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Our globetrotting experts researched stacks of travel cards. From Casablanca to Kyoto (literally), we've tested where the best travel credit cards can take you. If you're a frequent traveler with good credit, there are a lot of great options right now.
Note that we don't simply list credit cards that we're paid to list. The cards you find here are travel cards that we use ourselves and recommend to our family and friends.
We've simplified our list to give you a quick and easy overview, each targeting different travel categories, before deep diving into our reviews.
Great for: Points and perks for dining out
Welcome offer
Earn 60,000 after spending $6,000 within the first 6 months.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Rewards Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
1X-4X Membership Rewards® Points
Annual Fee
$250
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
60,000
This card offers considerable value, as it earns 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X) and 4X points at restaurants. Plus, earn 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on American Express Travel. Meanwhile, $120 in annual dining credits and $120 in Uber cash can offset almost the entire $250 annual fee. (Terms apply.) Overall, it’s an incredibly lucrative card for those who spend a lot in those categories. Read Full Review
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Great for: Unlimited rewards
Welcome Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Rewards Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.
2X-5X miles
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
75,000 Miles
This is one of our top travel credit cards overall, because of its highly lucrative, yet dead simple rewards program. Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase and use them to get reimbursed for any travel purchase — or to book a trip through Capital One Travel. TSA Pre✓® credit and the opportunity to earn a massive 75,000 Miles sign-up bonus (worth $750 in travel) make this credit card one of the best travel companions. Read Full Review
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Great for: Travel card with no annual fee
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Welcome Offer
Earn 25,000 points when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days.
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. Balance transfers include a fee of 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%.
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
1.5 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 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, and no foreign transaction fee. Simply redeem points as a statement credit for travel or dining purchases. The generous 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases offer 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
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Great for: Premium travel rewards
On Capital One's Secure Website.
On Capital One's Secure Website.
Welcome Offer
Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months.
Excellent (740-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Rewards Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
2X-10X miles
Annual Fee
$395
Welcome Offer 75,000 Miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
75,000 Miles
Our favorite premium travel card. Yes, there’s a premium annual fee here, but you get what you might expect from a luxury card, like up to 10X miles on spending through Capital One Travel, a $300 travel credit, experience credits, and a huge welcome bonus. Read Full Review
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Great for: Bonus points from travel portal
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Welcome offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in 3 months.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
21.49%-28.49% 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 N/A
$95
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
60,000 bonus points
The enormous welcome bonus (worth up to $750), bonus points for travel and dining, and $50 annual hotel credit alone make this card well worth the $95 annual fee. What really stands out are the rare travel protections such as trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance. It’s the only low annual fee card we’ve seen offer those protections. Read Full Review
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Great for: Premium travel card experience
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Rewards Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
1X-5X Membership Rewards® Points
Annual Fee
$695
Welcome Offer Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000
This luxury travel card has some of the most prestigious perks you'll find — access to over 1,400 airport lounges, elite status with Hilton and Marriott Bonvoy, and spending credits worth over $1,500 in value every year. Just be ready for the hefty annual fee, which can be offset in the first year with a welcome bonus worth $800 in points. Read Full Review
Since there are so many options, the best travel credit card depends on how you like to travel. Jetsetters who go abroad every year are going to need different features than road trippers. You'll find the most common types of travelers below and card suggestions for each group.
If you don't travel that often, or you're not interested in flashy travel perks, you'll probably want no annual fee travel cards. You'll save some money when you travel, and you won't be stuck paying a yearly fee. These cards also have straightforward rewards programs, without the learning curve of more advanced travel cards.
For those who love to hit the open road, cards that offer bonus rewards at gas stations are a natural fit. Many of these cards have also expanded their bonus categories to include electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, so you can earn extra no matter what type of car you drive.
If you travel abroad, a credit card with no foreign transaction fee is a must. Since you'll be flying, you might also want a card with air travel perks. For example, one of my cards covers the cost of my Global Entry membership, which has helped me get through immigration and customs in under two minutes.
