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To help you reach your travel goals in 2023, we’ve chosen credit cards that offer a high rewards rate on travel purchases, a generous welcome offer to give you a head start on earning, and flexible redemption options so you won’t be restricted.
Best travel credit cards of 2023
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Annual Fee
$0
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.
Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.
Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.
- 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 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 17.49% - 27.49% 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.
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Current Offer
Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$395
Rewards Rate
2X miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
This premium travel card from Capital One earns 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.
Cardholders receive up to $300 in annual travel credits for bookings made through Capital One Travel. They also receive 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 through Capital One Travel) on each account anniversary.
The Venture X provides complimentary and unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges, as well as access to Capital One Lounges and others in the Capital One Partner Lounge Network. You also receive up to a $100 statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® programs.
The regular purchase APR for this card is 21.24% - 28.24% (variable).
- 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 up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of 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
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- 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 your stay at luxury hotels and resorts from the Premier Collection with a $100 experience credit, daily breakfast for 2 and complimentary WiFi on every booking, plus other premium benefits like room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout when available
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Current Offer
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months (that’s a $200 cash redemption value)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans; plus earn 1X points on other purchases
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a great all-round rewards card to have in your wallet. The reward categories match up with popular spending categories and the welcome bonus is strong, especially for a $0 annual fee card.
Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans; plus earn 1X points on other purchases.
Other valuable benefits include cell phone protection, an intro APR on purchases, and flexible redemption options. Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits.
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value
- Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases
- $0 annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% 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.
- Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions.
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Current Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 3X points on dining; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points per $1 on all other eligible purchases
If you love to travel, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card may be an excellent match for you. It’s one of the most popular travel credit cards available, offering a generous welcome bonus for new cardmembers, premium travel benefits, and a strong rewards program.
With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 3X points on dining; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Each year on your card anniversary, you will also earn bonus points equal to 10% of the total purchases you made in the previous year.
If you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, your points are worth 25% more, helping you get more value for your points. You can book hotel stays, airfare, and even cruises with your points.
- 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 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.
- 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.
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Current Offer
Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
2X miles per dollar on every purchase, every day and 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is best for frequent travelers who aren’t loyal to one particular airline or hotel. It’s a travel rewards card with a generous welcome offer.
Cardholders can also enjoy 2 complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges.
You’ll earn 2X miles per $1 spent on every purchase you make and you'll get up to $100 as a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fees, helping you breeze through airport security.
The regular purchase APR for this card is 20.24% - 28.24% (variable).
- 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
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network
- 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
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Current Offer
Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening
Annual Fee
$95 (waived first year)
Rewards Rate
5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center; 4X points on travel, gas stations, and EV charging stations; 2X points on grocery stores, grocery delivery, dining, and streaming services; and 1X points on all other eligible purchases
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card offers some special features including a $30 annual credit for streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify, as well as cell phone protection. You can also receive up to $100 in statement credits toward your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee (once every four years).
This card earns generous rewards in areas where you are likely to spend regularly. You can earn 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center; 4X points on travel, gas stations, and EV charging stations; 2X points on grocery stores, grocery delivery, dining, and streaming services; and 1X points on all other eligible purchases.
- Intro Offer: Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening. That's a $500 value redeemable towards travel, gift cards, cash back, merchandise and more.
- 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center.
- 4X points on travel, gas stations, and EV charging stations.
- 2X points on streaming services. Plus, a $30 credit for annual streaming purchases like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify®, Apple Music, Disney+, HBO Max and more!
- 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, and dining.
- Receive up to $100 in statement credits for reimbursement toward your TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry® application fee once every four years.
- 1X point on all other eligible purchases.
- Points never expire.
- Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPay™ Plan.
- Terms and conditions apply.
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Current Offer
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months
Annual Fee
$695
Rewards Rate
5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
If you want a premium rewards card with deluxe travel perks, consider The Platinum Card® from American Express. With a generous welcome offer, high rewards rate on eligible purchases, and upscale travel experiences, this card can enhance and streamline your next trip.
The Platinum Card® from American Express allows you to earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amextravel.com (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and prepaid hotels booked on Amextravel.com.
The card offers a number of perks to justify its annual fee, including statement credits for airline fees, digital entertainment, Equinox, and CLEAR membership. You can also enjoy a $200 hotel credit each year on prepaid bookings at Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection, which require a minimum two-night stay. Add a flight to this trip and receive up to $200 in statement credits once you select a qualifying airline and pay for incidental fees with your Card. (Select benefits require enrollment.)
