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In today’s world, the right travel credit card can be the pass to your dream destination.
From earning free flights and hotel stays to enjoying exclusive access to airport lounges, travel credit cards can turn ordinary trips into extraordinary experiences.
But with so many options on the market, looking for the credit card that best fits your travel needs can be overwhelming.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer, a road trip enthusiast, or someone dreaming of a luxury getaway, this guide will spotlight the best travel credit cards packed with perks like high rewards rates, sign-up bonuses, and exclusive benefits.
I do a lot of travel hacking and I came up with the best credit cards that offer perks and annual fees worth everything that you can get in return.
Are travel credit cards worth it?
The main benefit of travel credit cards is that they often come with bigger sign-up bonuses and higher reward rates. However, to get the most out of these cards, you need to use your rewards for travel. This lack of flexibility is their biggest downside, while cash-back cards are much easier to use for anything.
Travel credit cards vs reward credit cards
Travel rewards credit cards usually let you earn points or miles faster than cash-back cards, which can lead to bigger overall savings. However, they’re less flexible. To get the most value, you typically need to use your rewards for eligible travel expenses. If you redeem them for cash back, the value of your points or miles is often cut in half.
Another downside of travel rewards is that their value can change. For example, if a credit card company increases the points needed for a free flight or hotel stay, the rewards you’ve already earned lose value.
Choosing between cash back and travel rewards cards depends on the specific offers available. Looking at averages, like those in the table below, can help you compare many options.
Best travel credit cards by category:
- Best travel credit cards for beginners: Chase Sapphire
- Best travel credit card with lounge access: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Best travel credit card with no annual fee: Discover It Miles
- Best credit cards for travel miles: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best credit card for international travel: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best travel rewards credit cards for bad credit score: Bank of America Cash Rewards
Best travel credit cards: My review
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 60,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. The card gives from 1 – 5 points per $1 spent on purchases, but outside of travel bonuses, its rewards are limited.
The card comes with a $95 annual fee and great rewards for everyday spending.
You get 5X points on travel booked through Chase Travel; 3X points on dining, streaming services, and online grocery orders; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X on everything else. Plus, there’s a $50 annual hotel credit for Chase Travel bookings.
Other benefits include trip cancellation insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and lost luggage insurance.
A quick tip: If you redeem points for travel through Chase Travel℠ you get 25% more value. For example, 60,000 points are equivalent to $750 in travel.
2. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
One of my favorite travel credit cards, Capital One Venture X offers a generous 75,000-mile bonus after spending $4,000 in the first three months after opening the card. This amount equals about $750 in travel, which is amazing if you want to scratch your dream destination off the map.
The card has plenty of other perks. You can earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase and even more with 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars through Capital One Travel.
Your miles never expire as long as your account is open, and there’s no limit to how many you can earn.
One of my favorite aspects of this credit card is $120 in credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. As an added perk, you can receive a $50 experience credit and premium benefits with every hotel or vacation rental from the exclusive Lifestyle Collection.
For even more flexibility, transfer your miles to over 15 travel loyalty programs and take your adventures to the next level!
3. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
The best travel credit card with no annual fee, Capital One Quicksilver allows you to earn a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. You can also earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase and not worry about fees on foreign transactions when you travel.
Additionally, you can earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll find the best prices on thousands of travel options.
4. Discover It Miles
A popular travel rewards credit card for those who don’t want to pay a hefty annual fee, Discover It Miles is a credit card you should get if you want to convert convert your hard-earned cash into handsome rewards.
Earn 1.5 miles for every $1 spent on all purchases, plus a bonus that matches all the rewards you earn in your first year as a new card member. With the Discover it® Miles card, you also enjoy no foreign transaction fees and a $0 annual fee, making it a smart choice for every purchase and trip.
5. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
A bad credit score doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy travel perks.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card offers you a great chance to build up your credit score – and reap some good rewards along the way.
The card has it has 1-3% cash back spent on purchases, and no annual fee, which is perfect for budget-minded travelers.
You’ll earn 3% cash back on a category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% on all other purchases. You can choose travel as your 3% category.
6. The Platinum Card® from American Express – best welcome bonus
The American Express Platinum Card is like a VIP pass to the travel world.
For starters, you earn 80,000 points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within six months of account opening.The card comes with a whopping $695 annual fee, but the sheer number of benefits helps to offset the high cost.
This card is packed with perks that’ll make you feel like royalty!
