If you’re someone who travels a lot, whether for business or pleasure, you may be wondering if it’s worthwhile to look into the best travel credit cards. The finance experts we spoke to agree that they can help with cashing in on rewards. And when it comes to choosing the right one, it boils down to the annual fee amounts, airline benefits, and the best options for international travel (if that’s a priority for you). Other travel perks can include elite airport lounge access, free hotel nights, and no foreign transaction fees, which are sometimes even offered on cards with no annual fees. Below, experts break down what to look for in a travel card, as well as the top five picks to consider.
Your travel credit card questions, answered
- Should you get a travel credit card?
- What are travel credit cards?
- What to look for in a travel credit card
- Is a high annual fee a red flag?
1. Best Travel Credit Card for Beginners: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- APR: 21.49% to 28.49%
- What it offers back: Points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners or redeemed directly for travel at a rate of 1.25 cents per point through Chase Travel℠
- Annual fee: $95
- Rewards rate: 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel℠ and Lyft purchases, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else
- Intro offer: 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
- What to note: Lower annual fee, high welcome offer, no foreign transaction fees
- Credit needed: Not specified
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is ideal for beginners for various reasons. For starters, its $95 fee is on the low end compared to other travel cards. Perks include travel protection benefits (including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance, and lost luggage insurance), and annual hotel credit (through Chase Travel).
This card also has a welcome offer of 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. As far as how rewards are allocated, users get 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel℠ and Lyft purchases, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners or redeemed directly for travel at a rate of 1.25 cents per point through Chase Travel℠.
2. Best Credit Card for Domestic Travel: Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
- APR: 21.49% to 28.49%
- What it offers back: Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases, Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, local transit and commuting, including rideshare, and internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming; 1 point per $1 spent on everyday purchases, and 25% back on inflight purchases (i.e. Wi-Fi and alcoholic beverages)
- Annual fee: $69
- Rewards rate: 1-2 points per dollar
- Intro offer: 50,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
- What to note: Low annual fee, generous welcome and anniversary offer, no foreign transaction fees
- Credit needed: Not specified
This travel credit card is my card of choice, which I’ve held for 10 years now. Between its quick-earning points ability and generous anniversary bonus, its low annual fee has paid for itself and then some every year, since I often manage to rack up enough points for a handful of one-way flights (or at least a couple of roundtrip flights). Southwest also flies to several international destinations in Central America and the Caribbean as well—in fact, my husband and I booked our honeymoon in Belize in 2017 entirely with points. This card also has no transaction fees, and other perks include 25% back on in-flight purchases (such as Wi-Fi and alcoholic beverages, which are $8 each) and two Early Bird Check-Ins per year.
3. Best Credit Card for International Travel: Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card
- APR: 0% intro APR for the first 15 statement closing dates following the opening of your account; after that, 19.24% to 29.24%
- What it offers back: 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/streaming/internet/phone plan, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy, or home improvement/furnishings purchases; 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs; 1% cash back on all other purchases; as well as 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter
- Annual fee: None
- Rewards rate: 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases, everywhere, every time
- Intro offer: 25,000 online bonus points, a $250 travel or dining statement credit value, after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
- What to note: No annual fee, 0% intro APR, no foreign transaction fees
- Credit needed: Not specified
Bank of America’s Travel Rewards credit card is another great choice for frequent travelers, as it comes with no annual fee or foreign transaction fees, which is ideal if you intend to spend a lot of time abroad. A huge added bonus is a 0% intro APR the first 15 statement closing dates. Additional perks include 25,000 online bonus points, a $250 travel or dining statement credit value, after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Card holders can also earn unlimited points, with 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases. Points also don’t expire and there is no limit to the points you earn. Finally, this card doesn’t have any blackout dates, which means you can use it on any hotel or airline, at any time.
4. Best Travel Card with Lounge Access: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- APR: 19.99%, 26.24% or 29.99%, depending on your credit score
- What it offers back: 10,000-mile anniversary bonus, $300 annual travel credit, $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
- Annual fee: $395
- Rewards rate: 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars and 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel using this Rewards card account, and 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases
- Intro offer: 75,000 bonus miles if you spend at least $4,000 within three months of your rewards membership enrollment date
- What to note: One drawback is the high annual fee, but perks include a higher rewards rate on travel-related purchases
- Credit needed: Excellent (800 to 850)
If you like to travel in style, one of its top perks of this card is unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests at over 1,300 lounges. That’s huge if you don’t like the buzzkill that comes with not being able to share the finer things with your travel companions.
It’s worth noting that this card comes with a higher annual fee than most others, and it requires excellent credit to qualify. But if you’re a responsible-enough spender to qualify, the rewards it comes with (specifically, that annual miles bonus and travel credit) will quickly make that fee pay for itself. The benefits quickly outweigh the fee as well, and include 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
The rewards rate structure includes 10X Miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X Miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X Miles on all other purchases.What are travel credit cards?
There are two main types of travel credit cards: cobranded hotel and airline travel credit cards and transferable points bank credit cards. With these cards, you’ll typically get a large sign-up points bonus that includes several years worth of the annual fee and perks.
Transferable points credit cards allow you to earn rewards points on everyday purchases like dining and groceries, which ultimately go to your stockpile of points to eventually put toward travel.
