best world travel credit card

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Best travel credit cards of November 2023

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

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Nouri Zarrugh is a writer and editor for CreditCards.com and Bankrate,  focusing on product news, guides and reviews. His areas of expertise include credit card strategy, rewards programs, point valuation and credit scores, and his stories on building credit have been cited by Mic.com, LifeHacker, People.com and more. Through his thorough card reviews and product comparisons, Nouri strives to demystify personal finance topics and credit card terms and conditions to help readers save money and protect their credit score.

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Stephanie Zito is a professional traveler, self-employed humanitarian consultant and collector of credit card points. She shares savvy travel tips that she’s learned firsthand circling the globe for more than 25 years. She’s a backpacker, expect and premium traveler who’s visited more than 130 countries and all seven continents. Her life motto is “See the world, change the world, have fun doing it!” and her mission is to inspire others along the journey.

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

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

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Best Travel Credit Cards of November 2023

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

What to know about travel credit cards

How do credit card points and miles work, how to choose the best travel credit card for you, how to make the most of your travel card, how we assess the best travel credit cards.

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Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

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

A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

Intro offer

• Limited time offer: Earn 30,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $300 cash redemption value.

Offer valuation

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

Rewards rate

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

Regular APR

Rewards details

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

Pros & cons

The Wells Fargo Autograph card is a great option for occasional travelers and households on the go looking to earn rewards on everyday purchases while avoiding an annual fee. It’s one of a few entry-level travel cards to offer high bonus rewards for dining at restaurants and the majority of your travel needs, including gas stations, transit, airfare and hotels. Plus, your rewards won’t lose value if you want to redeem them for a statement credit. Read our full Wells Fargo Autograph Card review .

• Several popular travel and everyday categories come with boosted reward rates
• Comes with one of the highest welcome bonuses for a no-annual-fee travel card
• Unlike with traditional travel cards, you cannot transfer your points to airlines or hotels
• Depending on your creditworthiness, you could end up with a high variable APR after the intro purchase APR period.

Card details

• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
• $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
• Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (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.
• Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world's most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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

5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 3x on dining 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more

• 5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• 3x 3x on dining
• 2x 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more

This popular travel card comes loaded with features that can make it easy to offset the modest $95 annual fee and come out well ahead. Its rewards program is one of the best, giving you the option to transfer your points to a airline or hotel loyalty programs or redeem them for travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal, where they’re worth an impressive 1.25 cents.    Read our full Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review .

• You earn Ultimate Rewards points with this card — some of the most valuable and flexible rewards around.
• The card touts significant long-term benefits like anniversary bonus points and travel credits, as well as travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and a car rental collision damage waiver.
• Doesn’t offer airline- or hotel-specific perks like free checked bags, elite status or free night stays.
• Comes with a penalty APR of 29.99 percent if you make a late payment, which you could be stuck with indefinitely.
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

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

1.25 Miles - 5 Miles

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

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

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card offers many of the same perks as the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, without the burden of an annual fee. If you’re looking for a low-cost travel card, consider this one a top option. Read our full Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card review .

• The welcome offer is generous for a no-annual-fee travel credit card.
• There’s no minimum you’ll need to meet to start redeeming miles.
• Redeeming for non-travel purchases waters down your miles.
• Capital One has no major U.S. carrier in its line-up of travel partners.
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• 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
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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

2 Miles - 10 Miles

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

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

Despite carrying a hefty annual fee, this is one of the cheapest premium travel cards around. It offers complimentary lounge access, high-earning bonus rewards categories, anniversary credits and bonus miles, which can easily offset the annual fee for frequent travelers. Read our full Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review .

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

The Platinum Card® from American Express

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

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

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

Luxury travelers and big spenders will appreciate the bevy of travel benefits associated with The Platinum Card from American Express. Just be sure to factor in the value of the many perks, plus the lucrative rewards rates, when you consider the $695 annual fee. Read our full Platinum Card from American Express review .

• Comes with a generous welcome offer and a longer time period to earn it compared to most rewards cards.
• A robust line-up of airline and hotel partners make this card truly valuable for travelers.
• The $695 annual fee is steep; it may deter certain cardholders from applying for this card.
• Redeeming and maximizing the card’s credit and benefits requires some legwork and can be a bit confusing.
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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

2 Miles - 5 Miles

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

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card tops the list of best overall travel credit cards due in part to its flexibility. You'll earn unlimited miles and can redeem them as statement credits for a variety of travel expenses, including airfare and accommodations. Read our full Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review .

• Zero foreign transaction fees make this an excellent choice for international travelers.
• Earn miles at a flat rate for all purchases, with no limit on the number of miles you can earn.
• Miles are worth less when redeemed with certain travel partners
• Spending requirements for reaching the sign-up bonus can be pricey.
• 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
• Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Hilton Honors American Express Card

• Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.

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

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

This card earns rewards in a terrific mix of everyday bonus categories, so it should be easy to rack up Hilton points even if you don’t spend a ton on hotel bookings. And since it charges no annual fee, it’s a great fit if you’re new to hotel cards and looking for a low-stakes starter option. Read our full Hilton Honors Amex card review .

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

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

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

This entry-level travel card keeps things simple. It offers flat-rate rewards without bonus categories and lets you redeem your rewards for a broad mix of travel options not found with many travel cards. It’s even more valuable if you’re a Bank of America customer who can qualify for a rewards boost through the bank’s Preferred Rewards program. Read our full Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review .

• Its easy-to-earn sign-up bonus and intro APR offers give this card good short-term value.
• No annual fees or foreign transaction fees sweeten this offer.
• You won’t get maximum value out of this card since it only offers a flat rate on purchases, and rewards can’t be transferred to airline partners.
• The top tiers of the Preferred Rewards program may be out of reach for many cardholders.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
• If you're a 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.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

• Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

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

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

The annual companion certificate that comes with this card after the first year carries enough value to justify the annual fee on its own. Plus, unlike the companion certificates you’ll find on most airline cards, it carries no spending requirement beyond the card’s annual fee. Read our full Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex card review .

• Boasts several practical perks for frequent travelers, including Main Cabin 1 priority boarding, a free first checked bag, credits for TSA Precheck or Global Entry and more.
• Comes with that get you closer to Medallion Status and discounts on in-flight purchases, complimentary upgrades, waived fees and more.
• Its rewards rate on non-travel purchases is just okay. A flat-rate travel card could offer just as much value plus more flexibility to earn and redeem points with other airlines.
• You won’t get complimentary Delta Sky Club lounge access — just discounted passes (effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available).
• Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
• Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
• Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• Get access to Delta Sky Club® at a rate of $50 per person per visit for you and up to two guests or immediate family when traveling on a Delta flight from now until 12/31/23. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Earn 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Delta Platinum Card, up to two times through 12/31/23. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• $250 Annual Fee.

Bilt Mastercard®

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

Offer valuation is not available for this credit card.

1X Points - 3X Points

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

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

Along with helping you avoid transaction fees and earn rewards when you use it to pay rent, this card boasts an extremely robust travel rewards program — especially for a no-annual-fee card. You can earn rewards on travel and dining and your points carry a high value whether you redeem through the Bilt travel portal or transfer to one of the issuer’s many airline and hotel transfer partners. Read our full Bilt Mastercard review .

• It’s the only card that helps you avoid the fees typically associated with paying rent with a credit card.
• Bilt earns some of the most valuable travel rewards out there thanks to the issuer’s long list of transfer partners.
• You can only use rewards to cover rent, toward a future home down payment or for travel and shopping. Cash back isn’t an option.
• It’s missing a sign-up bonus. Most competing travel cards — even those with no annual fee — offer at least a $200 bonus.
• $0 Annual Fee.
• Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year.
• 2x points on travel.
• 3x points on dining.
• 1x points on other purchases.
• Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
• When renting at a Bilt Alliance property, you can choose to have your rent payments automatically reported by Bilt to the three major credit bureaus each month; Experian™, TransUnion™, and Equifax™.

Citi Premier® Card

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

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

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

The big draw of the Citi Premier Card is that you can earn bonus rewards on everyday expenses as opposed to just travel. A generous sign-up bonus also sweetens the deal, making this a solid travel card for everyday shoppers who want to pay a low annual fee. Read our full Citi Premier Card review .

• Citi has a robust line-up of travel partners.
• You can earn points on everyday purchases, making the card a good option for less frequent travelers.
• Travel protections, like travel insurance, are not offered with this card.
• Budget-conscious customers might balk at the annual fee.
• Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
• 60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Discover it® Miles

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

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

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

Another option for people looking for a low-cost travel credit card, this Discover card combines solid flat-rate rewards with consumer-friendly terms, like no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee. Read our full Discover it® Miles card review.

• As part of a generous welcome offer, all miles earned in your first year will receive a match at the end of that year
• Miles don’t lose value when they’re redeemed for cash back.
• You’ll miss out on pretty standard travel perks like travel insurance, and car rental damage protection.
• The rewards structure lacks flexibility; you won’t be able to transfer your miles or use them to book travel.
• Unlimited Bonus: Only Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
• Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
• No annual fee
• Turn Miles into cash in any amount, any time. Or redeem as a statement credit for travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
• Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
• Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
• Freeze your account in seconds with an on/off switch either on the mobile app or website to prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers.
• Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. Activate for free.
• Terms and conditions apply

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

• Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

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

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

Frequent Marriott guests looking for top-tier perks should love this card. Along with a terrific rewards rate on Marriott bookings and an annual free night award, you’ll enjoy generous annual credits for restaurant purchases and Marriott property stays, airport lounge access, elite night credits and more based on your spending. Read our full Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant review .

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

American Express® Gold Card

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

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

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

If your love of dining is a constant travel companion, few credit cards are more rewarding than the American Express Gold Card. The rewards rates at restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets and on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com are exceptional. Read our full American Express Gold Card review .

• This card features one of the best rewards return rate on dining currently on the market.
• The card touts a formidable collection of travel protections and perks, like hotel upgrades (when available for onsite credit on qualifying activities).
• The $250 annual fee is on the pricey side when compared to similar cards.
• Flights are only rewarded at 3X when booked with airlines directly or on AmexTravel.com.
• 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.
• Annual Fee is $250.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

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

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

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

If you do your banking with Bank of America, this card provides an intriguing opportunity for an earnings boost. The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card provides generous rewards rates—2X points on dining and travel, with 1.5X points on all other purchases—as well as solid travel perks. Read our full Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card review .

• The $95 annual fee is relatively affordable for this card category.
• Rewards never expire and there’s no cap on earnings.
• Attaining the highest rewards rate is not an easy feat, since you’ll need to hold significant funds in Bank of America accounts.
• This card does not offer premium travel perks like lounge access.
• NEW OFFER! Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87-2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
• Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
• Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Low $95 annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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

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

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

The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a generous points structure and comes with a $300 annual travel credit among other perks. This card is well worth the $550 annual fee if used strategically by cardholders who spend enough in the card’s rewards categories and take advantage of the added benefits. Read our full Chase Sapphire Reserve review .

• Points redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards are worth up to 50 percent more.
• The annual statement credit of $300 can help offset the cost of the annual fee.
• The high annual fee could be a deterrent for some new cardholders.
• You won’t get as many luxury travel perks with this card as you would with some of its luxury card competitors.
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• $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 Ultimate Rewards® 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 Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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

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

This card’s anniversary bonus offers enough value to nearly offset the annual fee on its own, so it should be a terrific low-stakes option if you’re new to airline cards. Plus, its sign-up bonus value is on par with the value you’ll get with much pricier airline and travel cards. Read our full Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card review .

• You’ll automatically earn 3,000 Rapid Rewards points each year after your account anniversary. That’s valuable enough to offset much of the card’s already-low annual fee.
• Rapid Rewards points can offer terrific redemption value based on Bankrate’s latest airline mile valuations, so they’re a good starting point if you’re new to travel rewards.
• Southwest doesn’t have airline partners, so this card won’t be a good fit unless you’re okay with only redeeming points for Southwest flights and mostly flying domestically.
• It may not be the best value overall. Some cards offer more rewards in more categories, let you redeem for travel with any airline and even let you transfer points to Southwest.
• 3,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

• Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days from your account opening and redeem for a $100 statement credit, gift cards, or travel.

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

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

If you want to earn points on travel but have trouble qualifying for top-tier rewards cards, the Wander card is a solid option. Not only is this card available with only fair credit, but its rewards program is also quite generous, boasting a high rewards rate in several key travel categories, including gas, airfare and hotels. Read our full Credit One Wander Card review .

• It’s one of the only travel rewards cards available with a fair credit score, making it a decent option if you want to earn travel rewards as you work on your score.
• Its 10,000-point sign-up bonus (after you spend $1,000 in your first 90 days) is enough to completely offset the card’s annual fee in the first year.
• Its annual fee is high compared to other cards you can get with a fair credit score, so it may not be the best fit if you prioritize building credit over earning rewards.
• Other travel cards may offer better perks and value at this price level, so it may be worth working on your score with a lower-cost card before you focus on earning rewards.
• Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel site
• Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
• Earn 1x points on all other purchases
• Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
• With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
• Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
• If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
• See Rates & Fees

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

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

Compare the best travel credit cards of 2023

A closer look at bankrate's top travel credit cards.

BEST FOR GAS

• What we love
• Who it's for
• Travel benefits
• Alternatives

This card does not charge foreign transaction fees and comes with valuable perks like rental car collision damage waiver coverage, roadside assistance and Visa Signature benefits, which opens the door to additional features like access to Visa’s Luxury Hotel Collection.

BEST STARTER TRAVEL CARD

On top of an outstanding sign-up bonus, you get travel and purchase protections and a rewards program that earns points on both travel and everyday purchases, like online groceries and streaming services.

This is a great travel card for people with 2023 travel plans, as Chase recently updated its sign-up bonus to 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. If you redeem these points for travel on Chase Ultimate Rewards, they're worth 1.25 cents each, making the whole bonus worth up to $750 in travel.

You’ll get up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel stays booked through Chase and your points are worth 25 percent more when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through the Chase travel portal. 

The Citi Premier® Card not only has a comparable sign-up bonus and the same annual fee as the Sapphire Preferred, but also covers even more everyday categories, including  supermarkets and gas stations, potentially making it a better fit as a standalone rewards card. 

BEST FOR NO ANNUAL FEE

This entry-level travel rewards card comes with a decent sign-up bonus, the chance to earn flat-rate miles on all purchases and the option to transfer miles to travel partners without owing an annual fee. (See Rates and Fees )

Occasional travelers looking to earn flexible travel rewards without paying an annual fee.

BEST FOR PRACTICAL PERKS

This card offers a great mix of practical, valuable perks, including complimentary lounge access and a high rewards rate for both travel and non-travel purchases. It also comes with a relatively low annual fee compared to other luxury travel cards. (See Rates and Fees )

Travelers looking to sample luxury benefits without paying over $400 in annual fees.

You’ll get $300 in annual credits for travel bookings made through Capital One Travel, 10,000 bonus miles each year on your account anniversary and access to over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges worldwide.

If a higher annual fee is no issue, consider the Platinum Card from American Express. It’s a top choice for frequent travelers thanks to its impressive welcome offer and luxury perks like annual travel credits, lounge access and hotel elite status.

Best for luxury travel

If you can take advantage of all the high-value benefits packed in this card, it could be one of the most lucrative on the market. You’ll have a chance at a huge welcome offer, annual statement credits worth over $1,000 and access to Priority Pass Select lounges, Centurion lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (for Delta flights only).

Frequent travelers who enjoy luxury travel benefits and elite status.

Along with comprehensive lounge access, you can take advantage of an up to $200 airline fee credit, up to $200 in Uber Cash (benefit renews annually), an up to $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit and several other benefits.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a taste of luxury at a much lower cost than the Amex Platinum. For a $395 annual fee, travelers unlock a generous travel rewards rate, a higher rewards rate on general purchases, complimentary Priority Pass and Capital One lounge access and valuable annual travel credits and anniversary miles (See Rates and Fees ).

BEST FOR FLAT-RATE REWARDS

It offers an easy way to earn travel rewards, comes with a generous sign-up bonus and has several travel and purchase protections for a modest annual fee of $95. (See Rates and Fees )

Travelers who want to earn rewards at a flat rate on all purchases and enjoy flexibility in how they redeem their miles.

Get a credit worth up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® and transfer your miles to 15+ airline and hotel loyalty programs, often for a higher redemption value.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers a higher rewards rate in some everyday spending categories and potentially more valuable points. Your points are worth 1.25 cents each if you redeem for travel through Chase, versus the 1 cent per mile value you’d get with the Venture.

BEST NO-ANNUAL-FEE HOTEL CARD

This card earns rewards not only on Hilton bookings, but also in several popular everyday spending categories. This makes it a solid standalone option for earning Hilton points even if you don’t spend a ton on travel.

As you might expect since it carries no annual fee, this card's perks are underwhelming, but it does come with automatic Hilton Honors Silver elite status, which unlocks benefits like a fifth night free on award stays and two free bottles of water per stay.

The Amex Green Card could be more flexible since it earns rewards on a much wider variety of travel purchases, including airfare and bookings with any hotel, not just Hilton. You can also redeem points to cover bookings with multiple airlines and hotels or even transfer points to outside loyalty programs, including Hilton Honors.

Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Hilton Honors American Express Card

BEST FOR INTRO APR

Unlike some travel rewards cards, this card lets you redeem rewards for more than just typical travel costs like airfare and hotels. You can also redeem points for statement credits to cover purchases at zoos, art galleries, aquariums, travel agencies and more.

Points don’t expire and you can redeem for bookings with any airline or hotel anytime without blackout dates. You can also redeem points for statement credits to pay for travel or dining purchases.

The Bilt Mastercard is another solid no-annual-fee travel card, but it stands out by earning points on rent payments and helping you avoid processing fees typically associated with paying rent with a credit card. You’ll also earn bonus points for dining and travel and, unlike many no-annual-fee cards, you can transfer your points to high-value airline and hotel partners.

BEST FOR COMPANION TICKETS

You can easily justify this card’s annual fee given the value of the annual companion certificate perk. The card also earns rewards on restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases — two practical, popular categories — not just airfare.

Frequent travelers looking for a way to earn Delta SkyMiles and unlock a solid roster of Delta perks.

Along with the companion ticket, you can get up to $100 in statement credits to cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee, Delta Sky Club lounge access for $50 per person when flying Delta (effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available), trip delay insurance and more.

The Amex Green card could be a great alternative since it charges a lower annual fee ($150), lets you earn and redeem rewards on travel with any eligible airline (not just Delta) and offers credits for Loungebuddy lounge access and Clear Plus. You can even transfer points to Delta at a 1:1 ratio.

Learn more: 5 reasons I’ll never give up on Delta credit cards

Best for transfer partners

This card is a terrific choice for renters since it earns rewards and waives transaction fees when you use it to pay rent. It’s also a solid pick for beginner travelers since it offers high-value travel and dining points. Plus, it’s one of the few no-annual-fee cards to provide airline and hotel transfer partners — including American Airlines.

Long-term renters who want to earn travel rewards and minimize fees. It’s also a good fit for travelers who don’t like paying annual fees and can plan ahead. Since you earn double points on the first of every month for travel, dining and general purchases, you can earn outsized rewards not often found with other general-purpose travel cards. 

Along with stellar airline transfer partners, the Bilt card offers a solid collection of travel perks for a no-annual-fee card, including trip cancellation and interruption protection, trip delay reimbursement and other high-level travel protections.

BEST FOR EVERYDAY SPENDING

This mid-level travel card earns rewards at a high rate on both travel and everyday spending, making it a great standalone rewards option. It also comes with an annual hotel credit that can offset the card’s annual fee on its own.

Occasional travelers who want to earn travel rewards on everyday purchases like groceries, gas and dining.

 You’ll earn a $100 statement credit when you book a single hotel stay of $500 or more through Citi. The card also carries no foreign transaction fees.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred boasts fewer everyday bonus categories, but it may offer more valuable rewards. Chase points are worth 25 percent more than Citi points when you redeem for travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal.

BEST FOR FIRST-YEAR VALUE

Discover will match every mile you earn at the end of your first year. Depending on how much you spend, this could give you a chance at a higher bonus value than you’d get with any other no-annual-fee rewards card.

Travelers who value simplicity will appreciate this card’s straightforward rewards rate and flexible redemption.

While this card is light on perks, it’s one of the few no-annual-fee travel cards that lets you redeem miles for cash back, travel and more without worrying about redemption values. Many cards require you to sacrifice rewards value if you opt for cash back instead of travel.

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card carries a more straightforward and still easy-to-reach welcome bonus. The VentureOne card also gives you the option of transferring miles to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners, which could increase the redemption value of your rewards.

BEST LUXURY HOTEL CARD

It comes with a slew of valuable perks that can help offset the annual fee and make travel more enjoyable, including complimentary Priority Pass lounge access and annual credits for eligible restaurant purchases.

Learn more: Best Marriott credit cards

BEST FOR FOODIES

It offers high rewards rates and a ton of valuable perks for foodies and frequent travelers alike, including hundreds in annual dining, hotel and rideshare credits. These benefits make the card’s annual fee more than worth it.

Foodies and frequent travelers looking to earn rewards on everyday spending.

If the Amex Gold Card’s annual fee sounds high, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred. It carries key travel perks, high travel and dining rewards rates, and a much lower annual fee.

BEST FOR EXPEDITED SECURITY SCREENING

The one-time sign-up bonus and an annual chance to earn up to $100 in travel statement credits enhance the value of this simple travel rewards credit card.

Frequent travelers who are Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can make the most of this card since you can boost your rewards rate by 25 to 75 percent depending on your savings.

Receive up to $100 in annual statement credits on airline incidentals like seat upgrades and baggage fees, plus up to $100 in statement credits to cover the cost of a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee every four years.

BEST FOR POINT VALUES

The card comes loaded with short- and long-term value, including one of the most valuable sign-up bonuses on the market and a slew of perks, including annual travel credits and complimentary airport lounge access.

Frequent travelers who can take advantage of its top-of-the-line perks.

Points are worth 50 percent more when you redeem for travel with Chase and you can transfer 1:1 to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs. You’ll also unlock up to $300 in annual travel statement credits, access to over 1,300 Priority Pass airport lounges worldwide and up to $100 in statement credits every four years to cover the cost of Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck.

The Capital One Venture X card offers some of the same key perks as the Sapphire Reserve at a much lower cost. Along with a generous rewards rate on both Capital One Travel and general purchases, the card boasts valuable, practical benefits like Priority Pass lounge access, up to $300 in annual Capital One Travel credits and 10,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary. 

BEST STARTER AIRLINE CARD

The card’s biggest perk — 3,000 bonus points each year after your cardmember account anniversary — could hold enough value to offset most of the card’s annual fee.

Southwest frequent flyers looking for a low-maintenance airline rewards card. 

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card could offer better value overall, despite its $149 annual fee. It carries an annual $75 Southwest travel credit and 7,500 bonus points each year on your account anniversary — more than enough value to justify the higher fee.

Learn more: Why expert Tim Maxwell loves the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

Best for fair credit

You’ll earn rewards at an impressive rate in practical everyday categories like travel, dining and gas, which is rare for a card available with only fair credit.

The card comes with a sign-up bonus you can redeem for a $100 statement credit, gift cards or for travel.

If you don’t mind putting down a refundable security deposit, consider a no-annual-fee secured card like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card*. It’s a unique secured card that lets you work on your credit score while earning rewards in a category of your choice (with travel just one of many popular options) as well as grocery stores and wholesale clubs.

American Express® Green Card

Best for everyday travel + transit

• Who it’s for

This card offers terrific first-year value via its unique welcome offer, allowing you to earn even more rewards on travel and transit spending. 

The card’s Loungebuddy and CLEAR Plus credits should be handy even if you only fly occasionally.

Learn more: Is the American Express Green card worth it?

All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.

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

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

Co-branded travel cards vs. general travel cards

Travel credit cards are generally divided into two categories: co-branded travel cards and general travel cards. Co-branded cards are associated with a particular airline or hotel, while general travel cards offer more flexible reward opportunities. Here’s why and when you might want each.

What you get with co-branded travel credit cards

Co-branded travel cards tend to offer higher earning rates on eligible travel purchases in exchange for limiting your travel reward options to just one airline or hotel program . These cards may also feature more specific perks associated with the hotel or airline compared to general cards, such as free award nights, complimentary elite status or priority boarding. Airline alliances and other brand partners can also help these cards’ earning and redemption flexibility.

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

What you get with general travel credit cards 

General travel cards earn rewards on various travel categories and aren’t limited to a particular airline or hotel. Such cards may lack some of the dedicated perks you’ll find on a co-branded travel card, such as in-flight discounts, but make up for this with rewards flexibility and broader travel perks. The top travel cards even let you transfer your points or miles to airline and hotel loyalty programs, often at a 1:1 rate. Redeeming with some airlines and hotels can even make your rewards more valuable than they would be if you redeemed with the card issuer.

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

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

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

Rewards optimized for travel : Rewards categories are often designed to earn more points or miles for purchases directly related to travel, mainly expenses such as airfare, hotel rooms, rental cars and more.

Travel-friendly benefits : Many travel cards offer perks such as travel insurance , free checked bags, lounge access and credits for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck.

High reward rates : Travel credit cards typically have some of the most generous rewards rates. It’s not uncommon to see travel purchases earn 5X, 6X, 7X or more points or miles.

The convenience of travel portals : Many card issuers have their own online travel portals where you can book travel and redeem your rewards toward those purchases in one session. Sometimes, using these portals may even boost your rewards value.

Credit score requirements : The typical baseline credit score requirement for a travel card is good-to-excellent, which could make it difficult to qualify with a credit score below 670.

Using rewards can be complex : You’ll frequently have to calculate points, check for eligibility requirements for flights and hotel stays and otherwise navigate the process to get full value of your rewards.

Annual fees : Some of the top travel credit cards have annual fees starting in the $95 to $100 range. Upper-tier hotel and airline cards and luxury travel cards could have annual fees exceeding $200 or even $500.

Losing value on non-travel redemptions : Points or miles typically lose value when redeemed for cash back, gift cards or merchandise, rather than travel.

Additional travel credit card perks

Benefits included on travel cards differ from card to card, but some of the most popular travel cards on the market may feature the following perks.

Elite status upgrades

Some cards offer complimentary upgrades or a head start toward a travel programs elite status. For example, The Platinum Card from American Express, lets you enroll in complimentary Gold Elite status for Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors loyalty programs.

Travel insurance

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

Secure traveler credits

Credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry are a popular and common benefit on many travel cards. You can typically use this credit once every roughly years, which roughly corresponds to how long a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership lasts.

Statement credits toward travel purchases

Higher-end travel cards often offer annual statement credits toward travel purchases. For some travel cards, such as the Capital One Venture X, these statement credits can nearly offset the cost of the card itself.

Boosts on travel reward redemptions

Some travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred will often boost the value of your rewards when you redeem them on eligible travel. Redeeming points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred through Chase Ultimate Rewards  will boost your point value to 1.5 cents and 1.25 cents per point, respectively. 

In-flight benefits

Co-branded travel cards typically offer some in-flight benefits on top of their reward-earning capabilities. These can include perks like discounts on in-flight entertaining and dining, free checked bags, or priority boarding. 

Free hotel award nights

Co-branded hotel cards may include annual free hotel award nights as part of their benefits. Some cards also offer a fourth free night award after you book three nights in a row. These nights are typically capped at a certain value, but can still be helpful for booking vacations and trips.

Airport lounge access

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

Who should get a travel credit card?

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

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

Frequent travelers

Naturally, the ideal candidate for a travel card is someone who travels a lot or plans to book several flights and hotel stays per year. However, in some cases, you don’t have to be a frequent traveler to reap the benefits of a travel rewards card. A number of cards offer good rewards rates on general purchases, such as the Capital One Venture Rewards Card (cardholders earn 2X miles).

Travel beginners

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

Once you’ve gotten the hang of things, you can explore a travel card with a more complex rewards program that may require more legwork but also offer more rewards value.

Brand loyalists

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

The Hilton Honors American Express credit card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card are great examples of lucrative co-branded travel rewards cards.

Business travelers

Some of the most valuable travel credit cards are business cards . Whether you're a freelancer on the go or the CEO of a Fortune 500, the right travel credit card can help you earn high rewards rates on everyday business purchases. Examples include the Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card and the Capital One Spark Miles for Business .

International travelers

If you frequently travel abroad, a card with no foreign transaction fees like the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a great pick to help you avoid extra costs on overseas purchases. 

Plus, if you hate waiting in line at airport security or customs, a lot of travel cards offer statement credits to reimburse you for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.

Luxury travelers

If you’re looking for a luxury travel experience, consider a premium travel card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or The Platinum Card from American Express. Luxury travel cards like these often charge a pretty penny but also offer a ton of value via perks like lounge access and annual travel credits. 

These perks not only make travel more comfortable, but also often carry enough value to offset the card’s cost on their own.

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

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

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

What are your points and miles worth?

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

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

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

Airline rewards values

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

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

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

Hotel rewards values

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

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

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

Credit card program rewards values

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

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

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

When to use rewards vs. cash

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

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

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

Earning travel rewards

When comparing travel credit cards, consider each card’s rewards rate  and how it fits with your spending habits. 

If you value simplicity and ease of use, a general travel card that offers the same rewards rate on all purchases could be your best option. But if you don’t mind juggling multiple cards to maximize your earnings, cards that earn bonus rewards in specific spending categories may be an even better option.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking to maximize your points and miles with a specific airline or hotel loyalty program and don’t mind redeeming rewards with that brand, a co-branded airline or hotel credit card may be a good fit. While these cards offer fewer redemption options than general travel cards, they often come with exclusive perks, like priority boarding or free room upgrades.

If you only travel occasionally and want the flexibility to earn rewards on more than just travel bookings,  look for a general rewards card that earns points or miles in your biggest spending categories.

Redeeming travel rewards

It’s also important to consider a card’s reward redemption options and the value you can get for your rewards. 

Most travel cards give you the best redemption value when you use rewards to cover travel bookings through a specific travel portal. But for greater flexibility, you may want to look at cards that offer a variety of redemption options, such as redeeming points to cover past travel purchases, which gives you the freedom to book with third-party websites.

You may also want a card that lets you transfer points or miles to airline and hotel partners. If a partner loyalty program offers better redemption value, transferring rewards could help stretch the value of your points and miles further. For example, points may only be worth 1 cent each when you redeem through an issuer’s travel portal, but 1.5 cents each when you redeem directly with an airline partner. Most travel cards with transfer partners charge an annual fee, but there are a few notable exceptions, including the Bilt Mastercard and Capital One VentureOne card (See Rates and Fees ).

If you think you’ll want to redeem your rewards for something other than travel, like statement credits or gift cards, make sure you choose a card that offers a redemption value of at least 1 cent per point or mile for those options. If your rewards carry a redemption value of less than 1 cent each, you may be better off using cash and saving rewards for travel redemptions.

Travel perks

The best travel cards come with perks that make travel more comfortable, offering an easier path to airline or hotel elite status, complimentary lounge access or travel credits worth hundreds of dollars. These benefits can make luxury flights or hotel suites more attainable.

To enjoy the best travel perks, you’ll usually have to put up an annual fee of at least $75, but premium travel cards often offer enough value to offset their cost. Top-tier perks like comprehensive travel insurance, complimentary airport lounge access and high-value travel credits are often found on cards with an annual fee of $400 or more.

Travel protections

Credit card travel insurance is a feature that could save you from having to purchase standalone insurance and give you the peace of mind that you’re covered in the event something goes wrong with your trip. But the type of coverage and even the amount you receive can vary from card to card, so you’ll need to pay close attention as you compare travel cards.

Many credit card issuers offer cards that provide protections like trip cancellation, rental car coverage in case of an accident, emergency assistance, lost luggage insurance and concierge services. The best cards for travel protections (usually luxury-level travel cards), carry trip interruption and cancellation insurance, emergency evacuation coverage, trip delay reimbursement and lost or delayed luggage protections. With the right travel credit card, you are much less vulnerable financially when traveling .

Comparing the annual fees and features of similar travel cards can help you quickly narrow down your options. Most luxury travel cards carry a steep annual fee, but the annual fee may be worth it if the card offers valuable perks or rewards. In fact, a recent J.D. Power credit card satisfaction survey found that cardholders with cards that have annual fees of an average of $100 or more report the highest satisfaction.

You can usually offset annual fees with high rewards rates and features like annual travel credits, airport lounge access and free checked bags. To see if an annual fee is worth it, compare a card’s cost with the value you receive from its rewards, statement credit offers and added perks that you plan to use.

If you don’t want to pay an annual fee for a travel card, it’s smart to also consider no-annual-fee cash back cards since many no-annual-fee travel cards only provide 1 cent per point or mile and few travel features. In fact, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is one of the few no-annual-fee travel cards (See Rates and Fees ) that allow you to transfer rewards to travel partners — which could mean generating more rewards value than its rival cards would.

Sign-up bonus

A good sign-up bonus could knock anywhere from $200 to $1,000 or more off your next flight or other travel purchase. As a rule of thumb, the higher the annual fee, the higher the sign-up bonus should be. When comparing travel cards, make sure the spend requirement fits your budget and doesn’t force you to overspend.

Travel rewards vs. cash back rewards

Credit card rewards generally come in two varieties: cash back or travel . While cash back is often more versatile in terms of how you can use your rewards, J.D. Power's most recent credit card satisfaction survey found that people rated travel rewards better cash back. You should get a travel credit card if you purchase plane tickets or hotel stays several times per year and you’re comfortable with paying an annual fee (in many cases) in exchange for higher rewards rates and travel perks. A cash back credit card is a better fit if you don’t travel regularly but still want to earn decent rewards on your spending.

Foreign transaction fees and international acceptance

If you travel overseas, check to see if the card you’re considering charges a foreign transaction fee. And since some credit cards aren’t as widely accepted as others, you’ll also want to make sure your credit card will work when traveling overseas . For example, Discover and American Express cards may not be as widely accepted abroad as Visa cards and Mastercards.

