Best Travel Credit Cards

Jason SteeleUpdated December 21, 2022

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Editor’s note: Lantern by SoFi seeks to provide content that is objective, independent and accurate. Writers are separate from our business operation and do not receive direct compensation from advertisers or partners. Read more about our Editorial Guidelines and How We Make Money.

Travel rewards cards have gained popularity in recent years, so if you decide to get a travel rewards credit card, there are several factors to consider as you’re deciding which card to get. Some travel rewards cards earn rewards that are transferable to multiple airline or hotel programs, while others offer points or miles that can be used only for travel reservations. You can also find travel rewards credit cards that offer bonuses for travel purchases in spending categories such as dining, gas, and groceries. When choosing the top travel credit cards, we looked at the value of the rewards earned from spending and the ease of redeeming those rewards. Next, we considered the initial new account bonus offered, followed by any unique benefits offered, especially travel-related benefits. We also looked at the annual fee, although many (but not all) travel rewards cards do have an annual fee.

How We Chose the Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards

To find the best travel reward credit cards, we first divided the market into the following six categories:

Travel rewards cards for travel statement credits
Travel rewards cards for flexible point transfers
Premium travel rewards cards
No-fee travel rewards cards
Small business travel rewards cards
Travel rewards cards for restaurant spending

We then looked at the cards from more than a dozen major card issuers and credit unions that best fit each of these categories. However, we included only cards that anyone can apply for, which leaves out products from credit unions that not everyone can join.For each category, we looked at the factors that would be most important to someone choosing a card from that group. For example, the best travel rewards cards for flexible point transfers needed to have a wide range of travel transfer partners. Since travel reward credit cards are best suited to those who can avoid interest charges by paying their balance in full, we didn’t consider the card’s interest rates for these cards. Naturally, credit card terms may change from time to time, but the following rankings reflect information that was accurate in May 2022.Recommended: How to Find the Right Credit Card

Best Travel Rewards Cards for Travel Statement Credits

With a lot of travel rewards credit cards, you can use points only by transferring them to travel partners. However, if you want a simpler option, a card that lets you redeem points for travel statement credits can be helpful. To find the best travel rewards card for travel statement credits, we looked for a card with easy earning and redeeming structures, and a reasonable annual fee.

If You Want a Travel Rewards Card for Travel Statement Credits: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers very flexible travel rewards with a simple earning and redeeming structure. The card earns 10x miles on hotels and rental cars, 10x on Turo car sharing, and 5x on flights booked through Capital One Travel. You also earn unlimited double miles per dollar spent on every purchase. New cardholders can also earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel. You also get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 toward travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary. Capital One Miles can be redeemed for one cent each as statement credits toward travel purchases, such as flights, hotels, or rental cars. You also have the option to transfer your rewards to any of over 15 airline and hotel loyalty programs, including British Airways and JetBlue, typically at a 1:1 ratio. So this card is a top choice for both travel statement credits and transfers to travel partners. The card also comes with a $300 annual travel credit, and a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, which offsets the $395 annual fee for at least the first year. Cardholders receive access to Priority Pass Select airport lounges and the new Capital One lounges. Additionally, the Venture X card includes travel accident insurance, auto rental coverage for damage due to collision or theft, and extended warranty protection on eligible items. There’s a $395 annual fee for this card, and no foreign transaction fees. The regular APR for this card is 21.24% to 28.24% (updated as of Dec. 29, 2022).Pros:

10x on hotel and rental cars and 5x on flights booked through Capital One Travel, plus double miles for all purchases
Miles can be transferred to airline and hotel partners
$300 annual travel credit and $100 credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application.

Cons:

$395 annual fee
Not many Capital One airport lounges yet
10x and 5x bonuses can only be earned when booking travel through Capital One

Best Travel Rewards Cards for Flexible Point Transfers

Flexibility in how you can redeem your travel rewards can be very important to people who may not be loyal to a particular airline or hotel brand. To choose the best travel rewards card for flexible point transfers, we looked for cards that offered generous rewards and had many transfer partners to choose from.

