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CREDIT CARDSCREDIT CARDSBEST TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS OF FEBRUARY 2024
Introducing NerdWallet+ Earn an extra $100 worth of rewards on your next credit
card, plus more rewards for making smart financial decisions.
LEARN MORE
Advertiser disclosureBEST OF
15 BEST TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS OF FEBRUARY 2024
By
NerdWallet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Feb 13, 2024
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate
us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the
product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our
opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make
money.
ALSO CONSIDER: Best credit cards of 2024 || Best rewards credit cards || Best
airline credit cards || Best hotel credit cards
A travel rewards credit card brings your next trip a little closer every time
you use it. Each purchase earns points or miles that you can redeem for travel
expenses. If you're loyal to a specific airline or hotel chain, consider getting
one of that company's branded credit cards. Otherwise, check out the
general-purpose travel cards on this page, which give you flexible rewards that
you can use without the restrictions and blackout dates of branded cards.
Some of our selections for the best travel credit cards can be applied for
through NerdWallet, and some cannot. Below, you'll find application links for
the credit cards from our partners that are available through NerdWallet,
followed by the full list of our picks.
Why trust NerdWallet
* 250+ credit cards reviewed and rated by our team of experts
* 80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
* 100+ categories of best credit card selections (See our top picks)
* Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is
overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their
work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times,
MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other
national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows
NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Show More
Why trust NerdWallet
* 250+ credit cards reviewed and rated by our team of experts
* 80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
* 100+ categories of best credit card selections (See our top picks)
* Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is
overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their
work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times,
MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other
national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows
NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Show summary
NERDWALLET'S BEST TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS OF FEBRUARY 2024
* Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for Flexibility + point transfers + big
sign-up bonus
* Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for Flat-rate travel rewards
* Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for Travel portal benefits
* Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for Cash back for travel bookings
* Chase Freedom Flex℠: Best for Cash back for travel bookings
* American Express® Gold Card: Best for Big rewards on everyday spending
* Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: Best for Bonus rewards + no annual fee
* The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for Luxury travel perks
* Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Best for Business travelers — bonus
rewards + big sign-up offer
* Citi Premier® Card: Best for Triple points on multiple categories
* Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card: Best for Flat-rate rewards + no
annual fee, and for balance transfers
* Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for Bonus travel rewards + high-end perks
* World of Hyatt Credit Card: Best for Hotel credit card
* Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card: Best for Travel rewards for rent
payments + no annual fee
* United℠ Explorer Card: Best for Airline card
Project Green Illustration
Boost your rewards with an extra $100Create a NerdWallet account to take the
first step to $100 in rewards when you get an eligible card with NerdWallet and
pay your first bill on time.
To claim this reward (and more) upgrade to NerdWallet+ for $49 a year. You can
earn up to $350 in rewards a year for your smart financial choices.
Sign in to take advantage
BEST TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS FROM OUR PARTNERS
ELIGIBLE FOR $100 REWARD
SIGN-IN REQUIRED
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NerdWallet rating
Annual feeRewards rateIntro offer
Learn more
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
5.0/5
Best for Flexibility + point transfers + big sign-up bonus
$95
1x-5x
Points
60,000
points
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Rates & Fees
4.7/5
Best for Flat-rate travel rewards
$95
2x-5x
Miles
75,000
miles
Apply Now
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Rates & Fees
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
5.0/5
Best for Cash back for travel bookings
$0
1.5%-6.5%
Cashback
$300
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Rates & Fees
4.9/5
Best for Travel portal benefits
$395
2x-10x
Miles
75,000
miles
Apply Now
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Rates & Fees
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Apply Now
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
Rates & Fees
5.0/5
Best for Luxury travel perks
$695
1x-5x
Points
80,000
points
Apply Now
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
Rates & Fees
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
5.0/5
Best for Bonus travel rewards + high-end perks
$550
1x-10x
Points
60,000
points
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
American Express® Gold Card
Apply Now
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
Rates & Fees
4.6/5
Best for Big rewards on everyday spending
$250
1x-4x
Points
60,000
points
Apply Now
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
Rates & Fees
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Apply Now
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
Rates & Fees
4.5/5
Best for Bonus rewards + no annual fee
$0
1x-3x
Points
20,000
points
Apply Now
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
Rates & Fees
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
5.0/5
Best for Cash back for travel bookings
$0
1%-5%
Cashback
$200
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Citi Premier® Card
Apply Now
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Rates & Fees
4.9/5
Best for Triple points on multiple categories
$95
1x-3x
Points
60,000
points
Apply Now
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Rates & Fees
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
4.9/5
Best for Business travelers — bonus rewards + big sign-up offer
$95
1x-3x
Points
100,000
points
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Merchandising Flag
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Apply Now
on Bank of America's website,
on Bank of America's website, or call (800) 211-3740
3.8/5
Best for Flat-rate rewards + no annual fee, and for balance transfers
$0
1.5x
Points
25,000
points
Apply Now
on Bank of America's website,
on Bank of America's website, or call (800) 211-3740
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
5.0/5
Best for Hotel credit card
$95
1x-9x
Points
35,000
points
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card
Apply Now
on Bilt's website
on Bilt's website
Rates & Fees
4.5/5
Best for Travel rewards for rent payments + no annual fee
None
1X-3X
Points
N/A
Apply Now
on Bilt's website
on Bilt's website
Rates & Fees
United℠ Explorer Card
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
5.0/5
Best for Airline card
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
1x-2x
Miles
60,000
miles
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
FIND THE RIGHT CREDIT CARD FOR YOU.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out
there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Get Started
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out
there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Take Quiz
Our pick for
FLEXIBILITY + POINT TRANSFERS + BIG SIGN-UP BONUS
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED® CARD
5.0
NerdWallet rating
CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED® CARD
5.0
NerdWallet rating
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
1x-5x
Points
Intro offer
60,000
Points
Recommended Credit Score
690
850
Good - Excellent
Get your free credit score
690-850
(Good - Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Why We Like ItPros & ConsProduct Details
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great option — especially if you
transfer points to it from other Chase cards. The sign-up bonus is outstanding
for a card with a $95 annual fee.
Product Details
* 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
Ultimate Rewards®.
* Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®,
3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other
travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards
Hotel Credit, plus more.
* 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.
* Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision
Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
* Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower
service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31,
2024.
* Member FDIC
Our Take
Pros
* You earn 5 points per $1 spent on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate
Rewards®; 3 points per $1 spent on dining (including eligible delivery
services and takeout), select streaming services, and online grocery
purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 2 points per
$1 spent on travel not purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; and 1 point
per $1 spent on other purchases. Points are worth 25% more — 1.25 cents
apiece — when you redeem them for travel booked through Chase, or you can
transfer them to a dozen airline and hotel programs.
Cons
* Chase's no-annual-fee cash back cards now offer competitive rewards on dining
and some travel when compared to the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. However,
those cards don't offer the enhanced redemption value and point-transfer
options of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, and they also charge foreign
transaction fees.
Why We Like It
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great option — especially if you
transfer points to it from other Chase cards. The sign-up bonus is outstanding
for a card with a $95 annual fee.
Our pick for
FLAT-RATE TRAVEL REWARDS
Apply Now
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Rates & Fees
CAPITAL ONE VENTURE REWARDS CREDIT CARD
4.7
NerdWallet rating
CAPITAL ONE VENTURE REWARDS CREDIT CARD
4.7
NerdWallet rating
Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Rates & Fees
Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
2x-5x
Miles
Intro offer
75,000
Miles
Recommended Credit Score
690
850
Good - Excellent
Get your free credit score
690-850
(Good - Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Why We Like ItPros & ConsProduct Details
Simple rewards and flexible redemption have rightly made the Capital One Venture
Rewards Credit Card one of the most popular travel credit cards on the market.
Product Details
* Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases
within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
* 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
* Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how
many you can earn
* Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
* Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking
a trip through Capital One Travel
* Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of
cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
* Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
* View Rates & Fees
Our Take
Pros
* This card earns 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals booked
through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar spent on everything else.
