discover cash back vs travel card

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Comparing the Discover it Miles vs. Discover it Cash

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A variety of credit cards fall under the Discover brand, including student cards, secured credit cards and business cards. Those considering the Discover it® Miles may also have their eyes on the Discover it® Cash Back . Here are the pros and cons of each card to help you decide which one might be right for you.

» Learn more: Discover it Miles review: Travel rewards with a cash-back twist

What the cards have in common

The Discover it® Miles and Discover it® Cash Back share a lot of similarities, like:

Neither card has an annual fee.

Neither card charges foreign transaction fees.

Rewards earned on both cards are higher during the first year.

Both cards offer $0 fraud liability.

You can freeze your account at any time with either card.

Both include U.S.-based customer service.

About the Discover it® Miles credit card

While the Discover it® Cash Back and Discover it® Miles are quite similar, the main difference is how you earn and redeem your rewards.

Earning rewards

The Discover it® Miles has the simpler of the two earning structures. It earns 1.5 miles per $1 spent on everything; no need to worry about category bonuses.

To sweeten the deal for the first year, new cardholders will effectively earn 3 miles per $1 spent instead of 1.5 miles per dollar spent. This program is called Discover Match®, and new cardholders are automatically enrolled.

This makes the card one of the most attractive ones out there, especially when compared to a 2% cash back card like the Citi Double Cash® Card .

Redeeming points

On the redeeming miles side, it gets a little bit more complicated. There are two different ways that you can redeem the miles that you earn with the Discover it® Miles card.

A statement credit for travel purchases made within the last 180 days.

Cash as an electronic deposit to your bank account.

» Learn more: Citi Double Cash review: 2% on everything is tough to beat

About the Discover it® Cash Back

The earning structure of the Discover it® Cash Back is more involved. The Discover it® Cash Back earns 1% on all purchases, but also has rotating bonus categories: Once you sign up, you can earn 5% in rewards on the first $1,500 in purchases made for the quarter. Any purchases over $1,500 only earn 1%. Note that you have to activate these earning rates each quarter.

Similar to the Discover Match® program, new cardholders of the Discover it® Cash Back card earn higher rewards for one year through the Cashback Match™ program. That means new cardholders will effectively get 10% cash back in the rotating quarterly bonus categories for the first year rather than 5%.

Redeeming rewards

On the redemption side, you can redeem rewards in any amount as a statement credit or an electronic deposit to your bank account. You can also donate cash back rewards to charity, or use them to pay at select merchants. Buying gift cards or e-certificates is also an option, though you must have a minimum of $5 in rewards.

» Learn more: Discover it Cash Back review: 5% rewards are worth a little work

Which card is right for you?

If you are trying to decide between the Discover it® Miles and Discover it® Cash Back , there are a couple of different factors to consider.

Their redemption structures are fairly similar. In both cases, you can transfer rewards to your bank account or statement credit (though the Discover it® Miles statement credit is limited to travel purchases).

The real differentiator comes from their earning ability. Decide how much you're likely to spend each year, particularly in the rotating bonus categories. The breakeven point for $10,000 in yearly spend comes when you spend just $1,250 in the quarterly bonus categories. In that case, the Discover it® Cash Back would earn you more rewards.

If you don’t think you would spend that much in the bonus categories or if you prefer a simpler earning structure, go for the Discover it® Miles .

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

Is the Discover it Miles better for cash back or travel?

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When getting a travel credit card, you may think you have to choose between miles (or points) and cash for your redemption options. Many travel rewards cards offer boosted redemption rates for travel versus cash or other redemption options. However, the Discover it® Miles is unique in that you can redeem your miles for travel spending and cash—at the same rate.

But is it best to use your Discover it Miles rewards toward travel or cash back? Let’s talk about whether this card is better off as a travel or a cash back credit card .

Card details at a glance

• Rewards rate : Unlimited 1.5X miles on all purchases
• Welcome offer : All miles earned within the first 12 will be matched
• Annual fee: $0
• Purchase intro APR: 0 percent intro APR for 15 months
• Balance transfer intro APR: 0 percent intro APR for 15 months
• Regular APR: 14.24 percent to 25.24 percent (variable)

Card feature highlights

If you’re looking for a no-fuss way to earn and redeem your rewards for travel purchases or cash back, the Discover it Miles definitely fits the bill. It offers flat-rate rewards on your spending, meaning you don’t have to keep track of bonus categories or go through activation each quarter to start earning rewards. There’s no cap on how much you can earn back, and your miles never expire. Plus, there’s no minimum amount of miles you can redeem.

However, one standout feature makes this card especially unique for beginner travel cards. All miles earned within the first 12 months will be matched by Discover. So, if you end up spending, say, $25,000 on the card to earn 37,500 miles, Discover will match that amount, bringing your earnings to 75,000 miles for the first year. Whether you redeem them for cash or travel, that’s $750 worth of rewards you can earn in the first year of card ownership.

Earning rewards

As mentioned above, earning rewards is pretty straightforward—just swipe your card for all of your purchases and rack up rewards at 1.5X per dollar spent. Another way to earn rewards is by referring friends to open up a Discover credit card account. You can earn $100 for each friend you refer, up to five times a year, for a total of $500 in statement credits.

Redeeming rewards

Converting your miles to travel rewards is pretty simple. You’ll get a 1-cent-per-mile value, and you can redeem your miles for statement credits for eligible travel purchases made within the last 180 days. Discover’s broad definition of travel spending covers expenses like airfare, hotel stays, car rentals, travel website bookings, travel agents, commuter transit and gas stations. In addition, you can redeem miles for cash back or purchases made directly on Amazon.com or using PayPal.

Although Discover is not an issuer with a travel portal or travel partners available to boost the value of your miles, the card really shines in the area of simplicity and flexibility for redeeming your miles. Many travel credit cards penalize you for redeeming your rewards for cash or shopping. However, the Discover it Miles card gives you the same 1-cent-per-mile redemption option whether you redeem miles for travel, cash or a statement credit.

Other card perks and benefits

The Discover it Miles card has an introductory APR for purchases and balance transfers, which could help with a large purchase you’d like to pay over time or your efforts to pay down high-interest debt. After the intro APR period ends, you’ll have an 14.24 percent to 25.24 percent variable APR, depending on your creditworthiness.

There are almost no fees with the Discover it Miles card. So you won’t pay an annual fee or foreign transaction fees, and Discover waives your first late fee if you fail to make the minimum payment by the due date.

The low cost of ownership with this card is a plus, but it also means many common travel credit card benefits are lacking. There aren’t any travel protections like trip delay insurance, rental car coverage or special concierge services with your Discover it Miles.

Is it better to redeem my miles for cash back or travel?

Because your redemption value is a flat 1 cent per mile, you really can’t go wrong either way. If we were talking about a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , the answer would be much different.

The Sapphire Preferred offers a 25 percent bonus on points redeemed for travel in the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal and 1 cent per point for cash, making your travel redemption with this card a better deal. However, you might skip out on this card because of the $95 annual fee.

However, if you want to ease into an advanced award travel strategy, another approach would be to get the Chase Freedom Unlimited® which offers 1.5X rewards on all purchases plus boosted rates on bonus categories. Once you’re ready, pair it with one of Chase’s more premium cards—like the Chase Sapphire Preferred—to pool Ultimate Rewards points and redeem them for 25 percent more on travel purchases.

Credit card pairing strategies can definitely help you boost your earning and redemption rates for award travel, but they can be slightly more involved. If you are looking for a simple, no-annual-fee , low-maintenance travel rewards card, the Discover it Miles could be a good start.

The bottom line

If you’re vying for a respectable yet decent entry-level travel card , the Discover it Miles card is worth a look. While the card isn’t the most luxurious travel credit card out there, it does have some pretty neat features, like the first-year miles matching, that make it great for someone starting out on their awards travel journey.

Discover it Miles review

Cash Back vs. Travel Rewards: Which Is Better for You?

The right card for you will depend on your spending habits and lifestyle choices.

Cash Back vs. Travel Rewards Cards

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Both cash back and travel rewards credit cards offer perks, but a travel card may not deliver as much value if you don't travel often.

If you love to travel, you can easily put thousands of dollars in vacation expenses on your credit card every year. But the right rewards credit card can earn perks that reduce the sting of those bills.

Some rewards cards put a little cash back in your pocket whenever you spend. Others offer the opportunity to rack up travel rewards with each charge you make on the card.

Zeroing in on your spending habits and lifestyle preferences can help you choose the right rewards card.

How Rewards Credit Cards Work

Rewards credit cards provide benefits that make spending your hard-earned cash a little more pleasant. Each time you use one of these cards, you get something in return.

For example, a cash back credit card might return a certain percentage of your spending – often 1% to 5% – as dollars to redeem for statement credits, checks or direct deposits. On the other hand, a travel rewards card might earn airline miles or points that can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, rental cars and various types of vacation expenses.

But paying down or paying off the balance on your card every month is crucial to get the most from a rewards credit card. That's because rewards credit cards tend to have higher interest rates than other cards, says Kassi M. Fetters, certified financial planner and founder of Artica Financial Services in Anchorage, Alaska.

"If you carry a balance on your credit card from month to month, the interest rate becomes a critical factor," Fetters says.

Choosing the Right Type of Rewards Credit Card

Knowing your spending habits is key to choosing the right type of rewards credit card, says Martha Cruz Zuniga, clinical associate professor and chair of the department of economics at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

"The main mistake is picking a rewards card based on the potential benefit – rewards – without comparing the actual cost: the interest rate it charges," Zuniga says.

