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The pros and cons of travel credit cards

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Key takeaways

• Travel credit cards can offer significant rewards and benefits for travelers, including complimentary checked baggage, access to airport lounges, bonus points on travel spending and automatic elite status.
• Make use of all that your card offers to fully maximize the value of travel rewards cards with high annual fees.
• The sometimes hefty annual fees and high credit score requirements associated with travel credit cards mean they aren't the best choice for everyone.

Whether you’re an aspiring world traveler or experienced globetrotter, getting rewarded for your purchases with a travel credit card can unlock a world of new experiences, discounts and dream destinations.

The annual fees for many travel cards  — sometimes rather high fees, at that — might make you wonder if a travel credit card is worth it, but enticing perks like flights, hotel stays and other travel benefits could sway your decision. We’ll explore the pros and cons of travel credit cards so you can scope out the right choice, and help you find the best travel credit card to fuel your next vacation.

What are the pros of travel credit cards?

Travel-focused rewards categories.

Many travel credit cards allow cardholders to  earn bonus points or miles across travel purchases like airfare, hotels, car rentals, trains, taxis and rideshares. These bonus categories are appealing — and easy to maximize — for frequent travelers.

Depending on the card, you could earn anywhere from 3X to 10X points per dollar on specific travel-related purchases. However, to earn the bonus on airfare and hotels, you’ll typically have to book through your card issuer’s travel portal.

Once you have a stash of points or miles, you may be able to put your rewards toward your next trip. With careful planning, many have  traveled the world on credit card points . For instance, you might redeem your rewards for a free business-class flight to the Maldives or a luxury hotel stay in Miami.

Travel benefits and credits

Anyone who travels often (or even occasionally) can appreciate perks like airport lounge access or elite status through an airline or hotel loyalty program. Many travel cards come with these perks , which can make long layovers and hotel stays more pleasant.

Elite status

• free room upgrades
• late checkout
• food credits
• free breakfast
• annual free night awards at hotels

Pairing your hotel status with your airline status means even more travel perks. Airline elite status may offer you privileges like free checked bags, free upgrades and priority boarding. Of course, some travel cards offer these perks directly to cardholders — so you won’t even need to hold elite status as long as you have an eligible credit card. While status is usually reserved for frequent travelers, hotel and airline credit cards usually offer some level of status to their cardholders as a simple perk of carrying the card.

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• United℠ Explorer Card *

Annual statement credits

Flexible rewards and redemptions.

Contrary to what you might think, there’s more than one way to redeem your travel points or miles. Many of the best travel rewards cards allow you to transfer your points or miles to airline or hotel partners, often at a higher redemption value, which helps stretch your rewards a bit further.

Travel cards also tend to have  dedicated travel portals , which allow you to use your points or miles to book various travel purchases. While these portals don’t always offer the best value, some do offer bonuses when you redeem that way, plus they tend to be a simple, straightforward way to redeem travel rewards.

Maximized rewards value

While many  swear by cash back cards , saving on your next trip with travel credit cards might be more enticing. With a cash back card, for example, you might earn a few hundred dollars in rewards each year. But the value proposition of a travel card can be greater. You could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars using your points and miles for hotels, airfare and upgrades — far beyond what most cash back cards can give you.

Plus, if you’re loyal to a specific airline or hotel brand, you can earn directly with that brand using a co-branded airline or hotel credit card — which also helps you reach elite status.

Authorized users may get travel perks, too

Your travel partner doesn’t have to feel left out while you benefit from seemingly endless perks. Some cards extend benefits to authorized users, too. The secondary cardholder may get many of the same perks as the primary cardholder, such as airport lounge access. And while some cards charge an additional fee for adding an authorized user, others don’t.

If you just want company on your next trip without the commitment of an authorized user, you won’t have to spend thousands of dollars to earn an airline companion pass every year. With the right card, you can get a companion ticket annually just for renewing your card. That means your adventure buddy gets a free or discounted flight.

Bankrate’s take: Check the card's terms and conditions before applying to see if there is a fee to add authorized users and what benefits they get. If a companion ticket is more your speed, check the requirements for earning one.

Valuable welcome bonuses

One of the best ways to get yourself closer to a free flight or hotel stay is applying for a new travel credit card and meeting the requirements to earn the welcome bonus.