Here’s how a Bankrate editor chose his travel card

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

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

Premium travel cards tend to charge hefty annual fees, so it’s important to know how to maximize your rewards and perks. Otherwise, a travel card could end up being a money pit. Here are a few pointers for making the most of your travel card: 

Combine cards to maximize rewards

Knowing how much you spend in different categories and which merchants are eligible for rewards will help you earn more rewards and build an optimized stack of rewards cards. 

A flat-rate card is often a great starting point. For example, if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and you often buy groceries at Walmart and Costco, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card can earn 1.5 percent cash back on those purchases instead of 1X points. Then, you can maximize your Freedom Unlimited rewards spending by redeeming its Chase rewards through the Sapphire Preferred for more value toward travel.

Dig deeper : Here are the types of cards our expert is bringing on their summer trips

Maximize your rewards value with transfer partners and issuer travel

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

Dig deeper : Gen Z: The generation that knows how to make the most out of travel

Make the most of your travel perks

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

Plan for the sign-up bonus

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

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

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

Track your spending and rewards each account statement

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

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

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

Here are some of the key factors that we considered:

Great rewards value

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

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

We use consumer spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to get a reliable third-party measure of people’s spending habits. The most recent BLS data estimates average total spending in 2021 was $66,928 per consumer. From here, we determine a “chargeable” spend (which purchases are likely to be put on a credit card and earn rewards). After subtracting expenditures like housing, vehicle purchases, education and healthcare, we get a total “chargeable” annual spend of around $22,500.  

This includes the following spending by category:

• Groceries: $5,200
• Dining out: $3,000
• Entertainment: $2,500
• Gas: $2,100
• Apparel and services: $1,700

Using this data, we are able to assign a weighting to each of a card’s bonus categories. For example, a card’s grocery rewards rate receives a 23 percent weighting based on how much of the average person’s budget is spent on groceries. 

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

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

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

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

Reasonable rates and fees

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

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

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

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

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

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

Redemption flexibility

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

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

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

Valuable perks

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

We break down these tiers as follows:

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

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

In the news: Travel inflation starts to ease, but prices remain high

With inflation curbing the value of the dollar and adding financial stress to consumers across the country, more than half of summer travelers are experiencing price increases, according to a recently updated Bankrate travel survey .

If you’re a frequent traveler, now is a good time to redeem frequent flyer miles to help bring down the cost of airfare. Beyond that, there are also travel cards that earn rewards for some of the hardest-hitting categories — like gas and groceries, which can help you stockpile rewards that can be used to help you prepare for future travel plans. For more information on ways to maximize your money as you look toward winter travel , check out Bankrate's Travel Toolkit .

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

Travel credit card frequently asked questions

Are travel credit cards worth it.

Yes, provided you frequently travel and use many of the benefits that come with a travel credit card. Because many of the best travel credit cards on the market come with annual fees, it’s important to offset the cost of these cards — or even gain more value than the cost of the annual fee — by taking advantage of the various travel perks and features included on the card. Otherwise, the card may just drain your wallet.

For example, The Platinum Card from American Express offers around $1,700 in various statement credits, yet charges $695 annually. If you don’t use $695 worth of statement credits and perks, then the card is costing you more than its worth.

If you don’t travel frequently enough or don’t want to take the extra time to use a travel credit card’s perks and benefits to offset the annual fee, a no-annual-fee travel , cash back or general rewards credit card might be a better option.

What credit score is needed for a travel credit card?

Do travel miles or points expire, are points or miles better on a credit card.

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

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

Thomas Nitzsche

Stephanie Zito

Erica Sandberg

Financial Educator, Debt and Credit

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

Contributor, Personal Finance

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

Contributor, Credit Cards

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

Article sources

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

“ Consumer Expenditures 2022 ” Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed on October 12, 2023.

“ Credit Card Issuers Must Confront Consumers’ Mounting Debt ” J.D. Power. Accessed on October 13, 2023.

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

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

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Personal Finance

Best travel credit cards for november 2023.

Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more .

The best travel credit cards unlock a world of free and discounted travel. If you travel a lot, one of these cards could be worth obtaining. Depending on your travel preferences and goals, you may want a card with no annual fee, ultra-luxury premium rewards, or many points per purchase. Here’s a closer look at the best travel rewards cards to help you see the world at a fraction of the cost.

Best travel credit cards compared 2023

Our recommendations for the best travel credit card for november 2023.

The best travel credit card varies depending on your travel preferences. If you’re loyal to a specific airline or hotel, you may consider that brand’s card. A general miles or points rewards card could be the best choice for travelers looking to get the maximum value across a wider range of redemption options.

Best for beginners: card_name

The card_name is our pick for the best credit card for general travel rewards for beginners. It does a great job of balancing a robust rewards program with a reasonable annual fee. If you’re new to travel rewards cards or want a top card you can use everywhere without spending more than $100 per year, this card should be on your shortlist.

New users who spend at least $4,000 on the card in the first three months get 60,000 bonus points worth $750 when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards . For purchases, you’ll earn five points per dollar spent on travel at Chase Ultimate Rewards; three points for dining and eligible delivery services, online grocery purchases, excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs, and select streaming services; two points for other travel; and one point everywhere else. Points are transferable to airline and hotel partners, including United , Southwest , and Marriott.

The card also provides other perks, including travel and purchase protections. You’ll also get $50 back as a statement credit each year for hotels booked through Chase. While there’s a annual_fees annual fee, it’s easy to see how you’ll get that back and much more every year when using the card regularly.

Best for premium travel: card_name

One of the newer premium travel cards, card_name , comes with a wide set of travel benefits, including access to Capital One lounges and more than 1,300 additional lounges through Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Group. While the card requires a steep annual_fees annual fee, getting that value back and more is easy. Users get a $300 annual statement credit for travel booked through Capital One Travel, a $100 credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry , and a $100 statement credit with other premium services when booking certain hotels through Capital One.

The card_name starts new users with 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months, and you’ll earn 10,000 bonus miles annually on your account anniversary. For purchases, you’ll get 10x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x everywhere else. Capital One miles are redeemable through Capital One and a list of transfer partners . 

Other benefits include premium experiences and museum access through complementary memberships to PRIOR, The Cultivist, and $300 toward a Gravity Hauss membership. If you book a flight when Capital One Travel recommends and the price drops within 10 days, you can get up to $50 credit back. 

Best for no annual fee: card_name

If you don’t want to shell out $100 yearly just to have a travel rewards card, the card_name could be a winner. With this card, users earn five miles per dollar spent on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One Travel and an unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar on other purchases. 

New users can earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months. There are no foreign transaction fees, either, and the list of travel insurance and purchase coverage is impressive, considering there’s annual_fees annual fee.

Another advantage is that VentureOne starts new users with a intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration and balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration . If you want to consolidate and pay off other cards or make a big purchase interest-free, card_name may be the best choice for you.

Best for intro bonus offer: card_name

card_name is an excellent card for easy-to-understand travel rewards. You earn 5x miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and a flat 2x miles per dollar on other purchases. These miles can be redeemed through the Capital One Travel site, used to cover the cost of a recent eligible travel purchase, or transferred to a list of partner travel brands. Redeeming them for cash, events, and gift cards is also possible.

Other benefits include a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, two free Capital One lounge visits per year, and the most important travel and purchase protections anyone would want from a travel card.

There’s a annual_fees annual fee, but it’s easy to get that back and more redeeming Capital One miles for travel.

Best for airport lounge access: card_name

The card_name is an ultra-luxury credit card unlocking a huge heap of benefits, including express lanes and access to lounges at airports, gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels, and about $1,500 worth of various travel, membership, and purchase credits. On top of that, new users can earn 80,000 membership rewards points after spending $6,000 in the first three months.

The card carries a steep annual_fees annual fee ( Rates & Fees ), but it’s easy to see how you get more than that back in a year if you use its benefits fully. Additional users can get free Amex Gold cards or up to three additional Platinum cards at $175 per year. Additional users beyond that cost $175 each. 

Benefits include a hotel credit worth up to $200 for prepaid bookings with American Express Travel for Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection, a $189 statement credit annually to cover a Clear membership, a credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, up to $20 per month for select entertainment purchases, up to $300 per year in statement credits for Equinox memberships, $12.95 per month in statement credits for a Walmart+ membership, and $50 in statement credits twice per year when shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue. It also includes $15 monthly in Uber Cash ($20 in December) and Uber VIP status. Users also get Gold-level status with the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors programs .

The rewards are not all that impressive, however. You earn five points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, hotels booked on Amex Travel, and one point for everything else. Points are redeemable through Amex and transferable to a list of airline and hotel partners. The card is worthwhile for frequent travelers when you add up the massive travel benefits.

Best for business: card_name

You may like the card_name if you run a business, even a side hustle. The card comes with a huge 100,000-point bonus after spending $15,000 in the first three months. That’s worth $1,250 in travel when redeemed through Chase or potentially more when transferring to travel partners.

The card features 3x points per dollar on shipping purchases, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines, internet, cable and phone services purchases, and travel.

The card also comes with a good list of travel and purchase protections, including cell phone insurance when you use the card to pay your monthly bill. And like most premium travel cards, there are no foreign transaction fees. While it has a huge starting bonus and great benefits, it also requires a annual_fees annual fee.

Best for insurance coverage: card_name

card_name is a premium travel card loaded with valuable benefits. While it requires a large annual_fees annual fee, you get the first $300 back on travel purchases with the card, up to $100 in statement credits every four years for TSA’s trusted traveler programs, and a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership with access to more than 1,300 lounges.

New users can earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in the first three months. For purchases, you’ll earn 10x points per dollar spent with Chase Dining or when booking hotels or rental cars through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 5x for flights booked through Chase, 3x for travel and dining purchases, including restaurant delivery, and 1x everywhere else.

The package of travel and purchase insurance is also quite valuable. The card includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver coverage, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement, and emergency evacuation insurance. For purchases, it includes purchase protection for new purchases for up to 120 days, return protection, and up to an additional year of warranty coverage.

Best airline credit card: card_name

If you’re looking for an airline-specific credit card, the card_name Chase is a standout option. The card comes with a list of benefits rewarding United travelers, with bonus miles, free checked bags, and other benefits. New users can earn 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 with the card in the first three months.

You’ll earn 2x miles per dollar for purchases with United. The same 2x rate extends to dining, restaurant delivery, and hotels booked directly through the hotel company. It features 1x mile per dollar on all other purchases.

When flying with United, the cardholder and a companion get their first checked bag free, worth up to $140 per roundtrip. The card also includes an opportunity to earn Premier qualifying points, which get you closer to elite United status. Users also get a one-year complimentary DashPass subscription, offering discounts with DoorDash. It includes excellent travel insurance benefits, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, and complimentary Visa Signature Concierge service access.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card: Best hotel credit card

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card from Chase is a top hotel card. While it has a $95 annual fee, an annual free night award worth up to 35,000 points is easily worth more. When you stack points from the card and Marriott Bonvoy membership, you can earn up to 17x points per dollar on purchases made with Marriott, which has more than 7,000 properties worldwide.

New users can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months after opening a new account. Users get automatic Silver Elite status and credit toward the Gold Elite tier. The card also features a one-year complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership.

Travel insurance benefits are fair and include lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, and trip delay reimbursement. It also includes purchase protection and Visa Signature Concierge service.

Our methodology

To choose the best travel credit cards, our team reviewed dozens of cards from multiple issuers. We looked at the best rewards for regular purchases, the best signup bonuses, and the best travel-related benefits. We also considered annual fees and other common costs that you’re likely to incur. We didn’t, however, consider interest rates, as travel rewards cards are best for users who pay off the card in full monthly to avoid interest charges.

How to maximize your rewards with your travel credit card

If you want to maximize your rewards with travel credit cards, follow these quick tips:

• Use your credit card for every purchase: You don’t earn miles or points when you don’t use the card. Use your rewards card for every eligible purchase to earn as much as possible. But be careful not to overspend and get into trouble with high card balances.
• Consider multiple rewards cards: Mixing and matching multiple cards can get you the best rewards. For example, picking one card for restaurants, one for groceries , and one for gas could help you earn more.
• Research each redemption: Don’t redeem your points without considering the value. When transferring to airline partners, getting values well over one cent per point is possible.

How to choose a travel credit card

Everyone has different travel goals, credit histories, incomes, and spending habits. Here are some additional considerations to guide your choice:

• Spending habits: If you always cook at home and never go to restaurants, a restaurant rewards card wouldn’t be practical. Consider your budget and spending habits to find the best card .
• Annual fee tolerance: Some people are okay with annual fees, while others will only tolerate them up to a certain point. With some popular cards requiring over $600 per year, you have to ask yourself what you would be willing to pay and which benefits you’ll use regularly.
• Desired benefits: If you want airport lounges, status with a certain hotel or airline, or fast lines at the airport, find a card with those benefits.
• Brand loyalty: Finally, if you love one airline or hotel—or simply find one most convenient for your travel priorities—its branded card could be a good choice or addition to one of the cards above.

How to compare credit cards

Every issuer offers different benefits and rewards. When comparing travel cards, look at the rewards program to determine if it favors your spending habits. Then look at any costs or fees you expect to pay, such as annual or foreign transaction fees. Next, look at statement credits and other benefits. The card that yields you the biggest net benefits (rewards and benefits minus expected annual fees and other costs) should be your top pick.

Also, consider the card’s credit score and other credit requirements before applying. That information should be available on the issuer’s website or by contacting its customer service desk.

Types of travel credit cards

Our favorite travel credit cards are general miles and points rewards cards. General rewards cards feature points or miles redeemable at a big list of airlines, hotels, and potentially additional travel companies.

Depending on your location and travel preferences, you may also find brand-specific cards helpful. For example, the United MileagePlus Explorer card comes with benefits and rewards miles only for use with United Airlines. Most airlines and hotels offer at least one credit card for loyal customers.

Alternatives to travel credit cards

If you don’t want a travel credit card, cash back credit cards are an excellent choice. Many of them have no annual fee. And, if you’re not into travel, the rewards come in the form of cash or points redeemable for cash.

Most cards with cash back rewards allow you to redeem for statement credits, which lower your credit card balance; direct deposit to a linked bank account; and sometimes for travel, gift cards, Amazon.com purchases, and other redemptions. Merchandise is usually a low-value redemption for your points.

You can also find cards with no rewards, often featuring lower fees and interest rates. A secured credit card may be the right choice for someone with bad credit or no credit.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What’s the difference between points and miles on a travel credit card.

Points and miles on a travel credit card are rewards earned through spending on the card. While they share similarities, there are some major differences between them.

General rewards points tend to offer more flexibility for redemption, as they can be used for various rewards, including flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and even cash back. However, miles are usually restricted to flight redemptions with a specific airline or its partners. Some travel credit cards may allow you to convert miles into points or vice versa, but this typically comes with a conversion rate and may not always offer the best value.

Ultimately, the difference between points and miles on a travel credit card comes down to how they are earned, their redemption options, and their value. Understanding the specific rewards program and choosing a card that aligns with your travel habits and preferences is essential to maximizing your rewards.

How do I know if a travel credit card is right for me?

Determining if a travel credit card is right depends on your spending habits, travel frequency, and personal preferences. First, consider your travel patterns and the type of travel rewards you desire—such as airline miles, hotel points, or more flexible rewards redeemable for various travel expenses. Frequent travelers who can take advantage of perks like lounge access, priority boarding, or free checked bags may find travel credit cards more valuable.

Additionally, assess your spending habits and ability to earn rewards. Travel credit cards often have higher annual fees and interest rates, so ensure that you can offset these costs through rewards, perks, and benefits. The right travel credit card for you should align with your lifestyle, provide valuable rewards, and offer perks that enhance your travel experiences.

The information presented here is created independently from the TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About page.

Advertiser Disclosure

Best Travel Credit Cards of November 2023

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

• United Gateway℠ Card : Best feature: United Airlines travel rewards.
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® : Best feature: Flexible cash back rewards.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best feature: Travel rewards.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best feature: Travel rewards with an annual travel credit.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card : Best feature: Delta Air Lines rewards.

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

U.S. News’ Best Travel Credit Cards of November 2023

See all of our credit cards here .

On This Page

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

Commonly Compared Travel Credit Cards :

Popular categories:.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Airline Credit Cards

Rewards Credit Cards

Credit Cards With Sign-up Bonuses

How Do Travel Credit Cards Work?

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

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

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

General Travel Credit Cards

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

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

Airline credit cards

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

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

Hotel credit cards

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

Choosing the Best Travel Card

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

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

1. Pick the right travel rewards program for you .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• American Express Membership Rewards.
• Chase Ultimate Rewards.

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

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

2. Calculate earning potential.

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

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

3. Factor in sign-up bonuses.

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

4. Calculate redemption value.

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

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

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

5. Subtract annual fees.

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

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

6. Understand travel benefits.

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

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

7. Avoid foreign transaction fees.

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

Compare Credit Cards

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

How to Redeem Travel Points

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

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

Redeeming Travel Points on a General Travel Card

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

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

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

Redeeming Points With an Airline Credit Card

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

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

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

Redeeming Points With a Hotel Credit Card

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

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

How to Compare Travel Credit Cards

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

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

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

Pros and Cons

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

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

How to Maximize Travel Rewards

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

Travel Cards vs. Cash Back Cards

(Nate Hellman)

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

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

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

What Are Some Alternatives to Getting a Travel Credit Card?