If You Want a Travel Rewards Card for Flexible Point Transfers: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a strong option for travelers who value flexible point transfer options. New cardholders can earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on new purchases within three months of account opening. This card also offers 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase, as well as 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases. You also earn 2x points for travel purchases and one point per dollar spent elsewhere. Chase Points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners, including Hyatt, Southwest, and British Airways, at a 1:1 ratio. Chase Ultimate Rewards points can also be redeemed through the Chase travel portal for things like hotel stays, airline tickets, or car rentals, at a rate of 1.25 cents per point. Other benefits of this card include a $50 annual credit toward hotels booked through Chase, and an anniversary bonus of 10% of the points earned each year through spending. There’s a $95 annual fee for this card, and no foreign transaction fees. The APR on this card is between 20.24% and 27.24% (updated as of Jan. 17, 2023).Pros:

60,000 point new account bonus
Double points for travel and dining
Excellent airline and hotel partners

Cons:

The Chase travel portal could be more user friendly
No bonus on in-store grocery purchases
$95 annual fee

Best Premium Travel Rewards Cards

Premium travel rewards cards can have great appeal and value for the frequent traveler, especially if that traveler values quality in their travel experience. To find the best premium travel rewards card, we looked at cards that offered many unique travel benefits that cardholders could take advantage of.

If You Want a Premium Travel Rewards Card: The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers an extremely valuable new account bonus, strong benefits, and a compelling rewards program. New cardholders can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of opening the account. Terms apply on this offer.The card earns 5x Membership Rewards points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 per calendar year and 5x on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com. Earn 1x on all other eligible purchases. Points can be transferred to Amex hotel or airline partners, including Delta, JetBlue, Emirates, Air Canada, Hilton, and Marriott. Terms apply on these benefits.The Platinum Card® from American Express also comes with a long list of monthly and yearly statement credits, including $200 back yearly in statement credits on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay; up to $300 back yearly on the Equinox+ digital fitness app or eligible Equinox club membership, up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times (enrollment required), enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the U.S. annually (Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only), up to $200 in annual airline incidental fees such as checked bags, and $100 in annual statement credits at Saks Fifth Avenue. Plus, breeze through security with CLEAR® lanes available at more than 100 airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your card.Also included is a Priority Pass Select Airport Lounge membership and access to American Express Centurion Clubs. The card also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, and Hilton Honors Gold status. Benefits include free shipping with ShopRunner, purchase protection, return protection, extended warranty, baggage insurance coverage, car rental loss and damage insurance, and travel accident insurance. With all of these benefits comes a hefty annual fee of $695 for this card, but it can easily be worth it if you can take advantage of many of these offers (updated as of Feb. 2, 2023).Pros:

Great airport lounge access
Numerous statement credits
Valuable point transfer options

Cons:

High annual fee
Few bonus rewards opportunities
Most benefits are for frequent travelers

Best No-Fee Travel Rewards Cards

Although most top travel rewards credit cards have annual fees, there are some options that provide strong value without charging an annual fee. To find the best no-fee travel rewards card, we decided the card needed to feature valuable travel rewards and benefits, despite the absence of any annual fee.

If You Want a No-Fee Travel Rewards Card: Bilt Mastercard®

Bilt is a new startup that allows you to earn rewards when you pay your monthly rent to any landlord, with no additional fees. You earn one point per dollar spent on rent payments, with a maximum of 50,000 points per year. You also earn 2x on travel and 3x on dining. And you earn one point per dollar spent on all purchases. Points transfer to numerous travel partners including American Airlines, United Airlines, and the World of Hyatt program. However, you have to make at least five transactions each statement period to earn rewards. Bilt Mastercard® offers benefits that are especially strong for a card with no annual fee, including cell phone protection, purchase security, auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, and trip delay insurance. There’s no annual fee for this card, and no foreign transaction fees.The regular APR on this card is 19.99%, 22.99%, or 27.99% depending on your creditworthiness (updated as of Nov. 30, 2022).Pros:

