The Best Travel Credit Cards for Every Type of Traveler

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There are several reasons someone might want to take out a travel credit card. There’s just one issue: choosing which one to go with. There’s no shortage of travel rewards credit cards out there, and while having plenty of options is great for consumers, it can also make things a little confusing. 

The truth is, there’s no single consensus pick. However, there are some cards that stand out above the rest. Below, we’ve outlined our top choices and exactly why they made the cut—plus an idea or two on how to spend the welcome bonuses on some of our favorite hotels and airlines.

FAQ:

What are the benefits of a travel credit card?

For many, the driving factor in opening a travel credit card is the ability to earn points that can later be turned into free flights or hotel stays—but the best travel credit cards also offer perks like free night certificates, elite status, trip delay protection, and annual travel credits that are pretty motivating, too.

Is a travel credit card worth the annual fee? 

The answer is almost always yes, thanks to their generous rewards structures, flexible redemption options, and travel perks—provided you can use them. Going through a list of these features is a great place to start when looking for your perfect match, whether you’re just getting acquainted with the options or are looking to add a second or third travel card to your rotation. Plus, some of the welcome bonuses are upwards of six figures, sweetening the deal even more and setting you well on your way to free flights and hotel stays. 

What should I consider before choosing a card?

If you want to find the absolute best travel credit card for you, you’ll need to take into account a number of factors—where you live, where you want to go, and your spending habits included. All of this means that a card that's great for you may not be such a hot pick for someone else.

Below, I’ll walk you through 10 of the best travel cards available right now. Looking specifically for the best airline credit cards or hotel credit cards? We've got you covered there, too.

• Best overall: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Best for beginners: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Best for off-category spending: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Best for airfare and lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Best for groceries and dining: American Express® Gold Card
• Best value: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Best for flexible rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Best for varied bonus categories: Citi Premier Card
• Best for cash back: Citi Double Cash Card
• Best hotel card: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Best overall

Why we love it: Each year the Chase Sapphire Reserve is consistently one of our picks for the best travel credit card. It has long been popular thanks to its solid returns on travel and dining purchases. Lately, though, Chase has worked even harder to justify the $550 annual price tag by upping its earning rates on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards and more. Points are worth 1.5 cents apiece when redeemed through Chase’s travel portal, which is an option that will ensure you're getting a solid value. But you can potentially get even more out of your points by transferring them to one of Chase’s airline and hotel partners, including the Emirates Skywards and World of Hyatt rewards programs.

How it earns points: The Sapphire Reserve earns five points per dollar on flights purchased through Chase, 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase, three points per dollar on all other travel and dining purchases, and one point per dollar on everything else.

Additional perks: The card offers an annual $300 statement credit that will cover any travel purchases you make, from hotel rooms to airfare to tolls. Additionally, cardholders get a $100 credit to cover TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership every four years; Priority Pass membership, which guarantees access to a network of more than 1,000 airport lounges; and trip cancellation and delay insurance.

Annual fee: $550

Foreign transaction fees: None

Current welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

How to spend it: Transfer the points to World of Hyatt for two nights at the Readers' Choice Award–winning Cape, a Thompson Hotel in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, or one night in a premium suite.

Read a full review of this card.

Best for beginners

Why we love it: Think of the Chase Sapphire Preferred as a toned-down version of the Reserve. It doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles, but it doesn’t bear the same lofty price tag, either. A couple key things it does have in common with the CSR? Good earnings rates in popular spending categories, as well as the option to redeem points through the Chase portal (this time at a rate of 1.25 cents per point) or transfer them to airline and hotel partners. It’s widely considered a top pick for those who are venturing into the world of points and miles for the first time.

How it earns points: The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns two points per dollar on all travel purchases, as well as five points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase, three points per dollar on all dining and online grocery purchases, and three points per dollar on select streaming services. It earns one point per dollar on everything else.

Additional perks: In the event of a travel delay, the Preferred offers up to $500 per day in reimbursement for hotels, meals, and incidentals. It also offers a 10 percent anniversary points bonus and a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards hotel credit.

Annual fee: $95

Foreign transaction fees: None

Current welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

How to spend it: Transfer the points to United to fly the US carrier between the US and Europe. Prices vary, but you can find award fares for 60,000 airline miles round-trip in economy or one-way in business. 

Read a full review of this card.

