Travel credit cards can transform your everyday spending into free flights, hotel stays, and other valuable travel benefits. Whether you’re a casual vacationer or a frequent flyer, the right card can help you earn points or miles on your routine purchases—and redeem them for memorable getaways. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to pick the best travel rewards credit card, highlight top card options, and share insider tips for maximizing every travel dollar.
Why Use a Travel Credit Card?
Earn Rewards on Everyday Spending
Travel credit cards go beyond simply earning cash back. Depending on the card, you’ll typically collect points or miles at accelerated rates on categories like dining, groceries, gas, or direct travel bookings. This means you can earn a stash of rewards passively over the weeks and months, simply by paying for routine expenses.
Access Exclusive Perks
Many travel cards come with features that make traveling more comfortable and stress-free. This might include:
- Airport Lounge Access: Unwind in a quiet space with complimentary snacks and drinks.
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Fee Credit: Speed through security lines and customs.
- In-flight Discounts: Get reduced prices for onboard purchases, Wi-Fi, or seat upgrades.
Save Money in the Long Run
Even if a card has an annual fee, the total value of perks, statement credits, and miles/points earned can offset that cost—often several times over. For instance, if you earn a large sign-up bonus worth several hundred dollars or more, you can use it toward flights or hotel stays, effectively paying for your next trip.
How to Choose the Best Travel Credit Card
Picking the right travel card depends on your habits, financial goals, and the destinations you frequent. Here are the main factors to consider.
Your Spending Habits
Ask yourself: Where does most of your money go each month? Are you a foodie who dines out often, or do you spend more on groceries for a large household? Do you book flights frequently or stick to road trips?
- Dining & Groceries: Some cards offer bonus rewards at restaurants and supermarkets.
- Travel & Transit: Others provide extra points or miles for airfare, hotels, rideshares, and more.
Review your monthly expenses and find a card that aligns with your biggest spending categories.
Types of Travel Rewards (Airline vs. Hotel vs. Flexible Points)
- Airline Miles Cards: Ideal if you’re loyal to a specific airline (e.g., Southwest, Delta) and want perks like priority boarding or free checked bags.
- Hotel Rewards Cards: Perfect if you stick to one hotel chain (e.g., Hilton, Marriott) and want free nights or elite status.
- Flexible Points Cards: Offer versatility, letting you transfer points to various airline and hotel partners or redeem them directly through a travel portal.
Fees & Annual Costs
Many premium travel cards charge annual fees, ranging from around $95 to $695 or more, but they also come with higher rewards rates and luxurious perks. If you prefer a no-fee option, look for a no annual fee travel credit card that still earns travel rewards (though usually at a lower rate).
Sign-Up Bonuses & Ongoing Rewards
Sign-up bonuses can jump-start your rewards balance. For example, a card might offer 60,000 points after you spend a certain amount in the first few months. Also consider ongoing benefits, such as annual hotel certificates, companion tickets, or statement credits.
Foreign Transaction Fees & International Acceptance
If you travel internationally or make purchases from foreign merchants, confirm the card has no foreign transaction fees. Visa and Mastercard tend to be widely accepted worldwide, while American Express is sometimes less accepted in certain regions. However, acceptance has been expanding significantly in recent years.
Top Picks for the Best Travel Credit Cards
Below are some of the top travel credit cards for 2025, each offering unique benefits. Remember that terms and sign-up bonuses can change; always check the issuer’s website for the most current details.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Why We Like It
- Sign-Up Bonus: Often around 60,000 points (worth $750 or more in travel) after meeting the spending requirement in the first three months.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Rewards Structure:
- 5x points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 2x points on all other travel purchases
- 3x points on dining
- 1x points on everything else
- Redemption Flexibility: Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to airline and hotel partners, or redeemed through the Chase travel portal for a 25% bonus.
Ideal For
- Travelers who want a balance of a moderate annual fee with strong earning rates and flexible redemption options.
2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Why We Like It
- Sign-Up Bonus: Typically 75,000 miles after a set spending threshold in the first three months.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Rewards Structure:
- 2x miles on every purchase, regardless of category
- 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Ease of Redemption: You can redeem miles for statement credits against travel purchases, or transfer them to various airline and hotel partners.
Ideal For
- Simplicity seekers who want a straightforward 2x miles on every purchase and flexible redemption options.
3. American Express® Gold Card
Why We Like It
- Sign-Up Bonus: Often around 60,000 Membership Rewards points after reaching spending requirements in the first six months (offers vary).
- Annual Fee: $250
- Rewards Structure:
- 4x points at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
- 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1x)
- 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
- Credits & Perks: Monthly dining credit at select restaurants and a variety of travel protections.
- Membership Rewards Program: Points are transferable to numerous airline and hotel partners like Delta, British Airways, Hilton, and more.
Ideal For
- Foodies who spend heavily on dining and groceries, and frequent flyers who want flexible points to transfer to different travel partners.
4. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
Why We Like It
- No Annual Fee: Great for beginners or infrequent travelers.
- Base Rewards: 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases.
- Sign-Up Bonus: Typically around 25,000 points after meeting a modest spending requirement.
- Preferred Rewards Boost: Bank of America clients at higher relationship tiers can earn up to 75% more points on every purchase.
Ideal For
- Those seeking a no annual fee travel credit card that still offers a solid flat rate on every purchase. Especially valuable for Bank of America clients who want to boost rewards further.
5. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Why We Like It
- Airline Loyalty: Earn Rapid Rewards points quickly and work toward the Southwest Companion Pass.
