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The 11 Best Cash Back Credit Cards for Travelers in 2024

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Cash back credit cards can be a valuable addition to any traveler's wallet. You might not want to make all your monthly purchases on a cash back card, but they can certainly work into a larger points and miles strategy .

Seasoned travelers know the importance of using the right card at the right time. You need to maximize the amount you earn per dollar. For example, I will always use my Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express to book flights on Delta . As a frequent traveler , I use my Citi Premier card at restaurants and supermarkets to earn 3x points per dollar spent, but I’ll take out my Capital One Venture X to book hotels through Capital One Travel, which will give me 10x miles for each dollar I spend.

A cash back card can be the icing on the cake to your points and miles strategy, giving you money back in your wallet to put toward future trips and filling in any gaps within your existing travel cards. For instance, if you don’t have a card that gives you bonus points for transit and you commute every day, you could use the Blue Cash Preferred from American Express, which will give you three percent cash back.

These cards give you an immense opportunity to earn, often while avoiding an annual fee, acting as a balance to the premium cards you may already have in your wallet. For those new to cash back cards, here's how they work: Most will allow you to redeem your cash back for a statement credit, check, or direct deposit, or for gift cards. When you are ready to redeem, you can log into your account and select your preferred method. (Note that some cards have a minimum redemption amount.)

Read on for the top cash back credit cards for travelers in 2024, or jump straight to the card that fits your spending habits or priorities:

• Best overall: Chase Freedom Flex℠
• Best for travel portal redemptions: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Best for road trippers: Blue Cash Preferred® from American Express
• Best for foodies: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best for simplicity: Citi Custom Cash Card
• Best for customization: Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
• Best for cash back matching: Discover It Cash Back
• Best for big spenders: Alliant Cash Back Visa Signature
• Best for fair credit: Credit One Bank Platinum X5 Visa
• Best for flexibility: U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
• Best for unlimited two percent back: Wells Fargo Active Cash Credit Card

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Best overall.

The Chase Freedom Flex is one of the most popular cash back credit cards on the market, and for a good reason. There is no annual fee and a pretty lucrative rewards system. Currently, you can earn a $200 bonus after spending just $500 on purchases in the first three months after account opening, plus five percent cash back on up to $12,000 in gas station and grocery store purchases in your first year.

Cardholders earn five percent cash back on quarterly rotating categories for up to $1,500 spent. These categories can include grocery stores, gas stations , or online merchants. You then earn three percent back on dining and drugstore purchases and one percent on all other purchases.

What makes this card so great for travelers is the additional five percent cash back on travel purchases made through Chase Ultimate Rewards. This is fantastic news for frequent travelers looking to save some money. You can book flights, car rentals, and hotels through the online portal, which can quickly add up.

Annual fee: $0

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Best for travel portal redemptions.

Chase certainly knows how to make an excellent cash back credit card. The Chase Freedom Unlimited is much more straightforward–earn five percent back on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, three percent on dining and drugstore purchases, and an unlimited 1.5 percent on all other purchases. The Freedom Unlimited offers the same sign-up bonus and intro APR as the Freedom Flex. There is no annual fee, which is great for travelers who already have a few premium credit card fees in their budget.

Blue Cash Preferred® from American Express

Best for road trippers.

If you like going on road trips, the Blue Cash Preferred will be your new best friend. Cardholders will enjoy three percent cash back on transit, which covers taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, and buses, and at gas stations. The perks do not end while you’re on the road–you will also get a whopping six percent cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then one percent) (terms apply).

Not only will you get money back when you fill up the tank, but you can also rest assured with the car rental loss and damage insurance offered as perks of the card. This lets you save money on the collision damage waiver at the counter while still staying protected.

You can earn $250 back after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months after account opening.

Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees )

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. Car Rental Loss or Damage is Offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc .

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best for foodies.

If you do not want to cook while on vacation, you can use your SavorOne Cash Rewards card to earn an unlimited three percent back on dining purchases. Also, enjoy three percent back on grocery stores (excluding some superstores like Walmart and Target), streaming services, and entertainment. Earn one percent back on all other purchases.

Currently, you can earn an additional $200 back after spending $500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. Long term, cardholders can enjoy making reservations all across the country with the SavorOne card, knowing you will automatically get some cash back every single time with no annual fee.

Citi Custom Cash Card

Best for simplicity.

If you do not want to worry about activating categories for higher earning potentials, the Citi Custom Cash Card does it for you. You will automatically earn five percent cash back on up to $500 in your highest spend category each billing cycle. This could include travel, meaning you could earn $25 back on travel purchases each billing cycle or $300 per year. Although it does not have other premium benefits that come with cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, getting $300 back each year on travel purchases is nothing to scoff at.

There is no annual fee for this card, and you can earn a $200 welcome bonus after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards

Best for customization.

If you want to be able to choose your highest cash back category, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards is the best option. Earn three percent back in the category of your choice and two percent back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs on up to $2,500 in combined spending each quarter.

You could use this card to earn the most back on travel purchases or use a different card for travel expenses and this card for dining while on the road.

Discover It Cash Back

Best for cash back matching.

The Discover It Cash Back is similar to the Chase Freedom Flex, where you earn five percent back on everyday card purchases at different places each quarter, up to a maximum amount. For quarter one of 2024, January to March, the category is restaurants and drug stores on up to $1,500 in purchases. After that, earn one percent cash back on all other purchases. The other quarterly bonus categories are announced the month prior. So, the bonus category for April to June will be announced on March 1, and so on.

Where this card shines is the unlimited dollar-for-dollar cash back match at the end of your first year. Let’s say you only use your card for purchases in the five percent back category each quarter. If you max that out, you will earn $75 per quarter or $300 by the end of the year. Discover would then match that $300, giving you another $300, for a total of $600. More money in your pocket at the end of the year may give you extra incentive to book that dream trip—or splurge on a last-minute one.

Alliant Cash Back Visa Signature

Best for big spenders.

The Alliant Cash Back Visa Signature has a tiered earning system. Tier 1 gives you 2.5 percent back on up to $10,000 in purchases each billing cycle. You earn an unlimited 1.5 percent back on all other purchases if you go over that. To qualify for Tier 1, you must meet the Alliant High-Rate Checking Account requirements.

If you do not meet the requirements, you are in Tier 2, which gives you unlimited 1.5 percent back on all purchases. This is an excellent cash back card for travelers with large budgets, as there is no cap on how much cash back you can earn and no foreign transaction or annual fees.

Credit One Bank Platinum X5 Visa

Best for fair credit.

If you have fair credit, you’ll enjoy the perks of the Credit One Bank Platinum X5 Visa. You’ll earn five percent cash back on the first $5,000 of eligible gas, grocery, internet, cable, satellite TV, and mobile phone service purchases each year. All other purchases earn one percent cash back. Although there’s an annual fee of $95 and a high variable APR of 29.24%, it’s worthwhile for those who might not get approved for the other cards on this list. Most credit-building cards do not offer any rewards; if they do, the rates are meager. The opportunity to earn five percent cash back, even with a reasonably low spending limit, is enticing. There’s no welcome offer, but applicants can get pre-approved without impacting their credit score.

Annual fee: $95

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

Best for flexibility.

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is another great card for flexibility. Cardholders earn five percent cash back on prepaid travel booked through the Rewards Travel Center. You can also earn five percent back on your first $2,000 in combined purchases each quarter in two categories you choose out of 12 different categories. Then, earn two percent cash back on one everyday category—you can choose between grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations. Earn one percent cash back on all other purchases. To redeem your earnings, you can choose between a statement credit, rewards card, or direct deposit into your U.S. Bank checking or savings account.

Wells Fargo Active Cash Credit Card

Best for unlimited two percent back.

Another ultra-popular cash back card is the Wells Fargo Active Cash. This is the perfect card for someone who is looking for a simple, no-fuss, and no-annual-fee card. Earn unlimited two percent cash back on all purchases, plus a bonus $200 back after spending just $500 on your card within three months of account opening. You can redeem your cash back as a statement credit, at an ATM, or for gift cards. Your rewards never expire, and you can take advantage of an introductory 0% APR period for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (after that, the variable APR is 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% based on credit worthiness). If you already bank with Wells Fargo, adding this card to your wallet could be a no-brainer.

Condé Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Condé Nast Traveler and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

See rates and fees for the American Express cards listed: Delta SkyMiles Platinum , Blue Cash Preferred

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The Best Travel Credit Cards of 2024

August 15, 2024

How we Choose

Whether you’re an occasional traveler looking to save on your next vacation or a frequent traveler looking for premium travel perks, there’s a travel rewards card for you. We’ll break down our top picks for the best travel rewards credit cards.

Best travel credit cards of 2024

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best for flat-rate rewards
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best welcome bonus
• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for luxury travel
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card : Best first travel card
• American Express® Gold Card : Best for foodies
• Citi Strata Premier℠ Card : Best for occasional travelers
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : Best for intro APR
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best for point value
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best for annual credits
• Discover it® Miles : Best for no annual fee
• Chase Freedom Unlimited® : Best for pairing with Chase cards
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card : Best for hotels
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card : Best for gas and transit
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card : Best for travel credits
• Credit One Bank ® Wander® American Express ® Card : Best for fair credit
• United Quest℠ Card : Best for United MileagePlus members

Additional Options:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Best for budget flyers
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Best hotel credit card
• American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®: Best no-annual-fee airline card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Rewards rate

At a glance, overall rating, why we like this card.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a great flat rate of 2X miles for all purchases and gives you ultimate flexibility for redemption, including for travel purchases booked outside of the Capital One portal non-travel rewards, such as gift cards (though you may get a lower value). You can also enjoy additional benefits, like an up to $100 credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, that can help offset the $95 annual fee.

• Simple earning structure and flexible redemption options
• Generous sign-up bonus
• Lack of large domestic travel transfer partners
• Low redemption value unless using select airlines

Bottom Line

The Capital One Venture Card is a top-notch travel card that offers simplicity and valuable perks without the pricey annual fees associated with many premium cards in this category or skimping on rewards.

• Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Rates & Fees

Chase sapphire preferred® card.

This card has one of the highest sign-up bonuses you’ll find with a mid-level travel card. Plus, it offers generous rewards for your travel and dining purchases and additional benefits like a 25% boost in points value when you redeem your rewards through the Chase Travel℠ portal.

• You'll find more benefits with this card than with other mid-level travel cards, including an anniversary boost and a hotel credit.
• Instead of the typical 1-cent–per-point value you might find on rival travel cards, you can enjoy 25% more value when you book travel through Chase Travel℠.
• Bonus categories are limited to travel and dining, so you have little flexibility in how you earn rewards.
• The card lacks attractive travel perks like airport lounge access or security precheck credits.

If you are hoping to fast-track your way to your next trip, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers ample opportunities to earn rewards, along with a generous sign-up 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 Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
• Member FDIC

The Platinum Card® from American Express

See if you’re pre-approved for this card using our CardMatch tool .

This popular premium card from American Express comes fully-loaded with travel benefits, including luxury lounge access, Hilton Honors gold status (enrollment required), no foreign transaction fees and an impressive list of travel benefits that will help offset the $695 annual fee.

This card currently touts a generous welcome offer: You can earn 80,000 points if you spend $8,000 in your first six months of card membership, which we estimate to be worth around $800 when you book through AmexTravel (where points are worth around 1 cent each).

• Extensive list of travel credits and premium perks
• Ability to transfer points to a host of airline partners, including Delta Airlines
• Limited amount of bonus categories
• Expensive annual fee

For frequent travelers or those looking to make their dream vacation a reality, the Amex Platinum checks every box and provides generous travel credits to offset its high annual fee.

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.¤
• Terms Apply.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

This card is ideal as a first travel card because you don’t have to strategize to offset an annual fee every year, but can still enjoy terrific travel benefits. You can redeem for various travel purchases like hotels, rental cars and flights either through Capital One’s travel portal or other travel websites. Plus, you can transfer your rewards to partner loyalty programs — adding more flexibility in your travel.

• No need to offset the cost of an annual fee
• Low minimum spend for sign-up bonus
• Lower rewards rate and less perks than cards with an annual fee
• Reduced value of your miles when you use the rewards for non-travel redemption options, such as statement credits or gift cards

This card offers a straightforward earning structure and an attainable sign-up bonus, allowing cardholders to rack up miles while not worrying about an annual fee.

• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• 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
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

American Express® Gold Card

The Amex Gold card offers an industry-leading 4X points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) as well as 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com.

In addition to the foodie-friendly rewards rate, it also features annual food related perks including generous dining credits (enrollment required), provides a valuable introductory offer and includes travel perks like baggage and car rental insurance when you book with your Gold card.

• If you spend a lot on food and dining, its industry-leading rewards rate on restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarket purchases is hard to beat.
• Like the Amex Green card, you can transfer points to multiple air travel partners, including Delta Airlines, and hotel partners, like Hilton Honors.
• Its annual fee is pricier than what’s on some travel credit cards.
• You must redeem travel rewards through AmexTravel.com.

The Amex Gold is one of the best cards on the market with its generous rewards rate and lucrative introductory offer. If food and travel account for a large portion of your spending, this card’s value more than covers the $325 annual fee.

