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Best travel credit cards of December 2024

Updated December 08, 2024

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Showing 19 results

Best starter travel card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Bankrate score

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4.8
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
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on Chase's secure site

Intro offer

60,000 bonus points

Rewards rate

1x - 5x

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

20.74% - 27.74% Variable

Why you'll like this: It carries solid travel perks and protections, a great mix of bonus categories, valuable points and flexible redemption.

Best for sign-up bonus

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bankrate score

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4.9
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
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on Capital One's secure site

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Intro offer

75,000 miles

Rewards rate

2 Miles - 5 Miles

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: Its current sign-up bonus is easily one of the most valuable you can get on a mid-tier travel card.

Best for practical perks

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Bankrate score

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5.0
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(740 - 850)
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on Capital One's secure site

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Intro offer

75,000 miles

Rewards rate

2 Miles - 10 Miles

Annual fee

$395

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: It’s likely your most cost-effective path to top-tier perks like airport lounge access, and annual travel credits.

Best for luxury travel

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Bankrate score

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4.8
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
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on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

Earn 80,000 points

Rewards rate

5X - 5X

Annual fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Why you'll like this: No other card offers so many annual credits, such comprehensive airport lounge access and such valuable travel protections and hotel privileges.

Best for transfer partners

Bilt Mastercard®

Bankrate score

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4.0
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
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on Bilt's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

N/A

Rewards rate

1X Points - 3X Points

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

See Terms

Why you'll like this: Bonus promotions on the first of each month and excellent transfer partners give this card a unique place in the travel landscape.

Best for intro APR

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Bankrate score

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4.2
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
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on Bank of America's secure site

Intro offer

25,000 points

Rewards rate

1.5X

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Why you'll like this: It boasts a more valuable welcome offer than most no-annual-fee travel cards and is one of the few that offers an intro APR.

Best for low cost

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Bankrate score

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4.1
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
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on Capital One's secure site

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Intro offer

20,000 miles

Rewards rate

1.25 Miles - 5 Miles

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: It’s one of the only no-annual-fee travel cards that lets you transfer miles to airline and hotel partners.

Best for everyday spending

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Bankrate score

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4.6
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
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on Citi's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

75,000 bonus points

Rewards rate

1X - 10X

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

20.49% - 28.49% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: It’s a great option for occasional travelers thanks to its everyday rewards, practical perks and pairing potential.

Best for foodies

American Express® Gold Card

Bankrate score

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4.9
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
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on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

60,000 points

Rewards rate

1X - 4X

Annual fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Why you'll like this: Food-related perks are the core of this card — from its annual dining and food delivery credits to its competitive dining rewards rates.

Best for pairing

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Bankrate score

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4.8
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
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on Chase's secure site

Intro offer

Up to $300 cash back

Rewards rate

1.5% - 5%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.74% - 28.49% Variable

Why you'll like this: Its high base rewards rate and everyday bonus categories make it an excellent foundation for any Chase card stack.

Best for hotel bookings

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Bankrate score

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4.0
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
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on Wells Fargo's secure site

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Intro offer

60,000 bonus points

Rewards rate

1X - 5X

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

20.49%, 25.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR

Why you'll like this: It offers a solid mix of reward categories, benefits and travel partners for a reasonable fee.

Best no-annual-fee hotel card

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Bankrate score

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4.3
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
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on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

Earn 100,000 points

Rewards rate

3X - 7X

Annual fee

$0

APR

20.24%-29.24% Variable

Why you'll like this: It’s remarkably well-rounded thanks to its everyday reward categories, which make it a lucrative card even if you only travel occasionally.

Best for point values

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Bankrate score

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5.0
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(740 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Chase's secure site

Intro offer

60,000 bonus points

Rewards rate

1x - 10x

Annual fee

$550

Regular APR

21.74% - 28.74% Variable

Why you'll like this: Points are worth 50 percent more when you redeem via Chase Travel — the best value you can get on a general travel card without transferring points.

Best for luxury hotel perks

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Bankrate score

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4.6
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points

Rewards rate

2X - 6X

Annual fee

$650

APR

20.24%-29.24% Variable

Why you'll like this: It offers terrific value via its luxury perks, including Platinum Elite status, annual reward nights and a $25 monthly dining credit.

Best for companion tickets

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Bankrate score

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4.7
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on American Express's secure site

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

Intro offer

Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles

Rewards rate

1X - 3X

Annual fee

$350

APR

20.24%-29.24% Variable

Why you'll like this: The annual companion certificate is easy to earn and carries enough value to offset the annual fee on its own.

Best for occasional travelers

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Bankrate score

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4.0
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Wells Fargo's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

20,000 bonus points

Rewards rate

1X - 3X

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR

Why you'll like this: It’s a cost-effective choice if you travel occasionally and want a straightforward card for everyday expenses.

Best starter airline card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Bankrate score

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4.3
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Chase's secure site

Intro offer

$400 statement credit + 40,000 pts.

Rewards rate

1X - 2X

Annual fee

$69

Regular APR

20.74% - 27.74% Variable

Why you'll like this: Its high-value sign-up bonus and anniversary points make this a low-risk card for occasional flyers.

Best for bank loyalty

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
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4.2
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Bank of America's secure site

Intro offer

60,000 points

Rewards rate

1.5X - 2X

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

20.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Why you'll like this: The Preferred Rewards program can give this card the highest flat travel rewards rate out there.

Best for fair credit

Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® Card

Bankrate score

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3.2
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(580 - 740)
Apply nowLock

on Credit One Bank's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

N/A

Rewards rate

1X - 10X

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

29.49%* Variable

Why you'll like this: It boasts perhaps the highest travel rewards rate you can get with a fair credit score.

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