Best travel credit cards of 2023
With extensive rewards and premium benefits right off the bat, the best travel credit cards can make your trips more comfortable and affordable.
For example, the top travel credit cards often come with complimentary travel insurance, annual travel credits, free checked bags and/or airport lounge access. They also have no foreign transaction fees, so you can use them overseas without paying for the privilege.
Which travel credit card should you consider? ConsumerAffairs compared more than 40 of the top travel credit cards on the market to help you decide.
Short methodology
We selected the best travel credit cards based on their rewards rates, welcome offers and redemption options. We also assessed cards based on the value of their benefits in relation to their annual fees, with the goal of selecting cards with exceptional long-term value.
| Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card | Platinum Card from American Express | Capital One Venture X Rewards | Venture Rewards from Capital One | VentureOne Rewards from Capital One | Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard | World of Hyatt Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our pick for | Best overall | Beginners | Luxury travel perks | International travel | Flat-rate travel rewards | No annual fee | Airlines | Hotels |
| Minimum credit score | Good to excellent | Good to excellent | Good to excellent | Good to excellent | Good to excellent | Good to excellent | Good to excellent | Good to excellent |
| Welcome offer | 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening | 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening | 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within six months of account opening | 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening | 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening | 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $500 on purchases within three months of account opening | 50,000 miles when you spend $2,500 on purchases within three months of account opening | 30,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening, and up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning 2 bonus points 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) |
| Annual fee | $550 | $95 | $695 | $395 | $95 | $0 | $99, waived the first 12 months | $95 |
| Redemption options | Point transfers, travel through Chase, gift cards, merchandise and more | Point transfers, travel through Chase, gift cards, merchandise and more | Point transfers, travel through Amex, gift cards, merchandise and more | Point transfers, travel through Capital One, gift cards, merchandise and more | Point transfers, travel through Capital One, gift cards, merchandise and more | Point transfers, travel through Capital One, gift cards, merchandise and more | Flights to more than 1,000 destinations, plus upgrades to a premium cabin, hotels and other travel | Free night awards at Hyatt properties worldwide |
Our top 8 picks for travel credit cards
- Our pick for best overall: Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card
- Our pick for beginners: Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card
- Our pick for luxury travel perks: Platinum Card from American Express
- Our pick for best for international travel: Capital One Venture X Rewards
- Our pick for flat-rate travel rewards: Venture Rewards from Capital One
- Our pick for no annual fee: VentureOne Rewards from Capital One
- Our pick for airlines: Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
- Our pick for hotels: World of Hyatt Credit Card
Our picks may be Authorized Partners that compensate us. This does not affect our recommendations or evaluations but may impact the order in which companies appear. For more details on how we selected our top picks, read our full methodology.
Best overall
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The Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card has a $550 annual fee, but its exceptional perks and features make it excellent value for frequent travelers. Not only does the card come with a $300 annual travel credit and premium travel insurance benefits, but cardholders get a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership valued at $469.
- What we like
- There are numerous reasons to consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve if you're a frequent traveler, including the following:
- Rewards points transfer to Chase airline and hotel partners (Southwest Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus, World of Hyatt, etc.) at a 1:1 ratio
- 50% more value for points when you redeem for travel through Chase
- Redemption options like gift cards and statement credits at a rate of one cent per point
- Exceptional rewards rate (3X to 10X points) for travel and dining purchases
- Travel insurance benefits like primary auto rental coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and lost luggage reimbursement
- Premium benefits like a $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass Select membership and a fee credit toward Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck
- No foreign transaction fees
- What to consider
- While the Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card earned the top spot in our ranking, there are a few downsides to consider.
- The $550 annual fee may be too high for some travelers.
- Authorized user cards require their own $75 annual fee.
- You only earn 1X points per dollar spent on regular purchases.
- The APR is high if you carry a balance.
- What reviewers say
- On our review page for Chase credit cards, customers had the following to say about the Chase Sapphire Reserve:
Jaehyun of California said they have the card and find it really useful. "It provides lots of premium services including primary rental car insurance. Food delivery and travel credit is great as well."
Brandon of North Carolina said the card has great benefits, and that the website and app are user-friendly and provide all the details needed to easily track their accounts.