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
• Get the American Express® Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Dunkin' locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Thanks to its high rewards rate in a terrific mix of everyday spending categories — not just travel — this card makes it easy to earn points even if you don’t spend a ton on travel. It’s hard to find a card that offers such a high rewards rate in all three of groceries, dining and gas, so this card makes a great centerpiece for a travel rewards strategy.

• Even if you only spend modestly on travel, this card’s annual fee should be easy to offset thanks to its everyday rewards and valuable annual hotel benefit.
• You can pair this card with one or both of Citi’s no-annual-fee rewards cards and enjoy a terrific rewards rate on everything from travel and groceries to gas, dining and more based on your spending habits.
• The annual hotel benefit, though valuable, isn’t the most flexible perk. If you spend less than $500 each year on a single hotel booking, you’ll miss out on the benefit entirely.
• Competing travel cards offer higher rewards rates on general travel, higher point redemption values and more flexible, airfare-centric perks that may be a better fit for frequent flyers.

If you want to earn travel rewards but don’t actually spend much on travel, this may be the most lucrative standalone rewards card you can get.

• Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
• Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is a great choice for infrequent travelers who want ultimate flexibility when it comes to earning and redeeming rewards. Cardholders can redeem points for statement credit to pay toward travel expenses, like flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars or baggage fees. Additionally, you can redeem for dining purchases.

You can also take advantage of its sign-up bonus — 25,000 online bonus points if you spend $1,000 in your first 90 days, redeemable for a $250 statement toward travel and dining made on your credit card within the last 12 months, including on third-party sites like Expedia or Travelocity.

• Ultraflexible redemption policy that can cover some purchases outside travel
• Can redeem rewards as a statement credit months after the initial travel or dining purchase
• Rewards rate for travel purchases not as lucrative as others in this category
• Not the most valuable sign-up offer

Despite the fact that cardholders won’t be able to weigh spending toward a particular category to maximize their points, this card is a great fit for occasional travelers who still want to earn rewards but without having to pay an annual fee.

• Earn 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 as long as your account remains open.
• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

For those looking for a premium credit card with generous travel perks and a top-tier sign-up bonus, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is considered to be one of the best options on the market. And with no blackout dates, expiration dates for points or point limits, the card offers major redemption flexibility.

The sign-up bonus is worth a whopping 60,000 points or $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠ after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months, so you are getting more than a cent per mile value. With the $300 annual credit for travel purchases, generous earning structure and impressive list of additional perks, seasoned travelers have plenty of opportunity to offset the steep $550 annual fee.

• Wealth of travel perks and rewards categories
• Increase your point value by 50% by redeeming them for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Required spend of $300 on travel annually before travel category rewards rates apply
• Lower rewards value for merchandise

While the price of admission for Chase’s premium travel card is steep, the bonuses and wealth of luxury travel perks will be worth it in the long run for experienced travelers.

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ 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
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Venture X is an instant top contender in the premium card market with its fully-loaded annual benefits that can be worth over $400. Yearly perks like bonus miles on your account anniversary (equal to $100 in travel) and a $300 travel credit when you book travel through Capital One Travel, can help cover the annual fee. Compared with other high-end travel rewards credit cards, the $395 annual fee is modest, and many travelers will come out well ahead.

• You can enjoy a fairly simple rewards structure with unlimited 2X miles in all purchase categories, in addition to bonus rewards in Capital One travel categories.
• The card offers statement credit for Global Entry and TSA Precheck, which adds to your overall savings.
• The sign-up bonus is generous, but it requires a high spend.
• While not unusual, you'll need excellent credit to be eligible for this premium card.

Travel rewards cards packed with this many features typically come with sky-high annual fees, but the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card delivers with luxury benefits and a more down-to-earth annual fee.

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection

Discover it® Miles

For a no-annual-fee card, Discover offers simplicity. You’ll be able to earn unlimited miles and have flexible redemption options like statement credits towards travel purchases or as cash deposits into your bank account. Plus, cardholders have a unique opportunity at the end of their first year when Discover will match every mile you earn.

• Appealing welcome offer that can essentially double all the miles earned at the end of the first year
• Competitive redemption value for cash back at 1 cent per mile
• Rewards earning potential takes a significant hit after your first year
• Can’t transfer miles to airline frequent-flyer programs

The Discover it® Miles card offers an impressive list of high-end travel perks and a generous first-year welcome offer for travel credit card newbies, but earning benefits drop off substantially after the first 12 months.

• Unlimited Bonus: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
• Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
• No annual fee
• Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
• Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
• Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
• Terms and conditions apply.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Its flat rate and bonus categories, especially for the first 12 months, make it a great companion for premium Chase cards. If you want to rack up as many Chase Ultimate Rewards points as possible and then use them toward your next trip, then this card can help you get there. Plus, its welcome offer can help boost rewards.

• Its bonus earnings for the first 12 months boost your rewards and this card’s upfront value.
• You can pool this card’s rewards with certain Chase travel cards to get more redemption and transfer flexibility.
• Other cards have better travel benefits or welcome offers if you want as many rewards and perks as possible.
• You won’t get the full potential of this card without pairing it with a premium Chase card, which comes with annual fees.

This card’s true potential lies in pairing it with certain Chase travel cards. Make sure you use it to pool your Ultimate Rewards points for more value when redeeming for travel.

• Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Though it boasts a terrific rewards rate on hotel bookings and airfare, it’s flexible enough to offer great value even for occasional travelers. You can redeem points for both cash back and travel, earn bonus rewards on restaurants and score an especially easy-to-earn annual credit.

• You can offset over half the card’s cost just by taking advantage of the $50 annual statement credit you’ll get with a $50 minimum airline purchase. That’s easy to earn even if you only fly once per year.
• Wells Fargo now offers a decent list of airline and hotel partners, making the card easily the issuer’s most appealing option for occasional or semi-frequent travelers.
• You’ll miss out on some of the more popular travel and airline credit card perks, like TSA PreCheck credits, free checked bags and priority boarding, which may be more valuable to frequent travelers than an annual statement credit.
• While you can stack and pool points with the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, it only offers one lucrative category not already covered by the Autograph Journey: gas stations.

This is a solid mid-tier card for semi-frequent travelers looking for flexible redemption and a balance of everyday and travel-centric rewards.

• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.
• Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.
• $95 annual fee.
• Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
• Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
• Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

It offers one of the best rewards rates you can get on everyday travel – including airfare, hotels, gas stations and transit – without paying an annual fee. And since it also rewards dining (another key everyday spending category), it makes for a terrific standalone rewards card.

• It has no annual fee and a high rewards rate for everyday spending categories.
• It earns bonus rewards in common spending categories like gas stations and restaurants as well as in harder-to-find categories like phone plans, making it an especially versatile option.
• Though the card earns bonus rewards in a great mix of everyday categories, it offers a lackluster rate on grocery purchases, which could limit its standalone value.
• Unlike some competing no-annual-fee travel cards, the Autograph doesn’t let you transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs, limiting the potential value of your rewards.

This card could be a great fit for occasional travelers who want to earn rewards on everyday spending and have the flexibility to redeem for cash back.

• Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
• Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
• $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus credit card is ideally suited for entry-level travelers. Even if you only fly occasionally with Southwest airlines, you can easily boost rewards and receive a generous welcome offer. The perks for this card rival those found in higher-tier cards, such as getting the first two checked bags for free and two EarlyBird Check-In® each year.

• Can almost cover the annual fee with 3,000-point anniversary bonus
• Valuable perks on a domestic airline with a reputation for being customer-friendly
• Does not include certain perks often found with travel cards, such as priority boarding or a fast track to elite status
• Lacks airline partners and international travel options

For those already integrated into the Southwest ecosystem, this card offers generous bonus opportunities and access to unique, customer-friendly perks for a reasonable annual fee.

• Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• 3,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

This card from Bank of America offers great value for a $95 annual fee card, especially if you already bank with them. If you are a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you’ll be rewarded with an additional 25 percent to 75 percent redemption bonus on all your earnings.

In addition, this card offers some of the strongest travel insurance benefits you can get, up to a $100 annual statement credit that you can use for airline incidental expenses, an application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and a points program that rewards spending in a variety of categories.

• The $100 annual statement credit you can use towards airline expenses and the application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry more than offset the $95 annual fee.
• Preferred Rewards members receive some of the highest rewards rates among any travel or cash back credit cards.
• If you’re not a Preferred Rewards member, the benefits of the card are not as robust compared to other cards with similar annual fees.
• The $100 airline incidental credit only covers qualifying incidentals and not actual flight costs.

The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card combines the benefits of a cash back card and premium travel card and is an especially good value for those with existing Bank of America accounts.

• Low $95 annual fee.
• Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 - 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
• Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
• Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® Card

This is one of the only travel cards accessible to people with fair credit. It also offers a high rewards rate on a great mix of travel spending, including gas, airfare, hotels, resorts and bookings made through travel agencies. This will be especially appealing if you prefer booking directly with airlines and hotels to maximize loyalty rewards and elite status.

• People with fair-to-excellent credit can earn high rewards on eligible travel and everyday purchases like dining and gas.
• Frequent travelers can earn generous rewards even while working toward elite status with airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• It offers fewer perks compared to other mid-level travel cards with a similar annual fee and high variable APR.
• Points aren’t transferable and remain fixed at a value of 1 cent each when redeemed for cash back, which could prove limiting for frequent travelers who know how to maximize points for greater value.

This could be a top pick for travelers who struggle to qualify for cards with more travel perks and transfer partners.

• 10X points on eligible hotel and car rentals booked using the Credit One Bank travel partner.
• 5X points on eligible travel including flights, dining, and gas purchases.
• 1X points on all other purchases.
• Rent a car at Avis, Hertz, or SIXT and receive exclusive Amex Card member discounts, complimentary upgrades, and more.*
• Terms Apply*
• See Rates & Fees

United Quest℠ Card

If you like to regularly travel on United Airlines (or their partner airlines) then this card is worth a look. Not only do you earn enhanced bonus miles for United purchases, other travel and select everyday purchases, you also get an impressive amount of airline-specific perks. This includes anniversary credits and free first and second checked bags for you and one companion.

• Impressive sign-up bonus and anniversary credits
• Easy to earn miles with popular bonus categories like dining and select streaming purchases
• High annual fee for infrequent United flyers
• No airport lounge access

The United Quest Card is a terrific option for semi-frequent United travelers, but cardholders should plan to redeem United miles at least twice a year to take full advantage and offset the annual fee.

• Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after qualifying purchases
• Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and priority boarding
• Up to a $125 United® purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year (terms apply)
• Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points per calendar year (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)

The information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card, the American Express® Green Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

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.

*All information about the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

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

Comparing the best travel credit cards of 2024

Editor’s picks: best travel credit card details, best for flat-rate rewards: capital one venture rewards credit card.

• Best features : For a reasonable annual fee, this popular Capital One credit card offers standout rewards with an easy rewards structure and versatile redemption options. You can transfer miles to over 15 loyalty programs or redeem for statement credit toward travel.
• Biggest drawbacks : Capital One doesn’t have many domestic travel transfer partners. This can make it harder to maximize the value of your miles when booking domestic flights.
• Alternatives : If you’re looking to earn at a flat-rate but aren’t too pleased with the Venture card’s $95 annual fee ( See rates and Fees ), the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a suitable alternative. Although cardholders only earn 1.25X miles on all purchases, the card still comes with a sign-up bonus of 20,000 miles for spending $500 in the first three months. This is a smaller bonus and a lower rewards rate than the Venture card, but it’ll also be easier to obtain, making this an ideal option for modest spenders.
• Bottom line : This card is a great option if you’re looking for an easy way to earn high travel rewards on all purchases. But if you’re after top-drawer travel perks, you may want to look elsewhere.

Read our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best welcome bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• Best features : This card packs in plenty of value that is rare for only $95 a year. It comes with a high sign-up bonus, generous rewards program and competitive redemption values.
• Biggest drawbacks : You may need to look beyond the Chase Sapphire Preferred if you prefer luxury features like TSA PreCheck, priority boarding, travel credits and lounge access.
• Alternatives: The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card  has a similar annual fee and a generous welcome offer too. Travelers who want to book travel outside of credit card portals and who spend a lot on gas and in-store grocery purchases may get better value out of the Strata Premier card.
• Bottom line : A modest annual fee, impressive sign-up bonus and ultra-flexible rewards redemption give this card great short- and long-term value for travelers who don’t need a ton of luxury perks.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for luxury travel: The Platinum Card® from American Express

• Best features : This premium card comes fully-loaded. You can enjoy luxury lounge access, elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy hotels (upon enrollment) and even travel consultants to help plan your trip. A laundry list of travel credits can also help offset the card’s annual fee.
• Biggest drawbacks : The card only earns bonus rewards on flights and prepaid hotels. You might earn more with cards that offer bonus points or miles on both travel and everyday essentials. Plus, some of the credits – like the card’s luxury fitness credit or Walmart+ credit – don’t have broad appeal, making it harder to offset the high $695 annual fee.
• Alternatives : Unlike the Platinum card, the American Express® Gold Card lets you earn high bonus rewards for purchases made in categories beyond travel, including restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases. It also comes with a lot of the same benefits as the Platinum card, such as car rental insurance, purchase protection and Hotel Collection benefits, all for a much smaller $325 annual fee.
• Bottom line : If you can take advantage of its many perks, this card should tick all the right boxes for big spenders and frequent travelers looking for luxury travel perks, particularly complimentary airport lounge access.

