Travel rewards credit cards are great for anyone who loves to travel. This card lets you pay for your most expensive travel expenses, including luxury hotel stays and first-class airfare. There are also travel cards that allow you to access lounges at airports and offer travel insurance. You can also get free upgrades for travel bookings. You won't have to pay any foreign transaction fees for purchases made abroad with nearly all these cards.
The best travel credit cards can offer a lot of value. It is important to choose a travel credit card that suits your lifestyle, budget, and travel preferences. Our experts compared all current credit card offers to find the best. You will find the right travel card for you, no matter what kind you are looking for.
The best travel rewards credit cards
- Premium travel rewards: Capital One Venture X Rewards Card
- No annual fee for a travel card: Bank of America (r) Travel Rewards credit card
- Lounges at airports: American Express
- Business travel: Ink Business Preferred(r), Credit Card
- Travel and dining: Citi Premier(r), Card
- Unlimited rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Sign up bonus and points transfer: Chase Sapphire Preferred(r) Card
- Loyalists of Bank of America: Bank of America(r), Premium Rewards(r), credit card
- Hotel Rewards and Benefits: Marriott Bonvoy(r) Credit Card
- Reward and benefits for airline passengers: Delta SkyMiles (r) Gold American Express Card
- Students: Bank of America (r) Travel Rewards Credit card for students
What is the process of travel credit cards?
When you use your travel credit card, you earn travel rewards These travel rewards can be called miles or points. To pay for your travel purchases, you can redeem travel reward points. The card will determine how this is done. You can redeem rewards on travel cards through loyalty programs, such as airline or hotel credit cards. You can also redeem points at a fixed rate such as $0.01 percent. These points can be used to pay for travel in cash. Many redemption options are available on some of the top travel credit cards.
Different types of travel rewards credit card cards
There are four types of travel rewards credit card cards. Below is a description of each type.
Airline credit cards
A frequent flyer program is a loyalty program that links an airline credit card to an airline credit card. You can earn miles by using an airline credit card. Redeem your miles to get award airfare. You may be able to buy a ticket for as low as $250, or even 25,000 miles. You may be able to get additional perks from your airline credit cards, such as free checked baggage or access to the airport lounge.
Hotel credit cards
A hotel loyalty program is linked to a credit card for hotel rooms. You can earn rewards points by using a hotel credit card. Redeem your points to redeem for hotel stays. For example, you can pay 30,000 points per night rather than $150 per night. Many hotel chains offer additional perks through their hotel credit cards. These could include free late checkout, elite status within the hotel loyalty program, and a free night every year.
Fixed-rate travel credit cards that offer fixed-rate rewards
You can redeem your travel rewards for cash purchases with a travel credit card that has fixed rates. This way, rewards are equal in value to travel. If your card has a $0.01 per point rate, 10,000 points will always equal $100. You can use your card's rewards to make travel purchases or use them in the travel portal of the card issuer to book travel.
Transferable rewards on travel credit cards
You can transfer your rewards to loyalty programs with a travel credit card that has transferable rewards. If your travel card offers rewards that you can transfer to Hyatt Hotels or Southwest Airlines, you could then send your points to those programs. Your points would allow you to book travel via that loyalty program.
Travel credit cards have many benefits
You can travel more easily and enjoy more perks with your travel credit card. Here are some benefits of travel cards. You can search for cards with the features you desire once you have identified your preferences.
Purchase Rewards: Travel credit card members can earn rewards for purchases and redeem them for travel free of charge. You can earn higher rewards with many of the most well-known travel cards than the standard rate by adding bonus categories. You can maximize your rewards by choosing a card that has bonus categories that match your spending habits.
Sign-up bonus: Many travel cards come with a sign-up bonus. This is a large portion of the rewards you can get as a new cardholder. You must agree to the terms in order to receive the bonus. This typically means spending a minimum of $3,000 on your card in the first three months.
Access to the airport lounge: Premium travel credit cards and airline credit cards often offer complimentary access to airport lounge programs. This perk is great for those who spend a lot at airports. It makes waiting for their flight easier.
Checked luggage free of charge: Many airline credit card programs allow you to check one or several bags at no cost. This benefit may be shared depending on which card you have.
One of the most common features of hotel credit cards is a free night certificate every year. These certificates are subject to terms and can only be used at properties that are not very expensive. They can save you up to $100.
