Top 10 Best Travel Credit Cards
Travel credit cards offer an excellent way to earn rewards and benefits that can enhance your travel experiences. The best travel credit cards typically provide generous sign-up bonuses, lucrative reward points on travel-related purchases, and other perks like free checked bags, airport lounge access, and no foreign transaction fees. This makes them an appealing choice for frequent travelers seeking to maximize their spending.
Advertisement
Among the top 10 best travel credit cards, choices often include the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which is well-regarded for its versatile points redemption options and robust travel protections. The Platinum Card from American Express stands out for its premium benefits, including access to a vast network of airport lounges and comprehensive travel insurance. Other notable cards, like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, offer straightforward rewards structures and flexibility in redeeming points. Additionally, cards like the Discover it Miles and the Bank of America Travel Rewards card cater to those who prefer no-annual-fee options. Ultimately, the right travel credit card depends on your travel habits, spending patterns, and the specific rewards you value most.
View AllChase Sapphire Preferred Card - Great rewards for travel and dining; flexible redemption options.
View AllCapital One Venture Rewards Credit Card - Flexible rewards, no foreign transaction fees, travel perks.
View AllAmerican Express Gold Card - Premium rewards, dining benefits, travel perks, high annual fee.
View AllCiti Premier Card - Generous rewards on travel, dining, and entertainment purchases.
View AllDiscover it Miles - Unlimited 1.5x miles on every purchase, no annual fee.
View AllBank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card - No annual fee, unlimited points on travel purchases.
View AllChase Sapphire Reserve - Premium travel card with rich rewards and benefits.
View AllHilton Honors American Express Aspire Card - Premium benefits for Hilton stays and travel rewards.
View AllSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card - Earn rapid points for Southwest flights and benefits.
View AllMarriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card - Earn Marriott points, enjoy travel perks and benefits.
Top 10 Best Travel Credit Cards
1.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a highly acclaimed travel credit card that offers exceptional rewards and benefits for frequent travelers. With a generous sign-up bonus, cardholders earn 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining, and 1 point on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal at an enhanced value, or transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners. Additionally, the card features no foreign transaction fees and provides valuable travel protections, making it a top choice for those seeking to maximize their travel experiences.
Pros
High earning potential on travel and dining- strong sign-up bonus
- flexible redemption options
- no foreign transaction fees
- comprehensive travel insurance benefits.
Cons
High annual fee- Limited airport lounge access
- Foreign transaction fees
- Less valuable points redemption for certain categories
- Limited travel insurance coverage.
2.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a top choice for travelers seeking straightforward rewards. With a generous welcome bonus and an unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, it simplifies earning travel rewards. Cardholders can redeem miles for travel expenses, including flights and hotel stays, or transfer them to over 15 travel loyalty programs. The card also features no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for international travelers. Additional benefits include travel insurance, access to exclusive events, and a flexible redemption process, enhancing its appeal for frequent flyers.
Pros
- Great miles earning rate on every purchase
- no foreign transaction fees
- flexible redemption options for travel
- annual fee waived first year
- travel accident insurance included.
Cons
- High annual fee
- limited bonus categories
- foreign transaction fees
- redemption options can be complex
- no introductory 0% APR offer.
3.
American Express Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card is a premier travel credit card designed for foodies and frequent travelers alike. It offers 4x Membership Rewards points on dining at restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. Cardholders enjoy a generous welcome bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and access to exclusive dining experiences. Additionally, the card provides valuable travel protections and a $120 annual dining credit at select restaurants. With its rich rewards and benefits, the Gold Card is a strong contender among top travel credit cards.
Pros
- High rewards on dining
- Flexible Membership Rewards points
- No foreign transaction fees
- Travel insurance benefits
- Access to exclusive events.
Cons
- High annual fee
- Limited acceptance compared to Visa/Mastercard
- Foreign transaction fees
- Lower rewards on non-restaurant purchases
- Requires good to excellent credit.
4.
Citi Premier Card
The Citi Premier Card is a top-tier travel credit card that offers generous rewards and benefits for avid travelers. Cardholders earn 3 points per dollar on air travel, hotels, and restaurants, along with 2 points on entertainment and 1 point on all other purchases. The card features a substantial sign-up bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and access to travel protection benefits. Additionally, it allows points to be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners, making it a versatile choice for maximizing travel rewards.
Pros
- Generous travel rewards on purchases
- flexible points redemption options
- no foreign transaction fees
- complimentary travel insurance
- robust sign-up bonus.
Cons
- High annual fee
- limited transfer partners
- foreign transaction fees
- complicated rewards structure
- lower earning rate on non-travel purchases.
