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Best Travel Credit Cards of 2024

The best travel cards let users earn points or miles for each dollar they spend, yet each offers different benefits. With that in mind, it’s crucial to pick a credit card that earns the type of rewards you really want with a selection of perks you can actually use.

Before you start planning your next trip, it’s smart to pick up a credit card that rewards you for all your travel and non-travel purchases so you can begin racking up points or miles for your next expedition. Read on to learn which travel rewards credit cards we recommend and how they could work in your favor.

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Our top picks for the best travel cards of 2024

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Best Overall Travel Card, Runner Up

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn 5X miles per dollar on hotel stays, vacation rentals or rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2X miles on all other purchases.

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Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
75,000 miles
Regular APR
19.99% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (690 - 850)
Why we like it
Travel rewards credit cards often have complicated categories to keep track of, but not the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. This card simplifies things by offering flat-rate rewards, so you can maximize your rewards without the hassle.
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Card Details

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  • Miles don’t expire for the lifetime of the account plus there’s no limit to how many you can earn
  • Up to a $120 credit to use toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?
  • Use miles for reimbursement on any travel purchase—or use them to book a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enhance every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a range of cardholder benefits, such as $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Transfer your miles to over 15 travel loyalty programs of your choice
Pros
  • Travel insurance protections incuded
  • Earn flexible rewards for travel
  • Reasonable $95 annual fee
Cons
  • Requires good or excellent credit
  • No everyday spending bonus categories
  • High APR
Bottom Line

The massive sign-up offer and generous, flexible rewards make this card a great option for casual travelers.

Best for No Annual Fee

Chase Freedom Unlimited?

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Up to 6.5% Reward Rate

Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel?, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel?, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
Up to $300 cash back
Regular APR
20.49%-29.24% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (690 - 850)
Why we like it
It’s not technically a travel credit card, but the Chase Freedom Unlimited? card is a great option for those looking for flexibility in their rewards. It offers a flat cash-back rate on all purchases and generous cash-back in other useful categories (including travel!), so it’s easy to earn rewards. And unlike most cards on this list, Freedom Unlimited doesn’t charge an annual fee. Although this card is marketed as earning cash back, it goes beyond that. The rewards you earn are part of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, meaning they’re extra flexible to redeem. If you already have a card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, you can pool your points together to redeem them for an even better value. It also boasts a variety of additional perks like purchase protection and travel insurance, much like the best travel cards out there.

Best for Traveling Foodies

Limited Time Offer

American Express? Gold Card

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Up to 4X Reward Rate

Earn 4X Membership Rewards? points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X. Earn 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point per dollar), 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases

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Annual Fee
$325
Welcome Offer
LTO: 60,000 points + 20% bonus
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (690 - 850)
Why we like it
The American Express? Gold Card is fantastic for travelers who spend a lot of time (and money) at restaurants. It boasts an upgraded rewards rate for eligible purchases, a hefty welcome offer, and an annual fee that can easily “pay for itself” if you strategically utilize the benefits (namely the hundreds of dollars worth of statement credits) this card offers.
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Card Details

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  • Up to $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card as a payment method on your Uber account and automatically receive $10 in Uber Cash each month for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. (Up to $120 annually.) To receive this benefit you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment on your Uber account. This benefit may only be used in the United States.
  • Up to $120 Dining Credit: Enjoy up to $10 in monthly statement credits when you use your American Express? Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys locations. Enrollment required.
  • $100 experience credit: Receive a $100 experience credit when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit amounts vary by property, and are given only with a minimum two-night stay.
  • Up to $100 Resy credit: Receive up to $50 in statement credits every 6 months (up to $100 per year) when you use your Gold Card at U.S. Resy restaurants or other eligible Resy purchases. Enrollment required.
  • Up to $84 in annual Dunkin’ credits: Get up to $7 back per month in credits after you enroll and pay with your Amex Gold card at Dunkin’ locations
  • Customize your card to fit your style: Gold, Rose Gold, or White Gold. White Gold is only available as supplies last.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Terms Apply.
Pros
  • Generous welcome offer
  • High rewards potential
  • Many transfer partners available
Cons
  • High annual fee
  • Complicated statement credits
  • Good or excellent credit recommended
Bottom Line

If you like to dine out frequently, the $200+ worth of dining-related annual statement credits can easily help justify the yearly fee.