Travel protections - Cards often offer complimentary protections for eligible purchases, such as:
- Insurance for car rental damage and loss
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Trip delay insurance
- Refunds for lost luggage
Spending credit: Premium travel cards that have high annual fees often offer spending credits to offset their fees. These credits are automatically applied to eligible purchases. Here are some examples:
- A TSA Precheck, Global Entry, or CLEAR membership credit
- A credit card that covers travel expenses for an annual amount
- Monthly credit for Uber, DoorDash, or other popular apps
Elite loyalty program status: Usually, you need to make a lot of bookings in order to achieve elite status in hotel and airline loyalty programs. You can cut costs by getting credit cards that offer cardholders elite status in one or more loyalty programs.
How to compare travel credit card offers
Start by choosing the type of travel card you are interested in to compare travel credit cards. This will allow you to narrow down your choices. You can also cross off hotel cards if you don’t frequent hotels.
You should choose the top travel credit cards for you. The Ascent's tool to Compare Credit Card Offers is the easiest way to assess them. Multiple cards can be selected and compared side-by-side. You can also pull up the pages of each travel card you wish to compare.
Here are some things to consider once you have your best credit card.
- Annual fee: While most travel credit cards have annual fees, the amounts can vary a lot. Some cards cost less than $100 each year. Premium credit cards can cost more than $500. You should ensure that the card you choose is within your budget and that the benefits are greater than the annual fee. If you prefer, you can opt for travel cards without an annual fee.
- Sign-up bonus: One advantage to travel cards is the largest sign-up bonus available. Compare the bonus offers from your cards and the amount that you would need to spend on eligible purchases in order to get each bonus.
- Rewards rate - Travel cards often come with bonus categories that allow them to earn more, such as 3 points for every $1 spent on dining. Other cards earn the same rate for purchases. For example, 2 points per $1 for all eligible purchases regardless of category. Find the card that best suits your spending habits.
- Additional Benefits: Travel rewards cards offer many benefits, including complimentary status with hotels and airlines as well as travel insurance policies. To determine the value of each card, review its extras.
Tips to choose the best travel rewards credit cards
There are so many travel credit card options available that it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. It doesn't have to be difficult. These tips will help you find the right travel rewards credit card.
You should be focused on how you will use your travel rewards. First, you need to determine which card's rewards program is best for you. Are you a frequent flyer with the same airline? A credit card for airlines that allows you to earn miles with the same carrier is probably a good choice. You want to ensure that you have a wide range of travel options. Travel cards that offer fixed-rate or transferable rewards are the best option.
If you are unsure, you can get a travel credit card with transferable rewards. Look for travel cards that are part of major credit card rewards programs, such as Chase Ultimate Reward, American Express Member Rewards, or Citi ThankYou Receipts. These card issuers have a large number of hotel and airline partners so they offer excellent credit cards to international travelers.
Consider the benefits of these additional benefits. Some cards offer travel perks that can help you save money and make your trip more enjoyable. Consider which benefits will add value to you and which won't. This will allow you to quickly evaluate the card's features and determine if it is right for you.
Choose a card that offers a lot of travel rewards. It's a great idea to sign up for a card with high rewards rates and a generous sign-up bonus. You should consider at least one of these options, even if you don't qualify for them. You'll save more money on travel if you have more points.
What are the travel rewards worth?
There are many loyalty programs available, each with its own travel rewards. It can be difficult to compare these travel rewards. Are Southwest and Delta miles worth the same or are they more valuable than one another?
We have estimated approximate values for airline and hotel reward points based on their usual value. These are the most common values for major hotel loyalty programs and airlines. You might get more or less depending upon how you redeem them.
Values in Airline Rewards
| AIRLINE | VALUE FOR EACH MILE |
|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines | $0.016 |
| American Airlines | $0.014 |
| Delta Air Lines | $0.013 |
| Frontier Airlines | $0.010 |
| JetBlue Airways | $0.014 |
| Southwest Airlines | $0.014 |
| Spirit Airlines | $0.011 |
| United Airlines | $0.013 |
Based on The Ascent’s valuation
Hotel rewards values
| HOTEL | VALUE PEOPLE |
|---|---|
| Best Western | $0.007 |
| Choice Hotels | $0.006 |
| Hilton | $0.005 |
| Hyatt | $0.016 |
| IHG | $0.006 |
| Marriott | $0.007 |
| Radisson | $0.004 |
| Wyndham | $0.009 |
Based on The Ascent’s valuation
What is the best travel credit card for me?
