You Could Fly for Free This Summer With These 3 Travel Rewards Cards
KEY POINTS
- The Bank of America Travel Rewards card offers a bonus worth $250 in travel credits after $1,000 spend in the first 90 days -- with no annual fee.
- The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card's welcome offer could cover two to three domestic roundtrips.
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred welcome offer is worth up to $750 in Chase Travel℠ value -- enough for a roundtrip flight and hotel night.
I just booked my annual summer trip to Montana. Roundtrip from Burbank to Kalispell for $215, including taxes and fees. Not bad, right? Even better: I didn't pay a dime out of pocket. The entire cost was covered by travel credits I earned from my credit card.
Discounted or free travel is a regular thing for me. Because I use the right credit cards and play the points game.
And today, I'm going to show you three cards that not only help you rack up points for everyday spending, they also come with welcome offers worth between $250 and $750 in travel value.
1. Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card: Pure simplicity, no annual fee
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = PoorOn Bank of America's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Rewards Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
1.5-3 points per dollar
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
25,000 points
-
This is a good starter travel card thanks to its simplicity and no annual fee. It offers a strong welcome bonus worth $250, unlimited 1.5X points on all purchases, 3X points on travel booked through Bank of America, and no foreign transaction fee. Simply redeem points as a statement credit for travel or dining purchases. The generous Intro APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles might come in handy if you want to pay off an expensive trip over time without interest. It’s a particularly good fit for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, who can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase (depending on your tier).
Read Full Review -
- Big sign-up bonus
- No annual fee
- Competitive rewards rate on purchases
- Great intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
- Limited ways to use points
-
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases. You could earn 3.75-5.25 points for every $1 you spend on travel purchases made through the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is one of the best no-annual-fee cards that we've found. It's one you'll likely keep forever.
The welcome offer is super easy to earn. You'll get 25,000 points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. That can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
As for ongoing rewards, the point system is pretty simple. You earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no limit. Once you've racked up a bunch of points, simply pay yourself back with a statement credit towards travel and dining purchases. Easy!
This card is the "easy button" for earning travel rewards. Perfect for folks that want to earn points with zero hassle.
Does this straightforward travel card sound like a good fit for you? Apply for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card today.
2. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: For Southwest lovers
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = PoorGood/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.49% - 27.49% Variable
Rewards Receive 7,500 anniversary points, 4 upgraded boardings per year when available, and a $75 Southwest® travel credit each year. Enjoy benefits including 3X points on Southwest purchases, 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming, 10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points boost each year, and more.
Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$149
Welcome Offer Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 50,000 bonus points.
-
This feature-packed travel credit card for Southwest fans has a solid rewards program as well as Southwest credits and discounts.
-
- Sign-up bonus
- Southwest rewards
- Yearly points bonus
- Yearly travel credit
- No foreign transaction fee
- Annual fee
- Limited airline benefits
-
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 7,500 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
- Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
- Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
- $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
If you're a Southwest flyer, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees) is a no-brainer. The welcome offer alone can easily cover two (maybe even three) return flights, and you only need to spend $1,000 to get it.
New cardmembers can earn 50,000 Rapid Rewards® points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. Southwest doesn't play the blackout date game, either -- points are easy to use.
You'll also get these travel-friendly perks included:
- $75 annual Southwest travel credit
- 7,500 anniversary points each year
- 3X points on Southwest® purchases
- 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available
- First checked bag free
- And of course, no foreign transaction fees
If Southwest is your go-to airline, this card can pay for itself fast. There's a $149 annual fee, but the $75 credit and anniversary points help you earn it back.
Ready for free flights and boarding upgrades? Apply now for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card.
3. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Massive value for travelers
2025 Award Winner
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = PoorGood/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.99% - 28.24% Variable
Rewards Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 bonus points
-
This card easily justifies the (very reasonable) annual fee with benefits that deliver real value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, which we estimate is worth $750 in Chase Travel℠ value. Plus, enjoy bonus travel and dining rewards, a $50 annual hotel credit, and 25% more value when booking through Chase Travel. With added travel protections like rental car insurance and trip reimbursement, we think this card is a game-changer for any traveler.
Read Full Review -
- Big sign-up bonus
- Travel rewards
- Dining rewards
- Flexible travel points
- Consumer and travel protections
- Annual fee
- Limited-time perks
-
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card's (see rates and fees) welcome offer takes a little more effort, but it can be worth three times as much as many other cards.
The welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months after account opening.
If you redeem those points through Chase Travel, they're worth up to $750 in Chase Travel℠ value -- toward flights, hotels, and more.
This card also comes with a stack of valuable perks, including:
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X points on other purchases
- $50 annual hotel credit (just book through Chase Travel)
Yes, there's a $95 annual fee, but I always make sure to use the perks (especially that $50 hotel credit each year) to get full value.
Get up to $750 in Chase Travel℠ value this summer. Apply now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card here.
Summer getaways await!
Personally, I don't open cards I can't maximize. But if the welcome bonus fits my budget and the rewards are easy to use, I'm in. That's how I've booked everything from international flights to summer trips like my upcoming one to Montana.
Just remember: don't overspend by chasing points. But if your regular budget can meet the spending requirement, the rewards are absolutely worth it.
Our Research Expert
Joel is a full-time writer at Motley Fool Money, known for his clear, approachable voice on topics like credit cards, savings hacks, and side hustles. He’s been writing about money since 2018 and previously managed editorial content for the How To Money podcast.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.