Miles can be redeemed for any travel expense. You're not limited to any
single airline or hotel chain, and there are no blackout dates or
restrictions on your travel. There's a great sign-up bonus, and the card also
reimburses the application fee for TSA Precheck or Global Entry.
Cons
* You won't get the perks of a dedicated airline or hotel card, like free
checked bags or upgrades. You can transfer miles to several airline loyalty
programs, but domestic options are scant.
Why We Like It
Simple rewards and flexible redemption have rightly made the Capital One Venture
Rewards Credit Card one of the most popular travel credit cards on the market.
Our pick for
TRAVEL PORTAL BENEFITS
Apply Now
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Rates & Fees
CAPITAL ONE VENTURE X REWARDS CREDIT CARD
4.9
NerdWallet rating
CAPITAL ONE VENTURE X REWARDS CREDIT CARD
4.9
NerdWallet rating
Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Rates & Fees
Annual fee
$395
Rewards rate
2x-10x
Miles
Intro offer
75,000
Miles
Recommended Credit Score
720
850
Excellent
Get your free credit score
720-850
(Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Why We Like ItPros & ConsProduct Details
Capital One's premium travel credit card can deliver terrific benefits —
provided you're willing to do your travel spending through the issuer's online
booking portal. That's where you'll earn the highest rewards rates plus credits
that can make back the bulk of your annual fee.
Product Details
* Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3
months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
* Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where
you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
* Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on
your first anniversary
* 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
* Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges,
including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
* Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights,
hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice
of 15+ travel loyalty programs
* Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a
suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and
more
* Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
* View Rates & Fees
Our Take
Pros
* As with the regular Venture-branded card, you earn 2 miles per dollar on
purchases. But when booking through Capital One Travel, you also get 5X miles
on airfare and 10X miles on hotel and rental cars. There's a $300 annual
credit for bookings in the portal, a 10,000-point annual bonus, airport
lounge access and a jumbo sign-up offer.
Cons
* The value you'll get from this card is highly dependent on whether you use
Capital One to book your travel. If you prefer to reserve directly with
airlines or hotels, look elsewhere. The bonus offer is big, but so is the
spending required to earn it.
Why We Like It
Capital One's premium travel credit card can deliver terrific benefits —
provided you're willing to do your travel spending through the issuer's online
booking portal. That's where you'll earn the highest rewards rates plus credits
that can make back the bulk of your annual fee.
Our pick for
CASH BACK FOR TRAVEL BOOKINGS
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
CHASE FREEDOM UNLIMITED®
5.0
NerdWallet rating
CHASE FREEDOM UNLIMITED®
5.0
NerdWallet rating
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5%-6.5%
Cashback
Intro offer
$300
Recommended Credit Score
690
850
Good - Excellent
Get your free credit score
690-850
(Good - Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Why We Like ItPros & ConsProduct Details
Once merely a great cash-back card, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® can now be
counted as an excellent travel card, too. It earns 5% cash back on travel booked
through Chase, and that's just the start.
Product Details
* INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up
to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
* Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our
premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel,
gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at
restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all
other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
* After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel
purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and
dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and
unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
* No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement
credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash
Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
* Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and
balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
* No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great
features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
* Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your
credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
* Member FDIC
Our Take
Pros
* This card earns 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase; 3% cash back at
restaurants and drugstores; and 1.5% on other purchases. New cardholders who
apply through NerdWallet get snag this bonus offer: Earn an additional 1.5%
cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) -
worth up to $300 cash back!. Finally, if you have one of Chase's Sapphire
cards, you can transfer your rewards to it for greater value and flexibility.
Cons
* As a cash-back card, it doesn't offer any specific travel perks. And it
charges a foreign transaction fee, so it's not the best choice for
international travel.
Why We Like It
Once merely a great cash-back card, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® can now be
counted as an excellent travel card, too. It earns 5% cash back on travel booked
through Chase, and that's just the start.
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
CHASE FREEDOM FLEX℠
5.0
NerdWallet rating
CHASE FREEDOM FLEX℠
5.0
NerdWallet rating
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1%-5%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200
Recommended Credit Score
690
850
Good - Excellent
Get your free credit score
690-850
(Good - Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Why We Like ItPros & ConsProduct Details
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is technically a cash-back card, but the whopping 5%
rewards rate for travel booked through Chase makes it a darn good travel card as
well.
Product Details
* Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months
from account opening.
* 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each
quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
* 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier
rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift
cards and more
* 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including
takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all
other purchases.
* No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement
credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash
Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
* 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance
transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
* No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great
features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
* Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your
credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
* Member FDIC
Our Take
Pros
* This card earns 5% cash back in bonus categories that change every three
months (on up to $1,500 per quarter in spending, then 1%); 5% on travel
booked through Chase; 3% cash back at restaurants and drugstores; and 1% on
other purchases. New cardholders can snag a strong sign-up bonus, too.
Finally, if you have one of Chase's Sapphire cards, you can transfer your
rewards to it for greater value and flexibility.
Cons
* Activating and tracking the bonus categories can be a hassle. For an option
that does away with the 5% categories in exchange for a higher ongoing rate
on "everything else," check the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Also, since this is
a cash-back card, it doesn't offer any travel-specific perks. And it charges
a foreign transaction fee, so it's not the best choice for international
travel.
Why We Like It
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is technically a cash-back card, but the whopping 5%
rewards rate for travel booked through Chase makes it a darn good travel card as
well.
Our pick for
BUSINESS TRAVELERS — BONUS REWARDS + BIG SIGN-UP OFFER
Small-business credit cards aren't just for people with storefronts or offices.
If you're a freelancer, have a "side hustle" or do gig work, you may a good
candidate for a small-business credit card, too. Having a dedicated card for
your money-making enterprise helps you keep business and personal finances
separate.
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
INK BUSINESS PREFERRED® CREDIT CARD
4.9
NerdWallet rating
INK BUSINESS PREFERRED® CREDIT CARD
4.9
NerdWallet rating
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
1x-3x
Points
Intro offer
100,000
Points
Recommended Credit Score
690
850
Good - Excellent
Get your free credit score
690-850
(Good - Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Why We Like ItPros & ConsProduct Details
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers one of the richest sign-up
bonuses available on any credit card, anywhere, and it pays handsome rewards in
a variety of categories. (For other options, see our best travel cards for small
business.)
Product Details
* Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3
months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel
when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
* 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
* Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
* With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges
made with your card or account information.
* Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't
expire as long as your account is open
* Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
* Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or
theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
* Member FDIC
Our Take
Pros
* The sign-up bonus is especially generous if you redeem points for travel
booked through Chase. (You can also transfer points to a dozen or so airline
and hotel programs, including United, Southwest, Marriott and Hyatt.) You'll
earn 3 points per dollar on up to $150,000 a year in spending on travel,
telecommunications (internet, phone and cable), shipping, and advertising on
social media and search engines; all other spending earns 1 point per dollar.
Cons
* This card's bonus categories aren't a good fit for all business owners.
There's an annual fee of $95.
Why We Like It
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers one of the richest sign-up
bonuses available on any credit card, anywhere, and it pays handsome rewards in
a variety of categories. (For other options, see our best travel cards for small
business.)
Our pick for
BIG REWARDS ON EVERYDAY SPENDING
Apply Now
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
Rates & Fees
AMERICAN EXPRESS® GOLD CARD
4.6
NerdWallet rating
AMERICAN EXPRESS® GOLD CARD
4.6
NerdWallet rating
Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
Rates & Fees
Annual fee
$250
Rewards rate
1x-4x
Points
Intro offer
60,000
Points
Recommended Credit Score
690
850
Good - Excellent
Get your free credit score
690-850
(Good - Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Why We Like ItPros & ConsProduct Details
If you can stomach the annual fee, the American Express® Gold Card offers
handsome returns at restaurants and on airfare, and its rewards for grocery
spending are the best of any travel card.
Product Details
* 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.
* 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.
