You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website.
For anyone who travels, credit cards can be a valuable resource toward booking and paying for your trip. The rewards they can can offset a huge portion of your out-of-pocket expenses and the best cards often pay for themselves in money saved and headaches avoided.
Our editors are committed to providing you with unbiased reviews and information. Our editorial content is influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to compare monetary products and businesses, so that everyone is measured equally. You can read more about our editorial rules and credit card method to see the reviews below.
Offering a rare mix of high rewards rates and redemption flexibility, this card is a dream for frequent spenders on travel & dining – while charging a modest annual fee.
Capital One’s maximum premium card is packed with extras that put it firmly on par with other high-end credit cards, but with an annual payment that leaves others far behind.
This card offers higher issuance earning rates if you spend on travel and dining. The $300 travel credits justify a large portion of the annual payment and issue redemption for travel in Chase Ultimate Rewards.
The Platinum Card is for ordinary travelers who need to take full advantage of the rich suite of luxury benefits and Platinum concierge service. In the right hands, the staggering annual payout for the old-fashioned prestige card is quite justified.
Foodies and travelers can leverage the American Express® Gold Card to the hilt, earning up to 4x points. The annual fee may seem intimidating, but by using the included benefits and doing some spending, it’s easy to come out ahead.
Casual travelers who don’t plan on having a balance will find the smart price in this card’s rewards rate.
With 3 emissions earned for every $1 spent on many commodities and fuel stations, the Citi Premier Card can be a great option for itinerant and everyday travelers. The card’s superior APR and lack of an introductory APR on offer make it a poor pick for anyone looking to keep the balance.
Pay rent, earn rewards, and use your earnings to travel. This turns out to be a wonderful way to maximize your rent money.
Wander is the rare card that combines a high-value source of income and fuel with an average number of credits needed to apply for it.
The solid reward-earning potential of the Aeroplan® Credit Card makes the card an excellent option for those loyal Air Canada passengers who also regularly spend on food and travel.
Frequent United customers will appreciate that the United Quest Card comes with an annual $125 United credit, rewards on travel and dining and travel protections such as primary car rental coverage and trip cancellation insurance.
United’s card ufts up its game with four miles consistent with dollar earnings from United purchases. A diversity of consistent travel conditions make the card even more advantageous, as the United Club club alone is worth more than the club’s annual fee.
Those flying with British Airways will appreciate this card’s counterfeit welcome bonus and the chance to win a ticket for their partner. There is a modest annual fee.
Southwest’s top-tier rewards card is a great price for your loyalty package. Their suite of rewards and benefits, by adding $75 of annual credit at Southwest, simplifies the justification of the annual payment and your purchases earn points that qualify for A-list status. .
The IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card is a must-have for travelers who spend a lot of cash at IHG properties. The Free Platinum prestige boosts IHG’s shopping rewards to stratospheric heights, and the relaxed night and other perks easily justify the annual fee. For those IHG enthusiasts, we recommend looking elsewhere.
Although Hyatt does not have an extensive network of homes compared to other chains, the price presented through The World of Hyatt credit card is exceptional. If you’re a regular Hyatt, a combination of best-issued redemption prices, wonderful consistent discounts, and one relaxed night a year will seamlessly cover the annual payment and more.
For those who prefer to stay at one of Marriott’s more than 7,000 properties, this card offers a wide variety of benefits and potential rewards. The annual night off (priced at 35,000 points) can justify the annual fee, and the Silver Elite prestige is just the icing on the cake. Are you thinking of bringing a scale? The higher APR can gently overshadow the price of your hard-earned rewards.
The flagship card from Hilton, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express comes with a price tag to match its top-tier status and perks. It’s a perfect fit for big spenders who haunt Hilton properties enough to leverage the rich suite of benefits that come with the complimentary Diamond status.
The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card is for travelers and regular spenders in Wyndham households looking for a card with no annual fee.
Travelers looking to dive into the water will appreciate the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card as a starting point. It has a mid-range annual payment but has everything you need. Cardholders earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards issues to access moving partners or to facilitate no-strings-attached redemptions on the Chase Travel Portal®. There are no overseas transaction payments and a wide selection of insurances.
Rewards: Earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee: $95
Other benefits and drawbacks: Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed through Chase’s travel portal, transferred to Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners or redeemed for a statement credit. The card also offers a $50 hotel credit when booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal and a 10% anniversary points boost. This means that if you spend $10,000 on the card, you’ll earn an additional 1,000 Ultimate Rewards points when renewing your card.
Read more: Chase Sapphire Preferred Benefits and Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Program Worth It?
The Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card (rates and fees) is one of the most productive cards on the market across all categories. It’s undeniable to earn points and redeem them, the card offers many benefits, and credits can seamlessly pay the annual fee. Just be sure to value your travel rewards.
Rewards: Earn 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel and 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booking via Capital One Travel.
Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4000 on purchases during the first 3 months after opening the account.
