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Erika's Picks for Best Travel Credit Cards
- Best overall:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card - Best for frequent travelers:
Chase Sapphire Reserve® - Best for maximizing points:
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card - Best for luxury travelers:
The Platinum Card® from American Express - Best airline card:
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express - Best hotel card:
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Ever heard of people booking first-class flights and vacations for free and wondered… how can I do that?! Well, it all comes down to having the right travel credit card.
Travel credit cards help you to earn rewards on purchases you make every day, which you can then put towards your next trip. They also offer extra perks like travel insurance, lounge access, and, yes, free fight upgrades.
Knowing the benefits that each card offers can help you choose the right one for you — so you can get the most out of your next vacation.
Best Overall
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rewards Rate
- 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries
- 2x on all other travel purchases
- 1x on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$95
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great option for anyone who wants to earn tons of travel rewards without paying for the cost of keeping a premium card in their wallet.
The card does come with an annual fee, but it can be offset by the value of the rewards you’ll earn.
Other benefits include:
- $50 anniversary hotel statement credit
- No foreign transaction fees
- 1:1 point transfer with airline and hotel partners
- 25% more value when redeeming points through Chase TravelSM
- Primary auto rental insurance (up to $60,000)
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $10,000 per person, $20,000 per trip)
- Trip delay reimbursement (up to $500 per traveler)
- Baggage delay insurance (up to $100 per day for 5 days)
- Travel and emergency assistance
Some non-travel benefits include:
- Purchase protection (up to $500 per claim, $50,000 per account)
- Extended warranty (adds one year to eligible U.S. warranties)
- Complimentary DashPass subscription (activate by December 31, 2027)
The card offers a lot of great travel perks for first-time cardholders but there are some trade-offs to consider. Even though the annual fee is significantly less than other cards, it’s still a fee. And you won’t get lounge access like you will with the Sapphire Reserve, which is a big drawback if you are a frequent traveler.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is our favorite travel credit card, with top-tier travel rewards — but without the cost of a premium travel card.
It offers strong travel and dining rewards, the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners, and a welcome bonus that can be put towards your next trip. It’s a good entry card for first-timers, too, who want to be cost-effective while still earning rewards.
Best for Frequent Travelers
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Rewards Rate
- 10x points on hotel stays and car rentals through Chase Travel℠
- 10x points on dining purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 5x points on flights booked through Chase Travel℠ (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
- 3x points on restaurants and travel
- 1x points on everything else
Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$550
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium rewards credit card for frequent travelers, with high earning rates on flights, hotels, car rentals, and dining (including takeout and delivery).
The card is great for frequent travelers because of all the benefits that come with it, including a generous welcome offer that you can put toward travel. Some of the card’s perks include:
- $300 annual travel credit
- Statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS
- Complimentary access to any Chase Sapphire Lounge and access to 1,300+ Priority Pass Select lounges
- No blackout dates or restrictions
- 1:1 hotel or airline loyalty program transfer
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance (up to $10,000 per person, $20,000 per trip)
- Trip delay reimbursement (up to $500 per traveler)
- Travel accident insurance (up to $1,000,000 in coverage)
- Lost luggage reimbursement (up to $3,000 per covered traveler)
- Baggage delay insurance (up to $100 per day for 5 days)
- Emergency evacuation coverage (up to $100,000)
- Roadside assistance (up to $50 per incident, 4 times per year)
- Primary rental car insurance coverage (up to $75,000)
- Emergency medical and dental coverage while traveling (up to $2,500 in coverage with a $50 deductible)
- No foreign transaction fees
- 50% more value when redeeming points through Chase TravelSM
- Room upgrades and late checkout at select properties
Some other non-travel benefits include:
- Complimentary DashPass for one year and monthly DoorDash credit (activate by December 31, 2027)
- Purchase protection (up to $10,000 per item)
- Return protection (up to $500 per item, $1,000 in a 12-month period)
- Extended warranty coverage
- 24/7 fraud monitoring
- Zero liability coverage
While the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a top-of-the-line card for frequent travelers, it isn’t for everyone. The annual fee is high, so you’ll want to make sure you benefit from all the travel perks.