Read our American Express Platinum Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best first travel card: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

• Best features : The VentureOne card is a basic travel card for beginners who want to earn flexible rewards but aren’t ready to commit to an annual fee ( See rates and Fees ). VentureOne cardholders can earn bonus miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.25X miles on every other purchase. You can transfer these miles to numerous airline and hotel partners.
• Biggest drawbacks : Other no-annual-fee travel cards offer better perks and higher rewards rates than the VentureOne’s 1.25X miles.
• Alternatives : The Bilt Mastercard® is a unique no-annual-fee card that earns points on rent payments without the processing fees. But the card is also a great beginner travel card, offering bonus rewards on travel and dining (points are transferable too). Plus, if you wait until the first of the month, your patience will be rewarded with double points on all non-rent purchases for 24 hours (on up to 10,000 bonus points). That’s a whopping 6X points on dining, 4X points on travel and 2X points on all other non-rent purchases. You must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points.
• Bottom line : Budget-friendly travelers can get a decent amount of value out of this starter travel card, but if transferring rewards to travel partners isn’t a priority for you, a flat-rate cash back card may be more lucrative.

Read our Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for foodies: American Express® Gold Card

• Best features : Traveling foodies, rejoice – this card offers an industry-leading 4X points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1X). You’ll also earn 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1X) and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com. Trips with common carriers that are booked with your Gold card are covered for baggage insurance worth up to $1,250 for carry-on bags and $500 for checked bags.
• Biggest drawbacks : The annual fee is $325 , pricier than other travel rewards cards with mid-level travel perks. And unless food is a significant portion of your spending, the card’s rewards rate and food delivery credits may not be the best fit.
• Alternatives : The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card  comes close to matching the Amex Gold with its rewards rates, but its annual fee is much lower (just $95).
• Bottom line : If you’re a frequent traveler who makes dining out a staple of their vacations and staycations, you’ll get a lot of value with this card.

Read our American Express Gold Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for occasional travelers: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

• Best features: Along with its practical everyday bonus categories, this card stands out with its annual hotel benefit, which can offer enough value to offset the annual fee on its own.
• Biggest drawbacks: Citi points don’t offer an especially high travel redemption value and the annual hotel benefit, while generous, carries a high spending requirement.
• Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card may be a better option for frequent travelers thanks to its high rewards rate on general travel booked via Chase Travel, its more flexible annual hotel credit and its high base point redemption value (1.25 cents per point via Chase Travel).
• Bottom line: This is one of the best travel cards out there if you’re more focused on everyday rewards than luxury perks.

Read our full   Citi Strata Premier℠ Card review  or or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for intro APR: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

• Best features : This card will appeal to infrequent travelers who don’t typically book through travel portals. Instead, you can redeem your points for any travel and dining purchases made on your credit card within the last 12 months. And if you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn up to 25% to 75% more points on every purchase.
• Biggest drawbacks : The best rewards are reserved for Bank of America customers with savings or investment accounts. If that’s not you, you can likely find another card that rewards your travel purchases at a higher rate.
• Alternatives : The Capital One VentureOne also does not charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fee ( See rates and Fees ), but even casual travelers can benefit from its valuable purchase and travel protections.
• Bottom line : The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a solid choice for occasional travelers focused on earning some rewards and avoiding an annual fee.

Related : Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card worth it?

Read our Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for point value: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• Best features : This top-of-the-line card comes with a wealth of travel perks, including a sign-up bonus worth $900 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠ (60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months). In addition to the $300 travel credit, you can try out services like Instacart+ and DashPass for free for one year.
• Biggest drawbacks : Despite the annual credit and elevated bonus categories, the card’s $550 annual fee might be challenging to offset every year.
• Alternatives : If you’re looking for a card with annual credits and luxury lounge access, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a wider network but carries a slightly higher annual fee of $695.
• Bottom line : Frequent travelers who can take full advantage of the Sapphire Reserve card’s perks and bonus categories can also enjoy the card’s boosted value on travel redemptions.

Related : Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Ch ase Sapphire Reserve

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for annual credits: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

• Best features : Cardholders can take advantage of this card’s yearly credits to help offset its annual fee and enjoy additional perks like lounge access. And when you book through Capital One Travel, you’ll earn some of the highest rewards available for hotels, rental cars and flights.
• Biggest drawbacks : You’ll have to book your travel through Capital One Travel instead of directly through an airline or hotel to get the best value out of this card.
• Alternatives: The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best travel cards for lounge access and other luxury perks. Frequent travelers who can take advantage of all those perks can easily offset the card’s high annual fee.
• Bottom line : The Venture X should appeal to both frequent travelers who want to earn more than just 1 mile per dollar on all non-travel purchases and luxury travelers who want to enjoy premium travel without paying the typical sky-high annual fees.

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for no annual fee: Discover it® Miles

• Best features : The Discover it® Miles offers simplicity and flexibility without the annual fee. All purchases earn a fairly average 1.5X miles. But Discover sweetens the deal by matching all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. Instead of travel, you can also redeem rewards online with Amazon or when you pay with PayPal (though redemption value might be lower).
• Alternatives : The  Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card  is another solid no-annual-fee travel card ( See rates and Fees ). It not only offers a flat rate of 1.25X miles on every purchase, but also 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. That could make it easier for frequent travelers to earn rewards. It also has a number of travel and consumer protections that you won’t find with most entry-level travel cards, including the Discover it ®  Miles.
• Bottom line : This card skips the annual fee and the generous first-year welcome offer is ideal for budget-friendly travelers or someone looking for their first travel credit card.

Read our  Discover it ®  Miles review  or jump back to this  card’s offer details .

Best for pairing with Chase cards: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

• Best features: Its 1.5% rate on general purchases makes it a great catch-all card as part of your overall travel rewards strategy. You can use this card with certain Chase cards to get more Chase Ultimate Rewards points, one of the most valuable credit card points.
• Biggest drawbacks: It has a 3% foreign transaction fee, so if you were planning to use this card abroad on your travels, it can be more costly.
• Alternative(s): The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of Chase’s premium travel cards, with solid earning rates on dining and travel. For a modest $95 annual fee, it comes with top-of-the-line travel benefits, increases points redemption value through the Chase travel portal and can transfer points to Chase travel partners.
• Bottom line: If you already have a Chase travel card — or are planning to get one in the future — this card is a must-have for maximizing travel rewards.

Read our full Chase Freedom Unlimited® review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for gas and transit: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

• Best features: This card’s mix of bonus categories should be a terrific fit if you’re looking for a low-cost way to earn rewards on both everyday travel and big trips. You’ll earn rewards at a great rate on everything from gas and transit to airfare and hotels, without worrying about maximizing point values or offsetting an annual fee.
• Biggest drawbacks: Its list of perks is just okay, even for a no-annual-fee travel card. You’ll miss out not only on benefits like expedited security screening and lounge access, but also the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• Alternatives: Though it may earn rewards at a lower rate, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card could be a great alternative. Its streamlined, flat-rate rewards program is a great fit if you’re new to earning miles, and the card gives you the flexibility to transfer miles to Capital One airline and hotel partners, which could boost their redemption value.
• Bottom line: The Autograph card is a great option if you want to earn rewards on everyday travel and need the flexibility to redeem for both travel and cash back.

Read our Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for travel credits: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

• Best features : Along with perks like an annual credit up to $100 for airline incidentals, which includes seat upgrades and airline lounge fees, this card offers a credit of up to $100 to cover the cost of a TSA Precheck or Global Entry application. That perk isn’t always included on travel cards at the $95-annual-fee level. You can also redeem for cash back as a deposit into Bank of America® checking or savings accounts or for gift cards and purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Biggest drawbacks : Unlike many travel rewards cards with an annual fee, this card doesn’t let you transfer rewards to partner airline or hotel loyalty programs to squeeze more value out of your points. Plus, the card’s best rewards rates are reserved for people with large savings or investment accounts with Bank of America.
• Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has greater flexibility for travelers who want to transfer their points to airline or hotel travel partners. It also comes with better redemption value if you book travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal and travel protections.
• Bottom line : This card could be a good fit for heavy packers who can take advantage of the airline incidental fee credits or people who already have a Bank of America account. Those who are loyal to one airline or don’t bank with Bank of America may not find much value in this card.

Read our Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for fair credit: Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® Card

• Best features : Even people with fair credit can take advantage of the card’s bonus rewards in a variety of travel categories. Many travel cards only earn generous bonus rewards for airline or hotel purchases or for travel booked through the issuer’s travel portal. But the Wander card is more flexible, giving you more freedom to book travel the way you like.
• Biggest drawbacks : There are no transfer partners, so your points are worth a maximum of 1 cent each. Plus, the card has fewer perks compared to other mid-level cards with a similar annual fee.
• Alternatives : Your options are limited if you’re looking for another travel card open to people with fair credit. But many Capital One cards like the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® * or the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card could help you rack up a lot of rewards that you can use to help cover the cost of travel. You can also take advantage of convenient and cost-saving features found in the Capital One Travel Portal.
• Bottom line : This card is a solid pick for credit-builders who also want to earn travel rewards.

Read our Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for United MileagePlus members: United Quest℠ Card

• Best features : Even semi-frequent United flyers can come out ahead with this mid-tier airline credit card, thanks to all the ways the card’s perks can offset its $250 annual fee. That includes multiple anniversary credits, priority boarding, checked baggage fee waivers and the up to $100 credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee.
• Biggest drawbacks : Unlike other airline cards with a high annual fee, the United Quest doesn’t offer complimentary lounge access. Plus, the sign-up bonus has a high spend requirement: You’ll need to spend $4,000 in the first three months to earn the sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles plus   500 Premier Qualifying Points.
• Alternatives : If the annual fee doesn’t fit your budget, the United℠ Explorer Card is worth a look since it has a $0 intro annual fee (then $95 annually), but still carries a generous sign-up bonus, priority boarding, purchase and travel protections and an up to $100 credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee.
• Bottom line : The United Quest Card packs in a lot of perks and value, making it a solid pick for loyal United travelers looking for an enhanced travel experience.

Read our United Quest℠ Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for budget flyers: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

• Best features : This entry-level airline card has some of the same popular features as more expensive Southwest consumer travel cards, including a chance to earn the Southwest Companion Pass® – one of the most coveted perks in all of travel rewards. If you earn 135,000 points in a year, you can pick a companion to fly with you for free (except for taxes and fees) for up to two years on any Southwest flight that you purchase with cash or points.
• Biggest drawbacks : Unlike some other airline cards, this no-frills card doesn’t earn bonus points in popular everyday categories like gas or grocery stores. Plus, the card’s anniversary bonus of 3,000 points is lower than the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card’s bonus.
• Alternatives : The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card may be a better fit for budget travelers. It comes with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year (then $150) and a chance to earn bonus miles faster thanks to practical bonus categories including restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. It also has a number of convenient features like priority boarding and a chance to earn a $200 Delta flight credit. Plus, Delta and its partner network are much more extensive than Southwest.
• Bottom line : The Rapid Rewards Plus card is a decent choice for occasional Southwest flyers looking for a cheap rewards travel card. But if you fly Southwest frequently and want to double your anniversary points while avoiding foreign transaction fees, consider upgrading to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and its higher annual fee of $99.

Read our Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card review .

Best hotel credit card: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

• Best features : This card offers great long-term value for frequent travelers who stay at the world’s largest hotel chain a few nights or more per year. You get plenty of chances to offset the $95 annual fee, including a free night every year after your account anniversary (up to 35,000 points) and a high rewards rate in the popular, practical bonus categories of travel, grocery, gas and dining purchases, as well as a flat rate of 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Biggest drawbacks : You can only use your rewards with Marriott hotels. So if you don’t frequent the brand, you’ll be better served by a different hotel credit card or a general-purpose travel rewards card, which offers greater flexibility in how you redeem your rewards.
• Alternatives : If you’re not loyal to one hotel chain, the Chase Sapphire Preferred should give you more redemption options. It earns bonus points on travel, dining and select online grocery purchases – points that can be redeemed in a variety of ways, including for travel, or transferred to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners. And when you redeem for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal, your points have 25% more value.
• Bottom line : Travelers who stay at Marriott frequently enough to offset the $95 annual fee will appreciate this card. But depending on your spending habits and the hotel features that matter most to you, you may get greater value with another Marriott card .

Read our Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card review .

Best no annual fee airline card: American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card

• Best features : This no-annual-fee airline card gives households a chance to earn miles on more than just travel. You’ll earn 2X miles not only on eligible American Airlines purchases, but also at grocery stores, which increases the card’s earning potential for the average consumer. The MileUp card also has a low spend threshold for its sign-up bonus: Spend just $500 in your first three months and you’ll earn 10,000 miles and a $50 statement credit.
• Biggest drawbacks : This card lacks a number of cost-saving perks found with other airline cards, including a free first checked bag for you and additional passengers and a chance to earn travel credits for your spending. Depending on how often you fly and how many people you travel with, you could actually save more money with a travel card that charges an annual fee.
• Alternatives : The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has a similar rewards rate and charges no annual fee for the first year, then $150 thereafter. That gives you time to test out perks you won’t find with the MileUp card, like priority boarding, a first checked bag free for you and eight additional passengers and a chance to earn a $200 flight credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year.
• Bottom line : This card is worth a look if you’re loyal to American Airlines but only fly occasionally and are looking for a no-annual-fee credit card . But if you want the flexibility to fly with different carriers while still earning high rewards, you may get better value out of a general-purpose travel rewards card.