Annual Fee: $395
Other pros and cons: The annual payment would possibly make you hesitate, but the card comes with $300 annual credits for bookings through the Capital One portal and a 10,000-point anniversary bonus worth $100 worth of travel. A Priority Pass club also offers value, giving you access to more than 1,400 lounges around the world.
Capital One miles are easy to redeem because they can be deployed on purchases or transferred to partners. The main downside of the Venture X is the lack of domestic airline transfer partners, which means that redeeming issues will require a bit more wisdom than American Express membership. Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Read more: Benefits of Capital One Venture X and Capital One Venture X Is It Worth It?
Chase Sapphire Reserve® is on our list of the most productive rewards cards for many reasons. Although it charges a high annual fee, it earns valuable rewards at a fixed price from transfer partners that cover purchasing features around the world. There are also the most productive insurance benefits on the market and no foreign transaction fees. As a Visa card, it is also widely accepted around the world. If you do it at least twice a year, this card deserves special consideration.
Rewards: Earn five dollar emissions on flights and 10 dollar emissions on hotels and car rentals when you shop through Chase Ultimate Rewards® without delay after you’ve spent the first $300 on purchases each year. Earn 3 dollar issues on other and food and 1 point consistent with the dollar spent on all other purchases.
Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus issues after spending $4000 on purchases within the first 3 months after account opening.
Annual Fee: $550
Other pros and cons: Chase Ultimate Rewards® issues earned with Sapphire Reserve and redeemed through the Chase Travel Portal are worth 1. 5 cents each or the issues can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to Chase members. Cardholders can also offset a portion of the annual payment with $300 annual credits, a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership, and up to $100 credits to cover the payment of their Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application, all of which generate significant earnings. less difficult to bear.
Read more: Chase Sapphire Reserve Benefits and Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Worth It?
If you’re looking for a giant welcome bonus to get things started, The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees) might be for you. After meeting initial spending requirements, you’ll earn valuable Membership Rewards points redeemable toward travel and other options. The downside is it carries the largest annual fee on our list.
Rewards: Earn five Membership Rewards issues per dollar for flights booked with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 per calendar year, five issues per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.
Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 on purchases on the card in the first 6 months of card membership.
Annual fee: $695
Other pros and cons: Amex Platinum has become something of a luxury coupon ebook and the benefits can easily offset the annual payment and more, as long as you use them. Many benefits are implemented very quickly and may also require registration. they come with annual credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, virtual entertainment, some hotel stays, and airline incidentals. Access to lounges at more than 1,400 locations around the world will also attract travelers.
Read More: Is Amex Platinum the Annual Fee?
Some cards offer bonuses on dining, some on groceries, but you can earn bonus points on basically anything you eat with the American Express® Gold Card (Terms apply. See rates & fees). This is an appealing option for anyone who wants to redeem travel rewards but doesn’t spend enough on flights or hotels to require elevated earning categories on travel itself.
Rewards: Earn four consistent Membership Rewards issues with restaurant dollars, plus takeout, and delivery in the U. S. In the U. S. , four Membership Rewards issuances consistent with U. S. dollars in U. S. dollars. Consistent with U. S. markets (up to $25,000 consistent with calendar year in purchases, then 1 point consistent with the dollar), 3 Membership Rewards®®® issues issues consistent with dollars on flights booked with airlines or through American Express, and 1 dollar-consistent point on other eligible purchases.
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of card membership.
Annual Fee: $250
Other benefits and drawbacks: Although this card earns Membership Rewards, which are great for travel, it doesn’t pack travel specific benefits. Instead, it includes monthly credits, some requiring enrollment, that are great for more common expenses, such as Uber Cash and dining credits valid at GrubHub (including Seamless) and more. For someone who wants to transform everyday expenses into a vacation, this card seamlessly blends the experience.
Read More: Benefits of Amex Gold and Is Amex Gold Worth It?
There are no confusing earning structures with the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card (rates and fees), simple, straightforward, and fixed issuances in exchange for a mid-range annual fee.
Rewards: Earn five miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked at Capital One Travel and 2 unlimited miles per dollar spent on other purchases.
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee: $95
Other benefits and drawbacks: Expect dialed-back benefits compared to more premium travel cards, though that’s only fair with an annual fee at a fraction of the cost. You’ll still enjoy select trip protections along with no foreign transaction fee. Keep in mind that you’ll want to redeem for travel bookings or transfers to partner programs (cash back is only worth half the rate).
The Citi Premier® card offers its cardholders wonderful rewards for its annual fee, but compared to the other more sensible cards on this list, it arguably doesn’t offer any additional benefits. For the welcome bonus and daily rewards, the card can be appealing to those looking for thank you points.
Rewards: Earn 3 Thank You Issues per dollar at restaurants, markets, fuel stations, flights and hotels, 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases and a total of 10 Issues per dollar on hotels, car rentals and attractions (excluding flights) booked through the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Annual Fee: $95
Other pros and cons: The Citi Premier® Card mitigates your annual payment with annual hotel savings. Earn $100 perks on qualifying stays when you make an e-booking through ThankYou. com, so those who use this perk will get perks, the card possibly in a It will be evaluated differently as a non-annual club card. The multiple redemption features of the commendation program come with air movement partners, but otherwise offer only a small collection of the most commonly practical earning advantages.
