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Best travel credit cards of June 2025


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- Best starter travel card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best for practical perks: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Best for low cost: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
- Best for foodies: American Express® Gold Card
- Best for sign-up bonus: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best for luxury travel: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best for everyday spending: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
- Best for transfer partners: Bilt Mastercard®
- Best for point values: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Best for hotel bookings: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
- Best for companion tickets: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Best for fair credit: Credit One Bank Wander® Card
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Best starter travel card
Cardholder rating
on Chase's secure site
See Rates & FeesIntro offer
60,000 bonus points
Rewards rate
1x - 5x
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.99% - 28.24% Variable
Why you'll like this: It carries solid travel perks and protections, a great mix of bonus categories, valuable points and flexible redemption.
Reward Details
- 5x5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
- 3x3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
- 2x2x on all other travel purchases.
- 1x1x on all other purchases.
What you should know
Learn more: Why expert Margaret Weck loves using the Chase Sapphire Preferred
Alternatives: If you’re looking for an even simpler travel card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a terrific option. Its flat rewards rate makes it easy to know exactly how much you’ll earn with every purchase and though it can’t match the Sapphire Preferred’s redemption flexibility, it offers more redemption options than the typical travel rewards card.
- You earn Ultimate Rewards points with this card — some of the most valuable and flexible rewards around, especially if you pair it with other Chase cards.
- The card touts significant long-term benefits like anniversary bonus points and travel credits, as well as travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and a car rental collision damage waiver.
- The card doesn’t offer airline- or hotel-specific perks like free checked bags, elite status or free night stays.
- Other travel cards have a better rewards rate in some everyday spending categories.
Card Details
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
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.
Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
Member FDIC
Best for practical perks
Cardholder rating
on Capital One's secure site
See Rates & FeesIntro offer
Earn 75,000 miles
Rewards rate
2 Miles - 10 Miles
Annual fee
$395
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: It's easily worth it thanks to top-tier perks like airport lounge access and annual travel credits.
Reward Details
- 10 Miles10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5 Miles5 Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- 2 Miles2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
What you should know
Learn more: Is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card worth it?
Alternatives: If a high annual fee is no issue, consider The Platinum Card® from American Express. It’s a top choice for frequent travelers thanks to its impressive welcome offer and luxury perks like annual travel credits, lounge access and hotel elite status.
- You’ll get anniversary bonus miles and a chance to earn credits which can easily offset the annual fee.
- You’ll have complimentary lounge access at over 1,300 lounges.
- To earn the anniversary credit, travel must be booked through the Capital One Travel portal, so it's a bit less flexible than other cards.
- The card lacks some perks found on other premium travel cards like airline or hotel elite status, which can get you benefits like free checked bags or room upgrades.
Card Details
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
Enjoy complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations 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
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Best for low cost
Cardholder rating
on Capital One's secure site
See Rates & FeesIntro offer
Earn 20,000 miles
Rewards rate
1.25 Miles - 5 Miles
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: It’s one of the only no-annual-fee travel cards that lets you transfer miles to airline and hotel partners.
Reward Details
- 5 Miles5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 1.25 Miles1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
What you should know
Learn more: Reasons to get the VentureOne Rewards Card
Alternatives: The Discover it® Miles may be better for occasional travelers since it earns a flat 1.5X miles that you can also redeem for cash back at 1-cent per mile, which is unusual for travel rewards.
- The welcome offer is generous for a no-annual-fee travel credit card.
- Booking hotel stays and rental cars through Capital One Travel nets you an impressive 5X miles.
- Unlike several no-annual-fee travel cards, redeeming for non-travel purchases waters down your rewards’ value.
- Capital One has no major U.S. carrier in its line-up of travel partners.
Card Details
$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
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
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
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Best for foodies
Cardholder rating
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees, Terms ApplyIntro offer
Earn 60,000 points
Rewards rate
1X - 4X
Annual fee
$325
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Why you'll like this: Food-related perks are the core of this card — from its annual dining and food delivery credits to its competitive dining rewards rates.
Reward Details
- 4XEarn 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.
- 4XEarn 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.
- 3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- 2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- 1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
What you should know
Learn more: Why I love the Amex Gold
Alternatives: If you want a lower annual fee, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It offers key travel perks, solid travel and dining rewards rates, and different transfer partners.
- This card features one of the best rewards return rates available on dining, groceries and food deliveries.
- This card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees so it’s ideal for international travel.
- It doesn’t include popular premium card perks like airport lounge access or trip protection.
- Rival cards often earn higher reward rates on hotel stays and other travel purchases outside of airfare.
Card Details
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.
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 get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made at restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
$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 U.S. 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.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.
Best for sign-up bonus
Cardholder rating
on Capital One's secure site
See Rates & FeesIntro offer
Earn 75,000 miles
Rewards rate
2 Miles - 5 Miles
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: Its current sign-up bonus is easily one of the most valuable you can get on a mid-tier travel card.