Best for off-category spending

Why we love it: While the Chase Freedom Unlimited is technically a cash-back card, if you pair it with either the Sapphire Reserve or Preferred, you’ll be able to instantly convert your rewards into valuable travel points by moving them between accounts. And that’s great for a couple of reasons: For one, the Freedom Unlimited earns bonus points in areas where the Sapphire cards don’t. It also has no annual fee.

How it earns points:  You’ll five earn points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, three points per dollar on drugstore purchases and dining, and 1.5 points per dollar on everything else. 

Additional perks: This fee-free card is understandably light on perks, but it does come with some shopping and auto insurance protections.

Annual fee: None

Foreign transaction fees: 3 percent

Current welcome bonus:  Earn $200 in cash back (20,000 points) after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

How to spend it: Transfer to British Airways to book a short-haul economy flight on Alaska Airlines, such as Seattle to Los Angeles.

Best for airfare and lounge access

Why we love it: The Platinum Card from American Express is a heavy hitter. With its strong points-earning potential and perks, it takes the headaches out of traveling. This American Express card has access to not one, but two networks of domestic and international airport lounges; elite status with two top hotel chains; and so many credits, it’s hard to keep track—especially with a list that keeps on growing. And when it’s time to cash in points, cardholders have the option to transfer to numerous airline and hotel partners, including some of the world’s top carriers.

How it earns points: The Platinum earns five Membership Rewards points per dollar on flights booked directly with an airline or via Amex Travel on up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year, as well as five points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. It earns one point per dollar on other eligible purchases.

Additional perks: Amex is all about offsetting this card’s high annual fee with a slate of compelling benefits and statement credits galore. It comes with an annual $200 credit to the airline of your choice to cover incidentals; $200 per year in Uber credits; a $200 hotel credit on prepaid bookings of at least two nights through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts; a $300 Equinox credit to put toward gym membership; a $240 entertainment credit for eligible digital subscriptions; an $189 Clear credit; a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit worth up to $100; up to $100 in annual Saks Fifth Avenue credits; cell phone protection; airport lounge access to both Amex’s own network of Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass; Gold Elite status with both Hilton and Marriott; and more. (Enrollment is required and terms apply to all of the aforementioned perks and statement credits.) The card comes with shopping, baggage, and rental car insurance, as well as access to sought-after restaurant reservations through a partnership with Resy.

Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees)

Foreign transaction fees: None

Current welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within six months of account opening. 

How to spend it: Transfer the points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club to book round-trip business class tickets to Japan on Virgin's partner ANA. You can fly from the West Coast to Tokyo or Kyoto for 90,000 miles or the Midwest or East Coast to the island country's major cities for 95,000 miles.

Read a full review of this card.

Best for groceries and dining

Why we love it: We all need to eat, and no matter how you do it, you’ll be rewarded if you hold the American Express Gold Card, which offers bonus points on both restaurant and supermarket spending. The card also comes with credits you can put toward takeout and delivery, as well as Uber. Gold Card users will also have access to Amex’s extensive transfer partner list when it comes time to put their hard-earned points to good use.

How it earns points: The Gold Card earns four Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at US supermarkets (on up to $25,000 each year, then one point per dollar). It also earns three points per dollar on flights booked directly with an airline or with AmEx Travel, as well as one point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Additional perks: The Gold Card comes with a dining credit of up to $120 that can be used on dining through GrubHub, Goldbelly, and more (enrollment required, terms apply), as well as a $120 Uber credit and a $100 The Hotel Collection credit when you stay two nights or more (enrollment required, terms apply). It also provides shopping, baggage, and rental car protections.

Annual fee: $250 (see rates and fees)

Foreign transaction fees: None

Current welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within six months of account opening.

How to spend it: Transfer the points to Marriott Bonvoy to score a night or two at the luxurious St. Regis Mexico City.

Read a full review of this card.

Best for premium travel without the price tag

Why we love it: Capital One’s first foray into the premium credit card space is a good one. On top of solid earning potential, the Venture X offers an array of easy-to-use perks that make it a solid competitor against top offerings from Chase and Amex—with a much lower annual fee. Points earned with the card can be transferred to Capital One’s new-and-improved list of transfer partners, too.

How it earns points: The Venture X nets two miles per dollar on every purchase, with bonuses on travel. The card gets 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked via the Capital One Travel portal, along with five miles per dollar on flights booked through the portal.

