If you travel a lot (or even just occasionally), travel credit cards can seriously help save some cash. By using these cards, we can earn rewards on everything from flights and hotel stays to car rentals and those annoying baggage fees. But If we’re smart about it and charge regular, everyday expenses to these cards, you’d be amazed at how fast those rewards add up.
For example, we use a blend of travel rewards and cash-back cards, and we’re able to earn hundreds of dollars’ worth of rewards every single year.
Now, depending on the card, we can redeem those rewards for all kinds of things — flights, hotel stays, merchandise, or even upgrades.
Some cards let us transfer those miles or points to partner airlines or hotels, which makes it easier to book exactly what we want.
In general, there are three types of travel cards to consider: general travel cards, airline cards, and hotel cards.
General Travel Credit Cards
These cards allow us to redeem rewards for a wide variety of things. You might use them for statement credits, trips booked through the issuer’s travel portal, online shopping, or even gift cards. And if the rewards program allows it, we could also transfer points to our favorite airline or hotel loyalty program.
For us, these cards are perfect if we’re not tied to a specific airline or hotel brand. General travel cards work great for spontaneous travelers (like us) or for those who frequent spots where the hotel choices are slim.
Plus, since we’re not locked into one provider, we don’t have to deal with things like blackout dates or restrictions.
Airline Credit Cards
If you’re someone who flies frequently, airline credit cards can make a huge difference. These cards often come with perks that make flying a lot less stressful. They can even be co-branded with specific airlines, so we earn rewards that are tailored to that carrier.
The benefits aren’t just about earning rewards either — things like free checked bags, priority boarding, and discounted access to lounges can make your experience way more comfortable.
Hotel Credit Cards
When it comes to hotel stays, hotel credit cards are where it’s at. They’re especially valuable if we tend to stay with one particular hotel brand. For loyal customers, co-branded cards are a solid option, as we can rack up points that can be redeemed for free nights at participating hotels. So if you’re someone who knows exactly where you’ll be staying (like at the same hotel group every time), this kind of card can save us a lot in the long run.
Picking the Right Travel Credit Card for You
Before we get into picking out the perfect travel credit card, let’s take a moment to think about your travel style. Do you stick to one airline for most of your trips, or do you prefer the flexibility to fly with different carriers? Also, what type of rewards program are you after? Are you looking for something simple, or are you okay with a more complicated system that might give you better rewards in the long run?
To find the card that’ll work best for your needs, here are some things we recommend keeping in mind:
1. Choose a Rewards Program That Works For You
Each travel card comes with its own rewards system. You’ll either earn points with an airline or hotel loyalty program, or with a more general travel program. Each one has its own rules about how you earn, redeem, and transfer points.
For general travel cards, rewards can typically be used for things like statement credits, booking trips, or even transferring points to a partner airline or hotel. Some programs will let you use your rewards for experiences or gift cards, which adds a lot of versatility.
Examples of general travel rewards programs include:
- American Express Membership Rewards
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
Now, if you’re more of a frequent flyer, you might want to look into an airline co-branded card. These cards are great if you fly often with a specific airline because they let you rack up points that are tied to that carrier’s loyalty program.
Top airline programs we think are worth considering:
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- Delta SkyMiles
- United MileagePlus
Similarly, if you tend to stick with one hotel brand, a hotel-specific card can help you earn rewards that you can use for free nights. This is a solid choice if you’re loyal to a specific chain.
Great hotel programs to look into include:
- IHG One Rewards
- Marriott Bonvoy
- World of Hyatt
2. Figure Out How Much You Can Earn
Travel credit cards offer different earning rates, and some categories might give you more rewards than others. It’s a good idea to look at your spending habits and decide which card offers the most value for the types of purchases you make. For instance, some cards will give you 2x points for travel-related expenses like flights and car rentals, and 1x point for everything else.
3. Look at Sign-Up Bonuses
Many travel cards offer big sign-up bonuses if you meet a spending requirement within the first few months. These bonuses can add hundreds of dollars in value right off the bat, so make sure you consider them when choosing your card.
4. Understand How Points Are Redeemed
The value of your points or miles isn’t always straightforward. With general travel cards, the value is typically set at a fixed rate, like 1 cent per point. However, with airline and hotel loyalty programs, the value can vary depending on a few factors like demand, dates, and class of service.
It’s important to note that point values aren’t consistent across all programs. For example, one airline program might offer 2 cents per point, while another could offer less than 1 cent per point. This is something to keep in mind when choosing your card (it’s one of the reasons we keep it simple with just one card).
5. Consider the Annual Fee
Annual fees can range anywhere from $95 to $695, and some cards may waive this fee for the first year to entice new customers. When the fee kicks in, be sure that the rewards or benefits you’re receiving make the fee worth it. Keep in mind that there are also plenty of travel cards that don’t charge an annual fee, so if that’s something you want to avoid, it’s definitely possible.
6. Look at the Travel Benefits
Travel perks are a huge reason to get a travel credit card. Some cards offer great benefits like no foreign transaction fees, free checked bags (sometimes even for your travel companions), or access to concierge services. Many cards also come with travel insurance, which could save you a ton if something goes wrong during your trip.
For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers trip cancellation insurance, rental car damage coverage, baggage delay protection, and trip delay reimbursement — perks that make travel a lot less stressful.
7. Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees
When we travel internationally, foreign transaction fees can sneak up on us. They’re typically around 3% of every purchase made abroad, so if you’re planning on doing a lot of international travel, it’s crucial to get a card that doesn’t charge these fees. Otherwise, those fees could eat away at any rewards you earn, making them not even worth it.
Top Travel Credit Cards for Maximum Rewards
When it comes to selecting the right travel credit card, you have plenty of options, each offering unique rewards and benefits. To help you narrow it down, here’s a curated list of some of the best travel cards available, designed to maximize your earning potential and travel experiences.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Bonus Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on all purchases (up to $20,000 in the first year), which could give you up to $300 in cash back.
- Rewards: Earn 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% at drugstores and restaurants (including takeout and delivery), and 3% on all other purchases for the first year.
- Post Year One: Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchases via Chase Travel, 3% at restaurants and drugstores, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.49% – 28.24%.
- Annual Fee: None.
- Additional Perks: Chase Credit Journey to monitor your credit and access to other financial tools.
Hilton Honors American Express Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months.
- Rewards: 7X points on purchases at Hilton hotels, 5X points at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, 3X points on all other purchases.
- Bonus Perks: Complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status, with an upgrade to Gold after spending $20,000 in a year.
- Annual Fee: None.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None.
United Gateway℠ Card
- Bonus Offer: Get 20,000 bonus miles.
- Earning Rates: 2X miles on United® purchases, gas, and local transit; 1X on everything else.
- Additional Perks: 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights.
- Annual Fee: None.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months.
- Rewards: 5X points on travel via Chase Travel℠, 3X on dining, streaming services, and online groceries; 2X on all other travel purchases.
- Travel Benefits: 25% more value when redeeming points for travel; $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit.
- Additional Perks: Trip cancellation insurance, auto rental coverage, baggage insurance, and more.
- Annual Fee: $95.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus Offer: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, worth $750 in travel.
- Earning Rates: 2X miles on every purchase; 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- Redemption Options: Use miles for any travel purchase, or transfer them to over 15 travel loyalty programs.
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Other Benefits: Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit, $50 hotel experience credit.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 10,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 6 months.
- Earning Rates: 2X miles at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.), 2X miles on Delta purchases, and 1X on other purchases.
- Additional Perks: 20% savings on Delta in-flight purchases.
- Annual Fee: None.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus Offer: Capital One Venture X offers 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, equal to $750 in travel.
- Rewards: 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals, and 2X on everything else.
- Additional Benefits: $300 annual travel credit, complimentary airport lounge access, and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® fee credit.
- Annual Fee: $395.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Bonus Offer: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Rewards: 5X points on flights and 10X on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on other travel and dining; 1X on all other purchases.
- Travel Perks: $300 annual travel credit, 50% more value when redeeming points for travel.
- Additional Benefits: Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide and premium insurance coverage (trip cancellation, auto rental, lost luggage, etc.).
- Annual Fee: $550.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
- Bonus Offer: 20,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.
- Rewards: 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals, 4X points on travel and gas/EV charging stations, 2X points on dining, streaming services, and groceries.
- Annual Fee: $0.
Choice Privileges® Mastercard®
- Sign-Up Bonus: 40,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months, enough for up to 5 free nights at select Choice Hotels®.
- Earning Rates: 5X points at Choice Hotels®, 3X points at gas stations, grocery stores, and home improvement stores; 1X on other purchases.
- Other Perks: $800 cell phone protection, 10 elite night credits annually.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None.
Travel Cards vs. Cash Back Cards: Which One’s Right for You?
If you’re on the fence about whether a travel credit card or a cash back card is better for you, the good news is that you don’t necessarily have to choose. There are plenty of cards that give you both—travel rewards and solid cash back.
The distinction between travel cards and cash back cards isn’t always as clear as it seems. Some of the top cash back credit cards offer travel-related perks, and many travel credit cards allow you to redeem rewards for cash back. The key to choosing the right one lies in understanding your spending habits and what benefits you’d enjoy most.
For example, if you’re someone who spends a lot on dining out or groceries, a cash back card might be a natural choice. On the other hand, if travel rewards are your top priority, a travel credit card can give you extra perks to make your trips even more rewarding. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what kind of rewards align best with your lifestyle.
How to Earn Travel Rewards Without a Dedicated Travel Card
If a travel credit card doesn’t seem like the best fit for you, there are other ways to score great travel rewards without getting a dedicated card. Here are some options to consider:
Use a Cash Back Rewards Credit Card
While cash back cards are typically designed to give you money back on everyday purchases, many of them also offer travel perks, such as rental car protection, travel insurance, and even some exclusive travel offers. A great way to earn rewards for your regular spending while also enjoying some travel benefits.
Join a Frequent Flyer Program
Most major airlines offer frequent flyer programs that let you earn rewards for booking flights, using their travel partners, and even shopping with select retailers. These programs often have no cap on how many points you can earn, and you can redeem them for a variety of rewards like flights, cabin upgrades, and exclusive vacation packages.
Sign Up for a Hotel Loyalty Program
Hotel loyalty programs operate in a similar way to frequent flyer programs, offering incentives such as exclusive rates, late checkout, and bonus points for your stays. To make the most out of these programs, be sure to book directly with the hotel instead of through third-party sites. Once you’ve earned enough points, you can redeem them for rewards like free nights, spa packages, or complimentary drinks during your stay.