For users who carry a balance , interest rates can take a heavy toll, with some cards charging annual percentage rates as high as 30%, she says.

"In most cases and when carrying a credit card balance, that cost would tend to exceed the potential rewards from a card," Zuniga says.

For this reason, she says folks who tend to carry a balance are better off finding a credit card that has "the most lenient fees and lower rates" rather than the biggest and best rewards. On the other hand, if you are confident that you will pay off the balance each month, a credit card that offers more rewards can be a good choice, even if the interest rate is higher.

Pros and Cons of Cash Back Credit Cards

Weighing the pros and cons of cash back credit cards can help you decide whether you want to apply for one.

If you want to keep things simple, a cash back rewards card might be a better bet than a travel rewards credit card, Zuniga says. "A cash back rewards card tends to be more straightforward than travel rewards," she says.

Other advantages to consider of cash back cards compared with travel cards:

• Low annual fee. If you pay an annual fee to use a card, it could be worthwhile based on the cash back you earn.
• Introductory APR. Cash back credit cards often come with an introductory 0% APR that can help you pay down a big purchase or debt without interest.
• Sign-up bonus. Many cards have a sign-up bonus , but you have to meet a spending requirement within a certain period to earn one.

A cash back credit card can boost your bottom line if you use it strategically, says Jennifer Bush, certified financial planner with Mainstreet Financial Planning in Los Gatos, California. Bush says she uses a couple of cash back credit cards in her everyday life.

"One of my cards gives great cash back on restaurants, gas and travel, so I use that one exclusively for those categories and nothing else," she says. "I use a second one for all other spending for 1.5% flat cash back."

However, cash back cards might not be the best fit for everyone. Disadvantages of these cards to keep in mind:

• High APRs. The ongoing rate you pay after any introductory APR can be high depending on your creditworthiness .
• Other benefits. These cards focus on cash back, which means that another type of card would be better if you were looking for travel benefits.
• Limited redemption options. Cash back is the primary option for most cash back credit cards.

Generally, cash back rewards are worth less than travel rewards, Fetters says. "The percentage of cash back is typically lower than the value of points or miles earned through travel rewards programs," she says.

Pros and Cons of Travel Rewards Credit Cards

You'll want to review the general pros and cons of travel rewards cards when you're trying to choose between this type of card and a cash back card.

Typically, a travel card can be a better option than a cash back card if you take frequent trips, says James Shagawat, certified financial planner and partner advisor at AdvicePeriod in Paramus, New Jersey.

"Travel-focused cards have higher point values in their rewards ecosystems," Shagawat says. That often makes them more valuable for travel than cash back on your purchases, he adds.

You may be able to transfer points from your card to hotel and airline loyalty programs, and perks might be available as soon as you open your account, Fetters says.

Other pros:

• Rewards value. You can earn points and miles at higher rates on travel spending than other rewards cards.
• Travel benefits. If you travel a lot, you may appreciate perks such as airport lounge access, travel insurance, free checked baggage – even travel credits. Some cards come with premium benefits, including VIP access to events and hotel room upgrades.
• Welcome bonuses. "Travel rewards cards often come with generous sign-up bonuses," Fetters says. "You can earn a significant number of points or miles after meeting specific spending requirements."

Some of the cons of travel rewards cards include:

• Annual fees. They tend to be higher than the fees for cash back credit cards. "While some cards waive the fee for the first year, it's important to consider whether the benefits outweigh the cost in the long run," Fetters says.
• Extensive rules. Redeeming points can be complicated with some travel credit cards.
• Limited redemption options. Some cards only earn rewards with specific travel brands. A general travel rewards credit card may offer more value if you don't want to be tied down to a particular airline or hotel chain.
• Credit requirements. You may need very good or excellent credit for certain travel credit cards.

If you want a straightforward choice, a travel rewards card might not be for you, says Patrick Payne, associate professor of practice, personal and family financial planning at the University of Arizona. "They are less flexible to use and are often much more complex," he says.

The cards may come with blackout dates and other restrictions. The complexity of the cards, Payne says, can make it difficult to figure out the true value of rewards.

Finding the Best Rewards Credit Cards

If you are looking for a great rewards credit card, do not focus exclusively on the rewards, Payne says.

Tread carefully before choosing a rewards card with a high annual fee, for example. Otherwise, cardholders might end up paying "more in the fee than they earn in higher rewards," Payne says.

Choose a card that is the right match for your spending patterns, he adds.

"Don't adjust your budget to fit the card – fit the card to your budget," he says. "Paying more for things you don't really value just to get points only leads to greater inefficiencies in your finances, which is the opposite of your goal."

If you're shopping for a card, use online tools to compare cards , Zuniga says. Look beyond the rewards to other aspects of cardholder experience.

"Look at online customer reviews to have a sense of the type of customer service, responsiveness to problems and solutions offered by a specific credit card," she says. "That should give you a sense of what to expect."

Tags: credit cards , cash back credit cards , Travel Credit Cards

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Discover it® Cash Back card vs. Discover it® Miles — Which is better?

Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money .

At first glance the  Discover it® Cash Back  and the  Discover it® Miles  cards look fairly similar. Neither offers a welcome bonus, though both will match the rewards you earn in the first year of card membership.

The cards have one key difference, however. Below, we’ll compare both cards and help you decide which one is right for you.

Best sign-up bonus

Neither the  Discover it® Cash Back  nor the  Discover it® Miles  card offer a traditional sign-up bonus like you’ll find with the best credit cards for travel . Instead, after your first year of card membership, Discover will match the rewards you earned during that time frame.

So, for example, if you earn $200 in cash back with the  Discover it® Cash Back   in the first year, Discover will give you another $200, for a total of $400 in rewards.

Best earning rate

Best redemption value.

The value of the rewards you earn with either the  Discover it® Cash Back  or the  Discover it® Miles  card (cash back and miles, respectively) is the same because you get 1 cent per mile when redeeming your miles from the  Discover it® Miles  card.

Lowest annual fee

Both the  Discover it® Cash Back  or the  Discover it® Miles  have no annual fee. Keeping no-annual-fee cards long term will increase the average age of your accounts, which can help raise your credit score. Here’s more about the  best no annual fee credit cards .

Lowest foreign transaction fees

Neither the  Discover it® Cash Back  or  Discover it® Miles  cards charge foreign transaction fees . So you can take them abroad without having to worry about that extra expense.

Best worldwide acceptance

The  Discover it® Cash Back  and  Discover it® Miles  are both Discover cards. So they’ll both be equally accepted around the world.

Bottom line

Both the Discover it Cash Back and the Discover it Miles card charge no annual fees or foreign transaction fees. In addition, while neither card offers a sign-up bonus, both cards will match the rewards you earn during your first year of card membership.

The decision, then, comes down to just one aspect of the cards. Anyone who wants the most cash over the long run and will not be maximizing their category bonuses should get the Discover it Miles card, while those of you who will maximize their bonuses will likely earn more back with the Discover it Cash Back card.

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14 best travel credit cards of May 2024

The best travel credit cards offer an array of premium perks and benefits . For both occasional travelers and frequent flyers, adding a travel credit card to your wallet is a great way to earn rewards and save money on every trip you take. At The Points Guy, our team has done the legwork and curated a selection of the best travel credit cards for any globe-trotter, whether you prefer to backpack through mountains or settle into a luxury villa for some relaxation. From generous travel credits to premium lounge access, we’ve chosen the cards packed with the best benefits to elevate your next travel experience.

Check out our list below and discover which travel credit card from our partners makes the best addition to your wallet for all of your adventures.

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best for premium travel
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best for beginner travelers
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best for earning miles
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card : Best for maximizing business purchases
• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for lounge access
• American Express® Gold Card : Best for dining at restaurants
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card : Best for no annual fee
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for business travel
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card : Best for unlimited point earning
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best for travel credits
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card : Best for variety of bonus categories
• American Express® Business Gold Card : Best for flexible rewards earning
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : Best for travel rewards beginners
• Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card : Best for Alaska Airlines miles

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Comparing the best credit cards, more details on the best credit cards, credit pointers with brian kelly, how to maximize travel credit cards, helpful tools, how we rate cards, what is a travel credit card, how to choose the best travel credit card, ask our experts, pros + cons of travel credit cards, frequently asked questions.

• Airport Lounge Access

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

If you can maximize the  $300 credit toward 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 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
• $300 credit annually, 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
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit card 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 Chase Travel Hotel Credit
• 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 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

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 2 miles per dollar 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, worth $1,388 based on TPG valuations and not provided by the issuer.
• 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
• 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 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.
• Reasonable $95 annual fee.
• Bonus categories that are most relevant to business owners; primary car insurance.
• Perks including cellphone and purchase protection; extended warranty; trip cancellation/interruption insurance; trip delay reimbursement.
• Yearly cap on bonus categories.
• 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. (enrollment required)
• 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 monthly 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 eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.
• See Rates & Fees

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 dining at restaurants 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 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 is required for select benefits. Read our full review of the Amex Gold .

• 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 account opening.
• 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.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

If you’re looking to dip your toes into the world of travel rewards, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great way to get started. With no annual fee and a simple 1.25 miles per dollar on all your purchases, you won’t have to keep up with multiple bonus categories — just earn rewards on everything you purchase! Coupled with the 20,000-mile sign-up bonus, you can use your rewards to book travel, transfer to Capital One’s loyalty partners and more. Read our full review of the  Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card .

