Best Travel Credit Cards

Here are the best travel credit card offers:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Unlock Travel Rewards with the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Credit Card

75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
5X points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
3X points on dining, select streaming services and online grocery purchases
2X points on all other travel
1X point on all other purchases
$50 annual hotel credit through Chase Travel℠
10% anniversary points boost on prior year’s spend
No foreign transaction fees
$95 annual fee

Make every trip count with flexible redemption options—transfer points 1:1 to top airline and hotel partners or boost their value when booking through Chase. Enjoy built‑in travel protections like trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary rental car coverage and lost luggage reimbursement, plus seamless account management via the Chase mobile app. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or planning your next getaway, the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® delivers premium perks at an approachable price.

Terms apply. Bonus offer requires minimum spend. Annual fee applies. See Chase for full details.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Experience Luxury Travel with the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® Credit Card

100,000 bonus points + $500 travel credit after $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
8X points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠; 4X points on direct airline and hotel bookings
3X points on dining and eligible delivery services; 1X point on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit automatically applied to travel purchases
Complimentary lounge access with Priority Pass™ Select and Chase Sapphire Lounges for you +2 guests
Up to $300 in annual credits for dining at Exclusive Tables and stays with The Edit
$120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck^® credit every four years
No foreign transaction fees
$795 annual fee

From premium lounge retreats to robust trip protections—cancellation, interruption, auto rental and baggage insurance—this card lets you travel with confidence. Manage your account seamlessly in the Chase app, tap to pay with contactless security, and let automatic credits offset the annual fee for high‑value perks all year long.

Terms apply. See issuer for complete details and eligibility.

Capital One Venture Rewards

Experience Effortless Travel Rewards with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

75,000 bonus miles after $4,000 in purchases within 3 months (worth $750 in travel)
2X miles on every purchase, every day
5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
$50 experience credit on select hotel and vacation rental bookings
Transfer miles to over 15 airline and hotel partners
No foreign transaction fees and no mileage caps

Enjoy flexible redemption at 1¢ per mile: cover travel purchases with statement credits, book directly through Capital One Travel or transfer to partner programs. Miles never expire and there’s no limit to how many you can earn. Manage everything in one intuitive app, with contactless chip-and-tap security, robust travel protections and 24/7 customer support.

Terms apply. See issuer’s website for full details.

Capital One Venture X Rewards

Elevate Your Travel at a Value: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

10X miles on hotels & rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5X miles on flights & vacation rentals through Capital One Travel
2X miles on all other purchases
$395 annual fee, with up to $300 annual travel credit for portal bookings
10,000 anniversary bonus miles (worth $100) each year
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit up to $100 every four years
Unlimited lounge access at Capital One & Priority Pass lounges
No foreign transaction fees

Perfect for frequent explorers, this card’s robust benefits—from statement credits to lounge access—easily offset its annual fee. Book your next adventure, relax in premium lounges and enjoy seamless digital tools, all while earning unlimited rewards on every dollar spent.

Terms apply. See issuer’s website for rates, fees and complete details.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards

Unlock Effortless Travel Rewards with the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card

3 points per $1 on travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center; 1.5 points per $1 on all other purchases
25,000 bonus points after $1,000 in purchases within 90 days (worth a $250 travel statement credit)
No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
Redeem starting at 2,500 points for statement credits on flights, hotels, car rentals, restaurants and more
Points never expire as long as your account remains open
Earn 25%–75% more points with Preferred Rewards^® membership

This card makes earning and using travel rewards simple: book any trip through the Travel Center to maximize your points, then redeem directly as a credit on your statement. Manage everything in one intuitive app or online portal, and enjoy the peace of mind of no annual or foreign transaction fees.

Terms apply. Bonus points awarded after meeting spend requirement. Enrollment in Preferred Rewards^® required for bonus boost. See full terms for details.

Citi Strata Premier® Card

Supercharge Your Earning with the Citi Strata Premier^® Card

60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
10X points on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
3X points on air travel, other hotel purchases, supermarkets, restaurants and gas & EV charging stations
1X point on all other purchases
$100 annual hotel benefit on a single $500+ stay booked via CitiTravel.com
No foreign transaction fees and no points expiration
$95 annual fee

Whether you’re packing your bags for an international adventure or filling up at the grocery store, the Citi Strata Premier^® Card rewards you richly across everyday essentials and travel purchases. Track your points in the Citi app, enjoy instant hotel savings, and leverage top transfer partners to unlock even more value.

Terms apply. Annual fee applies. Bonus points require minimum spend. See full terms for details.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Unlock Unmatched Travel & Lifestyle Perks with The Platinum Card^® from American Express

5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmEx Travel, and on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® & The Hotel Collection^® stays
1X point on all other purchases
$200 airline fee credit (up to $200 per calendar year) for baggage fees, in‑flight refreshments and other incidental charges
$200 hotel credit (up to $200 per calendar year) for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection^® bookings
$240 digital entertainment credit ($20 per month) on eligible streaming services
$300 Equinox credit ($25 per month) for Equinox gym or app purchases
$189 CLEAR^® Plus credit (up to $189 per calendar year) for expedited airport security
$100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck^® credit every 4–4.5 years
Complimentary lounge access to The Centurion^® Network, Priority Pass™ Select, Delta Sky Clubs^® (when flying Delta) and more
$695 annual fee

Whether you’re jetting across continents or unwinding at a luxury resort, The Platinum Card^® delivers premium benefits that easily offset its fee—if you use them. Earn accelerated Membership Rewards^® points on travel, then redeem or transfer them to top airline and hotel partners. Enjoy exclusive credits, top‑tier lounge access and white‑glove concierge services, all managed seamlessly in the AmEx app. Terms apply.