Read our American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp review .

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel rewards credit cards let you earn points or miles you can redeem for travel purchases. Some offer a flat rate on general purchases, but many offer bonus rewards for typical travel purchases or everyday spending categories, like restaurants, gas or even groceries.

Earning points or miles is usually as easy as swiping your card, and some cards provide limited-time offers and sign-up bonuses to add more incentives. The basics of points and miles cards are pretty much the same. You earn and accumulate rewards by making purchases with your card, and redeem for a discount on your next trip.

Your redemption options will vary by card. Most require that you redeem points or miles for travel purchases. (Some let you redeem for gift cards or cash back, but it might be at a lower value.) You can typically redeem points or miles by booking future trips through a designated portal, like Amextravel.com or Chase Ultimate Rewards, or transferring rewards to an issuer’s travel partners to book flights or hotel stays. Some allow you to redeem for a statement credit on travel purchases made within a certain time frame.

Your redemption options will vary by card. Typical options include:

• Booking new travel
• Transferring points or miles to a travel partner
• Statement credit for past travel purchases

Redeeming for travel often yields the best value, while non-travel options like gift cards might have a lower redemption value. You can typically redeem points or miles by booking future trips through a designated portal, like Amextravel.com or Chase Ultimate Rewards, though some let you redeem directly with the airline or third-party travel agency.

General travel credit cards + –

General travel or general-purpose credit cards aren’t tied to or co-branded with a particular airline or hotel. They are best for any traveler who values flexibility in how they earn and redeem rewards.

Depending on the card, you can earn higher points not only on travel-related purchases, but also in popular categories like groceries, gas and dining. You can redeem the points you earn in many different ways, like statement credits and travel. A 1-cent-per-point value is typical, but points may be worth less when used for non-travel options or more if transferred to the right travel partner.

Transferring your points over to an airline or hotel loyalty program can help you strategize so you can get the most out of your points. However, average point values vary from program to program, so you’ll need to test out different routes and carriers to see how far your points can take you before you transfer points between loyalty programs.

Some of the most popular rewards programs for general travel credit cards include:

• American Express Membership Rewards
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Capital One Travel
• Citi ThankYou Points

Is a general travel credit card worth it?

Co-branded cards usually feature high-value airline or hotel perks. Examples like automatic hotel elite status, companion passes or free checked bags could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

But general travel cards give you more flexibility to choose how you travel and where you stay. Plus, plenty of general travel cards come loaded with valuable benefits not tied to specific airlines and hotels — especially if you’re willing to pay an annual fee.

Most general travel cards carry higher rewards rates compared to airline cards with similar annual fees, which gives you a chance to earn more rewards faster. And you’ll have a number of redemption options that make each of your points worth at least 1 cent, which is worth more than the rewards you’ll earn with most hotel rewards programs and some airline rewards programs.

Here’s a look at some of the top features your general travel card may offer:

• Annual travel credits : Premium cards like the Capital One Venture X and Chase Sapphire Reserve reward cardmembers with annual travel credits worth hundreds of dollars, which you can use to offset previous travel costs or book new travel through the card’s travel portal.
• Airport lounge access : A number of mid-level and premium travel cards offer discounted or complimentary airport lounge access for you and your guests. Users can enjoy amenities like complimentary food and drinks, showers or even spa treatments. Popular airport lounge networks include Priority Pass lounges and the exclusive American Express Global Lounge Collection.
• Luxury hotel benefits : Your card issuer may offer Visa or Mastercard’s luxury hotel collection benefit. This perk can lead to room upgrades, free breakfast, food or beverage credits and late check-out. This is typically offered with credit cards with Visa Signature or Infinite benefits or cards with Mastercard World or World Elite benefits, though you’ll have to check with your card issuer to be certain.
• Car rental elite status : With the right general travel rewards card, you can not only rent a car but also get discounts and status upgrades that let you skip the lines when renting and returning, as well as vehicle upgrades based on availability and other exclusive perks.

Airline travel credit cards + –

Airline credit cards are co-branded cards that carry the name of the card issuer and a particular airline. They’re a great fit for travelers who regularly fly with a particular airline and can take advantage of the perks found within its rewards program.

Some of the most popular airline rewards programs include:

• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
• American Airlines Aadvantage
• Southwest Rapid Rewards
• Delta SkyMiles
• United MileagePlus

Like general travel cards, airline rewards cards can earn rewards on a variety of purchases, but your redemption options are more limited. To get the best value, you’ll typically want to redeem your rewards for flights with the airline or one of its partners.

Is an airline credit card worth it?

They offer less flexibility and might have an annual fee, but airline cards can make your travel experience easier and save you a lot of money, even after you factor in the cost of an annual fee.

Here’s a look at some of the top airline credit card benefits:

• Free checked bags :   Avoid paying a fee for your first checked bag and a travel companion’s bag. Many airlines charge $30 to $35 per checked bag, per trip, so the savings can add up, especially if you’re traveling with a large family.
• Fast track to elite airline status : Frequent flyers looking for an enhanced flying experience will have to spend thousands of dollars and spend a lot of time in the air to unlock the top-of-the-line perks that come with elite status. But the right airline credit card can cut down on the eligibility requirements and may even come with automatic elite status or welcome offers and additional credits that get you elite status faster.
• Travel companion pass : Earning an airline companion pass takes some work, but if you qualify you can bring a passenger along on a future flight for free (though you’ll still have to pay taxes and fees). Some airlines even offer companion passes that let you bring a guest with you on any flight you book for a year or more.
• Priority boarding : This perk helps you quickly board a plane and get your carry-on stowed away in an overhead bin before it fills up.
• In-flight discounts : This perk helps you save on drinks, snacks and other extras purchased on your flight. You’ll typically enjoy a discount of 20% to 25% off.

How to choose an airline

It’s best to select a card co-branded with an airline that you will use frequently, which typically means choosing an airline that flies out of an airport close to where you live, or one that you use the most. Smaller hubs may have limited options, but you should check to make sure that the airline you want has routes at your preferred airport. For example, Southwest does not fly out of Newark Airport, so if Newark is your primary airport another co-branded airline card might be a better fit.

Hotel travel credit cards + –

Hotel credit cards are co-branded cards that earn points you can redeem for stays with a specific hotel chain. Some of the most popular hotel rewards programs include:

• Marriott Bonvoy
• Hilton Honors
• IHG One Rewards Club
• World of Hyatt

Is a hotel credit card worth it?

Like airline credit cards, hotel credit cards can pack in a lot of brand-specific perks to reward your loyalty. Some cards offer supersized rewards rates, typically for hotel-related purchases. These earning rates can make it easier to quickly rack up points for future visits.

On top of the high-earning potential, hotel travel cards may also come with some of the following benefits:

• Free night : Many hotel cards automatically reward you with a free night at select properties every year on your anniversary. Others give you a chance to earn a free night after you spend a certain amount on the card.
• Room upgrades : Your card could automatically qualify you for room upgrades when available, giving you more space or better views.
• Elite hotel status : Some of the best hotel cards come with automatic elite status, making you eligible for exclusive perks, while others put you on a fast track to achieve higher levels of elite status.

How to choose a hotel

While you should pick an airline card based on frequency and availability, choosing a hotel card might come down to personal preference. You’ll find most hotel chains concentrated in mid-to large-size cities, so you can select a hotel group that works best for your needs. Hotel chains often include a price range from luxury to budget friendly. For example, Marriott includes both Fairfield Inn & Suites and the Ritz-Carlton in its suite of hotels. So, whether you splurge on one trip or save costs on another, you can still earn rewards.

However, if you happen to travel a lot to very remote cities, you might want to ensure that your preferred hotel chain has a location there.

Business travel credit cards + –

Business travel cards are a terrific option if you own a company or work as a freelancer and travel often for work. They can be co-branded or a general travel card.

Some of the more popular business cards include:

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express review
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Is a business travel card worth it?

Business travel cards offer a competitive rewards structure similar to other travel cards, but you can typically earn bonus rewards in business categories, like purchasing software and office supplies. Not only can business travel cards help keep your work and personal expenses separate, but they can also help you cut down on business costs.

You might see these benefits on a business travel card:

• Bonus rewards on large purchases : Some cards will offer an elevated rewards rate for big purchases, so you can earn miles or points for big-ticket items.
• No fee for employee cards : You can rack up even more points or miles when you add employees as authorized users at no additional cost. This action can also be a great way to track company spending.
• Account management tools: To help manage your company budget, business travel cards might come with apps or programs that could ease record keeping, like the ability to upload receipts quickly or link to a spreadsheet.
• Travel and hotel perks : Like other travel cards, you can often enjoy annual benefits, like a hotel reward night, lounge access or statement credits.

Co-branded travel cards versus general travel cards

The biggest difference between co-branded cards and general travel cards is flexibility. Co-branded cards are ideal for brand loyalists who prefer to commit to one particular airline or hotel group. They often come with perks that you might not find on general travel cards (like elite status or free checked bags), but how you earn and redeem rewards is limited to that specific brand.

For instance, you might feel locked in to book a pricier room with a co-branded hotel card even if there are more affordable options.

With general travel cards, you have more freedom to select flights or hotels that fit into your schedule and price range, but you might lose out on some perks. If you prefer flexibility, a general travel card might work better for you. If you enjoy more elite perks or are a fan of a particular brand, you might consider a co-branded card.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

• Travel for less: Money-saving benefits, such as high travel reward rates, sign-up bonuses and travel credits, can help bring down the overall cost of travel.
• Generous perks: The best travel cards feature perks like room or seat upgrades, free hotel stays, statement credits and lounge access that might enhance your overall travel experience.
• Fast track to elite status: Elite status, which offers maximum program benefits for airlines or hotels, often takes time to earn. Some travel rewards cards help cut down on the qualification period, or they offer automatic elite status, which means you can start earning elite status benefits sooner.
• Earn points as a loyalty member along with rewards : If you are a loyalty member, then you can earn loyalty points with that hotel or airline brand as well as travel reward points when you book with a travel credit card.
• No foreign transaction fees : Most travel cards don’t charge a foreign transaction fee, which can help cut down costs when traveling abroad.
• Complex rewards programs: Keeping up with the travel rewards card program rules can be confusing, especially when redeeming or transferring points to a travel partner. It takes careful planning and calculation to ensure you are maximizing the value for your rewards.
• Limited redemption outside of travel: Travel cards typically provide the best value when redeeming for travel. While some cards offer redemptions for non-travel options, such as statement credits or gift cards, these are typically worth less.
• High annual fees: Determining whether an annual fee is worth it can be difficult, and many of the best travel credit cards have yearly costs starting from $95 to $100. Premier travel cards could have annual fees in the $200 to $700 range.
• Higher interest rates : Typically, travel cards carry a higher ongoing APR, so if you carry a balance every month, then a low-interest credit card or balance transfer card might be a better fit.
• Typically best only for frequent flyers : Since most travel cards offer the most elevated bonus rates for travel, such as flights, hotels and car rentals, you won’t reap its maximum benefits unless you fly often.

Who should get a travel credit card

• Frequent flyers . If you spend lots of time up in the air or staying at hotels, you can absolutely benefit from the rewards and perks that come with a travel credit card. But if you’re new to travel or only travel occasionally, look for no-annual-fee cards or ones with simple rewards categories. All globetrotters can appreciate the lack of foreign transaction fees many travel cards offer.
• Brand loyalists . Fans of particular airlines and hotel chains can reap some serious rewards with their go-to brands. Loyal customers can rack up an incredible amount of hotel points or flight miles using a card like the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp or the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.
• Luxury travelers . Vacationers looking for top-shelf travel perks may have to pay to carry their card, but The Platinum Card from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve offer benefits that can easily offset their annual fees. You’ll find high-end earnings rates on your purchases to back it up. Take advantage of exclusive add-ons, like access to airport lounges, free checked bags, specialty offers and more.
• Road trippers . Some travel cards earn rewards on purchases at gas stations and hotel stays, which can be valuable if you’re on the road a lot. A hotel credit card like one in the Hilton Honors program or Marriott Bonvoy may be a great choice if you regularly take cross-country trips and stay at hotels.

Who should skip a travel credit card

• Fans of low-maintenance credit cards. While flat-rate travel cards are available, travel cards with fixed bonus categories or a tiered rewards structure often have the best rewards rates. The card that’s most fitting for you will depend on your spending habits. If you aren’t ready or willing to strategize to get the most out of your travel card, a more straightforward rewards credit card may be a better fit.
• Someone looking for flexibility . Cash back credit cards are usually more versatile and might work best for infrequent travelers or people with higher non-travel-related expenses. They can help you maximize your earnings on everyday categories like supermarkets, gas, transit, streaming services or online purchases. Mostly, redeeming can be far less complicated and far more flexible. Depending on the credit card, redemption options may include statement credit, direct deposit, check and travel.
• Someone prone to overspending . The best travel rewards credit cards can help you save a lot of money but only if you avoid a balance. Since rewards cards typically come with higher interest rates, paying your balances in full can save you money and create the best value. If you can’t, you run the risk of losing more money to interest charges than you earn in rewards. You may even fall into credit card debt. If you aren’t able to pay your balances in full, consider a low-interest credit card .

Do you know how much your points or miles are worth?