* $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each
month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides
in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
* $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement
credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub,
The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack
locations. Enrollment required.
* Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The
Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by
property.
* Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
* No Foreign Transaction Fees.
* Annual Fee is $250.
* Terms Apply.
* View Rates & Fees
Our Take
Pros
* Earn 4X points at restaurants; 4X points on up to $25,000 a year in spending
at U.S. supermarkets; 3X on airfare booked directly with airlines or on
amextravel.com; and 1X on all other spending. There are dining credits and a
nice welcome offer, and your points are transferable to airlines and hotels.
Terms apply.
Cons
* The $250 annual fee is steep for cards in its class. The dining credits are
somewhat complicated. And this card has eliminated the $100 annual credit for
incidental airline fees that once enhanced its value.
Why We Like It
If you can stomach the annual fee, the American Express® Gold Card offers
handsome returns at restaurants and on airfare, and its rewards for grocery
spending are the best of any travel card.
Our pick for
BONUS REWARDS + NO ANNUAL FEE
Apply Now
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
Rates & Fees
WELLS FARGO AUTOGRAPH℠ CARD
4.5
NerdWallet rating
WELLS FARGO AUTOGRAPH℠ CARD
4.5
NerdWallet rating
Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
Rates & Fees
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1x-3x
Points
Intro offer
20,000
Points
Recommended Credit Score
690
850
Good - Excellent
Get your free credit score
690-850
(Good - Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Why We Like ItPros & ConsProduct Details
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers so much value, it's hard to believe
there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards
in a host of common spending categories.
Product Details
* Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more
about product features, terms and conditions.
* Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3
months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
* Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants,
travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans.
Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
* $0 annual fee.
* 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%,
or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
* Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25
deductible.
* Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or
shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out
with PayPal.
* Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner
reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
* View Rates & Fees
Our Take
Pros
* The card earns unlimited 3 points per dollar spent on travel, dining, gas
stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Other spending
earns 1 point per dollar. The bonus offer is outstanding for a $0-annual-fee
card, and you even get a introductory APR period.
Cons
* You don't get the perks of a dedicated airline or hotel card, and there's no
option to transfer points to airline or hotel programs.
Why We Like It
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers so much value, it's hard to believe
there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards
in a host of common spending categories.
Our pick for
FLAT-RATE REWARDS + NO ANNUAL FEE, AND FOR BALANCE TRANSFERS
Merchandising Flag
$100
Eligible for NerdWallet+
Apply Now
on Bank of America's website,
on Bank of America's website, or call (800) 211-3740
BANK OF AMERICA® TRAVEL REWARDS CREDIT CARD
3.8
NerdWallet rating
BANK OF AMERICA® TRAVEL REWARDS CREDIT CARD
3.8
NerdWallet rating
Apply Now
on Bank of America's website,
on Bank of America's website, or call (800) 211-3740
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5x
Points
Intro offer
25,000
Points
Recommended Credit Score
690
850
Good - Excellent
Get your free credit score
690-850
(Good - Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Why We Like ItPros & ConsProduct Details
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card makes its bones with simplicity
and value: solid rewards on every purchase for an annual fee of $0. Plus, it's
the rare travel-focused card with a great intro APR offer for balance transfers.
Product Details
* 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.
* 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 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%.
* 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.
* 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.
Our Take
Pros
* Get 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases. Redeem miles at 1 cent
apiece for any travel or restaurant expense. Bank of America® has an
expansive definition of "travel expenses," so your redemption options aren't
just limited to plane rides and hotel stays. The sign-up bonus is pretty good
for a no-annual-fee card, too: 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..
Cons
* The sign-up bonus is low compared with the top travel cards on the market.
Big spenders and frequent travelers may be better off with a card that offers
bonus rewards for travel purchases, even if it means paying an annual fee.
Why We Like It
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card makes its bones with simplicity
and value: solid rewards on every purchase for an annual fee of $0. Plus, it's
the rare travel-focused card with a great intro APR offer for balance transfers.
Our pick for
LUXURY TRAVEL PERKS
Apply Now
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
Rates & Fees
THE PLATINUM CARD® FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS
5.0
NerdWallet rating
THE PLATINUM CARD® FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS
5.0
NerdWallet rating
Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
Rates & Fees
Annual fee
$695
Rewards rate
1x-5x
Points
Intro offer
80,000
Points
Recommended Credit Score
690
850
Good - Excellent
Get your free credit score
690-850
(Good - Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Why We Like ItPros & ConsProduct Details
The luxury benefits come at a high cost, but if you’re willing to pay to be
treated like a VIP when you travel, The Platinum Card® from American Express
will be rewarding.
Product Details
* 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. Apply and select
your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde
Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
* 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.
* $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on
prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American
Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection
requires a minimum two-night stay.
* $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits
each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more
of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times,
Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
* $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership
(subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+
each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable
local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
* $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to
$200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged
by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
* $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides
or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available
to Basic Card Member only.
* $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar
year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to
auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
* $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+
airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189
back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you
use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
* $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4
years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85
every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment
provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members
approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no
additional cost.
* Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for
purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®.
That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
* $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the
purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+
subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access
SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction.
Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
* Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with
Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy
profile.
* $695 annual fee.
* Terms Apply.
* View Rates & Fees
Our Take
Pros
* This is a high-end card designed for high-end travelers. The ongoing rewards
are decent: 5 points per dollar on airfare and hotels when booked the right
way (terms apply) and 1 point per dollar elsewhere. But the real value lies
in the perks. There’s an annual credit of $200 for airline fees and up to
$200 a year in Uber credit, for example. You’ll be reimbursed for the
application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (every 4 years for Global
Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck). Plus, you'll receive a credit to cover
the cost of a Clear membership. You have access to more than 1,200 airport
lounges worldwide and exclusive perks at hotels. And don’t forget the big
welcome offer for new cardholders.
Cons
* The $695 annual fee is about as high as it gets for a mainstream card. If you
don’t spend a lot on travel, the rewards are poor. And while this card is
geared to world travelers, American Express isn’t as widely accepted globally
as Visa and Mastercard.
Why We Like It
The luxury benefits come at a high cost, but if you’re willing to pay to be
treated like a VIP when you travel, The Platinum Card® from American Express
will be rewarding.
Our pick for
TRIPLE POINTS ON MULTIPLE CATEGORIES
Apply Now
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Rates & Fees
CITI PREMIER® CARD
4.9
NerdWallet rating
CITI PREMIER® CARD
4.9
NerdWallet rating
Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Rates & Fees
Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
1x-3x
Points
Intro offer
60,000
Points
Recommended Credit Score
690
850
Good - Excellent
Get your free credit score
690-850
(Good - Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Why We Like ItPros & ConsProduct Details
The Citi Premier® Card has bulked up its rewards by offering 3 points per dollar
not only on air travel and at hotels but also at supermarkets, restaurants and
gas stations. Add in the rich sign-up bonus and the annual hotel benefit, and
it's a serious contender.
Product Details
* Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within
the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total
of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions
(excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30,
2024.
* Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
* Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
* Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
* Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
* 60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel
rewards at thankyou.com
* No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this
card
* No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
* View Rates & Fees
Our Take
Pros
* There's a lot to be said for a travel credit card that pays a high rewards
rate on non-travel spending. Supermarkets and restaurants are among the
biggest line items in many household budgets, and gas can be a major expense,
too. Use the annual hotel benefit — $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or
more (taxes and fees excluded) booked through thankyou.com — and the card
pays for itself.
Cons
* This card no longer allows you to redeem points for airfare at 1.25 cents
apiece, as it once did; travel redemptions are now 1 cent per point. Although
you can transfer the points to airline partners, those carriers are mostly
foreign-based. JetBlue is the only domestic option.
Why We Like It
The Citi Premier® Card has bulked up its rewards by offering 3 points per dollar
not only on air travel and at hotels but also at supermarkets, restaurants and
gas stations. Add in the rich sign-up bonus and the annual hotel benefit, and
it's a serious contender.