It's hard to beat starting your trip in an airport lounge, flying business class, and checking in at an upscale hotel. If you love luxury travel, premium travel credit cards will probably be a perfect match. These cards have high annual fees, but they're also packed with travel perks that can save you money and take your vacations to the next level.
Whether you fly domestically or abroad, in economy or first class, airline rewards cards could help you earn miles more quickly. If you normally fly with the same airline, it makes sense to get one of its credit cards. If not, there are also more flexible cards that aren't tied to a specific airline.
If you have a favorite hotel chain and would love to get into its elite status tiers, the right credit card could make it happen. Cards that are tied to hotel loyalty programs earn points you can redeem for stays. Many of them also include status with that hotel and free night certificates, some of my favorite travel card perks.
Why we picked it: The beauty of this card is in its generous rewards combined with its simplicity. (See rates and fees.) This card was the anchor of my wallet for a long time, notably while I was living in Europe. Every purchase, no matter whether at a coffee shop, electronics retailer, or music streaming service – two miles per dollar.
The two miles per dollar is a great baseline rewards rate, so I would use this as my default card, but then pull out other specific cards only for focused categories, for instance keeping my Amazon spending on my Amazon card. But in my view, you can get away with a single card if you have this one.
What to watch out for: There are a wide variety of ways you can use miles, including booking travel on the Capital One travel portal, transferring to one of Capital One's partners, and using miles to cover travel purchases on your card statement. I did mostly the latter – it's not the highest opportunity redemption, but it was ridiculously easy.
Apply for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Why we picked it: Many of the top travel cards come with an annual fee. This card proves that you don't need to pay an annual fee to get solid travel rewards. Plus, you get a significant bump in rewards if you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member (as I am).
I don't always enjoy trying to manage my financial accounts via app, but the Bank of America app is one that I do use regularly. I could quibble a bit about the design, but I think the usability is great. It's easy to navigate between multiple types of Bank of America accounts. I can see card balances, due dates, rewards earned, and easily sign up for partner deals that often feature 10% to 15% savings.
What to watch out for: You generally can't expect a huge number of extra perks on a card with no annual fee, and that's the case here.
Apply for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Why we picked it: High rewards rates, hefty welcome bonus offer, travel credit, anniversary miles, and travel perks that you'll actually use. For frequent travelers, the benefits of this card (see rates and fees) can easily justify the high annual fee.
We think the value of this card holds up well beyond its first year. For one, you get an annual $300 Capital One Travel credit. Plus, you get a 10,000 mile anniversary bonus, worth $100. So right there, you've got $400 in value to weigh against the $395 annual fee. We could argue that everything else is gravy.
What to watch out for: Not as many perks as other premium travel cards. This dings the Capital One Venture X Card a bit, but a lot of those perks get more targeted and won't be a fit for everyone. Plus, many competing premium travel cards have an even higher annual fee.
Apply for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Why we picked it: Chase Sapphire cards are loaded with benefits, but there's one in particular that makes them special -- their rewards program. Chase Ultimate Rewards is The Ascent's pick for the best credit card rewards program.
I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and I also had the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, back when you could have one of each.
With either card, you can transfer your points to many airline and hotel loyalty programs, and there are some incredible savings opportunities this way. For example, I've transferred Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt and booked a stay at a four-star hotel in New York, paying in points for what would have been a $5,634 stay. I've also transferred points to book business-class airfare, once saving $4,142 in the process.
What to watch out for: Non-bonus purchases earn standard rate of 1x point per $1.
I initially got this card for the sky high welcome bonus, but have kept it due to several of its unique features and benefits — which make it well worth the $95 annual fee. One of the highlights is Trip Delay Reimbursement. If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you and your family are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket.
-Ethan Mellin, team member at The Motley Fool Ascent
Why we picked it: There aren't many travel cards that earn high rewards rates on groceries and dining. This American Express card does, offering outstanding rewards on your U.S. supermarket and restaurant spending. Terms apply.
American Express cards are usually a good fit for big spenders, and this one's no exception. If you have high spending in its bonus categories, you'll earn points quickly. And its bonus categories cover some of the biggest monthly expenses for many households.