If you are a frequent traveler and have good credit, a travel credit card may be right for you.
You'd expect that a travel card that works well for you will be more effective if you travel more. A travel card should allow you to take two to three trips each year. A travel rewards card is likely to be very valuable if you travel more than this. For those who don't travel as often, you might consider other rewards credit card.
A good credit score is required for most of the top travel credit cards. A FICO(r), Score of 670 is required to be approved.
Alternatives to travel credit card
Are you unsure if a credit card for travel is right for you? These are some of the most well-known alternatives.
Cash back credit cards
Cash back credit cards earn rewards for purchases. It earns cash rewards, and not travel rewards. Cash back can be used to pay your credit card bill or as a deposit in your bank account. Cashback cards are great options for those who aren't frequent travelers but still want to earn credit card rewards. Many cash back credit cards do not have an annual fee, so it can be easier to get the reward.
Bad credit cards
Bad credit cards are available even if your credit score is low or you don't have any credit history. It's unlikely that you will be eligible for a travel credit card in this situation. It's better to apply for a travel credit card after building your credit.
0% intro APR credit cards
An intro APR credit card at 0% doesn't charge interest during the initial period. There are two types of 0% intro APR credit cards:
- Get a 0% Intro APR credit card: This offers a 0% intro rate on purchases. These cards are useful for large purchases that you cannot pay off immediately.
- Balance credit cards: These offer an introductory APR of 0% on balance transfers. These cards allow you to refinance your credit card debt while avoiding interest charges for the duration of the intro period.
If you require both purchases and balance transfers, there are credit cards that offer a 0% intro rate on purchases.
Terms used in travel credit cards
Access to airport lounges: Credit card feature that allows cardholders to access certain airport lounges at no cost or at a reduced rate.
An annual fee for credit cards: This is a fee that is charged once a year. The annual fees for travel credit cards can range from $0 up to $500.
Bonus Category: This is a spending category where a credit card earns bonuses. A travel credit card can earn 5 points for every $1 spent on air travel, while regular purchases only get 1 point.
Credit card rewards program A loyalty program offered to customers by credit card companies. These are the most popular credit card reward programs:
- Chase Ultimate Reward
- American Express Membership Rewards
- Capital One Venture Reward
- Citi ThankYou Reward
The Elite status is Any status that is higher than the basic or introductory tier of a loyalty program for travel providers. Many airlines and hotels have several tiers to their loyalty programs. Elite status tiers provide more benefits. Each tier requires that you spend a minimum amount of money or make a minimum number bookings to be eligible for it. As an added perk, some travel cards offer elite status in loyalty programs.
Foreign transaction fees: Credit card fees that are charged for transactions in foreign currencies and transactions that go through international bank branches. Most travel credit cards don't charge foreign transaction fees.
Loyalty Program: A loyalty program that a business offers to customers in order to build customer loyalty. Members can receive special rewards through loyalty programs. These loyalty programs are popular with hotels and airlines, and offer travelers the chance to redeem rewards for free travel. These programs are also known as loyalty programs and frequent flyer programmes.
Redemption options These are the ways travel rewards can be used. These options vary depending on the loyalty program and type of travel reward.
Rewards rate A credit card's earning per $1. Some credit cards offer the exact same amount for every purchase. For example, 2 points per $1 for all eligible purchases. Some cards offer greater bonuses.
New cardholders can get a credit card bonus by signing up for a sign-up bonus. Sign-up bonuses usually require you to spend a certain amount within a specified time period in order to earn the bonus amount. A welcome bonus is another common term for sign-up bonuses.
Spending credit: Statement credit to be used towards one or more purchases from your credit card bill. Spending credits are offered by some travel credit cards. They can be used for specific purchases within a specified time period. A travel card might offer $300 annually credit toward travel purchases.
Transferable rewards/points/miles: Rewards that can be transferred to the loyalty programs of multiple travel providers. Because they can be used to book travel with multiple airlines and/or hotels, transferable rewards are generally the most valuable.
A portal for booking travel online. Numerous major credit card issuers offer travel portals that cardholders can use for booking trips.
Travel Rewards: Loyalty program currency that can redeem for travel. Depending on which loyalty program, travel rewards are often called points and miles.