- The Ascent
- Best Credit Cards for 2020
- Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Lyle is a writer specializing in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. His work has also appeared on MSN Money, USA Today, and Yahoo! Finance.
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Travel credit cards are a great way to gain rewards while you spend. With historically high rewards rates, it’s a great opportunity to consider how a travel rewards credit card could help you achieve your goals. there may be no better time for you to sign up for a new travel credit card than today. Travelers benefit when taking advantage of big sign-up bonuses, securing discounted cheap airfare, avoiding foreign and annual transaction fees, and gaining VIP access to airport lounges. See below for our top-rated cards, some of which are from our partners, and find the best choice for you.
Here are The Ascent's picks for top travel rewards credit cards:
- Sign-up bonus and points transfers: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Sign-up bonus: Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
- Premium travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- No annual fee: Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card
- Travel card with no annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Visa® credit card
- Premium travel: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Visa® credit card
- No annual fee and bonus: Discover it® Miles
- Business travel: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Great for: Sign-up bonus and points transfers Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
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.
Our Bottom Line
One of the most popular travel cards for many reasons. This offer is practically a must-have for travelers seeking a big sign-up bonus and one of the best points programs available on the market.
Read Full ReviewCredit Rating Requirement:
What we Like:
- 60,000 points sign-up bonus
- 2 points per $1 for travel & dining
- Flexible points transfer program
Key Scores:
Perks | 4.5/5 |
Fees | 5.0/5 |
APR | 1.5/5 |
- Annual Fee: $95
- Regular APR: 17.49% - 24.49% Variable
- Intro APR: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A
Highlights
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
Great for: Sign-up bonus Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
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.
Our Bottom Line
Strikes a nice balance of high rewards and a big sign-up bonus with low fees. With a base travel rewards rate of 2 miles per $1 and TSA Pre✓® credits, this is a no-fuss travel rewards card that's hard to ignore
Read Full ReviewCredit Rating Requirement:
What we Like:
- 50,000 miles sign-up bonus
- 2 miles per $1
- No foreign transaction fees
Key Scores:
Perks | 4.0/5 |
Fees | 5.0/5 |
APR | 2.5/5 |
- Annual Fee: $0 intro for first year; $95 after that
- Regular APR: 17.49% - 24.74% Variable
- Intro APR: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A
Highlights
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $500 in travel
- Earn 2X miles on every purchase, every day.
- Receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
- Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime; no blackout dates. Plus transfer your miles to over 12 leading travel loyalty programs
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Named ‘The Best Travel Card' by CNBC, 2018
- No foreign transaction fees
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
Great for: Premium travel Chase Sapphire Reserve®
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.
Our 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
Read Full ReviewCredit Rating Requirement:
What we Like:
- 50,000 points sign-up bonus
- $300 annual travel credits
- 3 points per $1 on travel & dining
- $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
Key Scores:
Perks | 4.5/5 |
Fees | 5.0/5 |
APR | 1.5/5 |
- Annual Fee: $450
- Regular APR: 18.49% - 25.49% Variable
- Intro APR: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A
Highlights
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Named "Best Premium Travel Credit Card" for 2018 by MONEY® Magazine
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
- 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. $0 foreign transaction fees.
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 50,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,000+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select
- Up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
Great for: No annual fee Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card
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.
Our Bottom Line
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 ReviewCredit Rating Requirement:
What we Like:
- 20,000 miles sign-up bonus
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR offer
- No foreign transaction fees
Key Scores:
Perks | 4.0/5 |
Fees | 5.0/5 |
APR | 5.0/5 |
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 13.74% - 23.74% Variable
- Intro APR: Purchases: 0%, for 12 months Balance Transfers: N/A
Highlights
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
- Earn 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
- Travel when you want with no blackout dates and fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Transfer your miles to over 12 leading travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 13.74% - 23.74% variable APR after that
Great for: Travel card with no annual fee Bank of America® Travel Rewards Visa® credit card
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.
Our 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 spending, and other wallet-friendly perks.
Read Full ReviewCredit Rating Requirement:
What we Like:
- Unlimited 1.5 points per $1
- Big intro bonus offer
- No foreign transaction fees
Key Scores:
Perks | 5.0/5 |
Fees | 4.0/5 |
APR | 4.0/5 |
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 16.49% - 24.49% Variable
- Intro APR: Purchases: 0%, 12 billing cycles Balance Transfers: N/A
Highlights
- 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
- 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
- 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 flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars, or baggage fees
- 0% Introductory APR for 12 billing cycles for purchases. After the intro APR ends, 16.49% - 24.49% Variable APR will apply
- If you're a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25% - 75% more points on every purchase
Great for: No annual fee and bonus Discover it® Miles
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.