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® offers a unique opportunity to earn rewards on rent without paying processing fees, but it has value for anyone seeking transferable points without an annual fee. This new card is impressive enough to stand as a travel card on its own even if you don’t pay rent.
Rewards: Earn 1 point per dollar on rental invoices with no transaction fees (up to 100,000 points per calendar year), 3 points per dollar on meals, 2 points per dollar (when booked through the Bilt travel portal or directly with an airline, hotel, car rental, or cruise line), and 1 point consistent with the dollar on other purchases.
Welcome offer: This card does not offer a welcome bonus.
Annual fee: $0
Other pros and cons: Bilt World Elite Mastercard® has some limitations: you’ll only get issuances by making at least five transactions at the same time, and rental earnings are capped at 100,000 issuances per calendar year, but in a different way. It’s a counterfeit card. Bilt issuances can be transferred to a number of valued moving partners, such as World of Hyatt and American Airlines, or you can redeem them through your travel portal, where the price of the issuances varies depending on your redemption option. You can also save your troubles for a down payment on a home if you decide that travel takes a back seat to homeownership.
If your credit score is rarely in a position to get a premium travel card, take a look at the Credit One Bank Wander® Card. The card will pay exceptionally high fees on travel purchases and there are no overseas transaction fees. Unfortunately, the card is rarely very perfect: you miss out on extra details like access to airport lounges or the ability to move matters to other programs.
Rewards: Earn 10 points per dollar on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner, 5 points per dollar on eligible travel, dining and gas and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Welcome Offer: Earn 10,000 bonus issues after spending $1,000 on qualifying purchases during the first 90 days, which can be redeemed for a $100 credit, gift cards, or travel.
Annual Fee: $95
Other pros and cons: Don’t be fooled by this pretty undeniable map. Win rates alone will have you traveling in no time. The card is also very suitable for improving your credits, with features that you can decide for yourself. due date and track your credit score. Over time, this may lead to even more card functions in the future.
The Aeroplan® credit card offers a generous rewards program, but for those who work with Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, the card also offers a faster path to elite status. Like most airline cards, this card makes the most sense for those who primarily fly with Air Canada.
Rewards: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining, takeout and eligible delivery services, grocery stores and each dollar spent directly with Air Canada including vacations and cruises and 1 point per dollar for all other eligible purchases.
Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 issues after spending $4000 on purchases within the first 3 months after opening your account. Plus, 25,000 issuances after spending $20,000 on purchases during the first 12 months.
Annual fee: $95
Other benefits and drawbacks: The Aeroplan® Credit Card offers 25K status through the rest of the calendar year and the next with $15,000 of spending on the card in a calendar year. Existing status holders can upgrade to 35K status with $50,000 in spending per calendar year. Cardholders receive the first checked bag free for themselves and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation when flying Air Canada.
A $100 credit on the payment of the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application every 4 years, as well as preferred fares on award flights, sweeten the offer, which includes a list of coverages such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, travel insurance Demurrage Reimbursement, secondary insurance. Collision Damage Waiver and Purchase Protection for Car Rentals.
The United Quest℠ card is a mid-range United card. It’s a bit more expensive than the Explorer Card, but not as expensive as the United Club℠ Infinite Card. But with $125 annual credits on United purchases, you get two 5,000 MileagePlus credits. one year after your one-year anniversary as a cardholder valid for eligible flight redemptions (see offer for details) and two loose checked bags when you fly with United, the Quest could be for you.
Rewards: Earn 3 miles per dollar on United® purchases, 2 miles per dollar on dining, select streaming services and all other travel and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying emissions after spending $4,000 on purchases during the first 3 months.
Annual Fee: $250
Other pros and cons: In addition to providing additional benefits, the Quest card is also a better option for earning miles than the less expensive Explorer card. You’ll earn miles at a higher rate, and you can also earn 500 Premier Qualification Points for each of them. each $12,000 in net purchases (including purchases made through legal users), up to a maximum of 6,000 PQP in a calendar year.
As a general rule, if you’re looking for an airline-specific card, you’ll want to get a card with the airline you fly the most. In terms of the airline card that offers the best earnings potential, valuable points and additional useful benefits including lounge access, the United Club℠ Infinite Card comes out ahead.
Rewards: Earn four miles per dollar on purchases at United®, 2 miles per dollar on all other eligible trips, dinners and deliveries and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
Welcome Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months after account opening.
Annual Fee: $525
Other pros and cons: The ultimate life benefit of the United Club℠ Infinite Card is access to United Club airport lounges and other Star Alliance Gold lounges. You’ll also get two loose checked bags for you and another user traveling on the same booking, Premier access, 25% off in-flight purchases, extended access to award flights, and Premier upgrades on award tickets if you have status. Other protections and benefits are also included.
