The finest travel credit cards come with a variety of bonuses and improvements that can transform your next vacation from inexpensive to opulent without spending more money. They also provide amazing cash-back incentives.
We examined a variety of well-known travel cards using the average American's annual spending budget and thoroughly examined each card's benefits and drawbacks to identify the top cards based on your purchasing preferences. This analysis was done to assist you in selecting the best travel card for your needs. (For more information on how we select the greatest cards, see our process.)
Travel cards have risen to the top of the most competitive categories in recent years. As a result, several benefits, including as upgrade programs, trip credits, and no international transaction fees, are almost universal.
When you begin to consider factors other than those features, things start to get both interesting and perplexing. When applying for a new credit card, especially one with a high annual fee, think about how you'll use it and how to maximize your points to get the most out of the rewards program. A lot of credit cards also have high interest rates, so it's crucial to be sure you can pay off your debt completely and on time each month.
The good news is that, according to our calculations, if you select a card from this list during the following five years, you may earn almost $2,000 in rewards.
The best travel reward credit cards, according to Select, are listed below.
American Express® Gold Card
Rewards
4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership
Annual fee
$250
Intro APR
Not applicable
Regular APR
19.74%-26.74% Variable
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
The American Express® Gold Card is a wise decision for shoppers who enjoy dining out and traveling. Although there is a $250 annual fee for the card (see rates and fees), the luxury rewards it offers assist to make up for it.
The annual statement credits are a significant benefit that travelers should utilize. Cardholders receive a $100 hotel credit when they book through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel, as well as a $120 dining credit to offset restaurant costs ($10 per month at Seamless, Grubhub, and other participating restaurants; membership is required).
After making $4,000 in eligible purchases with their new card within the first six months of card activation, new cardholders receive 60,000 Membership Rewards® points as a welcome incentive.
Users of the American Express Gold Card receive 3X Membership Rewards® points for booking flights directly through airlines or through amextravel.com, 4X Membership Rewards® points for dining out and shopping at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1X), and 1X Membership Rewards® points for all other purchases. Norms apply.
The value of Membership Rewards® points fluctuates according on how cardholders use them. You can use them in a number of ways, including using points to pay at checkout at merchants like Amazon, exchanging them for gift cards or statement credits, or using them to plan vacation. (For additional information on how points are calculated, see below.)
For those that enroll with The Travel Collection by Travel Leaders Group at no additional cost, there are additional benefits beyond the point awards, such as exclusive travel discounts and amenities, room upgrades at particular hotels, and other special travel privileges.
In contrast to the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, there is no specific credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
5X miles on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A for purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
18.99% - 26.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
0% at the regular transfer APR
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
If you're planning to book a lot of travel, now might be the perfect time to use the Capital One Venture Incentives Credit Card, which has no shortage of travel perks and rewards. When hotels and rental cars are booked through Capital One Travel, cardholders receive 5X points, and they can earn an unlimited 2X miles for every dollar spent.
By using a statement credit or by making travel arrangements through Capital One's Reward Center, you can use your points to pay for travel. The value of each point is reduced to half a cent if you want to exchange them for actual money in the form of a check.
Foreign transaction fees are not charged to travelers heading abroad. Also available to cardholders is a one-time credit of up to $100 for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. As an extra bonus, you can use your Venture Rewards card to gain entrance to privileged sporting and musical events as well as world-class culinary events like the New York City Wine and Food Festival and the iHeartRadio Music Festival.
The absence of an introductory 0% APR period is a drawback. Additionally, Capital One states on its website that this card is only for those with good credit.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rewards
$50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3X points on dining, 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
18.99% - 25.99% variable on purchases and balance transfers
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Travelers who want a rewards program focused on travel and a wide range of benefits frequently choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Additionally, this card offers a large welcome bonus: After making $4,000 in purchases during the first three months after account opening, earn 60,000 bonus points. When you redeem the bonus through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, it can be used to offset up to $750 in travel expenses.
The rewards program offers 3X points for dining and 2X points for all other types of travel. It also offers 5X points for travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Chase Ultimate Rewards is a terrific way to maximize the value of the rewards program because points may be redeemed for travel at a 25% higher value.
A $50 yearly Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, no international transaction fees, luggage and travel delay insurance are just a few of the beneficial features that come with this card in addition to rewards.
A complimentary DashPass membership is also available to Sapphire Preferred cardholders for a minimum of one year through December 31, 2024.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Rewards
Earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025
Welcome bonus
Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$550
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
19.99% - 26.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, minimum $5
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent
Because of its opulent benefits and effective rewards scheme, Chase Sapphire Reserve is incredibly well-liked among travelers. After spending their $300 yearly travel credit, cardholders get 5X points on airfare and 10X points on hotel and rental car purchases made through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Additionally, customers receive 3X points for additional meals and travel and 1X point for all other expenditures.
The benefits are what set this card apart for travelers though. You can sign up for Priority Pass Select, which grants you access to more than 1,000 airport lounges around the world with free amenities like Wi-Fi, snacks, beverages, and more, and receive a statement credit of up to $100 (every four years) to help cover the application fees for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Booking everything from rental cars to cruises is possible through the Chase Ultimate Rewards system. The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection also allows you to reserve rooms and benefit from upgrades upon arrival, complementary meals, flexible check-in hours, additional amenities, and exclusive savings.