Our pick for
BONUS TRAVEL REWARDS + HIGH-END PERKS
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE®
5.0
NerdWallet rating
CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE®
5.0
NerdWallet rating
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$550
Rewards rate
1x-10x
Points
Intro offer
60,000
Points
Recommended Credit Score
720
850
Excellent
Get your free credit score
720-850
(Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Why We Like ItPros & ConsProduct Details
With its $550 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® might look like a luxury
card. But avid travelers know better. Rich rewards and generous perks make this
card a bargain at $550.
Product Details
* 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 Ultimate Rewards®
* $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to
your card each account anniversary year.
* Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car
rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 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
* Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase
Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
* 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
* Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment
in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four
years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
* Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision
Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
* Member FDIC
Our Take
Pros
* You get 10 points per dollar spent on Chase Dining purchases, as well as
hotel stays and car rentals purchased through Ultimate Rewards®; 5 points per
dollar spent on air travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®; 3 points per
dollar spent on travel and dining not booked with Chase; and 1 point per
dollar spent on all other purchases. Points are worth 1.5 cents apiece when
redeemed for travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to a dozen
hotel and airline partners. You get $300 a year in credit for travel
expenses, Priority Pass airport lounge access and reimbursement for the
application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. And don't forget the big
sign-up bonus.
Cons
* The fee is a significant out-of-pocket expense, and much of the value of the
card is tied up in the $300 travel credit. Get this card only if you are a
dedicated traveler.
Why We Like It
With its $550 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® might look like a luxury
card. But avid travelers know better. Rich rewards and generous perks make this
card a bargain at $550.
Our pick for
AIRLINE CARD
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
UNITED℠ EXPLORER CARD
5.0
NerdWallet rating
UNITED℠ EXPLORER CARD
5.0
NerdWallet rating
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Rewards rate
1x-2x
Miles
Intro offer
60,000
Miles
Recommended Credit Score
690
850
Good - Excellent
Get your free credit score
690-850
(Good - Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Why We Like ItPros & ConsProduct Details
The United℠ Explorer Card delivers terrific value, with several perks not
offered by other airline cards in its price range. If you fly United regularly —
or have the option to — it's a must.
Product Details
* Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3
months your account is open.
* $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
* Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
* Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
* 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on
board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with
your Explorer Card
* Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
* Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time
passes each year
* Member FDIC
Our Take
Pros
* You earn 2 miles per dollar on United purchases, at restaurants and on hotel
stays; other purchases earn 1 mile per dollar. The first checked bag is free
for you and a companion, and you get priority boarding. Each year, you
receive two one-time passes to United Club airport lounges, and the card
reimburses your application fee for TSA Precheck or Global Entry. You even
get primary rental car insurance and a great sign-up bonus.
Cons
* Other cards provide a free checked bag for more people traveling on your
reservation. As with any branded airline card, you're limited in how you can
redeem your rewards.
Why We Like It
The United℠ Explorer Card delivers terrific value, with several perks not
offered by other airline cards in its price range. If you fly United regularly —
or have the option to — it's a must.
Our pick for
TRAVEL REWARDS FOR RENT PAYMENTS + NO ANNUAL FEE
Apply Now
on Bilt's website
on Bilt's website
Rates & Fees
BILT WORLD ELITE MASTERCARD® CREDIT CARD
4.5
NerdWallet rating
BILT WORLD ELITE MASTERCARD® CREDIT CARD
4.5
NerdWallet rating
Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Bilt's website
on Bilt's website
Rates & Fees
Annual fee
None
Rewards rate
1X-3X
Points
Intro offer
N/A
Recommended Credit Score
650
850
Fair - Excellent
Get your free credit score
650-850
(Fair - Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Why We Like ItPros & ConsProduct Details
The no-annual-fee Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card stands out by
offering rewards on rent payments without incurring an additional fee. The
ability to earn travel rewards on what for many people is their single biggest
monthly expense makes this card worth a look for any renter.
Product Details
* Bilt enables members to earn up to 100,000 points each calendar year on rent
at any rental property in the country without a transaction fee.
* 1X points on rent and other purchases
* In addition to 1X points on rent, cardholders earn double points on other
purchases made on Rent Day (the 1st of the month) up to 10,000 points
* 2X points on travel when booked directly through a hotel, airline, or car
rental agency.
* 3X points on dining.
* Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points.
* With each ride booked in the Lyft app, Bilt cardholders can earn up to 5X
Bilt Points.
* Select “Apply Now” to learn more about the product features, terms and
conditions.
* View Rates & Fees
Our Take
Pros
* This card earns 1 point per dollar spent on rent (up to 100,000 points
annually). That might not seem like a jaw-dropping rate, but consider that in
most cases, you either can't use a credit card for rent at all, or you can't
do so without paying an extra fee that more than wipes out the value of your
rewards. The card also earns 3X points at restaurants, 2X on travel, 5X on
Lyft (when you link your accounts) and 1X elsewhere. Those rewards rates,
except for rent, are doubled for purchases on the first day of every month
("rent day"). Redemption options include using points to book travel, or
transferring them to partner programs including American Airlines, United
Airlines, Marriott and Hyatt.
Cons
* You must use the card at least five times during a statement period to earn
rewards, so it's not practical as a just-for-rent card. There's no sign-up
bonus. If the manager of your property requires that you pay rent by check
rather than through an online portal, you can still earn rewards, but Bilt
needs to send a check on your behalf.
Why We Like It
The no-annual-fee Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card stands out by
offering rewards on rent payments without incurring an additional fee. The
ability to earn travel rewards on what for many people is their single biggest
monthly expense makes this card worth a look for any renter.
Our pick for
HOTEL CREDIT CARD
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
WORLD OF HYATT CREDIT CARD
5.0
NerdWallet rating
WORLD OF HYATT CREDIT CARD
5.0
NerdWallet rating
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$95
Rewards rate
1x-9x
Points
Intro offer
35,000
Points
Recommended Credit Score
690
850
Good - Excellent
Get your free credit score
690-850
(Good - Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Why We Like ItPros & ConsProduct Details
Although Hyatt isn't as big as its competitors, the outstanding value delivered
by World of Hyatt Credit Card makes it worth considering for anyone who spends a
lot of time in hotels. (Not a Hyatt customer? See our best hotel credit cards
for other options.)
Product Details
* Earn 35,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3
months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning
2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening
on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
* Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your
account is open.
* Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category
1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
* Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening,
and each year after that for as long as your account is open
* Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000
in a calendar year
* Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend
$5,000 on your card
* Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays - 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at
Hyatt hotels & 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
* Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased
directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness
club and gym memberships
* Member FDIC
Our Take
Pros
* You earn 4 points per dollar spent with Hyatt, 2 points per dollar on an
array of common spending categories (see the product details tab), and 1
point per dollar on other spending. Hyatt points are also worth significantly
more than most other hotel points. You get a free night each anniversary year
and can earn another with $15,000 a year in spending. There's a decent
sign-up bonus, automatic elite status and more.
Cons
* Hyatt's relatively small footprint — about 850 properties compared with 5,000
or more for other chains — means you won't have as many locations to choose
from as you'd get with other hotel cards.
Why We Like It
Although Hyatt isn't as big as its competitors, the outstanding value delivered
by World of Hyatt Credit Card makes it worth considering for anyone who spends a
lot of time in hotels. (Not a Hyatt customer? See our best hotel credit cards
for other options.)
FULL LIST OF EDITORIAL PICKS: BEST TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS
Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.
CAPITAL ONE VENTURE REWARDS CREDIT CARD
Our pick for: Flat-rate rewards
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is probably the best-known
general-purpose travel credit card, thanks to its ubiquitous advertising. You
earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One
Travel and 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases. Miles can be redeemed at a
value of 1 cent apiece for any travel purchase, without the blackout dates and
other restrictions of branded hotel and airline cards. The card offers a great
sign-up bonus and other worthwhile perks (see rates and fees). Read our review.
