Who should get a travel credit card?

A travel credit card is almost always a great fit for frequent travelers or anyone who wants to save money and smooth out their next vacation with rewards and perks. However, the right travel card for you will depend on your travel habits. Here are some of the people who should get a travel card: Frequent travelers Travel brand loyalists Travel beginners Business travelers International travelers Luxury travelers

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

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).

Do travel miles or points expire?

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.

Are points or miles better on a credit card?

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.

Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2025

Compare Bankrate's best travel credit cards of 2025

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.

Researching the best travel credit cards

150+

cards rated

50+

rewards programs valued

1800

data points analyzed

40+

perks evaluated

We thoroughly rate and research the best travel credit cards based on key criteria to help you make confident decisions when choosing your next credit card. Learn more about our methodology below.

What makes a great travel credit card?

Determining what makes a great travel credit card involves weighing the pros and cons of each option and considering which overall package best fits your personal spending and travel habits. Here are some things to consider.

Is a travel card right for you?

How to choose the best travel card in 5 steps

The most valuable travel rewards and perks

The value of rewards and perks is one of the biggest factors to consider when choosing a travel card. Many of the best travel cards carry annual fees, so you’ll want to be confident your travel card is giving you back more in value than what it costs annually.

The good news is credit card points and miles are often worth more than cash back since many cards’ points or miles are worth more than 1 cent apiece with the right travel redemption or travel transfer partner. However, 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. Dynamic pricing can make it hard to know if you’re making the most of your rewards without doing a little math.

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.

You can also use Bankrate’s latest points and miles valuations to determine if you’re getting a good deal on your redemptions. Bankrate collected data on hundreds of bookings across dozens of airline, hotel and credit card rewards programs and estimated how much each program’s rewards are worth on average. Below, we’ve listed our valuations for the most popular travel rewards programs, plus the general value you can expect from the best travel card perks.

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.

Unlike hotel and airline rewards programs, credit card reward programs typically earn points or miles that offer a consistent redemption value when you use them with the issuer. Though the redemption value of your rewards may vary based on how you redeem, each redemption method should offer a consistent baseline value.

Some credit card rewards programs may also allow you to transfer your points or miles to airline and hotel loyalty programs, which could boost their value considerably. For each major credit card rewards program, we estimate a baseline redemption value (assuming you book for travel with the issuer) and our valuation, which averages 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).

Determining whether a travel card carries a good selection of perks boils down to gauging whether the perks fit your needs, how they stack up to rival cards’ perks and whether you can reasonably offset the annual fee with the perks’ monetary value. Although some key perks may not have monetary value — like travel insurance and airline or hotel loyalty perks — features like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay insurance and lost luggage reimbursement are coveted travel card perks for frequent travelers.

But in terms of sheer monetary value, these are some of the most valuable benefits you can get with a travel card:

Airline companion passes
Complimentary airport lounge access
Annual travel credits
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Clear Plus memberships
Free hotel award nights

Should you use points/miles or cash for your next trip? Points and Miles Calculator

Expert advice on using travel credit cards

It’s important to know how to maximize your rewards and perks. Otherwise, a travel card could end up being a money pit. Here are a few pointers from our experts for making the most of your travel card:

Combine cards to maximize rewards: Knowing how much you spend in different categories and which merchants are eligible for rewards will help you earn more and build an optimized stack of rewards cards. A flat-rate card is often a great starting point to earn the same rate on every purchase you make. But as you build out a rewards strategy, you can incorporate cards with bonus categories to earn even more in your highest spending areas.
Maximize your rewards value with transfer partners and issuer travel: Travel points and miles often lose value toward non-travel options like cash back, so redeem your rewards for travel through the issuer portal for at least 1 cent per point or mile. However, transferring your rewards to the right airline or hotel partner program is usually worth the extra effort since it could net you even more value.
Make the most of your travel perks: 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. Be sure to take full advantage of these perks. 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. Try to stack as many perks as possible when you travel to give yourself the best possible experience.
Plan for the sign-up bonus: The best travel cards come with generous welcome offers, but these bonuses may require a high spend in a short timeframe. That’s why it’s important to consider whether the spending requirement fits with your typical spending habits. Just be sure not to overextend yourself just to earn a bonus — interest and fees can easily eat through any value you’d get. Keep an eye out for limited-time offers like extraordinarily high sign-up bonuses, perks with partner services and other reward-earning opportunities to possibly squeeze even more value from your new travel card.
Track your spending and rewards each account statement: Track your favorite stores’ and services’ merchant category codes (MCCs) to fine-tune your spending habits for maximum rewards. If you notice your expenses changing, this practice may also help you notice whether you need to change which rewards cards you carry.

Travel card news & views

If you want to add a travel credit card to your portfolio, knowing which cards you’ll qualify for and how you can maximize them can help steer your decision.

So how good does your credit need to be to get approved for the best credit cards for travel?

We analyzed data from Bankrate readers who applied for credit cards on our pages in 2024 and we found that, on average, 55.5 percent of users with excellent credit were approved for travel cards on our site. Users with good and fair credit were less successful, with an average approval rate of 22.2 percent and 28 percent, respectively.

Obviously, the better your credit, the more likely you are to get the card you apply for, but other factors like your income, recent credit applications, homeownership status and monthly rental or mortgage payment can affect your application.

But qualifying for a travel card is just the first step.

Travel cards can provide you with outstanding value, but you have to be willing to put in the effort to find the best one for your travel needs and learn the best ways to maximize your rewards.

