Are you a frequent traveler looking to maximize your rewards? If so, a travel rewards credit card might be the perfect fit for you. Not only can you earn points and miles for every dollar spent, but many travel rewards cards also offer exclusive perks such as airport lounge access, free checked bags, and more.
In this article, we’ll be exploring the top travel rewards credit cards on the market today, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and start earning rewards on your next trip.
Types of Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Before diving into the best travel rewards credit cards, it’s important to understand the different types of cards available. There are three main categories of travel rewards credit cards: general travel rewards cards, airline-specific cards, and hotel-specific cards.
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General travel rewards cards offer the most flexibility in terms of earning and redemption options. These cards allow you to earn points or miles that can be redeemed for travel purchases such as flights, hotels, rental cars, and more.
Some popular general travel rewards cards include the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Venture Rewards, and the American Express Platinum Card.
Airline-specific cards are co-branded credit cards offered by airlines that allow you to earn miles for every dollar spent on the card. These miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and more with the airline that issued the card.
Examples of airline-specific cards include the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, the United Explorer Card, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card.
Hotel-specific cards are co-branded credit cards offered by hotel chains that allow you to earn points for every dollar spent on the card. These points can be redeemed for free nights, upgrades, and other hotel-related perks.
Popular hotel-specific cards include the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card, and the World of Hyatt Credit Card.
Now that we’ve covered the different types of travel rewards credit cards, let’s take a closer look at what to consider when choosing the best card for you.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Travel Rewards Credit Card
Choosing the best travel rewards credit card for you depends on a number of factors. Here are some of the most important things to consider:
1. Sign-up bonuses
Many travel rewards credit cards offer sign-up bonuses to new cardholders, typically in the form of bonus points or miles after meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months of opening the card. This can be a great way to earn a large number of rewards quickly.
2. Earning rates
The earning rate is how many points or miles you’ll earn per dollar spent on the card. Some cards offer higher earning rates for certain categories, such as travel or dining, while others offer a flat rate for all purchases.
3. Redemption options
Look for a card that offers flexible redemption options, such as the ability to transfer points or miles to airline and hotel partners, or redeem for statement credits against travel purchases.
4. Annual fees
Many travel rewards credit cards come with annual fees, so it’s important to factor that cost into your decision. However, some cards offer enough perks and rewards to offset the fee.
5. Foreign transaction fees
If you plan to use your travel rewards credit card abroad, look for a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. These fees can add up quickly and negate the rewards you earn on your purchases.
Other benefits
Many travel rewards credit cards offer additional perks such as airport lounge access, free checked bags, travel insurance, and more. Consider which benefits are most important to you when choosing a card.
Now that you know what to look for in a travel rewards credit card, let’s take a look at the top travel rewards credit cards in each category.
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Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards
✯ General Travel Rewards Cards
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a popular choice among travelers, thanks to its flexible redemption options and generous sign-up bonus. New cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Cardholders earn 2x points on travel and dining purchases and 1x points on all other purchases. Points can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel partners or redeemed for travel purchases through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
The card also offers trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary rental car insurance, and no foreign transaction fees. The annual fee is $95.
2. Capital One Venture Rewards
The Capital One Venture Rewards card is another great option for travelers looking for a flexible redemption option. New cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
The card offers a flat 2x miles on all purchases, with no restrictions or categories to worry about. Miles can be redeemed for travel purchases or transferred to over 15 airline partners.
The card also offers travel accident insurance, roadside assistance, and no foreign transaction fees. The annual fee is $95.
3. American Express Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum Card is a premium travel rewards credit card that offers a wide range of benefits for frequent travelers. New cardholders can earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
The card offers 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, as well as prepaid hotel bookings made through Amex Travel. Cardholders also receive up to $200 in annual airline fee credits, up to $200 in annual Uber credits, and access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through the American Express Global Lounge Collection.
The card also offers travel accident insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and no foreign transaction fees. The annual fee is $695.
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✯ Airline-Specific Travel Rewards Cards
1. Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is a great choice for frequent Delta flyers. New cardholders can earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
The card offers 2x miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, as well as 1x miles on all other purchases. Cardholders also receive a first checked bag free on Delta flights, priority boarding, and 20% in-flight savings on food, beverages, and audio headsets.
The card also offers no foreign transaction fees. The annual fee is $99 (waived for the first year).
2. United Explorer Card
The United Explorer Card is a popular choice for United Airlines flyers. New cardholders can earn up to 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
The card offers 2x miles on United purchases, at restaurants, and on hotel stays booked directly with the hotel, as well as 1x miles on all other purchases. Cardholders also receive a first checked bag free on United flights, priority boarding, and two United Club one-time passes each year.
The card also offers no foreign transaction fees. The annual fee is $95 (waived for the first year).
3. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card is a great choice for those who frequently fly Southwest Airlines. New cardholders can earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
The card offers 2x points on Southwest Airlines purchases and 1x points on all other purchases. Cardholders also receive a free checked bag on Southwest flights, no change fees, and no blackout dates.
The card also offers anniversary bonus points each year and no foreign transaction fees. The annual fee is $69.
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✯ Hotel-Specific Travel Rewards Cards
1. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is a great choice for those who frequent Marriott hotels. New cardholders can earn 3 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The card offers 6x points on Marriott Bonvoy purchases and 2x points on all other purchases. Cardholders also receive automatic Silver Elite Status with Marriott Bonvoy, a free night award every year after account anniversary, and no foreign transaction fees. The annual fee is $95.
2. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card is a great choice for those who frequent Hilton hotels. New cardholders can earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. The card offers 12x points on Hilton purchases, 6x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations, and 3x points on all other purchases.
Cardholders also receive complimentary Gold status with Hilton Honors, a free weekend night award each year after spending $15,000 on purchases, and no foreign transaction fees. The annual fee is $95.
3. World of Hyatt Credit Card
The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a great choice for those who frequent Hyatt hotels. New cardholders can earn up to 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening.
The card offers 4x points on Hyatt purchases, 2x points on restaurants, airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, and fitness club and gym memberships, and 1x points on all other purchases. Cardholders also receive a free night award each year after their account anniversary, automatic Discoverist status with Hyatt, and no foreign transaction fees. The annual fee is $95.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many great travel rewards credit cards available on the market today. The key is to choose the card that best fits your travel needs and spending habits. Whether you are a frequent flyer, a hotel loyalist, or a general traveler, there is a travel rewards credit card out there that can help you earn points and miles to use toward your next adventure.
Be sure to consider the sign-up bonus, earning potential, redemption options, and annual fees when choosing a card. With a little research and careful consideration, you can find the perfect travel rewards credit card to help you maximize your travel rewards and create unforgettable experiences.