• No annual fee.
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 within the first three months from account opening.
• Use your miles to book or pay for travel at a 1-cent value, or transfer your miles to loyalty programs to gain potentially even greater value for your rewards.
• Earn 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Other credit cards can offer you higher rewards for your common purchase categories.
• Capital One airline transfer partners do not include any large U.S. airlines.
• $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

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 on The Business Platinum Card from American Express .

• Up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry every 4 years or $85 TSA PreCheck credit every 4.5 years (enrollment is required)
• Up to $400 annual statement credit for U.S. Dell purchases (enrollment required)
• Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels; access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection (enrollment required)
• 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 Autograph Journey℠ Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey credit card offers healthy reward earning rates on top of uncapped point-earning meaning the sky's the limit — especially if you strategize and spend in popular categories.

• No foreign transaction fees
• Uncapped earning potential
• $50 annual statement credit
• Solid point earning rates in popular categories
• This card features an annual fee
• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.
• Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.
• $95 annual fee.
• Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
• Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
• Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of our top premium travel cards. With a $300 travel credit, bonus points on dining and travel purchases and other benefits, you can get excellent value that far exceeds the annual fee on the card. Read our full  review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card .

• $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Access to Chase Ultimate Rewards hotel and airline travel partners.
• 10 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals and Chase Dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 5 points per dollar on flights booked through the Chase Travel portal, 3 points per dollar on all other travel and dining, 1 point per dollar on everything else
• 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel directly through Chase Travel
• Steep initial $550 annual fee.
• May not make sense for people that don't travel frequently.
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

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 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.

American Express® Business Gold Card

The Amex Business Gold card is a solid choice for high-spending small businesses with the flexibility to earn 4 points per dollar in the two categories where you spend the most. The card is ideal for businesses who value simplicity above all. Read our full  review of the American Express Business Gold Card .

• You'll earn 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar in the top 2 spending categories each month (on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year).
• Hefty $375 annual fee.
• There may be better options for small businesses who don't spend a lot.
• 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 up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
• Your Card – Your Choice. Choose from Gold or Rose Gold.
• *Terms Apply

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.

• 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases
• No annual fee
• 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 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card

There’s a lot to love about the Alaska Airlines credit card, in part due to its highly valuable loyalty program: Alaska Airlines MileagePlan. Whether you’re a loyal Alaska flyer or a points maximizer looking to diversify your rewards portfolio, this card has a lot to offer. For starters, you’ll receive Alaska’s Famous Companion Pass each year from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year, free checked bags for you and up to six guests on your itinerary, 20% back on in-flight purchases and more. Plus, Alaska has joined the oneworld alliance, opening up endless redemption opportunities. Read our  full review of the Alaska Airline credit card.

• Free checked bag for you and up to six guests on your reservation.
• Alaska discounts, including 20% back on in-flight purchases.
• Limited Time Online Offer—60,000 Bonus Miles!
• Get 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
• Get Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
• Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. And earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. And, your miles don’t expire on active accounts.
• Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account.
• Free checked bag and enjoy priority boarding for you and up to 6 guests on the same reservation, when you pay for your flight with your card — Also available for authorized users when they book a reservation too!
• With oneworld® Alliance member airlines and Alaska’s Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem miles.
• Plus, no foreign transaction fees and a low $95 annual fee.
• This online only offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

At $395 per year (see rates and fees ), this premium card is cheaper than all of its competitors without sacrificing the breadth of valuable perks it includes. Cardholders will get unlimited visits to Capital One’s premium network of lounges and 1,300-plus Priority Pass lounges worldwide  and able to bring up to two guests for no additional charge.

For frequent travelers, the Capital One Venture X is a must-have and is well worth the $395 annual fee. If you travel frequently with your significant other, family or friends, you can even add some authorized users for no additional cost. This will grant them their own lounge access (and the ability to bring up to two guests for no fee), among many other benefits, making this a huge cost-saver for those who travel in groups.

“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 card is my favorite travel credit card. The card comes with an annual $300 Capital One Travel 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. Authorized users — you geta number of them at no cost — also enjoy their own Priority Pass Select membership. I use my Venture X card to earn 2 miles per dollar (a 3.7% return at TPG’s valuations ) in spending categories where most cards would only accrue 1 mile — like auto maintenance, pharmacies and medical bills.” — Kyle Olsen , former points and miles reporter

Those turned off by the Venture X’s annual fee could opt for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , which has a $95 annual fee (see rates and fees ), identical sign-up bonus and similar earning and redemption options.

You’ll earn a solid return on dining and travel (6% back and 4% back, respectively, based on TPG valuations ) on top of your generous sign-up bonus, and you also have access to some of the best travel protections offered by any travel rewards credit card.

We’ve long suggested the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card   as an excellent option for those who are new to earning travel rewards because it lets you earn valuable, transferable points  with strong bonus categories and a reasonable annual fee.

“The Chase Sapphire Preferred has remained a top card in my wallet for years. Between the consistently strong sign-up bonus, low annual fee and continual improvements that have been made over the years, it’s hard for any other mid-tier rewards card to compare. I love that I can earn bonus rewards on travel, dining, streaming and online grocery purchases — all with just one card. Plus, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are valuable and easy to use whether you’re new to points and miles or an expert.” — Madison Blancaflor , senior content operations editor

To add more luxury to your travel experience, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . Though it comes with a higher annual fee, you’ll enjoy Priority Pass lounge access plus a $300 annual travel credit.

With the Capital One Venture, you’re earning 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which makes it easy to rack up rewards without having to juggle different bonus categories or spending caps. And with flexible redemption options and a manageable annual fee, this card is an excellent choice if you’re looking to keep just one credit card in your wallet for all spending.

Those looking to earn flexible rewards should use the Capital One Venture card as it allows you to redeem miles for a fixed value or transfer the miles you earn to 15+ airline and hotel transfer partners , including Avianca, Etihad Airways, Turkish Airlines and Singapore Airlines.

“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 of 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

Even if you’re a casual traveler, consider jumping to the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card  (see  rates and fees ). The card’s up to $300 annual credit for purchases made with Capital One Travel immediately covers the higher annual fee — and that’s not even considering the added perks you’ll enjoy.

The Ink Business Preferred earns 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 in combined travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services and advertising purchases made on social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. TPG’s most recent valuations  peg the value of Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents apiece, so you’ll get a fantastic return of 6% on purchases in these categories.

If you spend a lot on business travel or social media advertising, you’ll be able to earn significant points using the Ink Business Preferred card .

“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

If you don’t want to worry about maximizing specific purchases and are looking for a lower spending requirement to earn a sign-up bonus, consider the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card , which offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases and carries no annual fee.

The Amex Platinum is a stellar premium travel card that can provide amazing redemptions . Besides the welcome offer, it comes with more than $1,400 in credits each year and various lounge access options. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Anyone looking for luxury travel benefits will find that the ton of annual statement credits make the annual fee worth it. Plus, you’ll get unparalleled lounge access , automatic Gold status with Hilton and Marriott, and extra perks with Avis Preferred , Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and National Car Rental Emerald Club . Enrollment is required for select benefits.

“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 of my flights on this card to earn 5 points per dollar spent and trip protection insurance. I make sure to take full advantage of the Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hulu/Disney+ and Clear 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

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card  can be a great alternative to the Amex Platinum, with a notably lower annual fee, similar perks and a more rewarding earning rate on everyday purchases.

The Amex Gold earns 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants, with no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ), meaning you’ll get an 8% return on purchases (based on TPG’s valuations ). While a few other cards temporarily offer higher return rates on dining, this is the best option for long-term spending, making it one of the best dining cards and best rewards cards .

Those looking for a great return on dining and purchases at U.S. supermarkets will get a lot of value from this card.

“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. 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

For those who dine out a lot and also want additional bonus categories and other valuable perks for a lower annual fee, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .

The no-annual-fee Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (see  rates and fees ) has the same redemption options as its sibling card (the Venture Rewards card) but with a lower rewards rate and fewer perks. The miles earned on the card can also be transferred to airline and hotel partners, a benefit not usually seen with a no-annual-fee card.

The VentureOne is a strong card to have in your arsenal and great if you are budgeting. After all, there aren’t many no-annual-fee cards with the ability to transfer points and miles directly to travel partners, so it’s a big bonus that this card offers that (see rates and fees ).

“I wanted a credit card that earns Capital One miles without an annual fee, and this is a winner (see rates and fees ). It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of some other cards, but I’m happy earning 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases without paying a fee to keep this card year after year. I’ll never cancel this card.” — Ryan Smith , former credit cards writer

For a small annual fee, many travelers could benefit from the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . You’ll earn at least 2 miles per dollar on all purchases and receive a statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership.

There are certain ways to earn bonus points for spending on the Amex Business Platinum Card, but it’s the array of perks on the card that make it a great option. Beyond airport lounge access and automatic hotel elite status, there are a number of statement credits that are specifically targeted to common business expenses.

If you travel for business frequently, this card could help you upgrade your experience in the air and on the ground while saving you money on select business-related services. And the current welcome bonus is just the icing on the cake.

“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 (enrollment required), 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 on flights and hotels booked with Amex Travel.” — Ryan Smith , former credit cards writer

For less-frequent travelers, consider the American Express®  Business Gold Card , which offers 4 points per dollar spent on your top two spending categories each month on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar thereafter).