You'll also gain access to more than 1,200 airport lounges in over 130 countries through the American Express Global Lounge Collection. You'll also automatically earn Gold Status with the Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors programs. (Select benefits require enrollment.)®
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months
- 5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Terms apply
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Current Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
3X points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels; and 1X points on all other purchases
The Citi Premier® Card is a rewards credit card fit for those who enjoy traveling and earning points on everyday spending.
Cardholders can redeem points for a wide range of rewards options, including: travel, cash back, gift cards, bill payments, and more.
Earn 3X points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels; and 1X points on all other purchases.
- 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 Restaurants and Supermarkets
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels
- 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 when redeemed 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
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Current Offer
Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$95
Rewards Rate
3X points on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year; and 1X points per $1 on all other purchases
For business owners looking for a rewards card with premium benefits, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a standout option. It has a lucrative sign-up bonus, valuable rewards program, and flexible redemption options.
With this card, you’ll earn 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year.
It also has comprehensive travel benefits, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, primary car rental insurance, and cell phone protection.
- Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Member FDIC
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Current Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$550
Rewards Rate
5X points on flights and 10X 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; 3X points on other travel and dining & 1X points per dollar on all other purchases
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a top-rated credit card for frequent travelers who can take advantage of its generous travel benefits and high point-earning potential.
Card benefits include a $300 annual travel credit, primary rental car insurance, Priority Pass lounge access, reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and more.
With this card, you earn 5X points on flights and 10X 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; 3X points on other travel and dining & 1X points per dollar on all other purchases.
Cardmembers receive 50% more value when redeeming rewards for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. For example, as a new cardmember, you can earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. With the 50% bonus, these points are worth $900 toward travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- 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
>> See more travel credit cards
Most of these travel cards come with basics such as travel insurance 1 and other protections, and some also come with premium perks that will make your next trip more luxurious. We’ve narrowed down the options to the best cards out there, so you can rest assured you’re making a good choice when you pick from our favorites.
How to pick the right card for you
When selecting from this list of credit card offers, it’s important to do some analysis of your spending habits and not just focus on the potential bonus for new cardholders. This analysis could mean the difference between getting an airline credit card versus a hotel credit card. Or you may want a more general travel card that lets you transfer your points to your favorite hotel chain.
So before you pick your new card, ask yourself the following questions:
- How much will I spend? You’ll want to make sure that you’ll spend enough with the card you choose to offset the annual fee, if there is one. Some luxury travel cards tend to have high annual fees.
- What will I spend on most? Do make a lot of dining purchases? Do you spend more money on flights or hotels? Do you subscribe to a lot of streaming services? Make sure the bonus categories on the card you choose line up with the categories in which you do the most spending.
- How frequently will I take advantage of travel perks? Some cards come with perks such as airport lounge access and statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. If you’re just trying to save for one annual vacation, you might not be able to take advantage of these perks. On the other hand, if you travel frequently, they might be a necessity.
- What travel perks do I value the most? In addition to how frequently you can take advantage of perks, you also need to think about which ones are most valuable to you overall. That could depend on the types of travel you typically enjoy. For instance, if you're a frequent flyer, you may value the airline fee credits, no foreign transaction fees, priority boarding, or free checked bags that you get with certain cards. But if you travel less frequently, you might get more value from a free Doordash Dashpass membership, bonus points on takeout, or Uber credits.
- How will I use my rewards? Will you be using your rewards only to book travel, or do you want the option for cash back as well? What airlines and hotels do you frequent? Some cards line up well with certain airlines and hotel brands better than others. Determine how flexible you need your rewards to be.
- What else do I want from this card? Some cards may offer non-travel benefits like a 0% intro APR on balance transfers or purchases for a certain amount of time after account opening. For example, the first 12 months of card membership. If you have big purchases planned, this might make one card more desirable as long as you can pay off your balance before the regular variable APR kicks in. These sorts of offers are more common on cashback credit cards than on travel cards, though.
How do these issuers compare?
Although all of these cards are different, cards from the same issuer have a few things in common. For example, Chase cardholders have access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, in which points on premium cards become more valuable when redeemed for travel. Many Capital One credit cards offer cardholders the ability to redeem miles to cover past travel expenses, if those expenses were paid using their Capital One card. And American Express credit cards are known for their luxury perks and access to the greatest number of airport lounges.