Best Premium Travel Card ─ Amex

The Platinum Card? from American Express

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Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn 5X Membership Rewards? points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, and 1X points on other eligible purchases.

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Annual Fee
$695
Welcome Offer
80,000 points
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (690 - 850)
Why we like it
The American Express Platinum card, although a bit on the pricey side with a $695 annual fee, boasts a multitude of premium travel perks, like over $1,000 yearly in statement credits. If you’re a luxury traveler who knows how to make the most of a credit card’s offerings, this card can reward you well.
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Card Details

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  • $200 Hotel Credit: Receive up to $200 back in statement credits each year for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts? or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when paying with your Platinum Card?. The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Receive up to $20 back in statement credits every month when you make eligible purchases with your Platinum Card?. This offer applies to Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • Escape the hectic nature of the airport with the American Express Global Lounge Collection?. With complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries, you can enjoy more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer. As of 03/2023.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Maximize savings on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership using your Platinum Card? and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one eligible airline and then get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when you are charged incidental fees by the airline to your Platinum Card?.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Receive Uber VIP status and get up to $200 annually ($15 per month, plus a $20 bonus in December) in Uber Cash on Rides or Eats orders in the U.S. Uber Cash and VIP status are only available to Basic Card Members. To receive this benefit you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible Card must be a method of payment on your Uber account. This benefit may only be used in the United States. Terms apply.
  • $199 CLEAR? Plus Credit: Get to your gate faster at over 50 airports nationwide with CLEAR? Plus and receive up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership when you use your card. Subject to auto-renewal. CLEARLanes are available at over 100 airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
  • Enjoy either a $120 statement credit for a Global Entry application fee every 4 years or a statement credit of up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck? application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck? official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card?. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also get access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Use your Platinum Card? to receive up to $100 in statement credits for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com annually (Up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually). Enrollment is required.
  • Add your Platinum Card? to your Resy profile and enjoy access to exclusive reservations and unique dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy
  • Terms Apply.
Pros
  • Excellent rewards rate for travel purchases
  • Qualify for $1,500+ in statement credits
  • Very generous welcome offer
Cons
  • High annual fee of $695
  • Many statement credit offers are too specific and hard to use
  • Non-travel-perks aren’t spectacular
Bottom Line

This is quite a spectacular card with incredibly valuable benefits, but the annual fee is objectively very high.

Best Premium Travel Card ─ Chase

Chase Sapphire Reserve?

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Up to 10X Reward Rate

Earn 10X points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel? immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually, 10X points on Chase Dining purchases, 5X points on flights booked through Chase Travel, 3X points on non-Chase travel and dining, and 1X points on all non-bonus spending.

Annual Fee
$550
Welcome Offer
60,000 points
Regular APR
22.49% to 29.49% variable
Recommended Credit
Excellent (740 - 850)
Why we like it
For premium yet flexible travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is an exceptional choice. It comes with a variety of high-end benefits like a $300 yearly travel credit, airport lounge access, and travel insurance perks. This card also earns points very generously, with up to 10X points earned on eligible travel purchases (Note: You won’t start earning points until the $300 annual travel statement credit is fully spent. The first $300 spent on travel each year will automatically go towards the statement credit). New cardholders can also earn a very generous welcome bonus worth $900 when used toward travel through Chase Travel, helping to quickly accelerate their reward-earning journey. If you value luxury benefits and flexible redemption options, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a great option.

Best for Luxury Business Travelers

The Business Platinum Card? from American Express

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Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn 5 Membership Rewards? points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels through American Express Travel and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases. Earn 1.5 points per dollar on eligible business expenses and purchases of $5,000+ (up to $2 million per calendar year). Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.

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Annual Fee
$695
Welcome Offer
150,000 points
Regular APR
18.99% - 27.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (690 - 850)
Why we like it
The Business Platinum Card? from American Express is a top-tier credit card for business owners looking to earn travel rewards on their business expenses. It also offers valuable perks like over $1,000 annually in statement credits and airport lounge access. Although it boasts a hefty $695 annual fee, its premium benefits make up for it if used to its full extent.
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Card Details

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  • Access over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases in your first year with the Business Platinum Card?, including credits for tech, recruiting, and wireless. Enrollment required.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Choose a qualifying airline and receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by the airline to your Card.
  • $199 CLEAR? Plus Credit: Use your Business Platinum Card? to get up to $199 in statement credits annually for your CLEAR? Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection? offers complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges in 140+ countries, providing more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer as of 03/2023.
  • Terms Apply.
Pros
  • Excellent welcome offer
  • Easy to earn points
  • Great travel benefits
Cons
  • No intro APR offer
  • Hefty $695 annual fee
  • High spending requirement for welcome offer
Bottom Line

The annual fee certainly has a shock factor but for the premium business traveler, this card’s luxury perks could make it well worth it.