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

U.S. News Survey

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

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

Additional Survey Insights

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

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

Survey Results

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

Best Credit Cards for Travel Methodology

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

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

Can You Get Travel Rewards for Business Travel?

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

What Credit Score Is Needed for a Travel Credit Card?

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

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

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

Should I Get a Separate Credit Card Just for Travel?

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

What Are the Best Travel Credit Card Perks?

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

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

Beverly Harzog , Credit Card Expert

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

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Find the best credit card for you

Traveling abroad save money and maximize rewards with these 5 credit cards, if you travel abroad, having a credit card with no international fees can help you save..

Booking international travel can be costly, but with a little advanced planning, you can use a credit card to save money. One of the biggest mistakes credit cardholders make abroad is using a card that charges foreign transaction fees, which average 3% per purchase.

If you spend $1,000 on purchases during your overseas vacation , you'll pay $30 in fees that can easily be avoided by using a credit card with no foreign transaction fee . There are many financial steps to take before an international trip, and you can check off choosing the right credit card by considering one of the options mentioned below. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best cards.)

CNBC Select reviewed popular rewards credit cards to find the best options for people who are traveling outside the U.S., so you can maximize rewards and save on unnecessary fees. All of the cards mentioned below have no foreign transaction fees.

Best cards for international travel

• Best overall: American Express® Gold Card
• Best for dining: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best for hotels: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees )
• Best for luxury travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Best for bad credit: Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Best overall

American express® gold card.

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

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.

Not applicable

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Balance transfer fee

Foreign transaction fee, credit needed.

Excellent/Good

See rates and fees and our methodology , terms apply.

Read our American Express® Gold Card review .

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

Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus

Who's this for? If you love food and travel, the American Express Gold Card could be the ideal rewards card for you. Cardholders earn a competitive 4X points per dollar spent at restaurants and 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X). Plus, earn 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. Terms apply.

Cardholders also receive an annual dining credit of up to $120 ($10 in statement credits a month) at participating partners, including Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment is required. In addition, cardholders receive $120 ($10 a month) for Uber rides or for ordering Uber Eats.

This card has a $250 annual fee * , but it can be reduced to effectively $10 if you take advantage of both spending credits.

Cardholders can also benefit from Amex Offers , where they earn statement credits or bonus Membership Rewards® points at select retailers. Travelers will appreciate that there are no foreign transaction fees * as well as getting insurance for car rentals and damaged, lost or stolen luggage.

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

* See rates and fees

Check out CNBC Select's best rewards credit cards .

Best for dining

Capital one savor cash rewards credit card.

4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 4% on eligible streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases

Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening

21.24% - 29.24% variable

3% for promotional APR offers; none for balances transferred at regular APR

See our methodology , terms apply.

• Unlimited 4% cash back on entertainment purchases
• Ability to redeem rewards at any amount, unlike some other cards with $25 minimums
• $95 annual fee
• No introductory 0% financing offers for purchases or balance transfers

Who's this for? Travelers who love to eat out can't go wrong carrying a dining rewards card. The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 4% cash back on dining purchases. This is one of the highest rewards rates on dining available, and Capital One classifies dining as restaurants, cafes, bars, lounges, fast-food chains and bakeries. Plus, you can enjoy foodie-centric perks, such as exclusive access to premium reservations with OpenTable . And if you're dining overseas, this card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.

You can also earn 4% cash back on entertainment spending, whether you're buying movie tickets, taking a family trip to the zoo or spending the evening bowling with friends.

Cardholders benefit from exclusive access to dining, sports and entertainment events. Beyond dining and entertainment perks, you will also earn 3% cash back at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.

This card comes with a $95 annual fee, but it can be offset by the cash back you earn.

Check out CNBC Select's best credit cards for dining out and restaurants .

Best for hotels

Capital one ventureone rewards credit card.

5 Miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 1.25X miles per dollar on every purchase

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

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months

19.99% - 29.99% variable

3% for the first 15 months or at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR

See rates and fees . See our methodology , terms apply.

Read our Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card review.

• 5 miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Miles never expire for the life of the account
• No Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit offerings
• No airport lounge access

Who's this for? Anyone looking to book hotel rooms should consider the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card with its impressive offer of 5X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Cardmembers can earn unlimited 1.25X miles on all other purchases, making it a solid choice for everyday use. The card has no annual fee and charges no foreign transaction fees.

Another perk is the intro 0% APR period, which lasts for 15 months on purchases (after, 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR). This can come in handy if you want to pay for a vacation over the course of a year and avoid interest charges. There is a 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR. (see rates and fees ).

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card offers new users a strong welcome bonus: 20,000 bonus miles after they spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening. You can redeem miles for past travel expenses, which is essentially a statement credit. Or you can book new travel reservations through the Capital One Rewards Center.

Additionally, with this card, it's possible to transfer your miles to any of Capital One's partner airlines, including Emirates Skywards, Air Canada and Qantas. (Read how to make the most of your airline miles .)

Read CNBC Select's Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card review for more details and check out Select's best hotel credit cards .

Best for luxury travel

Chase sapphire reserve®.

Earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025

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

22.49% - 29.49% variable

5%, minimum $5

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® review.

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

Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Reserve is geared toward foodies and frequent travelers who are looking for luxurious perks, such as annual travel credits, airport lounge access and complimentary hotel room upgrades. You can take advantage of an annual $300 travel credit, which can cover everything from airfare and hotels, to parking and tolls.

As you spend on the card, you will earn:

• 10X points per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards ®  after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10X points per dollar spent on Chase Dining purchases with Ultimate Rewards®
• 5X points per dollar spent on flights through Chase Ultimate Rewards® after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 3X points per dollar spent on travel worldwide after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 3X points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out
• 1X points per dollar spent on all other purchases

Points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,200 redeemed toward airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards. This perk is a great way to get the most value for your rewards.

In addition, Chase recently added new Lyft perks, including 10X points on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025, when you use your Sapphire Reserve.

While this card has a robust rewards program, it also has a steep $550 annual fee . All the card's added credits and benefits provided by Chase can help offset the cost. The $300 annual travel credit effectively reduces the annual fee to a more manageable $250. Cardholders can take advantage of a Priority Pass™ Select membership that has a value of about $429, as well as Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit of up to $100 every four years.

Read CNBC Select's Chase Sapphire Reserve review for more details and check out Select's best travel credit cards .

Best for bad credit

Discover it® secured credit card.

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

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

N/A on purchases

28.24% Variable

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

New / Rebuilding

* See rates and fees and our methodology , terms apply.

Read our Discover it® Secured Credit Card review.

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

Who's this for? If you have no credit history or bad credit (scores below 580), a secured card may be your best option. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a well-rounded secured card that offers many benefits that are typically found with unsecured cards. Cardholders can earn cash back, receive a generous welcome bonus, use the card overseas without incurring added fees and more — all for no annual fee.

Cardholders earn a competitive 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%. Plus, you can earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically. The welcome bonus is also unique: For new card members in the first year only, Discover will automatically match all the cash back they've earned at the end of their first year. So, if you earn $50 cash back at the end of the first year, Discover will give you an additional $50.

This card requires a $200 security deposit, which is fairly standard for secured credit cards. It stands out from the crowd because it gives users a clear path to upgrading to an unsecured card (and getting their deposit back). Starting at seven months from account opening, Discover will automatically start to review your credit card account to see if they can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit. This takes the guesswork out of wondering when you'll qualify for an unsecured credit card.

Read CNBC Select's Discover it Secured Credit Card review for more detail and check out Select's best credit cards for bad credit .

What's the best credit card for international travel?

How to choose the best credit card for international travel, do i need to notify my credit card issuer if i'm traveling out of the country, what is a foreign transaction fee.

CNBC Select ranked the American Express Gold Card as the best credit card for traveling internationally. It has no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ), has generous bonus spending categories and comes with a range of travel insurance benefits.

Depending on what your travel needs and wants are, you may be better off with a card that has a more specific set of perks. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a premium credit card with luxury benefits such as airport lounge access (including Chase Sapphire Lounges ), a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit and 10X points per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards ®  (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually).

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

Choosing the right credit card for your travels is a highly personal choice because, unless you're traveling full-time, you'll probably be using the card more within the U.S. than outside of it. Make sure you're getting a card that earns the most rewards for the types of purchases you frequently make. And focus choose a rewards program that you'll find the most useful.

That said, there are a few boxes any credit card should check if you're going to use it for traveling out of the country. Be sure the card charges a $0 foreign transaction fee , so you don't get stuck paying extra for every purchase. It's also important to consider what payment networks are most widely accepted internationally. Visa and Mastercard are usually accepted anywhere you can pay with a card. So if you want to use a Discover or Amex card abroad, you may want to bring a Visa or Mastercard along as well, just to be safe.

You generally aren't required to let your credit card issuer know when you'll be traveling out of the country. However, it's a good habit to practice and can help you avoid a situation where your card is declined for suspicious activity . Some card issues allow you to notify them online, including when and where you'll be traveling. If you aren't able to submit a travel notification online, you'll have to call the number on the back of your card.

Certain credit cards charge an additional fee for purchases you make in a foreign currency. These transactions are typically the ones you make we you're traveling abroad, but they can also apply to online purchases you make in a currency other than U.S. dollars. Foreign transaction fees are charged as a percentage of the total purchase amount and are usually around 3%. That may not seem like a lot but it can add up quickly, which is why we recommend always using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees .

Bottom line

Traveling internationally can sometimes be more expensive, and more complicated than domestic travel . However, the right credit card can help alleviate some of these problems.

You won't need to pay excessive exchange fees when using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, simply swipe your card and the conversion into U.S. dollars is done for you — with no additional fees. And you can earn valuable credit card rewards to use for your next adventure.

But before you apply for your next credit card, be sure to check your credit score to ensure it's as solid as possible. Additionally, be sure your travel budget is well-planned out, as you don't want to come home to a mountain of debt.

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

Our methodology

To determine which cards will put the most money back in your pocket, Select evaluated 127 popular rewards credit cards offered by major banks, financial companies and credit unions that allow anyone to join. We compared each card on a range of features, including travel rewards (points and miles), annual fee, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR, one-time perks, annual perks, redemption rates, as well as factors such as required credit and customer reviews when available.

Select teamed up with location intelligence firm Esri . The company's data development team provided the most up-to-date and comprehensive consumer spending data based on the 2019 Consumer Expenditure Surveys from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can read more about their methodology here .

Esri's data team created a sample annual budget of approximately $22,126 in retail spending. The budget includes six main categories: groceries ($5,174), gas ($2,218), dining out ($3,675), travel ($2,244), utilities ($4,862) and general purchases ($3,953). General purchases include items such as housekeeping supplies, clothing, personal care products, prescription drugs and vitamins, and other vehicle expenses.

We then estimated how much the average consumer would redeem over the course of a year, two years and five years, assuming they would attempt to maximize their rewards potential by earning all welcome bonuses offered and using the card for all applicable purchases. All rewards total estimations are net the annual fee.

It's important to note the value of a point or mile varies from card to card and based on how you redeem them. When we calculated the estimated returns, we assumed that cardholders are redeeming points/miles for a typical maximum value of 1 cent per point or mile. (Extreme optimizers might be able to achieve more value.)

Our final picks are weighted heavily toward the highest five-year returns, since it's generally wise to hold onto a credit card for years. This method also avoids giving an unfair advantage to cards with large welcome bonuses.

While the five-year estimates we've included are derived from a budget similar to the average American's spending, you may earn a higher or lower return depending on your travel habits.

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

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

For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here .

• How American Express cardholders can get rewarded for shopping Small Business Saturday Jasmin Suknanan
• How to cancel your car insurance — and what to know before you do Ana Staples
• Value-Added Tax (VAT): What it is and how to get it refunded if you shop while traveling Ryley Amond

9 types of cards you should pack for your next trip abroad

When traveling abroad, what you pack in your wallet matters as much as what you pack in your luggage.

The approach to both should be the same: Keep it simple and practical. You'll want at least one credit card that charges no foreign transaction fees , one that earns bonus points on travel, another that offers travel insurance and rental car coverage , and a fourth that gets me hotel elite status benefits.

Regardless of where your next trip takes you, this guide will run through nine credit cards for international travel that will serve you well on your travels abroad.

A card with no foreign transaction fees

When traveling internationally, you should have at least one card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees . You're bound to make purchases abroad, so why pay an (up to) 3% fee every time you swipe your card? In many cases, these fees will negate the rewards you'll earn, defeating the purpose of using a credit card for international travel to begin with.

Nowadays, most travel rewards credit cards waive foreign transaction fees, but a few everyday cards do not. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex are popular no-annual-fee cards that charge a 3% transaction fee when you use them abroad. Double-check your favorite rewards cards and ensure they do not impose foreign transaction fees. Here are some of our favorite card picks in this category:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• The Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees )
• American Express® Gold Card (see rates and fees )
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees )
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees )
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (see rates and fees )
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card
• Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card

The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card and the Capital One Savor has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

A card that earns bonus points on travel

If you're going to travel anywhere, you'll need a travel rewards card that earns a sufficient number of points. After all, you'll spend a lot on hotel charges, restaurants, transportation and more. A travel rewards card can help you get as many as 10 points per dollar on these purchases.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express – 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel on up to $500,000 on purchases per calendar year and 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel
• Citi Premier® Card – at least 3 points per dollar on air travel and hotels (see rates and fees )
• Chase Sapphire Reserve – at least 3 points per dollar on travel
• Ink Business Preferred Credit Card – 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in multiple categories, including travel each account anniversary year
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card – at least 2 points per dollar on travel
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – 2 miles per dollar on all spending
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel

While it's easy to go for the card with the highest travel bonus, you'll want to consider a few other factors. Namely, you'll want a card that protects your travel purchases.

A card that offers travel protection

When you're traveling abroad, a lot can happen. Your travel plans may unexpectedly change, and if you don't have travel insurance , you could be in a tough spot. Luckily, you don't need to purchase travel protection coverage every time you travel if you have the right credit card for international travel.

Be sure to bring along a card that offers travel protection , including trip cancellation/interruption protection, trip delay reimbursement and emergency evacuation and transportation coverage.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
• United Club Infinite Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Remember that coverage may be restricted, depending on where you live or your travel destination.

Related: When to buy travel insurance versus when to rely on credit card protections

A card that offers primary rental car coverage

Rental car coverage is crucial, especially when you're traveling abroad. The last thing you want is to get into a fender bender and get hit with a higher insurance premium. You can buy primary coverage at the rental counter or get it for free using a card that offers primary rental car coverage , such as:

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Ink Business Cash Credit Card
• United Explorer Card
• United Quest Card
• United Business Card
• Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card

A card that offers airport lounge access

Traveling abroad means spending quite a bit of time at the airport. You need to arrive several hours before departure and will probably have a few hours to spare. An airport lounge is a great place to pass the time and grab a snack before a flight.

Luckily, many premium credit cards offer lounge access , although you can also score day passes with a card like the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card .

• The Platinum Card® from American Express – Priority Pass Select membership (except restaurants) and access to Centurion Lounges , Delta Sky Clubs (before same-day Delta flights), Plaza Premium, Airspace and Escape lounges
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express – Same access as The Platinum Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve – Priority Pass Select membership, which includes access to Chase Sapphire Lounges
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — Priority Pass Select membership (except restaurants) and access to Capital One Lounges
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees ) – American Airlines Admirals Club membership
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card – Access to The Centurion Lounge when you book your Delta flight with this card. Get Delta Sky Club when flying a same-day Delta flight, plus two one-time guest passes. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card – Complimentary Delta Sky Club access when traveling with Delta. Plus, per-visit rate of $50 per person for up to two guests . Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
• United Club Infinite Card – Complimentary United Club membership

Enrollment required for select benefits.

So what's the best card for international lounge access? That depends on various factors, but The Platinum Card® from American Express offers the most comprehensive network. You not only get Priority Pass Select membership, but you can also visit lounges within the exclusive Centurion lounge network. Just note that this card won't give you access to Priority Pass restaurants.

A card that offers hotel elite status benefits

Having hotel elite status abroad is incredibly valuable. You'll not only earn more points on your hotel stays, but you'll also save money via perks such as free breakfast and club lounge access. As an elite member, you'll also qualify for room upgrades, which can be great in places where hotel rooms tend to be smaller (looking at you, Europe). With the right hotel credit card , you can get top-tier status outright or spend your way there.

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card – Automatic Hilton Honord Diamond status; $450 annual fee (see rates and fees )
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card – Hilton Honors Gold status, plus earn Diamond after spending $40,000 in a calendar year
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card – Marriott Platinum Elite status
• The Platinum Card® from American Express – Hilton Honors and Marriott Gold status. Enrollment required
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card – Marriott Silver elite status, plus earn 15 elite night credits per calendar year towards the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Elite status
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card – IHG Platinum Elite status
• World of Hyatt Credit Card – Hyatt Discoverist status

A card that offers Global Entry fee credits

Forget long customs lines when you return to the U.S. Rather than spending an hour in line, you can skip over to the Global Entry kiosk and get through in a matter of minutes.