All three of these credit card issuers offer a travel portal that makes it easy to use your rewards points to book travel purchases. And with most cards, you can use a combination of points and cash to complete your booking.
One area you might want to dig into the details is a card issuer's travel partners. If you want to be able to transfer your rewards to a specific hotel or airline loyalty program, then that may be the clincher when it comes to deciding on a Chase vs. Amex card.
How to compare travel credit cards
There’s no travel credit card that’s going to be right for everyone, as it depends on your travel preferences and spending habits. But you can find the right credit card for you by considering different factors and aligning them with your goals.
Annual fee
Travel credit cards tend to have an annual fee, and sometimes the fee can range into the hundreds of dollars. To justify paying an annual fee, you have to consider all the rewards and benefits of a card and whether you would receive value from those rewards.
Depending on how much you travel, you might pay a high annual fee to have airport lounge access or elite status with an airline or hotel chain. But if you don’t travel a lot, a card with a lower annual fee might make more sense.
Sign-up bonus
You can’t ignore the value you can receive from a generous sign-up or welcome bonus. In some cases, the points or miles you earn from a welcome bonus could easily offset an annual fee for a few years. And that’s without considering how much additional value you might receive from card benefits and earning rewards on everyday spending.
Rewards rate
Consider how different cards earn rewards if you want to use them for everyday purchases. For example, it could make sense to go for a card that earns bonus points on dining if you eat out a lot. Or you might want a card that earns elevated rates on groceries, including U.S. supermarkets.
Additionally, you could have a preferred airline or hotel, such as JetBlue or Hyatt, and want to earn more rewards on applicable purchases with those companies.
Foreign transaction fees
We don’t typically consider any credit card that charges a foreign transaction fee to be a “travel credit card.” This is because you shouldn’t have to worry about paying around 3% of a purchase on any transactions you make abroad.
Most travel credit cards have no foreign transaction fees, but it’s something to keep in mind. This isn’t a big deal if you only travel within the U.S.
International acceptance
Where do you typically travel? If it’s outside the country, you need a credit card that’s accepted internationally. Most countries worldwide accept Visa and Mastercard credit cards. You might discover American Express or other payment networks also work in some other countries, but their global acceptance levels are often much lower.
Perks and benefits
Perks and benefits are a huge reason to apply for a travel credit card. Having elite status or accessing airport lounges for nearly free (you still have to pay the annual fee on cards that offer this benefit) can greatly enhance your travel experiences.
Want free breakfast or a room upgrade at a hotel? Elite status can get you that.
What about travel credits to help discount your flights or hotel stays? Or an application fee reimbursement for popular travel programs, including TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?
There are loads of available perks and benefits to choose from across a variety of travel credit cards.
Travel protections
Many travel credit cards provide different types of travel coverages or protections. This could include car rental insurance, travel accident insurance, or trip cancellation or interruption insurance. In some cases, you might also receive access to trip delay reimbursement and lost luggage reimbursement.
These are the types of card benefits that you hope you don’t have to use, but could be very handy if you find yourself in an applicable situation.
A note about transfer partners
Many travel rewards card issuers offer the option to transfer your miles or points to a variety of travel partners in the airline and hotel industries. This gives you the opportunity to potentially gain more value from your rewards than you would be able to otherwise.
For instance, 10,000 Membership Rewards points on the Amex Platinum Card would normally be worth $100 toward airfare in the American Express travel portal. That’s a 1 cent valuation ($100 / 10,000 = $.01) per point.
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However, as a cardmember, you can also transfer your points to one of many Amex transfer partners, including airline partners Singapore Airlines. I recently found one-way flights from New York City to Frankfurt for $385.10 or 22,500 KrisFlyer miles via the Singapore Airlines website. Because Amex points transfer to KrisFlyer at a 1:1 ratio, this type of redemption would increase your points valuation to 1.7 cents ($385.10 / 22,500 = $.017) per Membership Rewards point.
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You can also take advantage of Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners or Capital One transfer partners depending on which credit card you’re using.
For hotels, Amex transfer partners include the popular Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors hotel loyalty programs. Chase hotel partners include Marriott Bonvoy, IHG Rewards Club, and World of Hyatt. Capital One transfer partners include Accor Live Limitless.