For example,  The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a welcome bonus of up to 80,000 Amex Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 within six months of account opening — that’s worth $800 when redeemed through American Express Travel. However, Bankrate’s  points and miles valuations place Amex points at around $0.02 each on average when redeemed with high-value transfer partners. This could boost the offer’s value to $1,600 in travel when redeemed in this way.

High-value benefits that justify annual fees

It’s easy to see how a large welcome bonus can make paying an annual fee worth it, at least for the first year. But many travel credit cards also offer benefits worth more than their annual fees.

For example, the  Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flights. You’ll also get four annual guest passes (Effective 2/1/25, Reserve card members will receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club).

Other benefits include a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, a first checked bag free on Delta flights (for up to nine travelers on the same reservation), a Delta companion certificate (available each year after card renewal; additional terms apply) and more, all for an annual fee of $650.

Money tip: Considering that the Delta Sky Club membership alone costs $695 per year, it would be well worth it for frequent Delta travelers to get this card.

What are the cons of travel credit cards?

High annual fees.

Some premium travel credit cards come with hefty annual fees, such as the aforementioned Amex Platinum, which has an annual fee of $695. The key to getting the full value out of travel rewards cards with high annual fees is to capitalize on the benefits. In some cases, you may be able to get your money’s worth. But if you don’t travel often, getting the full value out of your travel card might feel like pulling teeth.

Luxury travel cards with high fees aren’t the right fit for everyone, so keep in mind that you can reap the benefits of a travel card without a sky-high annual fee. For example, the  Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — one of the best beginner travel rewards cards — has an annual fee of just $95 and comes with perks that outweigh the cost. There are even  travel cards without annual fees , like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card .

It can be difficult to maximize value

Sometimes, maximizing your travel rewards card takes tons of research and work. Between ensuring your rewards don’t expire and scouring through the terms and conditions to secure each benefit — maximizing value can feel like a full-time job, especially if you have more than one travel credit card.

Keep in mind: The key to getting the max value is understanding your card's benefits and how you'll use them. Take note of any blackout or expiration dates and read all the terms and conditions, too.

High credit score requirements

Most travel credit cards require a good to excellent credit score (670 to 850), and many premium travel cards require an excellent credit score. If you don’t have a credit score of at least 700 (or if you don’t have any credit history at all), take steps to build or improve your credit before applying for a travel card.

They’re not worth it if you don’t travel enough

Simply put, travel credit cards aren’t typically worth it if you don’t travel much. You won’t be able to take advantage of many of the perks and benefits — like statement credits for hotel stays, airline fees and other travel-related purchases — or earn bonus points or miles for travel purchases. These make up a large chunk of your travel card’s benefits.

Likewise, redeeming your points or miles for non-travel-related purchases — like cash back or merchandise — means you’ll often exchange those points for a lower value than a travel redemption, so you’ll give up a portion of your hard-earned rewards. Instead, consider a different  type of rewards card , such as a cash back credit card.

The value of your rewards may fluctuate

Many airlines and hotels regularly revamp their loyalty programs to remain profitable, so what you can obtain with your points and miles may change. Sometimes these types of fluctuations can make your points and miles worth more, but more often it makes them less valuable.

One of the best ways to avoid devaluations is to use your rewards in a timely manner. Stockpiling rewards until you earn enough for your dream vacation is one thing, but don’t sit on huge reward balances forever. By using them quickly, you’ll get the max value out of your rewards and potentially avoid future devaluations from airlines and hotels.

Travel credit cards are only worth it if you can pay off your bill in full each month. Like most rewards cards, travel cards tend to have high APRs. Some premium travel cards can have a variable APR of up to 30 percent, well above the  average credit card APR of about 20 percent.

Having to pay high interest rates will negate any travel rewards earned, so if you can’t pay your card off every month, it’s best to opt for a card with a lower variable APR. If you only anticipate carrying a balance for a short period of time, you may want to consider a card with a  0 percent intro APR period on purchases for a limited time.

Should you get a travel credit card?

Before you apply for a travel credit card it’s important to consider a few aspects of your lifestyle and finances.

