People uncomfortable in hotels or wanting more curated options often prefer home rentals and Airbnb.
If you are also like that and are looking to relish unique experiences, you might want to know about the best Airbnb credit cards that help you save on bookings and make your trips unforgettable!
A Guide to the Best Credit Cards for Airbnb Stays
When choosing the best Airbnb credit cards, you must choose one that offers high rewards on general travel purchases.
Only a few credit cards today offer bonus categories for general travel. If you don’t find it, seek the best credit cards for non-bonused spending next.
In addition to researching the rewards accrual structures, you must focus on the best travel benefits, such as travel and purchase protections.
What is Airbnb?
Airbnb is a popular website that offers different lodging options to people when traveling. It includes everything from privately owned houses to rooms, apartments, boathouses, and hotel rooms. The accommodations can be made available for short and long-term.
It is a great option for people seeking a home away from home. Airbnb is also great for group travel, allowing you to select multi-bedroom lodging.
Though Airbnb stays generally don’t have amenities like room service or housekeeping, it is a preferred choice for budget travelers.
If you love Airbnb too, look at the best credit cards for Airbnb right here.
Best Credit Cards for Airbnb
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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a good choice as it offers a high rate on all purchases and flexible redemption options. You earn 5 miles for each dollar spent on car rentals and hotels you book from Capital One Travel.
You also get two miles for each dollar on every other purchase.
You can redeem the miles at a value of 1 cent for every piece for any travel purchase.
The card also offers a decent signup bonus of 75,000 miles on spending $4,000 within the first three months. You can use this card to pay for Airbnb bookings and utilize the miles to compensate for the charge.
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Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card credit card is best for small business owners who want to earn travel rewards. It is available for freelancers or people with a side hustle.
It earns points on a wide range of categories, including Airbnb, making it a good choice if you seek the best Airbnb credit cards.
It also offers 3X points on travel purchases like Airbnb home rentals and has several perks like purchase protection benefits, cell phone coverage, and primary car rental insurance.
The limit for the points is $150,000 a year.
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Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Are you looking for a card that offers 3X on travel, annual credit, and other appealing perks? Your search ends here. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a great option for frequent travelers who want a card that benefits them in multiple ways and allows them to offset the annual fee, thanks to many benefits and perks.
You get amazing bonus rewards (up to 10X) in different categories like travel and dining. It also has a hefty fat bonus offer, airport lounge access, and annual travel credits.
The card also offers a 50% boost in point value when you redeem points for travel booked through Chase.
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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
You can trust the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card when searching for the best Airbnb credit cards, as it offers flexible points and a huge bonus.
The reasonable annual fee and high bonus rewards of up to 5X are two reasons to choose this card.
These rewards can be earned in different categories like dining, travel, some streaming services, and even some specified grocery purchases.
The points are 25% more if you redeem them for travel you book through Chase. You can also transfer the points to several hotel and airline partners.
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Citi Custom Cash® Card
If you are a fan of shorter stays (many of them), the Citi Custom Cash® Card is a perfect choice. With zero annual fees and 5% back in your eligible top spending category (credited automatically), it is a perfect choice.
The cap is on up to $500 spent per billing cycle. You also get 1% back on other spending. Redeeming the points is also simpler, as you don’t need to stick to any activation schedule or track a bonus calendar.
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Citi® Double Cash Card
People who don’t want the complications associated with tracking reward points and redeeming them can choose the Citi® Double Cash Card. It earns a flat cashback of 2% on each purchase.
You get 1% back when you make a purchase and the other 1% back when you pay off the charge.
It also offers 2% cashback on your vacation rental. So, you can save more with a little extra effort. Citi is also kind enough to waive your first late fee if you miss a payment.
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Capital One Venture X
When you need a comfortable stay at an Airbnb and want to keep earning rewards that you can spend at an Airbnb via a credit card, the Capital One Venture X is a good option.
Launched in 2021, this travel card allows you to earn 2X miles on every purchase. You also earn enhanced rewards on travel- 10X on rental cars, 10X on hotels, and 5X on flights you book via Capital One Travel. You can redeem the points during your next Airbnb stay.
You also get up to a $300 annual credit for bookings made on Capital One Travel. On every account anniversary, you can get 10,000 bonus miles.
The card also has amazing perks like unlimited access to Capital One Lounges and over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges spread all over the world and up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.