Also, even though the travel rewards are great, it lacks bonus categories for everyday purchases like groceries or gas.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a must-have for frequent travelers. The high rewards and premium travel perks are hard to beat. A $300 travel credit, lounge access, and 50% redemption boost through Chase TravelSM makes the card well-worth the annual fee.
It also includes the full suite of travel protections, including coverage for trip delays, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage delays, and lost baggage, as well as primary auto coverage insurance.
Finally, Chase has one of the best travel rewards programs available. You can use your points to book hotels, car rentals, flights, experiences, and cruises through Chase TravelSM or transfer to one of 14 loyalty programs with airlines and hotels. You can also redeem points for statement credits and gift cards.
Best for Maximizing Points
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Rewards Rate
- Earn 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Earn 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.
Annual Fee
$95
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the best cards for maximizing travel rewards, with high earning rates on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Plus, the rewards structure is easy to keep track of.
The card comes with a generous welcome offer and a travel credit. Miles can be redeemed for travel purchases on Capital One Travel, transferred to one of Capital One’s airline and hotel partners, or used as a statement credit to offset travel purchases.
Some other benefits include:
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® credit
- No blackout dates
- No foreign transaction fees
- Car rental collision damage waiver
- Accident insurance
- 24-hour travel assistance
- Premium stays
- Access to exclusive events
While the card is great for rewards, it is more limited than other travel cards. Capital One only has three lounges, which is far fewer than Chase and American Express. You don’t have access to Capital One’s Priority Pass partner network but can access a Capital One lounge — but it will come with an extra fee. This is a change from the past when cardholders were granted two complimentary lounge visits per year.
On top of that, the card comes with an annual fee, which some customers think isn’t worth the value.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers consistent high-value rewards on all purchases while giving you access to Capital One Travel.
Plus, Capital One has 15+ travel partners that allow you to transfer your miles — most at a 1:1 ratio. Notable programs include British Airways, Air Canada, Air France, Etihad, Cathay Pacific, and Choice Privileges®.
It’s a good choice if you want a simple way to earn travel rewards and don’t travel enough to benefit from all of the perks that come with Capital One’s premium travel rewards cards.
Best for Luxury Travelers
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Rewards Rate
- 5X on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. 1x thereafter
- 5x on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com
- 1x on all other spending
Welcome Offer
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months
Annual Fee
$695 (rates and fees)
The Platinum Card® from American Express is ideal for luxury travelers who want a high-end experience. It’s got a high earning rate on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per year) and on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel.
Some travel benefits of the card include:
- Up to $200 airline fee credit per calendar year (in statement credits) for your one selected, qualifying airline
- $199 CLEAR Plus statement credit per year
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® statement credit*
- Access to Amex’s Centurion Lounges and 1,400+ partner lounges
- Hilton Honors
™ and Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status - Premium car rental privileges with Avis, Hertz, and National
- Car rental loss and damage insurance**
- Trip delay insurance (up to $500 per trip, 2 claims per card in a 12-month period)**
- Travel cancellation and interruption insurance (up to $10,000 per trip, $20,000 per card in a 12-month period)**
- 24/7 Global Assist® Hotline
- No foreign transaction fees
The card also includes several non-travel perks like:
- Up to $100 Saks Fifth Avenue statement credit ($50 every 6 months; enrollment required)
- Up to $240 digital entertainment statement credit ($20 each month; enrollment required)
- Up to $155 per year in Walmart+ monthly membership credits ($12.95 plus applicable local sale taxes, subject to auto-renewal; available as a statement credit; Plus Up Benefits are excluded)
- Up to $200 in Uber Cash for rides and delivery ($15 per month, plus an extra $20 in December; renews annually, available to basic cardmembers only, and Amex Card must be selected as payment method for your Uber transaction)
- Resy global dining access
- Return protection (up to $300 per item, $1,000 per calendar year)**
- Extended warranty (adds one year to eligible U.S. warranties)**
While the card comes with a ton of benefits, those benefits come at a price. The annual fee is one of the highest fees among travel credit cards. Also, while Amex is a well-known credit card, it isn’t accepted everywhere, which limits where you can use it.
