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17 Best travel credit cards of October 2023

Updated October 02, 2023

Travel credit cards help you earn valuable points and miles on your purchases. For maximum value, some cards earn rewards not only on travel, but also everyday purchases like dining, groceries and gas. You can redeem these rewards for free or discounted flights, hotel stays or to cover other travel-related expenses.

The best travel cards also come with additional features. Even no-annual-fee travel cards are likely to offer perks like sign-up bonuses, intro APR offers and travel insurance. But for top-of-the-line benefits like airport lounge access, elite status and travel credits, expect to pay an annual fee.

Image of Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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on Capital One's secure site
Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5
4.9 Bankrate review
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Intro offer

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Annual fee

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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chance of approval
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Image of Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Best starter travel card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

chance of approval
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Apply now Lock
on Chase's secure site
Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5
4.9 Bankrate review
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Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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chance of approval
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Image of The Platinum Card® from American Express
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Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8 Bankrate review
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See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
See if you're pre‐qualified for this card with Approval Odds

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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chance of approval
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Info
Image of Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
chance of approval
Info
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0 Bankrate review
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Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Excellent (740 – 850)
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chance of approval
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Image of Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Apply now Lock
on Bank of America's secure site
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Image of American Express® Gold Card
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Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0 Bankrate review
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See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
See if you're pre‐qualified for this card with Approval Odds

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
chance of approval
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Info
Image of Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
chance of approval
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Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4 Bankrate review
Info
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
chance of approval
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Info
Image of Hilton Honors American Express Card

BEST NO-ANNUAL-FEE HOTEL CARD

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3 Bankrate review
Info
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

Best for expedited security screening

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

Apply now Lock
on Bank of America's secure site
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of Bilt Mastercard®

BEST FOR TRANSFER PARTNERS

Bilt Mastercard®

Apply now Lock
on Wells Fargo's secure site
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
4.0 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

N/A

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Best for point values

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

chance of approval
Info
Apply now Lock
on Chase's secure site
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Excellent (740 – 850)
Info
chance of approval
Info
Info
Image of Discover it® Miles

Best for first-year value

Discover it® Miles

Apply now Lock
on Discover's secure site
Rating: 3.9 stars out of 5
3.9 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Apply now Lock
on Chase's secure site
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of Credit One Bank Wander® Card

BEST FOR FAIR CREDIT

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

Apply now Lock
on Credit One Bank's secure site
Rating: 3.2 stars out of 5
3.2 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Fair to Good (580 – 740)
Info
Image of Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6 Bankrate review
Info
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of Citi Premier® Card

Best for everyday spending

Citi Premier® Card

chance of approval
Info
Apply now Lock
on Citi's secure site
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
chance of approval
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Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit AmericanExpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex assurance company.


The information about the American Express® Green Card and Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuers.

Compare the best travel credit cards of 2023

Card name Rewards highlights Welcome offer Annual fee Bankrate review score
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
 

2X miles on other purchases

75,000 miles after $4,000 on purchases in the first three months  $95 4.9 / 5
(Read full card review)
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®

3X points on dining and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs)

2X points on other travel purchases

60,000 points after $4,000 on purchases in the first three months $95 4.9 / 5
(Read full card review)
The Platinum Card from American Express
5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year), and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
80,000 points after $8,000 on purchases in the first six months $695 4.8 / 5
(Read full card review)
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
 

5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.

2X miles on other purchases

75,000 miles after $4,000 on purchases in the first three months $395 5.0 / 5
(Read full card review)
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Earn 5X miles on on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
 

1.25X miles on other purchases

20,000 miles after $500 on purchases in the first three months $0 4.1 / 5
(Read full card review)
Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card 1.5X points on all purchases (1.87X to 2.62X points, if a Preferred Rewards member) 25,000 online bonus points after $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days $0 4.1 / 5
(Read full card review)
American Express Gold Card

4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats and other eligible U.S. delivery services) and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1X points)

3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or via the American Express Travel portal

60,000 points after $4,000 in eligible purchases in the first six months $250 5.0 / 5
(Read full card review)

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

3X miles on Delta flights and transactions made directly with hotels;

2X miles at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants

50,000 bonus miles after $3,000 in purchases in the first six months

$250 4.7 / 5
(Read full card review)
Hilton Honors American Express Card

7X points on direct Hilton hotel and resort bookings

5X points at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. restaurants

3X points on all other purchases

80,000 points after $1,000 in purchases in the first three months

$0 4.3 / 5
(Read full card review)
Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card

2X points on travel and dining

1.5X points on all other purchases

60,000 online bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days $95 4.2 / 5
(Read full card review)
Bilt Mastercard®
3X points on dining

2X points on travel

1X points on rent payments (up to a maximum 100,000 points per year)

(Must make five posted transactions each statement to earn points)

None $0 4.0 / 5
(Read full card review)
Chase Sapphire Reserve
10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
 

5X total points on air travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

3X points on other travel and dining.