Depending on how you utilize them, Chase rewards points have different values. Each point is worth $.01 when you exchange them for cash or gift cards, thus 100 points have a $1 redemption value. (For additional information on how points are calculated, see below.)
When you use Chase Ultimate Rewards to redeem your points for travel, their value is increased by 50%. For instance, 80,000 points are worth $1,200 when used to book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, including airline, lodging, rental cars, and cruises. This makes this card stand out from the competition and is a wonderful method to maximize the value of your rewards.
Although there is a $550 annual fee for this card, the numerous bill credits assist to mitigate the expense. Foreign transaction fees are likewise not a concern for cardholders who are traveling abroad.
Discover it® Miles
Rewards
Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase - with no annual fee.
Welcome bonus
Discover will match all the Miles you've earned at the end of your first year.
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases
Regular APR
14.99% to 25.99% Variable
Balance transfer fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Good / Excellent
In comparison to other travel cards, the Discover it Miles card stands out because to its large rewards program and absence of an annual charge.
With the Discover it Miles card, customers may earn limitless 1.5X miles on all purchases. However, Discover has a welcome bonus that is difficult to beat for cardholders who make larger purchases: It will match all miles accrued during the first year, mile for mile (for new card members in their first year only). Discover will match your 35,000 miles if you accumulate them in the first 12 months. A total of 70,000 miles, or $700, can be used for travel. The typical cardholder will earn about 32,777 miles in the first year, according to our calculations.
There are no blackout periods while using this card to pay for travel-related expenses. Additionally, it's simple to convert miles into a statement credit for travel, dining, or petrol purchases or a bank account payment. The finest aspect is that accrued miles are kept active even after an account closure. (If your account is cancelled, Discover credits your account with your rewards balance.)
TD First Class℠ Visa Signature® Credit Card
Rewards
3X miles earned on every $1 spent on travel and dining, plus 1X mile earned on every $1 spent on everything else
Welcome bonus
25,000 miles when you spend $3,000 within the first 6 billing cycles
Annual fee
$89, waived for the first year
Intro APR
0% APR for the first 12 billing cycles on balance transfers
Regular APR
14.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
$5 or 3% of transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
N/A
Consider the TD First ClassSM Visa Signature® Credit Card if you're looking for a travel credit card with an introductory APR. It was chosen for our list of the best travel credit cards because to its distinctive introductory bonus, strong rewards program, and reasonably low 14.99% variable APR.
When new cardholders spend $3,000 within the first six billing cycles, they can earn 25,000 miles. Typically, cards require that amount in spending over the first three months in order to be eligible for bonus offers.
Each $1 spent on meals and travel earns three times as many miles under the rewards program. Users accrue one mile for every dollar spent on any other purchases. Redeeming points for cash back, gift cards, or travel incentives is simple.
The variable APR rate is 14.99%, which is significantly lower than many other competing cards. Additionally, balance transfers are eligible for 0% APR for the first 12 billing cycles (though we recommend that you pay off your card in full and on time each month). There are no foreign transaction fees, and the first year's $89 annual cost is free.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students credit card
Rewards
Unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases
Welcome bonus
25,000 bonus points after you spend at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening, which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward qualifying travel purchases
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases
Regular APR
16.24% to 26.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
Either $10 or 3%, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Good/Excellent
Students who intend to study abroad or travel during breaks might consider the Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students. Cardholders earn 1.5 points for every dollar spent on all transactions as part of the rewards program, which is focused on travel.
You may use rewards as a statement credit to pay for travel expenses, which is an easy method to lower the cost of taking a spring break trip or purchasing a ticket home. This card is perfect for students who are studying abroad because there are no international transaction fees.
Cardholders have unlimited time and dollar-for-dollar redemption options, including for Amazon purchases.
Additionally, this card has a special financing offer that is longer than usual and offers 0% interest for 15 billing cycles (followed by a variable APR of 15.49% - 25.49%). You can make payments on new items over time without paying interest by taking advantage of a full year of no interest. We advise paying off your balance completely and on time each month.
To be eligible for this card, you must be at least 18 years old and enrolled in school (college, a trade school, or both).
Is Obtaining a Travel Credit Card Advisable?
You are passing on incentives and benefits that could lower the cost of travel if you frequently travel and pay for your purchases with cash or debit. Getting a credit card that offers high rewards rates on flights, hotels, rideshares, and other frequent travel expenses may be in your best interest.
You can receive more than $2,000 in rewards from using one of the travel cards described above over the course of five years, which can help you pay for recent travel costs or a future vacation.
Who Ought to Apply For Such a Card?
Keep in mind that card issuers typically demand you to have high credit or excellent credit if you're interested in applying for a travel credit card (scores above 670). Checking your credit score is essential prior to requesting a travel credit card.
Choose the best travel card for your purposes, apply for it after you are aware of your credit score and can see if you are prequalified.
