contents
- 1 List of 10 Travel Credit Cards
- 2 Best Travel Credit Cards- Choose Which One Suits You Most
- 2.1 Winner: American Express® Gold Card
- 2.2 Best for lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- 2.3 Runner-up: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- 2.4 Pros
- 2.5 Cons
- 2.6 Editor’s choice: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- 2.7 Best Welcome Bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- 2.8 Best For Luxury Travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- 2.9 Best For No Annual Fee: Citi Premier Card
- 2.10 Best For Paying Rent: Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card
- 2.11 Best For Students: Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students
- 2.12 Best For Low Interest: Choice Rewards World Mastercard®
- 2.13 Conclusion
Travel credit cards are credit cards that are designed to help you earn rewards and benefits when you travel. These cards typically offer rewards in the form of points or miles, which can be redeemed for travel-related expenses such as flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. In addition to earning rewards, many travel credit cards also offer additional travel benefits such as travel insurance, airport lounge access, waived foreign transaction fees, and more.
These benefits can help you save money and enhance your travel experience. To maximize the rewards and benefits of a travel credit card, it’s important to use the card for travel-related purchases and to pay off your balance in full each month to avoid paying interest charges.
List of 10 Travel Credit Cards
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Card name
Ratings
Best Travel Credit Cards- Choose Which One Suits You Most
Winner: American Express® Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card is a credit card offered by American Express. It is a rewards credit card that allows cardholders to earn points for every dollar they spend on eligible purchases. The points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including travel, dining, merchandise, and more. Some of the key benefits of the American Express Gold Card include:
Earn Membership Rewards points: Cardholders earn 4X points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 4X points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, 3X points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com, and 1X point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Welcome offer: Cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of Membership Rewards points after they spend a certain amount within the first few months of card membership.
Dining and travel credits: Cardholders can receive up to $120 in annual dining credits and up to $100 in annual airline fee credits. No foreign transaction fees: There are no foreign transaction fees when using the card for purchases made outside the U.S.
Travel Benefits: Cardholders can receive benefits such as room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and late checkout at select hotels when they book through the American Express Hotel Collection.
The American Express Gold Card has an annual fee of $250 (as of the time of writing), which can be offset by the card’s benefits and rewards. It also requires good to excellent credit for approval.
Pros
- Rewards Program
- Welcome Offer
- Dining & Travel Credits
- Travel Benefits
- No Foreign Transaction Fee
- Insurance and Protection
Cons
- Annual Fee
- Not Widely Accepted
- Limited Travel Partners
- High APR
Best for lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express
The American Express Platinum credit card is a high-end rewards credit card that offers users a range of benefits and perks. This card offers a range of travel perks, including airport lounge access, airline fee credits, and hotel status upgrades. Here are some key features and benefits of the card:
Welcome Bonus: The card offers a welcome bonus of 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first 6 months of account opening.
Points Earning: Cardholders earn 5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, and on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com. They also earn 1X points on all other purchases.
Points Redemption: Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, merchandise, and more through the Membership Rewards program. When redeemed for travel through Amex Travel, points are worth 1 cent each.
Travel Benefits: The card offers a range of travel benefits, including airport lounge access (including Centurion lounges), up to $200 in annual airline fee credits, and hotel elite status with select hotel brands.
Other Benefits: The card also offers benefits like up to $200 in Uber credits annually, up to $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits annually, and complimentary access to premium car rental programs.
Annual Fee: The card has a high annual fee of $695. Overall, the American Express Platinum credit card is a great option for frequent travelers who can take advantage of the card’s travel benefits and rewards program.
The high annual fee may be a drawback for some users, but the card’s valuable perks and benefits may make it worth the cost for those who travel often.
Pros
- Generous welcome bonus
- Valuable rewards program
- Valuable travel benefits
- $200 in Uber credits annually
- $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits annually
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- High annual fee
- Limited bonus categories
- Limited Acceptance
- Not Suitable for those who Traveller rarely
Runner-up: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a travel rewards credit card that offers users the opportunity to earn and redeem rewards points for travel expenses. Here are some key features and benefits of the card:
Welcome Bonus: The card offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 miles (equivalent to $600 in travel) after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Points Earning: Cardholders earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, with no limit on the amount they can earn. Miles can be redeemed for travel purchases or transferred to partner airlines and hotels.
Points Redemption: Miles can be redeemed for travel purchases (including flights, hotels, rental cars, and more) through Capital One’s travel portal. They can also be transferred to partner airlines and hotels, including JetBlue, Air Canada, and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.
Travel Benefits: The card offers a range of travel benefits, including up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, travel accident insurance, and 24/7 travel assistance services.
Other Benefits: The card also offers benefits like extended warranty coverage and purchase protection. Annual fee: The card has an annual fee of $95, which is waived for the first year.
Overall, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a good option for frequent travelers who want to earn and redeem rewards points for travel expenses.
The card’s welcome bonus, unlimited points earning potential, and flexible redemption options make it a strong choice for those who want to maximize their travel rewards. The annual fee is reasonable and the card also offers a range of travel benefits and other perks.