For those who can make the most of British Airways mileage redemptions, the British Airways Visa Signature® Card might make sense. It regularly offers a hefty welcome bonus, offering a fake price compared to its relatively low annual payout of $95. Great spenders have the option of getting a couple’s ticket, which is exciting for other people traveling across the Atlantic.
Rewards: Earn 3 Avios per dollar on purchases made on Iberia, British Airways, Aer Lingus and LEVEL, 2 Avios per dollar on hotel accommodation when shopping at the hotel and 1 Avios per dollar on all other purchases.
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Annual fee: $95
Other pros and cons: The British Airways Visa Signature® Card offers Visa Signature benefits, such as extended warranties and fraud liability, but it also offers several airline-specific benefits. Every calendar year you spend more than $30,000 on the card, get a Travel Together ticket, which adds an extra seat on the same flight and in the same cabin when you book a British Airways flight to and from a destination in the United States (business chic included). ).
Cardholders can also earn credits of $100 in Economy and Premium Class or $200 in Business Class and First Class, up to 3 times a year. In addition, you can use this card to earn a 10% discount on British Airways flights departing from the USA. link provided to cardholders.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards priority credit card outperforms other Southwest cards in terms of value, rewards, and perks, but it may not seem as impressive compared to other options, especially Chase Ultimate Rewards®® winning cards that allow users to move their rewards at a certain time. 1:1 ratio to the southwest.
Rewards: Earn 3 dollar emissions on purchases in the Southwest, 2 dollar emissions on Rapid Rewards car and hotel rental purchases, 2 dollar emissions on local transportation and commuting by adding rideshares, 2 dollar emissions on internet, cable, telephony, and streaming services, and 1 dollar-consistent point on other purchases.
Welcome Offer: Earn 50,000 bonus issues after spending $1000 on purchases during the first 3 months after opening the account.
Annual Fee: $149
Other Pros and Cons: The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit® card offers an annual credit of $75,7500 bonus issues each anniversary year and 4 enhanced shipments (subject to availability). Cardholders also get a 25% discount on in-flight drinks and Wi-Fi when they pay with their card, but unlike other airline cards, they don’t need to have a baggage credit, as all passengers’ first two checked bags fly at no extra cost. For those looking for their match with Southwest airline passes (an industry favorite among domestic hackers), the card offers an additional 10,000 qualifying issues as an add-on each year.
For repeat visitors to IHG properties, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers generous hotel stay rewards, a free annual birthday night, automatic Platinum Elite status, and the benefits of a fourth free night on award bookings, all for one annual fee. from $99.
Rewards: Earn up to 26 issues consistent with the dollar spent when you stay at IHG Hotels
Welcome Offer: Earn 140,000 bonus issues after spending $3000 on purchases during the first 3 months after opening the account.
Annual Fee: $99
Other pros and cons: The list of benefits for the IHG One Rewards Premier credit card includes a free fourth-night benefit: When you book four consecutive problem nights, get your fourth night free. Plus, on your cardholder’s birthday, you can enjoy a free birthday night at places that cost 40,000 or less per night. You can also receive up to a $100 credit toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS club every four years.
Travelers that love Hyatt, love Hyatt. While The World of Hyatt Credit Card isn’t necessarily the best way to earn World of Hyatt points, between the annual free night and the ability to spend toward status it is a good option for people who frequent Hyatt hotels.
Rewards: Earn a total of nine issues consistent with the dollar spent at Hyatt: four bonus issues consistent with the dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and five base issues consistent with the dollar at Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member. Earn 2 bonus issues consistent with the dollar spent on restaurants, airline tickets purchased on airlines, on public transportation and local travel, and on gym and fitness memberships and 1 point consistent with the dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Welcome Offer: Earn 30,000 bonus issues after spending $3000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. In addition, up to 30,000 additional bonus issues by earning 2 bonus issues in total consistent with the dollar spent in the first 6 months after account opening on purchases earning 1 bonus point, out of a maximum of $15,000 spent.
Annual Fee: $95
Other pros and cons: In addition to the ability to earn issues in a wide variety of categories, The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers cardholders a free hotel night valid at category 1-4 Hyatt hotels in the year of the cardholder’s birthday. cardholder and the chance to earn a second after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year.
Depending on how much you spend on non-Hyatt shopping and dining, Chase Sapphire Reserve® may offer you the opportunity to earn more Hyatt emissions in a year, as Chase Ultimate Rewards® issues roll over to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio.
Of the many Marriott credit cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card* balances a moderate annual fee with the heavy-hitting benefit of an annual Free Night Award and other hotel perks.
Rewards: Earn 6 emissions consistent with dollars at attractive Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3 emissions consistent with dollars spent (up to $6,000) on combined purchases at supermarkets, fuel stations, and restaurants, and 2 emissions consistent with dollars on all other purchases.
Welcome offer: Earn 3 Free Night Awards after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, a value of up to 150,000 points.