The welcome bonus is generous too, as you get 75,000 bonus miles if you spend $4,000 within the first three months. The annual fee of this card is $395, and the APR is 22.24% – 29.24% (variable).
You will need an Excellent credit score to be eligible for this card.
Credit card |
Uthrive rating
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Intro offer | Rewards rate | Annual fee | Learn more |
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Terms Apply |
Rating
4.7/5
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Intro Offer bonus_miles |
Reward Rates 2 - 5 Miles per dollar |
Annual Fees annual_fees |
|
Terms Apply |
Rating
4.7/5
|
Intro Offer bonus_miles |
Reward Rates Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases |
Annual Fees annual_fees |
|
Terms Apply |
Rating
4.2/5
|
Intro Offer bonus_miles |
Reward Rates 3x - 10x points |
Annual Fees annual_fees |
|
Terms Apply |
Rating
4.8/5
|
Intro Offer bonus_miles |
Reward Rates 2x - 5x Points |
Annual Fees annual_fees |
|
card_name
card_name
Terms Apply |
Rating
4.5/5
|
Intro Offer bonus_miles |
Reward Rates 1% - 5% cash back |
Annual Fees annual_fees |
|
card_name
card_name
Terms Apply |
Rating
4.5/5
|
Intro Offer bonus_miles |
Reward Rates 2% - 5% cash back |
Annual Fees annual_fees |
|
Terms Apply |
Rating
4.7/5
|
Intro Offer bonus_miles |
Reward Rates 2 - 10 Miles per dollar |
Annual Fees annual_fees |
How to Choose the Best Credit Card to Book Airbnb Stays
Choosing the best credit card for Airbnb can be mindboggling if you don’t do your research. Here, you can know the key factors that will help you make the right decision.
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Travel Insurance
When picking one of the best credit cards for Airbnb, choose the options that offer travel insurance. Types of insurance available include travel accident, rental car, baggage delay, etc.
They all mitigate financial pressure in case of unfortunate events.
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Signup Bonus
If you are looking for the best credit card for Airbnb points, make sure that you choose cards that offer a great welcome bonus, as it can help you get extra funds for travel.
A sizable signup bonus can help offset the card’s annual fee too!
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Cashback or Rewards
It never hurts to get some Airbnb cash back. So, when picking a card, pick one with high cashback or rewards. It would also be good if they were added to your account automatically.
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Annual Fee
When seeking the best credit card for Airbnb purchases, people often get lured by rewards and perks and pick a card with a high annual fee.
Please don’t repeat that mistake, and always pick a card with an annual fee that you can easily pay.
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Card Offers
Many credit cards offer special promotion rewards and boosts. They are in addition to the usual offers. So, keep searching for Airbnb credit card offers to ensure you save more on every stay!
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Redemption Options
Most credit cards with Airbnb rewards let you redeem rewards in different ways. So, before you apply for a card, you need to choose one that helps you get the greatest value while minimizing the hassle associated with the rewards redemption process (some of which can be very complicated).
Redemption Options
Most credit cards with Airbnb rewards let you redeem rewards in different ways. So, before you apply for a card, you need to choose one that helps you get the greatest value while minimizing the hassle associated with the rewards redemption process (some of which can be very complicated).
How to use a credit card to book an Airbnb
Once you have finalized which credit card is best for Airbnb, you might wonder how to use it. Here’s how to use a credit card to book an Airbnb.
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Sign up on the Airbnb website or log into your account.
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Finalize the property you want to rent.
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Add the credit card to your account and pay the bill with the respective card. That’s it. You are good to go!
FAQs Associated with the Best Airbnb for Credit Cards
Which credit card is the best for Airbnb?
You must choose a card based on your individual travel and spending habits. Do consider options like Airbnb booking through Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Is Airbnb considered travel for the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Yes, Airbnb is a travel purchase on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card.
Is Airbnb considered travel for the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
Yes! It is considered a part of the travel purchase category!
Can you transfer Chase's points to Airbnb?
No. This option is not available as of now. It might be available in the future.
Does Airbnb charge a foreign transaction fee?
Yes, it does charge for a foreign transaction fee.
Can you cancel an Airbnb reservation and get a refund?
It depends on when you cancel. You get a full refund if you choose a moderate category and cancel until five days before the stay.
If the category is firm and you cancel seven or fewer days before the stay, you get no refund.
When is your credit card charged for Airbnb reservations?
The credit card is charged as soon as the reservation is confirmed.
Which credit card offers a discount on Airbnb?
The top two cards are the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®.