A Guide to Selecting a Travel Credit Card
It might be challenging to choose from the many travel credit cards that are available, including general cards as well as airline- and hotel-specific ones. Consider a number of things before selecting the finest card for your need. To help you choose a credit card, here are some suggestions.
Think about your willingness to pay an annual charge. Some travel cards have high annual fees of more than $500, which may or may not be beneficial to you. To determine if an annual fee travel card is right for you, make sure you do the math.
The kind of travel you undertake the most is a crucial additional consideration. It doesn't really matter if a card has foreign transaction fees if you just travel within the United States. However, if you're traveling to Mexico or Spain, it's crucial to have a card with no international transaction fees.
You should consider rewards before making your choice. Find out which card has a rewards program that is more tailored to your spending patterns by doing some research. Consider the American Express Gold Card with 4X points on dining out if you frequent eateries while traveling. However, the Discover it Miles features no annual charge and unlimited 1.5X miles on every dollar of every purchase if you want a competitive rewards rate on all kinds of purchases.
To determine whether card offers better value than another, you can compare card perks side by side. For instance, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card gives cardholders a cost credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve provides free lounge access.
How to Contrast Credit Cards For Travel
Comparison shopping for credit cards can be useful if you're having difficulties deciding which travel credit card is ideal for you. To start, make a list of the advantages you want and any points that are a deal-breaker, like an annual charge. Then take into account cards with those features.
If you desire rewards for both dining and travel, for instance, the Amex Gold Card is a better option than the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card because the rewards rate is 4X instead of 2X.
The Venture Card is only $95 compared to the $250 you'll pay for a Gold Card, so it's an affordable option if you don't want to pay a large annual cost. (See prices and costs.)
How to Maximize Your Card
Learn about the different credit card features and costs in order to get the most of your travel card. Make a note of the APR, international transaction fees, and any yearly fees that may apply to your account. Also take into account the loyalty programs and any extra benefits, including annual statement credits.
You can begin optimizing the terms of your card after you are comfortable with them. Setting reminders to use the $300 yearly travel credit offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve or applying for Global Entry with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to benefit from the up to $100 credit are two examples of how to do this.
If you have several credit cards, you may want to make a schedule for when to use each one. Say you have both the American Express Gold Card and the Discover it Miles. Use the Discover card for all other purchases to earn an unlimited 1.5X miles, then use the Amex Gold Card to pay for dining out to get 4X points.
Other Credit Card Kinds to Take into Consideration
Not everyone should use travel credit cards. If you don't travel often, you might think about other credit card possibilities, such as ones that offer rewards for dining, shopping, or petrol. There are cards that can give up to 6% back in those areas, which benefits travelers, meal planners, and foodies.
You might gain from a card that offers a 0% APR term in addition to perks. Some credit cards, like the Citi Simplicity® Card, offer zero percent interest on new purchases and balance transfers for a year or more. The card has a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months starting on the date of the first transfer as well as a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months starting on the date of account opening (after which, the APR ranges from 17.74% to 28.49% variable; balance transfers must be finished within four months of account opening). For transfers made within the first four months of account opening, there is an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% of the transfer amount or $5, whichever is greater. After that, each transfer will incur a cost of 5% (minimum $5). These cards can assist you in getting out of debt without paying exorbitant interest rates when used appropriately.
Technique
Select examined a number of well-known travel credit cards that are provided by major banks, financial institutions, and open-membership credit unions in order to discover which cards will provide you the biggest return on your money. We evaluated a number of aspects for each card, including travel rewards (points and miles), annual fee, welcome bonus, introductory and normal APR, one-time benefits, yearly benefits, redemption rates, as well as elements like necessary credit and customer reviews when applicable.
Esri, a provider of location intelligence, partnered with Select. Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2019 Consumer Expenditure Surveys, the company's data production team supplied the most current and complete consumer spending data available. There is more information about their methods here.
A typical annual budget for retail expenditure of about $22,126 was produced by the data team at Esri. Groceries ($5,174), gas ($2,218), eating out ($3,675), travel ($2,244), utilities ($4,862), and other purchases ($3,953) are the six primary categories of the budget. Household essentials, clothing, personal care items, prescription medications, vitamins, and other transportation expenses are all considered general purchases.
Then, assuming that consumers would try to maximize their rewards potential by earning all welcome incentives provided and using the card for all appropriate purchases, we calculated how much the typical customer would redeem over the course of a year, two years, and five years. All reward total projections assume that you pay your credit card balance in full and on time each month to avoid interest penalties, net of the annual fee.
It's significant to remember that the worth of a point or mile differs between cards and depends on how you use them. We made the assumption that cardholders would typically redeem their points or miles for a maximum value of one penny each when calculating the expected returns. (Extreme optimists may be able to provide results that are more valuable.)
Since it's usually a good idea to keep a credit card for years, our final selections are significantly biased toward those with the best five-year returns. Additionally, this approach prevents giving cards with significant welcome bonuses an undue advantage.
Although the five-year projections we've provided are based on spending patterns similar to those of the average American, your actual returns may vary depending on how frequently you travel.