- Annual Fee: $149
- Earning Rates:
- 3x points on Southwest purchases
- 2x on transit, commuting, internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming services
- 1x on everything else
- Companion Pass Potential: If you earn enough points (including sign-up bonuses), you can get the coveted Companion Pass, allowing a designated companion to fly with you (paying only taxes/fees) for the rest of the year and the following year.
Ideal For
- Frequent Southwest flyers who want to leverage Rapid Rewards points for domestic travel and easily bring a companion along for (almost) free.
6. Other Noteworthy Cards
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express
- Great for Delta loyalists, includes a checked-bag perk and decent earn rate on dining and groceries.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®
- Perfect if you often stay at Hilton properties. Earn Hilton Honors points rapidly and enjoy complimentary Hilton Gold status.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Good choice for Marriott loyalists. Comes with a Free Night Award each year and automatic Silver Elite status.
These are just a few more specialized options to consider if you frequently fly with a specific airline or stay at a particular hotel chain.
Comparing Rewards Programs & Redemption Options
Airline Miles vs. Flexible Points
- Airline Miles: Tied to one airline’s frequent flyer program. Miles can be valuable if the airline offers flights where and when you need them at competitive redemption rates.
- Flexible Points: Offers greater versatility. Cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred and American Express® Gold let you transfer points to a range of travel partners or redeem directly for flights, hotels, and more.
Transfer Partners & Alliances
Transferring points to airline and hotel partners can unlock better redemption rates, especially when you find sweet spots (e.g., short-haul flights at a lower mileage cost). Examples:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: Partners include United, Southwest, Marriott, and Hyatt.
- Amex Membership Rewards: Partners include Delta, British Airways, Hilton, and Marriott.
Cash Back vs. Statement Credits vs. Travel Portal Bookings
- Cash Back: While straightforward, it may yield a lower value per point compared to travel redemption.
- Statement Credits: Often used to “erase” travel purchases. Cards like Capital One Venture make it easy to redeem miles for recent travel charges.
- Travel Portals: Certain portals provide bonus value (e.g., 25% with Chase Sapphire Preferred). However, you may need to compare portal prices to airline/hotel sites directly.
Maximizing Travel Rewards
Spending Strategies
Focus your biggest travel-spend categories on the card offering the highest returns. If you have multiple cards, use each for its optimal bonus category. For instance:
- Groceries & Dining: American Express® Gold (4x points).
- General Travel Purchases: Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x or 5x points).
- Everything Else: Capital One Venture (2x miles).
Timing Sign-Up Bonuses
If you have a big purchase or a trip planned, open a new travel card just before to help meet the sign-up bonus spending requirement. Make sure to read the fine print on the spend threshold (e.g., $4,000 within three months) so you can plan accordingly.
Combining Cards for Better Perks
Consider a two-card or three-card strategy:
- Use a primary travel card (e.g., Chase Sapphire Preferred) for travel and dining spend.
- Pair with a no-fee cash back card to earn consistent rewards on other purchases if the travel card’s base rate is low.
- For airlines or hotels you frequently use, you might add a co-branded card to enjoy extra perks and faster points accrual.
Common Travel Credit Card Fees & How to Avoid Them
Annual Fees
- Tips to Justify: Leverage sign-up bonuses, lounge passes, statement credits, and hotel certificates to exceed the annual cost in value.
- No-Fee Options: If you’re fee-averse, look for no annual fee travel credit cards like Bank of America® Travel Rewards.
Foreign Transaction Fees
- How to Avoid: Pick a card with no foreign transaction fees for international travel or online purchases from non-U.S. vendors. Most travel-oriented cards waive these fees.
Balance Transfer & Late Payment Fees
- Minimize Interest & Penalties: Pay balances in full each month to avoid interest charges. Keep track of due dates to avoid late payment fees.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do travel credit cards differ from cash back cards?
Travel credit cards typically earn points or miles redeemable for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-focused perks. Cash back cards offer statement credits or cash refunds. While some travel cards can also redeem points for cash, their highest value often lies in travel redemptions and companion perks.
2. What credit score is needed to get approved for a travel credit card?
Most travel rewards credit cards require good to excellent credit (around 670+ FICO score). Premium cards often look for higher scores (700+). Approval also depends on factors like credit history, income, and existing debt obligations.
3. How do you redeem travel points for maximum value?
- Transfer to Airline Partners: This can yield higher cents-per-point value than redeeming for cash or gift cards.
- Look for Award Sales: Airlines may offer reduced mileage awards for specific routes or promotions.
- Redeem Through Card Portals: Some issuers offer boosted redemption rates (e.g., 1.25 cents per point with Chase Sapphire Preferred).
4. Are annual fees worth it?
They can be—if you utilize the rewards and perks. For instance, a $95 annual fee might be easily offset by a single sign-up bonus or an annual hotel night worth $200. However, if you won’t use the card’s rewards and benefits, a no-fee alternative might be better.
5. Which travel credit card is best for beginners?
A card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® (moderate annual fee and versatile rewards) or the Bank of America® Travel Rewards (no annual fee) is often considered a good “starter” travel credit card. Both offer flexible redemption options and straightforward benefits.
Final Thoughts on Finding the Best Travel Credit Card
Ultimately, the best travel credit card for you comes down to your spending habits, travel frequency, and preferred perks. If you’re loyal to a certain airline or hotel chain, co-branded cards can deliver excellent value. But if you want flexibility, a versatile rewards program is key—especially those with transferable points. Take a moment to consider your travel goals and budget. With the right strategy, you can unlock thousands of dollars’ worth of free flights, upgrades, and unforgettable adventures.