The Autograph Journey offers cardholders the chance to earn elevated rates across travel categories including 5 points per dollar spent on hotels, 4 points per dollar on airline purchases and 3 points per dollar on restaurants and 'other travel' which includes timeshares, car rentals, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites and campgrounds. On top of this, cardholders also get the added benefit of earning a flat rate of 1 point per dollar on other purchases for a $95 annual fee.

If you travel frequently and are looking for a card to help you rack up points you can redeem for future travel, this card is a decent option. Additionally, those looking for a way to fill gaps in their points earning strategy will benefit from the flat 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases outside of the main travel categories.

Another great perk the Autograph Journey features is an annual $50 statement credit triggered by an airline purchase of at least $50. This is on top of elevated earning rates in the certain travel categories and a solid welcome offer for new applicants. There's also no foreign transaction fees on the Autograph Journey card making it a good first travel card as well as a decent supplemental card to add to your travel credit card roster.

If you're looking for a more general use credit card with no annual fee, consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see  rates and fees ). It earns a flat rate of 2% cash rewards on purchases making an excellent choice to help fill gaps in your reward earning strategy. The best part? Like the Autograph Journey card, the Active Cash Card doesn't put a cap on the amount of cash back you can earn.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with an annual $300 travel credit to offset a variety of expenses — such as airfare, hotels, rental cars, transit and more. You’re also getting an up-to-$100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit  once every four years along with Priority Pass Select membership. And Chase’s slate of transfer partners allows plenty of opportunity to get the maximum value from your points.

Those looking for elevated earning rates and extensive travel protections should have this card in their wallet. The 50% redemption bonus when you use your points to pay for travel through the Chase portal  is also a nice perk.

“I’ve had the Sapphire Reserve for years, and it’s going to stay in my wallet for the near future. I get $300 off travel every year along with great earning rates on travel and dining (3 points per dollar) and various trip protections that can reimburse me when things go wrong. And by leveraging other cards in the Ultimate Rewards ecosystem, I’m able to maximize the earnings across all of my purchases.” — Nick Ewen , director of content

If you just can’t stomach the Sapphire Reserve’s $550 annual fee, go for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card  instead. It has similar perks, redemption options and travel protections — for a much lower $95 per year.

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 Bilt Mastercard® (see rates and fees ). The card earns 3 points per dollar on dining and 2 points per dollar on travel purchases for no annual fee. Plus, Bilt points can be transferred to any of its multiple travel partners. 

The American Express Business Gold card comes packed with perks and benefits, but its most unique feature is the ability to shift your monthly bonus categories. Cardholders will automatically earn 4 points per dollar in their top two spending categories on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1 point per dollar thereafter), so if your business spending varies month to month, you won’t have to commit to a bonus category.

The American Express Business Gold card is an excellent choice for business owners who are looking for a premium business card with premium business perks like monthly office supply statement credits, travel and shopping protection and access to The Hotel Collection.

The American Express Business Gold is an excellent choice for small businesses that have changing bonus categories but still want more premium business perks and benefits.

If you still want to earn Membership Rewards points without paying an annual fee, consider The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (see rates and fees ), which earns 2 Membership Rewards points on all business purchases (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).

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 Alaska Airlines Visa earns 3 miles per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases; 2 miles per dollar on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services and transit (including local ride share purchases); and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. You get a free checked bag on Alaska flights for you and up to six guests on your reservation, an annual Companion Fare on your account anniversary and 20% back on all inflight purchases.

Whether you live on the West Coast or not, the Alaska Airlines Visa is a good cobranded airline card to consider adding to your wallet. The Seattle-based airline is mostly limited to North American routes, but international destinations through Oneworld partners make this card valuable for all travelers.

“With new benefits, this card is even more valuable to me — even with its higher annual fee. It provides a free first checked bag, discounts on inflight purchases and priority boarding. My favorite feature, however, is the annual Companion Fare. I get hundreds of dollars in annual value from this perk.” — Ryan Smith , former credit cards writer

If you’re not looking to collect airline-specific miles, a general travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card might be a better option.

Earn the welcome bonus

One of the best ways to maximize your travel credit cards is to earn the welcome bonus . Most travel credit cards will offer a welcome or sign-up bonus that allows cardmembers to earn points or miles that would otherwise require a very high spend. Welcome bonuses are a crucial part of a card’s value, so before you apply for your next travel card, be sure to plan for how you will meet the spending requirement. Ideally, you would align large purchases with your card opening so that you don’t need to spend frivolously to earn that lucrative welcome bonus .

Use a travel card that matches your travel style

There is a travel credit card for everyone, but not every travel card is the best fit for your wallet . Consider what type of traveler you are, whether you have any brand loyalty and what perks you are looking for from your next credit card. If you travel often and in luxury, consider premium cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express or Chase Sapphire Reserve® . These cards are loaded with tons of luxury perks like lounge access and automatic elite status . 

Alternatively, if you’re a more thrifty traveler who likes to maximize your travel earnings, consider a mid-tier travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . These cards allow you to earn points on your travel, and while they don’t come with a long list of luxury perks, they’re much more cost-effective for a traveler on a budget .

And even beginners don’t have to veer away from travel cards, since many products out there offer an introduction to the travel rewards world without incurring an annual fee.

It’s important to consider where you’re looking to go when you book trips, as certain cards are especially useful for international travel . Plus, if you’re someone who frequents the skies (such as a digital nomad), there are certain credit cards best for long-term travelers .

Knowing what your travel style is like will help you determine what type of travel card you need.

Use loyalty programs to stack your rewards

You don’t have to limit your earnings to just travel credit cards . Many airlines and hotel chains have loyalty programs that can be used in conjunction with your travel card to unlock added perks when doing business with a specific brand. In addition, many travel credit cards allow you to transfer points from your card to your eligible loyalty programs . This can open up nearly endless redemption options, including award chart sweet spots that can get you the most maximized redemptions for your points and miles.

• Awards vs cash calculator Compare the cost in points or miles to cash.
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Travel rewards credit cards earn points, miles or cash back that are redeemable for travel expenses or are geared toward travel spending. The cards on this list are some of the best credit cards to book flights , hotels and more with their many perks and rewards . 

Travel credit cards offer rewards on different purchases that can help you book flights, hotels and more for little to no out-of-pocket expenses. Some cards also provide valuable perks and benefits that upgrade the overall travel experience — from Global Entry application fee credits to lounge access to complimentary elite status . If you have the right card (or cards) in your wallet, the sky is the limit on where your travels can take you — literally.

Additionally, it’s often advantageous to travel with more than one credit card for a variety of reasons. Carrying a backup credit card when you travel can provide peace of mind in the case of bank or issuer problems or if you have a card flagged for fraud while you travel. (In this case, knowing if your card requires you to set up travel alerts for lengthy travel could be worthwhile).

Are you new to travel rewards? Check out our beginner’s guide to all things points and miles . You’ll learn about top loyalty programs, how to maximize your credit card strategy to reach your travel goals and so much more.

Related: The complete history of credit cards, from antiquity to today

We have researched various types of travel credit cards to help you figure out which one is best for you.

Travel vs cash back credit cards

A travel credit card is a card that is geared toward travel spending and a cash-back credit card is a card that earns cash back on purchases made with the card.

Generally, when we are talking about travel credit cards we refer to cards that earn points and miles like the Platinum Card from American Express or the Hilton Honors Aspire card. The Platinum Amex earns transferable points which can be used with any of Amex's travel partners while the Hilton Honors Aspire card only earns Hilton points which can be redeemed at Hilton properties. These cards do not earn cash back on any purchases.

Cash back cards generally offer cash back as a flat rate or feature bonus categories that earn an elevated cash back rate. Select cash-back cards can also be a great travel card such as the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express which offers 3% cash back on transit including rideshare, trains, buses, and more. Even though it is a cash-back card, the Blue Cash Preferred offers an elevated return on select transportation which potentially makes it a solid travel card option.

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel credit cards work like other reward credit cards: They help you earn rewards, primarily points and miles, on your purchases. This section will primarily focus on transferable rewards credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and The Platinum Card® from American Express, as they are what are typically considered travel credit cards.

Related: How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value

How to earn transferable points

Transferable points credit cards earn points or miles when you make a purchase on the cards. These points and miles can then be transferred to travel partners for rewards like flights, hotel stays and more. Different cards will have different currencies, but they are generally called either “points” or “miles” (depending on the issuer). All transferable reward credit cards, airline credit cards and hotel credit cards will have their own currency that is redeemable for travel rewards. 

Travel cards have varying rates for different purchase categories. For example, the American Express® Gold Card card earns 4 points per dollar spent on restaurants but only 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or Amex Travel. While the Amex Platinum may be a better card for travel as it earns 5 points per dollar spent on flights (booked directly with airline or Amex Travel and up to $500,000 per calendar year), the Amex Gold can be a good addition for Platinum holders who spend a lot of money on dining out.

Related: How to redeem American Express Membership Rewards for maximum value

How to redeem points and miles  

Once you’ve decided on a travel credit card and earned a welcome bonus, it’s time to put those points or miles toward free travel. There are many ways to redeem your rewards with travel credit cards. Many cards feature an online booking portal through which you can use your rewards to book things like flights, hotels and car rentals. Before booking your flight, you should consider doing a  flight portal comparison to ensure you're getting the best redemption. Others allow you to transfer your points or miles to individual loyalty programs. Depending on the redemption, this could unlock even more value.