Reward Details
- 5 Miles5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 2 Miles2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
What you should know
Learn more: Why expert Jacqueline DeMarco loves the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a higher rewards rate in some everyday spending categories and potentially more valuable points. Chase points are worth 1.25 cents each if you redeem for travel through Chase and offers more unique transfer partners than Capital One.
- It boasts an especially valuable sign-up bonus and solid perks given its low cost, including a credit for expedited security screening, lost luggage reimbursement and more.
- It’s extra flexible since you can redeem miles for travel bookings and as a statement credit to cover recent travel purchases.
- Its points are only worth 1 cent each if you redeem for travel with Capital One and even less for cash back.
- Though it offers a great return on spend, the card’s sign-up bonus carries a high spending requirement, so it may be tough to earn.
Card Details
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 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 $120 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
Best for luxury travel
Cardholder rating
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees, Terms ApplyIntro offer
Earn 80,000 points
Rewards rate
5X
Annual fee
$695
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Why you'll like this: No other card offers so many annual credits, hotel privileges and valuable travel perks and protections.
Reward Details
- 5XEarn 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®.
What you should know
Learn more: Is the Amex Platinum worth the yearly fee?
Alternatives: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a taste of luxury at a lower cost than many premium travel cards. You can unlock a generous rewards rate on both travel and general purchases, complimentary access to popular airport lounge memberships and valuable annual travel credits and anniversary miles.
- The card has a generous welcome offer and a longer time period to earn it compared to most rewards cards.
- A robust line-up of airline and hotel partners and related perks make this card truly valuable for travelers.
- The annual fee may not be worth it if you don’t travel frequently or can’t take full advantage of the card’s luxury — and often niche — perks.
- Redeeming and maximizing the card’s credit and benefits requires some legwork and can lead to overspending.
Card Details
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.
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.
Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
$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® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
$200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
$199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 per Calendar year in statement credits, when you pay for a CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card.
Receive either a $120 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.
Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
$695 annual fee.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.
Best for everyday spending
Intro offer
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points
Rewards rate
1X - 10X
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
20.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: It’s a great option for occasional travelers thanks to its everyday rewards, practical perks and pairing potential.
Reward Details
- 10XEarn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- 3XEarn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
- 1XEarn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
What you should know
Learn more: Citi Strata Premier benefits guide
Alternatives: If you don’t mind buying groceries online, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could be an even more lucrative everyday rewards card. It has a higher point redemption value and offers excellent trip protection benefits.
- It’s one of the only travel cards that offers a high rewards rate on groceries, dining and gas, so it should work well whether it’s your standalone card or just one part of your card stack.
- Its annual hotel benefit carries enough value to potentially offset the annual fee on its own.
- The annual hotel benefit isn’t very flexible and requires high spending through the travel portal.
- We estimate Citi ThankYou rewards have a lower average redemption value than Chase, Amex and Capital One rewards.
Card Details
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 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
Best for transfer partners
Cardholder rating
Intro offer
N/A
Rewards rate
1X Points - 3X Points
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
See Terms
Why you'll like this: Bonus promotions on the first of each month and excellent transfer partners give this card a unique place in the travel landscape.
Reward Details
- 3X Points3x points on dining
- 2X Points2x points on travel
- 1X Points1x points on other purchases
- 1X PointsEarn 1x points on rent without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points in a calendar year. When you use the card 5 times each statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you'll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.
What you should know
Learn more: Bilt Rent Day
Alternatives: If you like the Bilt card’s travel rewards program but don’t see yourself renting long term, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It earns generously on both travel and dining and also boasts high-value points and transfer partners.
- It’s the only card that helps you avoid the transaction fees typically associated with paying rent with a credit card.
- You’ll get an outstanding set of high-level travel perks and protections for a no-annual-fee card.
- You can only earn 1,000 bonus points on Rent Day and must use your card five times per statement period to earn points.
- There is no sign-up bonus. Most competing travel cards — even those with no annual fee — offer at least a $200 bonus.
Card Details
$0 Annual Fee
Earn 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year
Earns 3x points on dining
Earn 2x points on travel
Earn 1x points on other purchases
Earn double points on the first of each month (excluding rent, up to 1,000 bonus points)
Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points
Earn up to 5x Bilt points on Lyft rides when you link your Bilt account and pay with your Bilt card
Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent payments, credit card statement credits, toward a down payment on a home, etc.
Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms, and conditions
Best for point values
Cardholder rating
on Chase's secure site
See Rates & FeesIntro offer
60,000 bonus points
Rewards rate
1x - 10x
Annual fee
$550
Regular APR
20.24% - 28.74% Variable
Why you'll like this: Points are worth 50 percent more when you redeem via Chase Travel — the best value you can get on a general travel card without transferring points.
Reward Details
- 10xEarn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
- 5xEarn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠.
- 3xEarn 3x points on other travel and dining.
- 1xEarn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
What you should know
Learn more: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth it?