According to Torres, key features of travel cards include sign-up bonuses for quick rewards, and earning rates across spending categories including travel and everyday expenses, and flexible redemption options. When comparing cards, you should consider perks like airport lounge access, travel insurance, and statement credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
5. Best for Everyday Rewards: American Express Gold Card
- APR: 21.24% to 29.24%
- What it offers back: $120 dining credit, $120 Uber Cash, $100 travel experience credit when booking through The Hotel Collection
- Annual fee: $250
- Rewards rate: 4X points at restaurants, 4X points on groceries, 3X points on flights and 1X points on all other purchases
- Intro offer: 60,000 points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership
- What to note: While this card does have a higher annual fee than most, it offers a generous rewards structure and welcome bonus, as well as no foreign transaction fees
- Credit needed: Not specified
This card is great for racking up dining and grocery rewards, which are things everyone uses on a regular basis, especially if your travel volume is on the lower end. So, if you’re a foodie, you’ll love the incentive to break out and dine out more often than usual.
While it does have a hefty $250 annual fee, this card also comes with an introductory offer of 60,000 membership points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership. Its points-earning ability includes 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x) and 3x points on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel.
Other perks include an up to $120 annual dining statement credit, up to $120 in annual Uber Cash, and up to $100 in hotel credits, all of which would prove beneficial when using the card while traveling.
Should you get a travel credit card?
“If you can make the most of the rewards and perks offered by the card, it can be a savvy financial move, regardless of your travel frequency,” says Jannese Torres, host of the Yo Quiero Dinero podcast and author of Financially Lit!: The Modern Latina’s Guide to Level Up Your Dinero & Become Financially Poderosa. “Ultimately, it’s about aligning the card’s features with your lifestyle and financial goals to make the most of your spending, whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional traveler.”
Even if your total annual travel is on the lower end, you might think about snagging a travel credit card if you find yourself booking airfare and hotel stays a few times a year, says personal finance expert Nicole Lapin, who also hosts Money Rehab podcast.
“These cards can be great for earning rewards faster on travel spending, and even if you’re not jet-setting often, using one for daily expenses to collect points or miles for an occasional lavish getaway can still be a smart move,” she says. “It’s like putting away a little extra for a future vacation every time you shop.”
Generally speaking, as with any credit card, it also makes sense to consider a travel credit card if your finances are in good standing and it makes sense for your travel plans. Experts universally agree that everyone should have some type of rewards credit card, assuming they have an appropriate credit score and can pay the card off in full every month. The decision to get a travel credit card hinges on various factors, including how much you spend, the card’s rewards structure, and whether the benefits outweigh any associated fees, Torres says.
What to look for in a travel credit card
According to Lapin, you should look for a travel credit card that offers a solid rewards rate on your spending.
Sign up bonus: Look for a juicy sign-up bonus and perks that suit your travel style, she says. “Key features might include things like no foreign transaction fees, comprehensive travel insurance, and freebies like airport lounge access or credits for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. But be cautious of cards with unreasonable minimum spending requirements to earn sign-up bonuses, Torres adds. “Make sure you can comfortably meet the spending threshold without overspending or accruing unnecessary debt,” she says.
Rewards program: In that same vein, though, consider a rewards program with perks you will actually use—if you regularly fly in and out of an airport that doesn’t have a lounge, then a premium card with lounge access probably shouldn’t be a priority. “Other red flags include restrictive redemption options that tie you to one airline or hotel chain, unless you’re totally okay with that limitation,” Lapin says.
However, you’ll also want to avoid cards with limited redemption options or complex rewards structures that could make it challenging to maximize your rewards, and steer clear of cards with high foreign transaction fees, especially if you frequently travel internationally, Torres says. “These fees can quickly diminish the value of your rewards when using the card abroad,” she says.
Annual fees: While many travel cards will come with an annual fee, they also typically come with a sign-up bonus worth far more than that fee, making it easily pay for itself. It’s also key to zero in on your own travel habits, so if you’re flying a specific airline multiple times a year, it can make sense to get a branded card for that airline.
Airline perks: Some airline credit cards also offer free checked bags as a benefit for holding the card, which can be a huge advantage to those who typically check bags, as that can cost around $40 per bag, per leg of your trip.
Ultimately, “balance annual fees with benefits, prioritize cards with no foreign transaction fees for international travel, and explore additional perks like concierge services,” Torres says.
Is a high annual fee a red flag?
At first glance, a high annual fee can send people running from signing up for a travel credit card. Experts often see them as green flags vs. red, however, assuming you get the value out of them in points and perks. Even a no-annual-fee travel card that has no foreign transaction fees can be worthwhile for a single trip abroad, considering that foreign transaction fees can otherwise add 2-3% on the price of every international purchase.
“In certain cases, a high annual fee on a travel credit card can be justified by the valuable perks and benefits it offers,” Torres says. “For frequent travelers who prioritize convenience and luxury, these cards often provide access to airport lounges, elite status with airlines and hotels, and comprehensive travel insurance coverage, enhancing the overall travel experience. “
Additionally, cards with high annual fees may offer generous rewards rates, lucrative sign-up bonuses, and flexible redemption options, allowing cardholders to accumulate points or miles quickly and redeem them for premium travel rewards, Torres adds.
Cards with annual fees also tend to have other big benefits, like travel insurance, as well as some niche benefits on certain cards, such as statement credits at Saks Fifth Avenue, Uber or Equinox.
“Just remember to align the card with your actual travel habits and financial goals and calculate whether you’ll use enough perks to offset any fees,” Lapin says. “Choosing the right travel credit card can really help make your travels more enjoyable and a bit more economical.”
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