Being able to travel is one of the best pleasures that life can provide, and having the appropriate credit card may considerably improve the quality of your travel experiences.
There are a variety of advantages that come with using a travel rewards credit card, including the opportunity to earn points and miles on purchases as well as access to special services such as airport lounge access and travel insurance.
In order to assist travelers from the United States in making the most of their travel experiences, this article will lead you through the top credit cards for travel rewards.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Overview: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards cards on the market, offering a generous sign-up bonus and versatile rewards.
- Key Features:
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. That’s $750 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Rewards Rate: 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, 2x on other travel purchases, and 1x on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Travel Perks: No foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and more.
- Why It’s Great for Travelers: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers excellent value with its strong earning rates, flexible redemption options, and robust travel protections.
2. The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Overview: The Platinum Card® from American Express is the go-to choice for luxury travelers, offering an extensive array of premium benefits.
- Key Features:
- Welcome Offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.
- Rewards Rate: 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, 5x on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, and 1x on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $695.
- Travel Perks: Access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, $200 airline fee credit, $200 Uber Cash, $240 digital entertainment credit, and more.
- Why It’s Great for travelers: The Platinum Card® is unmatched when it comes to luxury travel benefits, offering unparalleled access to lounges, credits, and exclusive services.
3. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Overview: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is perfect for travelers who value simplicity and flexibility in earning and redeeming travel rewards.
- Key Features:
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
- Rewards Rate: Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, every day.
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Travel Perks: Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, no foreign transaction fees.
- Why It’s Great for Travelers: The Capital One Venture card is ideal for those who want straightforward rewards that are easy to redeem for travel, without the hassle of managing multiple bonus categories.
4. Citi Premier® Card
- Overview: The Citi Premier® Card offers a strong rewards structure across several popular spending categories, making it a versatile option for frequent travelers.
- Key Features:
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 60,000 ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Rewards Rate: Earn 3x points on air travel, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, and 1x on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Travel Perks: No foreign transaction fees, access to Citi’s travel benefits like trip cancellation and interruption protection.
- Why It’s Great for Travelers: With broad bonus categories and flexible points redemption options, the Citi Premier® Card is excellent for travelers who want to earn rewards on a variety of everyday expenses.
5. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Overview: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel rewards card that offers elevated travel perks and rewards for serious travelers.
- Key Features:
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. That’s $900 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Rewards Rate: Earn 10x points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 5x on air travel through Chase, 3x on other travel and dining, and 1x on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $550.
- Travel Perks: $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass™ Select lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, and more.
- Why It’s Great for Travelers: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers one of the highest rewards rates on travel purchases, combined with extensive travel benefits, making it a top choice for frequent travelers.
6. American Express® Gold Card
- Overview: The American Express® Gold Card is designed for travelers who enjoy dining out and earning rewards on everyday purchases.
- Key Features:
- Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months.
- Rewards Rate: 4x points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1x), 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com, and 1x on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $250.
- Travel Perks: $120 dining credit ($10 per month) and $100 airline fee credit.
- Why It’s Great for Travelers: The Amex Gold Card is ideal for foodies and frequent flyers who want to earn significant rewards on dining and grocery shopping, with the flexibility to redeem for travel.
7. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
- Overview: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card offers simple, straightforward travel rewards with no annual fee, making it a great option for budget-conscious travelers.
- Key Features:
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 25,000 online bonus points after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days.
- Rewards Rate: Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Travel Perks: No foreign transaction fees, flexible point redemption for travel purchases.
- Why It’s Great for Travelers: This card is perfect for travelers who want to earn rewards without worrying about an annual fee, and it offers flexibility in how you redeem your points for travel.
8. Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
- Overview: The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a strong contender for those who want to earn rewards across multiple spending categories, including travel, with no annual fee.
- Key Features:
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Rewards Rate: Earn 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans, and 1x on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Travel Perks: No foreign transaction fees, cell phone protection, and more.
- Why It’s Great for Travelers: The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card provides a well-rounded rewards program with no annual fee, making it an attractive option for travelers who want to earn points on a variety of purchases.
9. United℠ Explorer Card
- Overview: The United℠ Explorer Card is a great choice for frequent United Airlines flyers, offering valuable travel perks and rewards.
- Key Features:
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
- Rewards Rate: Earn 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays, and 1x mile on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Travel Perks: Free first checked bag, priority boarding, two United Club℠ one-time passes annually, and more.
- Why It’s Great for Travelers: This card is tailored for United Airlines loyalists, providing perks that can enhance your flying experience and help you earn more miles.
10. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- Overview: The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is ideal for frequent Delta flyers, offering a range of travel perks and rewards.
- Key Features:
- Welcome Offer: Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months.
- Rewards Rate: Earn 2x miles on Delta purchases, restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery, and U.S. supermarkets, and 1x mile