Alternatives: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers some of the same key perks as the Sapphire Reserve at a much lower cost. The card boasts valuable, practical benefits like airport lounge access, solid flat-rate rewards, up to $300 in annual Capital One Travel credits and 10,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary.
- You can kickstart your rewards with one of the most valuable sign-up bonuses on the market.
- Its top-tier benefits include up to $300 in annual travel credits, airport lounge access and exhaustive travel protections.
- The card’s cost could be a deterrent for some new cardholders, especially if they plan on adding multiple authorized users.
- Its reward rates aren’t great outside of travel and dining purchases.
Card Details
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$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 $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Member FDIC
Best for hotel bookings
on Wells Fargo's secure site
See Rates & FeesIntro offer
60,000 bonus points
Rewards rate
1X - 5X
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR
Why you'll like this: It offers a solid mix of reward categories, benefits and travel partners for a reasonable fee.
Reward Details
- 5XEarn unlimited 5X points on hotels
- 4XEarn unlimited 4X points on airlines
- 3XEarn unlimited 3X points on other travel and restaurants
- 1XEarn 1X points on other purchases
What you should know
Alternatives: If you want to earn travel bonus points but don’t actually spend much on hotels and airfare, the lower-tier Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is also worth a look. Though it also earns points on travel, it boasts a great mix of other practical everyday categories (including gas stations).
- It offers solid earning rates on numerous travel and dining purchases.
- The $50 annual statement credit offsets more than half the card’s $95 annual fee and should be a cinch to earn if you fly at least once per year.
- Wells Fargo only offers one other card that earns travel rewards (the Autograph), and there is some category overlap between the two, so they may not be as lucrative as some competing card stacks.
- The card doesn’t carry some popular travel perks available on other mid-tier travel cards, such as credits for expedited airport security screening or rideshares.
Card Details
Apply Now to take advantage of this 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.
Best for companion tickets
Cardholder rating
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees, Terms ApplyIntro offer
Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles
Rewards rate
1X - 3X
Annual fee
$350
APR
20.24%-29.24% Variable
Why you'll like this: The annual companion certificate is easy to earn and carries enough value to offset the annual fee on its own.
Reward Details
- 3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- 2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- 1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
What you should know
Alternatives: The American Express® Green Card could be a great alternative since it charges a lower annual fee, lets you earn and redeem rewards on travel with any eligible airline and offers credits for CLEAR Plus. You can even transfer points to Delta at a 1:1 ratio.
- The card boasts several valuable travel perks, including priority boarding, a free first checked bag and credits for select rideshare services and reservations with Delta Stays and Resy.
- You'll get closer to Medallion Status and discounts on in-flight purchases, complimentary upgrades, and more.
- General-purpose travel cards could potentially offer better rewards value and flexibility for travel outside Delta.
- You won’t get complimentary Delta Sky Club lounge access although airport lounge access is a staple perk for premium travel cards.
Card Details
Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply.
Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
$120 Resy Credit: Get up to $10 in statement credits each month after you pay with your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases.
$120 Rideshare Credit: earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
Receive either a $120 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 Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
$350 Annual Fee.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.
Best for fair credit
Cardholder rating
on Credit One Bank's secure site
See Rates & FeesIntro offer
N/A
Rewards rate
1X - 10X
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
29.49%* Variable
Why you'll like this: It boasts perhaps the highest travel rewards rate you can get with a fair credit score.
Reward Details
- 10X10X points on eligible hotel and car rentals booked using the Credit One Bank travel partner
- 5X5X points on eligible dining, gas, and travel purchases
- 1X1X points on all other purchases
What you should know
Alternatives: If you don’t mind putting down a refundable security deposit, consider the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card*. It’s a unique no-annual-fee secured card that lets you build credit while earning rewards in a category of your choice (including travel) as well as grocery stores and wholesale clubs.
- It’s one of the only travel rewards cards available with a fair credit score, making it a decent option if you want to earn travel rewards as you work on your score.
- Few cards available with fair credit earn such impressive rates in as many bonus categories.
- Its annual fee is high compared to other cards you can get with a fair credit score, so it may not be the best fit if you prioritize building credit over earning rewards.
- Other travel cards may offer better perks, fewer redemption restrictions and more value, so it may be worth working on your score with a lower-cost card before committing to the costly annual fee.