Pros
- Generous Welcome Bonus
- Unlimited points earning potential
- Flexible redemption options
- Reasonable annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- $100 credit for Global Entry
- TSA PreCheck
- Travel accident insurance
- 24/7 travel assistance services.
Cons
- Limited bonus categories
- Limited transfer partners
- Not as valuable for non-travel purchases
Editor’s choice: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium travel credit card that offers some great benefits and rewards for frequent travelers. Here are some of the card’s Specialties:
Generous Rewards Program: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, which makes it easy to rack up rewards quickly. Plus, cardholders can earn up to 100,000 bonus miles (worth $1,000 in travel) if they spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
Flexible Redemption Options: Cardholders can redeem their rewards for travel, cashback, gift cards, or even transfer their miles to a number of airline and hotel loyalty programs. This flexibility makes it easy to use your rewards in a way that makes sense for your lifestyle.
Valuable Travel Benefits: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card comes with a range of travel benefits, including up to $300 in annual travel credits, a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit, and a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership for access to airport lounges.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for international travelers.
High-end Perks: The card also offers some high-end perks, such as access to exclusive events and experiences through the Capital One Access program, a 24/7 concierge service, and Visa Infinite benefits like travel and purchase protection.
However, it’s important to note that the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card also comes with an annual fee of $395, which may not be worth it for some cardholders. Additionally, some of the card’s benefits may not be useful for all travelers, so it’s important to evaluate whether the card’s rewards and perks align with your spending habits and travel needs.
Pros
- Generous rewards program
- Flexible redemption options
- Valuable travel benefits
- No foreign transaction fees High-end perks
Cons
- High annual fee
- Limited bonus categories
- High spending requirements for bonus
- Airport lounge access is not Available
- Free checked bags are not Available
- Priority boarding is not included
- Not widely accepted outside of the US
Best Welcome Bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is a popular rewards credit card that offers users the opportunity to earn points on their everyday purchases. This card offers a large signup bonus, great rewards on travel and dining, and no foreign transaction fees. Here are some key features and benefits of the card:
Welcome Bonus: The card offers a substantial welcome bonus of 100,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Points Earning: Cardholders earn 2X points on travel and dining purchases and 1X points on all other purchases.
Points Redemption: Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, cash back, and more through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program. When redeemed for travel through the portal, points are worth 1.25 cents each, making the 100,000-point welcome bonus worth $1,250 in travel.
Travel Benefits: The card offers several travel benefits, including primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and baggage delay insurance. Annual fee: The card has an annual fee of $95.
Overall, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great option for those who travel frequently and want to earn valuable rewards on their purchases. The generous welcome bonus and valuable travel benefits make it a standout choice among rewards credit cards.
Pros
- Generous welcome bonus
- Valuable rewards program
- Valuable travel benefits
- No foreign transaction fees
- Flexible points redemption options
Cons
- Annual fee
- High spending requirement for welcome bonus
- Heavy Weight
Best For Luxury Travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
This card offers a high signup bonus, excellent rewards on travel and dining, and a range of travel benefits such as airport lounge access. The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card is a premium travel rewards credit card that offers a range of benefits and perks. Here are some potential pros of the card:
Generous Rewards Program: The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card offers 3X points on travel (after the $300 annual travel credit) and dining and 1X points on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal or transferred to a number of airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Valuable Travel Benefits: The card comes with a range of travel benefits, including a $300 annual travel credit, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit, and a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership for access to airport lounges.
Additional Perks: The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card also offers additional perks, such as a $60 annual DoorDash credit, Lyft Pink membership, and complimentary car rental insurance.
Flexible Redemption Options: Cardholders can redeem their points for travel, cashback, gift cards, or merchandise. Points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
High-end Benefits: The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card also offers some high-end benefits, such as access to exclusive events and experiences through the Chase Sapphire Reserved Access program, a 24/7 concierge service, and Visa Infinite benefits like travel and purchase protection.
Pros
- $60 annual DoorDash credit
- Lyft Pink membership
- Complimentary car rental insurance
- Cashback
- Gift cards
Cons
- Limited bonus categories
- High spending requirement for bonus
- Not widely accepted outside the US
- Strict application requirements
Best For No Annual Fee: Citi Premier Card
This card offers generous rewards on travel and dining and also includes trip cancellation and interruption protection. The Citi Premier Card is a rewards credit card that offers a variety of benefits and perks. Here are some of the card’s potential pros:
Generous Rewards Program: The Citi Premier Card offers 3X points on travel, including gas stations, 2X points on dining out and entertainment, and 1X points on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, gift cards, and more.
Flexible Redemption Options: Cardholders can redeem their points for travel through the Citi ThankYou portal, which offers a wide variety of airlines and hotels, or for cash back, gift cards, merchandise, and more.
Sign-up Bonus: The Citi Premier Card offers a sign-up bonus of 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Additional Benefits: The card also offers benefits such as no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation, and interruption protection, worldwide travel accident insurance, and more.
Transfer Partners: Points earned with the Citi Premier Card can be transferred to a number of airline and hotel loyalty programs, which can offer even more value for frequent travelers.
