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Best travel credit cards of June 2023

Updated May 31, 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. These rewards can then be redeemed 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Best starter travel card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Apply now Lock
on Chase's secure site
Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5
4.9 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
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 Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5
4.9 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Info
Image of The Platinum Card® from American Express
chance of approval
Info
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‐approved for this card with Approval Odds

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
chance of approval
Info
Info
Image of Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
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

Recommended credit

Excellent (740 – 850)
Info
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
Info
Info
Image of Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Apply now Lock
on Wells Fargo's secure site
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
4.0 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

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

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

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

BEST FOR EVERYDAY TRAVEL + TRANSIT

American Express® Green Card

Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5 Bankrate review
Info
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

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

Best for point values

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Excellent (740 – 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)
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 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)
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On This Page

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 Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and the 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
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card 5X on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®

3X on dining.

2X on all other travel purchases, plus more.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening  $95 5.0 / 5
(Read full card review)
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.
 

Unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day.

20,000 bonus miles if you spend $500 within the first three months $0 4.8 / 5
(Read full card review)
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
 

Unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day.

75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening, equal to $750 in travel $95 4.9 / 5
(Read full card review)
The Platinum Card from American Express
5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
 

5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new card in your first six months $695 4.8 / 5
(Read full card review)
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
 

5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.

Unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.

75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months $395 5.0 / 5
(Read full card review)
Citi Premier Card
3X points at Restaurants and Supermarkets.
 

3X points at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels.

Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal (through June 30, 2024).

1X point on all other purchases.

60,000 bonus ThankYou® points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening $95 4.7 / 5
(Read full card review)
Wells Fargo Autograph Card Unlimited 3X points for travel purchases, at restaurants and gas stations, for transit, popular streaming services and phone plans 20,000 points when you spend $1,000 or more in the first 3 months $0 4.0 / 5
(Read full card review)
Discover it® Miles Unlimited 1.5X Miles on every dollar of every purchase – with no annual fee. Discover will match all miles earned at the end of your first of year membership $0 3.9 / 5
(Read full card review)
American Express Gold Card
4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
 

4X Membership Rewards® Points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).

3X Membership Rewards® Points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

60,000 points after spending $4,000 in purchases within first six months $250 5.0 / 5
(Read full card review)
American Express® Green Card
3X points on travel and transit and at restaurants worldwide
1X points on all other purchases
60,000 points after you spend $3,000 in your first 6 months, plus 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases in your first 6 months of card membership (up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit) $150 4.5 / 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.

1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases

60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months $550 5.0 / 5
(Read full card review)
Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card Unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire. 25,000 online bonus points ($250 value toward travel purchases) if you make $1,000 in purchases within 90 days of opening the account $0 4.1 / 5
(Read full card review)
Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card
Unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases
 

Unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.

50,000 online bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days $95 4.1 / 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)

Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period

None $0 4.0 / 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 spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days from account opening $95 3.2 / 5
(Read full card review)

A closer look at Bankrate's top travel credit cards

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BEST STARTER TRAVEL CARD

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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For a $95 annual fee, this card is packed with features. On top of an outstanding sign-up bonus, you get travel and purchase protections, as well as a rewards program that earns points, not only on travel purchases but also on everyday purchases like 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, making it worth $750 in travel.
Redeem points for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal to get a 25 percent boost to the value of your points. Additionally, a $50 hotel credit further curbs your expenses while you earn 5X points on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Travelers who dine at restaurants regularly or cook at home both benefit from rewards rates available on the Citi Premier Card. It has a comparable sign-up bonus and the same annual fee as the Sapphire Preferred, but also earns 3X points for purchases at gas stations, air travel and hotels. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi TravelSM portal (through June 30, 2024).
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BEST FOR NO ANNUAL FEE

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

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This entry-level travel rewards card comes with a nice sign-up bonus, the chance to earn unlimited miles, and a good amount of travel and purchase protections.
Beginner and occasional travelers looking for flexibility and savings. Cardholders don’t need to worry about maximizing rewards to offset an annual fee or travel rewards redemption restrictions.
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 travel rewards 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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BEST FOR FLAT-RATE REWARDS

