Best Travel Credit Cards

The Platinum Card® from American Express is renowned for its premium travel benefits, making it one of the best credit cards for travel perks. It offers an excellent welcome bonus, where you can bonus_miles_full.

You can get 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com (up to $500,000 per year), 5X on prepaid hotels booked on Amex Travel, and 1X on other eligible purchases.

Cardholders enjoy exclusive perks like access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, automatic Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status (after enrollment), up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, valuable statement credit for hotel and airline fees, and more, offsetting the competitive annual_fees annual fee.

It is a top choice for frequent travelers seeking luxury and comfort. The card also comes with no foreign transaction fees, up to $189 CLEAR Plus credit, the ability to transfer points to various hotel and airline partners, and comprehensive shopping and travel benefits.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card is known as one of the best credit cards for travel rewards due to its exceptional value for Hyatt loyalists and travelers alike. New cardholders have the opportunity to bonus_miles_full as a solid welcome bonus.

It offers up to 9X points at all Hyatt hotels, 2X points at restaurants, flights purchased directly from the airline,  local transit & commuting, and fitness club and gym memberships, and 1X on all other eligible purchases.

With a annual_fees annual fee, the card also comes with a free night award on every account anniversary, automatic World of Hyatt Discoverist status with perks like room upgrades and late checkout, five qualifying night credits for next-tier status each year, various travel protection benefits, and no foreign transaction fees.

The United℠ Explorer Card stands out amongst the best credit cards for international travel, especially for United Airlines enthusiasts. It has a generous welcome bonus, allowing you to bonus_miles_full

With a annual_fees, you can earn 2X miles per $1 spent on United purchases, dining, and direct hotel purchases, and 1X mile on other qualifying purchases.

Cardholders enjoy priority boarding, the first free checked bag for themselves and their companion, two United  Club one-time passes annually, up to $100 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS fee credit, and 25% savings on United Airlines in-flight purchases.

The card also offers no foreign transaction fees to save money on your overseas travel, no blackout dates on miles earned, and extensive shopping and travel benefits, catering to individuals who prefer flying with United  Airlines.

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a top choice for Delta Air Lines passengers seeking valuable travel benefits. It features a solid welcome bonus, where you can bonus_miles_full.

With a annual_fees annual fee, cardholders can get 3X miles on Delta purchases and hotel purchases made directly with hotels, 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide, and 1X mile per $1 spent on other eligible purchases.

You can benefit from various perks, such as a free checked bag, an annual companion certificate, up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and MQD Headstart and MQD Boost for achieving Delta Medallion Status, making it one of the best travel rewards credit card.

Additionally, the card provides various travel protections, 20% back on in-flight purchases,  valuable statement credits like $150 Delta Stays Credit, no foreign transaction fees, and shopping benefits, enhancing the overall Delta flying experience.

Your search for the best credit card for travel with no annual fee ends at the Hilton Honors American Express Card! Beyond rewarding hotel stays, new cardholders bonus_miles_full as an excellent welcome bonus.

You can earn 7X points on purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio, 5X points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. supermarkets, and 3X points on all other eligible spending.

It comes with perks like- complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status (with an opportunity to upgrade), no foreign transaction fees for seamless international transactions, and various shopping benefits for peace of mind. With no annual fee, the card is ideal for those who frequently stay at Hilton properties.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is your answer to what is the best travel credit card. It is well-known for its exceptional blend of benefits catering to Marriott Bonvoy members and luxury travelers.

New cardholders can bonus_miles_full as a fantastic welcome bonus. You receive 6x points on purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 3x points at restaurants worldwide and flights booked directly with the airlines, and 2x on other eligible purchases.

The card provides a complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Status (with various benefits like 50% Bonus Points on stays), one free night award every year, access to over 1,200 airport lounges around the world with up to 2 guests, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, justifying the annual_fees annual fee.

Additionally, you enjoy perks like no foreign transaction fees, valuable statement credits for dining and stays, 25 elite night credits, various travel protections, and shopping benefits, adding to the appeal of the card.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is one of the best business credit cards for travel due to its appeal to Southwest passengers seeking valuable rewards and perks when flying with the airline.

It features a significant welcome bonus, where you can bonus_miles_full. Cardholders get 2x points on Southwest purchases, local transit & commuting, internet, cable, and phone services, hotels & car rental partners, and select streaming services.

You can also earn 1x point for each dollar spent on other eligible purchases, with an opportunity to redeem all your accumulated reward points for flights without blackout dates, seat restrictions, or change fees.

With a annual_fees annual fee and extensive route network, the card provides various perks, such as 2 EarlyBird Check-in, free checked bags, 3,000 bonus points on every anniversary, no earning caps, 25% back on in-flight purchases, flexible redemption options, and shopping benefits.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers the best travel credit card bonus. It is considered one of the most premium travel cards for avid Hilton guests looking for luxury experiences during their stays.

New cardholders can receive an outstanding welcome bonus, where they can Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.