Card Details
5X points on eligible dining, gas, and travel purchases
1X points on all other purchases
10X points on eligible hotel and car rentals booked using the Credit One Bank travel partner
Rent a car at Avis, Hertz, or SIXT and receive exclusive Amex Card member discounts, complimentary upgrades, and more*
No Foreign Transaction Fee
There's no limit to the number of points earned
Points may be redeemed for statement credit, gift cards, travel, and more
If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
Terms Apply*

Remove a card to add another to compare
Remove a card to add another to compare
Compare Bankrate's best travel credit cards of 2025
Rewards highlights | Welcome offer | Learn more | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
| Intro Offer: 60,000 bonus points Hover to learn more Regular APR: 19.99% - 28.24% Variable | $95 | ||
| Intro Offer: Earn 75,000 miles Hover to learn more Regular APR: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable) | $395 | ||
| Intro Offer: Earn 20,000 miles Hover to learn more Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) | $0 | ||
| Intro Offer: Earn 60,000 points Hover to learn more Regular APR: See Pay Over Time APR | $325 | ||
| Intro Offer: Earn 75,000 miles Hover to learn more Regular APR: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable) | $95 | ||
| Intro Offer: Earn 80,000 points Hover to learn more Regular APR: See Pay Over Time APR | $695 | ||
| Intro Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points Hover to learn more Regular APR: 20.24% - 28.24% (Variable) | $95 | ||
| Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: See Terms | $0 | ||
| Intro Offer: 60,000 bonus points Hover to learn more Regular APR: 20.24% - 28.74% Variable | $550 | ||
| Intro Offer: 60,000 bonus points Hover to learn more Regular APR: 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR | $95 | ||
| Intro Offer: Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles Hover to learn more Regular APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable | $350 | ||
| Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: 29.49%* Variable | $95 |
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.
How do travel credit cards work?
Americans are cutting back on travel. A recent Bankrate survey found only 46 percent of Americans plan to travel this summer, and among those who don't plan to travel, 65 percent say it's because they can’t afford to.
But what if I said you could still achieve your dream vacations without breaking the bank? The key may be as simple as getting a travel credit card.
There’s no one-size-fits-all card that best serves every travel need, but the top travel cards earn points or miles with high redemption value, making it easy to offset the cost of your next trip. Many cards also offer perks that can enhance your entire travel experience, like lounge access or free checked bags.
Cash back may be easier to understand, but the rewards you earn with a travel card can be much more valuable depending on how you use them (our points and miles valuation guide can give you a sense of how much a rewards program's points are worth on average). Once you understand point value, you can decide whether a card’s features fit your spending and travel needs.
Points and miles can be challenging to understand at first, but the potential for outstanding value to make your travel dreams come true is too great to dismiss.
I have over 50 cards in my portfolio, and you can feel confident that every card I recommend I’ve used myself in pursuit of amazing experiences. You only live once, so why not find every way you can to make memories in style while making the most of your everyday expenses?
Let’s take a look at how to find the best travel card for you.
I have over 50 cards in my portfolio, and you can feel confident that every card I recommend I’ve used myself in pursuit of amazing experiences.Ryan Flanigan, CCC, Bankrate credit cards writer
How do I choose a travel credit card?
One of the first questions you need to answer before you choose a travel card is: Am I willing to pay an annual fee? That's because most of the top travel cards charge annual fees, which can be quite high on some premium cards.
Premium travel cards usually offer a ton of value if you take advantage of perks like travel credits, elite benefits, lounge access or annual point bonuses. Still, they aren't worth it for everyone.
Whichever route you take, I recommend periodically evaluating whether you're squeezing enough value from your card to justify the price tag. Although a card may advertise hundreds of dollars in potential rewards and perk value, you could be leaving money on the table if you can't actually use those benefits. Conversely, you could be missing out on value by avoiding cards with annual fees.
What kind of traveler are you?
If you only travel once every couple of years, a travel card may not be the best fit. Your best option would likely be one of our best cash back cards. If you need to travel, you can always book and then use cash rewards as a statement credit to offset your expenses.
For everyone else, consider first how frequently you travel or aspire to travel. This will help you identify the card that best fits your needs and whether paying an annual fee makes sense.
If you only travel occasionally, which I think of as less than three times a year, you may get more value out of a card with higher rewards rates on everyday spending. If a card has a high rewards rate in popular categories like groceries and dining, you'll have an easier time earning travel rewards even if you don't actually spend a ton on travel.
If you’re new to traveling, you also don’t want to jump into the deep end too quickly. Look for cards with solid travel rewards and benefits that provide you good value and flexibility as you figure out what interests you most.
I also wouldn’t recommend occasional travelers pay an annual fee over $100, as you may not get enough value from the card's perks.
My recommendation: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. I recommend it anytime someone asks me which card to start with. It’s ranked near the top of almost every best cards list for good reason: It provides outstanding value and flexibility for a reasonable price.
For frequent or business travelers, a card's rewards rate on travel purchases or with the airlines or hotels affiliated with the card will likely be most important. Ideally, you'll also get extra value through everyday bonus categories.
Frequent travelers are also likely to benefit from having multiple cards. When building a card stack, a general travel card is a great starting point. From there, consider combining that card with others from that issuer or with a co-branded card from an airline or hotel you book with regularly.
For you, the goal should be to enhance your experience with perks while earning top rewards on your purchases.