60,000 points after $4,000 in purchases in the first three months $550 5.0 / 5
(Read full card review)
Discover it® Miles 1.5X miles on all purchases Discover will match all miles earned at the end of the first year $0 3.9 / 5
(Read full card review)

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

2X points on Southwest purchases, local transit and commuting (including ride-shares) and internet, cable, phone and select streaming services

50,000 points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first three months

$69 4.3 / 5
(Read full card review)
Credit One Bank Wander Card
10X points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked using the Credit One Bank travel site
 

5X points on eligible travel including flights, dining, and gas purchases

10,000 bonus points 

after $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days

$95 3.2 / 5
(Read full card review)
Wells Fargo Autograph Card 3X points on purchases at restaurants, gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations, as well on travel, transit, select streaming services and phone plans 20,000 points after $1,000 on purchases in the first three months $0 4.0 / 5
(Read full card review)
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card 

6X points for eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy properties

3X points at restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines 

2X points on all other purchases

Earn two 85K Free Night Awards after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card in your first 6 months. Offer ends 11/1/2023.

$650 4.7 / 5
(Read full card review)
Citi Premier Card

3X points on restaurant, supermarkets, gas station, air travel and hotel purchases

10X total points on hotels, car rentals and attractions (excluding air travel) through the Citi Travel℠ portal (through June 30, 2024)

60,000 points after $4,000 in purchases in the first three months $95 4.7 / 5
(Read full card review)
American Express® Green Card
3X points on travel and transit and at restaurants worldwide
60,000 points after $3,000 in purchases in the first six months, plus 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases in the first six months (up to $200 back as a statement credit) $150 4.4 / 5
(Read full card review)

A closer look at Bankrate's top travel credit cards

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

BEST FOR FLAT-RATE REWARDS

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It offers an easy way to earn travel rewards, comes with a generous sign-up bonus and has several travel and purchase protections for a modest annual fee of $95.

Travelers who want to earn rewards at a flat rate on all purchases and enjoy flexibility in how they redeem their miles.

Get a credit worth up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® and transfer your miles to 15+ airline and hotel loyalty programs, often for a higher redemption value.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers a higher rewards rate in some everyday spending categories and potentially more valuable points. Your points are worth 1.25 cents each if you redeem for travel through Chase, versus the 1 cent per mile value you’d get with the Venture.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

BEST STARTER TRAVEL CARD

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On top of an outstanding sign-up bonus, you get travel and purchase protections and a rewards program that earns points on both travel and everyday purchases, like online groceries and streaming services.

This is a great travel card for people with 2023 travel plans, as Chase recently updated its sign-up bonus to 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. If you redeem these points for travel on Chase Ultimate Rewards, they're worth 1.25 cents each, making the whole bonus worth up to $750 in travel.

You’ll get up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel stays booked through Chase and your points are worth 25 percent more when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through the Chase travel portal. 

The Citi Premier® Card not only has a comparable sign-up bonus and the same annual fee as the Sapphire Preferred, but also covers even more everyday categories, including  supermarkets and gas stations, potentially making it a better fit as a standalone rewards card. 

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The Platinum Card® from American Express

Best for luxury travel

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If you can take advantage of all the high-value benefits packed in this card, it could be one of the most lucrative on the market. You’ll have a chance at a huge welcome offer, annual statement credits worth over $1,000 and access to Priority Pass Select lounges, Centurion lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (for Delta flights only).

Frequent travelers who enjoy luxury travel benefits and elite status.

Along with comprehensive lounge access, you can take advantage of an up to $200 airline fee credit, up to $200 in Uber Cash (benefit renews annually), an up to $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit and several other benefits.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a taste of luxury at a much lower cost than the Amex Platinum. For a $395 annual fee, travelers unlock a generous travel rewards rate, a higher rewards rate on general purchases, complimentary Priority Pass and Capital One lounge access and valuable annual travel credits and anniversary miles.

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

BEST FOR PRACTICAL PERKS

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This card offers a great mix of practical, valuable perks, including complimentary lounge access and a high rewards rate for both travel and non-travel purchases. It also comes with a relatively low annual fee compared to other luxury travel cards.

Travelers looking to sample luxury benefits without paying over $400 in annual fees.

You’ll get $300 in annual credits for travel bookings made through Capital One Travel, 10,000 bonus miles each year on your account anniversary and access to over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges worldwide.

If a higher annual fee is no issue, consider the Platinum Card from American Express. It’s a top choice for frequent travelers thanks to its impressive welcome offer and luxury perks like annual travel credits, lounge access and hotel elite status.

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Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

BEST FOR NO ANNUAL FEE

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This entry-level travel rewards card comes with a decent sign-up bonus, the chance to earn flat-rate miles on all purchases and the option to transfer miles to travel partners without owing an annual fee.

Occasional travelers looking to earn flexible travel rewards without paying an annual fee.

You can transfer your miles to over 15 loyalty programs, redeem them for travel through the Capital One Travel portal or use them to cover outside travel purchases — a unique level of redemption flexibility for a no-annual-fee travel card.
A general-purpose flat-rate credit card that offers 2X points or 2 percent cash back on all purchases may bring more value if you don’t travel often and aren’t ready to upgrade to a travel rewards credit card with an annual fee.
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Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

BEST FOR INTRO APR

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