* Receive either a $120 statement credit for Global Entry or a credit of up to $85 for TSA PreCheck after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. Only one credit will be given in a 4 year period for Global Entry or in a 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck, depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible American Express® Card first.
** 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 Platinum Card® from American Express is a top pick for luxury travelers. It offers premium perks, elite hotel status, and the best lounge access of any credit card.
Perhaps most notably, you can transfer your points to 21 different airline and hotel loyalty programs, including Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Hilton, and Marriott (enrollment required).
If you travel frequently and will use all the credits, the steep annual fee can make it worth it.
Best Airline Card
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express
Rewards Rate
- 2x miles on Delta purchases
- 2x miles at U.S. grocery stores
- 2x miles at restaurants worldwide and on U.S. takeout and delivery
- 1x miles on all other purchases
Welcome Offer
Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
Annual Fee
$0 for the first year, then $150 (rates and fees)
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express is one of the best airline cards available. It’s designed for frequent Delta flyers who want to earn miles while getting access to exclusive travel benefits. In addition to earning on Delta purchases, it also has boosted rates on restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and U.S. supermarkets.
There is no annual fee for your first year, but an annual fee will kick in after that.
Travel benefits include:
- $200 Delta Flight credit after $10,000 in yearly spending
- Up to $100 Delta Stays statement credit per year
- 15% off Award Travel with miles on Delta flights
- Free first checked bag for you and up to 8 companions on the same reservation
- Zone 5 priority boarding
- 20% statement credit on in-flight purchases of food, drinks, and wifi
- Baggage insurance (up to $1,250 for carry-on and up to $500 for checked baggage)*
- Car rental loss and damage insurance*
- 24/7 Global Assist® Hotline
- No foreign transaction fees
Other non-travel benefits include purchase protection (up to $1,000 per covered purchase, up to $50,000 per calendar year) and extended warranty.*
While the SkyMiles Gold Amex is a great option for frequent fliers, it isn’t Delta’s top-tier card. You won’t get a complimentary upgrade, companion pass, or status with this card.
* 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 Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express is a great card for Delta frequent fliers. It offers rewards on everyday purchases and includes several travel benefits you can take advantage of.
While it’s not the most premium Delta card, it offers a good balance of rewards without the higher annual fee that comes with Delta’s upgraded cards. For affordability and rewards, it falls comfortably in the middle for most travelers.
Best Hotel Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Rewards Rate
- Up to 17x points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
- 3x points at gas stations, grocery stores, and dining (first $6,000 spent combined)
- 2x points on everything else
Welcome Offer
Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening. Plus, earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within 6 months of account opening.
Annual Fee
$95
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is a strong hotel card if you’re loyal to the Marriott network. It’s got a massive total earnings rate at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, plus elevated earning rates on grocery, gas, and dining purchases.
The card comes with a moderate annual fee but offers a generous welcome bonus that more than covers the cost of the card in the first year.
Some other perks of the card include:
- Free Night Award every account anniversary
- Automatic Silver Elite status with path to Gold Elite status
- 15 Elite Night credits per year
- Earn 1 Elite credit for every $5,000 you spend
- Baggage delay insurance (up to $100 a day for up to 5 days)
- Lost luggage reimbursement (up to $3,000 per traveler)
- Trip delay reimbursement (up to $500 per traveler if your flight is delayed by more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay)
- No foreign transaction fees
Non-travel perks include purchase protection for 120 days (up to $500 per item) and complimentary DashPass for one year and monthly DoorDash credit (activate by December 31, 2027).
If you frequently stay at other hotels, the annual fee might not make the card worth it. Also, the elevated rewards rate on grocery, gas, and dining purchases is capped at $6,000 annually.
Like other hotel cards, this one is mostly geared toward travel spending. If you plan to use it for other purchases, there are other cards that offer greater flexibility.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is a top pick for Marriott fans. While there are several other Marriott cards to choose from, this one is the most accessible, thanks to its solid rewards paired with a moderate fee. For example, the free night each year easily covers the annual fee.
The card also comes with Silver Elite status (with a path to Gold status), making it a good option if you want to maximize your rewards in the Marriott network.
