Being a regular traveler, one of the things you should have is the perfect credit card for you. In other words, having the right credit card in your pocket will enable you to earn rewards that will be beneficial to you.
Check out other great credit card bonuses here.
I’ll go over some of the well known travel credit cards below.
Different Travel Credit Cards
Earning cards that allows you to earn points you can transfer can be redeemed when you move them to a transfer partner. A transfer partner that works well is an airline or hotel loyalty program. Additionally, this is one of the best rewards points you’ll be able to earn since they are very flexible. Lots of other travel cards that are on our best credit cards list enables you to earn these types of points.
Lots of airline co-branded credit cards will be able to earn you miles that comes with additional airline benefits. Furthermore, you’ll get free checked bags, elite-qualifying miles, priority boarding, inflight discounts and more.
Just like airline credit cards, hotel co-branded cards will allow you to gain points with their hotel perks as well. Some of these features are: free award nights, complimentary elite status, etc.
These types of cards will get you rewards that can be redeemed for a same value. Like Bank of America Premium Rewards points will always be worth about $0.01 each point. Normally, these travel cards are better suited for people that can’t maximize their transferable points. Or, if you’re a normal traveler that wants an easier way to earn redeemable points.
Cards to Consider
To help you pick the best travel card for you, we put together a simple list that includes things to look for:
- Welcome bonuses
- Earning potential
- Annual fee
- Travel protections
- Rewards simplicity
- Extra perks
- Point values
- Travel Credits
- Travel benefits
Now, since we are talking about spending on your travels, picking a card with extra earning potential that suits your spending habits will be your best option.
Best Travel Credit Cards
This credit card is one of the best travel credit cards with the best travel credits. However, it does come with a pricey annual fee. Fortunately, it does come with many credits and great features to balance the price.
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 |
Another excellent travel card is the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. This card is great for offering one of the best travel cards for new travelers. Additionally, it comes with a great welcome bonus as well. This card will make it easier for you to use your travel rewards points. Chase offers a $0.0125 per point. To make the most of your rewards, transfer these points to a partner program.
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 TravelSM. You'll earn: • 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM • 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries • 2x on all other travel purchases • 1x on all other purchases • $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase TravelSM This card carries a $95 annual fee. |
This credit card is another great pick with easy redemptions. Use this card to “erase” your travel expenses with a fixed rate of $0.01 a mile. Additionally, it comes with no blackout dates so you don’t have to worry.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a one-time bonus of 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. You're able to earn: • 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. • 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel This card does come with a $95 annual fee. Enjoy no foreign transaction fees and receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✔®. |
This Capital One card comes with no annual fees, and you’ll be able to use your miles to get ride of your travel transactions with a fixed rate. It comes with the same features as Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card offers 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel. Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months. You'll earn: • 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. • 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. This card comes with no annual fees and no foreign transaction fees which is a great choice as your go-to travel card! |
This Platinum Credit Card from American Express is another great travel credit card with amazing features.
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. |
One of the best cards for international traveling will be this card. Since Marriott is the second biggest hotel chain in the world, this brand offers a wide reach. This card will be able to help you out while you travel.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card offers 3 Free Night Awards up to a 150,000 Total Point Value (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn: • Up to 17X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy • 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. • 2X points for every $1 spent on all other purchase • 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend. You gain an automatic Silver Elite Status each account anniversary year. Path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year. You'll receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year & an additional Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary. This card does carry a $95 fee; there are no foreign transaction fees. |
If you’re traveling for business related reasons, this card is best suited for you. Additionally, it comes with a great welcome bonus and offers for hotel and rental car transactions.
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business offers a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles - equal to $500 in travel - once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Your miles won't expire for the life of the account, and there are no categories to limit where or what you buy and you can earn 2 miles per $1 on every purchase. And 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One TravelSM using a Spark Miles card Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck or Global Entry There is an annual fee of $95, however, there is a $0 intro annual fee for the first year. Enjoy no foreign transaction fees and fly on any airline, anytime, with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. |
This Wells Fargo Card is perfect for commuters. Normally, they offer 3 points for each dollar you spend towards: flights, hotels, taxis, ridesharing, car rentals, passenger railways, etc. Plus, it doesn’t come with any annual fees either.
Conclusion
Overall, if you’re looking for some of the best travel cards to fit your needs, these cards are the top picks. Additionally, each card comes with their own perks and benefits for you to take advantage of as well. Having a travel card at hand is very useful so you can earn rewards, points, and possible bonuses as you spend. However, be sure to pick a card that fits your spending habits and travel goals to ensure a better experience.