Top 10 Travel Credit Cards
Travel credit cards are financial tools designed specifically to benefit frequent travelers. They typically offer rewards in the form of points or miles for every dollar spent, which can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses.
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In addition to earning travel rewards, these cards often come with a range of valuable perks that enhance the travel experience. Many travel credit cards offer sign-up bonuses that can significantly boost your points or miles balance right from the start. Cardholders may also enjoy benefits such as complimentary access to airport lounges, travel insurance, waived foreign transaction fees, and priority boarding on flights. Some premium travel cards provide even more exclusive features, such as annual travel credits, elite status with certain airlines or hotel chains, and concierge services. While these cards can come with higher annual fees, the value they provide in rewards and benefits can outweigh the costs for those who travel frequently. However, it's essential to consider your travel habits and spending patterns to determine if a travel credit card is the right fit for you.
Chase Sapphire PreferredView AllChase Sapphire Preferred - Travel rewards card with valuable points and benefits.
American Express PlatinumView AllAmerican Express Platinum - Luxury credit card with premium rewards and exclusive benefits.
Capital One Venture RewardsView AllCapital One Venture Rewards - Travel rewards card with flexible redemption options.
Citi PremierView AllCiti Premier - Versatile reward card with travel and dining benefits.
Bank of America Travel RewardsView AllBank of America Travel Rewards - No-fee card; unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on purchases.
Wells Fargo Propel American ExpressView AllWells Fargo Propel American Express - No-annual-fee card with cash back on multiple categories.
Discover it MilesView AllDiscover it Miles - Travel rewards card with unlimited 1.5x miles on purchases.
Barclays Arrival PlusView AllBarclays Arrival Plus - Travel rewards credit card with flexible redemption options.
United Explorer CardView AllUnited Explorer Card - Travel rewards card with United Airlines perks and benefits.
Southwest Rapid Rewards PremierView AllSouthwest Rapid Rewards Premier - Rewards card with travel perks, points, and no foreign fees.
Top 10 Travel Credit Cards
1.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
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
Generous sign-up bonus- 2x points on dining/travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Flexible rewards redemption.
Cons
$95 annual fee- Requires good/excellent credit
- Limited lounge access
- No 0% intro APR
- Higher points value with Chase portal only.
2.
American Express Platinum
The American Express Platinum Card is a premium charge card known for its extensive travel and lifestyle benefits. It offers perks such as access to exclusive airport lounges, substantial travel credits, and elite status with various hotel and rental car partners. Cardholders also enjoy comprehensive travel insurance, concierge services, and rewards points on purchases. Designed for high spenders, it comes with a significant annual fee, but its extensive array of benefits often justifies the cost for frequent travelers.
Pros
- Extensive travel rewards
- Airport lounge access
- Hotel elite status
- Concierge service
- Annual travel credits
Cons
- High annual fee
- Limited acceptance
- Complicated rewards program
- No intro APR
- High spending requirement
3.
Capital One Venture Rewards
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
- Flexible rewards
- No foreign transaction fees
- Easy redemption options
- High earning rate
- Sign-up bonus
Cons
- Annual fee
- Limited transfer partners
- No intro APR
- Potential for overspending
- Requires good credit
4.
Citi Premier
The Citi Premier® Card is a versatile travel rewards credit card offering generous points on everyday purchases. Cardholders earn 3X points on air travel, hotels, and restaurants, as well as at supermarkets and gas stations, and 1X on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, and more. The card often includes a sign-up bonus and has an annual fee, but its comprehensive earning structure and flexible redemption options make it a strong choice for frequent travelers.
Pros
- Flexible rewards
- Broad earning categories
- Transfer partners
- Valuable sign-up bonus
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- High annual fee
- Points expiration
- Limited lounge access
- Poor redemption value for statement credits
- Requires good credit.
5.
Bank of America Travel Rewards
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
- No annual fee
- Unlimited 1.5 points per dollar
- No foreign transaction fees
- Flexible redemption options
- Introductory APR offer.
Cons
- No travel partners
- Limited travel perks
- High APR after intro period
- Requires good credit
- Limited bonus categories.
6.
Wells Fargo Propel American Express
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
- No annual fee
- Generous rewards on multiple categories
- Cell phone protection
- Travel benefits
- Intro APR on purchases.
Cons
- Limited acceptance of American Express
- High credit score requirement
- Foreign transaction fee
- Potentially high APR after intro period
- Limited premium perks.
7.
Discover it Miles
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
- Unlimited 1.5x miles
- No annual fee
- First-year miles match
- $0 foreign transaction fees
- Flexible redemption options.
Cons
- Limited travel perks
- No airport lounge access
- Limited transfer partners
- No introductory APR on purchases
- Requires good credit.
8.
Barclays Arrival Plus
The Barclays Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard is a travel rewards credit card offering 2X miles on all purchases. Cardholders can redeem miles for travel-related expenses, statement credits, and more. The card features a generous sign-up bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and an annual fee that is waived for the first year. Additional perks include chip technology for global acceptance and complimentary online FICO credit score access, making it a versatile choice for frequent travelers.
Pros
- Generous sign-up bonus
- Flexible redemption options
- No foreign transaction fees
- Chip-and-PIN capability
- 2X miles on all purchases.
Cons
- Annual fee
- Limited transfer partners
- No luxury travel perks
- High APR
- Requires excellent credit.
9.
United Explorer Card
The United Explorer Card is a travel rewards credit card tailored for frequent United Airlines flyers. It offers perks like 2 miles per dollar spent on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays, and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases. Cardholders enjoy benefits such as a free first checked bag, priority boarding, two United Club passes annually, and no foreign transaction fees. The card also provides travel protections and has an annual fee, waived the first year.
Pros
- Free checked bag
- Priority boarding
- Travel credits
- Two United Club passes
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Annual fee
- Limited lounge access
- Airline-specific rewards
- High APR
- Limited non-travel benefits
10.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card offers travel perks and rewards for frequent flyers of Southwest Airlines. Cardholders earn 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and select travel categories, and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. Benefits include no foreign transaction fees, 6,000 anniversary points, and two EarlyBird Check-Ins annually. Points can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and more. Annual fee applies, making it ideal for those who often travel with Southwest.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Companion Pass eligibility
- 6
- 000 anniversary points
- 2 points per $1 on Southwest purchases
- tier qualifying points.
Cons
- Annual fee
- limited international partners
- no luxury perks
- no airport lounge access
- limited redemption options.