Annual Fee: $95
Other pros and cons: Earning fares may not earn you any rewards, but travelers will still find value with this card. Silver Elite Automatic Prestige comes with exciting bonuses when you stay at Marriott and you also earn 15 Elite Night Credits per calendar year and per year. It will help you reach the next prestige point faster. If your remains alone don’t reach this point, you can also earn more Elite Night credits by spending: One night for one and both $5,000 on eligible card charges. Or automatically earn Gold Elite when you spend $35,000.
In addition to earning emissions at a relatively rapid rate, the American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Card* also confers top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status. Other Hilton benefits include a free night each year and up to $250 in hotel credits. each one for a year.
Rewards: Earn 14 Hilton Honors bonus issuances at attractive hotels or resorts in Hilton’s portfolio, 7 dollar-consistent issuances on eligible purchases for flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel, car rentals booked directly with U. S. car rental companies and restaurants, and 7 dollar-consistent dollar issuances on Hilton’s portfolio of attractive hotels or resorts, 7 dollar-consistent issuances on eligible purchases for flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel, car rentals booked directly with U. S. car rental companies and restaurants, and 14 Hilton Honors Rewards at Hilton Airports. 3 U. S. dollar issuances consistent with other eligible purchases.
Welcome Offer: Earn 180,000 Hilton Honors bonus issues after spending $6000 on purchases during the first 6 months after opening an account.
Annual Fee: $550
Other pros and cons: While the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express* generates more issues per dollar than some of the other cards on this list, hotel issues aren’t as valuable as airline miles or flexible honors issues. That said, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express* offers all the benefits.
In addition to hotel benefits, cardholders also get a complimentary Priority Pass Select lounge club at the airport with enrollment and up to $250 in airfare credits for incidental purchases with an eligible airline of your choice each year.
With no annual fee, the hotel offers bogus hotel perks and paid rates to travelers, especially those traveling by car, thanks to fuel rewards and roadside homes.
Rewards: Earn five points per dollar spent on By Wyndham hotels and fuel purchases, 2 points per dollar spent on restaurants and grocery purchases (excluding Target and Walmart), and 1 point per dollar spent on purchases.
Welcome Offer: Earn 30,000 bonus issues after spending $1,000 on purchases during the first few days.
Annual Fee: $0
Other pros and cons: There’s no glitz on this map, just the basics. However, the welcome offer is quite doable, and visitors have access to discounts on paid and award bookings at Wyndham’s family-friendly hotels. Cardholders are also boosted to Gold Prestige for upgrades and additions during their journey. And most sensible of all that, big spenders get an extra reward: Earn 7,500 bonus issues each year after spending $15,000 or more with your card.
Forbes Advisor analyzed dozens of airline, hotel, and Bendy rewards credit cards to create this list of the most productive credit cards. The cards were scored based on many factors, including:
Forbes Advisor evaluates cards as standalone products (the card’s score in review) and as opposed to others in an express use case. Sometimes, cards with average independent scores would possibly still rank first on a specific list depending on how well the user searches for a card in that category would possibly appreciate certain features of the card.
For example, a card that may also be mediocre overall may also simply be the first card on a list of rewards cards with no annual fee. This is because the card would possibly offer limited features compared to other rewards cards, but after removing cards that charge an annual fee, it’s the most productive card left.
Forbes Advisor uses insights from various government agencies about how much a typical cardholder might spend. We use the same numbers for cards in the same category to make sure we are comparing cards in the same way. The spending bonus categories included in each card are taken into account when determining the amount of rewards a cardholder can expect to earn if they use the card as a customer normally would.
To learn more about our review and review method, as well as our editorial process, ask our consultant about how Forbes Advisor evaluates credit cards.
A credit card is a card that allows you to earn rewards while traveling. These rewards come in a variety of forms. They can earn airline miles, hotel emissions, or flexible emissions that can be redeemed with moving partners or implemented into expenses.
Many credit cards will also offer additional benefits, such as loose checked baggage, priority boarding, access to the airport lounge, and even discounts on hotels or rental cars. Some cards offer welcome bonuses when you sign up, which can get you a lot of points or miles to help you start redeeming them for valuable rewards.
Travel credit cards can offer an additional price to ordinary travelers who need to earn rewards temporarily and seamlessly while traveling. These credit cards can be used in any country that accepts primary card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc. ) and qualify with no foreign transaction fees, meaning there are no additional fees from the credit card company to make overseas purchases.
By using a travel credit card, it’s possible to rack up points over time and redeem them toward flights, hotel stays or other travel expenses.
A travel rewards credit card earns miles or emissions for every purchase made with the card. After earning miles or emissions, there are usually a few redemption options, including redeeming for airline tickets, gift cards, or credits. Typically, redeeming miles and emissions for travel will generate the most value.
Credit card issuances, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards, are earned for every purchase made with the card. Each card has a different earning structure, so one card can earn the best rewards on shopping and dining, while others can earn more emissions on grocery and fuel expenses. Often, credit card issues will have multiple redemption options, such as cash, cards, or gift cards, compared to a co-branded card, which tends to earn rewards that can only be redeemed for anything like an express airline, hotel, or merchandise.