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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It offers an easy way to earn travel rewards and comes with a generous sign-up bonus and several travel and purchase protections. The annual fee is a modest $95, which will appeal to a broad range of travelers who don’t need a luxury experience. 
Travelers who want to earn flat-rate rewards on all of their purchases but want to maintain flexibility in how they redeem their miles.
Get up to $100 in credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, transfer your miles to 15+ loyalty programs and earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
You could squeeze a lot more value out of your points with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, which offers bonus rewards in everyday spending categories and the chance to up the value of your rewards by 25 percent when you redeem for travel through Chase.
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Best for luxury travel

The Platinum Card® from American Express

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With a $695 annual fee, the Amex Platinum card doesn’t come cheap. But it will be worth it for those who can take advantage of all the high-value benefits packed in this card. That includes a welcome offer, annual statement credits worth well over $1,000, and complimentary access to the expansive American Express Global Centurion Lounge Collection.
Frequent travelers who enjoy luxury travel benefits and elite status with select hotels.
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 a host of other non-travel credits that more than make up for the card’s annual fee as part of the Amex Platinum’s expansive benefit offerings. Plus, you’ll earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year).
Thanks to the Capital One Venture X card, it’s possible to get a taste of luxury for far less than the cost of the Amex Platinum card. For $395, travelers get a card packed with high bonus rewards categories, a higher base rewards rate, complimentary lounge access, as well as travel credit and anniversary miles.
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BEST FOR PRACTICAL PERKS

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

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This card offers top-of-the-line benefits, including complimentary lounge access and a high rewards rate for both travel and non-travel purchases. It also comes with a fairly affordable annual fee compared to other luxury travel cards on the market.
Travelers looking to sample luxury benefits without paying a huge annual fee. The premier perks you’ll get with this card aren’t quite as luxurious as those found with other premium travel cards, but Venture X’s annual fee is far more modest and can be quickly offset thanks to an annual credit and anniversary miles bonus.
The card includes up to $300 back annually as statement credits for travel bookings made through Capital One Travel. You also get access to over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges worldwide.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is for frequent travelers looking for the best of the best when it comes to premium travel experiences. From an impressive sign-up bonus and annual credits to luxury lounge access and everyday benefits, this card packs it all in.
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BEST FOR EVERYDAY SPENDING

Citi Premier® Card

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This mid-level travel card packs a punch thanks to high-earning travel- and household-related bonus categories, an annual hotel credit and a modest fee of $95.
Occasional travelers who want to earn travel rewards for all their grocery, gas and dining purchases.
You can earn a $100 Hotel Savings Benefit when you book a single hotel stay of $500 or more through Citi online or by phone. The card also carries no foreign transaction fees.
Depending on your spending habits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred may not have the everyday value of the Citi Premier, but it does outclass the Citi card when it comes to travel value, especially when you use the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal to redeem points for travel.
Read our full Citi Premier Card review or jump back to offer details.
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BEST FOR GAS

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

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It earns a solid rewards rate for purchases in popular categories like gas stations, restaurants, travel and transit. And while some issuers only reward travel purchases made directly with airlines or through issuer portals, this card lets you shop around for the best deal on third-party travel sites and still earn extra rewards.
This card is a good choice if you’re new to travel rewards or just want a low-cost card with a simple rewards program that covers your dining and travel purchases.
This card charges no foreign transaction fees and comes with valuable perks like rental car coverage, roadside assistance and Visa Signature benefits, which opens the door to additional features like access to Visa’s Luxury Hotel Collection.
If you’re looking for ways to maximize the value of your rewards, you should consider a travel card that lets you transfer your points to airlines or hotels, like the Bilt Mastercard or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
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BEST FOR FIRST-YEAR VALUE