Additional perks: The card comes with $300 annual credit good for bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal, a 10,000-mile bonus on every account anniversary, unlimited access for you and two guests to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges worldwide, and a $100 statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

Annual fee: $395 

Foreign transaction fees: None

Current welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

How to spend it: Transfer to Air Canada's Aeroplan to book Lufthansa first class on a one-way flight to Europe of up to 6,000 miles long, such as Chicago to Frankfurt.

Read a full review of this card.

Best for flexible rewards

Why we love it: Simplicity is the name of the game with the Capital One Venture Rewards card, the Venture X's predecessor. It’s a straightforward card for those who don’t spend a ton of money in any one category and who want to avoid a hefty annual fee. Use your miles to wipe travel purchases off your statement or transfer them to one of 17 loyalty partners, including AirFrance/KLM and Turkish Airlines.

How it earns points: The Venture card earns two miles per dollar on all purchases, plus five miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Additional perks: The Venture card doesn’t have the perks of a more expensive premium card, but cardholders do get a $100 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit every four years and two free visits to the Capital One Lounge (or to one of 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through Capital One's partner network) each year. (Additional visits will cost $45 each—a discount from the usual $65 for entry.)

Annual fee: $95

Foreign transaction fees: None

Current welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

How to spend it: Transfer the miles to Turkish Airlines' Miles&Smiles program to nab four round-trip business economy class tickets between anywhere on the US mainland and Hawaii on Turkish Airlines' partner United.

Best for varied bonus categories

Why we love it: The Citi Premier recently got a facelift that made it hard to ignore. The card boasts a slew of easy-to-maximize bonus categories, earning customers extra points on dining, groceries, gas, air travel, and hotels. And while Citi’s lineup of transfer partners doesn’t get as much attention as Chase or Amex, it still features top-notch choices for booking flights, both domestic and international (JetBlue TrueBlue and Qatar Airways Privilege Club are among Citi’s list of partners).

How it earns points: The Premier earns three ThankYou points per dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, as well as three points per dollar spent on airfare and hotels. It earns one point per dollar on everything else.

Additional perks: The card offers a once-a-year credit of $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more when booking through the Citi ThankYou portal, as well as access to ticket pre-sales and cardmember-only events.

Annual fee: $95

Foreign transaction fees: None

Current welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 points once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

How to spend it: Transfer the points to Etihad Guest to book round-trip business class tickets between New York and Casablanca on Royal Air Maroc. You’ll likely be close to the 88,000 required points if you spend the money required to trigger the welcome bonus.

Best for: Cash back

Why we love it: Like the Chase Freedom Unlimited, the Citi Double Cash Card is actually a cash-back card, but if you have a second card—like the Citi Premier—that earns ThankYou points, you’ll be able to convert your cash back into travel rewards. It’s also easy to use, earning a flat two points per dollar on every dollar spent, no matter what the category.

How it earns points: The Citi Double Cash card earns two points per dollar on all purchases—one when you buy, and one when you pay your bill.

Additional perks: The card comes with 24-hour fraud protection and access to ticket pre-sales and cardmember-only events. 

Annual fee: None

Foreign transaction fees: 3 percent

Current welcome bonus: None

Best hotel card

Why we love it: You won’t find a more lucrative hotel card than the Hilton Honor American Express Aspire, with its top-tier Diamond status, uncapped free night reward, resort credit, and sky-high earning rates. But the best part is, it’s more than just a hotel card. It also offers an airline fee credit, Priority Pass lounge access, and bonus points at US restaurants, providing a more well-rounded travel experience.

How it earns points: The Aspire earns 14 Hilton Honors points per dollar spent with Hilton hotels and resorts, as well as seven points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amex Travel, on car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies, and at US restaurants. It earns three points per dollar on everything else.

Additional perks: Cardholders automatically receive Hilton’s highest elite status, Diamond, as well as one free night every year after renewal that can be redeemed at most Hilton properties. Each account year, cardholders are also eligible for up to $250 in statement credits toward purchases at Hilton Resorts, and get up to $250 worth of statement credits for qualifying airline incidental fees (enrollment required, terms apply). Cardholders can also register for Priority Pass airport lounge access (enrollment required, terms apply). 

Annual fee: $450

Foreign transaction fees: None

Current welcome bonus: Earn 150,000 bonus points once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

How to spend it: Combine 110,000 points with the card’s free night certificate for a weekend at the Waldorf Astoria Grand Wailea on Maui.

See rates and fees for American Express cards listed: The Platinum Card; The Gold Card, Aspire. All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Condé Nast Traveler; this card is no longer available through Condé Nast Traveler.

Condé Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Condé Nast Traveler and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.