menu
HomeCredit CardTravel Credit CardsTop 10 General Travel Credit Cards

Top 10 General Travel Credit Cards

General travel credit cards are versatile financial tools designed for travelers. They offer rewards in the form of points or miles that can be redeemed for various travel-related expenses like flights, hotel stays, and car rentals. These cards often come with additional perks such as travel insurance, airport lounge access, and no foreign transaction fees.

Advertisement

In-depth, these cards typically grant users a certain number of points or miles for every dollar spent, with higher earnings for travel-related purchases. Many also provide sign-up bonuses, which can be substantial enough to cover significant travel costs after meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months. Besides earning rewards, cardholders often benefit from travel protections such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and emergency assistance services. Some premium travel credit cards offer access to exclusive airport lounges, expedited security screening, and concierge services. These features make general travel credit cards a valuable asset for frequent travelers seeking to maximize their travel experiences while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses.

  • Chase Sapphire Preferred
    Chase Sapphire Preferred

    Chase Sapphire Preferred - Travel rewards card with valuable points and benefits.

    View All
  • American Express Gold Card
    American Express Gold Card

    American Express Gold Card - Premium rewards card with dining, travel perks, and points.

    View All
  • Capital One Venture Rewards
    Capital One Venture Rewards

    Capital One Venture Rewards - Travel rewards card with flexible redemption options.

    View All
  • Citi Premier Card
    Citi Premier Card

    Citi Premier Card - Travel rewards card with points on everyday spending.

    View All
  • Bank of America Travel Rewards
    Bank of America Travel Rewards

    Bank of America Travel Rewards - No-fee card; unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on purchases.

    View All
  • Discover it Miles
    Discover it Miles

    Discover it Miles - Travel rewards card with unlimited 1.5x miles on purchases.

    View All
  • Wells Fargo Propel American Express
    Wells Fargo Propel American Express

    Wells Fargo Propel American Express - No-annual-fee card with cash back on multiple categories.

    View All
  • U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card
    U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card

    U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card - Premium travel rewards card with high-value points and perks.

    View All
  • HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard
    HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard

    HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard - Premium travel rewards card with extensive perks and benefits.

    View All
  • Barclays Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard
    Barclays Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard

    Barclays Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard - Travel rewards credit card with no foreign transaction fees.

    View All

Top 10 General Travel Credit Cards

1.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

less
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular travel rewards credit card known for its valuable points system and flexible redemption options. Cardholders earn 2X points on travel and dining, and 1X on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel, gift cards, or statement credits, often at an enhanced value. The card offers a generous sign-up bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and various travel protections, making it ideal for frequent travelers.

Pros

  • pros Generous sign-up bonus
  • pros 2x points on dining/travel
  • pros No foreign transaction fees
  • pros Comprehensive travel insurance
  • pros Flexible rewards redemption.

Cons

  • cons$95 annual fee
  • cons Requires good/excellent credit
  • cons Limited lounge access
  • cons No 0% intro APR
  • cons Higher points value with Chase portal only.
View All

2.

American Express Gold Card

less
The American Express Gold Card is a premium charge card offering robust rewards and benefits. Cardholders earn high points on dining, groceries, and select travel, making it ideal for foodies and frequent travelers. It features no preset spending limit, flexible payment options, and valuable perks like dining credits and travel protections. With an annual fee, it's best suited for those who can maximize its rewards and benefits. Membership includes access to exclusive events and personalized services.

Pros

  • pros High rewards rate
  • pros dining benefits
  • pros travel perks
  • pros flexible points
  • pros strong customer service

Cons

  • consHigh annual fee
  • cons limited acceptance
  • cons complex rewards structure
  • cons foreign transaction fee
  • cons spending requirements for bonuses
View All

3.

Capital One Venture Rewards

less
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a straightforward and flexible rewards program, ideal for frequent travelers. Cardholders earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, with no caps or expiration. New users can benefit from a substantial sign-up bonus if they meet the spending requirement. Miles can be redeemed for travel expenses, including flights and hotels, or transferred to partner loyalty programs, providing valuable options for maximizing rewards. The card also includes travel benefits and no foreign transaction fees.

Pros

  • pros Flexible rewards
  • pros No foreign transaction fees
  • pros Easy redemption options
  • pros High earning rate
  • pros Sign-up bonus

Cons

  • consAnnual fee
  • cons Limited transfer partners
  • cons No intro APR
  • cons Potential for overspending
  • cons Requires good credit
View All

4.

Citi Premier Card

less
The Citi Premier® Card is a versatile rewards credit card offering 3X points on air travel, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, and 1X on all other purchases. It features a generous sign-up bonus and an annual $100 hotel savings benefit through Citi's ThankYou® Travel Center. Ideal for frequent travelers and everyday spenders, the card comes with an annual fee but provides valuable perks and extensive point redemption options, including travel, gift cards, and more.