Our Bottom Line
A fit for occasional travelers, this card's most valuable perks are unlimited 1.5 miles per $1, no foreign transaction fees, and double miles earned in the first year
Read Full ReviewCredit Rating Requirement:
What we Like:
- 1.5 Miles per $1
- Double Miles in the first year
- No annual fee
- FICO® Score for free
Key Scores:
Perks | 2.0/5 |
Fees | 5.0/5 |
APR | 5.0/5 |
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 13.49% - 24.49% Variable
- Intro APR: Purchases: 0%, 14 months Balance Transfers: 10.99%, 14 months
Highlights
- UNLIMITED BONUS: Discover will match ALL the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year, automatically. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. That’s $700 towards travel! The more you earn, the more you get.
- Earn unlimited 1.5x Miles for every dollar spent on all purchases - with no annual fee.
- No Blackout Dates. Simply pay for travel purchases like airlines, hotels, rental cars, and more with your Discover it® Miles card.
- Miles Pay You Back. Easily redeem Miles as a statement credit for travel purchases. Or get cash.
- Freeze your account in seconds with an on/off switch either on the mobile app or website to prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers.
- Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
Great for: Business travel Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
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.
Our Bottom Line
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.
Credit Rating Requirement:
What we Like:
- 80,000 points bonus
- Up to 3x points per dollar
- No foreign transaction fees
Key Scores:
Perks | 4.0/5 |
Fees | 4.0/5 |
APR | 4.0/5 |
- Annual Fee: $95
- Regular APR: 17.74% - 22.74% Variable
- Intro APR: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A
Highlights
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year
- Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Redeem points for travel, cash back, gift cards and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
- No foreign transaction fees
- Employee cards at no additional cost
- $95 Annual Fee

Get our latest tips and uncover more of our top picks to help you conquer your money goals
Everything you need to know about travel rewards credit cards
They say travel is good for the soul, but it's not always good for your bank account -- unless, that is, you're traveling for free. And with all the excellent travel rewards credit cards on the market, it's easier than ever to get free airfare and hotel stays.
Although travel cards can be complicated, we have a crash course on them here. You'll learn how travel cards and the points they earn work, how to pick the right travel card for you, and how you can earn the most possible points once you've gotten a card.
What should I look for in a travel rewards card?
Vetting and comparing credit cards before you apply is very important to ensure you're getting the best card for your lifestyle. Travel credit cards typically offer perks such as bonus miles on travel, discounts on global entry and TSA Pre-Check, and more. Although we used a range of factors to decide on the best travel cards, there are a few that played the biggest role:
Rewards rates and sign-up bonuses
A card that earns a lot of points will open up more travel opportunities for you. The best credit cards will have high rewards rates on your spending, big sign-up bonuses, or ideally, both of the above.
Reward redemption options
We looked for cards that make it easy to redeem your points for the travel that you want, while still getting a good value from those points in the process.
Travel benefits
These may include credits for certain types of travel purchases, access to airport lounges, or complimentary hotel perks, to name just a few.
How do travel credit cards work?
Travel rewards credit cards earn points when you spend money, and you can then redeem those points for travel. There are two ways you’ll earn points:
Get points for everyday spending
Each time you buy something using your credit card, you’ll earn a certain number of points. Some travel cards earn a flat rate regardless of what the spending category is. Others earn different amounts based on the spending category of the purchase, such as travel and dining.
Receive big sign-up bonuses
Most popular travel cards include a sign-up bonus that you get if you meet a spending minimum. Sign-up bonuses are a popular incentive banks use to get new customers, and they’re the fastest way you can earn points.
Ways to redeem your travel credit card points
Redeeming your travel rewards depends on the card company and the type of card you have.
Here are the ways that you can cash in your rewards:
Fixed-rate redemptions
You get a set value for your points and can apply them towards any travel purchase. If you have a card that gets you $0.01 per point on travel redemptions, then 30,000 points could pay for $300 in travel expenses. These redemptions are fast and easy, and you can always count on getting a consistent value for your points.
Booking award airline tickets and hotel stays with points
You book airfare or a hotel stay and pay the points price instead of the cash price. In some cases, points prices can offer a much better value than cash prices, like when a $1,000 business-class ticket only costs 30,000 points, getting you well over $0.03 per point.
You can book travel with points when you have a credit card with a specific airline or hotel. These are also an option when you have a card that lets you transfer your points to multiple airline and hotel transfer partners.