BANK OF AMERICA® TRAVEL REWARDS CREDIT CARD
Our pick for: Flat-rate rewards + no annual fee, and for balance transfers
One of the best no-annual-fee travel cards available, the Bank of America®
Travel Rewards credit card gives you a solid rewards rate on every purchase,
with points that can be redeemed for any travel purchase, without the
restrictions of branded airline and hotel cards. Bank of America® has an
expansive definition of "travel," too, giving you additional flexibility in how
you use your rewards. Read our review.
CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE®
Our pick for: Bonus travel rewards + high-end perks
The high annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® gives many potential
applicants pause, but frequent travelers should be able to wring enough value
out of this card to more than make up for the cost. Cardholders get bonus
rewards (up to 10X) on dining and travel, a fat bonus offer, annual travel
credits, airport lounge access, and a 50% boost in point value when redeeming
points for travel booked through Chase. Points can also be transferred to about
a dozen airline and hotel partners. Read our review.
CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED® CARD
Our pick for: Flexibility + point transfers + big sign-up bonus
For a reasonable annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns bonus
rewards (up to 5X) on travel, dining, select streaming services, and select
online grocery purchases. Points are worth 25% more when you redeem them for
travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline
and hotel partners. The sign-up bonus is stellar, too. Read our review.
WELLS FARGO AUTOGRAPH℠ CARD
Our pick for: Bonus rewards + no annual fee
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers so much value, it's hard to believe
there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards
in a host of common spending categories — restaurants, gas stations, transit,
travel, streaming and more. Read our review.
CITI PREMIER® CARD
Our pick for: Triple points in multiple categories
The Citi Premier® Card earns bonus points on airfare, hotels, supermarkets,
dining and gas stations. There's a solid sign-up bonus as well. Read our review.
U.S. BANK ALTITUDE® CONNECT VISA SIGNATURE® CARD
Our pick for: Road trips
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is one of the most generous
cards on the market if you're taking to the skies or the road, thanks to the
quadruple points it earns on travel and purchases at gas stations and EV
charging stations. It's also a solid card for everyday expenses like groceries,
dining and streaming, and it comes with ongoing credits that can offset its
annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $95. Read our review.
CAPITAL ONE VENTURE X REWARDS CREDIT CARD
Our pick for: Travel portal benefits
Capital One's premium travel credit card can deliver terrific benefits —
provided you're willing to do your travel spending through the issuer's online
booking portal. That's where you'll earn the highest rewards rates plus credits
that can make back the bulk of your annual fee (see rates and fees). Read our
review.
CHASE FREEDOM UNLIMITED®
Our pick for: Cash back for travel bookings
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® was already a fine card when it offered 1.5% cash
back on all purchases. Now it's even better, with bonus rewards on travel booked
through Chase, as well as at restaurants and drugstores. On top of all that, new
cardholders get a 0% introductory APR period and the opportunity to earn a sweet
bonus. Read our review.
CHASE FREEDOM FLEX℠
Our pick for: Cash back for travel bookings
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers bonus cash back in quarterly categories that you
activate, as well as on travel booked through Chase, at restaurants and at
drugstores. Category activation can be a hassle, but if your spending matches
the categories — and for a lot of people, it will — you can rack up hundreds of
dollars a year. There's a fantastic bonus offer for new cardholders and a 0%
intro APR period, too. Read our review.
THE PLATINUM CARD® FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS
Our pick for: Luxury travel perks
The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a hefty annual fee, but
travelers who like to go in style (and aren't afraid to pay for comfort) can
more than get their money's worth. Enjoy extensive airport lounge access,
hundreds of dollars a year in travel and shopping credits, hotel benefits and
more. That's not even getting into the high rewards rate on eligible travel
purchases and the rich welcome offer for new cardholders. Read our review.
AMERICAN EXPRESS® GOLD CARD
Our pick for: Big rewards on everyday spending
The American Express® Gold Card can earn you a pile of points from everyday
spending, with generous rewards at U.S. supermarkets, at restaurants and on
certain flights booked through amextravel.com. Other benefits include hundreds
of dollars a year in available dining and travel credits and a solid welcome
offer for new cardholders. There's an annual fee, though, and a pretty
substantial one, so it's not for smaller spenders. Read our review.
BILT WORLD ELITE MASTERCARD® CREDIT CARD
Our pick for: Rewards on rent payments
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card stands out by offering credit card
rewards on rent payments without incurring an additional transaction fee. The
ability to earn rewards on what for many people is their single biggest monthly
expense makes this card worth a look for any renter. You also get bonus points
on dining and travel when you make at least five transactions on the card each
statement period, and redemption options include point transfers to partner
hotel and loyalty programs. Read our review.
PENFED PATHFINDER® REWARDS VISA SIGNATURE® CARD
Our pick for: Credit union rewards
With premium perks for a $95 annual fee (which can be waived in some cases),
jet-setters will get a lot of value from the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa
Signature® Card. It also offers a generous rewards rate on travel purchases and
a decent flat rate on everything else. Plus, you’ll get travel credits and a
Priority Pass membership that offers airport lounge access for $32 per visit.
Read our review.
UNITED℠ EXPLORER CARD
Our pick for: United Airlines + best domestic airline card
The United℠ Explorer Card earns bonus rewards not only on spending with United
Airlines but also at restaurants and on eligible hotel stays. And the perks are
outstanding for a basic airline card — a free checked bag, priority boarding,
lounge passes and more. Read our review.
» Not a United frequent flyer? See our best airline cards for other options
WORLD OF HYATT CREDIT CARD
Our pick for: Hotel credit card
Hyatt isn't as big as its competitors, but World of Hyatt Credit Card is worth a
look for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road. You can earn a lot of
points even on non-Hyatt spending, and those points have a high value compared
with rival programs. There's a great sign-up bonus, free nights, automatic elite
status and more. Read our review.
» Not a Hyatt customer? See our best hotel cards for other options.
INK BUSINESS PREFERRED® CREDIT CARD
Our pick for: Small business — bonus categories + big sign-up offer
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card starts you off with one of the biggest
sign-up bonuses of any credit card anywhere: Earn 100k bonus points after you
spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's
$1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate
Rewards®. You also get bonus rewards on travel expenses and common business
spending categories, like advertising, shipping and internet, cable and phone
service. Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel booked through
Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline and hotel partners.
Learn more and apply.
Are you in Canada?
See NerdWallet's best travel cards for Canada.
Visit NerdWallet Canada
• • •
OTHER RESOURCES
By Sara Rathner and Sam Kemmis, NerdWallet
HOW TRAVEL REWARDS WORK
Modern-day adventurers and once-a-year vacationers alike love the idea of
earning rewards toward their next big trip. According to a NerdWallet study, 68%
of American adults say they have a credit card that earns travel rewards.
With a travel rewards credit card, you earn points or miles every time you use
the card, but you can often earn more points per dollar in select categories.
Some top travel credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, offer bonus
points on any travel spending, while the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
grants bonus points when you use the card at Marriott hotels, grocery stores,
restaurants or gas stations.
Not all points and miles earned on travel rewards credit cards are the same:
* General-purpose travel credit cards — including the Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Card, the American Express® Gold Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards
Credit Card — give you rewards that can be used like cash to pay for travel
or that can be exchanged for points in airline or hotel loyalty programs.
With their flexible rewards, general-purpose options are usually the best
travel credit cards for those who don't stick to a single airline or hotel
chain.
* Airline- and hotel-specific cards — such as the United℠ Explorer Card and the
Hilton Honors American Express Card — give points and miles that can be used
only with the brand on the card. (Although it's possible in some cases to
transfer hotel points to airlines, we recommend against it because you get a
poor value.) These so-called co-branded cards are usually the best travel
credit cards for those who always fly one particular airline or stay with one
hotel group.
How do we value points and miles? With the rewards earned on general travel
cards, it's simple: They have a fixed value, usually between 1 and 1.5 cents per
point, and you can spend them like cash. With airline miles and hotel points,
finding the true value is more difficult. How much value you get depends on how
you redeem them.
