| *Advertiser disclosure: Capture the Atlas has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers, although the site does not include all card companies, or all available card offers. Capture the Atlas and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers, which may impact how and where cards appear on the site. |
If you’ve seen your friends making countless purchases with plastic and jet-setting around the world, odds are they’re using one of the best credit cards for travel. It almost sounds too good to be true, but with the right travel credit card, you can use your everyday purchases to earn points for your next trip.
These consumer cards work by earning points or miles (sometimes 2x, 3x, 5x, or even 10x) for things like dining out, groceries, hotel bookings, and more. Over time, those points add up, and you can redeem them for cash value or airline credits toward your dream destination.
10 Best Credit Cards for Travel in 2024
Using the best travel rewards cards is one of our favorite ways to travel cheaply, so if you want to get started on racking up the savings, I’m here to help. In this guide, I’ll share the 10 best credit cards for travelers and break down the different types of cards and how to use them. By spending responsibly, you can take advantage of these travel credit card benefits and see more of the world while paying less.
10 Best travel credit cards
With the right credit card for travel, you can make the most of your everyday purchases and your domestic and international trips. All of the points you earn from these purchases can quickly add up to save you money on hotels, flights, rental cars, and more.
In addition, you can take advantage of other travel credit card benefits like cash back, statement credits, and airport lounge access. Rewards vary depending on the card, so I’m sharing the best options below.
In summary, these are the 10 best credit cards for travel rewards:
- Platinum Card® from American Express, a great luxury travel credit card
- Capital One Venture Rewards, the best travel credit card for beginners
- Capital One Venture X Rewards, the best premium travel credit card
- Citi Premier® Card, the best credit card for travel and dining
- Citi®/AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, the best credit card for traveling with American Airlines
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card, the best travel credit card for extra perks
- Chase Sapphire Preferred®, the best travel credit card with no foreign transaction fee
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the best travel credit card for frequent flyers
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Plus, the best credit card for traveling with Southwest
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards, the best travel credit card with no annual fee
1. Platinum Card® from American Express, a great luxury travel credit card
⭐️ 3.5 out of 5 stars
With the Platinum Card from American Express, you can earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in your first 6 months. This consumer card can earn 5x Membership Rewards® points for flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel up to $500,000 per calendar year. You can also earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel, and 1x Membership Rewards points on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
Another reason to get this travel credit card from AmEx is to enjoy access to over 1,200 airport lounges through the American Express Global Lounge Collection. You can also get $200 back in statement credits each year on select prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Platinum Card (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum 2-night stay). You can also get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases for Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal (enrollment required).
| Welcome Offer | Estimated Value | Annual Fee | Foreign Transaction Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80,000 points | $535† | $695 Rates & Fees | 0% |
| Rewards rate | |||
| 5x Membership Rewards points on up to $500,000 per calendar year on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel via amextravel.com; 5x Membership Rewards points on eligible prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel; 1x Membership Rewards points on other purchases | |||
2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, the best travel credit card for beginners
⭐️ 4.5 out of 5 stars
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the best Capital One credit cards for travel, offering new members a one-time early spend bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in their first 3 months. You can also earn unlimited 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, as well as 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
In addition to no foreign transaction fees, Venture Rewards has some of the best travel credit card benefits, like a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck when you use your card to pay for the application fee. Miles don’t expire, and you can transfer them to one of over 15 travel loyalty programs.
| Welcome Offer | Estimated Value | Annual Fee | Foreign Transaction Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75,000 points | $750† | $95 | 0% |
| Rewards rate | |||
| 5x points on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 2x points on every purchase | |||
3. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, the best premium travel credit card
⭐️ 4 out of 5 stars
Another one of the best air travel credit cards that I recommend is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which earns an early spend bonus of 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 in your first 3 months. You’ll also enjoy 10,000 anniversary bonus miles every year. Cardholders get 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, as well as 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel.
Other benefits include up to a $100 statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry after you pay for the application fee with your card, and up to $300 in statement credits annually for bookings through Capital One Travel. Finally, as one of the best Capital One credit cards for travel, it offers cardholders unlimited access to Capital One Lounges at airports around the world.
| Welcome Offer | Estimated Value | Annual Fee | Foreign Transaction Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75,000 points | $750† | $395 | 0% |
| Rewards rate | |||
| 10x points on hotels/rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5x points on flights booked through Capital One Travel; 2x points on all other purchases | |||
4. Citi Premier® Card, the best credit card for travel and dining
⭐️ 4 out of 5 stars
The Citi Premier Card is another one of the best cards for travel rewards. It has a limited-time welcome offer of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in your first 3 months. You’ll also earn 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and on air travel and hotels, plus 1x points on all other purchases. There are no foreign transaction fees and a small annual fee of just $95.