How to Compare Travel Credit Cards
To figure out which travel credit card you should get, you’ll first want to evaluate how it fits into your budget and whether or not it helps you reach your travel goals. Some benefits, like lounge access, are a priority for frequent fliers but might not be important to you if you’re traveling on a budget.
When you’re shopping around for a travel credit card, you should compare:
- Flexibility of rewards
- Rewards earning potential
- Size of welcome offer (and its spending requirement)
- Annual fee
- Ongoing interest rate
Once you find a card matching your budget and spending habits, assess how well it aligns with your travel objectives. These are a few things to consider:
- Can you book travel on a third-party website or do you need to book through the card’s travel portal?
- How are travel costs covered? Can you spend points directly or do you have to wait to receive a statement credit?
- Can you transfer points to loyalty programs managed by a specific hotel or airline?
- Can you cash out your points for a gift card if you don’t use them before they expire?
- How are premium perks like TSA PreCheck® reimbursed?
- Does your card come with travel benefits like lounge access or a free checked bag?
READ MORE: How to Maximize Credit Card Rewards
Types of Travel Credit Cards
Travel credit cards typically fall into two categories: general-purpose cards and co-branded cards with an airline or hotel chain.
If you have a favorite hotel or airline, you might find using those co-branded cards to be worth it. If you're a flexible traveler, a general travel card is good to have.
- General-purpose travel credit card: Rewards credit cards like these offer points or miles for each dollar spent. Most will reward you more for using the card for categories like travel and dining, and offer a flat rate for everyday purchases.
- Co-branded cards: While these cards are limited by where the points can be redeemed, they often have extra features like higher reward rates for purchases with the brand or the potential to earn free stays.
How To Maximize Travel Credit Card Rewards
Credit card rewards can help you score free vacations or earn cashback on big purchases.
There are different strategies you can use to maximize your rewards to get more bang for your buck.
Take advantage of welcome offers and sign-up bonuses
Travel credit cards often come with bonuses if you meet a minimum spending requirement, usually within the first few months of opening your account.
The bonus can be in the form of points, miles, or even cashback. Depending on the card, you can then use this bonus to book travel — and reduce the cost of a trip by hundreds of dollars.
Use the right card for the right purchases
Some cards have rotating categories or tiered rewards that allow you to earn more points in specific spending areas — for example, on groceries or streaming services. Other cards offer higher rewards for travel purchases.
Figure out what your goal is and use whatever card offers the most points back for your spending habits. Travel pros often have multiple cards that they use for different purchases.
This will require you to keep track of your cards and rewards programs but it can be worth it if you score a free vacation.
Redeeming your rewards
Once you have some points racked up, here’s how to use them:
- Book travel purchases through your card’s travel portal. This will increase the purchasing power of your points, allowing you to get more value out of them.
- Transfer points to partners. Many travel credit cards let you move your rewards to other airline and hotel loyalty programs. For example, Chase partners with Emirates, Air France-KLM, Marriott, and more. Capital One partners with Qantas, Etihad, Singapore Airlines, and others.
Check around on both the portals and with partners — you may be able to use your points to book first-class or business flights that offer a higher value per point.
But keep in mind that not all rewards have the same value. United miles, for example, are worth less than Southwest and JetBlue.
If you like a particular airline or hotel and are already a member of their loyalty program, transferring your points from your credit card to your loyalty account could increase their value.
Note: Not all credit cards offer this and some have limited partnerships. You’ll want to crunch the numbers to see if it’s worth it to maximize point value.
Here are some other tips for getting the most out of your credit card’s rewards:
- Get reimbursed for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Many travel cards offer a statement credit to cover the fee every few years.
- Use the lounge. If your card comes with lounge access, use it! Lounges come with snacks, wifi, and a quiet place to work or get some rest.
- Check your bags for free. Co-branded airline credit cards often include free checked bags for you and up to eight companions — which is very handy if you’re traveling as a family.
- Avoid foreign transaction fees. Many travel credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees, so make sure you’re using that card when you buy things abroad.
- Check all your perks. Some cards offer non-travel perks like DoorDash credits. Know what those rewards are so you can use them.
Comparing Travel Insurance Benefits of Top Credit Cards
One of the most overlooked benefits of travel credit cards is their built-in travel protection. Some cards not only offer 24/7 emergency assistance, but top cards will compensate you if your flight is delayed or provide medical coverage in case you have to go to the hospital while overseas.
