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- Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards of January 2021
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Travel rewards credit cards are some of the most popular cards on the market, and it's easy to see why. If you're a frequent traveler, then a good travel credit card can provide plenty of value through the benefits and rewards it offers. Even if you're not exactly a jetsetter, there's still a lot to like about using credit cards to earn points you can use to pay for your vacations.
The best travel credit cards will save you money and upgrade your travel experience. It's just a matter of figuring out which travel card fits your lifestyle. Maybe it's a credit card with airport lounge perks, or the one that gets you lots of bonuses on your hotel stays. If you're trying to keep costs down, there are also some great no-annual-fee credit cards for travel.
Part of choosing the right card is knowing about the travel credit card offers that are currently available. You'll find them all on our list of the best credit cards for travel rewards in 2020.
Great for: Sign-up bonus and points transfers
Bottom Line
With a leading sign-up bonus, the sky’s the limit for this top-rated travel rewards card. Plus, the premium points program for travel and dining make it a no brainer for travel enthusiasts everywhere. Read Full Review
Credit Rating Requirement:
Rewards
2x points on travel and dining, 1x points on all other purchases. 25% more points for travel booked through Chase's portal.
Annual Fee
$95
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
15.99% - 22.99% Variable
Welcome Bonus
60,000 points after spending $4,000 within 3 months
Highlights
Great for: Premium travel
Bottom Line
The sign-up bonus, premium rewards for travel & dining, and wide array of valuable travel credits make this a compelling offer that will offset the cost of the annual fee for many. The limited time offer of up to 10x points makes it even more compelling. Read Full Review
Credit Rating Requirement:
Rewards
3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants & 1 point on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$550
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
16.99%-23.99% Variable
Welcome Bonus
50,000 points after spending $4,000 within 3 months
Highlights
Great for: No annual fee and bonus
Bottom Line
A no-nonsense, no-annual-fee travel rewards card built for occasional travelers. The unlimited 1.5 Miles takes the hassle out of tracking categories and all of your miles get matched in the first year. Read Full Review
Credit Rating Requirement:
Rewards
Miles per dollar on all purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 14 months
Balance Transfers: 10.99%, 14 months
Ongoing APR
11.99% - 22.99% Variable APR
Welcome Bonus
Mile-for-Mile match of all Miles earned the first year
Highlights
Great for: Travel and restaurants
Bottom Line
A solid pick with the recent addition of airlines transfer partners. It's a great fit for earning cash back on a variety of purchases. Read Full Review
Credit Rating Requirement:
Rewards
3x points at restaurants and supermarkets as well as at gas stations, air travel, and hotels, 1x points on all else
Annual Fee
$95
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
15.99% - 23.99% (Variable)
Welcome Bonus
60,000 points after spending $4,000 within 3 months
Highlights
Great for: Dining and U.S. supermarkets
Bottom Line
The welcome offer, lucrative dining, U.S. supermarkets, and travel rewards more than justify the annual fee for most who spend in these categories. Read Full Review
Credit Rating Requirement:
Rewards
4x points for dining worldwide and U.S. supermarkets purchases ($25,000 annual spending cap), 3x points for travel booked with airlines or amextravel.com, 1x on all else
Annual Fee
$250
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Welcome Bonus
60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $4,000 within 6 months
Highlights
Great for: Airport lounges
Bottom Line
The high annual fee is justifiable for frequent travelers who can take full advantage of a deep bench of valuable perks, including the big welcome bonus, robust rewards, and lucrative annual travel credits. Read Full Review
Credit Rating Requirement:
Rewards
10 points per $1 for U.S. gas station and supermarkets purchases made in the first six months ($15,000 spending cap), 5 points per $1 on flights booked with airlines, American Express Travel, and certain hotels booked through amextravel.com, 1 point per $1 on all else
Annual Fee
$550
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Welcome Bonus
75,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $5,000 within 6 months
Highlights
Great for: No annual fee
Bottom Line
No-annual-fee travel cards typically skimp on the sign-up bonus, but this card delivers with its market-leading intro bonus offer, unlimited rewards on purchases, and other wallet-friendly perks. Read Full Review
Credit Rating Requirement:
Rewards
Unlimited 1.5 points per $1 on purchases, 25%-75% more points for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 billing cycles
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
14.99% - 22.99% Variable
Welcome Bonus
25,000 points after making at least $1,000 in purchases within 90 days of account opening
Highlights
Great for: Business travel
Chase Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card
What We Like About The Card
With a huge sign up bonus and massive on going rewards rate of 3x points per $1 on business essentials this card is a home run for businesses that spend a lot and want to maximize their rewards. Read Full Review
Credit Rating Requirement:
Rewards
3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories, 1 point per $1 on all else. Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase.