Airline and hotel point values often are variable, which means that the worth of a point may fluctuate depending on the specific redemption. Some programs will tie the value of their points or miles to the cash equivalent of a ticket or hotel night. Others have a tiered system based on something like peak or off-peak travel times, seat class or hotel category—or a combination of the two.
Since airline and hotel rewards are most often redeemed for nights or flights, it makes sense to do some research before collecting a large number of points to get the most out of your redemption. The Forbes Advisor for redeeming points and miles is a smart position to start.
Benefits offered by travel credit cards will vary based on the exact card, but may include:
Not all credit cards are created equal. Here’s how the other types break down, so you can decide which type of rewards card best suits your specific situation.
These types of credit cards earn rewards that can be transferred to other programs, like airline or hotel loyalty programs. Transferable rewards include Capital One rewards, Bilt Rewards, Brex Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points.
Airline credit cards earn miles that can be used to redeem for future purchases with that airline. You can also use that airline’s miles to book flights on partners or other carriers within the same airline alliance, which may yield greater value for your earnings.
Many airline credit cards offer other benefits besides earning miles. Generally, the higher the annual fee, the more benefits you will receive. Some not-unusual airline credit card extras would likely include loose checked bags, priority boarding, credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees, and airport lounge access. If you can maximize those extras, the benefits can be worth more than the annual fee.
Anyone who stays in hotels at least semi-regularly and who can pledge loyalty to one brand may find that a hotel credit card is right for them. With these cards, you’ll earn rewards in the hotel’s currency, like Marriott Bonvoy points, Hilton Honors points or World of Hyatt points, which are redeemable towards any eligible hotel property under that brand’s umbrella.
Owning a hotel credit card can be a much faster way to earn emissions than earning emissions from scraps alone. Some cards automatically confer elite prestige on possession, which comes with its own set of perks that can range from overdue outings to loose breakfasts. to room upgrades. Some cards will also offer a night off depending on the year you renew your card club, as well as other ongoing perks, such as access to airport lounges.
Credit card issuances can be priced consistently when redeemed for things like cashback or travel, and the issuer publishes the price of money according to the point. For example, a card may offer a price of one cent consistent with the point when redeemed for any qualifying travel purchase.
With some cards, fixed-value point coins can also vary depending on the type of redemption. For example, a card issues may be worth 1. 5 cents each when redeemed for rewards, but only 1 cent each when redeemed for cash. behind.
If you’re traveling for work and you want to keep your business expenses separate from your personal expenses, a travel business credit card may be worth considering. Business credit cards for travel function the same as consumer credit cards for travel, although the business versions often offer different earning rates and perks, as well as a different annual fee structure.
A co-branded card generally makes sense if you tend to stay loyal to that brand when you travel. Using a co-branded card can fast-track you towards elite status with a hotel or airline and often comes with other valuable benefits. If you’d prefer to fly any airline you choose and stay at any hotel brand you’d like, a general travel card is likely a better choice for your needs.
With credit cars, the point of benefit will likely be related to the annual payment. A premium car can come with access to airport lounges, protections including vacation cancellation and theft insurance, as well as exclusive privileges at luxury hotels. Lower-end cars still offer rental car insurance and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck benefit. Even a car with no annual payment can offer some fundamental benefits depending on the car.
A co-branded card will offer express benefits for that brand. For airline cards, you may get benefits on checked baggage or a discount on in-flight purchases. In the case of hotel cards, you may see a prestige level, a single annual night, or birthday points. Both types of cards can offer you the opportunity to spend to succeed at higher levels of prestige.
To learn more about the best co-branded credit cards, see our guides below:
It’s safe to say that travel credit cards will likely only appeal to travelers. Their benefits and rewards are specialized and would be hard to use if you don’t intend to travel. For anyone who travels even once or twice a year, though, these credit cards can make a lot of sense compared to cash-back cards or other rewards credit cards due to all of the included perks.
The number of travel credit cards you deserve to have will depend on how you travel, what benefits you enjoy, your monetary situation, and whether you’re willing to spend time tracking down multiple cards. Frequent flyers will find it helpful to have at least one. travel card, but I would possibly consider having several. For example, having an airline card and a hotel card can give you additional benefits and the opportunity to earn rewards for all aspects of your travel plans.
Travel cards often include numerous membership benefits such as elite status when traveling with partner programs, free checked bags, lounge access or discounts on ancillary travel fees. These benefits can make your trips easier, more comfortable and more affordable. Additionally, travel credit cards offer the opportunity to earn valuable rewards and in some cases may provide higher yields than cash back or other types of rewards.
When comparing travel credit cards, things to include:
Annual credit card payments range from 0 to several hundred dollars. In general, the more expensive the card, the greater the benefits and rewards. It would possibly be worth paying an annual payment if you want to get the related benefits.