If you want a smooth experience (and no lines) when returning from your trip abroad, the $100 Global Entry application fee (including TSA PreCheck) is well worth it. Better yet, get yourself a credit card that offers a Global Entry fee credit and put that $100 toward its annual fee. You'll get a nice welcome bonus and your Global Entry application fee covered. These credits get renewed up to every five years in time for your renewal application.

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ($95 annual fee; see rates and fees )
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395 annual fee; see rates and fees )
• The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee; see rates and fees )
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® ($550 annual fee)
• United Explorer Card ($0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95)
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card ($650 annual fee; see rates and fees )
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card ($95 annual fee)
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® ($595 annual fee)
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card ($99 annual fee)

Related: 14 things you should know about Global Entry before your next trip

A card that offers travel credits

Things can get expensive when traveling abroad, but you might be covered if you carry a premium credit card in your wallet. Many of these cards offer annual travel credits that are either airline/hotel specific, or you can use them for virtually anything.

If you have one of these cards in your wallet, you'll want to pack it for your trip abroad to put that annual credit to use and lower your out-of-pocket expenses.

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card – Up to $250 Hilton resort credit and up to $250 in statement credits for airline incidentals. Enrollment required for select benefits
• The Platinum Card® from American Express – Up to $200 airline fee credit, up to $200 Uber cash (distributed in $15 monthly increments and on U.S. services), up to $200 prepaid hotel statement credits with Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection each calendar year on bookings (two-night minimum stay required with The Hotel Collection), up to $189 Clear Plus membership credit per year. Enrollment is required for select benefits
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — $300 in annual credits for flights, hotels or rental cars booked through the Capital One Travel portal
• U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite – Up to $325 general travel credit
• Chase Sapphire Reserve – Up to $300 general travel credit
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card – Up to $300 statement credit each calendar year for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express – Up to $200 in statement credits for airline incidental fees per calendar year. Enrollment is required
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card – Up to $100 airline incidental fee statement credit
• Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees ) – Annual $100 hotel savings when you spend at least $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) in a single booking through Citi ThankYou Travel

A debit card that waives international ATM fees

Credit cards aren't as widely accepted abroad as in the U.S. It's not just off-the-beaten-path destinations where you'll need to carry cash – I've encountered merchants in fairly large European cities that did not accept credit cards. You might find yourself short on cash, so a trip to the ATM will be necessary.

That's why bringing a debit card that charges no international ATM fees when you use it abroad is so important. The Charles Schwab debit card is a great option because it carries no fees whatsoever and reimburses all international ATM fees. You can even use the card for purchases since it charges no foreign transaction fees .

• Capital One debit card – Requires a Capital One 360 checking account
• Charles Schwab debit card – Requires opening a Schwab Bank High Yield Investor checking account
• Fidelity Visa Gold Check Card – Requires a Fidelity Cash Management Account
• SoFi Money debit card – Requires a SoFi Money account

The information for the Capital One debit, Charles Schwab, Fidelity Visa Gold Check and SoFi Money debit cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: 5 cards I take with me on every trip abroad

Which cards are best for travel abroad?

The best credit cards for international travel are the most widely accepted and offer robust rewards, travel protection and benefits. While there is no single perfect card that fits everyone's travel needs, the Chase Sapphire Reserve checks off the most boxes. As a Visa card, it's also more widely accepted than Amex cards — but with a $550 annual fee.

For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great pick. It has a $95 annual fee(see rates and fees ) and offers (secondary) rental car coverage and a Global Entry application fee credit every four years. Not only can you offset most of your travel expenses by charging them to this card and redeeming your Capital One miles for 1 cent per mile, but you can also transfer your miles to airline and hotel partners.

Do I need a card with a chip-and-pin?

Chip-and-pin credit cards are popular throughout Europe, so you may want one in your wallet if you travel abroad. The good news is that many popular reward credit cards are already chip-and-pin enabled, so you may not have to go through the hassle of finding another card to apply for. Many merchants now offer contactless pay (services like Apple Pay).

What are foreign transaction fees?

Some credit cards impose foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad. These fees are usually around 3%. We're all about saving on travel, so avoiding another 3% charge on top of all your travel spending would be ideal. Get yourself a rewards card without foreign transaction fees , and you won't have to worry about this added expense.

Do I need to let my card issuer know if I'm traveling abroad?

You don't have to let your card issuer know you're traveling abroad, but it's a good idea to do so. That way, you minimize the risk of your purchases being declined abroad. Some banks allow you to submit travel notices online, while others require you to call and speak to a representative. Provide a list of countries you plan on visiting, and your account will be notated. Abnormal transactions may still get flagged, but this way, you reduce the chances of your purchases being declined.

Bottom line

Now is a great time to plan your next trip by saving up transferable rewards and making sure you have the right credit cards for international travel in your wallet. You'll save money, earn more points and enjoy a better travel experience. Whichever card combination you pick, make sure it covers all the criteria outlined above.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, please click  here. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card, please click  here. For rates and fees of the Amex Gold card, click here . For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire card, click here .

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

Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox and Stella Shon.

• Best Credit Cards
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On this page

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

Types of travel cards

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

The Best Travel Credit Cards of November 2023

November 14, 2023

Why trust us?

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

Best travel credit cards of November 2023

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

Additional Options:

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

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Rewards rate

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

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

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

Bottom Line

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

• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Limited time offer: Earn 30,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $300 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.
• Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (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.
• Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world's most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge.

Rates & Fees

Chase sapphire preferred® card.

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

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

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

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

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

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

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

• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• 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
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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

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

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

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

The Platinum Card® from American Express

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

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

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

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

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

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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

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

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

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

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

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

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

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

• Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire.
• 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% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
• If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Citi Premier® Card

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

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

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

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

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

Discover it® Miles

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

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

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

• Unlimited Bonus: Only Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
• Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
• No annual fee
• Turn Miles into cash in any amount, any time. Or redeem as a statement credit for travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
• Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
• Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
• Freeze your account in seconds with an on/off switch either on the mobile app or website to prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers.
• Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. Activate for free.
• Terms and conditions apply

American Express® Gold Card

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

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

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

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

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

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

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

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

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

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

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

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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

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

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

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

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

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

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

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

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

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 3,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

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

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

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

• Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days from your account opening and redeem for a $100 statement credit, gift cards, or travel.
• Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel site
• Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
• Earn 1x points on all other purchases
• Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
• With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
• Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
• If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
• See Rates & Fees

United Quest℠ Card

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

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

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

• Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after qualifying purchases
• Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and priority boarding
• Up to a $125 United® purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year – terms apply
• Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points (500 PQP for every $12K you spend on purchases)

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

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

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

Comparing the best travel credit cards of 2023

Editor’s picks: best travel credit card details, best for gas and transit: wells fargo autograph℠ card.

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

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

Best welcome bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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

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

Best first travel card: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best for everyday spending: Citi Premier® Card

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

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

Best for no annual fee: Discover it® Miles

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

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

Best for foodies: American Express® Gold Card

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

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

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

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

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

Best for point value: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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

Related : Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Ch ase Sapphire Reserve

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

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

• Best features : This entry-level airline card has some of the same popular features as more expensive Southwest consumer travel cards, including a chance to earn the Southwest Companion Pass® – one of the most coveted perks in all of travel rewards. If you earn 135,000 points in a year, you can pick a companion to fly with you for free (except for taxes and fees) for up to two years on any Southwest flight that you purchase with cash or points.
• Biggest drawbacks : Unlike some other airline cards, this no-frills card doesn’t earn bonus points in popular everyday categories like gas or grocery stores. Plus, the card’s anniversary bonus of 3,000 points is lower than the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card’s bonus.
• Alternatives : The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card may be a better fit for budget travelers. It comes with a $0 intro annual fee (then $99 a year) and a chance to earn bonus miles faster thanks to practical bonus categories including restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. It also has a number of convenient features like priority boarding and a chance to earn a $100 Delta flight credit. Plus, Delta and its partner network are much more extensive than Southwest.
• Bottom line : The Rapid Rewards Plus card is a decent choice for occasional Southwest flyers looking for a cheap rewards travel card. But if you fly Southwest frequently and want to double your anniversary points while avoiding foreign transaction fees, consider upgrading to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and its higher annual fee of $99.

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

Best for fair credit: Credit One Bank Wander® Card

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

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

Best for United MileagePlus members: United Quest℠ Card

• Best features : Even semi-frequent United flyers can come out ahead with this mid-tier airline credit card, thanks to all the ways the card’s perks can offset its $250 annual fee. That includes multiple anniversary credits, priority boarding, checked baggage fee waivers and the up to $100 credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee.
• Biggest drawbacks : Unlike other airline cards with a high annual fee, the United Quest doesn’t offer complimentary lounge access. Plus, the sign-up bonus has a high spend requirement: You’ll need to spend $4,000 in the first three months to earn the sign-up bonus of 70,000 miles plus   500 Premier Qualifying Points.
• Alternatives : If the annual fee doesn’t fit your budget, the United℠ Explorer Card is worth a look since it has a $0 intro annual fee (then $95 annually), but still carries a generous sign-up bonus, priority boarding, purchase and travel protections and an up to $100 credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee.
• Bottom line : The United Quest Card packs in a lot of perks and value, making it a solid pick for loyal United travelers looking for an enhanced travel experience.

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

Best hotel credit card: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

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

Read our Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card review .

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

• Best features : This no-annual-fee airline card gives households a chance to earn miles on more than just travel. You’ll earn 2X miles not only on eligible American Airlines purchases, but also at grocery stores, which increases the card’s earning potential for the average consumer. The MileUp card also has a low spend threshold for its sign-up bonus: Spend just $500 in your first three months and you’ll earn 10,000 miles and a $50 statement credit.
• Biggest drawbacks : This card lacks a number of cost-saving perks found with other airline cards, including a free first checked bag for you and additional passengers and a chance to earn travel credits for your spending. Depending on how often you fly and how many people you travel with, you could actually save more money with a travel card that charges an annual fee.
• Alternatives : The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has a similar rewards rate and charges no annual fee for the first year, then $99 thereafter. That gives you time to test out perks you won’t find with the MileUp card, like priority boarding, a first checked bag free for you and eight additional passengers and a chance to earn a $100 flight credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year.
• Bottom line : This card is worth a look if you’re loyal to American Airlines but only fly occasionally and are looking for a no-annual-fee credit card . But if you want the flexibility to fly with different carriers while still earning high rewards, you may get better value out of a general-purpose travel rewards card.

Read our American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp review .

How do travel credit cards work?

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

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

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

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

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

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

General travel credit cards + –

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

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

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

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

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

Is a general travel credit card worth it?

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

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

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

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

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

Airline travel credit cards + –

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

Some of the most popular airline rewards programs include:

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

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

Is an airline credit card worth it?

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

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

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

How to choose an airline

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

Hotel travel credit cards + –

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

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

Is a hotel credit card worth it?

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

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

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

How to choose a hotel

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

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

Business travel credit cards + –

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

Some of the more popular business cards include:

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

Is a business travel card worth it?

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

You might see these benefits on a business travel card:

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

Co-branded travel cards versus general travel cards

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

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

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

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

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

Who should get a travel credit card

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

Who should skip a travel credit card

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to calculate the value of your points and miles

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

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

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

How to compare travel credit cards

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

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

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

How to make the most out of your travel credit card

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

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

Alternatives to Travel Credit Cards

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

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

In the news: What is credit card travel insurance?

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

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

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

How we picked the best travel cards

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

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

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

More information on travel credit cards

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

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

Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Do travel points and miles expire? + –

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the Author

Jeanine Skowronski

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

About the Editor

Robert Thorpe

Robert Thorpe is an editor for CreditCards.com

About the Reviewer

Stephanie Zito

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

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10 best airline credit cards of November 2023

Whether you are finally taking that dream vacation or you’re a regular jet setter, an airline credit card can help you earn money back and get some serious travel perks (hello, Centurion lounge). 

There are countless airline credit cards to choose from, but they are not all created equal. It’s important to choose an airline card that fits your spending habits and gives you the most value possible, especially if there’s an annual fee involved.

To help you choose the best card, the Fortune Recommends team evaluated approximately 30 of the top airline credit cards available today. We’ve ranked them based on factors such as annual fees, rewards structure, annual percentage rate (APR) , consumer benefits, and more. Read on to see our top picks.

See our full methodology here .

All interest rates, rewards, and fees are accurate as of November 6, 2023.

Best overall airline card 

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a high-value choice for those looking to leverage their spending into meaningful travel rewards and benefits.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Why we like this card .

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has a robust rewards program and travel benefits that cater to frequent travelers. One of its standout features is the generous rewards rate, offering cardholders an impressive 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, plus 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel and 2x miles on everyday purchases. These miles can be redeemed for travel, transferred to over a dozen travel partners, or used for recent travel purchases through Capital One’s Purchase Eraser at a rate that maximizes their value. 

New cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. As an extra perk, you can earn 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary.

Another hallmark of the Venture X card is its rich suite of travel perks. Cardholders enjoy access to the Capital One lounge network and over 1,300 partner lounges worldwide through Priority Pass. Additionally, the card offers a statement credit for the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee, up to a $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, and no foreign transaction fees. Its comprehensive travel protection benefits, including trip delay and cancellation insurance, add another layer of comfort for travelers. 

• Large sign-up bonus
• Points are transferable to partners
• Lounge access
• High annual fee
• Requires excellent credit

Card details 

• Balance transfer APR: 22.24%–29.24% variable, plus a fee of 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR ($0 fee at the tansfer APR)
• Cash advance APR: 29.24% variable, plus a fee of either $3 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
• Penalty APR: N/A
• Late payment fee: up to $40
• Foreign transaction fee: None
• Rewards: 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, 2x miles on everyday purchases
• Consumer benefits: Travel accident insurance, return protection, extended warranty protection, cell phone protection 
• Additional perks/benefits: Lounge access, Global Entry/TSA Precheck credit, anniversary bonus, travel credit
• JD Power customer satisfaction rating: 812

Best airline card for everyday spending

The Citi Premier® Card offers competitive rewards on restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations in addition to travel purchases.

Citi Premier® Card

The Citi Premier® Card stands out for its competitive rewards structure and flexibility in point redemption. Cardholders earn a robust rate of 3x points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels, and 1x points on all other purchases, making it an excellent choice for both everyday spenders and those who travel often. New cardholders can also earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards.

The Premier Card also offers a generous $100 annual hotel savings benefit that can offset travel costs. The card’s $95 annual fee is relatively moderate given the benefits, and there are no foreign transaction fees, which is a crucial feature for international travelers. Additional perks such purchase protection and the Citi Concierge service further enrich the card’s overall value, making it a compelling choice for those who are looking to maximize rewards through their credit card spending.

• Balance transfer APR: 21.24%–29.24% variable (for balance transfers completed within 2 months from date of account opening), plus a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
• Cash advance APR: 29.99% variable, plus a fee of either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
• Penalty APR: up to 29.99%
• Late payment fee: up to $41
• Rewards: 3x points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels, and 1x points on all other purchases
• Consumer benefits: Purchase protection, extended warranty protection
• Additional perks/benefits: Annual travel credit
• JD Power customer satisfaction rating: 808

Best airline card for flexible point redemption

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card not only offers a generous rewards structure, but many ways to boost their value when you redeem them.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a premium travel rewards card that offers a high return on travel and dining spending, earning a substantial 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and 5x points on flights through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Plus, you can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Points can be redeemed for 1.5 cents each towards travel booked through Chase, or they can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to a number of airline and hotel loyalty programs. This flexibility in redemption makes the points extremely valuable for travelers looking to leverage them for premium flights and accommodations.

Aside from its rewards program, the card offers a comprehensive suite of travel benefits. Cardholders also enjoy up to a substantial $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year, which effectively reduces the annual fee. The inclusion of a Priority Pass Select membership provides access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. The card also provides a number of travel protections, such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and emergency evacuation coverage. It also offers benefits such as a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees and special car rental privileges. These premium perks, combined with strong earning potential, make the Chase Sapphire Reserve one of the most attractive cards for serious travelers.

• Highly competitive bonus categories 
• Points are transferable
• $75 to add an authorized user
• No introductory APR
• Balance transfer APR: 22.49%–29.49% variable, plus a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
• Cash advance APR: 29.99% variable, plus a fee of either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
• Rewards: 10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and 5x points on flights through Chase Ultimate Rewards® after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 3x points on other travel and dining, and 1x point on all other purchases
• Consumer benefits: Trip cancellation / interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance 
• Additional perks/benefits: lounge access, travel credits

Best airline card for American Airlines loyalists

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® helps give American Airlines customers the VIP treatment with a slew of perks like free checked bags and priority boarding.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is a luxury airline co-branded credit card that caters specifically to frequent flyers of American Airlines. Its flagship benefit is the Admirals Club® membership, which grants the primary cardholder and authorized users access to American Airlines Admirals Club lounges. This perk alone can justify the card’s annual fee for those who travel often and utilize the lounges.

Beyond lounge access, the card accelerates mileage earnings with a whopping 10 miles per dollar spent on eligible car rentals and hotels booked through American’s booking sites , and a respectable rewards rate on other eligible purchases. New cardholders can also earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first three months of account opening.