Discover it® Miles

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Discover will match every Mile you’ve earned at the end of your first year as a cardholder. It’s like essentially earning 3X Miles instead of 1.5X Miles during your first year.
Travelers who want simplicity. There are no complex redemption programs and cardholders are free to redeem rewards for statement credits they can apply to recent travel purchases.
Earn miles for every purchase you make whether it’s travel related or not. You’ll also benefit from Discover’s 99 percent acceptance rate nationwide, making it an ideal choice for the traveler who ventures to a variety of places. Also, redeem your miles as cash or as a statement credit to cover travel purchases.
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card won’t make you wait as long as the Discover it® Miles to earn your sign-up bonus. The VentureOne card also has more than a dozen transfer partners, which can help increase the value of the rewards you earn.
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BEST FOR FOODIES

American Express® Gold Card

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Amex gives users plenty of chances to offset the high annual fee of $250. This includes annual credits and high-earning bonus categories that will reward your spending in numerous areas, including dining, U.S. supermarkets and flights.
Travelers who want to earn rewards for dining out and ordering in. The generous rewards rate on dining at restaurants and Uber Eats in the U.S. makes it easy for foodies to rake in a lot of points.
Receive up to $240 in annual credits combined between Uber Cash and dining credits as well as a boosted 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through the American Express Travel Portal.
If the American Express Gold Card’s annual fee doesn’t fit your budget, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred. It’s a great alternative because it also earns high travel and dining rewards but for a much lower annual fee.
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Best for everyday travel + transit

American Express® Green Card

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This card can offer terrific first-year value via its unique welcome offer, which gives you a chance to earn even more rewards on travel and transit spending. 
Anyone looking for a taste of luxury travel at a reasonable cost.
The card’s Loungebuddy and CLEAR Plus credits should come in handy even if you only fly occasionally.
If you don’t care about lounge access, the Chase Sapphire Preferred may offer similar value at a lower cost. The Sapphire Preferred may also be a better pairing partner since you can pool its rewards with those of no-annual-fee Ultimate Rewards cards and redeem for travel at a 1.25-cent-per-point value (Amex points are only worth 1 cent each when you redeem for travel with the issuer).
Read our full Amex Green card review or jump back to offer details.
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BEST FOR POINT VALUES

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Even with an annual fee of $550, this premium travel rewards card is in demand and for good reason. The card comes loaded with short- and long-term value, including one of the highest cash back sign-up bonuses around, annual travel credit, bonus points for travel and dining purchases and complimentary airport lounge access.
Frequent travelers who can take advantage of the top-of-the-line travel benefits.
Earn an additional 50-percent value for your points when you redeem for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal and benefit from 1:1 point transfer with leading airline and hotel loyalty programs. Chase also provides access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide after one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select. Also receive up to $100 as a statement credit every four years to cover the cost of Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck®.
Travelers who dine at restaurants regularly or cook at home both benefit from rewards rates available on the Citi Premier Card. It has a comparable sign-up bonus and the same annual fee as the Sapphire Preferred, but also earns 3X points for purchases at gas stations, air travel and hotels.
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BEST FOR INTRO APR

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

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Unlike other travel rewards cards, this card counts more than just airfare and hotel rooms as travel. You can redeem points for statement credits to cover purchases at zoos, art galleries, aquariums, travel agencies and more.
Occasional travelers looking for a no-annual-fee travel card that offers a simple flat rate for all purchases.
Points don’t expire and you can book any airline, any hotel any time without blackout dates. You can also flexibly redeem points for statement credits to pay for travel or dining purchases like flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, as well as restaurant and take out purchases.
The Bilt Mastercard® not only earns points on rent payments and helps you avoid processing fees, but also boasts an impressive travel rewards program. You’ll earn bonus points for dining and travel, plus double points on all non-rent purchases for 24 hours on the first of every month (on up to 10,000 bonus points). That’s an impressive 6X points on dining, 4X points on travel and 2X points on all other non-rent purchases. And unlike with other no-annual-fee travel cards, you can transfer your points to one of the card’s many high-value transfer partners.
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BEST FOR EXPEDITED SECURITY SCREENING