Annual Fee
$95
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
15.99% - 20.99%, variable
Welcome Bonus
100,000 points after spending $15,000 within 3 months
Highlights
Great for: Sign-up bonus
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
What We Like About The Card
Unlimited 2X miles, TSA Pre✓® credits, and a big, limited time sign-up bonus make this credit card one of the best travel companions on the market. Read Full Review
Credit Rating Requirement:
Rewards
Unlimited 2x miles on all purchases
Annual Fee
$95, annually
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
17.24% - 24.49%, variable
Welcome Bonus
60,000 miles after spending $3,000 within 3 months
Highlights
Great for: No annual fee
Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card
What We Like About The Card
Travel cards with no annual fee generally pull back on cardholder favorites, but this offer keeps those perks intact, making it a solid offer for cardholders not spending enough on credit to justify paying an annual fee. Read Full Review
Credit Rating Requirement:
Rewards
Unlimited 1.25x miles
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, for 12 months
Balance Transfers: N/A
Ongoing APR
15.49% - 25.49%, variable
Welcome Bonus
20,000 miles after spending $500 within 3 months
Highlights
Great for: No annual fee
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card
Bottom Line
This no-annual-fee rewards card enables you to earn 3X points for dining out, travel, gas stations, and more, plus a big sign-up bonus. The addition of a 0% Intro APR offer makes it even more surprising that there's no annual fee. Read Full Review
Credit Rating Requirement:
Rewards
3X points for eating out and ordering in, gas stations, rideshares, transit, flights, hotels, and more, 1x points on all else
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months
Ongoing APR
14.49% - 24.99%, variable
Welcome Bonus
20,000 points after spending $1,000 within 3 months
Highlights
When used correctly, the top travel credit cards can be game-changers. Depending on the travel rewards card, you could use its rewards to cover your airfare, hotel, vacation rental, or potentially any other type of travel expense. And many of the best travel cards of 2020 also pack in lots of extra perks, such as spending credits towards travel purchases or elite status with airlines and hotels.
You may find there's a bit more of a learning curve involved with travel cards than other types of credit cards. Cash back credit cards are self-explanatory, but this isn't always the case with travel credit cards. In this guide, you'll gain a better understanding of how travel cards work and how you can find the best travel credit card for you.
Travel credit cards earn points when you use them, and you can redeem those points for travel purchases. Exact redemption options depend on the credit card and its type of travel rewards. Some travel credit cards let you redeem points at a fixed rate towards cash travel purchases, while others offer travel points you can use with specific loyalty programs. Many of the best credit cards for travel offer both options.
Travel rewards cards are a good idea if you normally travel at least two or three times per year. By traveling regularly, you can take advantage of the perks a credit card with travel rewards offers.
As a general rule, the more you travel, the more value you'll get from a travel credit card. If you usually go somewhere every two or three months, then any of the best credit cards for traveling could save you a lot of money, even those that have high annual fees. If you're an infrequent traveler, then a cash back card may work out better for you.
You need good credit, meaning a FICO® Score of 670 or higher, for most travel credit cards. Although it's possible to get a travel card with a lower credit score, you'll have lower approval odds. If you don't have good credit yet, it makes sense to first improve your credit score so that you can qualify for the best travel rewards credit cards.
Here’s what you should look for:
The best travel reward credit cards have lots to offer, but to get maximum value, you need to find the card that best matches your habits. Here's how:
Those steps should help you to pick out your personal best credit card for travel, or at least narrow it down to a few high-quality options. The only thing left to do is apply for the travel points credit card you want.
1. Fixed rate. Travel points are redeemable at a fixed rate (often, but not always $0.01 per point) towards cash travel purchases. You can typically use your points to book travel through the card issuer's online travel portal or redeem them as a statement credit towards previous travel purchases.