American Express® Gold Card

Experience Dining & Travel Rewards with the American Express^® Gold Card

Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards^® points after $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months
4X points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per year, then 1X)
4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1X)
3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmEx Travel
1X point on all other purchases
No foreign transaction fees
$120 annual dining credit ($10 monthly) at select partners like Grubhub & The Cheesecake Factory
Up to $120 Uber Cash ($10 monthly) for U.S. Uber rides & Uber Eats
Up to $100 Resy credit ($50 semi‑annually) on eligible restaurant bookings
Up to $84 Dunkin’ credit ($7 monthly) at U.S. Dunkin’ locations
Transfer points to leading airline & hotel partners for maximum value

Whether you’re indulging in chef‑crafted meals, stocking up on groceries or flying across the globe, the AmEx Gold Card turns everyday spend into premium rewards. Use your monthly credits, earn accelerated points on dining and travel, and redeem points for statement credits or transfer to top loyalty programs—all while enjoying no foreign transaction fees.

Terms apply. Welcome offer and credits require enrollment and qualifying purchases. See issuer for full details.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Elevate Your Delta Experience with the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

70,000 bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases within 6 months
3X miles on eligible Delta purchases; 1X mile on all other spend
15 Delta Sky Club^® visits per Medallion^® year, plus unlimited access after $75,000 spend and four annual guest passes
Centurion^® Lounge access when you book a Delta flight
2,500 MQD head start each year + 1 MQD per $10 in card spend toward elite status
$240 Resy^® credit ($20/month) & $120 rideshare credit ($10/month)
15% off award travel when you use miles to book flights
Priority boarding and free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions
$650 annual fee; no foreign transaction fees

This premium card is built for Delta loyalists who want luxury perks and a fast track to elite status. From lounge access and companion privileges to monthly statement credits and accelerated MQDs, every benefit is tailored to enhance your travel. Manage your account and track rewards seamlessly in the AmEx app—then sit back, relax, and let your card take you further.

Terms apply. See American Express for complete details and eligibility.

The New United Quest℠ Card

Experience Ultimate United Rewards with the United Quest℠ Card

100,000 bonus miles + 3,000 PQPs after $4,000 in purchases within 3 months
3X miles on United purchases
2X miles on other travel, dining & select streaming services
1X mile on all other spending
$200 annual United flight credit
10,000-mile award flight discount each year (plus another 10K after $20K spend)
Up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck^® credit every four years
Free first & second checked bags for you and a companion
Primary rental car coverage
$350 annual fee; no foreign transaction fees

Designed for frequent United flyers, the United Quest℠ Card unlocks premium perks that more than offset its fee. Earn elevated miles on United flights and everyday essentials, enjoy automatic credits to trim costs, and accelerate toward elite status with PQPs. All managed seamlessly in the United mobile app.

Terms apply. PQP earnings cap applies; credits and perks subject to terms. See Chase for details.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

Unlock Premier American Airlines Benefits with the Citi^® AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^®

80,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,500 in the first 4 months
2X AAdvantage^® miles per $1 on American Airlines purchases, dining and gas
1X mile per $1 on all other spending
First checked bag free for you and up to four companions on domestic AA flights
Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
25% savings on in‑flight food and beverages
No foreign transaction fees
$99 annual fee (waived first year)

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or planning occasional getaways, this card accelerates your AAdvantage^® earnings on every swipe and trims travel costs with free bags and priority boarding. Enjoy a generous sign‑up bonus to boost your mileage balance, plus ongoing benefits that make every American Airlines trip smoother. Manage your miles and perks seamlessly in the Citi Mobile^® app and start unlocking premium AA advantages today.

Annual fee $99 (waived first year). Foreign transaction fee: 3%. See issuer for full terms and details.

FAQs About Travel Credit Cards

What credit score is usually required to get a travel credit card?

Most travel credit cards require good to excellent credit. While approval varies by issuer, a FICO score of 700 or higher is typically recommended. Before applying, check your credit score to avoid unnecessary hard inquiries.

Are points and miles the same thing?

Yes, in most cases. “Points” and “miles” both represent rewards earned from credit card spending. The terminology depends on the program — for example, Chase uses points, while Capital One calls them miles. Their real-world value depends on how you redeem them.

Is it worth getting a travel credit card?

If you travel at least a few times a year, a travel credit card can easily pay for itself. Perks like lounge access, travel insurance, or bonus rewards on flights and hotels often outweigh the annual fee — if you use the benefits strategically.

When should I use rewards instead of paying with cash?

Use your rewards for travel purchases like flights and hotels to get the highest value. Avoid redeeming points for merchandise or gift cards, which usually give you poor return. Think of rewards as a tool to save cash when it counts most.

Which travel credits are easiest to redeem?

Some premium travel cards offer flexible credits, while others have more complex rules. The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® stands out for simplicity — its $300 travel credit applies automatically to a wide range of travel purchases, without booking restrictions.