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

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The one-time sign-up bonus and annual chance to earn up to $200 in travel statement credits enhance the value of this easy travel rewards credit card.
Frequent travelers who are also Bank of America Preferred Rewards members. Eligible Bank of America customers can boost their rewards rate by up to 75 percent based on the size of their accounts.
Receive up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually as well as TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100 every four years.
The Capital One Venture Rewards card might be a safer bet. The bigger sign-up bonus, higher flat rewards rate, and supersized hotel and rental car bonus categories come packed in a card with great travel benefits and flexible redemption options.
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Best for transfer partners

Bilt Mastercard®

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This card is a terrific choice for renters since it earns rewards and waives transaction fees when you use it to pay rent. But it’s also a solid pick for beginner travelers since it offers high-value travel and dining points and is one of the few no-annual-fee cards to offer airline and hotel transfer partners — including American Airlines.
Long-term renters who want to earn travel rewards and minimize fees. It’s also a good fit for travelers who don’t like paying annual fees and who can plan ahead. Since you earn double points on the first of every month for travel, dining and general purchases, it’s a chance to earn outsized rewards not often found with other general-purpose travel cards. 
The card comes with a sign-up bonus: 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days, redeemable for a $100 statement credit, gift cards or travel.
If you like the Bilt card’s travel rewards program but don’t see yourself renting long term, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It earns generously on both travel and dining and also boasts high-value points and a long list of airline and hotel partners.
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Best for fair credit

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

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This is a rare credit-building card that lets you earn high rewards on travel, dining and gas purchases.
Despite the $95 annual fee and limited perks, this card is a good fit for credit-builders looking for a hard-to-find travel card for fair credit.
The card comes with a sign-up bonus: 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days, redeemable for a $100 statement credit, gift cards or travel.
If you don’t mind putting down a refundable security deposit, consider a no-annual-fee secured card like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card*. It’s a unique secured card that lets you work on your credit score while earning rewards in a category of your choosing (with travel just one of many popular options) as well as grocery stores and wholesale clubs.

What is a travel credit card?

Travel credit cards allow cardholders to earn points or miles on a variety of purchases (typically travel-related), which are redeemable for travel bookings, statement credits, gift cards and more.

The best travel credit cards do more than help you foot the bill for your next flight — travel cards also offer perks to upgrade your entire travel experience. Trip insurance, annual travel credits, concierge services and lounge access are all common benefits. Airline and hotel co-branded credit cards sometimes offer specific discounts and perks for loyalty program members.

How do credit card points and miles work?

Credit card points and miles are two of the three types of credit card rewards, in addition to cash back. Credit card points and miles have slight differences but work in mostly the same way: You earn rewards by making purchases using your credit card and storing up those points for travel, gift cards and other options.

Types of travel credit cards

As with other types of cards, travel credit cards offer you a lot of variety to choose from. Notable features include issuer travel portals with boosted travel rewards value, hotel and airline loyalty status and credits for some of your favorite products and services. To zero in on which card might best fit your needs, consider the different categories of travel cards.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

Although a well-chosen travel card can pay huge dividends, it might not be the right move for every traveler. Before you apply, take time to weigh the benefits versus the drawbacks of travel credit cards.

Pros

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    Rewards optimized for travel: Rewards categories are often designed to earn more points or miles for purchases directly related to travel, mainly expenses such as airfare, hotel rooms, rental cars and more.

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    Travel-friendly benefits: Many travel cards offer perks such as travel insurance, free checked bags, lounge access and credits for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck.

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    High reward rates: Travel credit cards typically have some of the most generous rewards rates. It’s not uncommon to see travel purchases earn 5X, 6X, 7X or more points or miles.

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    The convenience of travel portals: Many card issuers have their own online travel portals where you can book travel and redeem your rewards toward those purchases in one session. Sometimes, using these portals may even boost your rewards value.

Cons

  • Credit score requirements: The typical baseline credit score requirement for a travel card is good-to-excellent, which could make it difficult to qualify with a credit score below 670.

  • Using rewards can be complex: You’ll frequently have to calculate points, check for eligibility requirements for flights and hotel stays and otherwise navigate the process to get full value of your rewards.

  • Annual fees: Some of the top travel credit cards have annual fees starting in the $95 to $100 range. Upper-tier hotel and airline cards and luxury travel cards could have annual fees exceeding $200 or even $500.