You’ll also earn a 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year. Earn another 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points in the same status qualification year.

This card also comes with a suite of travel benefits that enhance the flying experience with American Airlines, such as a 25% discount on inflight food and beverage purchases, a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, priority check-in and boarding privileges, a free checked bag on domestic itineraries for up to eight travel companions, and more. These features make the card highly valuable for loyal American Airlines customers, offering a fast track to both comfort and status within the airline’s loyalty ecosystem.

• Highly competitive bonus categories
• Free checked bag
• Large spending requirement to earn bonus
• Balance transfer APR: 21.24%–29.99% variable, plus a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
• Penalty APR: up to 29.99% variable
• Foreign transaction fee: none
• Rewards: 10x miles on eligible car rentals and hotels booked through American Airlines, 4x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases (up to $150,000 spent per calendar year, and then 5x miles thereafter for the remainder of the calendar year), 1x miles on everything else
• Consumer benefits: Trip cancellation / interruption protection, trip delay protection, lost baggage protection, worldwide car rental insurance coverage
• Additional perks/benefits: lounge access, inflight discounts, statement credit for Global Entry/TSA Precheck, free checked bag, priority check-in, screening, and boarding 

Best airline card for straightforward rewards structure

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a competitive, flat reward rewards rate on purchases, with a boost to travel booked through Capital One Travel. 

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards card stands out for its straightforward yet versatile rewards program. It’s ideal for both avid travelers and everyday consumers who want to earn travel rewards without the complexity often associated with travel rewards cards. The card offers a flat earn rate of 2x miles on every purchase, without the need to track specific spending categories. However, it does boost the rewards rate to 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. This simplicity is coupled with the flexibility of redemption options; miles can be used to book travel through Capital One, cover travel purchases, or transferred to a variety of travel loyalty programs, often enhancing their potential value.

Further, the Capital One Venture Rewards card comes with added benefits such as a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees, rental car insurance, extended warranty protection, and more. The card also distinguishes itself with no foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective choice for international spending. With a substantial one-time bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, this card strikes a balance between lucrative rewards and user-friendly features, appealing to a broad spectrum of cardholders.

• High rewards rate on certain travel purchases
• Substantial welcome offer
• No introductory APR offer
• Balance transfer APR: 21.24%–29.24% variable, plus a fee of 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR ($0 fee at the tansfer APR)
• Rewards:  5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2x miles on every purchase
• Consumer benefits: Travel accident insurance, extended warranty, auto rental collision damage waiver,  
• Additional perks/benefits: Lounge access, statement credit for Global Entry/TSA Precheck, 

Best airline card for dining + travel rewards

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers competitive rewards on dining as well as travel, making it a great choice whether you live to eat out or order in.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a favorite among travelers and foodies alike for its lucrative rewards rate of 3x points on dining (including delivery services and takeout) and 2x points on travel purchases, with an even higher rate of 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit). Its points carry added value when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal, where they are worth 25% more. Points can also be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio, often maximizing their potential value. Additionally, the card offers a generous sign-up bonus of 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card also offers 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ membership when you activate the offer by July 31, 2024. Existing Instacart+ members earn up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024. Plus, get complimentary access to DashPass for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024. Additionally, cardholders earn 5x points on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025 (that's 3x points in addition to the 2x points you already earn on travel). 

The card’s package of travel and purchase protections adds another layer of value, offering trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, and even primary rental car coverage. With an annual fee that’s modest in comparison to the premium Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Preferred version stands out as a cost-effective option for those who want robust travel rewards and benefits without the higher cost typically associated with premium travel cards.

• Points are transferable to travel partners
• Primary rental car coverage
• Substantial consumer protections
• Complex rewards
• Balance transfer APR: 21.49%–28.49% variable, plus a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
• Rewards: 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel purchases, and 1x points on other purchases
• Consumer benefits: Trip cancellation / interruption insurance, trip delay insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, baggage delay insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver 
• Additional perks/benefits: Complimentary membership to Instacart+ and DashPass, hotel statement credit
• JD Power customer satisfaction rating: 813  

Best airline card for luxury benefits at a low cost

U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card provides cardholders with luxury-level perks such as lounge access and trip cancellation insurance for just $95 per year.

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

The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card distinguishes itself with a versatile rewards program that caters to a wide range of spending categories. Cardholders earn 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center; 4x points on travel at gas stations and EV charging stations; 2x points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, dining, and streaming services; 1x points on all other eligible purchases. Additionally, new cardholders can earn 50,000 bonus points by spending $2,000 in the first 120 days of account opening. That’s a $500 value that can be redeemed toward merchandise, gift cards, cash back, travel, and more.

The Altitude Connect also offers a suite of travel and lifestyle benefits that far outweigh the $95 annual fee, which is waived in the first year. For example, cardholders enjoy an array of protections such as rental car insurance, extended warranty coverage, and cell phone protection when the monthly bill is paid with the card. The Altitude Connect also comes with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, which gives you four free visits to over 1,300 airport VIP lounges and experiences worldwide. You also receive a statement credit of up to $100 to cover your TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry fees. And you receive a $30 credit for annual streaming service purchases like Netflix, Apple TV+, Spotify and more. There are also no foreign transaction fees.

• Annual fee waived in the first year
• Multiple statement credits
• Balance transfer APR: 21.24%–29.24% variable, plus a fee of 3% of each transfer amount; $5 minimum
• Cash advance APR: 29.99% variable, plus a fee of 5% of each advance amount; $10 minimum
• Rewards: 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center; 4x points on travel at gas stations and EV charging stations; 2x points at grocery stores, grocery delivery; dining and streaming services; 1x point on all other eligible purchases
• Consumer benefits : Trip cancelation / interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, cell phone protection  
• Additional perks/benefits: Lounge access, statement credit for streaming and Global Entry/TSA precheck fees
• JD Power customer satisfaction rating: 791

Best airline card for JetBlue loyalists

The JetBlue Plus Card is an attractive option for frequent flyers of JetBlue seeking to maximize their loyalty rewards.

JetBlue Plus Card

The JetBlue Plus Card is a co-branded airline credit card that is designed to reward loyal JetBlue customers. It offers high earning potential, with 6x points on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2x points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores, and 1x points on all other purchases, making it easy to rack up points even when not flying. Further, the card offers a sizable welcome bonus of 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days of account opening.

JetBlue Plus cardholders also benefit from valuable airline-specific perks that enhance the JetBlue flying experience. These include a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to three companions on the same reservation, an anniversary bonus of 5,000 points, a 50% savings on in-flight purchases, and the opportunity to earn Mosaic elite status after reaching a certain spending threshold within a calendar year. You also get 10% of your points back after you redeem for and travel on a JetBlue-operated Award Flight. Plus, you can receive one $100 statement credit each calendar year after you purchase a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more with your JetBlue Plus Card. 

• Competitive rewards on JetBlue purchases
• 12-month 0% introductory APR on balance transfers (after that, the variable APR will be 21.24%–29.99%)
• Anniversary bonus
• Limited redemption options
• Rewards : 6x points on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2x points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores, 1x points on all other purchases
• Consumer benefits: Cell phone insurance
• Additional perks/benefits: Inflight discount, statement credits, free checked bags
• JD Power customer satisfaction rating: 797

Best airline card for a massive welcome offer

The Platinum Card® from American Express is offering an eye-catching welcome offer of 150,000 Membership Rewards® points when you meet the spending requirements.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see  this page .

The American Express Platinum Card is synonymous with luxury travel and comprehensive benefits. One of the card’s best features is its vast access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, including the exclusive Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), and Priority Pass Select lounges. This card also offers an impressive suite of travel credits that easily offset the annual fee, including:

• up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your card
• 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®
• up to $200 in Uber Cash on rides or eats orders in the US annually
• 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, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal

Currently, new cardholders can also earn a special welcome offer of 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of card membership.

Beyond travel perks, the American Express Platinum Card® offers a generous rewards program, with 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) , 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, and 1x Membership Rewards® Points on all other purchases. Coupled with comprehensive travel insurance coverage and purchase protections, the card’s benefits cater to a luxury-oriented clientele who can leverage these features so that the annual fee is worth it.

• Large welcome offer
• High spend requirement to earn welcome offer
• Balance transfer APR: N/A
• Rewards: 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) , 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, and 1x Membership Rewards® Points on all other purchases
• Consumer benefits: Cell phone protection, purchase protection, extended warranty, Trip interruption/cancellation insurance, baggage insurance
• Additional perks/benefits: Lounge access, up to $200 Uber Cash, up to $200 airline fee statement credit, up to $200 hotel statement credit, up to $189 CLEAR Plus statement credit, up to $240 digital entertainment statement credit, up to $300 Equinox statement credit, up to $155 Walmart+ statement credit (subject to auto-renewal), premium car rental status 
• JD Power customer satisfaction rating: 848

Best airline card for no annual fee

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card offers many of the perks you’d expect from a top travel rewards card without the annual fee.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card provides a straightforward earning structure, allowing cardholders to earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.25x miles on every other purchase, which can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, or statement credits for past travel purchases. This simplicity in earning and redeeming rewards makes it an accessible option for those new to travel cards or those who prefer a no-fuss rewards program with no annual fee.

The VentureOne includes a modest welcome bonus of 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. Additionally, the 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months (after that, the variable APR will be 19.99%–29.99%) provides an opportunity for cardholders to finance larger purchases or manage cash flow without accumulating interest charges. These features, combined with benefits like travel accident insurance and secondary rental car coverage, position the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card as a strong contender for cost-conscious consumers who value simplicity and savings.

• 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months (after that, the variable APR will be 19.99%–29.99%)
• $0 annual fee
• Fewer travel perks compared to competitors
• Excellent credit required
• Balance transfer APR: 19.99%–29.99% variable, plus a fee of 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account during the first 15 months that your account is open
• Cash advance APR: 29.99% variable, plus a fee of either $3 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
• Rewards: 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.25x miles on every other purchase
• Consumer benefits: Auto rental collision damage waiver, travel accident insurance, extended warranty 
• Additional perks/benefits: Up to $100 Credit on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

Airline credit card comparison 

Frequently asked questions , which credit card is best for airline miles.

The best credit card for earning miles largely depends on your specific travel habits, airline preferences, spending patterns, and more. Different credit cards offer various benefits, rewards rates, and signup bonuses that may be more or less valuable depending on how you intend to use them. Our ranking of the top 10 airline cards can help you pinpoint which card is best for you.

How much is 75,000 miles worth?

In general, one airline mile is worth one cent. So 75,000 miles would be worth $750. However, depending on the specific card, rewards program, and redemption method, miles could be worth more or less.

Can you use an airline credit card on any airline?

General travel rewards credit cards are not tied to any specific airline and can be used to earn points on any purchase. The points you earn with these cards can usually be redeemed for travel-related expenses, including flights on a wide variety of airlines, through the credit card issuer’s travel portal, or by transferring them to multiple airline loyalty programs (if the card has such partnerships). 

There are also  co-branded airline cards that are tied to specific airlines and their loyalty programs. While you can use these cards to make purchases anywhere that accepts credit cards, the rewards you earn are typically only redeemable within that specific airline’s loyalty program or its partners. For instance, if you have a co-branded Delta Air Lines credit card, you'll earn SkyMiles that you can primarily use on Delta and its SkyTeam alliance partners.

How many miles do you need on a credit card for a free flight?

Each airline's frequent flyer program has its own redemption rates, which can differ based on flight distance, fare class, and whether the itinerary is domestic or international. In other words, the number of miles or points needed to cover the entire cost of a flight will vary widely. Flights from low-cost carriers or during off-peak travel times might require as little as 10,000 to 20,000 miles, while peak travel times or less flexible dates can cost upwards of 40,000 to 60,000 miles or more per flight.

What airline is connected to Capital One?

Capital One isn't tied to any single airline. Instead, it has 14 airline transfer partners: AeroMexico, Air Canada, Air France/KLM, Air Portugal, Avianca, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, EVA Air, Finnair, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.

Our methodology  

To bring you our top picks for the best airline credit cards, the Fortune Recommends team compared approximately 30 cards available from major issuers. 

We ranked each account in these tk core categories: 

• Annual fee (20%): Some credit cards charge an annual fee, which can range from $50 to several hundred dollars. Usually, the more valuable the rewards and perks associated with a card, the higher the annual fee. However, some cards do not charge a fee at all. 
• Highest travel rewards rate (5%): This is the maximum rewards rate awarded on travel purchases. 
• Transferable miles/points (5%): We examined whether miles or points could be transferred to other loyalty programs.  
• Welcome bonus (10%): It’s common for airline cards to offer new cardholders a miles or points bonus after they spend a certain amount within a specific timeframe after opening an account. 
• 0% APR intro term (5%): Another feature that some card issuers offer to attract new business is an introductory period when the APR is 0%, meaning you won’t accrue any interest charges on purchases or balance transfers during this time (though balance transfers may be subject to fees). After this period, the interest rate reverts to the regular purchase APR on new charges. 
• Purchase APR (10%): We examined the lowest available rate (5%) and highest available rate (5%) on regular purchases. (The exact interest rate you’re offered within that range will depend on your individual credit and financial profile).
• Foreign transaction fee (10%): Some credit cards charge a fee for transactions made overseas. Cards that charge foreign transaction fees were docked in our rankings. 
• Customer service (5%): We included the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction rating for all card issuers.
• Travel perks (20%): Cards were awarded 0–6 points based on which added travel perks were included: lounge access, companion ticket, statement credit for Global Access/TSA PreCheck, inflight travel credits or discounts, free checked bags, priority boarding.
• Consumer benefits (10%): Cards were awarded 0–5 points based on which consumer benefits/protections were included: lost baggage/baggage delay insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, cell phone insurance.

Keep in mind that the rewards, interest rates, and fee structures for the cards mentioned are available for limited periods and subject to change, which could impact how many miles or points you earn. 

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

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

EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE : The advice, opinions, or rankings contained in this article are solely those of the Fortune Recommends ™ editorial team. This content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of our affiliate partners or other third parties.

9 Best Travel Credit Cards of November 2023 | Money

Posted: November 9, 2023 | Last updated: November 9, 2023

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

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

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

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

Our Top Picks for Best Travel Credit Cards

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

Best Travel Credit Cards Reviews

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

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

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

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

You can redeem your points for statement credits, account deposits, gift cards and more. But you can get the most bang for your buck by redeeming them for travel purchases through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, which increases your point’s usual one-cent value by 25%.

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

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

• Unlimited 3% back on dining, entertainment, grocery stores (excluding Target(R) and Walmart(R)) and select streaming services
• No annual or foreign transaction fees
• Includes travel accident insurance
• Complimentary concierge service available 24/7 to offer personalized assistance in dining, entertainment and travel
• 5% cash-back rate for travel doesn't apply to flights

Why we chose it: The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is the ideal card to take when you’re sightseeing or on nights out since it offers high rewards on dining, entertainment and more without charging any annual or foreign transaction fees.

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

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

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

Those that are always ready for a great night out might find Capital One Entertainment quite useful. Its platform gives cardmembers access to a variety of events, like celebrity meet-and-greets and dinner reservations at acclaimed restaurants. You could even find tickets to sold-out events at discounted prices, all while receiving a stellar 8% cash-back rate.

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

While some credit cards limit their rewards to U.S. locations, this card will give you 3% cash back on dining and entertainment at establishments worldwide — and without charging foreign transaction fees many competitors charge.

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

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

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

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

• 3x points on flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more (regardless of where you make your purchase)
• 3x points on transit, including subways, parkings, tolls, ridesharing services and more
• 3x points on dining, gas, select streaming services and cell phone plans
• 1X points on other eligible purchases

However, although the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers a solid cash-back rate on travel, its travel benefits are otherwise lackluster. For example, it doesn’t offer hotel and airline transfer partners or include insurance for travel accidents or lost luggages.

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

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

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

• High rewards on everyday spending (2x miles per dollar)
• Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R)
• Includes travel accident and car rental insurance
• Fewer bonus categories than other cards with a similar annual fee ($95)
• Doesn't offer travel rewards for flights
• Car rental insurance is secondary

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is an excellent card for everyday spending, offering a higher base reward than most travel credit cards.

Cards generally earn one mile (or point) per dollar on most purchases and have a higher rate for certain spending categories. However, if your routine expenses don’t align with these categories, you could miss out on potential rewards.

The Capital One Venture Rewards is ideal for those who want to get the most out of their spending without worrying about tracking bonus categories. Cardmembers can earn:

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

You can redeem your miles on the Capital One travel portal at a value of one cent per mile. Additionally, you may transfer your miles to more than 15 airline and hotel partners; however, do keep in mind that Capital One doesn’t have any domestic travel partners, which can be a drawback if you mainly travel within the U.S.

Additionally, you may transfer your miles to more than 15 airline and hotel partners. In this case, the per-mile value depends on the airline or hotel you choose. Keep in mind that Capital One doesn’t have any domestic travel partners, which can be a drawback if you mainly travel within the U.S.