To better understand what miles are worth, NerdWallet researched the cash prices
and reward-redemption values for hundreds of flights. Our results:
Keep in mind that the airline values are based on main cabin economy tickets and
exclude premium cabin redemptions. See our valuations page for business class
valuations and details about our methodology.
Our valuations are different from many others you may find. That’s because we
looked at the average value of a point based on reasonable price searches that
anyone can perform, not a maximized value that only travel rewards experts can
expect to reach.
You should therefore use these values as a baseline for your own redemptions. If
you can redeem your points for the values listed on our valuations page, you are
doing well. Of course, if you are able to get higher value out of your miles,
that’s even better.
HOW TO CHOOSE A TRAVEL CREDIT CARD
There are scores of travel rewards cards to choose from. The best travel credit
card for you has as much to do with you as with the card. How often you travel,
how much flexibility you want, how much you value airline or hotel perks — these
are all things to take into account when deciding on a travel card. Our article
on how to choose a travel credit card recommends that you prioritize:
* Rewards you will actually use (points and miles are only as good as your
ability to redeem them for travel).
* A high earning rate (how much value you get in rewards for every dollar spent
on the card).
* A sign-up bonus (a windfall of points for meeting a spending requirement in
your first few months).
Even with these goals in mind, there are all kinds of considerations that will
influence your decision on a travel rewards credit card.
TRAVEL CARDS ARE FOR TRAVELERS
TRAVEL CARDS VS. CASH-BACK CARDS
The very first question to ask yourself when choosing a travel credit card is:
Should I get a travel card at all? Travel credit cards are best for frequent
travelers, who are more likely to get enough value from rewards and perks to
make up for the annual fees that the best travel credit cards charge. (Some
travel cards charge no annual fee, but they tend to offer lesser rewards than
full-fee cards.) A NerdWallet study found that those who travel only
occasionally — say, once a year — will probably get greater overall rewards from
cash-back credit cards, most of which charge no annual fee, than from a travel
card.
FLEXIBILITY AND PERKS: A TRADE-OFF
CO-BRANDED CARDS VS. GENERAL TRAVEL CARDS
Travel credit cards fall into two basic categories: co-branded cards and general
travel cards.
* Co-branded cards carry the name of an airline or hotel group, such as the
United℠ Explorer Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. The
rewards you earn are redeemable only with that particular brand, which can
limit your flexibility, sometimes sharply. For example, if your credit card's
co-branded airline partner doesn't have any award seats available on the
flight you want on the day you want, you're out of luck. On the other hand,
co-branded cards commonly offer airline- or hotel-specific perks that general
travel cards can't match.
* General travel cards aren't tied to a specific airline or hotel, so they
offer much greater flexibility. Well-known general travel cards include the
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Card. Rewards on general travel cards come as points (sometimes called
"miles" but they're really points) that you can redeem for any travel
expense. You're not locked into using a single airline or hotel, but you also
won't enjoy the perks of a co-branded card.
EVALUATING GENERAL TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS
WHAT YOU GET WITH A GENERAL TRAVEL CARD
The credit cards featured at the top of this page are general travel cards.
They're issued by a bank (such as Chase or Capital One), carry only that bank's
name, and aren't tied to any single airline or hotel group. With these cards,
you earn points on every purchase — usually 1 to 2 points per dollar spent,
sometimes with additional points in certain categories.
Issuers of general travel cards typically entice new applicants with big sign-up
bonuses (also known as "welcome offers") — tens of thousands of miles that you
can earn by spending a certain amount of money on the card in your first few
months.
» MORE: NerdWallet's best credit card sign-up offers
What do you do with those points? Depending on the card, you may have several
ways to redeem them:
* Booking travel. With this option, your points pay for travel booked through
the issuer's website, using a utility similar to Orbitz or Expedia. For
example, if points were worth 1 cent apiece when redeemed this way, you could
book a $400 flight on the issuer's portal and pay for it with 40,000 points
* Statement credit. This lets you essentially erase travel purchases by using
your points for credit on your statement. You make travel arrangements
however you want (directly with an airline or hotel, through a travel agency,
etc.) and charge it to your card. Once the charge shows up on your account,
you apply the necessary points and eliminate the cost.
* Transferring to partners. The card issuer may allow you to transfer your
points to loyalty programs for airlines or hotel chains, turning your general
card into something like a co-branded card (although you don't get the perks
of a co-brand).
* Cash back, gift cards or merchandise. If you don't plan to travel, you can
burn off your rewards with these options, although you'll often get a lower
value per point.
Airline and hotel cards sharply limit your choice, but they make up for it with
perks that only they can offer, like free checked bags or room upgrades. General
travel cards, on the other hand, offer maximum flexibility but can't provide the
same kinds of perks, because the banks that issue them don't operate the
airlines or hotels. Still, there are some noteworthy perks on general travel
cards, including:
* Travel credit. This is automatic reimbursement for travel-related spending.
Some top travel credit cards offer hundreds of dollars a year in travel
credit.
* Trusted traveler reimbursement. More and more travel credit cards are
covering the application fee for TSA Precheck and Global Entry, programs that
allow you to move through airport security and customs more quickly.
* Airport lounge access. Hundreds of lounges worldwide operate separately from
airlines under such networks as Priority Pass and Airspace, and several
general travel cards offer access to these lounges.
Points programs
Every major card issuer has at least one travel card with a points program.
American Express calls its program Membership Rewards, while Chase has Ultimate
Rewards® and Citi pays in ThankYou points. Wells Fargo has Wells Fargo Rewards,
and U.S. Bank has FlexPerks. Bank of America® travel cards offer points without
a fancy name. Travel cards from Capital One, Barclays and Discover all call
their points "miles."
These programs differ in how much their points are worth and how you can use
them. Some offer the full range of redemption options, including transfers to
loyalty programs. Others let you use them only to book travel or get statement
credit.
» MORE: Travel loyalty program reviews
EVALUATING AIRLINE CREDIT CARDS
WHAT YOU GET WITH AN AIRLINE CREDIT CARD
Airline credit cards earn "miles" with each purchase. You typically get 1 mile
per dollar spent, with a higher rate (2 or more miles per dollar) on purchases
with the airline itself. (Some airline cards have also begun offering extra
miles for purchases in additional categories, such as restaurants or car rental
agencies.) These miles go into the same frequent-flyer account as the ones you
earn by flying the airline, and you can redeem them for free flights with the
airline or its alliance partners.
Co-branded airline cards typically offer sign-up bonuses (or welcome offers).
But what really sets them apart are the perks they give you. With some cards,
for example, the checked-bag benefit alone can make up for the annual fee after
a single roundtrip by a couple. Common perks of airline cards include:
* Free checked bags. This commonly applies to the first checked bag for you and
at least one companion on your reservation. Some cards extend this perk to
more people, and higher-end cards (with higher annual fees) may even let you
check two bags apiece for free.
* Priority boarding. Holders of co-branded airline credit cards often get to
board the plane early — after the airline's elite-status frequent flyers but
before the general population. This gives you time to settle in and gives you
a leg up on claiming that coveted overhead bin space.
* In-flight discounts or freebies. You might get, say, 25% off the cost of food
and beverages during the flight, or free Wi-Fi.
* Airport lounge access. High-end cards often include a membership to the
airline's airport lounges, where you can get away from the frenzy in the
terminal and enjoy a complimentary snack. Some less-expensive airline cards
give you only limited or discounted lounge access; others give you none at
all.
* Companion fares. This perk lets you bring someone with you for a lower cost
when you buy a ticket at full price.
* A boost toward elite status. Miles earned with a credit card, as opposed to
those earned from actually flying on the airline, usually do not count toward
earning elite status in an airline's frequent-flyer program. However,
carrying an airline's high-end card might automatically qualify you for a
higher tier within the program.