There are plenty of ways to ensure you don’t make mistakes with your travel rewards . For instance, be sure you do your research with your rewards to get a high-value redemption and make sure your accounts are in good standing so you don’t risk losing them.  

Related: Tips and tricks to get maximum value from your Capital One miles

It’s up to you to decide whether a specific trip is worth spending your rewards. You can use TPG’s monthly valuations to help you determine if the price of your flight or hotel room is worth your points and miles. Some travels are more affordable in cash, but you can always save your points to splurge on a business-class flight to Europe or an overwater bungalow at a luxury resort. 

How to use travel credit card portals  

In the world of travel credit cards, the four major players are American Express, Capital One, Chase and Citi. These issuers also have their own travel portals which can be used to earn and redeem points for travel. 

Some issuers, like Capital One and Chase , offer an incentive to book travel through the bank’s portal but it is not always worth booking through a portal. 

We do not recommend booking hotel travel through card portals as it typically does not honor elite-status benefits or elite-qualifying stay credits. 

Luckily, flights typically allow you to earn bonus points through a card issuer’s portal and with the airline. Keep in mind that this does not apply to all cards. When purchasing in cash, there generally is little variance in booking through a portal or on the airline’s website so if your travel credit card offers incentives to book through the portal , it can be a great way to earn extra points. 

Related: Ultimate guide to the Citi travel portal

Points and miles redemptions will have a fair variance, especially if there are incentives to book through the travel portals. Overall, travel portals can be a great addition to your points redemption journey if properly used. Always remember to compare the price or redemption value of booking through a portal or directly with an airline. 

Booking through a portal may make matters complicated if you ever need to change or cancel your flight. 

Related: Battle of the credit card travel portals: Which is the best for booking flights?

Types of travel credit cards

Travel credit cards are cards that are geared towards travel spending. Luckily, there are many types of travel credit cards which means there is a good option for any traveler. Typically, when talking about travel credit cards, we are referring to transfer rewards credit cards, airline credit cards and hotel credit cards. There are additional types of travel credit cards that are less popular but can still be a good option for the right traveler.

Transferable rewards credit cards earn points and miles that can be redeemed through a card’s rewards program directly or by transferring them to a travel partner . Many of our best travel credit cards fall under this category because they are the most valuable type of points you can earn. Transferable rewards give you the flexibility to redeem your rewards in a way that will be most beneficial to you. Examples of top transferable rewards cards are the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express .

Airline cobranded cards earn a specific type of airline miles. These cards also generally come with perks specific to that airline. For example, an airline card may offer free checked bags , a certain number of elite-qualifying miles to help you reach status, priority boarding privileges, inflight discounts and more.

Hotel cobranded cards work like airline cards. You’ll earn rewards that are redeemable for a particular hotel program, such as Hilton or Marriott. Hotel cards come with their own benefits, such as complimentary elite status or free award-night stays. In addition, hotel cards can help you stack your earnings on hotel stays with the hotel’s program.

For example, if you have a Marriott credit card , you’ll earn bonus points for every dollar spent at participating Marriott properties on top of the 10 base points you get as a member of the Bonvoy program. This can really amplify the rewards you can earn when you use your hotel card to pay for your booking.

The points and miles world can be confusing for new credit card users but it doesn’t have to be. While transferable rewards cards are arguably the best way to earn points and miles for travel, they can also be incredibly confusing. Fixed-value credit cards and cash-back credit cards are good alternatives for beginners who are looking to get into the travel credit card world.

Fixed-value cards earn points or miles that are always redeemed for the same value. For example, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card earns points worth 1 cent each. These cards are great for beginners who haven’t quite gotten the hang of maximizing transferable points or casual travelers who are looking for their first travel credit card . Fixed-value credit cards are often the best travel credit cards for beginners. 

As more hotels and airlines move to a dynamic pricing model where award pricing shifts dramatically, fixed-value rewards programs are becoming more popular.

Another great credit card option for casual travelers or credit card beginners is cash-back credit cards. You don’t have to worry about points, transfer partners or maximizing your rewards with these cards. Cash-back cards provide a percentage of cash back on your spending and provide a simple way to save on your upcoming travels. 

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees ) is a great option for beginners to travel rewards. It earns unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and has no annual fee.

Travel credit card benefits

Some travel cards offer automatic elite status with various programs when you sign up and can also accelerate the journey to elite airline status by converting points to air miles. If you are loyal to a particular hotel brand, status with that brand will be valuable. You’ll be entitled to room upgrades, resort credits, early check-in, late checkout and more. If you’re not loyal, it won’t. The same goes for elite status with an airline — you’ll get lounge access, upgrades, increased baggage allowance, etc. When comparing the perks of various cards like elite status, be realistic about which ones you will and won’t use.

One of the coveted perks of premium travel credit cards is complimentary airport lounge access. Many premium travel credit cards come with Priority Pass lounge access , a membership that allows access to airport lounges across the world. These lounges are a great place to relax before your flight or have a snack during a long layover. Amenities will vary between lounges but most lounges provide wifi, private seating and refreshments. Be sure to check the priority pass guest policy as many lounges allow you to bring a complimentary guest (or guests).

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are both expedited screening programs for travelers. TSA PreCheck is reserved for expedited security screening for domestic flights and Global Entry provides expedited customs screening for international travelers when entering the United States. 

The application fee for TSA PreCheck is up to $85 and $100 for Global Entry. If you are approved for the program, the membership is valid for 5 years. Many travel credit cards will offer statement credit for the application . 

• 1 Sign-up bonus Choosing a card with a healthy sign-up bonus will help jumpstart the possibility of unlocking elite status across different areas, including airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• 2 Annual fee Premium travel credit cards typically feature higher annual fees. Double-check that the card you choose suits your spending habits and travel needs before applying.
• 3 Bonus categories It also helps to check which bonus categories a card offers to ensure that they align with your spending, whether it’s at restaurants, at grocery stores or on streaming subscriptions.

What's your favorite travel credit card — and why?

• Using credit cards responsibly can help build your credit score
• Travel credit cards can earn cash back, points or miles on every dollar you spend.
• Travel credit cards can provide purchase, theft and fraud protection.
• Travel credit cards provide perks like travel insurance, complimentary hotel stays and more.
• Credit cards can encourage overspending.
• Carrying a balance and using your card irresponsibly can damage your credit score
• The cost of borrowing on credit cards is higher than traditional loans
• Having too many card applications can negatively affect your credit score
• Travel credit cards may be too complicated (or expensive) for those who aren’t frequent travelers.

Generally speaking, you need at least a very good credit score in order to get many popular travel credit cards. According to FICO, the scoring model used by most lenders, this is a score of at least 740. However, there’s no hard-and-fast rule, as each individual credit card issuer looks at a variety of factors in addition to your credit score when deciding whether to approve or decline your application.

Thankfully, there are a number of ways to check your credit score for free , so you can get an idea of where you stand before wasting an application (and a hard inquiry on your credit report) for a card for which you’re unlikely to qualify.

Points and miles are simply two different ways to describe the same thing: the rewards you earn on a credit card. As an example, many popular Capital One credit cards earn miles, whereas cards that participate in Chase Ultimate Rewards accrue points. There’s no appreciable difference between the two words.

This gets a little more complicated when you begin discussing cash-back credit cards. Some of these show earnings with a dollar amount, while others show cash-back rewards in points. However, here too there’s no significant difference. It’s simply how the card issuer chooses to describe the rewards you’re earning.

It depends entirely on your typical travel habits. Many popular travel credit cards feature rewards, benefits and redemption options that only come into play when you’re actually on the road. This includes perks like airport lounge access,  rental car insurance  or statement credits for certain travel purchases. Ultimately, you should look at how much value you expect to get out of a given travel card in one year. Then, compare that to the card’s annual fee to make sure you’re getting at least that much value.

It depends. Generally speaking, you should aim to use your rewards from travel credit cards for travel-related purchases – like flights or hotel rooms. However, everyone has a different version of what “value” looks like here. Some travelers are perfectly content redeeming 25,000 miles for a $250 economy flight. Others would rather save up and use 100,000 miles for a $5,000 business-class ticket. The important thing is to avoid redemptions like gift cards or merchandise, since those typically offer poor value for your points and miles.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to determine whether you want to keep cash in your pocket by using rewards for a particular purchase instead.

Many of the luxury travel cards on this list offer hundreds of dollars in annual travel statement credits. However, not all annual travel statements are created equal. While some cards feature easy redemptions, other cards feature redemptions that come with more restrictions. 

Out of the various cards that offer annual travel credits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve has the easiest redemption process for travel credits . The Chase Sapphire Reserve's travel credit covers a broad selection of charges, including flights, hotels, campgrounds and more. Additionally, the travel does not have to be booked through Chase’s travel portal, and the statement credit will automatically post when you make an eligible purchase. 

Javier Zayas Photography / Moment / Getty Images

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Chase Freedom Flex vs. Discover it Cash Back

Both are no-annual-fee cards that offer bonus cash back in categories that rotate quarterly, but there are subtle differences

Published: September 13, 2022

Author: Kelly Dilworth

Author: Jason Steele

Editor: Kaitlyn Tang

Reviewer: Claire Dickey

How we Choose

With so many similarities, these rotating category cards often compete neck and neck. We examine exactly how they differ to narrow down which card suits which kind of cardholder.