As one of the best cash back travel credit cards, you can redeem your points as credit statements, travel miles, cash back, or gift cards. You can also transfer your points to several airline loyalty programs. The Citi Premier Card also offers a $100 annual hotel savings benefit you can put toward a hotel stay of $500 or more.
| Welcome Offer | Estimated Value | Annual Fee | Foreign Transaction Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60,000 points | $600† | $95 | 0% |
| Rewards rate | |||
| 3x points at restaurants and supermarkets; 3x points on gas station purchases; 3x points on air travel and hotels; plus 1x points on all other purchases | |||
5. Citi®/AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®, the best credit card for traveling with American Airlines
⭐️ 4 out of 5 stars
For a limited time, earn 50,000 American Airlines Advantage bonus miles after making $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. The Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard also earns 2x miles at restaurants, gas stations, and on eligible American Airlines purchases. Get 1 loyalty point for every eligible AAdvantage mile you earn and get unlimited 1x miles on all other purchases. There are no foreign transaction fees and the annual fee of $99 is waived for the first year, making it one of the best air travel credit cards out there.
Moreover, this is one of the best credit cards for flights since cardholders get exclusive benefits when they fly with American Airlines, such as their first checked bag for free, preferred boarding, and a 25% discount on in-flight food and beverage purchases.
| Welcome Offer | Estimated Value | Annual Fee | Foreign Transaction Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50,000 points | $500† | $99 (waived for your first year) | 0% |
| Rewards rate | |||
| 2x points on restaurants and gas stations; 2x points on American Airlines purchases; and unlimited 1x points on all other purchases | |||
6. U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card, the best travel credit card for extra perks
⭐️ 4 out of 5 stars
The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card is a secured travel credit card that earns 50,000 bonus points for new cardholders when they spend $2,000 in their first 120 days. It has some of the best travel credit card benefits, like 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center. You’ll also earn 4x points on travel, at gas stations and EV charging stations, as well as 2x points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, dining, and streaming services. For all other eligible purchases, earn 1x points.
Plus, you can get an annual $30 credit for streaming service purchases such as Netflix, Hulu, and Apple Music, as well as up to $100 in statement credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry when you pay for the application fee with your card.
| Welcome Offer | Estimated Value | Annual Fee | Foreign Transaction Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50,000 points | $500† | $95 (waived for first year) | 0% |
| Rewards rate | |||
| 5x points on hotels/rental cars booked through Altitude Rewards Center; 4x points on gas, EV charging stations, and other travel expenses; 2x points on groceries, dining, streaming services; 1x points on all other purchases | |||
7. Chase Sapphire Preferred®, the best travel credit card with no foreign transaction fee
⭐️ 4.5 out of 5 stars
Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best no-foreign transaction fee credit cards and with it, you’ll enjoy 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, making it one of the best cards for travel. Earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and 3x points on dining (excluding Target®, Walmart® and wholesale clubs). You can also earn 2x points on all other travel purchases and a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit.
Another thing that makes this one of the best Chase credit cards for travel is that you’ll get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024. With this card, you get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, care rentals, and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
| Welcome Offer | Estimated Value | Annual Fee | Foreign Transaction Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60,000 points | $750† | $95 | 0% |
| Rewards rate | |||
| 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3x points on dining (excluding Target®, Walmart® and wholesale clubs); 2x points on all other travel purchases; $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit | |||
Click Here to Learn More
8. Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the best travel credit card for frequent flyers
⭐️ 4 out of 5 stars
Chase Sapphire Reserve is another one of the best Chase credit cards for travel, earning 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in your first 3 months. You’ll also receive a $300 annual travel credit to use on trip expenses. After using your travel credit, you’ll earn 10x points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 5x points on airfare, and 3x points on other travel expenses, making it one of the best credit cards for frequent travelers.
Other benefits include 10x points on Chase Dining purchases with Ultimate Rewards, and 3x points on other dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery, takeout, and dining out. You’ll earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases, too. Chase is a Member FDIC and Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders enjoy access to over 1,300 airport lounges through Priority Pass Select. They’ll also receive up to $100 in statement credit after using their card to apply for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
| Welcome Offer | Estimated Value | Annual Fee | Foreign Transaction Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60,000 points | $900† | $550 | 0% |
| Rewards rate | |||
| 10x points on hotels/rental cars booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 5x points on airfare; 3x points on dining and other travel expenses | |||
Click Here to Learn More
9. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, the best credit card for traveling with Southwest
⭐️ 3.5 out of 5 stars
The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card is one of the best credit cards for miles, with a welcome offer of 50,000 bonus points if you spend $1,000 in your first 3 months. You’ll also receive 3,000 points on your account anniversary each year. Earn 2x points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases, hotels and car rentals through Rapid Rewards, local transit, and commuting, including rideshares. In addition to having some of the best travel credit card flight rewards, it lets you earn 2x points on Internet, cable, phone, and eligible streaming, and 1x points on all other purchases.