Pros

  • pros high rewards rate on travel and dining
  • pros flexible ThankYou points
  • pros no foreign transaction fees
  • pros annual hotel savings benefit
  • pros worldwide acceptance.

Cons

  • cons$95 annual fee
  • cons no intro APR offer
  • cons limited travel protections
  • cons no lounge access
  • cons high balance transfer fee.
View All

5.

Bank of America Travel Rewards

less
The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card offers a straightforward rewards program, earning 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases without any annual fee. Points can be redeemed for travel expenses, such as flights, hotels, vacation packages, and more. The card also features no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for international travelers. New cardholders can benefit from a generous sign-up bonus after meeting a minimum spending requirement, enhancing its appeal for frequent travelers.

Pros

  • pros No annual fee
  • pros Unlimited 1.5 points per dollar
  • pros No foreign transaction fees
  • pros Flexible redemption options
  • pros Introductory APR offer.

Cons

  • consNo travel partners
  • cons Limited travel perks
  • cons High APR after intro period
  • cons Requires good credit
  • cons Limited bonus categories.
View All

6.

Discover it Miles

less
The Discover it® Miles credit card is a travel rewards card that offers unlimited 1.5x miles on every dollar spent on purchases. Ideal for frequent travelers, the card features no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and an easy-to-use rewards system. New cardholders benefit from an introductory offer where Discover matches all miles earned in the first year. Additional perks include flexible redemption options and access to FICO® credit scores for better financial management.

Pros

  • pros Unlimited 1.5x miles
  • pros No annual fee
  • pros First-year miles match
  • pros $0 foreign transaction fees
  • pros Flexible redemption options.

Cons

  • consLimited travel perks
  • cons No airport lounge access
  • cons Limited transfer partners
  • cons No introductory APR on purchases
  • cons Requires good credit.
View All

7.

Wells Fargo Propel American Express

less
The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card is a no-annual-fee rewards credit card offering significant value through its points system. Cardholders earn 3x points on a wide range of categories including dining, travel, gas stations, and streaming services, and 1x points on all other purchases. Additionally, it provides a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months. The card also includes benefits like cell phone protection and no foreign transaction fees.

Pros

  • pros No annual fee
  • pros Generous rewards on multiple categories
  • pros Cell phone protection
  • pros Travel benefits
  • pros Intro APR on purchases.

Cons

  • consLimited acceptance of American Express
  • cons High credit score requirement
  • cons Foreign transaction fee
  • cons Potentially high APR after intro period
  • cons Limited premium perks.
View All

8.

U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card

less
The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card is a premium travel rewards credit card offering significant perks for frequent travelers. It features a generous rewards rate, particularly on travel and mobile wallet purchases, and provides an annual $325 travel credit. Cardholders enjoy complimentary airport lounge access, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credits, and various travel protections. The card carries a $400 annual fee but offers substantial value through its comprehensive benefits and rewards structure.

Pros

  • pros High rewards on travel and mobile wallet purchases
  • pros $325 annual travel credit
  • pros Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
  • pros Priority Pass access
  • pros comprehensive travel insurance.

Cons

  • consHigh annual fee
  • cons limited bonus categories
  • cons requires excellent credit
  • cons no introductory APR offer
  • cons fewer transfer partners.
View All

9.

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard

less
The HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard is a premium credit card designed for HSBC Premier clients, offering a suite of exclusive benefits and rewards. Cardholders enjoy luxury travel perks, including airport lounge access, travel insurance, and concierge services, along with accelerated reward points on purchases. Additional benefits include no foreign transaction fees and various lifestyle privileges. This card caters to affluent individuals seeking superior service and global recognition.

Pros

  • pros High rewards rate
  • pros Travel benefits
  • pros No foreign transaction fees
  • pros Lounge access
  • pros Concierge service.

Cons

  • consHigh annual fee
  • cons Requires HSBC Premier account
  • cons Complicated rewards structure
  • cons Limited domestic perks
  • cons High spending requirement for benefits.
View All

10.

Barclays Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard

less
The Barclays Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard is a travel rewards credit card offering 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, with miles redeemable for travel statement credits. It features a generous sign-up bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and an introductory 0% APR on balance transfers. Cardholders also receive a 5% miles rebate on redemptions, enhancing travel rewards. Ideal for frequent travelers, the card includes World Elite Mastercard benefits such as travel insurance and concierge services.

Pros

  • pros 2x miles on all purchases
  • pros no foreign transaction fees
  • pros chip and PIN capability
  • pros generous sign-up bonus
  • pros flexible redemption options.

Cons

  • consannual fee after first year
  • cons limited airline transfer partners
  • cons high credit score requirement
  • cons no introductory APR
  • cons complex reward redemption.
View All

Similar Topic You Might Be Interested In