What to watch out for: Many of this card's benefits are designed with U.S. consumers in mind, including the spending credits and bonus rewards at U.S. supermarkets. That's something to keep in mind if you travel often or live abroad.
Apply for the American Express® Gold Card
Why we picked it: This card (see rates and fees) meets the sweet spot of being an airline that has broad enough route coverage that it's a good option out of many airports, plus the credit card itself is good. Which is why I used to have this card in my own wallet.
Starting with the checked bag fee waiver (terms apply), this alone can make the card very valuable for a family. We are a family of four, with young kids. It's basically impossible to travel carry-on only like when my wife and I were child-free and globetrotting. The first checked bag on a Delta flight is $30 each way. If you take one flight per year and check two bags round trip, the $120 that you save already more than pays for the annual fee of this card in years 2+.
What to watch out for: What about earning rewards? Well, that's not as great. But it's nice that this card offers higher earning rates on spend other than with the airline, as many airline cards only give elevated rewards rates for spend with that airline.
Apply for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Why we picked it: This is a no annual fee card with decent rewards earning rates and a welcome offer of 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you spend $2,000 in the first 6 months. If you do happen to stay at Hilton properties though, this is a quality card that brings some nice perks. (Terms apply; see rates and fees).
What to watch out for: It's important to note that Hilton Honors points don't value out as highly as other points systems (this is true of most hotel points programs). The points-earning on this card isn't as wildly high as it may seem at first glance. However, even after cutting the rates in half – 3.5x on Hilton spend, 2.5x on dining, 2.5x on U.S. supermarkets and gas stations, etc. – it's still very reasonable for a card that has no annual fee.
Though these cards didn’t make our top picks list above, they are still high-quality travel cards in our view. Depending on your personal situation, these could easily be a better fit for you than the cards above.
Here’s a look at some of our other favorite travel cards:
Great for: Premium perks and rewards
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
22.49%-29.49% Variable
Rewards Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel℠.
Annual Fee N/A
$550
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
60,000 bonus points
This Chase card is your ticket to big rewards on travel spending and dining out, like up to 10x points on spending through Chase Travel, where your points are worth 50% more if you book through Chase Ultimate Rewards. You'll also score excellent perks, like a $300 travel credit, airport lounge access, and a Global Entry/TSA Precheck credit. The annual fee is hefty, but if you can use all its features, this card could be well worth the cost. Read Full Review
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Great for: Costco shoppers
Excellent (740-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.49% (Variable)
Rewards 4% back on gas and EV charging ($7,000 annual spending cap), 3% back on restaurants and travel, 2% back on Costco purchases, 1% back on other purchases
1% - 4% back
Annual Fee
$0 for Costco members
Welcome Offer
N/A
Hard to beat for Costco shoppers with the lucrative rewards program and no annual fee for members. The cash back rates on gas and EV charging are among the highest you'll find. Read Full Review
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Great for: Hotel rewards and benefits
Welcome offer
100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
Regular APR
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Rewards Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
3X-7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 4/17/24.
100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points
A fantastic option for earning Hilton Honors points with a lucrative rewards program and nice welcome offer. Read Full Review
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Great for: Airline rewards and benefits
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Welcome offer
Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
Regular APR
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Rewards Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
1X-2X Miles
Annual Fee
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
Welcome Offer Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
40,000 Bonus Miles
An excellent option for most Delta travelers, given the balance of a nice welcome offer, premium rewards program, and a low annual fee. Read Full Review
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Great for: Hotel rewards and perks
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Rewards Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
Annual Fee N/A
$99
Welcome Offer Earn 165,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 165,000 bonus points
This card has a very lucrative bonus you can earn after opening an account, and allows you to rack up tons of point on hotel stays.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Great for: Tiered travel-focused points
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards Earn 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked in the Altitude Rewards Center, 4X points on travel and at gas stations, 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, dining and streaming services, 1x points on other purchases
1x - 5x points
Annual Fee N/A
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Welcome Offer 50,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening
50,000 points
Special travel perks can be yours with this U.S. Bank card. For a nominal annual fee, you can earn 5X points per $1 on travel booked through the Altitude Rewards Center, 4X points on other travel, and more. Plus, to enhance your travel experience, you can enjoy access to airport lounges worldwide with a 12-month Priority Pass Select membership, plus a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Aeroplan® Credit Card
Great for: Airline points and perks
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
21.74% - 28.74% Variable
Rewards 3x points for each dollar spent on grocery stores, dining at restaurants including takeout and eligible delivery services, and Air Canada directly. 1x points for each dollar spent on all other purchases.