Other benefits include auto rental coverage, travel accident insurance and up to $100 to cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is great for earning miles daily. However, it may not be the best option if you’d rather have your rewards in the form of cash back. While the card allows you to redeem your miles as cash back, you’ll only get a value of 0.5 cents per mile. Other cards, such as Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, have a similar annual fee ($95) and offer a cash-back redemption rate of one cent per point.

• Earns 4x points on restaurants worldwide, takeout and food delivery within the U.S.
• Up to $120 in annual dining credits, issued as a $10 statement credit per month for select restaurants (enrollment required)
• Up to $120 as Uber Cash annually ($10 per month) for food delivery orders and rides in the U.S. after you add the American Express(R) Gold Card to your Uber account
• Earn 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
• High annual fee ($250)
• Includes few travel perks and insurance policies compared to similarly priced cards

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

Why we chose it: The card_name is ideal for foodies, offering a high reward rate at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, takeout and food delivery. (Terms apply.)

With the American Express® Gold Card, you can earn:

• 4x points at restaurants worldwide
• 4x points on takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4x points at supermarkets within the U.S. (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1X)
• 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amextravel.com
• 1x on other eligible purchases
• Terms apply

The American Express® Gold Card also offers statement credits worth up to $240 combined — almost enough to offset the card’s $250 annual fee. These include:

• Up to $120 every year in dining credits ($10 per month) for select restaurants and food delivery services. The list includes Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and Shake Shack (Enrollment required)
• Automatically get $10 monthly in Uber Cash to use on Uber Eats or Uber rides in the U.S. (after you add the American Express® Gold Card to your account)

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

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

• Up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year to cover travel purchases
• Transfer your points to 14 travel partners (including United, Southwest, JetBlue and Marriott)
• Points worth 50% more when redeemed for travel expenses through Chase Ultimate Rewards(R) portal
• Comprehensive travel insurance coverage, including emergency dental insurance
• High annual fee ($550)
• Doesn't include a cell phone protection plan
• Welcome offer is less impressive than other premium cards

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

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

With this card you can earn:

• 10x points on hotels and rental cars booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x through the Chase Dining program
• 5x points on air travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal
• 3x points for all other travel-related purchases after spending the first $300 on travel purchases
• 3x points on restaurants, including takeout and delivery

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

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

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

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

• 10,000 bonus miles every year
• Statement credit of up to $300 for bookings made through Capital One Travel
• Up to a $100 credit on Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R)
• Skip the line and get car upgrades when renting a car with Hertz
• High annual fee ($395)
• Fewer bonus categories than other premium cards
• No domestic airline transfer partners

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card features premium benefits like annual travel credit and airport lounge access for a lower annual fee ($395) than other premium travel cards.

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

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

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

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

Although the card includes travel insurance, its coverage is limited compared to other premium travel cards. For example, the Venture X doesn’t cover baggage delays, travel accidents or emergency evacuations and transportations. However, it does provide primary rental car insurance, which isn’t offered by other premium travel cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express.

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

• Access to the widest network of airport lounges of any card
• Complimentary elite status in the Marriott and Hilton hotel loyalty programs
• Hundreds of dollars in annual statement credits for travel, dining and more
• High annual fee ($695)
• Doesn't include baggage delay, travel accident and primary rental car insurance
• Limited bonus categories

Terms apply. Click here for rates and fees.

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

This card includes complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges, including Priority Pass, which is the largest network of lounges worldwide (enrollment required). Other premium cards (like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®) also provide access to lounges through Priority Pass. However, the Platinum Card® from American Express includes additional lounge networks such as Delta SkyClub and Amex’s own Centurion lounges. (Terms apply.)

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

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

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

• $200 back each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel and paid with your Platinum Card® (Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum two-night stay)
• Up to $200 per year when incidental fees, such as checked bags, are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® (with one selected qualifying airline)
• $12.95 monthly for a Walmart+ membership when you use your card to pay for membership (excluding any Plus Ups) (enrollment required)
• Up to $240 annually ($20 back in statement credits each month) on eligible purchases paid with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal (enrollment required)
• Up to $200 — $15 per month and $20 in December — for eligible food delivery or rides with Uber in the U.S. (must add the card to your Uber account)
• $100 for Global Entry and $85 for TSA PreCheck® (every 4 and 4.5 years, respectively)
• $189 for a Clear® PLUS (once per year) (subject to auto-renewal)

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

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

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

• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com
• Around $1,000 in yearly statement credits for select business purchases
• Access to a wide network of airport lounges (terms apply)
• Around $600 in perks in Fine Hotels + Resorts(R) locations booked through American Express Travel (for stays of two nights)
• Secondary rental car coverage**

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

The card grants cardmembers access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, comprehensive travel insurance and extra amenities at hundreds of hotels, like daily breakfast and free internet access. Additionally, it features a credit of up to $200 to cover baggage fees, in-flight refreshments and more and up to $100 for Global Entry or $85 for TSA PreCheck® every four or 4.5 years respectively. (Terms apply.) (Enrollment required.)

The card also offers yearly statement credits for business-related purchases that include:

• Up to $400 per year ($200 between January and June and $200 between July and December) for U.S. purchases at Dell
• Up to $360 per year (up to $90 back per quarter) for purchases with Indeed
• Up to $150 per year for eligible annual prepaid business subscriptions for Adobe Creative Cloud for teams or Acrobat Pro DC with E-Sign (Adobe Creative Cloud InCopy App is not eligible)
• Up to $120 ($10 monthly) for purchases made directly from U.S. wireless telephone providers
• Enrollment is required for the benefits listed above

When it comes to rewards, you’ll earn points on the following bonus categories:

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

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

Other travel credit cards we considered

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

Chase Freedom Flex®

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

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

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

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

However, note that the card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee so it’s best to use it while traveling within the U.S., not in international locations.

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

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

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

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is an easy-to-use card suited for travel reward beginners or for those who are already Bank of America customers. It earns a flat 1.5x points on all purchases, but some cardholders can earn up to 75% more points if they are Preferred Rewards members. However, the card doesn’t offer additional bonus categories, hotel and airline point transfer partners, travel insurance or extended warranty and purchase protection.

All information about Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has been collected independently by Money.com

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

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

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

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

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

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

• Earns 5% cash back on travel bookings made through Chase Ultimate Rewards(R)
• 3% on foreign transaction fee

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

• 5% back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, including hotels and rental cars
• 3% back on dining purchases, including eligible delivery and takeout
• 3% back at drugstores
• Unlimited 1.5% back on all other eligible purchases

However, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® charges a 3% fee on foreign transactions, which kept it off our main list.

Discover it® Miles

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

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

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

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card

• Earn 2x points on travel and dining
• Earn 1.5x points on all other purchases
• Up to $100 credit for airline incidental fees per year
• Up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA Precheck(R) every four years
• Lower travel bonus rate than other cards
• Doesn't provide car rental insurance

The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card has a simple earning structure, offering 2x points on travel and dining and 1.5x points on all other purchases.

The card includes some travel perks — for example, it gives up to $100 for incidental airline fees, which can cover the cost of seat upgrades, baggage fees, in-flight purchases and airport lounges. You also get another statement credit of up to $100 every four years to cover Global Entry or TSA Precheck® fees. Additionally, the card provides insurance for trip delays, interruptions and cancellations, lost luggage and baggage delays.

However, note that other similarly priced cards ($95 per year) feature more bonus categories and a higher travel-purchases rate (up to 5x points) if you’re willing to book through the card’s travel portal.

All information about the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

Travel Credit Cards Guide

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

Bear in mind, however, that premium travel credit cards often also feature high annual fees. And their rewards are often worth the most when redeemed through a card issuer’s travel portal.

Here’s a rundown of how these cards work:

What is a travel credit card?

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

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

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

How do travel credit cards work?

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

How points earning works

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

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

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

What are point programs?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Difference between points and miles

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

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

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

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

Types of travel credit cards

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

Airline credit cards

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

Hotel credit cards

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

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

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

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

General travel credit card

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

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

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

How to choose a travel credit card

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

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

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

How get the most out of your travel credit card

To get the most out of your travel credit card, you need to use it as often and strategically as possible. This way, you can earn points or miles with each purchase, which you can then redeem for free or discounted flights, hotels and more.

Use your travel card to pay most of your purchases and bills and then pay your card off in full each month. This will help you earn points while avoiding interest charges and high credit card debt , which can impact your credit score.

Here are some other tips to maximize your rewards:

• Consider adding an authorized user to your account, as the rewards they earn with their purchases get added to your total. However, make sure to pick someone who will use the card responsibly since you’ll be legally liable if they ever fail to pay their monthly bills.
• Redeem your rewards for travel through the card issuer’s website. This redemption option usually offers the highest value compared to gift cards or merchandise, for example.
• If you have an airline or hotel card, use it to sign up for the company’s frequent-flier or frequent-guest loyalty program. You’ll often earn extra points or miles when you’re a member and use your co-branded card to pay for flights or hotel stays.
• If your card offers travel insurance, use it to pay for passenger fares or you won’t be entitled to receive a potential payout in the event of an accident or lost luggage.

Best Travel Credit Cards FAQ

What credit cards offer free travel insurance, what is the best travel credit card, what is the best travel credit card for lounge access, what is the best credit card for international travel, how to travel for free with credit cards, how we chose the best travel credit cards.

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

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

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

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

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

Summary of Money’s Best Travel Credit Cards of November 2023

Money.com has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Money.com and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

To see rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card, visit this link . Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link . Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link . Terms apply.

* Insurance disclosures for American Express Cards on this page:

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

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

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

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

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

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

** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

*** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

© Copyright 2023 Money Group, LLC . All Rights Reserved.

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

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Credit Cards

Travel for cheaper with travel credit cards in 2024

Stella Shon

Robin Saks Frankel

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

Updated 10:40 a.m. UTC Nov. 14, 2023

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Kintarapong, Getty Images

New year, new travel possibilities. What’s more, it’s entirely possible to travel for cheaper by maximizing your credit card strategy with the right travel cards in hand.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or pondering what card deserves a spot in your wallet, this guide will point you in the right direction so you can travel more for less in 2024. Keep reading to learn how to unlock hundreds of dollars in potential value for your next trip.

Get a general travel rewards card

There are droves of rewards cards to choose from, so it can be hard to choose the right one for you. Should you get an airline card that offers miles and other airline-specific perks? Perhaps a hotel card to help you rack up free stays throughout the year? 

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

Below, we’ll provide an overview of the two best credit cards that can help you travel for less.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

If you’re a traveler who wants elevated travel perks in the new year, the $695-annual-fee The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, rates & fees ) is worth considering. With access to more than 1,400 airport lounges worldwide — including its proprietary Amex Centurion lounges — and more than $1,500 in travel and lifestyle and statement credits, the Amex Platinum card is the gift that keeps on giving for those looking to travel in style. 

This card earns Amex Membership Rewards® points , which can be redeemed via the Amex Travel portal or transferred to nearly two dozen airline and hotel loyalty programs, including Delta Air Lines and Hilton Honors. And this card’s welcome offer allows you to earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership — giving you a headstart as you prepare to book travel in 2024.

Welcome Bonus

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your 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

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

Card Details

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Time and time again, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of our top recommendations thanks to its flexible yet valuable travel rewards currency known as Chase Ultimate Rewards® points . The card also comes with valuable travel perks , including a $50 annual hotel credit for bookings made through Ultimate Rewards, no foreign transaction fees, and even complimentary travel insurance benefits, making the $95 annual fee easily worth its weight . 

The first step to unlock cheaper travel is earning a sizable welcome offer, providing a significant boost to your rewards balances. Currently, new applicants of the Chase Sapphire Preferred can earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Once you hit that spending minimum, your points can take up to eight weeks to show up. So, if you’re strategizing for a few trips in the new year, giving yourself plenty of time to apply is crucial. 

This welcome offer is worth several hundred dollars since cardholders can book flights, hotels, and other travel purchases through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards portal with a 25% bonus. But there’s potential for even greater value when leveraging the issuer’s airline and hotel transfer partners that will appeal to many, including familiar faces like Marriott Bonvoy, Southwest Rapid Rewards and United MileagePlus. 

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

• Flexible points that can be transferred to 14 travel partners or redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards® at 1.25 cents each.
• $50 annual statement credit toward Ultimate Rewards hotel bookings.
• Valuable travel protections.
• $95 annual fee.
• Category bonuses are limited and not competitive against other travel cards.
• Transfer partner list is limited compared to programs like Amex Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou.
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Rack up even more rewards with a secondary card

Once you’ve picked your go-to travel card, you’ll want to search for its sidekick. For example, if you picked the Amex Platinum card as your go-to travel card, you can double down on your earnings by picking another Amex card that scores Membership Rewards points.

Similarly, if you’ve opted for the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you’ll want a secondary card that earns rewards you can pool with your Sapphire Preferred. Below are a couple cards worth considering.

American Express® Gold Card

Case in point: the Amex Platinum card earns 5 Membership Rewards points per $1 for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. By setting your sights on a card like the American Express® Gold Card (terms apply, rates & fees ), you can earn significantly more points on your everyday purchases when you’re not on the go.

The Amex Gold card earns 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.

Where the Gold card shines is its generous rewards rate at U.S. supermarkets (up to the annual spending cap) and restaurants worldwide. This multiplier is a game-changer if you want to earn as many Membership Rewards points as possible for your next trip — and your rewards are automatically pooled together on your online Amex account. The card comes with a $250 annual fee.

Finally, you can earn an additional welcome offer when applying for the Amex Gold card. New applicants can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. 

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

If you picked the Chase Sapphire Preferred card as your primary travel card, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a terrific companion card. With no annual fee, it’s virtually a no-brainer to apply for this card to multiply your earnings of Ultimate Rewards points.

Even though the Freedom Unlimited is marketed as a cash-back card , it can be a very useful card to have for people seeking award travel. You’ll still earn Ultimate Rewards points with the card — and these rewards can be combined with your Sapphire Preferred account to redeem at the Sapphire Preferred’s 25% elevated redemption rate when used for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, or to transfer to partners. Here’s a look at the earning rates of each card side by side:

For any spending that isn’t in an elevated rewards category on either card, you’ll want to use the Freedom Unlimited, to take advantage of that card’s robust base earning rate. 

New cardholders with the Freedom Unlimited can earn the following welcome offer: Chase will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.

Temporary Chase Freedom Unlimited boosted welcome offer: Rewards so nice, you’ll get them twice (the first year)

Best travel rewards cards to consider

The team at USA TODAY Blueprint is continually evaluating the best travel cards to help you make the best decision for you and your wallet. In addition to the cards we’ve highlighted throughout the article, we’ve handpicked some other top contenders that can help you travel for

You’ll want to apply for a credit card that earns travel rewards — such as airline miles, hotel points, or flexible travel points — which can then be redeemed for flights, hotel stays and more. Such cards often come with sizable welcome offers and ongoing bonus categories to help you earn travel rewards on everyday purchases. 

Note that your travel may not be 100% free, as taxes and fees may still apply. But you can certainly use credit card rewards to make travel much more attainable.

Yes! As long as you use your rewards credit card responsibly, you can earn bonus points on your purchases when traveling. If you’re going abroad, you’ll want to use a credit card that waives foreign transaction fees — which can tack on around 1% to 3% extra on each transaction made in a non-U.S. currency country.

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

While the exact number of points required will vary greatly, depending on the time, location and duration of the trip, many domestic flights can start at just 6,500 to 7,500 miles. And, based on these numbers, a card with a 75,000-point welcome offer might get you as many as 10 domestic flights.

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

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

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

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

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.

Stella Shon is a freelance writer that connects the dots between personal finance and travel. Her work has appeared in The Points Guy, ValuePenguin and MoneyUnder30, and she's been interviewed by The New York Times, CNBC and more.

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

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Best Credit Cards for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry

You can definitely save time and stress at the airport with a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership, although the application fee for either program can get pricey. 

Best lower-cost luxury card

Best for luxury perks, best for nexus, other cards to consider, how we picked.

Both of these benefits offer plenty of value to travelers, expediting the security line in domestic airports (PreCheck) and international borders (Global Entry). Deciding which is best for you will depend on where you travel most often: TSA PreCheck only offers benefits domestically but has a quicker application process, while Global Entry includes PreCheck and also offers quicker border crossing in some international airports, but qualifying is a little more difficult. 

Either way, having the right card in your wallet is valuable. The benefit is the same among various travel cards that offer it, so this list collects offerings for a variety of different kinds of travelers, whether you are trying to save on annual fees or enjoy luxury lounge access. 

Here’s a look at the best cards with a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit: 

Best low-fee travel card 

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

• Bonus rewards: 5x on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One
• Sign-up bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months (worth $750 when redeemed for travel at one cent per mile)
• Key perks: Two free lounge visits per year, Hertz Five Star status, $100 Global Entry/TSA Precheck fee credit every four years.
• Annual fee: $95
• APR: 21.24% - 29.24%, variable
• Foreign transaction fee: 0%

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is our top choice for an entry-level travel card offering a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee credit thanks to its relatively modest annual fee. There are no cards without an annual fee that offer this perk. In fact, most of the more than 30 cards we looked at charge a fee anywhere from $400 to $700. The Venture, however, charges just $95 per year. That means that if you use your Venture card to pay for a Global Entry membership fee, which costs $100, you’ve already offset the cost of the annual fee for that year. 