If you’re wondering how people determine the best strategic uses for their miles and points, consider this Redditor’s advice:

“I rarely use domestic transfer partners because … the redemption value on domestic transfers is usually not that great anyway. I fly economy for domestic trips because premium seats aren't worth it for me on a short flight, so I won't upgrade to business class just to get better redemption value on points. … International airline transfer partners are the way to go with points because they offer the most value. However, be prepared to spend a lot of time and energy searching for the best deals.”

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Be sure to check the issuer's website/terms and conditions for all up to date content. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

BANKRATE EXPERT FAQ

How Bankrate experts chose their travel cards

Nouri Zarrugh

Senior Editor, Credit Cards

When it comes to earning rewards, 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. Its benefits were so valuable, I barely needed to worry about offsetting the cost. 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.

BANKRATE EXPERT FAQ

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.

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

*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.

Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards

A travel credit card is almost always a great fit for frequent travelers or anyone who wants to save money and smooth out their next vacation with rewards and perks. However, the right travel card for you will depend on your travel habits.

Here are some of the people who should get a travel card:
- Frequent travelers
- Travel brand loyalists
- Travel beginners
- Business travelers
- International travelers
- Luxury travelers

How we assess the best travel credit cards

When evaluating the best travel cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in ourproprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards in popular categories to scoring a large sign-up bonus or high-value perks. Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points.

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 Score

Value 65%
Flexibility 15%
Perks 15%
Customer experience 5%

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.
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.

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.
1. “2023 Allianz Partners Big Book of Travel Data.” IdeaWorksCompany. Accessed on Apr. 9, 2025.
2. “Consumer Expenditures 2023,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed on Apr. 9, 2025.

Ryan Flanigan, CCC Writer, Credit cards

Ryan Flanigan is a Bankrate credit cards writer with more than 10 years of experience using credit cards to help people reach their travel goals.

Nouri Zarrugh Senior Editor, Credit Cards

Nouri Zarrugh is a writer and editor for CreditCards.com and Bankrate, focusing on product news, guides and reviews. His areas of expertise include credit card strategy, rewards…

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.

	Rewards highlights	Welcome offer		Learn more
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Offer ending soon! Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees	1x - 5x Bankrate's rewards value: 2.0 cents per point	Intro Offer: Earn 100,000 intro bonus points Regular APR: 19.99% - 28.24% Variable	$95	Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Limited time offer Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees	2 Miles - 5 Miles Bankrate's rewards value: 1.7 cents per mile	Intro Offer: Earn 75,000 miles + $250 Capital One Travel credit Regular APR: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)	$95	Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees	2 Miles - 10 Miles Bankrate's rewards value: 1.7 cents per mile	Intro Offer: Earn 75,000 miles Regular APR: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)	$395	Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
American Express® Gold Card Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	1X - 4X Bankrate's rewards value: 2.0 cents per point	Intro Offer: Earn 60,000 points Regular APR: See Pay Over Time APR	$325	Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees	1.25 Miles - 5 Miles Bankrate's rewards value: 1.7 cents per mile	Intro Offer: Earn 20,000 miles Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)	$0	Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Hilton Honors American Express Card Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	3X - 7X Bankrate's rewards value: 0.6 cents per point	Intro Offer: Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points Regular APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable	$0	Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card Apply now on Citi's secure site See Rates & Fees	1X - 10X Bankrate's rewards value: 1.6 cents per point	Intro Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points Regular APR: 20.24% - 28.24% (Variable)	$95	Apply now on Citi's secure site See Rates & Fees
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees	1X - 2X Bankrate's rewards value: 1.5 cents per point	Intro Offer: Earn 50,000 bonus points. Regular APR: 20.49% - 27.49% Variable	$69	Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	1X - 3X Bankrate's rewards value: 1.2 cents per mile	Intro Offer: Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles Regular APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable	$350	Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® with Dining, Gas & Travel Rewards Apply now on Credit One Bank's secure site See Rates & Fees	1X - 10X	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: 29.49%* Variable	$95	Apply now on Credit One Bank's secure site See Rates & Fees
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees	1x - 10x Bankrate's rewards value: 2.0 cents per point	Intro Offer: 60,000 bonus points Regular APR: 20.24% - 28.74% Variable	$550	Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees
Bilt Mastercard® Apply now on Bilt's secure site See Rates & Fees	1X Points - 3X Points	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: See Terms	$0	Apply now on Bilt's secure site See Rates & Fees
The Platinum Card® from American Express Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	5X Bankrate's rewards value: 2.0 cents per point	Intro Offer: Earn 80,000 points Regular APR: See Pay Over Time APR	$695	Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees	1X - 5X Bankrate's rewards value: 1.0 cents per point	Intro Offer: 60,000 bonus points Regular APR: 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR	$95	Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees	1X - 3X Bankrate's rewards value: 1.0 cents per point	Intro Offer: 20,000 bonus points Regular APR: 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR	$0	Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees

Best travel credit cards of May 2025

+ Show Summary

Compare Bankrate's best travel credit cards of 2025

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

American Express® Gold Card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® with Dining, Gas & Travel Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Bilt Mastercard®

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Wells Fargo Autograph® Card

Researching the best travel credit cards

What makes a great travel credit card?

High-value rewards

Lucrative bonus categories

Solid ongoing value

Competitive welcome bonus

Flexibility

Loyalty benefits

Practical or luxury perks