2. Hotel. The credit card earns points in a specific hotel's loyalty program, and you can use those points to book award stays. Hotel credit cards often include special benefits with the hotel, such as complimentary upgrades.
3. Airline. The credit card earns points in a specific airline's loyalty program, and you can use your points to book award airfare. Airline credit cards often include special benefits with the airline, such as free checked baggage.
4. Transferable. Travel points are transferable to loyalty programs of the credit card's travel partners. These partners may include airlines, hotels, and/or other travel providers. After you transfer points, you can use them to book award travel with that provider.
The most important part of a travel rewards card is that it has points you can use to book the travel you want. In terms of versatility, the best travel rewards cards are fixed-rate cards and transferable points cards as they have plenty of options for redeeming your rewards.
1. Chase. The Chase Ultimate Rewards program has over a dozen travel partners, including major domestic airlines, international airlines, and popular hotel chains. But what gives it the edge is that you can also redeem points through the Chase travel portal at a rate of either $0.0125 or $0.015 per point, depending on which Chase credit cards you have. In our view, that makes Chase Ultimate Rewards points the most valuable.
2. American Express. The American Express Membership Rewards program has the deepest roster of airline and hotel partners of any credit card company, which is great for transferring points. If you have one of the card issuer's best travel rewards cards, you can also redeem rewards at a fixed rate of $0.01 per point through American Express for certain types of travel purchases.
3. Citi. Like the two programs above, the Citi ThankYou Rewards program lets you either transfer points to its travel partners or redeem them through its travel portal (at a rate of $0.01 per point). The reason it ranks third is that its travel partners aren't quite as impressive as those of Chase or American Express. Both those credit card companies have partnered with one or more major domestic airlines, whereas Citi's only domestic airline partner is JetBlue.
Finding the best travel credit card in 2020 relies in large part on finding the credit card company with the rewards program you like the most. Here's how you can do that:
1. Review each credit card company's travel partners. You will get the most potential value if you transfer your travel points to make an award booking with the airline or hotel. It's possible to get over $0.03 per point through transfers, much more than you'd get redeeming points at a fixed rate. Each credit card rewards program has its own travel partners. Look for one with airlines or hotels that you use regularly so it'll be easy to redeem your points.
2. See how much points are worth toward cash travel purchases. You may not always find good travel deals you can book by transferring points. That's why fixed-rate redemptions are a nice backup plan. Ideally, you should be able to redeem rewards for at least $0.01 per point towards travel, and the more value a rewards program offers, the better.
3. Check out each company's best credit cards for travel rewards. Rewards programs are important, but so are the travel cards themselves. Make sure the credit card company has a card with the features you want at a reasonable annual fee.
You can usually get at least $0.01 per travel point or mile, but this varies significantly depending on the travel rewards program. Some rewards programs have redemption options that can get you over $0.03 per point. On the other hand, there are also certain types of travel rewards where it's difficult to get even $0.01 per point.
It's usually not a good idea to borrow money to travel, but there are rare exceptions. If it's an emergency or there's an important event that you can't miss, then applying for a personal loan is a way to pay for your trip. With good credit, you can likely get a better interest rate on a personal loan than you would by using credit cards.
Besides redeeming points from a travel rewards credit card, the next-best option to pay for travel is with your savings. You may even want to open a savings account specifically for your travel fund and deposit money into it every month. That way you can pay for trips upfront instead of going into debt.
Travel rewards credit cards earn rewards every time you use them for purchases. These rewards are referred to as either points or miles, and you can redeem them to pay for travel. The ways that you can redeem your travel rewards depend on the specific travel card that you have.
To pick the best travel rewards credit card in 2020, look for the following:
To get any of the top travel rewards credit cards, you should have a FICO® Score of 670 or higher. Most travel credit cards are aimed at consumers with good credit. It will be hard to get approved if you haven't yet reached that credit score range.
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
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Great For: Sign-up bonus and points transfers |
|
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: Premium travel |
|
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: No annual fee and bonus |
|
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: Travel and restaurants |
|
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: Dining and U.S. supermarkets |
|
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: Airport lounges |
|
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: No annual fee |
|
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: Business travel |
|
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: Sign-up bonus |
|
Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: No annual fee |
|
Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
|
Great For: No annual fee |
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