Best for beginners
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The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is our top pick for beginners since it comes with a much more reasonable $95 annual fee without giving up the flexible redemption options of premium travel credit cards. You won't get airport lounge access or annual travel credits with this card, but you can redeem points for travel through Chase or transfer points to Chase airline and hotel partners.
- What we like
- Consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred if you want to pay a lower annual fee with the following benefits:
- Transfer your points to Chase airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio
- 25% more value for points when you redeem for travel through Chase
- Redemption options like gift cards and statement credits at a rate of one cent per point
- Travel insurance benefits like primary auto rental coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance and trip delay coverage
- Generous rewards on travel purchases, online grocery purchases, dining and more
- No foreign transaction fees
- What to consider
- While you'll pay a lower annual fee for this card, there are some trade-offs.
- This card doesn't come with premium travel benefits like annual travel credits or airport lounge access.
- You only earn 1X points per dollar spent on regular purchases.
- The APR is high if you carry a balance.
- What reviewers say
- On our review page for Chase credit cards, several customers left positive remarks about Chase overall and for the Chase Sapphire Preferred in particular.
Arnold in Texas said that Chase credit cards are the "most reliable and safest financial instruments available in today's fast moving digital markets with world class security features that are second to none."
Kurt in Kentucky had the following to say: "I have the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Great card with great sign-on bonus." They also said they love the flexibility of Chase Ultimate Rewards points since they transfer to both airlines and hotels.
Best for luxury travel perks
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The Platinum Card from American Express has the highest annual fee ($695) of all the travel credit cards in our ranking, yet its perks and features are worth much more than you'll pay each year. For example, this card has the broadest available airport lounge membership among all travel credit cards, and it comes with more than $1,500 in statement credits you can use annually.
- What we like
- Important reasons to consider the Platinum Card from American Express include:
- Points transfer to Amex hotel and airline partners like Air France (Flying Blue), Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
- Redeem points for travel directly through AmexTravel.com
- Exceptional rewards rate (up to 5X points) on eligible travel purchases
- Up to $1,500 in statement credits toward airline incidentals, eligible hotel bookings, Walmart+ membership, Uber rides and Uber Eats purchases, digital entertainment and more
- Global Lounge Collection, which includes Priority Pass Select membership, access to Amex Centurion lounges and entry to Delta Sky Clubs when flying with Delta
- No foreign transaction fees
- What to consider
- This card's high annual fee can be hard to justify if you don't use all the benefits.
- Annual statement credits from Amex can be difficult to maximize.
- Non-travel redemptions can be worth as little as half a cent per point.
- You only earn 1X points per dollar spent on regular purchases.
- The APR is high if you carry a balance.
- What reviewers say
- Andrew in South Dakota said, “Being a avid traveler for work and pleasure the Amex card provides me with ample opportunities to … earn more miles on things I buy every day and also gives me peace of mind against fraud.”
Kimberley in Michigan said, “The free checked bag and early boarding are a plus and the free companion pass are the perks that can be utilized easily.” However, they also acknowledged that you have to travel a lot to access other rewards and that “[t]he yearly payment is steep for the occasional traveler.”
Best for international travel
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The Venture X Rewards card is the premium travel credit card option from Capital One, and we like it because it comes with a lower annual fee ($395) than comparable cards from other issuers. Not only that, but this card offers transfers to a range of airline and hotel partners that work well for international travel.
- What we like
- Consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards if any of the following benefits make sense for your travel goals.
- Transfer miles to a range of international airline and hotel partners, including Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, Singapore Airlines and Wyndham Rewards
- Use miles to book airfare, hotels and more through Capital One Travel
- Redemption options like gift cards and travel statement credits at a rate of one cent per mile
- Lucrative rewards (up to 10X points) on eligible travel purchases
- All regular purchases earn a minimum of 2X miles per dollar spent
- Priority Pass Select membership and complimentary access to Capital One airport lounges
- $300 annual travel credit and $100 credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership
- 10,000 bonus miles each cardmember anniversary
- Free authorized user cards
- No foreign transaction fees
- What to consider
- Downsides of this card include the following:
- The APR is high if you carry a balance.