Read more: Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards
If you’re traveling abroad, make sure your card doesn’t have foreign transaction fees. This can result in an additional 2-3% surcharge on most of the value of your purchase and makes anything you buy with a card in a foreign country more expensive. than a card without this charge. Foreign transaction fees also apply to acquisitions made from foreign companies, even if you have not left the U. S. U. S.
Read More: Best Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees
If you’re looking to decide between two similar cards, the welcome offer on a given card may be helpful. These welcome offers come and go and if a card you’re thinking of has a generous offer, it can help offset the annual payment and/or the cost of a long-term trip.
When opting for a card, think about your spending habits. If you rarely travel, it may not make sense to have a card that offers maximum rewards on airline purchases.
In some countries, all credit cards may be accepted, but that isn’t always the case. When traveling outside of the United States, Visa and Mastercard tend to be more widely accepted than American Express or other cards. Because of this, if you travel often, you may want to choose a Visa or Mastercard either in addition to or in lieu of other types of cards.
Many travel credit cards include various forms of travel protections, such as trip interruption coverage or collision damage waivers for rental cars. These included protections could save you money compared to separately purchased policies but won’t necessarily be as comprehensive. Check with your card benefits guide to get information on your coverage terms.
Read more: Best Car Loans with Insurance and Best Auto Credits with Rental Car Insurance
Also, be aware of any special benefits related to the cards you’re reviewing. These can range from access to airport lounges to credit refunds for certain purchases made on express brands or on purchases in express categories.
Airline credit cards typically earn frequent flyer miles on every purchase. Co-branded airline cards also frequently come with perks while traveling, like free checked bags, enhanced award space or lounge access. They may also help you achieve elite status more easily.
When comparing airline credit cards, consider:
In addition, redeeming regular flyer miles can be more confusing than requesting cashback or other types of rewards. While using miles for award flights can generate great value, you want to know the ins and outs of the program.
The most common tactics for earning airline miles are flying with the airline (or its partners) or using a credit card that earns average traveler miles with every purchase. You can also earn more airline miles through:
Hotel credit cards will generate issuances for extended, free stays, but this is a case where the perks can sometimes outweigh the rewards. On most occasions, hotel cards automatically come with elite prestige as well as quick access to even higher prestige levels. Charge, annual certificate loose overnight or load credits to your price proposal.
Many hotel loyalty systems offer cards with shared logos to choose from, which makes it even more important to compare the features of an individual card. It’s not unusual for a single hotel’s logo to offer a non-annual fee, an average rate. -Tier and a premium card, each with different win rates and perks.
When comparing a hotel’s cards, consider:
In addition to booking hotel stays or using a hotel-branded credit card, you can also earn hotel points through other methods such as:
The way to get the most out of your credit card is to use a card that suits your spending habits.
Knowing how to make the most of the emissions and miles you earn with your credit card goes hand in hand with the use of loyalty systems introduced by most airlines and hotel brands. It’s free to join, and you can belong to as many loyalty systems as possible. As you wish. Typically, when you sign up for a co-branded credit card affiliated with a specific brand, you automatically become a member of the loyalty program if you haven’t already.
Tracking your spending allows you to ensure that both times you make a purchase, you will be the card that gives you the maximum rewards. This means knowing which card to use and in what situation, based on how a specific merchant codes the purchase. For example, if you have two credit cards, one that earns maximum rewards on food and a co-branded airline card, it may not make sense to use the airline card to pay the restaurant bill because the maximum restaurant card will likely earn more rewards. You can do this through a variety of strategies as confusing as creating a spreadsheet or as undeniable as placing stickers on a card to remind you when to use it.
Beyond earning rewards, there are also methods to get the maximum price when it comes time to redeem your rewards. When it comes time to withdraw your rewards, there are typically two tactics for doing so. You can plan the direction of your selection and use your rewards to fully or partially offset the cost. You can also do some research to see where the rewards you have can be used to get your money’s worth. It depends on how many paints you’re comfortable with.
Credit cards can save you a lot of money on travel compared to paying full price. Often, the most substantial way to travel for free with credit cards is by redeeming rewards for travel. A combination of welcome bonus offers and the rewards you earn from everyday spending can add up to hundreds of dollars in value toward free travel. However, you’ll need to learn to redeem points and miles from your specific program to do so.
Included credits or card benefits can also help you travel for free. Premium credit cards can offer annual credits toward the purchase of safe travels, which serves as a discount. Alternatively, you can have a couple certificate from an airline or a free night certificate from the hotel, which paints more like a coupon.
As the new year approaches, check your credit card praise balances and strategize how to use them in 2024. According to a Forbes Advisor survey conducted in November 2024, 12% of respondents did not know how many problems of praise they had.
Just like you’d track your bank account balances, it’s worth tracking your miles and points earnings. In some cases, these rewards are as good as cash: For example, Chase Ultimate Rewards® can be redeemed for one cent each. Other times, you may be surprised to find you already have enough points to make an award redemption for a flight or hotel stay. Even if you don’t, keeping an eye on your balance will help you plan for the future.