N/A
Annual Fee N/A
95
Welcome Offer Earn up to 100,000 bonus points – 75,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 25,000 points after you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months.
Earn up to 100,000 points
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard
Great for: Airline points and perks
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
17.49% - 26.49%, variable
Rewards 2X miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1X miles on all other purchases
1X - 2X miles
Annual Fee
$99
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full within the first 90 days
60,000 AAdvantage miles
The sign-up bonus and companion certificates are nice perks that make up for what is otherwise a middle-of-the-road rewards program. Read Full Review
AAA Member Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Great for: Travel protections
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months
Regular APR
13.99% - 23.99%, variable
Rewards 3% cash back on eligible travel and AAA purchases; 2% back on gas, grocery store, wholesale club and drugstore purchases; 1% back on other purchases.
1% - 3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer $200 statement credit after you spend at least $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening.
$200
A well-rounded credit card that goes toe to toe with offers from big national issuers. The sign-up bonus and rewards program are particularly competitive.
Start by figuring out which types of travel credit cards you're interested in to narrow down your options.
Once you have the best credit cards ready, here are the things to look at:
Choose some of the top travel credit cards that stand out to you. If you're looking for the best travel credit cards for beginners, the simplest way to evaluate them is to use The Ascent's tool to compare credit card offers for a feature-by-feature review.
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
2024 Award Winner
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Points and perks for dining out |
2024 Award Winner
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Unlimited rewards |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Travel card with no annual fee |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Premium travel rewards |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Bonus points from travel portal |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Premium travel card experience |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Premium perks and rewards |
|
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Costco shoppers |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Hotel rewards and benefits |
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Airline rewards and benefits |
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Hotel rewards and perks |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Tiered travel-focused points |
|
Aeroplan® Credit Card
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Airline points and perks |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Airline points and perks |
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AAA Member Rewards Visa Signature® Card
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Travel protections |
About our expertise with travel credit cards: Lyle has written about travel credit cards since 2016, and during that time, covered just about all the notable cards and rewards programs.
Lyle:
I also love using travel cards in my personal life, so I have quite a bit of firsthand experience with them. Many of the cards I write about are ones that I've used myself.
I'm passionate about travel rewards cards because I've seen just how much better and more affordable they make the travel experience. So far, I've earned well over 1 million points, relaxed in airport lounges around the world, and paid for dozens of travel bookings with rewards instead of cash. That includes business-class airfare and luxury hotel stays that would normally cost $3,000 or more.
Matt is the General Manager of The Ascent and was formerly based in Berlin as the head of The Motley Fool Germany. He's an investor at heart and brings that rigor to how he analyzes travel credit cards and their points programs. But he's also an avid optimizer of credit-card usage in his personal life.
Matt:
I've traveled all over the world and used a wide variety of credit cards in a lot of different places -- from a rifugio in the Italian Alps and street markets in Fez to the sushi stand outside the Grand Sumo tournament in Fukuoka. I've earned and redeemed a boatload of points, cashed in big welcome offers, and made the most of perks. But I've also made plenty of mistakes!
At the end of the day, though, I find it fun, and I love helping others use their cards wisely -- whether they want to get the very most of out their cards or just earn points without taking time away from the rest of their life.
The more that you travel, the better a travel points credit card will work for you. If you go on two or three trips per year, you should be able to make the most of the benefits that the best travel card offers. If you're traveling even more frequently than that, then the best travel rewards card will likely be extremely valuable to you. If you don't travel that much, other rewards credit cards would be a better option.