- Annual travel credit of $300 is only good for bookings through Capital One Travel.
- What reviewers say
- There are no reviews of the Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card from ConsumerAffairs readers as of publication.
Best for flat-rate rewards
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The Venture Rewards from Capital One is a good travel credit card for beginners who want to earn flat-rate rewards on all their purchases. Plus, it comes with the same flexible redemption options as the Venture X Rewards card, but with a much lower annual fee of $95.
- What we like
- The main benefits of the Venture Rewards from Capital One include the following:
- Earn 2X miles on all purchases and 5X miles on prepaid hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Low annual fee
- Redeem miles for transfers to Capital One airline and hotel partners or travel through Capital One Travel
- Redeem miles for gift cards and travel statement credits at a rate of one cent per mile
- Fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and two free Capital One airport lounge visits per year
- No foreign transaction fees
- What to consider
- With the lower annual fee, you won't get the premium travel benefits some other cards offer.
- The APR is high if you carry a balance.
- What reviewers say
- On our review page for the Venture Rewards from Capital One, Chris in Washington said the card is worth it, pointing out the zero foreign exchange fees as well as 2% cash back. "For some, these two benefits outweigh the cost," they said.
However, some customers complained about using the Capital One Travel portal. Joseph of Connecticut said they had a $500 travel credit due to a flight cancellation after booking an award flight through the Capital One portal.
"I tried to redeem for a different flight and was told the new flight was $940 and that out of Pocket expense was going to be $440," they said. "I thought this was outrageous and found the identical flight on Kayak for $350. I purchased the flight out of pocket."
Best for no annual fee
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The VentureOne Rewards from Capital One is exceptional among travel credit cards with no annual fee, since it allows you to transfer miles to the same airline and hotel partners as other Capital One travel credit cards. That said, you'll have to accept a smaller welcome bonus and a lower rewards rate for regular purchases.
- What we like
- If you're looking for a travel credit card with no annual fee, the VentureOne Rewards from Capital One should be at the top of your list. Major perks include:
- Miles transfer to Capital One airline and hotel partners, and you can use them to book travel through Capital One
- Redeem miles for options like gift cards and travel statement credits at a rate of one cent per mile
- 0% introductory APR for purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
- No foreign transaction fees
- What to consider
- While there are many reasons to sign up for the VentureOne Rewards from Capital One, you'll have to accept the following:
- You'll only earn 1.25X miles for regular purchases made with the card.
- You won't get any major travel benefits as a cardholder.
- The APR is high if you carry a balance after the 15-month introductory period ends.
- This card's welcome offer is not that impressive.
- What reviewers say
- There are no reviews of the VentureOne Rewards from Capital One from ConsumerAffairs readers as of publication.
Best for airlines
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The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard is best for airlines since it offers a generous sign-up bonus, and since you can redeem miles for flights to more than 1,000 destinations worldwide through American AAdvantage and its oneworld alliance partners.
- What we like
- If you fly with American Airlines often or plan to, there are several reasons to consider the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard.
- Free checked bag for you and up to four companions on your itinerary
- $125 flight credit after you spend $20,000 or more during a card year and you renew your card
- Earn miles you can use for flight awards with each dollar you spend
- Earn Loyalty Points on credit card spending, which can help you reach elite status with the American AAdvantage program
- No foreign transaction fees
- What to consider
- While this is a solid airline credit card for most people, there are several reasons the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard may not be best for you.
- This card's main redemption option is flights and upgrades on American Airlines, so it may not be ideal if you like to fly with other carriers.
- You earn double miles on gas, dining and American Airlines purchases, but you only earn 1 mile per dollar on regular purchases.
- The APR is high if you carry a balance.
- You'll pay a $95 annual fee after the first year.
- What reviewers say
- While many reviewers have positive things to say about Citi credit cards in general, Meghan of New York said they missed out on the ability to purchase an American Airlines flight with their card due to website problems.
"The Citi AAdvantage Credit card was applied for to purchase an American Airlines flight and receive the 30,000 bonus miles. When approved, they showed an image of the temporary card number, expiration date and CVV code in order to purchase the flights right away," they said. "However, everything timed out. Citi customer service could not help me until my card came in the mail 10 days later. By then my flight was sold out and the card was useless."