Choosing a card based solely on the number of miles or points you stand to earn can be a costly mistake. Redemption values can vary, and points and miles do not always transfer on a 1-to-1 basis, meaning 1,000 “miles” earned do not always translate to 1,000 miles of travel.

For example, the Citi Strata Premier card has a sign-up bonus of 70,000 points after spending $4,000 in your first three months of account opening. With the Strata Premier card, most redemption options have a baseline value of 1 cent, so this offer can be worth at least $700. But based on Bankrate’s latest point valuations , we estimate that the right high-value transfer partner could boost your point value up to 1.9 cents on average. That could make your sign-up bonus worth an incredible $1,330.

Compare that to a card like the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, which offers a sign-up bonus of 5 Free Nights (each free night valued up to 60,000 points) after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Since IHG Rewards are estimated to be worth 0.7 cents on average based on our points valuation, that comes out to a value of $2,100 dollars.

Understanding the true value of your rewards program can help you to maximize value and select the card that offers the best rewards for your spending habits.

How to calculate the value of your points and miles

To find the value of your points and miles, divide the cost of paying cash for the booking (such as the plane ticket or hotel room) by the number of points or miles required. Then compare this number to Bankrate’s points and miles valuation for the airline, hotel or credit card rewards program.

For example, if a flight on Southwest Airlines costs $800 out of pocket or 50,000 miles, the value is 1.6 cents per mile ($800 divided by 50,000 miles equals $0.016 or 1.6 cents). Since this is slightly higher than our estimated value of 1.5 cents per mile, you’re getting a good deal if you book this flight.

But if you redeem for a gift card instead and find a $25 card costs 10,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards miles, your value drops to 0.25 cents per mile ($25 divided by 10,000 miles equals $0.0025 or 0.25 cents). Since this is far below the 1.5-cent-per-point value you should look for, you’re better off using cash for this gift card and saving your points for a better deal.

How to compare travel credit cards

Deciding which travel credit card is best for you can be difficult. Many cards have similar redemption options, earn rewards in the same categories or cost more than you’re willing to pay for an annual fee. The right card for you will provide value with both perks and rewards rates that match your needs and align with purchases you already make.

To find the right one, you may find it helpful to compare several cards at once so you can see which one offers the best value for your personal finances and travel habits.

• Are you an occasional or frequent traveler? Frequent travelers typically have an easier time taking advantage of the numerous perks found with a travel card. If you travel less frequently, then a cash back card may make more financial sense.
• Are you loyal to a certain airline or hotel? If you’re a fan of a particular airline or hotel chain, you can enjoy specific benefits with that company’s co-branded travel card, like companion pass or annual hotel credits. A general-purpose card, however, gives you flexibility to choose any travel partner when traveling.
• What travel perks and protections matter most to you? Higher rewards status with hotels or airlines, access to airport lounges or automatic elite status are a few examples of travel perks a card might offer. You can also have more peace of mind with any travel protections that a travel card might provide, like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost baggage insurance and 24/7 global assistance. Make sure to look for a card that has the features that matter most to you.
• Do you have to change your spending habits to earn and redeem rewards?  Rather than tailoring your spending to match a card’s bonus categories, you might choose a card that already rewards your typical spending habits. Also, watch out for restrictions like spending limits, which can hinder your ability to earn maximum rewards. And when redeeming, make sure your card provides the best value. Some travel cards don’t provide the best value when redeeming for non-travel-related options, such as gift cards or statement credits.
• Does the card have sign-up bonuses and annual fees?  A card’s welcome offer can boost your first year earnings. Look for the spend requirement to ensure you can meet it without overspending. Additionally, a card’s annual fee can be a significant factor. Cards with high annual fees often offer some of the best rewards and perks, but if you can’t offset the fee every year it might not be worth it.
• How does the card’s international acceptance and foreign fees measure up?  For people who frequently travel internationally, this detail can be a game changer. A card without a foreign transaction fee can help budget your trip. But you also want to make certain that the card has broad international coverage. Some cards, like Discover, while working on their international network, might be riskier to carry abroad.

How to make the most out of your travel credit card

Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or extended trip, your rewards from a travel credit card can either enhance your experience or save you money. If you have your eye on Walt Disney World or a small family gathering, you can use these strategies now to experience an elevated trip in the future.

• Score a welcome offer . To make the most of your purchases and capitalize on travel rewards, seek out a welcome offer with an affordable spend requirement. Some of the top sign-up offers could be large enough to help you score free travel.
• Take advantage of the card’s bonus rewards categories . Find a travel rewards card that offers bonus points for purchases you already make to supercharge your earnings. For example, if your weekly work plans include lunch outside of the office, you could earn 3 points for every $1 spent at restaurants as a Citi Strata Premier cardholder, maximizing your earnings potential.
• Consider a travel card that earns transferable points . Transferable points are points earned with one travel card that can be redeemed with another participating program. Based on Bankrate’s latest point valuations, the right high-value transfer partner could be the best way to maximize your rewards earnings.
• Don’t forget your credit card benefits . Your travel credit card could have hidden credit card perks that make travel more enjoyable and save you money, such as complimentary breakfast at hotels or free checked bags. In just one trip, a family of four could easily offset a card’s annual fee through baggage fees alone. Other benefits, such as lost baggage coverage, not only reimburse you for clothing, toiletries or medication you had to purchase because of delayed or lost luggage, but provide additional peace of mind while traveling.
• Consider a credit card combination . Pair your travel card with another credit card that earns high rewards in areas you spend the most to maximize value. You may even be able to combine cards within the same rewards program. Chase, American Express, Capital One and Citi all offer some of the best credit card combinations that can help you rack up transferable rewards.
• Skip the foreign transaction fees . Make sure to take along a card that skips this common overseas charge, typically 3% charge anytime you use the card internationally. You can avoid this by choosing a travel credit card that waives foreign transaction fees, such as the Capital One and Discover credit cards.

Alternatives to Travel Credit Cards

If you don’t want to commit to a travel card, but still want to earn travel rewards, then you have options.

• A cash back credit card lets you earn cash rewards, which you can often redeem for a statement credit to cover travel and other purchases.
• A card with a 0% intro APR might work better for people planning a large purchase. It can help you budget for a trip, as long as you can pay off the balance before the intro offer period ends.
• A no-annual-fee card that also carries no foreign transaction fees might suit infrequent travelers. With this type of card, you can still save on trips abroad without worrying about added fees or offsetting costs every year.

In the news: What is credit card travel insurance?

Travel insurance, or trip insurance, is a policy providing reimbursement or resources if something goes wrong during your trip. The coverage of the trip insurance varies depending on if it’s provided through a credit card or purchased as a separate policy.

Credit cards may provide a form of trip insurance when you use your card to pay for trip-related expenses. Credit card travel insurance can cover everything from trip cancellation and trip interruption, to lost luggage and car rental loss and damage insurance.

In some cases, the coverage provided by the credit card may be enough to cover your needs for a travel-related event. But confirm the benefits before you travel and make sure it offers the right coverage, for example, if you are traveling internationally or need a “cancel for any reason” policy.

How we picked the best travel cards

Research methodology : We analyzed 300 travel rewards credit cards to identify the best offers currently on the market. The major factors we considered include:

• Rewards rate : Does the card offer a competitive rewards rate for the travel category? For general purpose travel cards, this rate is generally between 1.25X to 2X rewards. For co-branded hotel or airline credit cards, we looked for a rate between 3X and 10X points on brand purchases, plus a competitive rate in other bonus categories.
• Welcome offer : Annual fee travel credit cards, in particular, may offer a welcome bonus valued between $500 to $900. We considered the value of the sign-up bonus, alongside the required spend to receive it.
• Additional travel perks : We considered whether the card offers additional travel benefits beyond base rewards. For instance, for airline credit cards, we considered whether they offered priority boarding, a free checked bag or lounge access. For hotel credit cards, we considered whether they offered upgrade opportunities for Wi-Fi and free hotel stays with a card anniversary. For premium travel credit cards, we considered whether the card touted travel credits, travel insurance and other benefits that justified the high annual fee.
• Rates and fees : Travel credit cards do tend to carry annual fees and higher APRs than low-interest credit cards. However, we considered how a card’s APRs compared to the current credit card industry average and whether any fees could be avoided or recouped by its travel rewards and benefits.

All criteria used : Rewards rates, rewards categories, sign-up bonus, point values, transfer partners, redemption options, redemption flexibility, annual fee, other rates and fees, travel credits, airport lounge access, travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, concierge service, other travel benefits, travel portal functionality, credit needed, customer service, events or other perks

More information on travel credit cards

For more information on all things travel cards, continue reading content from our credit card experts:

• Cash back vs. points
• Trip cancelation reimbursement by credit card
• No foreign transaction fee credit cards

Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards

What is the difference between points and miles on a credit card + –.

When you’re shopping for a travel credit card, you’ll likely have two rewards currencies to choose from: points and miles.

Credit card points are the more flexible of the two options, usually allowing you to redeem your rewards for flights or hotel stays with a number of brands. Some cards allow you to redeem points for cash back, gift cards or merchandise, but often at a lower value than a travel redemption.

Credit card miles usually refer to frequent-flyer miles with a particular airline, such as Delta or United. If you have a miles-earning card, this usually means you can only redeem your miles for flights with one particular airline, though there are exceptions. These types of cards are also called co-branded cards and often come with additional perks like free checked bags.

What credit score do you need for a travel credit card? + –

Travel credit cards often feature higher rewards rates and numerous benefits, which typically means the odds of approval are higher for someone with a good or excellent credit score — usually around a 670 FICO score or higher.

But someone with bad or fair credit still has options. Although the credit card may not be labeled specifically as a travel rewards card, cards like the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card don’t require great credit and offer rewards in travel categories like hotels and rental cars.

Do travel points and miles expire? + –

Typically, rewards won’t expire for the life of the account. However, each card is different so it’s always best to read your card’s terms and conditions. For instance, some cards do have rewards that expire after a period of inactivity. In some cases, you could forfeit your rewards by missing a payment or canceling a card . Every card comes with its own set of rules, so always read the fine print.

How many miles do you need for a free flight? + –

The miles you’ll need for a free flight depend on the type of card you have, its rewards and redemption structure and whether it offers bonus value on travel redemptions.

For example, If you book through Amex, your points are worth 1 cent apiece on travel redemptions. That means if a flight costs $500, you’ll need 50,000 points to book. However, with Chase Ultimate Rewards, points are valued at 1.25 cents, so a $500 trip would need only 25,000 points.

What purchases are part of the travel category for travel credit cards? + –

How purchases are categorized depends on both the merchant and the issuer and may vary from card to card. Typically, bookings for airlines, hotel stays and rental cars will fall under travel. However, some cards, such as the Bank of America Travel Rewards card, broaden the category to include other types of purchases like timeshares, campgrounds and parking garages.

Check the issuer’s website or contact the issuer directly to get a complete list of what is considered travel for your specific card.

About the Author

Jeanine Skowronski

Jeanine Skowronski is a credit card expert, analyst, and multimedia journalist with over 10 years of experience covering business and personal finance. She has previously served as the Head of Content at Policygenius, Executive Editor of Credit.com, Deputy Editor at American Banker, Staff Reporter at TheStreet and a columnist for Inc. Magazine.

About the Editor

Robert Thorpe

Robert Thorpe is an editor for CreditCards.com

About the Reviewer

Stephanie Zito

Stephanie Zito is a professional traveler, humanitarian and credit card points collector sharing savvy travel tips she has learned firsthand from more than 20 years of circling the globe as a backpacker, expat and premium traveler in more than 125 countries and all seven continents.

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Best cash back credit cards for travel

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Key takeaways

• If you travel two or more times per year, or if you plan to travel more in the future, you might find a lot of value in a travel credit card
• If you don’t travel frequently, you might find more value in strategically using a cash back credit card to cover travel-related purchases
• Many cash back cards offer travel-related perks like bonus rewards on travel purchases, no foreign transaction fees, access to the issuer’s travel portal and limited-time offers on select travel purchases

Once you’ve got the travel itch, you know it’s time to plan your next getaway. But if you only travel occasionally, a travel credit card might not be the right fit for you. Sure, travel cards often come with incredible welcome bonuses, higher rewards rates, annual statement credits, airport lounge access and other major perks, but they also tend to come with high annual fees, which can be hard to recoup if you don’t use enough card benefits each year.

In that case, it might make more sense to use a cash back credit card to help fund your next vacation. Many cash back cards offer rewards on both everyday spending and travel spending, and you can redeem your rewards for statement credits to cover travel-related expenses. Plus, some cash back cards also come with access to an issuer’s travel portal, no foreign transaction fees and other travel benefits.

Below, we’ll go over some of the best cash back credit cards for travel, along with some tips and considerations.

Chase Freedom Flex: Best for rotating bonus categories

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ * offers 5 percent cash back on activated, rotating bonus category purchases each quarter (on up to $1,500, then 1 percent back). These bonus categories change each quarter, but the annual calendar often includes gas stations or other travel-related categories.

This card also earns 5 percent cash back on Chase Ultimate Rewards travel purchases; 5 percent cash back on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025); 3 percent cash back on dining and drugstore purchases; and 1 percent cash back on all other purchases. This card also comes with no annual fee, trip cancellation and interruption insurance , travel and emergency assistance services and the ability to redeem rewards for travel through Chase.