If you have a top credit card, it could offer some of the same benefits you’d find in a standard travel insurance plan. Here are some of the best cards that offer comprehensive travel protection:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
Coverage can include:
| Coverage type | What's covered |
|---|---|
| Trip cancellation & interruption insurance | Nonrefundable expenses if your trip is canceled or cut short due to a covered reason such as an illness or severe weather. |
| Trip delay reimbursement | If your flight is delayed beyond a specific amount of time, some cards will compensate you to cover meals, hotel stays, and other essentials. |
| Lost luggage or delayed baggage reimbursement | Reimburses you for lost, stolen, or delayed baggage over a specific number of days. |
| Rental car protection | Covers damage due to theft or collision when renting a car. Top cards offer this as primary coverage which means you can make a claim using your credit card before reaching out to your personal insurance provider. |
| Travel accident coverage | Provides a payout in case of accidental death or dismemberment while traveling. |
| Emergency medical and/or evacuation coverage | Some top cards offer limited medical coverage for international travel, covering hospital visits and emergency evacuation. |
| Concierge services | Assistance with dining reservations, event ticket purchases, travel arrangements, and shopping requests. |
Just like standard travel insurance plans, there are exclusions. Read your card’s fine print to see what’s not included before planning your next vacation.
COMPARE: Best Credit Cards With Travel Insurance
Comparing Travel Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
One of the fastest ways to rack up travel rewards is by taking advantage of credit card sign-up bonuses. Many premium travel credit cards offer generous welcome offers that can be worth hundreds of dollars in travel value.
Taking advantage of welcome offers strategically can cover all — if not most — of your next trip!
Before you sign up for a card, check the requirements for getting the bonus
Most will require that you spend a certain amount of money in the first three to four months that your account is open.
Spending amounts vary but it’s usually several thousand dollars.
Compare each card’s offer to see which gives you the best value
A higher redemption value will give you more purchasing power to book travel.
For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® will increase the value of points redeemed on ChaseTravelSM by 50%.
Understand the rewards structure
Some cards offer tiered points for everyday purchases like groceries and dining out while others only allow you to earn higher rewards on travel purchases.
Pay attention to how each card’s reward system is structured so you know whether or not you’ll be able to hit the spending minimum to get the sign-up bonus.
Don’t overspend just to reach a sign-up bonus
Travel credit cards are a great way to earn rewards but they shouldn’t lead you into debt. If you’re trying to meet the minimum spending requirement to earn a sign-up bonus, here are a few ways to do that without overspending:
- Pay for everyday expenses you’d otherwise use your debit card for.
- Use it to make a big purchase you’ve been saving up for (like buying a new couch).
- If you can, use it to pay for big expenses like rent.
- Buy a big purchase on behalf of a family member or friend — but only if you’re certain they already have the cash to pay you back.
- Purchase gift cards to stores you regularly shop at that you can use at a later point in time.
Sign-up bonuses can be a great way to earn rewards quickly but if you aren’t careful, it can be easy to carry a balance and lose money in interest. Think wisely about how you’ll use the card and whether you already have cash in the bank to cover any purchases you make with it.
Bottom Line: Should You Get a Travel Credit Card?
A great travel credit card can unlock travel perks like lounge access and insurance coverage, on top of offsetting the cost of your trips. Many card issuers have their own travel booking portals or partner with other loyalty programs, allowing you to transfer your points for flights and hotel bookings at even better redemption rates.
Just note that the best perks aren’t cheap. Competitive travel cards are about $100 per year, but premium ones can run you several hundred dollars a year. A card’s value ultimately depends on your travel plans and how it fits into your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
The annual fee covers the costs of maintaining a rewards program. Many credit cards offer their own travel booking websites and work with partners to offer special perks. The fee you pay helps cover these costs and is a part of the credit card issuer’s business model.
There are a few travel credit cards that have no annual fee. Some popular ones include:
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Card (rates and fees)
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card (rates and fees)
No-annual-fee cards often have fewer perks and a lower reward rate, so consider potential trade-offs. Don’t expect to get into a premium lounge with one of these cards.
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