Best for hotels
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The World of Hyatt Credit Card is the best hotel credit card due to the overall value of the rewards you earn. Where many other hotel loyalty points are worth as little as half a cent each, World of Hyatt points can easily be worth 2 cents each or more.
- What we like
- Not only are World of Hyatt points more valuable than points in other hotel loyalty programs, but this card and program comes with other benefits.
- Automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status as a cardholder
- Free night award in a Category 1-4 property each year you renew
- Earn 9X points on paid Hyatt stays and 2X points on dining out, flights booked with airlines, gym memberships and local transit and commuting
- Redeem points for free night awards starting at 3,500 points (for off-peak bookings)
- Huge selection of all-inclusive resorts you can book with points
- Points and cash bookings are available, and you can use points for room upgrades
- No foreign transaction fees
- What to consider
- The welcome offer is complicated, and you have to spend $15,000 in six months to earn the entire bonus.
- World of Hyatt has fewer properties to choose from than competing programs like Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy.
- This card only earns 1 point per dollar on regular purchases after the initial offer period.
- What reviewers say
- There are no reviews of the World of Hyatt credit card from ConsumerAffairs readers as of publication.
Compare travel credit card offers
| Card | Travel rewards |
|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card | Point transfers, travel through Chase, gift cards, merchandise and more |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card | Point transfers, travel through Chase, gift cards, merchandise and more |
| Platinum Card from American Express | Point transfers, travel through Amex, gift cards, merchandise and more |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards | Point transfers, travel through Capital One, gift cards, merchandise and more |
| Venture Rewards from Capital One | Point transfers, travel through Capital One, gift cards, merchandise and more |
| VentureOne Rewards from Capital One | Point transfers, travel through Capital One, gift cards, merchandise and more |
| Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard | Flights to more than 1,000 destinations, plus upgrades to a premium cabin, hotels and other travel |
| World of Hyatt Credit Card | Free night awards at Hyatt properties worldwide |
What is a travel credit card?
A travel credit card lets you earn rewards points or miles for travel-specific redemptions. Some travel credit cards offer flexible rewards that can be used in more than one way, whereas others offer brand-specific rewards for airlines or hotels.
Not surprisingly, cards in this niche also tend to come with travel-related benefits. For example, premium travel credit cards tend to offer annual travel credits and airport lounge access as standard benefits, whereas airline credit cards tend to offer perks like free checked bags or priority boarding. Meanwhile, hotel credit cards often come with benefits like automatic elite status, free night awards and hotel or resort credits, depending on the offer.
Also, be aware that, due to the rewards and benefits you get with a travel credit card, most of them charge an annual fee. Chris Fred, head of credit cards and unsecured lending at TD Bank, says that whether an annual fee card is worth it or not mainly depends on how much you spend and the value of the rewards offered.
"It's generally important that you spend enough for the value of the rewards and other benefits to be greater than the annual fee," said Fred.
» MORE: Best Travel Insurance Companies
Pros and cons of travel credit cards
Travel credit cards tend to work best for people who travel at least a few times per year, whereas consumers who don't travel often may want to look into cash-back credit cards or general rewards credit cards instead.
When it comes to travel credit cards specifically, here are some of the pros and cons to consider before you sign up.
Pros
- Earn rewards you can redeem for airfare, hotels and other travel.
- Benefits like free checked bags, automatic elite status or airport lounge access.
- Flexible cards let you choose how you redeem your rewards, whether you want to book directly or transfer to airlines or hotels.
- Generous sign-up bonuses you can earn when you meet a minimum spending requirement.
Cons
- Higher interest rates than cards that don’t provide rewards for spending.
- The majority of top travel credit cards charge annual fees of $95 to $695.
- Not all rewards are flexible. For example, airline miles and hotel loyalty points may only be redeemable within their respective programs.
- Some perks can be hard to use. For example, airport lounge access may not pay off if you only travel a few times per year or typically drive instead of fly.
What to look for in a travel credit card
If you're looking for a travel credit card that will help you earn rewards for airfare, hotels and other travel, you will want to keep a few important details in mind.