Additional Southwest perks for cardholders include 25% cash back on in-flight purchases (via statement credit), two EarlyBird Check-Ins®, your first and second bags checked for free, no change fees, and unlimited reward seating. Get reimbursed for lost or damaged luggage (up to $3,000 per passenger) and for baggage delays over 6 hours (up to $100/day for 3 days).
| Welcome Offer | Estimated Value | Annual Fee | Foreign Transaction Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50,000 points | $500† | $69 | 3%* |
| Rewards rate | |||
| 2x points on Southwest purchases; 2x points on local transit, rideshares, Internet, phone, cable, and select streaming; 2x points on hotels/rental cars booked through Rapid Rewards; 1x points on all other purchases; 3,000 points on account anniversary | |||
Click Here to Learn More
10. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card, the best travel credit card with no annual fee
⭐️ 4 out of 5 stars
The Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card can earn you 25,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in your first 3 months. You can redeem these points for a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases. Take advantage of zero annual and foreign transaction fees and earn unlimited 1.5 points on every $1 spent. All of these benefits make this one of the best travel credit cards on the market.
There is currently a 0% intro APR offer for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases and any balance transfers made within the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, a variable APR of 18.24% to 28.24% will apply, as well as a 3% fee on all balance transfers.
| Welcome Offer | Estimated Value | Annual Fee | Foreign Transaction Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25,000 points | $250† | $0 | 0% |
| Rewards rate | |||
| Bank of America Travel Rewards cardholders earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 on all purchases | |||
Best travel credit cards comparison
This chart will help you quickly compare these travel credit cards based on the welcome offer, annual fee, and rewards rate.
CARD | WELCOME OFFER | ESTIMATED VALUE ℹ️ | ANNUAL FEE | FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE | REWARDS RATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
60,000 pts | $750 | $95 | 0% | • 5x pts on Chase Ultimate Rewards travel |
|
75,000 pts | $750 | $95 | 0% | • 5 miles per dollar on hotels/rental cars |
|
60,000 | $600 | $95 | 0% | • 3x pts at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations |
|
80,000 pts | $535 | $695 | 0% | • 5x pts on hotels/flights |
|
75,000 pts | $750 | $395 | 0% | • 10 miles per dollar on hotels/rental cars |
|
60,000 pts | $900 | $550 | 0% | • 10x pts on hotels/rental cars |
|
50,000 pts | $500 | $99 (waived for first year) | 0% | • 2x miles on restaurants and gas stations |
|
50,000 pts | $500 | $69 | 3% | • 2x pts on Southwest purchases |
|
50,000 pts | $500 | $95 (waived for first year) | 0% | • 5x pts on hotels/rental cars |
|
25,000 pts | $250 | $0 | 0% | • Unlimited 1.5 pts per $1 on all purchases |
|
BEST TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS |
|||||
If you think about where you spend your money the most, you can narrow down the best travel credit card deals for your situation. For example, if food and dining out is a big expense for you, it would make sense to choose a card that offers maximum rewards for those purchases.
Types of credit cards for travel
Before you choose a card, here’s a breakdown of the different types of travel credit cards. Depending on your spending habits, preferred hotel, or favorite airline, you might find one of these cards better suits you.
Airline credit cards
These types of cards are associated with a particular air carrier, so if you have a company you prefer to fly with, you might like this option. This way, you can put your earned miles toward a flight and take advantage of particular benefits like free checked bags, preferred seating, and discounts on in-flight purchases.
Airline credit cards
For example, the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus card is one of the best airline travel credit cards, and a great choice if you often fly with Southwest.
Hotel credit cards
Similar to an airline card, a hotel credit card is preferable if you have a hotel chain you like to stay with. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold card lets you earn points that you can put toward a Marriott stay.
Hotel credit cards
That said, some of the best travel credit cards are associated with different hotels, so you can still take advantage of savings and discounts. Take the AmEx Platinum Card, which offers statement credits you can use to book an accommodation with The Hotel Collection or Fine Hotels + Resorts properties.
General travel credit cards
The third option is a general travel credit card like Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture Rewards. These types of cards earn points that you can redeem for travel expenses, airline miles, and hotel stays, regardless of the company. This is a good option if you aren’t loyal to any hotel or frequent flyer airline program.
Benefits of a travel credit card
As you’ve seen by now, not all travel credit card benefits are the same. Before you choose a card, consider what kind of rewards and advantages you want. Below are the most common benefits you’ll see on the best travel credit cards.