Best Premium Travel Card ─ Capital One

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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Up to 10X Reward Rate

Earn 10X miles on hotel and rental car purchases made through Capital One Travel, 5X miles on airfare and vacation rentals purchased through the portal, and 2X miles per dollar spent on all other purchases.

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Annual Fee
$395
Welcome Offer
75,000 miles
Regular APR
19.99% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Excellent (740 - 850)
Why we like it
This is Capital One’s most premium travel credit card, packed with benefits such as airport lounge access, a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, yearly bonus miles, and an elevated rewards-earning rate on travel booked through Capital One’s portal.
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Card Details

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  • Get a $300 annual credit for booking trips through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy 10,000 bonus miles every year, which is equivalent to $100 towards travel, starting on your first anniversary
  • Unlimited complimentary access to over 1,300 lounges, including Capital One lounges and the partner lounge network, for you and two guests
  • Use Venture X miles to cover the cost of travel expenses, such as flights, hotels and rental cars; you can even transfer miles to over 15 travel loyalty programs of your choice
  • Enhance every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collection with a range of cardholder benefits, such as experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?
Pros
  • Miles can be redeemed for travel purchases, transfers to international airlines, and more
  • Can qualify for hundreds of dollars in credits each year
  • Huge welcome offer
Cons
  • $395 annual fee
  • Large spending requirement to earn the welcome bonus
  • Excellent credit required
Bottom Line

With a lower annual fee than some premium cards and extremely valuable benefits, this card can easily be worth the annual fee for the frequent traveler.

Best for Business Rewards

Ink Business Preferred? Credit Card

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Up to 3X Reward Rate

Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in select categories each anniversary year, and earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer
90,000 points
Regular APR
21.24% to 26.24% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (690 - 850)
Why we like it
The Ink Business Preferred is a great option for a business travel card, with a high reward earning rate on travel and other purchases. The points earned on this card are also a part of the Chase Ultimate Rewards? program, meaning they’re flexible to redeem. You can choose to transfer them 1:1 to one of Chase’s many travel partners, redeem them toward cash back or gift cards, or book travel through Chase Travel. Additionally, this card comes with travel insurance protections, so you can go on your business trips with the peace of mind that you’re covered, just in case.

Comparing the best travel credit cards of 2024

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Card name
Reward rate
Intro offer
Annual fee
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The best travel credit cards of 2024: Editorial reviews

Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card

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We think the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card takes the cake for the best travel credit card. It’s the perfect combination of having a reasonable annual fee while still offering generous rewards on both travel and non-travel purchases, and it has extra travel perks to top it off. It also has a huge welcome offer, which is never a bad thing, if you ask us.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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We had a difficult time choosing between the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card for 1st place, so instead of considering this one as second place, think of it as being in one and a half-th place. We love the simple, flat-rate rewards it offers and its generous welcome bonus, making it easy for cardholders to earn miles on all purchases they make, plus an elevated rate on eligible travel purchases.

Chase Freedom Unlimited?

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Most travel cards have annual fees, but not the Chase Freedom Unlimited?. Okay, okay, it’s not technically a travel card, but it does have a good earning rate on travel, especially in the first year. For the first year (on up to $20,000 spent), you can enjoy a rate of 6.5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel (offer available through LA Times Compare but may not be available through another site). Plus, if you have a card that already earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can pool your earnings for even more value.

American Express? Gold Card

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If trying new food is one of the main reasons you love traveling, the American Express? Gold Card is perfect. It lets you earn 4 Membership Rewards? points per dollar at restaurants, so you can go out to eat and earn a little extra back. It also offers hundreds of dollars in annual dining credits and several travel-specific perks, making this card a great option for the “traveling foodie.”

