The 7 best travel credit cards
A travel credit card offers you valuable rewards for the money you spend traveling, dining, and even commuting. There are many cards to choose from that offer points or miles, complimentary airport lounge access, free checked bags, vouchers, and more. Here are the 7 best travel rewards credit cards.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the best travel credit cards as it offers an annual $300 travel credit. When signing up for this card, you’ll automatically receive 50,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases of any kind in your first 3 months. That’s the Chase equivalent of a $750 travel credit.
Plus, earn 3x points on both travel worldwide and dining at restaurants (fast food and upscale). When you’re not traveling, earn 1 point per $1 spent using your Chase Sapphire Reserve travel rewards card. There’s also much to enjoy at the airport and during your travels as well. Enjoy VIP access to 1,000+ airport lounges around the world and a one-time enrolment in Priority Pass™ Select, so you can get through the airport quicker.
Annual Fee: $550
Annual complimentary travel credit: $300
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Another travel rewards card from Chase, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great choice for travel rewards beginners for its low annual fee of $95 and excellent incentives.You’ll earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 within your first three months, the equivalent of $750 in travel rewards. There’s another excellent perk to take advantage of while traveling.
Earn 2x on travel and dining at restaurants. Then, 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. The great thing about Chase’s points system is that points are worth 25% more in travel redemption when you go through the online Chase portal. Basically, you’ll get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
No foreigh transaction fees.
Annual fee: $95
American Express® Green Card
The American Express® Green Card is excellent for modern travelers and millennials who live or travel in cities. The card earns 3x Membership Rewards points on transit such as subway, train journeys, ferry rides, and rideshares The Green Card also gives 3x points on restaurants including dine-in or takeaway.
Of course, you’ll also receive 3x points on travel purchases such as flights, hotels, and car rentals. Finally, American Express offers an excellent sign-up bonus. When you spend only $2,000 in your first three months, you’ll earn 30,000 Membership Rewards points.
No foreign transaction fees.
Annual fee: $150
American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card is one of the best travel credit cards for those who enjoy dining out both locally and abroad as it offers 4x points when you dine at restaurants worldwide (including takeaway). You can also earn up to $120 when you use the card with GrubHub, The Cheesecake Factory, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations.
Beyond just perks for eating out, card holders will earn 3x points on flights booked directly through airline websites or on amextravel.com, With the Gold Card, you can also receive a $100 annual airline fee credit when you use your card for checked baggage fees and in-flight refreshments with one qualifying airline. Its sign-up bonus earns card holders 35,000 Membership Rewards points when they spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months.
No foreign transaction fees.
Annual fee: $250
Capital One® Venture
Capital One® Venture is an excellent travel rewards card for frequent flyers as card holders will earn 2x miles on every purchase made. Earned miles with the Venture® card can be transferred to one of 10+ travel loyalty programs for more flexibility for travel bookings.
New cardmembers will also benefit from earning 50,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months. There is also no fee for using the card abroad and travelers will also enjoy a Global Entry or TSA Pre® Credit of up to $100.
No foreign transaction fees.
Annual fee: $95
American Express® Platinum Card
The American Express® Platinum Card has many features that make it a superb travel rewards card. Travelers will earn 5x points on flights booked directly through airlines or on amextravel.com. You will also earn 5x prepaid hotels, and 1x points on all other purchases.
Choose a favorite qualifying airline and receive up to $200 annually when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to your Platinum card. Frequent travelers will also benefit from a free credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® as well as complimentary benefits with its Fine Hotels & Resorts® Program and airport lounge access. New card members can enjoy 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $5,000 in their first three months.
No foreign transaction fees.
Annual fee: $550
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select Mastercard®
If you often fly with American Airlines, this travel rewards card from Citi® / AAdvantage® is recommended for you. After opening an account, you can earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within your first 3 months.
You’ll also earn 2x miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases as well as 2x miles per $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants. Then, once you spend $20,000 or more in purchases and renew your card, you’ll earn a $125 American Airlines flight discount.
As for flight and travel benefits, your first checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines flights and free for up to 4 travel companions, and you’ll save 25% on inflight services.
No foreign transaction fees.
Annual fee: $99