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express: Best for higher rewards on everyday spending

With the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express , you’ll earn 6 percent cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1 percent back); 6 percent cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3 percent cash back on transit and at U.S. gas station; and 1 percent cash back on everything else. Also, note that you’ll get a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, after which an annual fee of $95 applies.

With this card, you can save up your cash back earnings and redeem them for a statement credit to cover travel purchases like hotels or flights. Plus, this card also comes with access to Amex Offers , allowing you to earn more rewards on qualifying purchases with select brands (including travel brands like hotels), along with access to the American Express Travel portal .

Citi Double Cash Card: Best for flat cash back

If you’d prefer a simpler rewards strategy, the Citi Double Cash ® Card is one of the best flat-rate cards on the market. This card comes with no annual fee, and you’ll earn up to 2 percent cash back on all purchases — 1 percent back as you make purchases and 1 percent back as you pay for purchases. That’s $20 in rewards for every $1,000 you spend on your card. Over time, you can earn enough rewards to cover a flight or hotel (in the form of a statement credit to your account).

This card also allows you to redeem your rewards for travel through the Citi travel portal , though it’s important to note that you won’t be able to transfer your rewards to Citi travel partners since this card only earns basic Citi ThankYou points .

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for entertainment and international travel

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is, by far, one of the best cash back credit cards for international travel. It comes with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, along with impressive rewards rates on entertainment and select travel purchases. You’ll earn 10 percent cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases (through Nov. 14, 2024); 8 percent cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 5 percent cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 3 percent cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming subscriptions and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target); and 1 percent cash back on all other purchases.

This card also comes with travel-related benefits like travel accident insurance, 24-hour travel assistance services and complimentary concierge services, which can help you with any travel, dining and entertainment plans. Plus, cash back rewards can be redeemed for Capital One Travel reservations (not including taxes and fees).

How to use cash back credit cards for travel

Look for cards that offer cash back on everyday expenses and travel.

Numerous cash back cards offer rewards on both everyday expenses and travel purchases, so look for a card with bonus categories that fit well with your everyday and travel spending. And don’t forget: If you have a cash back card that offers rewards on dining and gas, for example, you’ll still earn rewards on dining and gas purchases when you travel. However, with some cards, you’ll only earn rewards on U.S. category purchases, so be sure to check the fine print of your credit card agreement for any terms or limitations.

Redeem cash back as a statement credit to cover travel expenses

With a cash back credit card, you can redeem your cash back to cover a wide variety of travel-related expenses. For instance, you could save up your rewards until you reach $100 to $200 in cash back. Then, you could redeem your rewards for a statement credit to cover hotel bookings, flights, rideshares, dining out or any other travel-related expenses you have.

Check your issuer’s limited-time offers program for travel deals

Most credit cards come with access to an issuer’s limited-time offers program, which allows you to earn more rewards when you make eligible purchases with participating merchants. For example, you might find offers on hotel bookings with a specific chain (such as 10 percent back on a booking or $100 off a booking when you spend $300 or more) or offers for purchases made with travel-booking sites or rideshare companies.

See if you have access to your issuer’s travel portal

In order to stay competitive, many cash back credit cards now offer access to issuer travel portals . These portals may offer exclusive deals on travel or other benefits. For example, some cash back cards offer boosted rewards rates for select purchases made through a travel portal, while others allow you to redeem your rewards for travel purchases through the travel portal.

If you travel abroad, look for a card with no foreign transaction fees

Many cash back credit cards include a foreign transaction fee (usually 3 percent) on any purchases you make outside of the United States. If you travel abroad frequently, it would be worth getting a card with no foreign transaction fee so you don’t cancel out the rewards you’ll earn with your card. For instance, all Discover and Capital One credit cards come with no foreign transaction fees.

Is a cash back card for travel right for you?

While you can use the rewards you earn from a cash back credit card to help fund your vacation, make sure that you’re truly better off with a cash back card rather than a points or miles credit card .

For instance, if you travel two or more times per year, or if you plan to travel more frequently in the near future, it would be worth looking at some of the top travel credit cards available. Travel credit cards frequently come with perks like high welcome bonuses, travel protections, annual statement credits for travel-related purchases or airport lounge access. Just make sure that you’re able to recoup the cost of membership through card spending or benefits if you pick a card with an annual fee.

If you’re just starting to travel more frequently — or if you’re not sure if a travel card is right for you — there are a number of entry-level travel cards with low annual fees or no annual fees . That way, you can test out the travel card space to see if it’s right for you before committing to a card with a higher annual fee.

The bottom line

If you don’t travel that frequently, getting a travel credit card doesn’t make sense. Instead, you might find more value in strategically using a cash back credit card to cover travel-related purchases. With the right cash back card , you might even get some travel-related card perks such as bonus rewards on travel purchases, no foreign transaction fees, access to the issuer’s travel portal and limited-time offers on select travel purchases.

*The information about the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

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.

Why you should have a 2% cash back card

How to choose a cash back credit card

Best Cash Back Credit Cards of 2024

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Cash Back vs. Travel Rewards: How to Choose

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Choosing a rewards credit card means picking a side in an ongoing debate: cash back or travel rewards?

Each has its advantages. Cash back is flexible and easy to redeem. Points or miles offer the possibility of a paid-for vacation and, depending on the circumstances, higher value for the rewards you earn. Some cards let you redeem rewards for cash or travel at the same value. But if you’re deciding between the two, it comes down to your lifestyle — and the effort you’re willing to put in.

» MORE: Best rewards credit cards

Option 1: Cash back

» FIND A CARD: Best cash back credit cards

With a cash-back card , your rewards come as dollars, not points or miles that you have to figure out how to redeem. The easiest way to redeem cash back is for a credit on your statement; you may also be able to get a check or a direct deposit to a bank account.

Easy redemption but fewer perks

Because redeeming cash rewards takes no research and little effort, this option is perfect for someone who wants a low-maintenance wallet. If you're looking to finance a large purchase, many cash-back cards also come with generous introductory 0% APR promotions as well as bonus offers that can kick a couple hundred dollars back you right off the bat.

With a few exceptions, such as cards that pay extra-high rewards rates in certain categories, cash back cards don't usually charge annual fees. Because of that, however, they lack the kinds of perks (including lavish sign-up bonuses) that you'll typically find on travel rewards cards with a fee.

Choosing a card based on your spending

Since the main appeal of a cash-back card is earning money back for each purchase, you'll want to pick a card with a rewards structure that aligns with your spending. For instance:

People with big grocery bills would do well with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express . It earns a whopping 6% cash back on up to $6,000 a year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets (1% after that), in addition to terrific bonus rewards on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, at U.S. gas stations and on transit. It comes at a cost, though: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. Terms apply ( see rates and fees ).

Those who enjoy going out might want to consider the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card , which earns 3% back on dining and entertainment, in addition to grocery stores.

Want the ultimate low-maintenance option? Choose a flat-rate credit card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card , which earns 2% back on every purchase, no matter the category.

» SEE: Credit cards that earn 2% cash back or more on all purchases

Option 2: Travel

» FIND A CARD: Best travel credit cards

Travel credit cards give you rewards in the form of points or miles, the value of which often depends on how you redeem them. Travel rewards credit cards come in two main flavors — general-purpose cards and branded cards, which bear the name of an airline or hotel chain.

The primary advantage with general-purpose travel cards is flexibility. You aren't locked into redeeming your rewards with a specific airline or hotel brand. You can usually use your points to book travel, or you can redeem them for credit against travel purchases you already made.

Unlike with airline or hotel cards, you don't usually run into restrictions on when you can use your points from general purpose travel cards. An airline might have "blackout dates" on which you can't redeem your miles for a free flight, for example. But with a general purpose travel card, what you're really doing is booking your travel on your credit card at the regular price and then using your rewards to offset the cost on your credit card bill. As far as the airline is concerned, you paid for the flight like anyone else.

Some of the most popular and most widely marketed credit cards are general purpose travel rewards cards. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , for example, gives you 2 miles per dollar on most purchases, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card gives you up to 5 points per dollar depending on where you use it. Each allows you to redeem your rewards, or transfer them to airline or hotel partners. They both charge an annual fee, though. By contrast, the $0 -annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card gives you 3 points per dollar at restaurants and gas stations, as well as on travel and transit, electric vehicle charging, popular streaming services and select phone plans. All other purchases earn 1 point per $1.

Branded travel cards don't offer as much flexibility, but they can provide perks that general purpose cards can't. Airline credit cards , for example, often let you check a bag for free when you use the airline's card to book travel. You might get priority boarding or even airport lounge access. A co-branded hotel card might entitle you to a free night each year, or room upgrades, or automatic elite status.

Outsized rewards through transfer partners

Many general purpose travel cards give you the option to transfer your rewards to specific airline and hotel rewards programs, which can give you even more bang for your buck, if you're willing to put in a little effort. A point can be worth more than 1 cent apiece in some circumstances.

Let's say you have the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . You can use Capital One Miles earned on the card to book travel directly in the Capital One travel portal , usually for a value of 1 cent each. But transferring miles to travel partners could unlock a higher value.

For example, booking two nights at a Wyndham hotel in Newport, Rhode Island, for October 2022 cost $700.45, or 70,045 miles, through the Capital One travel portal (as of May 2022). But in this case, transferring the miles to Wyndham rather than booking through Capital One could be a better move. By transferring Capital One Miles to Wyndham (1 Capital One Mile = 1 Wyndham point), you could book that same hotel for the same two nights for a total of just 30,000 points. That boosts the value of your miles to 2.3 cents each.

That's not a small difference if you're trying to decide between a 2% cash-back card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , which earns 2 miles per dollar on most purchases. If you spent $2,000 a month, you'd earn roughly the same amount back with both cards per year: $480 or 48,000 miles, respectively.

But if you were able to redeem all of your Capital One Miles at 2 cents apiece, your rewards value jumps from $480 to $960, effectively giving you 4% back on all purchases.

Extra perks

Most travel credit cards come with an annual fee. But in exchange, you're more likely to find a card with valuable perks like a statement credit to cover the cost of TSA PreCheck , airport lounge access , and automatic status with certain hotels and rental car companies.

Which is better?

When you're picking a card, be realistic about how you're going to use it. Assuming you don't plan on carrying a balance and don't need to worry about interest rates, go for a card that offers a high rewards rate and redemption options that complement your lifestyle.

A travel card is an excellent choice if you travel frequently and can take full advantage of the side perks. A cash-back card, though, is usually less expensive and comes with more versatile rewards. For many, that makes it a clear winner.

What's next?

It's totally OK if travel rewards aren't for you

Beginner's guide to points and miles

What are travel points worth and why do they matter?

How do cash-back credit cards work?

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Earn 3% cash back when you choose online shopping plus earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Find the right credit card for you.

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

7 Best Credit Cards for Excellent Credit of August 2024

Best credit cards for excellent credit of 2024, best for premium travel rewards, capital one venture x rewards credit card.

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.

Why We Chose It

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a sizable welcome bonus offer and earns a minimum of 2X miles on every purchase you make. You’ll also get several premium travel perks that can help to easily offset the steep annual fee.

Pros and Cons

• Great flat-rate rewards on every purchase
• Flexible travel redemption options
• Valuable travel perks
• High annual fee
• Low redemption rate for cash
• Few domestic transfer partners

Best for Luxury Travel Perks

The platinum card® from american express.

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

The Platinum Card® from American Express isn’t a rewards powerhouse, but, on our examination, it offers more premium travel and lifestyle perks than any other card that’s publicly available. You can get more than $1,500 in value each year from the card benefits alone.

• Impressive welcome bonus offer
• Wide range of valuable perks
• Solid rewards on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel
• Sky-high annual fee
• Mediocre rewards on most other eligible purchases
• Some benefits are difficult to maximize

Best for Flat-Rate Cash Back

Wells fargo active cash® card.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card earns a flat 2% cash rewards on purchases, making it a solid choice for people who prefer simplicity. It also comes with an easy-to-earn welcome bonus and a solid introductory APR on both purchases and balance transfers.

• High, flat rewards rate on every purchase
• Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
• No annual fee
• No bonus categories
• Limited additional perks

Best for Mid-Tier Travel Rewards

Chase sapphire preferred® card.

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 Travel℠.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns impressive rewards on several everyday spending categories, including travel, dining, online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs) and select streaming services. When you’re ready to redeem your rewards, you’ll get 25% more value if you use your points to book travel through Chase Travel℠. Alternatively, you can transfer your rewards to several airline and hotel loyalty program partners, giving you more flexibility.

• Solid travel rewards and everyday spending categories
• Points boost on travel portal bookings
• Flexible redemption options
• Lacks travel benefits of higher-tier cards
• Charges an annual fee

Best for Gas and Groceries

Blue cash preferred® card from american express.

Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns some of the best cash back rewards you can find on U.S. supermarket purchases, and you’ll also get great rewards on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit and gas at U.S. gas stations. While the card charges an annual fee, you can offset most of it with perks.

• Great rewards on eligible U.S. supermarket purchases, at U.S. gas stations, on transit and select U.S. streaming subscription purchases
• Statement credit for an eligible Disney Bundle subscription
• Ongoing annual fee after the intro annual fee in the first year
• Spending cap on bonus rewards at U.S. Supermarkets per year, then base rate

Best for a 0% APR Promotion

Wells fargo reflect® card.