The Platinum Card? from American Express

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Although the $695 annual fee makes us briefly shudder each time we think about it, The Platinum Card? from American Express has plenty of value to make it worthwhile. It has a high earning potential on flights and hotels, up to almost $2,000 worth of statement credits available to cardholders each year, and additional travel benefits to top it off. If you plan out how to use all (or most) of the benefits this card offers, it’s well worth the steep fee.

Chase Sapphire Reserve?

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve? card boasts high-end perks for a high-end annual fee, but it also has a very generous travel rewards rate. We wouldn’t consider this our favorite card for the average spender, as it could be difficult to make its high annual fee worth it, but for the frequent traveler who values things like airport lounge access and travel insurance perks, it may be worth considering.

The Business Platinum Card? from American Express

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For the frequent business traveler who prioritizes luxury perks like airport lounge access and valuable statement credits, The Business Platinum Card? from American Express certainly delivers. Similar to its consumer-card counterpart, it offers high-value rewards earning potential on eligible travel purchases but this card has the added benefit of earning extra points on eligible business expenses. High-spending businesses can easily recoup the $695 annual fee, and if you take advantage of the statement credits it offers, this card could be a very valuable asset to your business’ wallet.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has a slightly lower annual fee than some other premium travel cards, while still offering many valuable perks. Cardholders get complimentary Capital One airport lounge access, annual travel credits, a Priority Pass Select membership, and high rewards-earning potential on eligible purchases.

Ink Business Preferred? Credit Card

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With only a $95 annual fee and generous business rewards, we love the Ink Business Preferred? Credit Card for the average small business that travels occasionally. Unlike some business travel cards that only offer elevated rewards on travel purchases, this card can be used to earn points on everyday business expenses in select categories, making it valuable all year.

Understanding travel credit cards

What is a travel credit card?

A travel credit card is a specific reward credit card that lets you earn points, miles, or other travel rewards on eligible purchases.

Many of these cards also have specific perks like elite status with airline or hotel loyalty programs, annual travel credits, tier-qualifying bonus miles, airport security benefits, airport lounge membership, and more.

General vs. co-branded cards

Travel reward cards tend to fall into two categories: general and co-branded.

General travel cards

These give more flexible rewards. They let you redeem points or miles toward flights, hotel bookings, rental cars, and even cash back. This freedom allows you to book with different airlines or hotels if you aren’t loyal to a particular chain.

Co-branded airline or hotel cards

These let you earn points or miles that can be redeemed towards brand-specific rewards. If you’re loyal to a specific airline or hotel chain, they can reward you well for staying with them.

Types of travel cards

There are quite a few types, and they all work differently. Before you choose one for your wallet, understand the different options and how credit cards work.

Flexible rewards

Flexible travel rewards credit cards typically let users redeem their rewards in several ways. For example, you may be able to use your points directly for travel bookings through a portal or for fixed-value travel statement credits. However, many cards let users transfer their points to select airline and hotel partners.

Transferable rewards include Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards?, and American Express Membership Rewards.

Fixed-value

Some credit cards let you earn rewards as points, miles, or cash back. These cards often have a fixed value when redeemed, but some may have different values based on redemption type. For example, you may be able to redeem 1 point for 1.5 cents if you use it towards travel but may only be able to redeem 1 point for 1 cent when turned into cash back.

Airline-specific

Airline-branded cards let users earn airline miles with a specific frequent flyer program, like Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. In some cases, users also get airline perks just for being a cardholder, such as:

Hotel-specific

Hotel-branded cards offer hotel-specific benefits such as elite hotel status or annual hotel credits you can use. When you use a hotel co-branded credit card for spending, you’ll earn hotel loyalty points and may qualify for some pretty neat perks like:

Business

Business travel cards can be helpful for people who tend to travel for work and want to keep their personal and business expenses on separate accounts. These tend to be similar to their consumer card counterparts but may have different earning categories, annual fees, and travel perks.

How travel rewards work

When you earn travel rewards with a credit card, how they work depends on the type of points or miles you’ve accrued. Either way, you’ll likely get the most “bang for your buck” by redeeming your earnings for travel.

How do credit card airline miles work?

Airline miles can be used to book free flights or upgrades to a premium cabin, whereas hotel points can be used for free hotel stays, vacation packages, or room upgrades. Instead of buying trips through comparison sites, some cards reward you with extra points when you buy flights through their travel portals which you can redeem later for other trips.

