Best Travel Credit Cards for Honeymoons [2023]: Save on Flights and Hotel Stays

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card is our overall recommendation for the best travel credit card for a honeymoon because travel beginners and experts would find it easy and rewarding to use. You can redeem the Chase Ultimate Rewards you earn with the Sapphire Preferred toward your honeymoon travel plans, whether that means booking premium flights or staying at a fancy hotel.

But the Sapphire Preferred won’t be a perfect fit for every situation, so we rounded out our list with different types of cards. This includes cards with premium benefits, such as airport lounge access and elite hotel status.

Let’s explore the best travel credit cards for honeymoons so you can find the right credit card to help you plan your special trip.

Key takeaways

• The Chase Sapphire Preferred is an excellent credit card for honeymoon travel because Chase Ultimate Rewards points can help cover certain expenses, such as flights and hotel stays.
• Most of our top credit cards for honeymoon travel have no foreign transaction fees, making them great options for international travel.
• The best credit cards for honeymoon travel that provide airport lounge access include the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, and The Platinum Card^® from American Express. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

The 7 best credit cards for honeymoon travel

• Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
• The Platinum Card^® from American Express
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
• Citi Premier^® Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Plus Credit Card

Compare the best credit cards for honeymoon travel

Card name	Rewards rate	Welcome offer	Annual fee
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card	Earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and eligible online grocery purchases; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points per $1 on all other eligible purchases	Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening	$95
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	Earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 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	Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening	$395
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card	Earn 14X points on eligible purchases within the Hilton portfolio, 7X points on qualifying travel purchases made directly with airlines/select car rental companies or Amextravel.com, 7X points at U.S. restaurants, and 3X points on all other eligible purchases	Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months	$450 (Terms apply)
The Platinum Card® from American Express	Earn 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	Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases on your new card in the first 6 months	$695 (Terms apply)
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card	Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans; plus earn 1X points on other purchases	Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months (that’s a $200 cash redemption value)	$0
Citi Premier® Card	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; 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	$95
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card	Earn 2X points on Southwest purchases and participating Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners; on local transit and commuting, including rideshare; and on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming; plus 1X points on all other purchases	Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening	$69

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

Pros	Cons
Has a welcome offer and earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel Points on this card are worth 25% more toward Chase Ultimate Rewards travel redemptions Offers up to $50 annual statement credit for hotel stays purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program Doesn’t have foreign transaction fees	Has a $95 annual fee Doesn’t offer premium travel benefits such as airport lounge access or elite statuses

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Rewards rate: Earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and eligible online grocery purchases; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

Why we like the Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Sapphire Preferred has a relatively low $95 annual fee. You can help offset this annual fee with benefits such as earning up to a $50 annual statement credit each year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

For a special honeymoon trip, you can take advantage of the annual credit, as well as a 25% bonus when redeeming your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Considering you can book flights, hotel stays, and rental cars through Chase, your points can help you reduce some honeymoon expenses.

You can also transfer your points to over a dozen Chase travel partners if you have a specific redemption in mind. This includes Air Canada, Southwest Airlines, Hyatt, and more.

What we don’t like about the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Even though the $95 annual fee is relatively low, it’s still a cost you have to worry about each year. Additionally, the Sapphire Preferred doesn’t provide any premium travel benefits, such as airport lounge access or elite status with hotels or airlines.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred review for more details.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Pros	Cons
Has a welcome offer and a simple rewards rate Offers a $300 annual travel credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel Provides airport lounge access to Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, and Capital One Lounges Rewards 10,000 anniversary miles Doesn’t have foreign transaction fees	Has a $395 annual fee Travel credit only works through the Capital One Travel portal

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Rewards rate: Earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 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.

Why we like the Capital One Venture X

The Capital One Venture X is a premium travel credit card that can help you plan your honeymoon in style. For your newlywed trip, take advantage of benefits such as airport lounge access, a $300 annual travel credit, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

The annual travel credit can be used for flights, hotel stays, and car rental bookings made through Capital One Travel. The airport lounge benefit provides access to you and up to two guests, depending on availability, to Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, and Capital One Lounges.

What we don’t like about the Capital One Venture X

The Venture X can provide more than enough value to offset the $395 annual fee, but it’s still a high cost. Earning a $300 annual travel credit is limited to bookings you make through Capital One Travel, which restricts how you can use this benefit.