My recommendation: Pair cards that work well together based on your spending and favorite travel providers. For example, I often stay at Hyatt hotels, so I use the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The World of Hyatt Credit Card* to earn points and elite status I can use while traveling or during my stay. The Sapphire Reserve offers outstanding travel perks and protections, including lounge access, while the Hyatt card gets me perks like free breakfast, free night awards and late checkout. These benefits carry a ton of value for me since I stay with Hyatt multiple times a year.
If you enjoy traveling abroad or want to travel in style, you should save up your points and maximize your redemption value, whether you book economy or business class tickets.
I focus on transferring American Express Membership Rewards points to international airline partners, which can provide some of the best value you’ll find with any travel card.
Even though I only take one or two international trips a year, I’ll save up my points all year so I can splurge on business class tickets to make the longer flight much more bearable. Plus, perks from my Amex cards like expedited security screening and lounge access help me enhance my travel experience.
My recommendation: If you can handle the cost, pair the American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express for one of the best combinations of earnings and perks possible. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card also gives you excellent perks and solid international partners and may be a better fit if you're focused on practical travel perks over luxury.
As long as you can get solid redemption value and loyalty benefits, you may benefit from having rewards tied to one airline or hotel. You should consider a co-branded travel card if you often book with a specific airline or hotel and want to maximize your benefits with that brand.
Co-branded cards tend to offer higher rewards rates than general travel cards, but limit your redemption options to a specific program. They also feature brand-specific perks — such as free award nights, complimentary elite status or free checked baggage — which general-purpose travel cards don’t carry.
That said, depending on the value of the rewards you earn, a high rewards rate on a co-branded card may be less lucrative than a lower rate on a general travel card.
My recommendation: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer because everyone’s travel preferences are different. The card that's best for you is the one that enhances and rewards your frequent travel. For example, since I stay in hotels all over the world, I favor co-branded hotel cards like the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, which helps me earn more rewards and free night awards at a reasonable cost.
How will I redeem points?
The value of a travel card's rewards and perks is one of the biggest factors to consider when deciding which card is best for you.
Bankrate’s latest points and miles valuations can help you tell if you’re getting a good deal on your redemptions. While the points and miles you earn with general travel cards are typically worth around 1 cent each when redeemed for travel, some programs' rewards are more flexible and often worth more than 1 cent apiece with the right travel redemption or travel transfer partner. Airline and hotel points are a bit more limited but can still offer solid value when used strategically.
For flexible booking options
General travel cards make the most sense when you have no preferred airline or hotel and want flexibility.
Credit card reward programs typically earn points or miles that offer varying redemption values based on how you use them.
Most major rewards programs also partner with airline and hotel loyalty programs, allowing you to transfer your points to those programs. Doing so may allow you to get a higher redemption value.
General travel cards may not have brand-specific perks such as in-flight discounts or extra hotel amenities, but they make up for it with flexible rewards and wider-reaching perks like travel credits, boosted redemption value for booking through the issuer’s travel portal, credits for expedited security screening and comprehensive airport lounge access perks.
Consider each program's redemption options and values. Each issuer has a unique set of airline and hotel transfer partners. While some airlines and hotels partner with multiple issuers, others may only partner with one. I recommend aiming for a minimum 1-cent-per-point redemption value.
Here is our estimated baseline redemption value (assuming you book for travel with the issuer) and our valuation, which averages redemption values for the program’s best-value transfer partners.
Rewards program | Baseline value | Bankrate value* | Estimated value of 50,000 points/miles |
---|---|---|---|
Bilt Rewards | 1.25 cents | 2.1 cents | $1,050 |
Citi ThankYou Points (Citi Strata Premier℠ Card) | 1.0 cents | 1.6 cents | $800 |
Chase Ultimate Rewards (Chase Sapphire Preferred and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card) | 1.25 cents | 2.0 cents | $1,000 |
American Express Membership Rewards | 1 cent | 2.0 cents | $1,000 |
Capital One Miles | 1 cent | 1.7 cents | $850 |
*Based on an average of the issuer’s five highest-value transfer partners (if available).
With specific airlines or hotels
Airline miles and hotel points can fluctuate in value and are generally much less flexible than points earned with general travel cards.
The optimal — and sometimes only — use for airline and hotel rewards is with their specific program. Many airlines and hotels use dynamic pricing models that continually update airfare and room prices based on factors including where you’re going and when you book, so you could get significantly better or worse redemption value than average depending on your specific booking.
Hotel points tend to be worth less than airline and credit card rewards on average, often less than 1 cent per point in redemption value. That said, hotel loyalty programs sometimes offer more favorable exchange rates when you transfer rewards from a credit card rewards program. For example, you may be able to turn 1,000 credit card points into 2,000 hotel points (a 2:1 transfer ratio).
Before you redeem, be sure to check the redemption value of your rewards by dividing the cash cost of a plane or hotel booking by its cost in points or miles. The table below shows Bankrate’s estimated reward redemption value for some of the top loyalty programs. These values are averages based on a variety of fare classes, destinations and booking periods.