How do credit card points work?

With flexible points, you get more options than miles-based cards. These cards may allow you to redeem your rewards for travel through a portal, transfers to airline and hotel partners, merchandise, gift cards, and more.

How much are travel points worth?

Although the value of travel points varies based on the specific card and the value of transfer partners, these are the average estimated values of travel points with top rewards programs:

Rewards program Approximate value Estimated value of 20k points/miles
American Express Membership Rewards 1.1 cents/point $220
Capital One Rewards 1.0 cents/point $200
Chase Ultimate Rewards 1.4 cents/point $280
Citi ThankYou Points 1.2 cents/point $240

How do credit card travel portals work?

The top issuers?have their own cardholder-exclusive “travel portals” for members to redeem points. Some even incentivize this process by offering extra points, bonus miles, or perks if you book travel directly through their portal.

For booking flights, this is often a great option as it allows you to rack up extra points or miles. For hotel bookings, unless you have a hotel-branded card, it can be a bit riskier as they often don’t allow you to use elite-status benefits or credits through the portal.

Although the incentive to earn extra points by booking through a portal can be very enticing, check on other booking sites to see if you’re getting the best deal. Some cards give extra points for booking directly with airlines rather than exclusively through a portal, allowing flexibility in finding deals.

Pros and cons

Advantages of travel cards
  • Possibilities for free or discounted travel by earning rewards. Rewards can then be used to reduce the cost of your trip.
  • Some cards have valuable perks like free checked bags, airport lounge access, or statement credits.
  • Zero foreign transaction fees on many travel credit cards, so you don’t need to pay extra if going abroad.
  • Welcome offers/sign-up bonuses can help give you a major boost toward taking your next trip.
  • Some travel cards have travel insurance perks to help give you added peace of mind when on your trip.
Drawbacks of travel cards
  • Travel cards with numerous perks often have some of the highest annual fees.
  • Redeeming your perks and discounts can be a difficult process.
  • Typically these cards have limited redemption options and low value outside of redeeming for more travel.
  • It can be a costly process to earn the welcome offer, with some cards requiring you to spend thousands of dollars in a few months.

Benefits of travel credit cards

Travel reward cards can provide benefits that other rewards cards may not. Avid travelers can likely take advantage of many of these perks.

Note that benefits vary based on the card, but these are a few of the perks you may get:

Who should get a travel card?

A travel card can benefit anyone who travels even semi-frequently, with some low or no-annual-fee cards still offering elevated rewards on travel purchases.

If you fall into one or more of the three categories below and don’t already have a travel credit card, you should consider applying for one soon.

Business travelers

If you travel frequently for your business, it can get expensive quickly. A business travel card can help you recoup some of those expenses, keep your business and personal expenses separate, and sometimes give you extra perks like airport lounge access to help make your travels more enjoyable.

Frequent travelers

If you go on trips frequently, a travel credit card can provide perks like TSA PreCheck, airport lounge access, no foreign transaction fees, and upgraded rewards-earning rates on travel purchases.

High-end travelers

If you value luxury benefits like exclusive airport lounge access, travel insurance, rental car insurance, high-value statement credits, and hotel room upgrades, a travel credit card can be tremendously useful.

How to compare and pick a travel credit card

Before you choose a credit card, you’ll want to consider some factors to help you compare your options.