Points and miles are two ways of referring to travel rewards. The term that's used depends on the credit card issuer, and neither has a set definition. In general, credit card points is the more common term. Credit card miles is a term used primarily by airlines. However, neither is set in stone. There are other types of travel cards that refer to their rewards as miles, and there are credit cards with airline miles that refer to their rewards as points.
There are a lot of different loyalty programs, and they all have their own travel rewards. The tricky part is figuring out how these travel rewards compare to each other. For example, are miles with Delta and Southwest worth the same amount, or is one more valuable?
Although airline and hotel rewards don't have a fixed value, we've calculated approximate values based on what they're usually worth. You may get more or less depending on how you redeem them, but these are the usual values with the major airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Airline | Value per mile |
---|---|
Alaska Airlines | $0.016 |
American Airlines | $0.014 |
Delta Air Lines | $0.014 |
Frontier Airlines | $0.010 |
JetBlue Airways | $0.014 |
Southwest Airlines | $0.014 |
Spirit Airlines | $0.011 |
United Airlines | $0.013 |
Hotel | Value per point |
---|---|
Best Western | $0.007 |
Choice Hotels | $0.006 |
Hilton | $0.005 |
Hyatt | $0.016 |
IHG | $0.006 |
Marriott | $0.007 |
Radisson | $0.004 |
Wyndham | $0.009 |
Love Rewards? If you do, you should check out The Ascent's guide to the best rewards checking accounts.
There are four types of travel rewards credit cards. You'll find a description of each type below.
An airline credit card is tied to an airline loyalty program, also known as a frequent flyer program. When you use the best credit card for frequent flyers, it earns miles in that program. You can redeem your miles for award airfare. Instead of paying $250 for a ticket, you may be able to buy it for 25,000 miles. The best credit card for airline miles often include additional perks with the airline, such as free checked luggage or airport lounge access.
A hotel credit card is tied to a hotel loyalty program. When you use a hotel credit card, it earns rewards points in that program. You can redeem your points for award hotel stays, such as paying 30,000 points per night instead of $150 per night. Hotel credit cards also frequently offer extra perks with the hotel chain. These could include a complimentary late checkout, elite status in the hotel's loyalty program, or a free night award every year.
A travel credit card with fixed-rate rewards lets you redeem your rewards for cash travel purchases. Rewards are always worth the same amount toward travel this way. For example, if your card offers $0.01 per point, then 10,000 points will always be worth $100 in travel. Depending on the card, you can either use your rewards as a statement credit toward previous travel purchases, use them in the card issuer's travel portal to book travel, or both.
A travel credit card with transferable rewards lets you send your rewards to other loyalty programs. For example, if your travel card has rewards you can transfer to Hyatt Hotels, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, then you could send your points to any of those programs. You would then be able to book travel through that loyalty program using your points.
They're great if you don't have any specific airlines or hotels you like more than the rest. Specifically, look for travel cards in a major credit card rewards program:
Since these card issuers have large rosters of airline and hotel partners, they offer the best international travel credit cards.
Not sure if a credit card with travel points is what you need? Here are the most popular alternatives.
A cash back credit card earns rewards on purchases. The difference is that instead of rewards you can use for travel, it earns cash rewards. You can typically redeem your cash back as a statement credit on your credit card bill, a deposit to your bank account, or a check. Cash back cards are great for consumers who want to earn credit card rewards but aren't big travelers. The reward can also be much easier to use, and many cash back credit cards don't have annual fees.
A credit card for bad credit is one that you can get even if you have a low credit score or no credit history. In that situation, it's unlikely you'll qualify for a travel card. The better route is to get one of these credit cards for bad credit, use it to build your credit, and apply for a travel card once you have a higher credit score.
At The Motley Fool Ascent, we rate travel credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria Includes rewards systems and bonus categories, rewards redemption flexibility, and sign-up bonuses.
Our highest-rated travel credit cards have:
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best travel card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring travel credit cards from reputable brands.
Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how The Ascent rates credit cards.