If you have one or more large expenses coming up or need extra time to pay down high-interest debt from another credit card, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers the longest intro APR promotion we know of, helping you maximize your interest savings.

• Long intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
• Cellphone protection (subject to a $25 deductible)
• No welcome bonus
• No rewards structure

Best for Rotating Bonus Rewards

Chase freedom flex®.

Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The Chase Freedom Flex® is perfect for people who want to maximize their rewards on a variety of everyday spending categories throughout the year. You’ll also earn solid rewards on dining, drugstore purchases and travel booked through Chase Travel.

• Great rewards potential on everyday spending
• Rotating bonus category rewards are capped
• Must activate rotating bonus categories each quarter
• No direct access to Chase transfer partners

A Closer Look at the Credit Cards for Excellent Credit

Best for premium travel rewards: capital one venture x rewards credit card.

Why we love this card: Right off the bat, the Capital One Venture X earns 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. In terms of rewards, you’ll earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 2X miles on everything else. The card charges a $395 annual fee, but you can easily look to offset that each year thanks to perks like 10,000 anniversary bonus miles every year starting on your first anniversary and $300 in annual travel credit toward Capital One Travel bookings. The Venture X also offers complimentary access to multiple airport lounge networks , an application fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and other valuable perks.

Who should have this in their wallet: The Venture X is best suited for frequent travelers who want to earn valuable, flexible travel rewards and enjoy some premium perks.

Other cards to consider: If you want solid travel rewards without a steep annual fee, consider the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , which earns the same minimum of 2X miles on every purchase and bonus rewards on eligible Capital One Travel bookings. You may also consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve® for similar benefits and 50% more value on travel redemptions through Chase Travel.

Best for Luxury Travel Perks: The Platinum Card from American Express

Why we love this card: If your top priority is to enjoy premium perks, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a card that can beat the Platinum Card from American Express. For starters, the card offers the most comprehensive airport lounge access program of any card on our list. It also offers over $1,500 in value through benefits that include annual statement credits for things like airline fees, hotel bookings, digital entertainment and shopping, plus elite status with various hotel and rental car loyalty programs. Check out our guide to Amex Platinum card benefits .

Who should have this in their wallet? Consider the Amex Platinum if you’re a frequent traveler who can afford the card’s eye-watering $695 annual fee and has the time to manage and maximize its long list of benefits.

Other cards to consider: While there’s no publicly available card comparable to the Platinum Card in terms of perks based on our evaluation, you may consider the Capital One Venture X or the Chase Sapphire Reserve if you want a lower annual fee while still enjoying some premium benefits.

Best for Flat-Rate Cash Back: Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

Why we love this card: The Wells Fargo Active Cash’s 2% cash rewards on purchases is one of the highest, flat cash back rates you can get with a credit card. Plus, the card offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, after which the variable APR will be 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% based on your creditworthiness. Other card features include cellphone protection (subject to a $25 deductible) and additional cash back offers through My Wells Fargo Deals.

Who should have this in their wallet: The Wells Fargo Active Cash is best suited for people who want simple rewards and don’t want to keep track of multiple rewards rates and categories. It’s also worth a look as a companion card for another rewards card that offers tiered rewards with a lower base rewards rate.

Other cards to consider: If you’re looking to pay down high-interest credit card debt, you’ll get a slightly longer balance transfer offer with the Citi Double Cash® Card , which also offers up to 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay). Alternatively, if you want a mix of bonus rewards and a high, flat rewards rate, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers a base rate of 1.5% cash back, plus bonus rewards on a few everyday categories.

Best for Mid-Tier Travel Rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Why we love this card: For a $95 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 5X points on travel booked through Chase Travel and 2X points on purchases of other general travel, plus rewards on dining, online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs) and select streaming purchases. We love it because the card offers a lot of redemption flexibility, including 25% more value on travel booked through Chase Travel and access to several transfer partners.

To help offset the annual fee, the Sapphire Preferred offers a $50 annual travel credit toward hotel stays purchased through Chase, an anniversary points bonus that equals 10% of your spending from the previous year and various partner opportunities.

Who should have this in their wallet: The Sapphire Preferred is a great fit for people looking to dip their toes in the world of travel rewards (in fact, it tops our list of the best travel credit cards for beginners ). You may also consider it if you want valuable points without a steep annual fee.

Other cards to consider: If you want great travel rewards but are overwhelmed with the complexity of the Sapphire Preferred, the Capital One Venture’s rewards are simple with an unlimited 2X miles on all purchases. Depending on your spending habits, you could also consider the Citi Strata PremierSM Card , which offers 3X points on air travel, hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and EV charging stations.

Best for Gas and Groceries: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

Why we love this card: The Amex Blue Cash Preferred earns top-tier rewards on several everyday categories, including 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%) and 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations. The cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or on Amazon.com at checkout. The card charges a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 thereafter. However, you can offset most of that cost in the form of a $7 monthly statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more on an eligible auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription with your enrolled card—that’s up to $84 per year. This is valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.

Who should have this in their wallet: If you spend a lot on groceries, streaming subscriptions, gas and transit, this card should be on your radar. Even with the annual fee and rewards cap, it comes out on top in our list of the best credit card for groceries .

Other cards to consider: If you want to earn great rewards on dining, entertainment and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card could be a good choice. The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card is also worth a look if you typically do your grocery shopping with non-supermarket retailers, such as Target or Walmart.

Best for a 0% APR Promotion: Wells Fargo Reflect Card

Why we love this card: The Wells Fargo Reflect offers one of the longest intro APR periods on the market: 0% APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 21 months, after which the variable APR is 18.24%, 24.74% or 29.99%. Keep in mind, though, that the balance transfer fee is 5% of the transfer amount with a $5 minimum. The card also offers cash back with select merchants through the My Wells Fargo Deals program, as well as cellphone protection (subject to a $25 deductible), but it doesn’t offer a standard rewards program.

Who should have this in their wallet: The Reflect is a great choice for people who need to prioritize interest savings over rewards and other card benefits.

Other cards to consider: If you have debt on a Wells Fargo credit card, you likely won’t be able to transfer it to the Reflect Card. Instead, you may consider the Citi Simplicity® Card or the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card , both of which offer comparable balance transfer promotions.

Best for Rotating Bonus Rewards: Chase Freedom Flex

Why we love this card: As its name suggests, the Chase Freedom Flex offers the flexibility to earn accelerated rewards on ever-changing bonus categories. You’ll earn 5% cash back on activated, rotating bonus categories (on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly spending, then 1%). Outside of its rotating categories, you can also enjoy rewards earned on Chase Travel purchases, dining and drugstores. There’s also an intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for those looking to finance a large purchase or pay off existing credit card debt.

Who should have this in their wallet: The Freedom Flex is a great option for people who want to maximize their rewards earned on a variety of spending categories that change throughout the year.

Other cards to consider: The Discover it® Cash Back is another option if you want a similar rewards approach with rotating bonus categories. You may also like the Citi Custom Cash® Card , which lets you choose your highest bonus category each month from a list of eligible options.

What Is Considered Excellent Credit?

According to FICO, a credit score of 800 and above is considered exceptional, meaning that you represent an incredibly low risk of defaulting on debt payments.

That said, credit card issuers and other lenders may have their own definition of what it means to have excellent credit. What’s more, your credit score is just one of many factors that lenders consider when you apply for a credit card or loan. In addition to your score, they may also evaluate your credit history, income and other debts.

How Do You Get an Excellent Credit Score?

It can take several years to build and maintain excellent credit, especially if you have some negative items on your credit reports. Regardless of the current state of your credit health, here are some steps you can take to establish an excellent credit score:

• Always pay your bills on time. Your payment history is the most important factor in your credit score, so it’s crucial that you make it a priority to always pay your bills on time. If you miss a payment for any reason, get caught up as quickly as possible—in most cases, payments aren’t reported late until at least 30 days after their due.
• Maintain low credit card balances. Your credit utilization ratio —or the percentage of your total available credit that you’re using at a given time—is another influential element in your credit score. While some experts recommend keeping your credit card balances below 30% of your credit limits, there’s no hard-and-fast rule. The lower it is, the better.
• Use a diverse mix of credit. As you naturally use credit to manage your financial life, a good credit mix shows that you can successfully manage different types of credit. Over time, a long history of responsible credit use can help take your credit score to the highest level.

Why Would You Need a Credit Card With Excellent Credit?

Having stellar credit gives you access to some of the best credit card features and benefits. More specifically, here are some reasons why you should consider applying for a credit card for excellent credit:

• Better rewards. The best rewards credit cards typically are available to those with good or excellent credit. Whether you want to earn bonus rewards on some of your top spending categories or a high rewards rate on all of your purchases, having excellent credit can give you access to the best options available.
• Bigger welcome bonuses. Not all credit cards for excellent credit offer large welcome bonuses, but rewards cards that offer significant new-cardholder incentives will typically be harder to qualify for.
• More valuable perks. Most credit cards offer some basic perks, but with excellent credit, you can qualify for cards that offer hundreds or even thousands of dollars in value each year. Examples of top-tier perks include complimentary airport lounge access, annual credits for travel, dining and entertainment purchases and elite status with hotel and rental car loyalty programs.
• Lower interest rates. Credit cards typically offer a range of annual percentage rates (APR), with the lowest rates reserved for borrowers with excellent credit. You’re also typically more likely to qualify for a card with an introductory 0% APR .
• Higher credit limits. When you apply for a credit card, your credit limit is typically determined based on several factors, including your credit score and history, income and other debt. However, credit cards for excellent credit typically offer higher limits on average than other cards, giving you more spending power.

How To Choose the Best Credit Cards for Excellent Credit for You

As you research and compare the best credit cards for high credit scores, it’s important to understand your needs and preferences. Here are a handful of factors to keep in mind.

Spending Habits

It’s important to pick a card that offers reward rates that align well with your spending. For example, if you spend a lot on gas and groceries, it makes sense to choose a card that earns accelerated rewards on those purchases. If you don’t spend a disproportionate amount in any area of your budget, consider a card with a high, flat rewards rate on everything.

Welcome Bonuses

Most of the best credit cards for excellent credit offer welcome bonus offers, typically after you meet a minimum spending requirement. Carefully weigh the rewards rates and welcome bonus to get an idea of how much value you can get from each card you’re considering.

Feature Preferences

While rewards tend to get most of the fanfare, some cards also offer a lot of value through their other card benefits. Whether you’re looking for an introductory 0% APR promotion period, trip protections or premium travel perks, it’s important to consider everything each card has to offer to determine which one is best for you.

Budget for an Annual Fee

Some of our top choices charge annual fees in the hundreds of dollars, and while they offer enough value to help offset the yearly cost, it’s still an out-of-pocket expense you’ll need to budget for.

Consider Multiple Cards

If you want to make the most of your everyday spending and take advantage of a wide range of perks, it can make sense to open multiple credit cards. For example, you may want a card that earns bonus rewards on certain purchases, but many of these cards earn a measly 1% back on non-bonus spending. Pairing a tiered rewards card with a flat-rate cash back card can help you maximize your rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

How rare is an 825 credit score.

Roughly 20% of American consumers have a FICO credit score in the 800 to 849 range, according to recent data from Experian , one of the three national credit bureaus.

Is a 900 Credit Score Possible?

For the standard FICO credit score, the best score you can achieve is 850. However, FICO also offers industry-specific scoring models optimized for credit card issuers and auto lenders. These scoring models have a range of 250 to 900, so it is possible to have a 900 score.

What Is the Average American Credit Score?

The average credit score for consumers in the U.S. is 715, according to data from Experian . A 715 FICO score generally falls in the good range.

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.

The post 7 Best Credit Cards for Excellent Credit of August 2024 first appeared on Newsweek Vault .

The top 11 credit cards with annual travel statement credits

Editor's Note

Travel rewards credit cards entice new cardholders with flashy welcome offers and waived annual fees during the first year. They can also help you beat rising travel costs due to inflation.

However, many premium rewards cards on the market also offer ongoing travel benefits. These perks include airport lounge access and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursements, as well as annual statement credits toward travel purchases.

These can be especially useful for stays at boutique hotels that aren't part of a major loyalty program or even when using ride-hailing apps to get from your hotel back to the airport.

Credit card travel credits can vary from a flat $300 per year for a wide variety of travel purchases — as you get with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® — to up to $200 per calendar year as a statement credit specifically for non-ticket airline incidentals on your selected carrier with The Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment is required; terms apply).

In this guide, we'll walk through which credit cards have annual travel credits and how flexible they are for hotels, flights and everything in between.

Overview of cards with annual travel credits

Multiple credit cards offer annual travel credits, which can help offset portions of a trip where cash is required.

However, the rules for using these credits can vary by card. Let's look at the amount of credit you can receive on each card and its welcome bonus before exploring the details of what you can and can't use these credits for each year.

The information for the Premium Rewards Elite, Citi Prestige, Hilton Amex Aspire, Ritz-Carlton and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

American Express Gold Card

The Amex Gold is generally recommended for foodies, but it provides some useful travel benefits as well.

Annual travel credit: Up to $120 in Uber Cash each calendar year — up to $10 monthly delivered in the form of Uber Cash that can be used on U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats purchases, making the credits exceptionally versatile. Enrollment is required; terms apply.