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Please review our list of best credit cards , or use our CardMatch™ tool to find cards matched to your needs.

Earning 5 percent bonus cash back on featured purchases is very attractive, so it’s no surprise that two of the leading credit card issuers have cards with that offer. Both the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Discover it® Cash Back feature 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter from a list of select merchant categories, which change every quarter. Both cards also have no annual fee , so let’s take a look at these competing offers and see which one may be right for your needs.

• Card details

Sign-up bonus

The winner: Discover it Cash Back

This is close, but most cardholders will earn a larger welcome bonus with the Discover it Cash Back.

Chase Freedom Flex cardholders start with an initial $200 bonus after spending $500 within three months of account opening. Factoring in that the card also earn 5 percent cash back at gas stations during the first year, a typical consumer might earn an extra $100 in additional cash back.

According to data collected by the U.S. Department of Transportation , the average U.S. driver drives around 13,500 miles a year, in a car that gets 25 miles to the gallon. Based on the average gas price of $3.80 ( reported by AAA ) at the time of writing, the average driver would spend just over $2,000 and earn about $100 in cash back with the 5 percent offer compared, instead of just $20 with the standard 1 percent cash back. This equates to a total welcome bonus of an additional $300 in cash back.

For the Discover it Cash Back, Discover’s Cashback Match offer lets you receive a match of all cash back earned during your account’s first year. If you maximize the card’s bonus categories, reaching the $1,500 spend cap every quarter and earn 1 percent cash back on all your other purchases, then you’d earn $399 cash back at the end of your first year (based on an average yearly spend of $15,900). With a match of $399, the Discover it Cash Back wins in the sign-up bonus round — just remember you have to wait a full year to receive the Cashback Match.

Earning rewards

The winner: Chase Freedom Flex

These two cards have very similar offers for 5 percent cash back in bonus categories, but the Chase Freedom Flex adds three additional rewards offers. Earning 5 percent cash back on travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal can be a great way to maximize the rewards you earn on flights, hotels, rental cars and other vacation activities. The 3 percent cash back earned at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) is another valuable offer, which actually matches the rewards earned by Chase’s premium travel card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . The card also features 3 percent cash back on all purchases at drugstores and 1 percent on all other purchases.

In contrast, the Discover it Cash Back doesn’t have any additional rewards offered beyond the 5 percent cash back on rotating quarterly categories. One thing to keep in mind is that while the Freedom Flex only releases its rotating category calendar one quarter at a time, Discover’s bonus category calendar is announced all at once. Both cards also require you to enroll in the rotating categories each quarter to start earning that 5 percent.

Redeeming cash back

These cards offer similar terms for redeeming rewards, like the standard options for cash back cards like statement credit, direct deposit and Amazon.com purchases. Both cards do not require a minimum for redemption, and rewards do not expire.

However, because the Freedom Flex fulfills its cash rewards as Ultimate Rewards points (100 points for every $1), you can redeem those points for even Apple products, travel or exclusive dining experiences. Plus, Chase lets you transfer Ultimate Rewards points to other Ultimate Rewards cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , which enables you to transfer points to airline and hotel partners.

• Which card should you get?

The Discover it Cash Back card is ideal for those who want a relatively simple cash back card and can maximize its Cashback Match program during the account’s first year. However, the Chase Freedom Flex makes more sense for those who will use the card frequently for travel, dining and at drugstore purchases.

• If you want a sizable welcome bonus : The Discover it Cash Back card’s Cash Back Match is quite lucrative, while requiring little effort. All you need to do is use the card regularly throughout the first year, and Discover will match all your cash back at the end of that year — there’s no spend goal to hit.
• If you want to earn bonus rewards on everyday purchases : The Chase Freedom Flex’s advantage over its competitor is its fixed bonus categories on dining and drugstores. Plus, the 5 percent cash back on Ultimate Rewards travel, as a technically non-travel rewards card is a great added benefit.
• If you want to combine your rewards with other Chase cards :  Many travel rewards enthusiasts use the Chase Freedom Flex to earn Ultimate Rewards points in certain bonus categories that other Chase cards . Then they can combine rewards with other Chase cards like the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card to spend on their next vacation.
• If you love maximizing rotating categories : For the true credit card aficionado, who enjoys strategizing their purchases to maximize bonus categories, rotating or not, the Discover it Cash Back is the card for you. The main reason: The issuer releases its quarterly calendar all at once, and the Cashback Match is difficult to beat. Just remember, you must enroll each quarter to begin earning bonus rewards.

Bottom line

The Chase Freedom Flex and Discover it Cash Back compete directly with each other as they have very similar offers for 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 spent each quarter at merchants in featured categories. But that’s where their similarities end. By having a more generous rewards offer and earning more flexible rewards points, the Chase Freedom Flex can be the best card for many people, especially frequent travelers. However, if you can really maximize the Discover it Cash Back card’s rotating calendar and Cash Back Match offer, then it could be the better option for you.

Editorial Disclaimer

The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective assessment of our writers and is not driven by advertising dollars. It has not been provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.

Kelly Dilworth is a personal finance contributor and former staff reporter at CreditCards.com. She began her career in journalism at The Atlantic in 2007, then detoured into nonfiction book publishing for several years. She returned to journalism in 2010 and since then has written about everything from 20-somethings with Herculean credit scores to the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions.

Jason Steele is a professional journalist and credit card expert who has been contributing to online publications since 2008. He was one of the original contributors to The Points Guy, and his work has been appearing there since 2011. He has also contributed to over 100 of the leading personal finance and travel outlets. He’s frequently interviewed and quoted by mainstream outlets on the subjects of credit cards and travel. Jason is passionate about travel rewards credit cards, which he uses to earn rewards that he can redeem for him and his family to travel around the world. Jason is also the founder and producer of CardCon, a conference for credit and credit card journalists that’s held annually.

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Credit Cards

Amex Gold vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve

Natasha Etzel

Ashley Barnett

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

Grace Pilling

Published 5:18 a.m. UTC May 14, 2024

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If you’re looking to next-level your card rewards game, you likely have one or both of these popular rewards cards in your sights. The American Express® Gold Card (terms apply, rates & fees ) and Chase Sapphire Reserve® are two solid options for those seeking a premium card with plentiful benefits and opportunities to earn rewards on dining and travel.

Both cards earn ample rewards on eligible dining and travel purchases and provide valuable monthly or yearly statement credits that make the annual fees worthwhile. 

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is best if you’re a frequent traveler who can afford a hefty annual fee and have the time and inclination to maximize travel rewards and benefits. If you travel less frequently but spend big on supermarkets and restaurants, the Amex Gold is a better choice.

Discover what you need to know about each card to choose the right one for your needs.

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

American Express® Gold Card

Welcome bonus

• 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.

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

• Up to $240 in combined credits for Uber Cash and on select dining.
• High rewards rate on restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and travel.
• Generous welcome bonus.
• $250 annual fee.
• Minimal travel perks.
• Complex rewards structure.

Card details

• 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.
• Terms Apply.

Amex Gold vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve overview

Rewards and benefits.

This is what you can expect with the benefits provided and rewards potential of each card.

Earning rewards 

Here’s a look at how the American Express Gold Card earns rewards. You’ll receive 4 Membership Rewards points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4 points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point), 3 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel and 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 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.

It’s clear that the Sapphire Reserve is heavily skewed toward rewarding travel spending through Chase Travel, with a relatively good rewards rate on dining at restaurants, including takeout and delivery. The Amex Gold, on the other hand, offers a higher rate on restaurant spending and the same high rate on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (up to an annual cap), but has a less spectacular rate on travel spending.

Redeeming rewards

Amex Gold cardholders have several redemption options for their American Express Membership Rewards® :

• Apply points toward eligible purchases as a statement credit. 
• Transfer points to a travel partner. 
• Buy gift cards.
• Shop with points at select retailers.
• Pay with points at checkout at select retailers.

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can redeem their Chase Ultimate Rewards® in the following ways: 

• Book travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal. 
• Book Chase Experiences and Chase Dining. 
• Get cash back as a statement credit.
• Buy gift cards. 
• Pay for merchandise at select retailers. 

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you’ll get 50% more value for points when redeeming them for travel through the Chase Travel portal. 

Transfer partners 

Here’s an overview of the travel transfer partners for each card:

Welcome bonus 

The Amex Gold Card has a welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. This is available to those who haven’t had this card in the past. The value of this welcome bonus varies depending on how you redeem the points, but is worth at least $600 when redeemed for travel through Amex Travel.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a welcome bonus of 75,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. This offer is only available to those who haven’t received a new cardmember bonus for any Sapphire card within the past 48 months. Thanks to boosted redemption values on the Sapphire Reserve, this welcome offer is worth over $1,000 when redeemed for travel purchases through the Chase Travel portal. 

Travel benefits 

Amex Gold cardholders qualify for The Hotel Collection perks when booking eligible properties at AmexTravel.com. Cardholders are eligible for a room upgrade upon arrival (if available) and an up to $100 experience credit for qualifying dining, spa and resort activities when staying two nights or more at eligible properties (experience credits varies by property). 

The Amex Gold includes baggage insurance¹ and car rental loss and damage insurance².

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders have access to perks at a curated collection of properties through The Edit. These exclusive perks include free daily breakfast for two, room upgrades and early check-in (if available) and a $100 property credit.