Here’s the lineup: a $200 annual airline credit to cover those pesky fees, up to $200 in Uber credits for rides or Uber Eats, and a $200 hotel credit for prepaid stays of two nights or more through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts.
But wait, there’s more. Get a $300 Equinox credit to level up your workouts, $240 toward eligible streaming subscriptions, and up to $100 in credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Add $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits, cell phone protection, and VIP airport lounge access with Centurion and Priority Pass lounges.
7. Citi Premier Card
Citi Premier is the hidden gem of the best credit cards but it’s time it gets the spotlight it deserves.
The card allows you to earn 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months after you open your account.
Citi Premier has an annual fee of $95, but the benefits that it comes with easily outweigh it.
This card packs a punch with its bonus categories, giving you extra points for dining, groceries, gas, air travel, and hotels – perfect for everyday spending and travel plans.
Although Citi’s transfer partners don’t get the same buzz as Chase or Amex, they’re still impressive, with top-tier options like JetBlue TrueBlue and Qatar Airways Privilege Club for domestic and international flights.
Rack up 3 Citi ThankYou points for every dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, as well as on airfare and hotels. For everything else, you’ll still earn 1 point per dollar.
Snag access to exclusive ticket pre-sales and cardmember-only events and enjoy a $100 credit once a year for a single hotel stay of $500 or more booked through the Citi ThankYou portal.
8. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is your best travel companion.
It boasts reliable value and flexibility, making it easy to earn and redeem points for your adventures. Plus, it’s a fantastic choice for anyone who wants rewards without the higher annual fee of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
With the Capital One Venture Rewards Card, earning is as easy as it gets: unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, and score 5X miles on hotels, and rental cars through Capital One Travel, where you’ll find their best prices on thousands of options.
The perks keep coming – your miles never expire, and there’s no limit to how many you can earn. Breeze through security with up to $120 in credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, and redeem your miles for any travel purchase or by booking directly through Capital One Travel.
To top it off, enjoy a $50 experience credit and other exclusive perks when booking hotels or vacation rentals through the Lifestyle Collection.
9. Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is perfect for travelers who like straightforward perks without the hassle of complex rewards structures.
With no foreign transaction fees, it’s a reliable companion for your adventures abroad, letting you spend your money without hidden costs.
You can earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on every purchase. It has no annual fees and no foreign transaction fees. Plus, your points never expire as long as your account stays open. Kickstart your rewards with 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days – redeemable as a $250 travel statement credit.
What’s even better is you can use points for travel or dining expenses – flights, hotels, car rentals, baggage fees, or even dining out and takeout.
10. Wells Fargo Autograph Credit Card
Wells Fargo Autograph Credit Card has no annual fees and unlimited 3X points on dining, travel, gas, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans.
As a cherry on top, you can get 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months – that’s $200 in cash value! Once you get the points, you can use them for travel, gift cards, statement credits, or shopping online through PayPal.
How to choose the right credit card:
With all available options, choosing the right credit card could be difficult. Ask yourself the following questions to make the right decision.
- Do you travel frequently? Look for cards with travel perks and no foreign transaction fees.
- Do you prefer simplicity over luxury? A flat-rate cash-back card is easier to manage.
- Enjoy dining options? Cards with bonus rewards for dining and entertainment work best.
- Want premium perks? Consider cards with higher fees but luxurious benefits.
Best travel credit cards: FAQ’s
Can I get a travel reward credit card with a bad credit score?
Getting a travel rewards credit card with a bad credit score can be challenging because most cards require good to excellent credit (a FICO score of 670 or higher). Some co-branded cards from airlines or hotels may have lower credit score requirements, but they typically come with higher fees and interest rates.
If you want a travel reward credit card, focus on improving your credit. Pay bills on time, reduce credit card balances, and monitor your credit report for errors. As your credit score improves, you’ll have more options for travel rewards cards.
Which credit card has the best travel benefits?
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee and has amazing perks that allow you to maximize your benefits and reap cool perks.
Is it a good idea to get a credit card for traveling?
Getting a travel credit card is an excellent idea. You will convert your expenses into perks and rewards and get more value.
Which card is better for international travel?
Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best credit cards for international travel. It has trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay insurance, and primary car rental coverage. It has no foreign transaction fee and has a 60,000-point sign-up bonus.
Best Travel Credit Cards: Final word
I hope this article provided enough information for you to choose the right credit card. Remember that with the right credit card you should never get in debt or spend more than what you get. Instead, your benefits and perks should compound making it easy for you to get rewards and explore your dream destinations.
Are you ready to pack your bags yet?