The biggest U.S. airlines — American, United and Delta — offer an array of
credit cards. Each airline has a no-annual-fee card that earns miles on
purchases but provides little in the way of perks (no free bags or priority
boarding). Each has a high-end card with an annual fee in the neighborhood of
$450 that offers lounge access and sumptuous perks. And each has a
"middle-class" card with a fee of around $100 and solid ongoing perks. Southwest
offers three credit cards with varying fees; smaller carriers may just have a
single card.
» MORE: NerdWallet's best airline credit cards
CHOOSING AN AIRLINE
Which airline card you get depends in large part on what airline you fly, and
that's heavily influenced by where you live. Alaska Airlines, for example, has
an outstanding credit card, but the airline's routes are concentrated primarily
on the West Coast. So it's not a great option for those who live in, say,
Buffalo, New York, or Montgomery, Alabama.
If your local airport is dominated by a single airline, then you're probably
flying that carrier most (or all) of the time by default. Delta, for example, is
the 800-pound gorilla at Minneapolis-St. Paul and Salt Lake City. United has the
bulk of the traffic at Newark and Washington Dulles. American calls the shots at
Charlotte and Dallas-Fort Worth. That airline's credit card may be your only
realistic option. If you're in a large or midsize market with frequent service
from multiple airlines, you have more choice.
» MORE: How to choose an airline credit card
EVALUATING HOTEL CREDIT CARDS
WHAT YOU GET WITH A HOTEL CARD
Hotel credit cards earn points with each purchase. As with airline cards, you
typically get more points per dollar for purchases from the co-brand partner,
and some cards also give bonus points in additional categories. (Hotel cards
tend to give you a greater number of points overall than airline cards, but each
individual point is generally worth less than a typical airline mile.) Similar
to the airline model, the points you earn with the card go into the same loyalty
account as the points you earn from actually staying at a hotel. You redeem your
points for free stays.
Hotel cards usually offer a sign-up bonus, but like airline cards, they really
make their bones with the ongoing perks. Common perks on hotel cards include:
* Free nights. Several cards offer this perk, which can make up for the card's
annual fee. You may get a free night automatically every year, or you may
unlock it by spending a certain amount within a year. In the latter case, it
comes on top of the points you earn for your spending.
* Upgrades and freebies. Cardholders may qualify for automatic room upgrades
when available, or free or discounted amenities such as meals or spa
packages.
* Early check-in/late check-out. No one likes having to cool their heels in the
hotel lobby waiting for 3 o'clock to check in. And no one likes have to
vacate their room by 11 a.m. when their flight doesn't leave till evening.
* Accelerated elite status. Some hotel cards automatically bump you up a level
in their loyalty program just for being a cardholder.
» MORE: NerdWallet's best hotel credit cards
CHOOSING A HOTEL GROUP
If you decide to go the hotel-card route, you'll need to decide which hotel
group gets your business. Hotels aren't as market-concentrated as airlines, so
if your travels take you mostly to metropolitan areas, you'll have a decent
amount of choice. Keep in mind that even though there are dozens of nationally
recognizable hotel brands, ranging from budget inns to luxury resorts, many of
them are just units in a larger hotel company, and that company's card can
unlock benefits across the group.
Marriott, for example, includes not only its namesake properties but nearly 30
other brands, including Courtyard, Fairfield, Renaissance, Residence Inn,
Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton and Westin. The Hilton family includes DoubleTree,
Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn and Waldorf-Astoria. InterContinental includes
Holiday Inn, Candlewood, Staybridge and Crowne Plaza. Wyndham and Choice have
more than 15 mid-tier and budget-oriented brands between them.
HOW TO COMPARE TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS
No travel rewards credit card is going to have everything you want. You're going
to be disappointed if you expect to find a high rewards rate, a generous sign-up
bonus, top-notch perks and no annual fee. Each card delivers value through a
different combination of features; it's up to you to compare cards based on the
following features and choose the best travel credit card for your needs and
preferences.
ANNUAL FEE
Most of the best travel cards charge an annual fee. Fees in the range of $90 to
$100 are standard for travel cards. Premium cards with extensive perks will have
fees of $450 or more. Weigh the value of the rewards and perks you'll get to
make sure they'll make up for the fee.
Can you find good cards without an annual fee? Absolutely! There are no-fee
options on our list of the best travel credit cards, and we've rounded up more
here. Just be aware that if you go with a no-fee travel card, you'll earn
rewards at a lower rate, your sign-up bonus will be smaller, and you won't get
as many (if any) perks.
REWARDS RATE
Rewards can be thought of in terms of "earn rate" and "burn rate".
* The earn rate is how many points or miles you receive per dollar spent. Some
general travel cards offer flat-rate rewards, meaning you get the same rate
on all purchases, all the time — 2 miles per dollar, for example, or 1.5
points per dollar. Others, including most co-branded cards, offer a base rate
of maybe 1 point per dollar and then pay a higher rate in certain categories,
such as airline tickets, hotel stays, general travel expenses or restaurant
meals.
* The burn rate is the value you get for those points or miles when you redeem
them. The industry average is about 1 cent per point or mile. Some cards,
particularly hotel cards, have lower value per point on the "burn" side but
give you more points per dollar on the earning side.
When comparing rewards rates, don't just look at the numbers. Look at the
categories to which those numbers apply, and find a card that matches your
spending patterns. Getting 5 points per dollar seems great — but if those 5X
points come only on purchases at, say, office supply stores, and you don't spend
money on office supplies, then you're getting lousy value.
SIGN-UP BONUS
Travel cards tend to have the biggest sign-up bonuses — tens of thousands of
points that you earn by hitting a certain amount of spending. But there's more
to consider when comparing sign-up bonuses than just how many points or miles
you earn. You must also take into account how much you have to spend to earn the
bonus. While cash-back credit cards often require just $500 to $1,000 in
spending over three months to unlock a bonus, travel cards commonly have
thresholds of $3,000 to $5,000.
Never spend money you don't have just to earn a sign-up bonus. Carrying $3,000
in debt for a year in order to earn a $500 bonus doesn't make economic sense —
the interest you'll pay could easily wipe out the value of the bonus.
Finally, keep in mind that the biggest bonuses will come on cards with annual
fees.
FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEES
A good travel card will not charge a foreign transaction fee. These fees are
surcharges on purchases made outside the U.S. The industry standard is about 3%,
which is enough to wipe out most if not all of the rewards you earn on a
purchase. If you never leave the U.S., then this isn't much of a concern, but
anyone who travels abroad should bring a no-foreign-transaction-fee card with
them.
Some issuers don't charge foreign transaction fees on any of their cards. Others
charge them on some cards but not all.
INTERNATIONAL ACCEPTANCE
Not all travel credit cards are great companions for international travel. While
Visa and Mastercard are good pretty much worldwide, you may encounter limited
acceptance for American Express and, especially, Discover, depending on the
destination. This doesn't mean world travelers should dismiss AmEx and Discover.
Just know that if you take one of these cards with you overseas, you'd be smart
to bring along a backup in case you run into acceptance problems. (Having a
backup card is good advice within the U.S., too, really.)
TRAVEL PROTECTIONS
Consider which travel protections — car rental insurance, trip cancellation
coverage, lost baggage protection — are important to you.
PERKS
"Rewards" are what you get for using a credit card — the points earned with each
transaction and the bonuses you unlock with your spending. "Perks" are goodies
that you get just for carrying the card. There's a very close correlation
between the annual fee on a card and the perks you get for carrying it. Cards
with no annual fee are all about rewards and go very light on perks. Premium
cards with annual fees of $450 or more are laden with perks (although sometimes
their rewards aren't too special). Midtier cards (in the $100 range) tend to
have solid rewards and a handful of high-value perks.
Assuming you take advantage of them, the perks often make up for the annual fee
on a card quite easily. This is especially true with co-branded cards. Free
checked bags can pay for an airline card several times over, and a free night is
usually worth more than the fee on a hotel card. When comparing the perks of
various cards, be realistic about which ones you will and won't use. Sure, that
card may entitle you to a free spa package the next time you're at a five-star
hotel, but how often do you stay at five-star hotels?