You can earn 14X points on purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio, 7X points at U.S. restaurants, flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com, and car rentals booked directly with select rental companies, and 3X points on all other eligible spending.

With a $550 annual fee, the card provides several perks, including complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond Status, annual free night rewards, significant statement credits like up to $200 flight credits and up to $400 for Hilton Resort Credit, no foreign transaction fees, comprehensive shopping and travel protection benefits, and lots more – enhancing your travel experience!

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, being one of the best credit cards for traveling, caters to frequent travelers seeking elite travel privileges and exclusive benefits when flying with Delta Air Lines or its partners worldwide.

It comes with a generous welcome bonus, allowing you to bonus_miles_full Cardholders earn 3x miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.

You can enjoy various perks, such as complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club lounges with four One-Time Guest Passes every year and access to The Centurion Lounge, an enhanced annual companion certificate, a free checked bag, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck – making up for the annual_fees high annual fee.

The card also offers no foreign transaction fees, essential statement credits for dining, hotel stays, and rideshare, 20% savings on Delta in-flight purchases, MQD Headstart and MQD Boost for Medallion status, and comprehensive travel and shopping benefits for added convenience.

Certain travel rewards cards provide automatic elite status upon enrollment, streamlining your path to elite airline or hotel status. It is a valuable benefit that can be easily achieved through credit card spending.

For instance, American Express Platinum Card offers Membership Rewards points that can be used to earn elite status with various loyalty programs like Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy. Achieving an elite status with leading airlines and hotels often comes with exclusive perks to elevate your travel.

Loyalty to a specific hotel brand yields valuable perks such as room upgrades, hotel credits, and flexible check-in/out times. Similarly, airline elite status grants privileges like lounge access and baggage allowances. 

The best travel rewards credit cards for elite status include Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card with automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card for instant Hilton Honors Diamond status, and the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card with complimentary Platinum Elite status.

This is the most popular benefit of travel cards, thanks to their comfort and value. Premium travel credit cards often include a coveted perk: complimentary access to airport lounges, often with Priority Pass membership.

These lounges save you from the hustle and bustle of crowded airports by providing a haven for travelers to relax or grab a bite before flights with amenities like Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and food & beverages.

While the lounges available vary based on the card, airline co-branded options typically grant access to lounges affiliated with the card’s airline. You can use renowned credit cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are both expedited screening programs designed to streamline your travel experience at airports and international borders. Travel credit cards often cover the application fees for these programs as a benefit.

The perk of TSA PreCheck expedites domestic flight security screening, while Global Entry facilitates faster customs clearance for international travelers entering the United States. The application fees for these programs are up to $85 for TSA PreCheck and $100 for Global Entry, with memberships valid for 5 years.

The best credit card for travel perks provides statement credits to cover these fees, allowing members to bypass long lines at security checkpoints and immigration counters, saving time and reducing stress during travel. 

You can choose from cards like- Chase Sapphire Reserve®, United℠ Explorer Card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, and The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Maximizing rewards involves understanding your spending patterns across various categories and identifying credit cards that align with those merchants.

Start with a flat-rate card to earn a consistent rate on all purchases and then stack cards featuring bonus categories to boost your reward earnings in the highest spending areas.

For instance, use the Chase Sapphire Reserve® for travel and dining purchases and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® for everyday expenses and bills. This can efficiently maximize your credit card points for travel.

Make sure to select the most beneficial redemption options for optimal value. Using travel points and miles for travel through the card issuer’s portal provides excellent value.

Plus, if you make an extra effort to transfer your rewards to select airline or hotel partner programs, you can enjoy even greater returns!

By transferring points to an airline’s loyalty program such as United Airlines MileagePlus, you can leverage them for flight bookings, often valued at 2 cents per point.

To maximize the benefits of your travel credit card, aim to earn the sign-up bonus. These bonuses grant cardholders a substantial amount of points or miles, boosting their rewards balance.

Before applying for a new travel card, strategize how to meet the spending threshold required to earn this valuable bonus. Assess whether the requirement aligns with your spending patterns and, if necessary, plan purchases accordingly.

Different cards offer varied benefits, so it’s crucial to understand the specifics to fully capitalize on them. Look for the best travel credit cards with recurring benefits, such as annual award nights, waived baggage fees, elite status privileges, etc.

Ensure these perks align with your needs to offset the annual fee, leading to substantial savings and enhancing your overall travel experiences.

To maximize your travel points, watch out for special promotions available for a limited time, such as lucrative sign-up bonuses, partner perks like those with DoorDash or Instacart, and other avenues to earn extra rewards.

Keep an eye on email notifications and rewards portals for limited-time offers provided by issuers, such as Amex Offers for American Express cards such as American Express® Gold Card or occasional promotional offers like credits for VRBO rentals with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Tracking your credit card spending and rewards is crucial to get the ultimate value. By monitoring your expenses, you can strategically use cards that offer bonus points on specific categories like dining, groceries, or travel.

This allows you to earn more points efficiently. Additionally, regularly reviewing your rewards balance ensures you are aware of how close you are to reaching your travel goals and can plan accordingly.