit cards
While the main reason for acquiring the credit card is to earn air travel miles or points for hotel stays, there are numerous other travel perks worth considering. Here are the different types you can get:
- Miles credit cards
A miles credit card rewards your purchases in air miles. Every purchase is worth a set number of miles you can redeem for airfare. These cards may be tied to particular airlines or they may extend to various airlines. - Luxury travel credit card
Luxury travel credit cards have high annual fees but come with numerous travel benefits. These cards come with extra perks like access to exclusive airport lounges and yearly travel credits. - Airline credit cards
Airline credit cards partner with particular airlines to give you benefits when you fly with them. For example, some cards provide credits for TSA PreCheck, discounts on in-flight meals and free baggage checks. - Hotel credit cards
A hotel credit card can help you earn points for staying in a certain hotel. These cards will typically gain you extra points if you use them to pay for a stay at particular hotel chains.
Bottom line
Travel rewards cards are a great way to earn free miles and other travel perks on everyday purchases. Different travel rewards cards come with similar benefits, and you can easily earn credits toward airfare and lodging. Additional features like exclusive lounge access, free checked luggage and premium room upgrades are also available. When deciding which travel rewards card is right for you, consider your lifestyle, spending habits and travel schedule.
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