The table below shows Bankrate’s estimated reward redemption value for the loyalty programs of the most popular airlines (in terms of passengers carried).
Keep in mind, however, that these values are averages based on a variety of fare classes, destinations, booking periods and more. For example, while Bankrate estimates Delta SkyMiles carry an average redemption value of around 1.2 cents per mile, they could be worth more or less depending on the details of your booking.
Rewards program | Bankrate value* | Estimated value of 50,000 points/miles |
---|---|---|
American Airlines AAdvantage | 1.0 cents | $500 |
Delta SkyMiles | 1.2 cents | $600 |
United Airlines MileagePlus | 0.9 cents | $450 |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | 1.5 cents | $750 |
*Based on weighted average of median point/mile values across economy and first/business class fares.
Like airline miles, hotel points fluctuate in value. The table below shows Bankrate’s estimated point values for some of the most popular hotel brands.
As you can see, hotel points tend to be worth less than airline and credit card rewards on average, often worth less than 1 cent per point in redemption value. That said, hotel loyalty programs sometimes offer more favorable exchange rates when you transfer rewards from a credit card rewards program. For example, you may be able to turn 1,000 credit card points into 2,000 hotel points (a 2:1 transfer ratio).
Rewards program | Bankrate value* | Estimated value of 50,000 points/miles |
---|---|---|
World of Hyatt | 2.3 cents | $1,150 |
Hilton Honors | 0.6 cents | $300 |
IHG One Rewards | 0.7 cents | $350 |
Marriott Bonvoy | 0.7 cents | $350 |
*Based on median point values across budget, mid-tier and luxury hotel bookings.
If you’re considering a co-branded card, take a look at our picks for the best airline cards or best hotel cards to get a better sense of your options. I only recommend co-branded cards if you know you’ll use the brand-specific perks regularly, like free night awards or elite status. I re-evaluate these cards annually to make sure they continue to provide enough ongoing value to justify their spot in my wallet.
How to maximize your travel rewards
Once you’ve figured out your ideal card, it’s important to know how to maximize your rewards and perks.
If you’re willing to put in the effort, you can significantly boost the value of your points and miles. You don’t need to go to the extent I do, but here are some of my biggest tips for making the most of your travel cards.
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With so many flat-rate and bonus category options to choose from, you should easily be able to earn substantial rewards for your everyday spending. Since there’s no getting around spending money in your everyday life, the goal should be to get the maximum return possible as often as possible. I aim to earn a minimum value of 2 cents per dollar spent on every purchase through a combination of different cards.
My recommendation: I prefer to combine multiple cards, but if you only want to use one card for most of your spending, I recommend the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, which earns rewards at a great rate on both travel and in all the key everyday spending categories (including groceries, dining and gas).
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My primary goal when redeeming rewards is to ensure every point gets me at least 1 cent per point in redemption value, regardless of the card or program.
Travel points and miles typically lose value if you redeem for non-travel options like cash back, so I never use them that way. I either book travel through an issuer portal or transfer points to one of the issuer's airline or hotel partners. Rewards can hold a much better value if you transfer to the right partner program — sometimes 2 cents per point or more.
Research the partners offered and compare the value to find the best fit.
My recommendation: Transfer Membership Rewards to international airline partners. This is how I get my most valuable redemptions and is how I handled my trip to Australia.
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Travel benefits are one of the main reasons to get a travel card and are often key to making up a card’s annual fee.
When I chose my travel cards, I closely examined the perks to determine how much they would help or benefit me, and now I make sure to take full advantage of them whenever possible. For example, the right combination of cards for your trip could give you free checked baggage, airport lounge access, priority boarding, in-flight credits, reimburse you for delayed baggage and cover an Uber ride to your hotel.
While not all perks have monetary value, consider how they might make your travel experience easier. I like to stack as many perks as possible when I travel for the best possible experience.
My recommendation: For the full luxury travel experience, get The Platinum Card® from American Express. Just make sure you’ll use enough of its perks to offset the high cost (which isn’t as difficult as you might think).
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The best travel cards come with generous welcome offers, but earning these bonuses may require a lot of spending in a short timeframe. Make sure you have a plan and be sure not to overextend yourself just to earn a bonus. If you can't pay off your balance quickly, interest and fees can easily eat through any value you get from the bonus.
Also keep an eye out for limited-time bonus offers when available— some of which can be extraordinarily high — and other reward-earning opportunities or perks with partners. This can help you squeeze even more value from your new travel card.
My recommendation: Find the best credit card bonus you can afford to earn that offers points you know you’ll use. Limited-time offers with high value should get priority. Remember that the bonus with the most points isn’t necessarily the best choice since point values can differ greatly.
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Stacking rewards cards will allow you to maximize your earnings across a variety of bonus categories while earning multiple bonuses and additional perks.
Start with a flat-rate rewards card so you can earn points at a boosted rate on every purchase you make. Next, add cards that earn rewards in your biggest spending categories. I combine cards from the same issuer if they allow me to pool points together. This helps me earn a great rate on every purchase without juggling too many issuer accounts.
