Booking a vacation on points and miles can do wonders for your trip. However, there are times where you have to use cash for a flight, hotel stay, rental car, or other travel expenses. If you can’t use your credit card rewards on a trip, then you should earn points and miles for travel purchases. Usually, the more rewards you get, the better it is.
Check out our list of the best credit card bonuses here.
We will go over the best credit cards to use towards travel expenses below.
Editor’s Credit Card Pick
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 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. You'll earn: • 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 • $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more. Enjoy new benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit and when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you'll get 25% more value! This card carries a $95 annual fee. |
Best Credit Cards for Travel Purchases
There are several travel cards that you can choose from. However, how do you know which one is the right fit for you? Our list of the best credit cards for travel transactions will cover a large range from low-priced cards to premium ones. This way, you’ll be able to decipher which card best suits your needs and spending habits.
- American Express Green Card
- Bank of America Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Citi Premier Card
- The Platinum Card from American Express
- Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card
Let’s go a little deeper into what each card has to offer below:
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 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. You'll earn: • 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 • $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more. Enjoy new benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit and when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you'll get 25% more value! This card carries a $95 annual fee. |
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 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 TravelSM. You'll earn • 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. • 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 Travel. This card does carry a $550 annual fee and there are no foreign transaction fees. However, you're able to earn a $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year & up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®. Member FDIC |
The Platinum Card® from American Express offers 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. You'll 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. • 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. This card comes with an annual fee of $695 (See Rates & Fees), but you cardholders can enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member and Additional Centurion Cards only. Terms Apply. |
The American Express® Green Card offers 60,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during your first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit. You'll earn: • 3X Membership Rewards points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals. • 3X Membership Rewards Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways. • 3X Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US. This card does carry a $150 annual fee & no foreign transaction fees. Terms Apply. See Rates & Fees Terms Apply. |
The Bank of America Cash Rewards Credit Card looks a little lackluster at the beginning. However, the real value comes from if you’re a member of the BoA Preferred Rewards Program that boosts your earning rate.
This card offers $200 online cash rewards bonuses for spending at least $1,000 in the first 90 days of having your account open. You should consider the Bank of America Cash Rewards Card if you like a 2%-3% cash back rewards rate towards: grocery stores, wholesale clubs, and a category of your pick. This is a very worthwhile option if you’re a Preferred Rewards clients already.
Here’s an overview of the credit card’s earning rates:
- 3% cash back in the category of your choice.
- 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
- 1% on everything else.
Additional Guides
Here are some extra guides to help you find the best credit card suited for your needs.
- Best Airline Credit Cards for Travel Benefits and Rewards.
- Hotel Credit Cards for Travel Benefits + Rewards.
- Travel Credit Cards: Rewards and Benefits.
- Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards for Family Vacations.
- Credit Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Best Rewards Credit Cards: Cash, Points, Miles, & Benefits
- Cash Back Credit Cards: Welcome Bonuses, Rewards
- Best Dining Credit Cards: Restaurant Points, Rewards & Cash Back
- Grocery Credit Cards: Co-Branded, Cashback & Rewards
- Best Small Business Credit Cards: Points, Miles & Rewards
Conclusion
Overall, now that you know what the best credit cards are for travel, picking one to match your spending habits is the next step. All of these cards come with their own rewards, perks, and award system. Be sure to look into all of these factors before signing up for a credit card. Furthermore, check out if the credit card you want is associated with the airline you travel the most with.