- Find a card that earns the type of rewards you want. If you frequently fly with one airline or you're a major fan of a specific hotel loyalty program, a co-branded airline or hotel credit card could be a good fit. If you want some flexibility, however, you may want to opt for a flexible rewards credit card that lets you use points for travel and other options or transfer to airline and hotel programs.
- Pick a card with an annual fee you can live with. Make sure you are comfortable with the annual fee you're asked to pay, and that the value of the benefits you receive is worth more overall. You can also take the welcome offer into account for the first year since this bonus can help justify the annual fee for the first 12 months.
- Make sure the perks are ones you can use. Finally, make sure you like the selection of perks a card offers, whether that includes airport lounge access, automatic elite status with a hotel or free checked bags with your favorite airline. Pick a travel credit card with benefits you can use on a regular basis.
It's generally important that you spend enough for the value of the rewards and other benefits to be greater than the annual fee.”
How to use travel cards
Once you decide on a travel credit card and get approved, you'll want to use it for all your regular spending and bills. This is especially important when it comes to the bonus categories your card offers (if any), since spending in these categories will net you more points or miles over time.
In the meantime, you'll want to meet the listed minimum spending requirement to earn the sign-up bonus your card offers (typically within the first three to six months). If you miss hitting the spending threshold by even a dollar before time is up, you won't get the bonus.
Also, be sure you don't overspend on the card in pursuit of more rewards, warned Fred. The fact rewards credit cards charge a high annual percentage rate (APR) also means you should only use them for purchases you can afford to pay off each month.
"If you typically pay your credit card off every month, and you use your credit card frequently, a rewards credit card might be a great option for you," said Fred.
If your travel credit card offers travel benefits, you may also want to keep a list of what they are so you can use them when you can. For example, noting which airport lounges you can access or putting your frequent flyer number on your flight reservation for free checked bags.
» MORE: How to manage your money
FAQ
Do travel credit cards offer travel insurance or other protections?
Some travel credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance benefits, but not all. Travel insurance benefits to look for include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel delay coverage, baggage delay insurance, auto rental coverage and more.
Are there additional perks associated with using a travel credit card?
Most travel credit cards don't charge foreign transaction fees, which means you can use them overseas without paying added charges for each purchase. Other perks vary by card.
Can I transfer points or miles earned with my card to airline or hotel loyalty programs?
Some travel credit cards offer flexible points you can transfer to airlines and hotels, including cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One miles and points in the CitiThankYou program.
What are the restrictions with a travel credit card?
There are no standard restrictions with a travel credit card to speak of.
Bottom line
Travel rewards cards make it possible to earn points or miles for each dollar you spend, although rewards programs can vary dramatically. The fact each card offers its own selection of travel perks and benefits is another reason to compare cards carefully before you pick one and apply.
You'll also want to make sure you can actually use the rewards you earn, and that the annual fee you're asked to pay seems like a good deal considering all you get in return. Once you find a card that checks off all your boxes, you'll be on your way to earning free travel in no time.
Methodology
To make our top picks, the ConsumerAffairs team compared more than 40 different cards from major financial institutions — including American Express, Bank of America, Chase, Capital One, Citibank, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo — that offered travel rewards through various programs. We reviewed these cards based on a variety of factors, including annual fees, travel benefits, redemption options for rewards, earning rates and more.
- Fees: We assessed travel credit cards and their annual fees, ensuring that the required fees were reasonable, considering the perks each card offered. Also, note that none of the credit cards in our ranking charge foreign transaction fees.
- Earning rates: We chose travel credit cards that offer generous rewards for travel purchases and other types of spending.
- Travel benefits: Keeping annual fees in mind, we focused on travel credit cards that offer perks and features frequent travelers can regularly benefit from.
- Travel insurance: We gave preference to travel credit cards that offer complimentary travel insurance benefits like auto rental coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel delay coverage and more.
- Consumer reviews: We analyzed our own ConsumerAffairs reviews for cards that offer strong customer service, easy transfer processes and noteworthy perks. Note that all the travel credit cards in our ranking with published reviews had both positive and negative remarks.
- Sources
- ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- Capital One, "Capital One miles transfer partners." Accessed June 3, 2023.
- Chase, "What you should know about foreign transaction fees." Accessed June 3, 2023.
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