  • Losing value on non-travel redemptions: Points or miles typically lose value when redeemed for cash back, gift cards or merchandise, rather than travel.

Who should get a travel credit card?

A travel credit card is almost always a good idea if you want to offset the cost of future travel. If you are able to save up airline miles, rack up points for free nights at hotels or get discounted travel through your credit card issuer, you’re on your way to saving significantly on travel costs. The right travel card will vary depending on your travel habits, but there is at least one that can fit your travel style and budget. 

Still unsure if a travel credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool where you can get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

How to compare travel credit cards

To make sure a travel card is right for you, take some time to compare it with other cards with similar features to see which provides the best value for you. This could help you avoid missing out on a card with better benefits. Here are some factors to consider as you compare travel cards.

Earning travel rewards

When comparing travel credit cards, consider the rewards each one offers along with your spending habits and goals. If you value simplicity and ease of use, a flat-rate travel card that offers the same rate for all of your purchases could be your best option.

If you’re looking to maximize your points and miles and don’t mind redeeming rewards with a particular airline or hotel brand, a co-branded airline or hotel credit card may be a good fit. But if you don’t travel frequently or want a travel card with more flexibility in how you earn and redeem rewards, look for a general-purpose travel rewards card that earns bonus points or miles for travel and your top everyday purchases.

Redeeming travel rewards

Your travel card’s redemption options and value are also worth considering when comparing cards. Most travel cards give you the best value when you use your rewards to pay for upcoming travel, typically through the issuer’s travel portal. But for greater flexibility, you may want to look at cards that offer a variety of redemption options, such as redeeming points to cover past travel purchases, which gives you the freedom to book with third-party websites.

Or you may want a card with transferable points, which lets you move your rewards over to an airline or hotel loyalty program. This could help stretch the value of your points and miles even further. Most travel cards with transfer partners charge an annual fee, but there are a few notable exceptions like the Bilt Mastercard and Capital One VentureOne card.

You’ll also want to consider the value of your points or miles, which can fluctuate based on how you redeem, including when and where you book travel. If you think you’ll want to redeem your rewards for something other than travel, like statement credits or gift cards, make sure you choose a card that offers a redemption value of at least 1 cent per point or mile for those options. Otherwise, you’re better off using cash and saving your points and miles for travel redemptions.

Travel perks

The best credit cards for travel perks come with features and benefits that make travel more rewarding. If you like to travel in style, there are cards that make it easier to reach elite status or cards that come with complimentary lounge access or travel credits worth hundreds of dollars, which can make first-class airfare or luxury hotel accommodations more affordable.

Annual fee

Comparing the annual fees and features of similar travel cards can help you quickly narrow down your options. If you don’t want to pay an annual fee for a travel card, make sure to compare no-annual-fee cash back vs. no-annual-fee travel cards to make sure you get the right card for you. Keep in mind that some annual fees may be worth it if the card offers valuable perks or rewards.

Sign-up bonus

The best travel sign-up bonuses can knock anywhere from $200 to $1,000 or more off your next travel bill — but don’t just look at the size of the offer. When comparing travel cards, make sure the spend requirement fits your budget and doesn’t force you to overspend.

Travel protections

Credit card travel insurance is a feature that could save you from having to purchase standalone insurance and give you the peace of mind that you’re covered in the event something goes wrong with your trip. But the type of coverage and even the amount you receive can vary from card to card, so you’ll need to pay close attention as you compare travel cards.

Foreign transaction fees and international acceptance

If you travel overseas, check to see if the card you’re considering charges a foreign transaction fee. And since some credit cards aren’t as widely accepted as others, you’ll also want to make sure your credit card will work when traveling overseas.

What are your points and miles worth?

Reward redemption values vary greatly, and since many airlines and hotels use dynamic pricing models that can adjust prices at a moment's notice, it can be hard to know if you’re getting a good deal.

Finding the best way to use points for travel starts with knowing how much your rewards are worth. When you know the value of your points and miles, you can make better travel decisions. Budget shoppers who use a travel card with transferable points will have a better idea of how to shop around for the best rates. Travel hackers will have an easier time knowing when to use points or save them for another trip when they’ll be more valuable.