Pay rent with a credit card with no fees
Points transfer to airline and hotel partners
No annual fee

Cons:

Must make five transactions per month
No new-account bonus
Not as attractive to homeowners

Best Small Business Travel Rewards Cards

There are many small businesses for which travel is a major expense. For small businesses with employees who travel frequently, the right small business travel rewards card can provide tremendous value. To find the best small business travel rewards card, we looked for cards with flexible point transfers so that small businesses could choose the best option for each business trip.

If You Want a Small Business Travel Rewards: Capital One Spark Miles for Business

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business card is a great travel rewards card for small businesses that want flexible earning and redeeming options for travel. New cardholders can earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 in the first three months after account opening. Cardholders always earn an unlimited 2x miles on every purchase. Miles can be redeemed as statement credits towards travel purchases, such as flights, hotels, or rental cars. Or miles can be transferred to any of the 15 airline and hotel loyalty programs, including British Airways and JetBlue. Small businesses can add additional employee cards, and they will also earn an unlimited 2x miles on their purchases. The card also comes with a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® for the frequent business traveler. The card has a $95 annual fee, which is waived for the first year, and no foreign transaction fees. The regular APR for this card is 25.24% (updated as of Dec. 29, 2022).Pros:

Earn double miles on all purchases
Miles can be transferred to airline partners
$100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

Cons:

Relatively small new account bonus
Points transfer at less than 1:1 ratio
$95 annual fee

Best Travel Rewards Cards for Restaurant Spending

Travel and dining often go hand-in-hand, and for many people, eating at new restaurants is an important part of the travel experience. If this sounds like you, a travel rewards card that offers extra earning on restaurant spending may be a good fit. To find the best travel rewards card for restaurant spending, we obviously looked for a card that earns a lot of bonus rewards on dining purchases, but it also needed to provide other food-related benefits that someone who enjoys dining might take advantage of.

If You Want a Travel Rewards Card for Restaurant Spending: American Express® Gold Card

The American Express® Gold card offers excellent earning potential on restaurant and grocery spending. In keeping with its name, the card comes in Rose Gold and Gold colors. New cardholders can earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening. Terms apply on this offer. The card earns 4x on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases per year). It also earns 4x on dining, 3x on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com, and 1x on all other eligible purchases. Membership Rewards points can be transferred to Amex hotel or airline partners, including Delta, Hilton, or Marriott.The card also comes with several travel- and food-related perks, like free Uber Eats Pass for up to one year and $10 in Uber Cash each month, which can be used on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. Plus, earn up to $10 in monthly statement credits for dining such as Grubhub, Seamless, and the Cheesecake Factory. Book at least two consecutive nights at a participating hotel in The Hotel Collection and get a $100 hotel credit. The card also comes with rental car insurance, baggage insurance, return protection, and complimentary two-day shipping with ShopRunner.The card has a $250 annual fee, and no foreign transaction fees. The regular APR is between 20.49% to 27.49% (updated as of Feb. 2, 2023).Pros:

Earn 4x points at U.S. supermarkets
Earn 4x points on dining worldwide
Valuable restaurant rewards

Cons:

This card no longer offers a $100 annual travel fee credit
Limits on bonus at supermarkets
$250 annual fee

The Takeaway

Although the best travel rewards credit cards often come with annual fees, they can provide great value to frequent travelers. By taking a look at these top cards, you can choose the one that will earn you the most travel rewards possible. Still working on building your credit? There’s a credit card for that, too. Lantern by SoFi can help you find the credit-building credit card that’s right for you.

Photos credit: istock/Wiphop Sathawirawong

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About the Author

Jason Steele

Jason Steele has been writing about credit cards and award travel since 2008. One of the nation's leading experts in this field, he has contributed to dozens of personal finance and travel outlets and has been widely quoted in the mainstream media.

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