Additionally, the Capital One Venture card offers a straightforward rewards scheme that is easy to navigate for newer travel cardholders. You’ll earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked in the Capital One Travel portal and a flat 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases. You can also qualify for a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles if you spend $4,000 in your first three months. 

According to our market research, the average Wall Street Journal reader spends about $3,000 per month on their credit card, which at 2 miles per dollar equates to 72,000 miles per year in rewards, or $720 to use toward travel purchases, assuming a value of 1 cent per mile. So even in the years between renewing your PreCheck or Global Entry membership, you can get plenty of value out of the card. 

Redemption is easy on this card as well. You can book travel through Capital One, or alternatively, book through your preferred travel vendor and redeem your miles for a statement credit to cover the cost any time within 90 days of purchase. 

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

• Base rewards rate: 2x
• Bonus rewards: 10x on hotels and rental cars, plus 5x on flights, if booked through Capital One; 10,000-mile annual bonus.
• Other key perks: $300 credit for travel booked through Capital One; $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® every four years; Priority Pass Select membership; Hertz President’s Circle elite status
• Sign-up bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months
• Annual fee: $395
• APR: 22.24% - 29.24% variable

The luxury credit card world is an expensive one, with annual fees nearing $700 on some cards. Those interested in dipping a toe in luxury rewards without shelling out such a hefty fee might consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards card, which at a $395 annual fee, is a more affordable option that still offers luxe perks . 

In addition to a credit for a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership fee, Venture X cardholders enjoy benefits like a Priority Pass lounge membership, complimentary President’s Circle status with Hertz and exclusive dining reservations through Capital One Dining. 

You can help offset the $395 annual fee with a $300 credit on any travel booked through the Capital One portal as well. This is a pretty easy perk to take advantage of, unlike other luxury cards that offer credits on very specific purchases. 

As far as earning goes, the Venture X offers 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One and 2 miles per dollar on everything else. New cardholders can also earn a 75,000-mile bonus for spending $4,000 in the first three months. 

The Platinum Card® from American Express

• Base rewards rate: 1x
• Bonus rewards: 5x on airfare booked directly with airlines using American Express Travel with up to $500,000 spent each year, 5x on hotels booked through Amex
• Welcome offer: 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in first six months
• Key extra perks: Annual credits include: up to $200 on hotels booked through Amex which requires a minimum two-night stay, up to $240 digital entertainment, up to $200 on Uber, among others (enrollments required for select benefits); $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® every four years; $189 annual credit for Clear membership
• Annual fee: $695
• Foreign transaction fee: 0%.
• Terms apply. See rates and fees .

At $695 per year, The Platinum Card from American Express is not for the occasional traveler. Still, when it comes to perks that help you travel in style, you can’t do better than the Platinum’s slate of benefits. 

In addition to a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership fee, cardholders also qualify for a credit of up to $189 per year toward a Clear Plus membership, which offers travelers the opportunity to skip the document-check part of the airport security line and instead opt for a biometric-screening. (Of more than 30 cards we looked at with expedited security perks, only two offer Clear membership—this card and the American Express Green, mentioned below.)

You’ll also get the most comprehensive airport lounge access available from a credit card, encompassing Priority Pass lounges, Delta lounges (when flying with the airline) and the American Express Centurion lounge, among others. 

If you can make use of all the Platinum card’s statement credits, they can cover the cost of the annual fee. But redeeming them can take a bit of legwork. They include up to $200 per year for incidental purchases with a select airline, up to $200 per year in Uber Cash ($15 per month and a $20 bonus in December), up to $240 per year for select digital entertainment subscriptions, up to $300 per year in Equinox credits and more. Just be sure to read the terms of each benefit carefully so you understand which require enrollment, which are doled out monthly and any other stipulations. 

When it comes to rewards, the Platinum card earns 5 points per dollar on up to $500,000 annual in airfare booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel, 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotel stays booked through Amex Travel and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

• Bonus rewards: 10x on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase, 5x on flights booked through Chase after initial $300 in annual travel spending, 3x on other travel and dining
• Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points, after spending $4,000 in first 3 months
• Key perks: $300 annual travel credit, up to $100 Global Entry/TSA credit every 4 years; $50 can alternatively be applied to NEXUS
• Annual fee: $550
• APR: 22.49% to 29.49%, Variable

The statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry for most cards on this list can only be applied to one of those two programs, but the  Chase Sapphire Reserve  stands out for also letting cardholders opt to apply the perk toward the $50 Nexus fee instead. Nexus is another trusted traveler program like PreCheck or Global Entry, but it focuses on expedited border crossing between the U.S. and Canada. 

The Sapphire Reserve costs $550 per year, but it can be a valuable luxury travel card for the right spenders. It earns 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase, 5 points on flights purchased through Chase (rewards kick in after your first $300 in travel purchases, i.e. it excludes any purchases covered by your annual travel credits), 3 points per dollar on dining and other travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Cardholders also get up to $300 in credits each year for eligible travel purchases, which is automatically applied to your statement when you make a qualifying transaction. 

The Sapphire Reserve is also a great choice for cardholders who want to guarantee they are getting a good redemption value out of their points without worrying about transferring to travel partners. You’ll automatically get a 50% higher point value (or 1.5 cents per point) when you redeem rewards for travel in the Chase portal. 

While these cards are our favorites boasting a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit, there are a few other options if none of them align with your needs. 

Bank of America Premium Rewards Card

Like our budget pick, the Capital One Venture card, Bank of America Premium Rewards card charges a more modest $95 annual fee than the other luxury travel cards on this list. 

Unfortunately, its earning rate is also not as impressive. Cardholders earn 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining and 1.5 points per dollar on everything else. Excluding travel purchases, we estimate the average WSJ reader spending $3,000 per month on their card could earn about 54,000 points in a year—significantly less than the Venture. 

That said, the Bank of America Premium Rewards offers a unique opportunity for Bank of America loyalists to earn more. The more you have in a qualifying Bank of America or Merrill accounts, the higher your earning rate, thanks to the Preferred Rewards program. Members with more than $100,000 in qualifying balances earn a 75% higher earning rate, boosting your 1.5 points per dollar to 2.625 points per dollar and your yearly earnings to 94,500 points. 

To choose Buy Side’s Best Credit Cards for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, we looked at more than 30 credit cards that offered a credit for these application fees. We narrowed down options to those with the most valuable rewards programs and other travel benefits for various kinds of spenders at a range of annual fee levels. 

To find out more about how we chose credit cards—and to meet our panel of experts—you can also check out Buy Side from WSJ’s full best credit cards methodology .

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The Best Credit Cards for Students Who Want to Travel

While I didn’t take my first international trip until after I graduated college (I went to Costa Rica when I was 23), being a college student doesn’t mean you have to skip out on travel. From studying abroad to gap years to spring break trips, there are a lot of ways to travel while in school.

However, students usually don’t have a lot of money which makes affording trips abroad challenging.

Fortunately, there are lots of ways to save for a trip on a budget. One of the best ways to do this is by getting a rewards credit card.

Since students don’t have a credit history and may not have an income yet, it will be hard to get approved for the travel credit cards with the most rewards .

The good news is that banks know this, and many have created cards specifically designed for students. These are easier to get approved for (banks don’t expect you to have a credit history as a student), so that you can start building credit and using those rewards to help you travel for cheap!

Here’s my list of the best credit cards for students:

Table of Contents

MY TOP PICK: Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bank of america travel rewards student credit card, chime credit builder visa® credit card, tips for getting a credit card as a student, frequently asked questions about credit cards for students.

Capital One has some of the best travel credit cards out there, and they offer several fantastic student options too. This card has several bonus categories in which you can earn even more for your purchases, including 3% cash back on dining and grocery purchases, and a stellar 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats. It also has no foreign transaction fees, no annual fee, and even offers travel accident insurance. This is a really comprehensive student card and my top pick.

Here’s a look at the main benefits of the card:

• A one-time $50 USD cash bonus once you spend $100 USD on purchases within three months
• 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores
• 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• 10% cash back on purchases on Uber and Uber Eats
• Uber One monthly membership fee covered through November 14, 2024
• Travel accident insurance
• No foreign transaction fees
• No annual fee

  If you want a more straightforward card, Capital One also offers the card_name . It offers nearly all the same benefits, except instead of the different bonus categories, you’ll get an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. The Quicksilver also comes in a secured version if you can’t get approved for an unsecured card.

If you’re looking for something simple and easy to use, this is it. This card offers an unlimited 1.5 points earned per dollar spent, as well as the biggest signup bonus out of any card designed for students. The 25,000 bonus points that you can earn by spending $1,000 USD in the first 90 days (that’s roughly $333 USD per month) can be converted into $250 USD worth of travel/dining when wiped from your statement as a credit.

With this card, you’ll get:

• 25,000 Online Bonus Points after making $1,000 USD in purchases in the first 90 days
• Unlimited 1.5 points per $1 USD spent on all purchases

The only secured credit card on this list, the Chime Credit Builder, issued by Stride Bank, works like a prepaid debit card. While it’s not marketed specifically toward students, it’s for people who want to build credit, which is exactly what you’re trying to do as a student.

The downsides are that there’s no welcome bonus and you must open a Chime checking account to use the card (though as a student, you may be opening your first account anyway). Unlike most secured cards, there’s also no set credit limit, which you create yourself with the money you deposit into your Chime checking account (which you then use to pay off your balance).

• No interest charges
• No minimum security deposit required
• No credit check (so there’s no impact on your current score)
• The ability to set your own credit limit
• An easy-to-use app to manage your account and card

Getting your first card can be a bit intimidating as you may not know how credit cards work . But it doesn’t have to be.

Using credit cards responsibly starts with building healthy habits. As long as you pay off your entire balance each month, your regular purchases can work for you, earning rewards that can be used for future travel.

It’s a good idea to start building credit as soon as you can, not only to reap the benefits of rewards cards but also to establish a lengthy credit history that can help you in other aspects of life. At some point in the future, you may want to buy a house, lease a car, apply for a business loan, or do other activities that require a credit check. (Some apartments and even some jobs require it.) So the earlier you start building a credit history, the better.

Certain credit cards are specifically designed for students, with an easier approval process that requires no credit history and lower spending limits that are in line with the limited (or nonexistent) income of a student.

Requirements for student cards may include:

• Proof of enrollment
• If under 21, an income source (e.g., part-time job, scholarship, or grant)
• A minimum age of 18
• A Social Security number
• US citizenship or permanent residency

Note: Student cards are designed for people with no credit. If you’re rebuilding your credit, check out the best credit cards for those with bad credit .

How do I get a credit card as a student? Getting a credit card can be as simple as applying for cards geared towards students, like those listed above. Many even offer a pre-approval process, meaning you can see if you’ll be approved without having an impact on your score. You can also contact your local bank or credit union for information, as they may have a card for you as well.

Can I get a credit card if I’m a full-time student? Yes! The cards above (along with many others) are geared toward students, even if you’re studying full-time.

At what age can students get a credit card? Students can start applying for credit cards at the age of 18, though requirements can make it difficult to be approved (you’ll have to prove independent income). Your best option for building credit if you’re between the ages of 18 and 21 is to get either a secured credit card or a student credit card. You can also become an authorized user on someone else’s card.

After age 21, restrictions fall away, and it becomes easier to get a regular, unsecured credit card.

Can I get a credit card as a student with no income? If you’re under 21, you’ll have to prove independent income. However, depending on the card issuer, they may accept student loans, grants, or scholarships as proof of income. If you have someone who can co-sign for you, some credit card issuers may allow a co-signer’s income to count toward approval.

What happens to my student card when I graduate? Most student credit cards have a non-student version. In many cases, when you graduate, your account, along with its limits and history, will simply be converted to that option. In other cases, you’ll want to upgrade or open a new account. But even if you open other cards and don’t use that account as much, you’ll want to keep it open to maintain the length of your credit history.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to wait until you graduate college to start building a credit history and earning rewards. Not only will a card help you earn cheap (or free) travel, but you’ll learn how credit cards work and establish healthy financial habits that will help you throughout your life!

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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The Best Airlines for 2023 Holiday Travel on Points

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

With flights getting more expensive around Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, you may be inclined to use accumulated points and miles to try to save some money. About 30% of holiday travelers plan to use points and miles to pay for travel expenses in 2023, according to a NerdWallet survey conducted by The Harris Poll of more than 2,000 adults.

That might have been a dependable money-saving strategy five or 10 years ago, back when airlines published award charts that clearly showed how many points or miles you'd need to book a flight. But most U.S. airlines have switched to dynamic award pricing, meaning the cost in points can fluctuate as much as cash prices do.

So in many cases, holiday flights on points are no longer the deal they once were — and can be high enough to make your jaw drop. In fact, you might get a lower cent-per-point value than usual if you’re not careful.

What the data says about holiday travel on miles

NerdWallet does an annual analysis of the value of airline miles . Conducted in August, the analysis looks at redeeming miles for flights 15 days in advance, for flights 180 days in advance, and for holiday flights. (For the latter, NerdWallet looked at flights departing Dec. 22, one of the busiest days to fly around the winter holidays , and returning Dec. 29.) The results show that airline miles are generally worth less around the last week of December.

If you’re flying domestically, there are two ways to think about getting maximum value for miles.

One would be to use the airline miles that are worth the most around the holidays, so you’ll need fewer miles than you would if you booked a similarly priced flight on another airline. In that case, your best bet would be to fly American Airlines or Southwest Airlines, because both airlines’ miles are worth 1.5 cents, the highest holiday valuation of the domestic airlines in the analysis. 

The alternative is to use airline miles that have the greatest value at the holidays relative to other times of the year. The analysis found that miles on Frontier Airlines are actually worth more at the holidays, although that comes with some caveats. Meanwhile, miles on Southwest, Delta Air Lines and Spirit Airlines had the same value on holiday redemptions as on nonholiday flights.

If you’re flying internationally, you have other options to maximize your miles.

1.5 cents per mile is good for holiday travel

Among U.S. airlines, American and Southwest have the highest-valued miles when redeemed for holiday flights. Their miles are worth about 1.5 cents per dollar during the holidays. For American, this is slightly lower than its usual valuation at 1.7 cents per dollar. For Southwest, the 1.5 cents per point is the same as nonholiday travel redemptions.

To determine the redemption value of miles, divide the cash price of the flight by the number of miles required to get it.

Frontier Airlines is the only airline that fared better in the analysis than usual. Its holiday valuation of 1.3 cents per point is slightly higher than its normal baseline of 1.1 cent. However, this cost considers only the base fare — added fees for seat selection or baggage might decrease your value per point.

To maximize your points, consider international airlines

The highest-valued miles during the holidays don’t come from U.S.-based airlines. If you’re planning on vacationing during the holidays and aren't tied to a specific location, you could blow the 1.5-cents-per-point mark out of the water if you were to fly, say, ANA (All Nippon Airways) or Singapore Airlines to Asia.

Not only do both airlines consistently rank as the world’s best in Skytrax’s rankings, but they also still have award charts, so their award flight prices generally don't go up as much as the dynamic prices in other programs. ANA’s miles are worth 2.8 cents per mile during the holidays, the same as usual. Singapore’s miles are worth 2.1 cents per mile during the holidays, up from 1.5 cents usually.

If you haven’t flown these airlines recently (or ever), you might still be able to book with miles if you have a travel credit card that transfers to either of these airlines’ loyalty programs. ANA is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, and Singapore Airlines is a transfer partner of both AmEx and Chase Ultimate Rewards .

Use the same strategies to save as you would on flights booked with cash

If the price in miles makes your head spin, remember that the principles for saving are the same for flights booked in cash and points. To reduce the cost of holiday flights, you can try:

Flying on less popular days. Less demand equals lower cash prices. And less expensive flights mean they usually cost less in miles, too. According to Transportation Security Administration data, you’ll want to avoid days like the Sunday after Thanksgiving, which is generally the busiest single travel day in U.S. airports all year. 

Use a combination of miles and cash. Delta and United offer the choice of paying for your fare partially in miles and partially in cash, which is a nice option if you don’t have sufficient miles for the fare you’re booking. Booking through your credit card’s travel portal also yields a miles and cash option. Lastly, consider other ways to unbundle your travel like paying cash for a one-way flight and miles for the way back.

Go international when everyone else is going domestic . Thanksgiving week can be a cheaper time to travel abroad because it’s not a holiday in other countries. If you’re thinking about going abroad around the end of December, consider Thanksgiving instead.

You may be feeling the squeeze on holiday travel because it seems too expensive right now. Flight cash prices can still feel high , even though data from the consumer price index actually indicates that they are lower than they were before the pandemic (September 2023 airfares were about 6.5% lower than airfares in September 2019.) Redeeming miles can be a good way to lower your travel costs, but make sure you’re not spending more miles than it’s worth.

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 2023 , 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 Chase's website

1x-5x Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.

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

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

Unlimited Matched Cash Back Unlimited Matched Cash Back. Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned at the end of your first year! There is no limit to how much cash back you can earn.

on Capital One's website

2x-5x 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.

75,000 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.