SHOULD YOU GET A TRAVEL CARD? PROS AND CONS
PROS: WHY IT'S WORTH GETTING A TRAVEL CARD
* The sign-up bonus gives you a big head-start on travel. Bonuses on the best
travel credit cards typically run $500 or more — enough for a roundtrip
ticket in many instances.
* Perks make travel less expensive and more relaxing. You won't have to worry
about cramming a week's worth of clothes into a carry-on if your travel
credit card gives you a free checked bag (or automatically reimburses you for
the bag fee). Hate the crush of travelers in the terminal? Escape to the
airport lounge. Renting a car? Use a travel card that provides primary rental
car insurance.
* Rewards get you closer to your next trip with every purchase. Spending money
on the mundane activities of daily life has a silver lining when you know
that every $1,000 you spend will knock $10 or $20 off the cost of that future
beach vacation or trip home to see Mom and Dad.
* No foreign transaction fee can mean big savings. Take just any old credit
card with you on vacation outside the U.S., and $1,000 worth of purchases can
cost you $30 off the top due to the foreign transaction surcharge. Good
travel cards don't charge this fee.
* "Double dipping" gives you more points on travel purchases. Buy a plane
ticket or book a hotel room, and you'll earn loyalty points or miles
regardless of how you pay. Use the right credit card, though, and you'll earn
even more points and miles on top of those.
* Strategic redemption can multiply your value. With cash-back credit cards, 1
cent is worth 1 cent, and that's just how it goes. The points and miles on
many travel credit cards have variable value based on how you redeem them —
booking travel with them vs. transferring them to a partner, booking domestic
vs. international flights and economy vs. business class, staying at budget
hotels vs. high-end resorts, and so on.
CONS: WHY A TRAVEL CARD MIGHT NOT BE FOR YOU
* The best cards charge annual fees. In many cases, the value you get from a
credit card more than makes up for the annual fee. But some people are dead
set against paying a fee under any circumstances. If that's you, your options
in travel cards will be sharply limited, and you won't get the perks that
provide a big portion of the value on many cards.
* Sign-up bonus spending requirements can be steep. A bonus worth $500, $600 or
$700 is attractive, but only if you can afford to earn it with spending you
were going to do anyway. If you have to amass thousands of dollars in debt
and then pay interest on it, it's not worth it.
* Travel cards aren't ideal for infrequent travelers. In the first year with a
travel card, you're probably going to come out ahead: You can earn a big
sign-up bonus, and several popular cards waive the first year's annual fee,
too. In subsequent years, though, you'll break even on that fee only if you
use the card enough to make up for it (with the rewards you earn and redeem
and the perks you use). Infrequent travelers are more likely to get more
total rewards from a cash-back card with no annual fee.
* Cash back is simpler and more flexible. Some travel cards allow you to redeem
your rewards only for travel. Others give you poor value unless you redeem
for travel. Still others have complicated redemption options, making it hard
to get the most out of your rewards. With cash-back credit cards, you can use
your rewards on anything, you know exactly how much your rewards are worth,
and redemption is usually simple.
* Rewards cards tend to charge higher interest rates. If you regularly carry a
balance from month to month, a travel credit card — or any rewards credit
card — probably isn't your best choice. The interest you pay is eating up the
value of your rewards. You're better off with a low-interest card that
reduces the cost of carrying debt.
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TRAVEL CARD
Maximize your rewards with the following tips:
* Plan your credit card application around a big purchase to earn the sign-up
bonus.
* Seize every opportunity to pick up the tab, especially if your travel credit
card pays bonus rewards on dining; your friends can pay you back while you
collect rewards.
* Redeem rewards for travel instead of gift cards, merchandise or (in most
cases) cash back to get the best value.
* Join the loyalty program associated with a co-branded card — a frequent-flyer
or frequent-guest program.
* Shop for essentials in your card’s online bonus mall or through its exclusive
offers, if available, to get extra rewards.
OTHER CARDS TO CONSIDER
It’s worth considering whether a travel credit card is even right for you in the
first place. A NerdWallet study found that cash-back credit cards often earn
more money — even for many travelers.
If you carry a balance from month to month, the higher interest rates typically
charged by rewards cards can cancel out any rewards earned. If you have a good
credit score, you're better off with a low-interest credit card that can save
you money on interest.
A good travel credit card shouldn't charge foreign transaction fees, but there
are good non-travel cards that also don't charge them. See our best cards with
no foreign transaction fee.
If you value transparency and flexibility in your rewards, you can't go wrong
with a cash-back card — and you can still use the rewards for travel, if you
want.
Finally, if you're still not sure what's right for you, take a look at our best
rewards credit cards for options beyond travel and cash back.
To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, see this page. To
view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
Last updated on February 13, 2024
METHODOLOGY
NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best travel rewards credit cards
based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their
suitability for specific kinds of travelers. Factors in our evaluation include
each card's annual fee, foreign transaction fees, rewards earnings rates, ease
of use, redemption options, domestic and international acceptance, promotional
APR period, bonus offers, and cardholder perks such as automatic statement
credits and airport lounge access. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do travel credit cards work?
Travel credit cards earn points (sometimes called miles) each time you buy
something. The standard earning rate is 1 to 2 points per dollar spent, and many
cards give you extra points for certain purchases, particularly travel expenses.
The value of a point depends on the card that earned it and how you redeem it,
but a good rule of thumb is to assume each point is worth an average of about 1
cent.
Your points accumulate in a rewards account, where you can use them to pay for
travel. Most cards let you book travel directly using a portal similar to those
at online travel agencies or on airline and hotel websites, but instead of
paying cash, you pay with your points. Depending on the card, you may also have
the option of booking travel any way you want, paying for it with the card and
then cashing in your points for a credit against those expenses.
What’s the difference between points and miles on a credit card?
Points and miles are just different names for the same thing: the currency used
in a travel rewards program. Some travel credit cards call them points, some
call them miles.
Airline frequent flyer programs have long used the term “miles” to refer to the
rewards you earn for flying. That’s because at one time, you really did earn
rewards according to how many miles you flew — the longer the flight, the more
miles you earned. Nowadays, most domestic airlines give out “miles” based on how
much you spend, not how far you fly, so they’re really just points. (There are a
few exceptions, though, notably Alaska Airlines.)
Especially when it comes to redeeming your rewards, there’s no difference
between points and miles. The number of points or miles you need is based mostly
on the cost of what you’re redeeming them for. It takes more than 500 miles
(value about: $5) to get a free 500-mile flight!
How much is a point or mile worth on a travel credit card?
The value of a point or mile depends on the card you earned it with and how you
redeem it. A common rule of thumb is to assume that each point or mile is worth
an average of 1 cent, although you can certainly get a much higher (or lower)
redemption value. See our travel loyalty roundup page for NerdWallet’s current
valuations for airline miles and hotel points.
What kinds of travel credit cards are there?
Travel credit cards fall into two main categories: co-branded and
general-purpose.
• Co-branded travel cards carry the name of an airline or hotel chain. The
rewards you earn on the card can typically be redeemed only with that brand (or
maybe its partners). Co-branded cards limit your flexibility, but because they
are issued in partnership with an airline or hotel, they can give you special
perks, like free checked bags or room upgrades.
• General-purpose travel cards are issued by a credit card company and are not
directly tied to any particular airline or hotel. They earn points in the
issuer's own program, such as American Express Membership Rewards, Chase
Ultimate Rewards® or Citi ThankYou. These points are a lot more flexible, as you
can use them to pay for a range of travel expenses, including flights on any
airline or stays at any hotel. However, they don’t offer the airline- or
hotel-specific perks of co-branded cards.
What credit score do I need to get a travel rewards credit card?
Travel cards — like rewards cards in general — typically require good to
excellent credit for approval. Good credit is generally defined as a credit
score of 690 or better. However, credit scores alone do not guarantee approval.
Every issuer has its own criteria for evaluating applications.
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