Read our Capital One Venture X review for more details.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Pros	Cons
Has a welcome offer Offers an annual Free Night Reward Offers up to $250 annual Hilton resort credit Offers up to $250 annual airline fee credit Provides Priority Pass airport lounge access (enrollment required) Provides complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status Foreign transaction fee: None	Has a $450 annual fee (Terms apply)

Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.

Rewards rate: Earn 14X points on eligible purchases within the Hilton portfolio, 7X points on qualifying travel purchases made directly with airlines/select car rental companies or Amextravel.com, 7X points at U.S. restaurants, and 3X points on all other eligible purchases.

Why we like the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card can help you plan a luxury honeymoon with its many perks and benefits. These include:

• An annual Free Night Reward that can be redeemed at most Hilton properties worldwide, subject to availability
• Up to $250 annual Hilton resort credit that can be used at hundreds of participating Hilton properties worldwide
• Up to $250 annual airline fee credit that can be used toward incidental air travel fees on a qualifying airline
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status that can provide space-available room upgrades, executive lounge access, daily food and beverage credit, and more
• Unlimited access to Priority Pass airport lounges for you and up to two guests, depending on availability, with a Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required)

It’s hard to beat the value you could receive with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, which is why we consider it one of the best hotel credit cards.

What we don’t like about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

You have to pay a $450 annual fee. It’s a high cost, but the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card provides many benefits that could provide more than enough value to offset the fee.

Read our Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card review for more details.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

Pros	Cons
Has a welcome offer A variety of perks and benefits (select benefits require enrollment) Provides airport lounge access through Priority Pass, Escape Lounges, The Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Club, and more (enrollment required) Foreign transaction fee: None	Has a $695 annual fee (Terms apply) Isn’t great for earning rewards on everyday spending

Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases on your new card in the first 6 months.

Rewards rate: Earn 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.

Why we like the Amex Platinum

The Amex Platinum has loads of benefits that could be useful for travel and daily life. For your honeymoon, consider these specific perks:

• Up to $200 airline fee credit per calendar year to help cover incidental airline fees
• Up to $200 annual hotel credit for prepaid Amex Travel bookings through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection (requires a minimum two-night stay)
• Up to $240 ($20 back per month) annual digital entertainment credit to keep you entertained while traveling
• Up to $200 ($15 monthly plus $20 in December) annual Uber Cash to use on Uber rides or Uber Eats orders
• Up to $189 annual CLEAR Plus credit. Plus, up to $85 credit for TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years, or up to $100 credit for Global Entry every four years. These memberships can potentially reduce airport wait times
• Up to $100 ($50 semi-annually) annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit to help buy clothing or accessories to use on your trip
• Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Hilton Honors Gold status to potentially improve the quality of your hotel experiences
• Airport lounge access to The Centurion Lounge, Priority Pass, Escape Lounges, and more so you can relax at the airport.

Remember that select benefits require enrollment. It’s worth ensuring you’re enrolled in a benefit before you use it.

What we don’t like about the Amex Platinum

The $695 annual fee is one of the highest for travel cards, but the Amex Platinum’s many perks and benefits can help you offset this annual cost.

Read our Amex Platinum review for more details.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Pros	Cons
Has a $0 annual fee Has a welcome offer and elevated rewards rates on everyday categories Offers cell phone protection Doesn’t have foreign transaction fees	Doesn’t offer premium travel benefits such as airport lounge access or elite statuses

Welcome 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).

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.

Why we like the Wells Fargo Autograph

The Wells Fargo Autograph has a $0 annual fee and provides opportunities to earn more travel rewards on honeymoon spending because of its common bonus categories.

You can also take advantage of benefits such as cell phone protection while at home or traveling. The Wells Fargo Autograph also offers auto rental collision damage waiver, a type of travel insurance that helps cover the cost of theft or damage to a rental vehicle.

If you’re worried about covering large wedding planning and honeymoon expenses, consider the Wells Fargo Autograph’s intro APR offer on purchases:

• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable)

What we don’t like about the Wells Fargo Autograph

The Wells Fargo Autograph doesn’t have any premium travel perks, such as airport lounge access or elite statuses.