Pros
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Trip Cancellation
- Interruption Protection
- Worldwide Travel Accident Insurance
Cons
- Annual fee of $95
- Limited bonus categories
- No high-end travel perks
- Limited transfer partners
- Limited acceptance
Best For Paying Rent: Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card
This card offers rewards on travel and dining, as well as a range of other benefits such as cell phone protection and no foreign transaction fees. The Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card is a rewards credit card that offers a variety of benefits and perks for cardholders. Here are some of the card’s pros:
Generous Rewards Program: The Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card offers 3X points on eating out and ordering in, gas stations, rideshares, transit, flights, hotels, homestays, and car rentals, and 1X points on all other purchases. This makes it easy to earn rewards quickly, especially if you spend a lot on dining out and traveling.
No Annual Fee: Unlike some other rewards credit cards, the Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card doesn’t charge an annual fee, making it a great option for those who want to earn rewards without having to pay extra fees.
Flexible Redemption Options: Cardholders can redeem their rewards for travel, cashback, gift cards, merchandise, and more. There’s no minimum redemption amount, so you can redeem your points as soon as you earn them.
Valuable Travel Benefits: The Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card comes with a range of travel benefits, including no foreign transaction fees, travel accident insurance, and roadside assistance.
Additional Benefits: The card also offers cell phone protection, which can be a valuable benefit for those who frequently use their phone or travel with it. Cardholders can also take advantage of exclusive offers and discounts through the American Express network.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Spacious Storage Travel accident insurance
- Versatile Design
- Comfortable & Adjustable Shoulder Strap Offers cell phone protection
Cons
- Limited bonus categories
- Not as widely accepted
- Limited travel benefits
- Potentially high APR
Best For Students: Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students
This card offers flexible rewards that can be redeemed for travel or statement credits and have no annual fee. The Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card is a travel rewards credit card that offers points for every dollar spent, which can be redeemed for travel expenses. Here are some key features of the card:
Sign-up Bonus: The card offers a welcome bonus of 25,000 points (equivalent to $250 in travel statement credits) after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
Points Earning: You earn 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase, with no limit on the amount you can earn.
Points Redemption: You can redeem your points for travel expenses, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. Points can also be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or charitable donations.
Travel Benefits: The card offers a few travel benefits, including no foreign transaction fees and travel accident insurance.
Other Benefits: The card also offers benefits like extended warranty coverage and purchase protection.
Annual Fee: The card has no annual fee. The Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card is a good option for those who want to earn travel rewards without paying an annual fee.
The card’s welcome bonus and no limit on points earning make it easy to accumulate rewards quickly, and the flexible redemption options provide options for those who don’t want to redeem their rewards for travel expenses. However, the card does not offer as many travel benefits or perks as some other travel rewards cards, so it may not be the best option for frequent travelers looking for more extensive benefits.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Flexible redemption options
- Easy to earn points
- Sign-up bonus
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Limited redemption options
- Average rewards rate
- No bonus categories
- Limited perks
Best For Low Interest: Choice Rewards World Mastercard®
The Choice Rewards World Mastercard® is a credit card that offers a variety of rewards and benefits to its users. Some of the key features of this card include:
- Choice Rewards: This card allows you to earn points on all of your purchases, which can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, gift cards, and more.
- Welcome bonus: New cardholders can earn a bonus of up to 10,000 Choice Rewards points when they make their first purchase with the card.
- No annual fee: This card has no annual fee, which can make it an attractive option for those looking to save money on credit card fees.
- Mastercard benefits: As a Mastercard cardholder, you’ll have access to a range of benefits, including travel insurance, extended warranty coverage, and purchase protection.
- Low-interest rate: The Choice Rewards World Mastercard® offers a competitive interest rate, which can help you save money on interest charges if you carry a balance on your card.
Overall, the Choice Rewards World Mastercard® can be a great choice for those looking for a credit card with rewards and benefits, as well as a low-interest rate and no annual fee. However, it’s important to remember to use credit cards responsibly and pay your balance in full each month to avoid accruing interest charges.
Pros
- Welcome Bonus upto 10,000
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Extended Warranty Coverage
- Purchase Protection
- Low-Interest Rate
- No annual fee
- 24/7 travel assistance services
Cons
- Foreign Transaction Fees
- Balance Transfer Fees
- Requires Good Credit for Its Approval
- Limited Redemption Option
Read also: Best Travel Bags- Reviews & Buying Guide
Conclusion
Travel credit cards are an excellent option for people who frequently travel as they offer a variety of benefits, including travel rewards, lounge access, and travel insurance. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers 2x points on travel and dining and has a generous sign-up bonus. It also has no foreign transaction fees. American Express Gold Card offers 4x points on dining and groceries and comes with a variety of travel perks, including hotel and airline credits.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers 2x miles on all purchases and has a large sign-up bonus. It also has no foreign transaction fees. Citi Premier Card offers 3x points on travel and gas and comes with a variety of travel perks, including trip cancellation and interruption protection. The Platinum Card from American Express offers access to exclusive airport lounges, a $200 annual airline fee credit, and 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines.
When choosing a travel credit card, it’s essential to consider your spending habits and travel needs to ensure that you select a card that offers the most value.