5.
Discover it Miles
The Discover it Miles card is an excellent choice for travelers seeking flexibility and rewards. It offers unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar spent on all purchases, with no annual fee. New cardholders can benefit from a unique introductory offer, where Discover matches all the miles earned in the first year, effectively doubling your rewards. Additionally, the card provides no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for international travel. With a user-friendly mobile app and access to your FICO credit score, Discover it Miles is a top contender for travel enthusiasts.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Unlimited 1.5x miles on every purchase
- Miles never expire
- Flexible redemption options
- Introductory bonus offer.
Cons
- Limited redemption options
- no travel insurance benefits
- foreign transaction fees apply
- lower earning rate on non-travel purchases
- requires good credit for approval.
6.
Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card
The Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for travelers seeking rewards without an annual fee. It offers unlimited 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases, with no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for international travel. New cardholders can earn a substantial bonus in points after meeting a spending requirement in the first 90 days. Additionally, points can be redeemed for travel expenses, gift cards, or cash back. With built-in travel insurance and flexible redemption options, it's a versatile option for those who frequently travel.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per dollar
- No foreign transaction fees
- Sign-up bonus potential
- Flexible redemption options.
Cons
- Limited redemption options
- no annual fee but low rewards rate
- foreign transaction fees apply
- sign-up bonus requirements are high
- lacks premium travel benefits.
7.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premier travel credit card known for its exceptional rewards and benefits. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, earning 3x points on travel and dining, and 1x point on all other purchases. Cardholders enjoy a $300 annual travel credit, access to over 1,300 airport lounges through Priority Pass, and comprehensive travel insurance coverage. The card also features no foreign transaction fees and the ability to transfer points to numerous airline and hotel partners, making it an excellent choice for frequent travelers seeking flexibility and value.
Pros
- Generous sign-up bonus
- High reward points on travel and dining
- Comprehensive travel insurance benefits
- Access to exclusive airport lounges
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- High annual fee
- Limited acceptance for certain travel perks
- High redemption threshold for points
- Foreign transaction fees
- Complicated rewards structure.
8.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is a premium travel credit card designed for frequent travelers and Hilton loyalists. It offers an impressive welcome bonus and rewards cardholders with 14X points on Hilton purchases, 7X points on flights and car rentals, and 3X points on all other eligible purchases. Cardholders enjoy complimentary Diamond status, access to priority check-in, and the ability to earn a free night reward after each year of card membership. With no foreign transaction fees and various travel protections, it’s an excellent choice for maximizing Hilton stays.
Pros
- Generous welcome bonus
- Unlimited 14x points on Hilton purchases
- Annual free weekend night reward
- Priority Pass lounge access
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- High annual fee
- Limited hotel options outside Hilton
- High spend requirement for rewards
- Foreign transaction fees
- Complicated rewards redemption process.
9.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent Southwest Airlines travelers. It offers valuable rewards, including 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases, 2 points on local transit and commuting, and 1 point on all other purchases. Cardholders receive a generous sign-up bonus, a $75 annual travel credit, and four upgraded boardings per year when available. Additional perks include no foreign transaction fees and a pathway to A-List status. This card maximizes travel rewards while enhancing the overall flying experience with Southwest Airlines.
Pros
- Earn 3x points on Southwest purchases
- no foreign transaction fees
- valuable travel benefits
- priority boarding perks
- and anniversary bonus points.
Cons
- High annual fee
- Limited airline partners
- No introductory bonus offer
- Foreign transaction fees
- Fewer perks than premium cards.
10.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers and Marriott loyalists. It offers 6X points on eligible Marriott purchases, 2X points on other travel expenses, and 1X point on all other purchases. New cardholders can enjoy a generous sign-up bonus, which can be used for free nights at Marriott properties. Additional perks include a free night award each year after your account anniversary and no foreign transaction fees, making it a valuable option for those seeking rewards and benefits in the Marriott ecosystem.
Pros
- Generous welcome bonus
- Earns points on all purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status
- Flexible point redemption options.
Cons
- High annual fee
- Limited bonus categories
- Foreign transaction fees
- Requires good credit
- Redemption value can vary.
Similar Topic You Might Be Interested In
- Top 10 Beach Destinations in the World
- Top 10 Mountain Destinations for Adventure
- Top 10 Romantic Getaways for Couples
- Top 10 Eco-Friendly Destinations
- Top 10 Historic Cities to Visit
- Top 10 Hidden Gems in Europe
- Top 10 Desert Destinations
- Top 10 Remote Islands for Seclusion
- Top 10 Scenic Train Routes Around the World
- Top 10 Destinations for First-Time Solo Travelers