My recommendation: The Chase trifecta is my favorite card combination since it covers several key spending categories and lets me pool Ultimate Rewards points to maximize their travel redemption value.
How our experts use travel cards
Our experts use travel rewards in various ways, showing that there are many different approaches for getting the most out of travel credit cards. Here's a look at how some of our experts build their travel strategy.
Bankrate staff insights
The simple approach
“I need simplicity in my life and my credit cards, so my pick is the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card. It makes earning miles a cinch with its unlimited flat rewards rate. Redemption is flexible, too — I can use miles to book travel, get reimbursed for past trips or even transfer miles to more than 15 airline and hotel partners.”

Maximizing card features
“I’ve typically stuck with cash back cards, preferring the simplicity of knowing exactly how much my rewards are worth and the ease of redeeming for statement credits. Recently, though, I decided I wanted to travel a bit more, and to my surprise, the card that stood out most was the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. It offers a flat rewards rate that makes it easy to earn miles on everything I buy, flexible redemption through Capital One or via transfer to partnering airlines and hotels, and practical perks I know I’ll actually use when I travel.”

Taking advantage of brand loyalty
“As a frequent Southwest flyer, I chose the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card as my first travel card. I get rewarded for Southwest purchases, hotels, ride-sharing and select streaming services, and I usually swipe the card for any purchase that doesn’t earn extra rewards with my cash back card. In other words, points are my priority. The welcome bonus, annual bonus and rewards I’ve earned have covered most of my flights in the last two years. Plus, I get a $75 travel credit and four free upgraded boardings a year.”

Putting our advice into action
Ask the experts: Is it a good idea to have multiple travel credit cards?

Thomas Nitzsche
Financial Educator, Debt and Credit
Whether you should have multiple travel credit cards depends on several factors, including your brand affinity, frequency of travel and ability to pay off your cards in full each month. As a credit counselor, I see many people carrying credit card debt at high interest rates while continuing to make charges to the account for the sake of earning rewards. They lose far more than they earn each month. Having more than one travel credit card could make sense for you if you’re able to maximize your earnings by strategizing spending across each card. Just take into account annual fees and actual interest paid.

Stephanie Zito
Contributor, Personal Finance
If you’re up for managing multiple cards and their benefits, then there are definitely big reward payouts to be had. But if the thought of multiple cards is overwhelming, it’s also a good strategy to have one or two more flexible cards and focus on maximizing your earnings and redemptions until it becomes second nature.

Erica Sandberg
Contributor, Credit Cards
Definitely! I currently have two travel credit cards. In addition to the Chase card that I use for my United Airlines purchases, I have the Capital One Venture card for all other airlines. I earn a solid amount of miles on everything I buy with it, so it's an easy go-to for non-travel related expenses.
*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.
*Information about The World of Hyatt Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuers.
Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards
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It’s possible to get a travel credit card with bad or fair credit, but most travel rewards cards are geared toward people with good or excellent credit (a FICO score of at least 670, or a VantageScore of at least 661).
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Even though many major credit cards earn rewards that don’t expire, you may lose your points and miles if your account closes or isn’t in good standing. However, some co-branded cards’ rewards may expire if you don’t earn or redeem rewards within a certain timeframe (typically 12 to 36 months after the rewards are earned).
Check out our guide to credit card rewards expiration for a thorough breakdown of several popular issuers’ policies.
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Whether points or miles offer better value will depend on the specific rewards program and how you redeem rewards. One airline loyalty program may earn miles that offer less than 1 cent each in average redemption value while another program’s points may offer close to 3 cents each on average. Similarly, a hotel card’s points may be worth less than half of a credit card issuer’s rewards points. Some programs offer points with only average baseline redemption value but more flexibility and higher value when transferred to a partner airline or hotel.
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I recommend people adopt an “earn and burn” strategy towards points and miles. The value of cash rewards doesn't change, but points and miles generally only lose value over time and don’t have the flexibility of cash. Your goal should be to use your points whenever you’re getting good redemption value.
How we assess the best travel credit cards
We select cards for “Best” credit cards pages based primarily on how cards score in our proprietary card rating system, our editors’ subjective assessment of card quality, card approval odds and credit requirements and unique card features.
Cards typically must score a minimum of 3.0 stars to be included on a “Best” list. However, we may include cards with scores below 3.0 if they have low credit requirements or unique features — despite their scores, these cards may still be among the “best” in certain categories. Card ratings are not influenced by advertisers or issuer relationships in any way.
Card selection and ordering may vary based on business considerations, including Bankrate visitor interest, site interactions and card application volume. Affiliate commissions (see how we make money), limited-time offers and a card’s general popularity in the product landscape may also influence which cards we feature on our pages and the order in which they appear. Bankrate’s editorial and business teams also strive to feature a variety of card types from various issuers.