Current welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first six months of card membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases (up to $100) within the first six months of card membership. Offer ends 11/6.

You might be eligible for a higher targeted offer via the CardMatch tool ; offers are subject to change anytime.

Annual fee: $325

Other benefits: Amex Gold cardmembers earn 4 points per dollar at restaurants (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2 points per dollar on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked through amextravel.com and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.

This card earns Membership Rewards points, which you can transfer to a total of 21 airline and hotel partners . As a cardmember, you can earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly (up to $120 in annual dining statement credits each calendar year) when you pay with the Amex Gold at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com and Five Guys. Enrollment is required; terms apply.

You can also earn up to $84 per calendar year (up to $7 per month) in statement credits for Dunkin' Donuts purchases in the U.S. and up to $100 per calendar year (up to $50 biannually) for purchases made at Resy-affiliated restaurants in the U.S. and on other eligible Resy purchases. Enrollment is required; terms apply.

To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Gold .

Apply here: American Express Gold Card

Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card

With the opportunity to earn elevated rewards if you're a member of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program, the Bank of America Premium Rewards can be a strong addition to a traveler's wallet.

Annual travel credit: Up to $100 in statement credits for airline incidentals like checked bags, seat selection or upgrades each year.

Current welcome offer: Receive 60,000 bonus points after spending at least $4,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.

Annual fee: $95

Other benefits: The Bank of America Premium Rewards card has a solid rate of return. Cardholders earn 2 points per dollar on travel and dining and 1.5 points per dollar on everything else.

You can boost your earnings from 25% to 75%, depending on how much you have in deposits with Bank of America and Merrill through the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program .

Points can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards and purchases through the Bank of America Travel Center or as a deposit to a Bank of America account at a rate of 1 cent apiece. The card waives foreign exchange fees and will reimburse cardholders for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee once every four years (up to $100).

To learn more, read our full review of the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card .

Apply here: Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card

Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Credit Card

Despite its hefty annual fee, the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite can be worth considering for anyone heavily invested in the Bank of America ecosystem.

Annual travel credit: Up to $300 in statement credits for airline incidentals like checked bags, seat selection or upgrades each year.

Current welcome offer: Receive 75,000 bonus points after spending at least $5,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.

Annual fee: $550

Other benefits: The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card mirrors the earning rates on the Premium Rewards card: 2 points per dollar on travel and dining and 1.5 points per dollar on everything else.

If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn an additional 25% to 75% bonus points on purchases, depending on how much you have in deposits with Bank of America and Merrill. Points can be redeemed for statement credits , gift cards and purchases through the Bank of America Travel Center or as a deposit to a Bank of America account at a rate of 1 cent apiece.

Cardholders also receive a 20% discount when paying for airfare with points through the Travel Center and up to $100 in reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees once every four years.

Finally, cardholders can receive up to $150 in statement credits annually for eligible purchases, such as video streaming services, food delivery and ride-hailing services.

Related: The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

If you own a business with a high monthly expenditure, the Amex Business Platinum is a great card to consider.

Annual travel credit: Up to $200 in statement credits on airline incidental fees charged by the carrier on one select airline each calendar year.

Current welcome offer: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.

Annual fee: $695

Other benefits: The Amex Business Platinum offers similar benefits as the personal version and some great additional ones.

The card offers annual statement credits to cardmembers for business and travel expenses with companies like Dell, Adobe and Clear Plus every calendar year.

Cardmembers can earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Cardmembers also receive a 35% rebate when redeeming points for airfare booked through Amex Travel (up to 1 million points per calendar year) on their selected qualifying airline or for business- or first-class tickets on any airline.

Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Business Platinum .

Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X is one of the best premium travel cards on the market right now.

Annual travel credit: $300 in annual credits for bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal .

Current welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $395 (see rates and fees )

Other benefits: The Capital One Venture X is a premium credit card that has garnered attention in the points and miles world. Cardholders earn 10 miles per dollar on hotel and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Capital One miles transfer to 15-plus airline and hotel loyalty programs, such as Air Canada Aeroplan , British Airways Executive Club and Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles .

Other Venture X benefits include unlimited access to Capital One and Priority Pass lounges , a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® statement credit, the ability to add a number of authorized users for free (and share those lounge benefits; see rates and fees ), 10,000 bonus miles as an anniversary bonus every year and more.

To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Venture X .

Apply here: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the most popular credit cards we recommend here at TPG, and for good reason.

Annual travel credit: $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for a broad range of travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.

This credit will apply automatically to the first $300 spent on travel, and purchases covered by this credit don't qualify for bonus points-earning rates.

Current welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Other benefits: The Chase Sapphire Reserve is widely considered to be one of the best all-around travel rewards credit cards, thanks to its slate of chart-topping benefits.

In addition to that annual travel statement credit, cardholders earn 10 points per dollar on car rentals and hotels booked through Chase Travel℠, 10 points per dollar on Lyft rides (through March 2025), 5 points per dollar on flights booked through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on other travel and dining worldwide and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Ultimate Rewards points transfer to 11 airline partners, including Southwest and Air Canada, and three hotel partners , including Hyatt, IHG and Marriott. Points may also be redeemed directly through Chase Travel for 1.5 cents apiece.

Cardholders can access Priority Pass lounges and be reimbursed up to $100 once every four years for a Nexus, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.

Other benefits include a complimentary two-year Lyft Pink membership (when activated by Dec. 31), a complimentary DashPass from DoorDash (when activated by Dec. 31, 2027) and a range of travel protections.

To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve .

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Citi Prestige Card

Although the Citi Prestige is no longer open to new applicants, existing cardholders can take advantage of its travel benefits.

Annual travel credit: Up to $250 worth of annual travel statement credits each calendar year toward travel purchases, including airline tickets, hotel stays, car rentals, commuter transportation, subways, taxis, train tickets and more. This credit applies automatically.

Current welcome offer: The card is no longer available to new applicants.

Annual fee: $495

Other benefits: If you're a Citi Prestige cardholder, you earn an incredible 5 points per dollar at restaurants, on air travel and with travel agencies. Cardholders also earn 3 points per dollar at hotels and on cruise lines and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Citi ThankYou points transfer to 20 airline and hotel partner programs , including Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Wyndham Rewards.

As a cardholder, you can enter Priority Pass lounges and receive the fourth night free on up to two hotel stays per year when booking through Citi concierge or at ThankYou.com.

With this card, you won't pay foreign transaction fees, and you can receive Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement once every five years.

Learn more: Citi Prestige

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

The Hilton Amex Aspire is Hilton's top-of-the-line credit card. It offers a range of benefits for avid Hilton fans.

Annual travel credit: Up to $400 per calendar year (up to $200 semi-annually) on eligible purchases made with Hilton Resorts and up to $200 on flight purchases made directly with the airline or through Amex Travel per calendar year (up to $50 per quarter). Enrollment is required; terms apply.

Current welcome offer: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases on the card within the first three months of card membership.

Other benefits: The Hilton Honors Aspire earns a whopping 14 points per dollar on Hilton purchases , 7 points per dollar on flights booked through Amex Travel or directly with airlines, on car rentals and at U.S. restaurants and 3 points per dollar on everything else.

The Hilton Amex Aspire offers automatic top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status and an annual free night reward . Cardmembers also get up to $100 in credits for qualifying charges at participating Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts when booking two-night-minimum stays by phone. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

Learn more: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

The Platinum Card from American Express

Prospective cardmembers may raise their eyebrows at its annual fee, but the Amex Platinum comes with a wide range of benefits to justify its cost.

Annual travel credit: Up to a $200 statement credit on airline incidental fees with your preferred airline each calendar year. Unfortunately, airfare itself does not count per the terms. Cardmembers can also score up to $200 in annual Uber Cash every calendar year (for U.S. services, up to $15 per month Jan. - Nov. and up to $20 in Dec.) after adding their Card in the Uber app.

Current welcome offer: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first six months. You may be eligible for a higher targeted offer via the CardMatch tool ; offers are subject to change at any time.

Other benefits: The Amex Platinum Card has plenty of perks to justify its high annual fee. Cardmembers earn 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with an airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

This card earns Membership Rewards points, which you can transfer to a total of 21 airline and hotel partners. Cardmembers can also receive up to $200 in annual credits for certain hotel bookings every calendar year, an up to $199 reimbursement for their annual Clear Plus membership fee each calendar year and a statement credit for a Global Entry ($100, every 4 years) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85, every 4½ years) application fee . Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

The card gets you into Centurion Lounges and offers Priority Pass lounge access , plus Delta Sky Club access when you're on a same-day Delta flight (limited to 10 annual visits from Feb. 1, 2025). At hotels, enjoy value-added benefits when booking stays through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts plus Gold status with Hilton Honors and Gold Elite status with Marriott . Enrollment required for select benefits.

To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum .

Apply here: The Platinum Card from American Express

Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card

Although the Ritz-Carlton card is no longer open to new applicants, it is possible to product-change to this card from one of Chase's Marriott Bonvoy cobranded cards.

Annual travel credit: Up to $300 in credits for airline lounge day passes or membership, airline seat upgrades, airline baggage fees, inflight Wi-Fi/entertainment or inflight meals. You will need to message Chase to manually request these credits.

Current welcome offer: No longer open to new applicants.

Annual fee: $450

Other benefits: The Ritz-Carlton Card offers more to travelers than just the $300 in annual travel credits. Additional benefits include an annual free night award worth up to 50,000 points, a Priority Pass Select membership and Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy .

Cardholders also can be reimbursed for their application fees for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years and receive a $100 hotel credit toward dining, spa treatments or other hotel recreational activities on paid stays of two nights or longer at Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis properties.

Related: Best Marriott credit cards

U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve is an underrated premium travel card and a great choice for those who want to keep their wallet simple.

Annual travel credit: Up to $325 in statement credits per cardmember year for purchases made directly with airlines, hotels, car rental companies, taxis, limousines, passenger trains and cruise lines. It can also be applied to restaurants (plus takeout and delivery) and fast-food and bar purchases.

Current welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,500 within 90 days of account opening.

Annual fee: $400

Other benefits: U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa cardholders earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotel bookings and car rentals made through the Altitude Rewards Center, 3 points per dollar on travel and eligible mobile wallet purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Cardholders can redeem points for 1.5 cents apiece on airfare, hotels and car rentals booked through the Altitude Rewards Center and for lower values for other purchases. If used mostly for travel, your rate of return is a considerable 4.5% on most purchases.

As a cardholder, you'll also enjoy eight Priority Pass passes for airport lounge access, reimbursement for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four years and waived foreign transaction fees .

Learn more: U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card

Bottom line

Whether you prefer a travel rewards card that earns transferable points , a cobranded hotel card or a card that earns fixed-value points, some phenomenal options offer annual travel statement credits.

Picking one of them will ensure you continue to get value from your credit card long after you've earned its welcome bonus and paid its annual fee.

Related: 12 credit cards that can get you $1,000 or more in first-year value

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here . For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here . For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here .

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RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard

Card Details

Unlimited cash back.

Simple and Easy to earn cash back

Earn up to 1.5% cash back on your spending 1 – big or small

Try our credit card cash back calculator

That's right. Get unlimited cash back, plus your rewards accumulate automatically, so tracking is hassle-free.

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Additional Features

Instant Fuel Savings at Petro-Canada

Link your card and instantly save 3¢/L on fuel 4 and always earn 20% more Petro-Points at Petro-Canada 5 . For more details click here .

Earn more Be Well points at Rexall

Link this card with your Be Well card to:

• Get 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall 11
• Redeem Be Well points faster for savings in store on eligible purchases 12 ; 25,000 Be Well points = $10

Get $0 delivery fees for 12 months from DoorDash 13

Add your eligible RBC credit card to your DoorDash account to:

• Get a 12-month complimentary DashPass subscription 14 – a value of almost $120
• Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card

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Get Boingo Wi-Fi for Mastercard Cardholders nearly everywhere you go 6

Your RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard keeps you connected with access to over 1 million Wi-Fi hotspots around the world with Boingo Wi-Fi for Mastercard Cardholders - register today at mastercard.boingo.com

Credit Card Lock

You can lock your RBC credit card temporarily at any time. Use Credit Card Lock if you’ve misplaced your card, simply log in to the RBC Mobile app and choose the card you want to lock. Learn More

Premium insurance coverage

With rental car insurance 8 and protection for your eligible purchases 7 . For more details, click here .

Mastercard On-demand Apps and Subscription Services

Get exclusive benefits and offers from a variety of on-demand apps and subscription services, like Ritual. Check out all the offers by visiting mastercard.ca/worldelite

Mastercard Travel Rewards 9

Cash back offers await at international retailers and restaurants. Discover a world of Mastercard Travel Rewards cash rebate offers at traveloffers.mastercard.com

Mastercard Airport Experiences provided by DragonPass

Enjoy Mastercard Travel Pass Program provided by DragonPass 2 and benefit from access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, plus valuable airport dining and spa offers.

Save and Earn Faster with RBC Offers

Load personalized offers for great brands before you shop to get cash savings or to earn bonus points faster.

Optional Extras

Optional Add-On Services

Take advantage of all the benefits your credit card has to offer by adding optional services to protect your identity, your family, and your credit card balance:

Add-on Travel Insurance

RBC Road Assist

BalanceProtector Max Insurance

Identity Theft & Credit Protection

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