To make sure you’re getting maximum value for your rewards, divide the cost of a plane or hotel booking in cash by its cost in points or miles. This will show you the cash value of your points or miles. Then take a look at the following points and miles valuations from Bankrate and compare the value you get with our estimate of what your points or miles should be worth on average.

Airline rewards values

Rewards program Bankrate value* Estimated value of 50,000 points/miles
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles 3 cents $1,500
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club 2.6 cents $1,300
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer 2.2 cents $1,100
Emirates Skywards 1.8 cents $900
Etihad Guest Miles 1.8 cents $900
Qatar Airways (Avios) 1.8 cents $900
Garuda Indonesia GarudaMiles 1.6 cents $800
Southwest Rapid Rewards 1.5 cents $750
JetBlue TrueBlue 1.4 cents $700
Air France (FlyingBlue) 1.3 cents $650
Delta SkyMiles 1.3 cents $650
Flying Blue (average) 1.3 cents $650
Frontier Miles 1.3 cents $650
Aer Lingus (Avios) 1.2 cents $600
Air Canada Aeroplan 1.2 cents $600
Avios (average) 1.2 cents $600
Finnair Plus 1.2 cents $600
KLM (FlyingBlue) 1.2 cents $600
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan 1.1 cents $550
United Airlines MileagePlus 1.1 cents $550
American Airlines AAdvantage 1 cent $500
Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles 1 cent $500
Iberia Airlines (Avios) 1 cent $500
Spirit Airlines Free Spirit 1 cent $500
Avianca Airlines LifeMiles 0.8 cents $400
Malaysia Airlines Enrich Miles 0.8 cents $400
British Airways (Avios) 0.7 cents $350
Aeromexico Club Premier 0.6 cents $300
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus 0.6 cents $300
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles 0.6 cents $300
Qantas Airways Frequent Flyer 0.4 cents $200

*Based on weighted average of median point/mile values across economy and first/business class fares.

Hotel rewards values

Rewards program Bankrate value* Estimated value of 50,000 points/miles
World of Hyatt 2.1 cents $1,050
Wyndham Rewards 0.9 cents $450
IHG One Rewards 0.7 cents $350
Marriott Bonvoy 0.7 cents $350
Best Western Rewards 0.6 cents $300
Hilton Honors 0.6 cents $300
Radisson Rewards Americas 0.4 cents $200

*Based on median point values across budget, mid-tier and luxury hotel bookings.

Credit card program rewards values

Rewards program Baseline value Bankrate value* Estimated value of 50,000 points/miles
Bilt Rewards 1.25 cents 2.2 cents $1,100
American Express Membership Rewards 1 cent 2.1 cents $1,050
Capital One Miles 1 cent 2 cents $1,000
Chase Ultimate Rewards (Chase Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card) 1.25 cents 2 cents $1,000
Chase Ultimate Rewards (Chase Sapphire Reserve) 1.5 cents 2 cents $1,000
Citi ThankYou Points (Citi Premier® Card) 1 cent 1.9 cents $950
U.S Bank FlexPerks 1.5 cents 1.5 cents $750
Bank of America Travel Rewards 1 cent 1 cent $500
Chase Ultimate Rewards (other Ultimate Rewards cards) 1 cent 1 cent $500
Citi ThankYou Points (basic ThankYou points) 1 cent 1 cent $500
Discover miles 1 cent 1 cent $500
Wells Fargo Rewards 1 cent 1 cent $500

*Based on an average of the issuer’s five highest-value transfer partners (if available).

When to use rewards vs. cash

Here’s an example: We estimate American Airlines Aadvantage miles are worth 1 cent. If you book a seat in the main cabin on a one-way flight from Boston to Miami, and it costs either $139 or 21,500 miles, your miles are only worth $0.006 ($139 / 21,500 miles = $0.006). Since your miles for this flight are worth less than 1 cent, you may want to save your miles and pay cash for this flight.