Read our Wells Fargo Autograph Card review for more details.

Citi Premier^® Card

Pros	Cons
Has a welcome offer and elevated earning potential on common bonus categories Offers an annual $100 hotel savings benefit off a single hotel stay valued at $500 or more and booked via thankyou.com Doesn’t have foreign transaction fees	Has a $95 annual fee Doesn’t offer premium travel benefits such as airport lounge access or elite statuses

Welcome offer: 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.

Rewards rate: Earn 3X points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels; and 1X points on all other purchases.

Why we like the Citi Premier

The Citi Premier provides excellent earning potential on common spending categories, including areas where you might have some honeymoon expenses. You can also take advantage of the card’s annual $100 hotel savings benefit off a single hotel stay that costs $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, through thankyou.com.

What we don’t like about the Citi Premier

You have to pay a $95 annual fee, which isn’t high, but it’s still something to worry about. The Citi Premier also doesn’t provide any premium travel benefits, such as airport lounge access or elite statuses.

Read our Citi Premier Card review for more details.

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Plus Credit Card

Pros	Cons
Has a welcome offer Can help you earn the Southwest Companion Pass Rewards 3,000 anniversary points Rewards 10,000 annual Companion Pass qualifying points boost	Has a $69 annual fee Has 3% foreign transaction fees

Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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

Why we like the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

On its own, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus is a decent travel card for frequent Southwest customers. The $69 annual fee isn’t steep, and you also receive 3,000 anniversary points each year.

But the real value for many people comes from the fact that this card can help you earn a Southwest Companion Pass. The Southwest Companion Pass lets you choose someone to fly with you on Southwest flights, and they only have to pay certain taxes and fees. This could be a huge money saver if you’re planning your honeymoon trip.

What we don’t like about the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

You have to pay a $69 annual fee, though the card’s benefits can help offset this cost. You also have to pay 3% foreign transaction fees on applicable purchases, making the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus a poor choice for international trips, including destination weddings in other countries.

Read our Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus review for more details.

How to choose the best travel credit card for honeymoon travel

Consider these five factors to help you choose the best travel credit card for honeymoons:

1. Welcome offer: Earning a generous welcome offer or sign-up bonus could help you cover large honeymoon expenses, such as flights and hotel stays. You might choose one travel card over another depending on how many rewards you could earn through a new card welcome offer.
2. Rewards rate: A card that earns more rewards on travel or dining purchases may make more sense for a honeymoon. It’s also worth considering applying for a card that has bonus categories that align with your everyday and upcoming spending, so you could turn wedding expenses into credit card points.
3. Travel benefits: Airport lounge access, elite statuses with a loyalty program, and other types of travel benefits could help elevate your travel experience.
4. Annual fee: An annual fee might not make sense if you’re already worried about other wedding-related expenses. But if you think you’ll get enough value from a card’s rewards and benefits to offset its annual fee, it could be worth applying.
5. Foreign transaction fees: If you’re planning a honeymoon to another country, you likely want a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees on purchases.

FAQ

Best credit cards for honeymoon travel: bottom line

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is our overall recommendation as one of the best credit cards for honeymoon travel because it’s easy to use, has a relatively low $95 annual fee, and provides opportunities to earn and redeem valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You could easily use these points to help book flights or hotel stays for your post-wedding trip.

If you want premium travel benefits, such as airport lounge access, we recommend looking into cards like the Capital One Venture X, Hilton Honors Aspire, and the Amex Platinum.

For credit card offers to help cover purchases on your big day, check out the best credit cards for wedding expenses.

Methodology

To determine the best credit cards for honeymoon travel, we evaluated various credit cards based on several factors that are important for honeymooners. These factors included rewards rates, annual fees, welcome offers, and travel-specific perks such as airline lounge access, elite statuses, and more.

We kept in mind that every honeymoon traveler is unique, with their own preferences and requirements. Therefore, we identified the top credit cards that offer significant value to various honeymoon travelers. We researched each card to better identify its main features, benefits, and drawbacks.

It's worth noting that our list doesn’t follow any certain order and is not meant to be a complete list of all available options. Instead, our recommendations aim to provide a useful starting point for couples looking to research credit cards that meet their honeymoon preferences and needs.