We analyzed over 150 of the most popular cards and scored each based on its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup of the best travel cards.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the key factors in our rewards card scoring methodology — our primary scoring category for travel cards — and details we considered when putting together our list of the best travel cards.
Overall rating
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Value 65%
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Flexibility 15%
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Perks 15%
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Customer experience 5%
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The primary criteria for a rewards-earning card’s rating is its rewards value. This includes the card’s average rewards rate, estimated annual rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value and reward redemption value.
To estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings, we first calculate its average rewards rate based on how much it earns in different bonus categories and how closely its categories align with the average person’s spending habits. In other words, we assess whether the card earns rewards at a high rate in the most popular spending categories.
We use consumer spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to get a reliable third-party measure of people’s spending habits. The most recent BLS data estimates average total spending in 2023 was $77,280 per consumer. We then narrow our focus to which purchases are likely to be put on a credit card and earn rewards, subtracting expenditures like housing, vehicle purchases and education. This gives us a total “chargeable” annual spend of around $25,500.
This includes the following spending by category:
- Groceries: $6,000
- Dining out: $3,900
- Entertainment: $2,500
- Gas: $2,400
- Apparel and services: $2,000
Using this data, we assign a weighting to each of a card’s bonus categories. For example, a card’s grocery rewards rate receives a 26 percent weighting based on how much of the average person’s budget is spent on groceries.
We also estimate the redemption value of points or miles from various issuer, airline and hotel rewards programs.
This weighting and rewards valuation allows us to estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings — how many points or miles you’d earn with a given card if your spending was about average and you used the card for all of your purchases — as well as what those points are worth. We also use point valuations to determine a card’s sign-up bonus value
With these calculations complete, we assign each card a score based on how its average rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value, rewards rate and redemption value stack up against other rewards cards.
The better these values, the higher its score will be, making it more worthy of inclusion in our list and increasing its potential ranking.
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We also score cards based on how much it costs to keep them in your wallet or carry a balance.
To start, each card is scored based on whether it offers an intro APR and how its ongoing APR compares to the rates available on other rewards cards. However, the latter rating only has a slight influence on the card’s score and whether the card is included in our list, since rewards card users generally try to avoid carrying a balance.
More important to both a card’s score and its inclusion in our list is how its annual fee influences its overall value. We consider a card’s annual fee in two ways — how it ranks relative to the fees you’ll find on other cards in the category and how it impacts a card’s overall rewards value.
Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value. However, if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score and a spot in our list even if it carries a high annual fee. After all, the highest rewards rates and most valuable perks are often found on cards with annual fees.
With this in mind, we rate a card based primarily on how its ongoing rewards value and ongoing perk value (such as annual credits or bonuses) stack up against those of other cards in the category when you subtract annual fees.
That said, we strive to include as many no-annual-fee options in our list as possible since many people would rather not worry about offsetting fees, even if a card carries impressive rewards and perks.
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Rewards cards may make it easy to earn a lot of points, miles or cash back, but how easy is it to use those rewards? After all, if it takes a ton of effort to redeem rewards or you can only redeem rewards in a couple of ways, a card may be more trouble than it’s worth.
As such, we rate each card’s flexibility based on the restrictions it imposes on earning and redeeming rewards. We factor this rating into a card’s overall score and consider it when deciding on a card’s inclusion in our list.
Flexibility factors include whether a card only allows you to earn a high rewards rate on only a small amount of spending or requires you to meet a certain earning threshold before you can redeem rewards. We also examine whether your points are worth less when you opt for some redemption options over others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to travel partners.
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We also score each card’s set of features – its perks and benefits — against five tiers of features to provide a rating.
We break down these tiers as follows:
- Tier 1 includes fewer features than even standard credit cards (for example, an ultra-streamlined card that offers basic utility and next to nothing in the way of ancillary benefits).
- Tier 2 includes the benefits you’d expect on standard Visa or Mastercard credit cards, such as free access to your credit score, car rental insurance and $0 liability for fraudulent charges.
- Tier 3 includes “prime card” or better-than-average card features like cellphone insurance, lost luggage insurance, concierge services and purchase protection.
- Tier 4 includes luxury features such as airport lounge access, elite status with an airline or hotel and credits for expedited security screening membership programs.
- Tier 5 includes the sort of exemplary benefits you’ll find on top-tier luxury cards, such as high-value travel credits, cardholder memberships and other unique and valuable perks.
In evaluating the best cards, we tend to favor cards that offer at least Tier 3 benefits, unless they include other unique features that could make up for less-impressive perks.
And since this list focuses on travel cards, we tend to favor cards that carry travel-centric features like travel insurance, airport lounge access and credits for expedited security screening, instead of more general perks like food delivery credits or shopping discounts.
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We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.
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“2023 Allianz Partners Big Book of Travel Data.” IdeaWorksCompany. Accessed on Apr. 9, 2025.
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“Consumer Expenditures 2023,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed on Apr. 9, 2025.
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