Airport lounge access: A credit card feature that allows the cardholder to visit certain airport lounges free of charge or at a discounted rate.
Annual fee: A fee charged once per year for a credit card. Annual fees for travel credit cards range from $0 to over $500.
Bonus category: A spending category in which a credit card earns bonus rewards. For example, a travel credit card may earn 5 points per $1 on air travel, compared to 1 point per $1 on regular purchases.
Credit card rewards program: A loyalty program offered by a credit card company. The most popular credit card rewards programs are:
Elite status: Any status above the basic, introductory tier in a travel provider's loyalty program. Airlines and hotels usually have multiple tiers in their loyalty programs, and elite status tiers offer more benefits. Each tier has its own entry requirements, such as spending a minimum amount or making a minimum number of bookings. Some travel cards include elite status in a loyalty program as a complimentary perk.
Foreign transaction fee: A credit card fee charged on transactions made in foreign currencies or transactions that go through international banks. Most travel credit cards don't charge foreign transaction fees.
Loyalty program: A program offered by a business to encourage customer loyalty. Loyalty programs offer special rewards for members. These programs are common with travel providers such as airlines and hotels, and allow travelers to earn rewards to use for free bookings. They're also referred to as rewards programs, and airline loyalty programs are also referred to as frequent flyer programs.
Redemption options: The ways that travel rewards can be used. These options depend on the type of travel rewards and the loyalty program.
Rewards rate: The amount of rewards a credit card earns per $1 spent. Some credit cards offer the same amount on every purchase, such as 2 points per $1 on all eligible purchases. Other cards offer more in bonus categories.
Sign-up bonus: A credit card bonus offer available to new cardholders. Most sign-up bonuses include a requirement to earn the bonus amount, such as spending a certain amount within a set time period. Another common term for a sign-up bonus is a welcome bonus or welcome offer.
Spending credit: A statement credit towards one or more purchases on your credit card bill. Some travel credit cards offer spending credits, and they generally apply to specific types of purchases over a certain time. For example, a travel card could offer a $300 annual credit towards travel purchases.
Transferable rewards/points/miles: Rewards that can be transferred to the loyalty programs of multiple travel providers. Transferable rewards are widely considered the most valuable, because they can be used for travel bookings with different airlines and/or hotels.
Travel portal: An online platform for booking travel. Many major credit card issuers have travel portals cardholders can use to book trips.
Travel rewards: A loyalty program currency that can be redeemed for travel. Travel rewards are usually referred to as points or miles, depending on the loyalty program.
The first thing you should do is figure out which card's rewards program will work best for your travel habits. When in doubt, get a travel card with transferable rewards. These give you the most ways to book travel, so they're great if you don't have any specific airlines or hotels you like more than the rest.
Pick a card that will earn you lots of travel rewards. If possible, it's great to get a card with a high rewards rate and a large sign-up bonus. Even if you can't get that, any card you're considering should offer at least one of the two. The more reward points you earn, the more money you'll save on travel.
Take advantage of as many benefits as possible. Go through your travel card's features to make sure you don't forget to use any of them. If it has airport lounge access, see which lounges you can get into and if there's a registration process required first. If your card has travel protections, such as trip delay or lost luggage reimbursement, learn how they work in case you ever need to use them.
Andrew O. Coggins, Jr., Ph.D.
Clinical Professor, Management Department, at Lubin School of Business, Pace University
Dr. Coggins is a internationally renowned cruise industry analyst. His insights have been featured in The New York Times, MSNBC, and NPR. He serves as a clinical professor at Pace University's Lubin School of Business.
Who should sign up for a travel credit card?
It depends on how often you travel with that particular company. If you travel a lot, the card might make sense.
What should one consider when selecting a travel credit card?
Two major points are the interest rate and the benefits, i.e. priority check-in, upgrades, club membership, fee waiver, etc. Other considerations are: Can you earn points on non-travel spending? How often do you fly or stay with that brand? In the end, it comes down to what’s important to you. In my case, most of my air travel is through hub connections, so club membership is a big plus.
Our Credit Cards Experts
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. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
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