Introductory/welcome offers
One of the best benefits of a travel credit card is the welcome offer. It’s an introductory or sign-up bonus to help new cardholders get a jumpstart on earning rewards. The offer varies depending on the card, but often includes a large number of points/miles after spending a certain amount within 3-6 months.
Introductory/welcome offers
Some cards offer additional rewards upon signing up, such as subscription deals or discounts on travel expenses like the TSA PreCheck.
Travel points/miles
The best travel credit cards earn points or miles on every purchase you make. Some cards offer as much as 10x points on certain expenses, like hotel bookings or car rentals. Just be sure to check the terms and restrictions because you usually have to book through an affiliated program or app.
Regardless of the rewards rate, these points can be redeemed for cash value that you can put toward your next trip. Alternatively, travel miles that you earn can go towards airfare.
Trip insurance
Another one of the best travel card rewards is trip insurance or reimbursement for delays and lost baggage.
Trip insurance
Not all cards offer this benefit, and even so, we always recommend investing in a good policy from one of the best travel insurance companies.
No extra fees
No one wants to deal with extra fees, and fortunately, many of the best travel credit cards have zero foreign transaction fees. Several cards have a low annual fee or none at all, and it’s always worth checking if the company will waive your annual fee for the first year. You can call the credit card company and provide your income and credit information to determine if you qualify for a waiver.
Airport lounge access
Another travel credit card benefit you might like is priority lounge access. Some cards offer a couple of lounge passes per year, while others grant you access to the priority lounge for every flight.
Other travel perks
Lastly, there are other benefits to consider, although the availability will depend on which card you choose. Perks include cash back on specific purchases, as well as free or discounted subscriptions to streaming services, Internet providers, gym memberships, and more.
Other travel perks
Some cards provide statement credits to new cardholders that they can use for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry applications.
The combination of these perks and any other benefits will determine whether a travel credit card is worth it for you.
Tips for using a travel credit card
Now that you know more about the best credit cards for travel and the different types of cards, here are some tips to help you make the most of whichever card you choose.
-
-
- Make sure you can meet the welcome bonus requirements so you can start earning rewards quickly.
- Most cards let you earn more on specific purchases such as gas, dining out, and rental car services, so take advantage of the extra earning potential.
- Use your card for everyday expenses, especially if you earn points for non-travel-related purchases.
- If you have multiple cards, be careful to match the right card to the right purchase. One credit card may earn more points on hotel bookings, while another may get you an extra bonus at restaurants.
- Take advantage of all the benefits, such as airport lounge access and credits toward TSA PreCheck.
- Many travel credit cards are affiliated with hotel and airline loyalty programs. You can save more money by signing up for these programs and booking through them rather than through third-party websites.
- Finally, pay off your balance at the end of each month!
-
Follow these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to earning some of the best travel card rewards.
FAQs – Best credit cards for travel
If you still have concerns about getting a credit card for travel, here are the answers to some common questions:
How do travel credit cards work?
As with typical credit cards, you can use these cards when you go shopping, eat out, or make a travel purchase. The best travel credit cards will earn points that you can put towards expenses like flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.
How much is a point/mile worth?
The points value varies depending on the card but usually ranges from 0.5 to 3 cents per point/mile. The best travel credit cards that earn miles also let you redeem them for all kinds of rewards, like cash back, statement credits, and travel miles.
How many miles do you need for a free flight?
Again, this varies by card. A one-way coach ticket could require as little as 10,000 points or as many as 60,000 points.
What credit score do you need to get approved?
If you want to get approved for one of the best credit cards for traveling, you’ll need a credit score of at least 700.
Does opening a travel credit card hurt your credit?
Getting a new card can hurt your credit score since lenders will have to do a hard inquiry on your credit reports. Moreover, having a new card lowers the average age of your accounts, which can negatively impact your score. That said, the benefits of a travel credit card often make up for this.
How many travel credit cards should you have?
It’s often better to have two cards while traveling, especially since some places don’t accept Visa or Mastercard. That way, you can use one or the other.
Do travel credit cards offer free travel insurance?
No, not all travel credit cards offer travel insurance, although most of them offer some kind of protection, such as trip delay coverage or lost luggage reimbursement.
Is a credit card for travel worth it?
Yes, a travel credit card is definitely worth it if you take multiple trips a year or you’re saving up for a big trip abroad.
I hope this guide helps you find the best travel credit card for your needs so you can make the most of your purchases. Don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below if you have any questions about credit card travel benefits or anything else.
Until then, enjoy using your travel miles!
*Advertiser disclosure: Capture the Atlas has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers, although the site does not include all card companies, or all available card offers. Capture the Atlas and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers, which may impact how and where cards appear on the site.
*Editorial disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or any other entity included within the post.