  1. Your credit score. Most of these cards require a good or excellent credit score (approximately 670+ FICO score or 661+ VantageScore), which can limit your options significantly if your score falls below that threshold. If you’re uncertain about what your credit score is, check out our guide on how to check your credit score.
  2. Rewards rate & type. Think about the rewards you want to earn: cash-back, miles, or points. If you’re an avid traveler who spends a lot on flights, hotels, rental cars, and other specific travel categories then a miles or points-based card may be right up your alley. On the other hand, if you don’t tend to spend in specific categories or infrequently travel, a cash-back credit card may be more of what you’re looking for.
  3. Annual fee. While some travel rewards credit cards have no annual fee, paying $95 or more per year could help you earn more rewards while accessing better travel benefits. Either way, select a card with an annual fee you’re comfortable with. If you decide you’re comfortable paying a fee, evaluate if you’ll use the card’s benefits and rewards enough to make it worth it.
  4. Travel perks. Look for travel perks you can benefit from, which could include travel credits, elite status, free checked bags, airport lounge access, and more. Do you plan on relaxing in an airport lounge or book quick connections with no time to relax? Do you tend to check bags or put as much as possible into a carry-on? Consider factors like this to decide whether certain perks are worthwhile.
  5. Travel protections. Many cards come with travel protections as a part of the card. These protections include travel insurance, auto rental collision damage waivers, and more. For more information on the travel insurance benefits some of these cards provide, check out our guides on American Express Travel Insurance and Chase Sapphire Travel Insurance.
  6. Welcome bonus. Many travel cards come with generous welcome offers, the chance to earn points, miles, or cash back after spending a set amount of money within a set time frame (typically the first few months of card ownership). Be sure you can realistically spend (and subsequently pay off) the required amount to earn the sign-up bonus. Many of the best credit cards, typically the ones with higher annual fees, have sign-up bonuses worth $700 or more!

Are you going to be traveling abroad?

Foreign transaction fees and international acceptance: Opt for a no-foreign-fee card if you often travel abroad or plan to. Additionally, some cards aren’t as widely accepted overseas, like Discover and American Express cards.

If you frequently travel internationally, you may want to consider a Chase or Capital One card since they are Visa or Mastercard branded, both widely accepted outside the U.S.

How to make the most of your travel card

Most premium, top-of-the-line cards also come with pricey annual fees. To maximize your rewards, here are a few tips:

Are travel credit cards worth it?

Travel reward credit cards are often worth it even if you don’t take trips very often. Depending on how much value you can get out of a card, the annual fee of a premium card may or may not be worth it, so consider your spending habits before choosing a card.

Luckily for the average spender, some cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card only charge a $95 annual fee while still offering valuable benefits, making them ideal beginner travel cards.

Alternatives

? ? ? ? ?

For rates and fees of the American Express? Gold Card, please visit this page.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card? from American Express, please visit this page.

For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card? from American Express, please visit this page.

Best travel credit cards FAQ

Is a travel credit card worth the annual fee?

Travel credit cards are typically worth the annual fee for people who travel often and can take advantage of travel credits and other perks. To decide if an annual fee is worth paying, spend the time it takes to add up the value of each of the cardholder benefits you’ll receive.

How many miles do I need for a free flight?

The number of miles you’ll need for a free flight varies depending on the frequent flyer program you’re using. As an example, free flights with the American AAdvantage program start at 7,500 miles.

Do I only earn travel rewards on travel-specific purchases?

Travel credit cards often offer bonus miles on travel purchases and other types of spending. However, you’ll always earn a base rate of points or miles on all other purchases.

Which credit card is best for travel?

The best travel card varies based on your specific traveling habits, but our top pick is the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card, with its flexible rewards and generous benefits for a low annual fee.

What is the best credit card to accumulate travel miles?

The best card for earning miles is dependent on what airline you choose to fly with, but for general miles-earning, we recommend the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

Which card is the best for international travel?

Many credit cards are good for traveling internationally. The main things to look for are that the card has no foreign transaction fees and high acceptance ratings where you’re going. We recommend considering the Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card for international travel.

About the Author

Holly D. Johnson
Holly D. Johnson Finance Expert

Holly D. Johnson is an award-winning personal finance writer who covers topics like insurance, investing, credit and family finance. As a leading voice in the travel and loyalty space, Johnson has traveled with her family to more than 50 countries over the last decade.

The author has also written extensively on the power of household budgeting, and she even co-authored a book on the topic. Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love was originally published in 2017, and it teaches families how to use zero-sum budgeting to reach their financial goals. She is also the co-owner and founder of the family finance and travel website, ClubThrifty.com.

Johnson’s 10+ years of writing have focused on helping families make important financial decisions at each stage of their lives. The author also applies the financial principles she teaches to her own life, and she is currently on track to retire in her late 40’s with her partner. She currently lives in Central Indiana with her husband and children, and she is a regular contributor for Bankrate, CNN, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report Travel and many other notable publications.

* Opinions expressed here are those of the LA Times Compare Cards Team and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser or entities included within this content. See our editorial policy for more details.

All products or services are presented in this content without warranty. The information, including card details such as rates and fees, is accurate at the time of publish. Please visit each bank's website directly for the most current information.

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