You’ll also receive up to $300 each year in statement credits as reimbursement for eligible travel purchases made with your card. Plus, you’ll get one statement credit of up to $100 every four years to cover the cost of TSA Precheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS application fees charged to your card. 

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can also enroll in a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. With this membership, both primary cardholders and authorized users can visit eligible Priority Pass airport lounges with up to two guests. Cardholders also receive complimentary access to Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations, along with two guests. 

The Chase Sapphire Reserve has the following travel protections and coverage: 

• Auto rental collision damage waiver (primary coverage).
• Trip cancellation insurance.
• Trip interruption insurance.
• Trip delay reimbursement.
• Travel accident insurance.
• Travel and emergency assistance services. 
• Lost luggage reimbursement. 
• Baggage delay insurance. 
• Emergency evacuation and transportation.
• Roadside assistance. 
• Emergency medical and dental benefit.

Dining and entertainment benefits 

In addition to using the Amex Gold card to earn dining rewards, you can take advantage of two monthly dining credits offered with your card, which could save you money on dining expenses. After adding your Amex Gold card to your Uber account, you’ll receive $10 Uber Cash each month, which can be used toward Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the United States. 

The Amex Gold card’s benefits also include up to $10 in statement credits each month when you use your card to make purchases at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations (enrollment required). These benefits help to justify the card’s $250 annual fee. 

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you’ll receive a complimentary one-year DashPass membership and up to $5 in DoorDash credits each month. You’ll also receive a year of complimentary Instacart+ along with up to $15 a month in statement credits for Instacart purchases. Cardholders can also maximize the dining rewards by earning 10 points per $1 on bookings made through Chase Dining. 

Winner for rewards and benefits: Chase Sapphire Reserve 

Fees and charges 

While rewards and card perks can be very enticing, it’s important to understand the fees that come with these cards.

The American Express Gold Card comes with a $250 annual fee while the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s fee is more than double at $550. Either annual fee can be justified if you use enough perks to make up for the cost. 

If you use the Uber and dining statement credits from Amex, you’ll receive $240 a year back just in credits. 

For Chase, you’ll get a $300 statement credit to reimburse you for travel, taking advantage of that offsets quite a bit of the fee. If you also take advantage of the DoorDash and Instacart credits for another $20 a month in savings, you’ll bring your total annual credits to $540 — almost completely offsetting the annual fee.

Foreign transaction fees

Neither card charges foreign transaction fees, so either would be a worthy travel companion.

Balance transfer fee 

When making a balance transfer, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders are charged a fee of Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. 

The American Express Gold Card doesn’t support balance transfers, so there is no fee.

Winner for fees and charges: American Express Gold Card

The Amex Gold might be right for you if: 

• Your top spending categories are restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
• You can benefit from the monthly credits and complimentary memberships.
• You want a card that earns American Express Membership Rewards points.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve might be right for you if:

• Your top spending categories are travel and dining. 
• You’re a frequent traveler who can benefit from premium travel benefits and protections. 
• You feel comfortable making car rental, hotel, and flight bookings through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal to maximize the points you earn on travel purchases. 

Bottom line

The Amex Gold Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve are top-rated rewards cards for good reason. While each card offers rewards and has valuable features, they differ in many ways. Both cards have an annual fee.

The Amex Gold Card is ideal for those seeking a card to use at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. It provides generous rewards opportunities, valuable monthly credits and flexible redemption options for rewards. 

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a solid option if you want a travel credit card with premium perks, want to earn travel and dining rewards and value a flexible rewards program. 

Before applying for any credit cards, consider your spending habits and rewards redemption goals to decide which rewards credit card best fits your needs. Review our list of the best rewards credit cards to explore alternatives. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

While the Amex Gold has a lower annual fee, it has fewer benefits and rewards than the Chase Sapphire Reserve. If you want the opportunity to earn plentiful dining and travel rewards and could benefit from premium travel benefits and protections, the Chase Sapphire Reserve may be a better fit.

If you can comfortably afford both annual fees, having the Amex Gold and the Chase Sapphire Reserve cards in your wallet may be worthwhile. If you get both cards, be strategic about which purchases you use for each card to maximize the rewards you earn.

Using the Amex Gold for dining and spending at U.S. supermarkets will yield the highest rewards, while making travel purchases with the Chase Sapphire Reserve will earn big rewards (especially if booked through Chase Travel), plus you’ll benefit from the extensive travel protections.

If you want to earn rewards when you make eligible dining, grocery and travel purchases with your card, the Amex Gold is a solid choice. This card also provides $10 Uber Cash for U.S. services and up to $10 dining statement credits each month at participating locations, worth up to $240 annually (including both benefits). If you’ll get value from these credits and your top purchases are dining and grocery spending at U.S. supermarkets, the $250 annual fee is worth it. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

While both cards earn travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a better option for frequent travelers. This card gives cardholders more opportunities to earn travel rewards and it earns rewards on all eligible travel purchases, not just eligible flight purchases. 

Additionally, this card offers greater flexibility with how you redeem your rewards. Plus, cardholders receive an up to $300 annual travel credit.

For rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card please visit this page .

¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

²Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

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.

Natasha has been a freelance writer since 2015. She specializes in credit card and credit card rewards content. When not busy writing, she's either dreaming up her next credit card rewards redemption or traveling the globe. Natasha hopes to encourage more people to experience the world around them while making smart financial choices.

Ashley Barnett has been writing and editing personal finance articles for the internet since 2008. Before editing for USA TODAY Blueprint, she was the Content Director for an international media company leading the content on their suite of personal finance sites. She lives in Phoenix, AZ where you can find her rereading Harry Potter for the 100th time.

Grace Pilling is a deputy editor for credit cards at USA TODAY Blueprint. She believes credit cards are the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure tools of the financial world and gets excited about helping people discover the best credit card strategy for their unique goals. Prior to joining Blueprint, Grace worked on and led personal finance teams at Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MoneyUnder30 and MoneyGeek. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and writing and a diploma in editing and publishing.

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Travel Credit Card

Travel rewards that go where you're going..

The flexible, travel card with reliable rewards, that matches every Mile you earned at the end of your first year. 2 Plus! No annual fee .

Intro purchase APR is x %  for x months  from date of account opening then the standard purchase APR applies.  Intro Balance Transfer APR  is x %  for x months  from date of first transfer, for transfers under this offer that post to your account by  then the standard purchase APR applies. Standard purchase APR: x %  variable to x %  variable, based on your creditworthiness. Cash APR: x %  variable. Variable APRs will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Minimum interest charge: If you are charged interest, the charge will be no less than $.50. Cash advance fee:  Either $10  or 5%  of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater. Balance transfer fee: x %  Intro fee on balances transferred by  and up to x %  fee for future balance transfers will apply. Annual Fee: None.  Rates as of . We will apply payments at our discretion, including in a manner most favorable or convenient for us. Each billing period, we will generally apply amounts you pay that exceed the Minimum Payment Due to balances with higher APRs before balances with lower APRs as of the date we credit your payment.

No annual fee

x Average of x Reviews 7

See how  we calculate our ratings

x out of 5 Average of  x Reviews 7

Earn travel rewards on every purchase

There's no limit to how many Miles you can earn. And however you redeem, Miles have the same value. 1

• We'll automatically match all the Miles you've earned at the end of your first year. 2
• You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles, which is $700 all for you.
• No minimum spending requirement on your new card.

99% nationwide acceptance  — Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards. 3

Be your own tour guide

Get a travel rewards card that lets you redeem how you want–travel credit or cash.

Get cash for the things you want

Once you make a travel purchase, simply redeem your Miles as a statement credit towards that purchase. However you redeem, Miles have the same value. 1

Use Miles at Amazon. com 4  checkout and when you pay using PayPal. 5

How many Miles can you earn?

You'll earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every purchase that you make with your Discover it ® Miles card. See if this is the best credit card for you.

What do you spend on credit card purchases each month?

What you'd earn each year.

which equals

What you'd automatically earn after your first year with Discover Match ®

Easily redeem Miles as a statement credit for travel purchases or get cash. 1 Where could your Discover it ® Miles Credit Card take you?

How does the Discover ® Travel Card work?

Earn miles on all purchases, redeem miles for travel purchases or cash.

Every dollar you spend on purchases with your travel card earns 1.5x Miles that never expire 1 , with  no annual fee . 

Redeem your Miles the way you want

Turn Miles into cash, or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchase like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants, and more. 1

Discover matches all your Miles your first year

Discover is the only major credit card that gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you've earned at the end of your first year. 2

Where is the Discover travel card accepted?

Discover it ® Miles is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide, according to the Feb. 2023 issue of the Nilson Report. 3 And best of all, it's a travel rewards card that works just like your favorite credit card. Use it for travel expenses and purchases like airfare, getting a rental car, or booking a hotel stay. And just as easily use it for everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and paying bills.

What is the interest rate on a Discover travel card?

Your interest rate will be determined when you submit your travel card application for a Discover it ® Miles card. The APR you qualify for depends on your credit history and other factors. You can see if you're pre-approved for a personalized offer now or apply for the travel credit card offer on this page. Remember: Discover it ® Miles has no annual fee .

What are the different ways I can redeem Miles?