Even more Americans (15%) had at least $2,500 worth of unspent rewards. While sometimes it makes sense to save your points temporarily—for example, to book next year’s summer vacation—hoarding is usually a bad idea. Points devalue as programs modify redemption options and rates. That’s especially true with travel rewards, making it especially important to have an intended use for your miles and points over the next year.
Generally speaking, yes, travel credit cards are worth it—if you’ll use the benefits. Travel rewards credit cards can be a strategic addition to your finances if you travel with any regularity. You’ll be able to earn rewards on every purchase and later redeem those rewards toward future trips, often at a higher yield than if you had chosen cash back or other types of rewards. Many travel cards also include benefits to enhance your travel experience along the way to add even more value.
For Capital One products indexed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided through Visa® or Mastercard® and will possibly vary by product. Please refer to the applicable Guide to Benefits for details, as situations and exclusions apply.
Each issuer’s definition of which purchases or which purchase categories may vary slightly, but categories likely to be included by any issuer include airfare, hotels, rental cars and cruises. Chase offers a fairly wide definition of travel, with airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, campgrounds and operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways and parking lots and garages all considered travel worthy of rewards.
Even if your purchase would typically count toward a category, it’s worth noting that merchants are typically responsible for the categorization and if the merchant you purchase from isn’t categorized correctly, your transaction likely won’t earn rewards.
A rewards credit card will sometimes offer smart and correct credits to qualify. Plan to have a credit score of at least 700 to be approved through the most productive credit cards on the market. Applicants must have a credit score of 720 or higher.
Most credit cards require smart and correct credit scores. However, sometimes, cards with no annual payment are sometimes easier to download than ultra-premium cards with maximum annual payments.
Forbes Advisor’s list of the most productive credit cards for insurance offers a variety of cards that offer counterfeit insurance. While you shouldn’t get a credit card just for this feature, it can be a useful way to save money. Cards that offer insurance tend to have high annual fees, so keep that in mind when comparing whether or not you’re more likely to use this feature.
There is no such thing as a “best” credit card with travel rewards or any other type of reward. That’s because everyone’s spending behavior is different, and someone who travels will do better with another travel rewards card than someone who travels perhaps once a year.
Many credit cards are suitable for foreign travel. You need to make sure that the card has no foreign transaction fees. It’s also useful if the issues on the map suit the destinations you need to travel to. For example, if you need to fly to Asia, a co-branded airline with a U. S. -based airline will be able to fly to Asia. A U. S. company that doesn’t fly to Asia, like Southwest, probably wouldn’t help you.
The number of miles you want for a free flight depends on a variety of factors, adding up the airline miles you use, where you fly, when you travel, and other factors. Most domestic airlines have eliminated award tables, which means that the value of miles for any flight can vary even between same-day flights.
Domestic flights within the United States will require fewer miles than foreign flights. As a general rule, expect to spend between 5,000 and 20,000 miles on a one-way domestic economy class flight.
Foreign long-haul flights would possibly charge a little more. Plan to spend between 20,000 and 40,000 miles round-trip to fly to Europe in smart economy class and even more for flights to Asia, Africa and Oceania.
Do not take into account the checked baggage charge or fuel surcharges before booking your ticket. Flights booked with awards are also sometimes subject to government taxes and fees.
Point prices are as diverse as the types of points themselves. Point pricing on some cards is easier because the fees are somewhat tied to cash prizes. However, if a program uses a rewards table, the price of points will vary greatly depending on how you redeem it. Usually, get the highest price consistent with the point on premium airline seats and luxury hotel stays.
Points and miles are the same thing, they’re just other names for accolades earned with a specific credit card. Some credit cards offer points, others, adding airline cards, offer miles. But the basic service is the same in that. All of those praise cards get a specific type of praise currency based on your spending, which can be used in other ways.
Informing your credit card issuer about your plans before your vacation can help you avoid declined transactions due to suspected fraud. An issuer’s formula may flag a transaction as suspicious and ban it if it suspects that your card or card details have been stolen. For this reason, transmitters make it pretty simple to notify you when you leave town. You can notify your issuer of your vacation by calling the number on the back of your card or by logging into your card issuer’s online page and locating the option to send a notice.
Travel cards with annual payment are only worth it if the extra accolades and perks outweigh the additional charge of the annual payment. Just because an annual payment card generates more praise and offers more perks doesn’t mean it’s more complimentary than a No Annual Payment Card: the additional praise will need to exceed the number of compliments earned with the most productive non-annual payment card. Option for you. The risk you take when paying an annual payment is that you may not get benefits that match the annual payment, so be sure to thoroughly evaluate that risk before applying.
Most credit card issuers no longer require you to tell Array first. In fact, Chase and a few other corporations have gotten rid of the notification equipment for your account or online application. Card fraud alerts are now more advanced, and valid transactions deserve to be posted without incident.
However, you may need to make sure you have access to check for anything suspicious of fraud, just in case, whether it’s making sure your phone number has a service to respond to automated text messages or downloading your card app ahead of time to manage your account.
(0 – 649)
(650 – 699)
(700 – 749)
(750 – 850)