Transferring credit card points or miles to travel partners won’t always present the best deal for your rewards. Make sure you do the math beforehand — comparing the points it takes to book a flight or hotel stay compared to the dollar value — to see whether a transfer is a good deal. You can’t transfer points back to your credit card after, so it’s always best to check the number first.
Note: always do the math on the redemption value of your points and miles when it comes to gift cards and cash back as well. While almost every card offers these types of redemptions, that doesn't mean they're always the best way to use your rewards.
Types of travel credit cards
As you dig deeper into the details of credit cards, you might discover that there are many different types of travel credit cards. It could get confusing as you compare travel protections, interest rates, and spending categories. Or if you’re wondering whether to use a Mastercard, Visa, or American Express credit card.
But while these are all important considerations, we’ve simplified travel credit cards into three easy categories: airline cards, hotel cards, and flexible currency cards.
Airline miles credit cards
Airline miles credit cards make sense if you frequently use the same airline for your travels.
These types of credit cards earn miles with a specific frequent flyer program. For example, a Southwest credit card would earn Rapid Rewards points, while a Delta credit card would earn Delta SkyMiles.
The miles you earn with these cards can typically be redeemed for flights with the applicable airline and potentially partner airlines as well. You might also be able to use miles for other redemptions, but it varies by loyalty program.
Many airline credit cards also provide additional benefits, such as free checked baggage, priority boarding, and airport lounge access. Check out our list of the best airline credit cards.
Hotel points credit cards
Hotel points credit cards make sense if you frequently stay at the same hotel chain on your travels.
These types of credit cards earn points with specific hotel loyalty programs. For example, a Hilton Honors card would earn Hilton points, while a Marriott Bonvoy credit card would earn Marriott Bonvoy points.
The points you earn with these cards can typically be redeemed for hotel stays with the applicable hotel chain. You might also have other redemption options available, including experiences, flights, and car rentals.
Many hotel credit cards provide additional benefits, such as elite status, free night awards, and airport lounge access. Learn more with our list of the best hotel credit cards.
Flexible points credit cards
Flexible points credit cards make sense if you want flexibility with how you can use your rewards.
These types of credit cards earn flexible points, which can typically be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and more. Some flexible rewards currencies include Chase Ultimate Rewards points, American Express Membership Rewards points, and Capital One miles.
All three of these rewards programs have online travel portals where you can make a number of travel-related bookings, similar to Expedia or Priceline. These programs also allow you to transfer your rewards to travel partners, which opens up more redemption options. Examples of travel partners include United, Southwest, Hyatt, Hilton, British Airways, and more.
The benefits on these cards can vary a great deal, but some of the popular options might provide travel credit, elite status with different loyalty programs, and airport lounge access. You also might find some unique benefits on certain cards. As an example, the American Express® Gold Card provides up to $120 annual dining credit (up to $10 credit per month). Enrollment is required for select benefits.
FAQs
How does a travel card work?
A travel credit card allows you to earn points or miles you can use for travel costs. Essentially, you’ll get a percentage of all your qualifying purchases back in rewards, which you can then use to fund more travel. Use your points for things like free nights at hotels or a free flight to your dream destination.
How can I fly for free?
To fly for free, you’ll need to rack up enough points or airline miles to cover the cost. The number of points you’ll need for a free flight depends on the airline you choose and your itinerary. Most credit card issuers have a travel portal you can use to purchase flights with your rewards points. Some cards even let you transfer points directly to airlines or hotels.
How much is a point or mile worth on travel credit cards?
The value of a point typically depends on how you redeem it. For example, points on travel credit cards are usually worth more when used toward travel than for gift cards or merchandise. As a general rule, a point is worth roughly 1 cent when redeemed for cash back.
How many miles do you need for a free flight?
What credit score do you need to get approved for a travel rewards credit card?
While credit score requirements will vary across different card issuers and travel cards, in most cases, you'll likely need a good to excellent credit score to get approved for a travel rewards credit card.
Methodology: How we picked these cards
To select the best travel rewards credit cards, we looked for cards from our partners that offer great ongoing travel perks, bonus rewards for travel expenses, and substantial welcome bonuses. We looked at these benefits in relation to each card's annual fee to determine which cards to include on our list. We did not include all cards available.
Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards
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Annual Fee
$0
Benefits
- Earn 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 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases
- Longer intro APR on qualifying purchases and balance transfers
- No foreign transaction fees
Drawbacks
- Best for Bank of America customers
- 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 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 17.49% - 27.49% 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.