When you think of the best travel credit card for you, you likely want a card with a signup bonus, a card that allows you to have flexibility when you travel, and a card with rewards that you can use for travel expenses—or in other ways, if you want. With Discover it ® Miles, you get all of that. And as soon as you start earning rewards on your card, you can redeem them as a statement credit for a previous travel purchase. Because once you make a travel purchase, you simply redeem your Miles as a statement credit towards that purchase. 1 So book the travel that works for you, and use your Miles to credit yourself back. Eligible purchases include airfare, car rentals, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more. 1 You can also use Miles like cash, without losing any value for your rewards. Turn Miles into cash in any amount, any time 1 , by depositing into your bank account; or use Miles to pay when you check out at Amazon. com 4 or when you pay with PayPal. 5 However you redeem, Miles keep the same value. And Miles never expire. 1

How many Discover credit card Miles does it take to redeem for a flight or other travel purchase?

With the Discover it ® Miles Credit Card, when you're ready to redeem your Miles, 100 Miles = $1 to redeem for cash or travel credit. The great thing about the Miles that you earn with the Discover ® travel card is that they can be used to cover all or part of a travel expense. So the amount of credit card Miles that you'll need to redeem to cover your entire airline ticket will depend on the price of the flight that you booked. This goes for other travel purchases, too, including rideshares or rental car bookings. Remember—you can redeem your Miles for a statement credit for all or part of your travel purchase, to help keep your total costs down.

Which airlines accept the Discover travel rewards credit card?

The Discover it ® Miles credit card is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide, according to the Feb 2023 issue of the Nilson report. 3

Can I redeem my credit card Miles for cash & road trips?

With Discover, you can turn Miles into cash in any amount, any time. 1 And you can also redeem Miles as a statement credit for travel purchases, which include road trip favorites like hotels, rideshares, gas stations, car rentals and more. 1

How can I earn credit card Miles for everyday purchases?

With the Discover it ® Miles credit card, you’ll earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every purchase you make, every day. That includes credit card travel purchases like airfare and hotels as well as daily purchases like groceries, bills or gas. 

Can I redeem some credit card Miles and keep adding to the remaining balance?

Yes. There is no minimum requirement to how many Miles you have to redeem at a time. If you don’t use all of your Miles when you redeem, you’ll just keep adding more Miles to your total with every purchase. Your Miles never expire. 1

Why choose Discover it ® Miles as my travel credit card?

You have to decide the best travel card for your needs. Discover it ® Miles gives the perks of a travel card with the flexibility of an everyday rewards card. You'll earn 1.5X Miles on every purchase, so it’s easy to rack up rewards fast to reach travel goals. You can redeem your Miles as a statement credit toward your Discover bill, or for cash in any amount, any time. 1 Card membership includes more benefits, like great service and security benefits with no annual fee .

If you're looking at other travel credit cards, see if the card issuer charges a large annual fee. Perks like lounge access, elite status, a loyalty program, a platinum card or a gold card may not be worth the annual fee. It's hard to know what your credit limit will be before you apply for travel credit cards, but you can check how the reward points work for the card issuer. For example, if there is a bonus point on eligible purchases such as 5x points or 2x points, check what the reward is on everyday purchases. "5x points," "2x points" or "Earn 2x" can sound good unless your typical spending doesn't fit the eligible purchases for that card issuer or their annual fee is too high. Finally see if new card membership comes with security features and service benefits or other helpful perks like the opportunity to do a balance transfer.

How does a Miles rewards credit card help you earn travel rewards?

With Discover it ® Miles, you’ll earn 1.5X Miles for every dollar you spend on a travel purchase or any other purchase, with no limits on how much you can earn, and no annual fee Miles never expire. 1 After you earn Miles, you can redeem for a statement credit toward the cost of travel purchases or to get cash rewards. 1 Other travel credit cards, such as an airline credit card, will offer different rewards points and your card membership may include an annual fee or blackout dates.

Can you use Discover it ® Miles for travel insurance and global entry purchases?

You can use the Discover it ® Miles credit card at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide, according to the Feb. 2023 issue of the Nilson Report 3 , including travel insurance companies. The U.S. Trusted Traveler Programs accept Discover ® Credit Cards as a form of payment for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and others. And, the Discover it ® Miles card is a rewards credit card that gives you points for travel expenses and every other purchase you make with your card. So it can be your travel credit card and your everyday card. And unlike many travel credit cards, Discover ® charges no annual fee , even after account opening. 

Benefits of a Discover travel credit card

We’ll help you regularly remove your personal info from select people-search websites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the Discover app. 8

There is no annual fee with the Discover travel rewards credit card.

Earn 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

Redeem Miles as cash, as a statement credit for a travel purchase 1 , at checkout with Amazon. com 4 or to pay with PayPal 5 .

Every Mile you earn can be used whenever you want, so you can save up for your next big trip. 

We’ll automatically match all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. 2

Viewing your Credit Scorecard will never impact your FICO ® Score. 6

Compare the Discover it ® Miles travel credit card to other travel credit cards

Are you getting the most you can from your travel rewards credit card, read helpful articles on the rewards and perks of travel credit cards below..

See how the Discover travel rewards card offers perks and benefits you may not find on other travel credit cards.

These money-saving credit card travel benefits can help stretch your budget for your next vacation. Learn more about travel rewards, cash rewards and bonus points on travel credit cards.

Learn about the different kinds of travel credit cards and how travel rewards credit cards let you earn miles on eligible purchases, save on travel, and more.

Redeem Miles:  Starting at 1 Mile, you can redeem your Miles as a credit to your account to pay for all or part of your bill, for cash as an electronic deposit to your bank account, or for a credit for Travel Purchases made on your statement within the last 180 days. Travel Purchases include airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, travel agents, online travel sites, commuter transportation, restaurants and gas stations. Restaurant purchases include those made at merchants classified as full-service restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, fast-food locations, and restaurant delivery services. Gas Station purchases include those made at merchants classified as places that sell automotive gasoline that can be bought at the pump or inside the station. Gas Stations affiliated with supermarkets, supercenters, and wholesale clubs may not be eligible.

Even if a travel purchase on your statement appears to fit in a Travel Purchase category, the merchant may not have a merchant category code (MCC) in a Travel Purchase category. Merchants and payment processors are assigned an MCC based on their typical products and services. Discover Card does not assign MCCs to merchants. Certain third-party payment accounts and digital wallet transactions may not be eligible for credit redemption if the technology does not provide sufficient transaction details or a qualifying MCC. See Terms and Conditions for more information.

Rewards Redemption:  Rewards never expire. We reserve the right to determine the method to disburse your rewards balance. We will credit your Account or send you a check with your rewards balance if your Account is closed or if you have not used it within 18 months.

Discover Match ® : Only from Discover as of March 2024. We'll match all the Miles rewards you've earned on your credit card from the day your new account is approved through your first 12 consecutive billing periods or 365 days, whichever is longer, and add it to your rewards account within two billing periods. You've earned Miles rewards only when they're processed, which may be after the transaction date. We will not match: rewards that are processed after your match period ends; statement credits; rewards transfers from Discover checking or other deposit accounts; or rewards for accounts that are closed. This promotional offer may not be available in the future and is exclusively for new cardmembers. No purchase minimums.

Acceptance : According to the Feb 2023 issue of the Nilson Report.

Use Rewards at Amazon.com:  For complete details on how to Pay with Rewards at  Amazon.com  see  Amazon.com/DiscoverRewards . Amazon is not a sponsor of this promotion. Amazon, the Amazon.com logo, the smile logo and all related marks are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. To redeem your rewards at checkout, you must select the Discover Card from which you want to redeem rewards. If you do not pay for your full purchase with rewards, you may use the Discover Card from which the rewards were applied or an Amazon.com Gift Card to pay for the remainder of your purchase. You may not use a credit card from an issuer other than Discover or another Discover credit card enrolled in Shop with Points in conjunction with the rewards transaction.

Use Rewards with PayPal : For complete details on how to Pay with Rewards with PayPal see PayPal.com/Discover . Pay with Rewards with PayPal will be available for eligible credit cards on eligible purchases or rewards can be donated to support a charitable cause with PayPal Giving Fund. To learn more about Pay with Rewards, see terms and conditions .

All reward redemptions are subject to Discover’s reward program terms. To redeem your rewards at checkout, you must select the Discover Card from which you want to redeem rewards. If you do not pay for your full purchase with rewards, you must use the Discover Card from which the rewards were applied to pay for the remainder of your purchase. You may not use a credit card from an issuer other than Discover or another Discover credit card enrolled in Pay with Rewards in conjunction with the rewards transaction.

PayPal, and the PayPal logo are trademarks of PayPal and its Affiliates.

FICO ® Credit Score Terms : Your FICO ® Credit Score, key factors and other credit information are based on data from TransUnion ® and may be different from other credit scores and other credit information provided by different bureaus. This information is intended for and only provided to Primary account holders who have an available score. See Discover.com/FICO about the availability of your score. Your score, key factors and other credit information are available on Discover.com and cardmembers are also provided a score on statements. Customers will see up to a year of recent scores online. Discover and other lenders may use different inputs, such as FICO ® Credit Scores, other credit scores and more information in credit decisions. This benefit may change or end in the future. FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries.

If you prefer not to receive your FICO ® Credit Score just call us at 1-800-DISCOVER (1-800-347-2683). Please give us two billing cycles to process your request.

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Online Privacy Protection:  Online Privacy Protection is offered by Discover Bank at no cost and only available in the mobile app. About every 90 days we will scan at least 10 people-search sites for your online personal information and help you submit opt-out requests. Types of personal information found on these sites will vary.