Both
It's getting more common for banks to offer points you can either redeem at a fixed rate or transfer to travel partners for award bookings. In fact, American Express, Capital One, Chase, and Citi all offer travel cards that include both redemption options.
Having multiple ways to redeem your points can help you book the travel you want and get the most value in the process, so several of our top travel cards are the ones that offer this.
Is a travel card right for you?
If you’re on the fence about getting a travel card, there are three signs that this would be the right type of credit card for you.
You travel at least once per year
You’ll need to travel to make use of your rewards and any travel perks your credit card has. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use your card to its full potential and you’d be better off looking at cash-back cards.
Your credit score is good or excellent
For the most part, travel credit cards are only available to applicants who have at least a good credit score. It’s possible to get approved if you’re not quite there, but you may want to look at credit cards for fair credit or wait and build your credit score instead.
You pay your credit card bill in full
Interest on credit card balances will almost always cost you more than the travel rewards you earn. A credit card isn’t really a good choice for carrying a balance, but if you need to do that, low-interest credit cards are a much better option than travel cards.
How do I choose a travel rewards card?
The first thing to figure out when selecting a travel card is how much of an annual fee you’re willing to pay. Here’s an idea of what the typical annual fee ranges are for travel cards:
- No annual fee -- Most travel cards charge an annual fee, but there are exceptions.
- $50 to $100 -- This is the most popular price range for travel cards, and you can find plenty of quality options here that balance benefits with affordability.
- $200 and above -- At this price range, you have the premium credit cards with the longest lists of features. Despite the higher costs of these cards, they can be worth it for frequent travelers.
After that, you can check out the cards in that price range and see which ones have benefits that will work best for you. In particular, you’ll want to consider the following features:
- Rewards rates -- You may want a card that earns either a high flat-rate back on all your spending or has bonus categories that earn more rewards. If you’re interested in cards with bonus categories, then you’ll need to find one that earns bonus points in categories where you frequently spend money.
- Sign-up bonuses -- You’ll obviously want the most possible bonus points, but you should also check that you can meet the spending minimum on a card’s sign-up bonus.
- Point redemption options -- Whether you want to use your points for fixed-rate redemptions or award bookings, make sure that you can do so with the card you choose. If you want to make award bookings with a specific airline or hotel, then you’ll either want to get that company’s credit card or a card with points you can transfer to that company.
How to maximize your travel rewards card
Once you’ve received your travel rewards credit card, you can get the most out of it in a few steps.
Spend enough to earn the sign-up bonus
One of the biggest mistakes with travel cards is failing to get a sign-up bonus and seeing tens of thousands of points go down the drain. Keep track of how much time you have left and how close you are to getting your bonus. You can always contact your card issuer to ask about this if you’re unsure.
Make sure to pay the statement balance every month
All that money you’re saving with travel rewards will be wiped out if you carry a balance and need to pay interest charges. You won’t incur any interest if you pay your statement balance every month.
Know and use your card’s travel perks
You can miss out on a lot of value if you don’t know what benefits your card offers. For example, many cards now offer a credit for a Global Entry membership that can save you all kinds of time at the airport, but you can only take advantage if you’re aware of that perk.
Put all your purchases on your credit card
Here’s a simple one -- when you have a travel card, stop paying with your debit card or cash. Those won’t earn you a thing back. It makes much more sense to pay with your credit card, earn your points, and then pay off your credit card when the bill is due.
Only use your points for travel redemptions
With some travel cards, you’ll have a plethora of options regarding how you use your points. The most important thing to remember about redemptions is that you should use your points exclusively for travel. Other types of redemptions, such as cash back or merchandise purchases in points, just don’t offer nearly as much bang for your buck (or in this case, your point).
To recap, here are the best travel rewards credit cards
Card | Travel Reward | Great For… | |
---|---|---|---|
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card |
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Travel Reward: 60,000 points bonus |
Great For: Sign-up bonus and points transfers |
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card |
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Travel Reward: $500 travel bonus, 2 miles per $1 |
Great For: Sign-up bonus |
Chase Sapphire Reserve® |
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Travel Reward: Up to $750 bonus + $300 in credits |
Great For: Premium travel |
Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card |
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Travel Reward: $200 bonus + No annual fee |
Great For: No annual fee |
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Visa® credit card |
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Travel Reward: 25,000 bonus points + No annual fee |
Great For: Travel card with no annual fee |
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Visa® credit card |
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Travel Reward: 50,000 bonus points |
Great For: Premium travel |
Discover it® Miles |
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Travel Reward: Matching miles |
Great For: No annual fee and bonus |
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card |
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Travel Reward: 80,000 bonus points |
Great For: Business travel |