But if you book a first-class seat on the same flight for $433 or 31,500 miles, your miles are now worth $0.013 ($433 / 31,500 = $0.013). Since 1.3 cents is higher than our 1-cent baseline valuation, you’re coming out ahead if you use your miles to pay for this flight.


How we chose our list of top travel rewards cards

Bankrate evaluates credit cards on a 5-star system that factors in attributes such as annual fees, APR, rewards value and welcome bonuses. To make our list of best travel rewards cards, our writers and editors pay particular attention to:
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    Rewards structure
    The best travel card for you will allow you to earn the most rewards for your specific spending habits. The cards in our lineup cover a variety of programs geared toward hotel lodging, dining, air travel costs and other factors. In general, the best travel cards reward you with two to three points per dollar on bonus categories.
  • Checkmark
    Travel perks
    The top travel rewards cards offer travel-specific benefits that take the hassle out of travel. Some perks we looked for are designed to save you money, including trip cancellation insurance, delayed baggage insurance, rental car insurance, checked bag discounts and travel credits. Other perks are all about making your experience more comfortable, such as airport lounge access, flight and hotel upgrades and concierge service.
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    Annual fees
    Annual fees are common among travel credit cards, but our top picks that charge these fees make it easy to get your money’s worth. Some luxury cards with very high annual fees might be worth the expense for frequent travelers who put a premium on comfort.
  • Checkmark
    Sign-up bonus
    Though long-term value should always be weighed the most heavily, travel credit cards often come with sign-up bonuses that can be worth a flight or two. We highlight the most competitive offers so that, all other factors equal, the better sign-up bonus can help you make a decision.
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    Foreign transaction fees
    Foreign transaction fees can make or break the value of a travel credit card, especially if you travel outside the country often. This fee typically tacks on an extra 3% to purchases made overseas, so our top-rated travel cards tend to be of the no-foreign-transaction-fee variety.

Video guide: What is a travel credit card?



Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.

More information on travel credit cards

With inflation curbing the value of the dollar and adding financial stress to consumers across the country, 80% of likely summer vacationers are rethinking their plans, according to a new Bankrate survey. 

If you’re a frequent traveler, now is a good time to redeem frequent flyer miles to help bring down the cost of airfare. There are also travel cards that earn rewards for some of the hardest-hitting categories — like gas and groceries, which can help you stockpile rewards that can be used to help you save on your summer travel. For more information on ways to maximize and bring down the cost of summer travel, check out Bankrate's Travel Toolkit.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
 

Travel credit card frequently asked questions

Ask the experts: What is your favorite travel credit card and why?


Travel Rewards Expert Contributor

Hands down, my favorite travel credit card is my Chase Sapphire Reserve®. I have many travel cards in my wallet, but I don’t have any cards that beats the unlimited 3X earning on general travel, which is my number one spending category. When it comes to redeeming, it makes tons of sense to be able to transfer my flexible Ultimate Rewards to where I need them, when I need them. The card has a big annual fee, but it easily covers itself with the $300 travel credit and the Priority Pass Lounge benefit. And since I rent cars quite often, the card saves me hundreds of dollars on primary rental insurance each year. So many different benefits for all kinds of savvy travelers.

Personal Finance Writer

I’ve had my Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card since 2008, when I was planning an Alaska cruisetour. I usually prefer cards with no annual fee, but the first companion pass with my new card made it worthwhile. I’m allowed to buy one companion pass per year from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22). I don’t always use it, especially since the pandemic, but I’m looking forward to traveling again. When I do, I’ll be happy for the free checked bag for myself and up to six guests.

Travel Rewards Expert Contributor

I really like The Platinum Card® from American Express. With a $695 annual fee, it’s expensive. But I utilize its features and benefits enough to justify it. First, there’s the American Express Centurion lounges, which are a great place to relax and enjoy a meal before my flights. This card also comes with Priority Pass Select and Delta SkyClub memberships, too. I speed through airport security with both an up to $100 Global Entry credit (which includes TSA PreCheck) and an up to $179 annual Clear statement membership credit. And you can’t go wrong collecting valuable Membership Rewards points, which transfer to over a dozen airline and hotel partners.