• Consider your spending habits. Your spending habits are crucial to determining if a travel rewards card is worth it. If you’re only spending a few hundred dollars a month on your rewards card, you’re probably better off with cash back. If you can take advantage of category bonuses and then put your points to good use, then a travel rewards card might be a good option.
• Are there cheaper alternatives? The higher-fee card that everyone raves about may not be the best option for your spending. For example, a lot of cardholders love the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card for its luxe travel benefits. But if you don’t use them, it’s a waste of a $395 annual fee. Consider more affordable card options with a low or no annual fee.
• Have a travel goal in mind. Are you looking to book aspirational travel or are you more of an RVer? Travel cards are ideal for luxury travel since they carry annual fees and sometimes have complicated reward programs. With a redemption goal in mind you’ll make the most of your rewards.
• Consider recurring benefits. Recurring perks could save you money on travel year after year.

Confession: I don’t put as much spending as I could on my Hilton Aspire Card, so I’m losing out in rewards value. The card has a $450 annual fee and offers generous category bonuses that I’m not utilizing. However, I will keep it in my wallet for two reasons: Hilton Diamond status and the annual free weekend night award. Both perks provide me with exceptional value. — Ariana Arghandewal Credit Cards Contributor

When getting a travel credit card makes sense

• Your credit is in great shape.
• You pay off your statement balance in full each month.
• You’re already a frequent traveler or want to travel more often.
• An annual fee doesn’t bother you if the rewards outweigh it.
• You’re detail-oriented and have time to max out the perks and benefits.

The decision to apply for a travel card is ultimately up to you. But annual fees, high credit standards and complex rewards programs are major hurdles for many people considering a travel card.

When getting a travel credit card doesn’t make sense

• Sticking to a budget is difficult for you.
• You don’t spend much on your credit card each month.
• Traveling only happens once or twice a year for you.
• You cringe at the thought of an annual fee.
• Past credit mistakes are negatively affecting your credit.
• The requirements for using your rewards seem too complicated.
• You usually hold a balance on your credit card.

Travel cards aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay. There are other types of rewards cards that may work better for your spending habits and lifestyle.

The bottom line

The best travel credit cards can offer you plenty of value as long as you’re able to maximize the benefits they offer. If you don’t travel frequently enough or won’t be able to use enough card benefits, consider another type of rewards card that will better reward the type of spending you do. If you’re not sure what type of card could fit that, consider using Bankrate’s CardMatch tool to help you find personalized credit card offers aligned with your spending and goals.

Should I get a travel credit card that earns points, miles or both?

5 steps to choose the best travel card

Best Travel Credit Cards of 2024

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How do travel credit cards work?

February 8, 2024 | 7 min read

If you’re a frequent traveler, good news: There are travel credit cards out there to help you earn rewards to use on things like airfare, hotel stays and more. Plus, many travel credit cards come with exclusive perks and benefits that can help make your travels smoother and more enjoyable.  

But before you apply for a travel credit card, it’s important to know how they work. Find out about different types of travel credit cards, how rewards work and some ways to maximize your travel rewards.

Key takeaways 

• Travel credit cards let cardholders earn rewards by making purchases. Some travel cards may only offer rewards for certain types of purchases. 
• Travel credit card rewards may be redeemed on travel-related purchases like airline tickets, hotel stays, vacation rentals and more. Some travel cards may offer additional ways to use rewards. 
• Travel credit cards are often geared toward people with good or excellent credit scores . 
• Some common types of travel cards are airline, hotel and general travel rewards credit cards.

Earn 75,000 bonus miles

Redeem your miles for flights, vacation rentals and more. Terms apply.

How travel credit cards work 

Generally, travel credit cards allow you to earn rewards —usually in the form of points or miles—by making everyday purchases. And you can use them like you would any other credit card. 

One important thing to note is that each travel card may offer a different rewards program. Some travel credit cards may only offer rewards for certain types of purchases, like gas, groceries or dining out. Others may let you earn miles on every purchase you make. 

Similarly, some travel cards may offer a flat rewards rate for all purchases, while others may offer a higher rate on travel-related purchases. 

Once the rewards add up, you can redeem them for travel-related purchases. Some cards also offer additional ways to earn and use rewards.

How do travel miles and points work on credit cards? 

Travel credit card miles and points often work similarly. In some cases, the main difference is what the credit card issuer chooses to call their travel credit card rewards. How you might earn and redeem points or miles—and how flexible those options are—also depends on the issuer.

What are the types of travel credit cards? 

The most common types of travel credit cards are airline, hotel and general travel rewards credit cards. Here’s how each type of a travel card works.

Airline credit cards

With an airline credit card , you can earn rewards to use with your favorite airline. Depending on the card, your miles could be redeemed for everything from plane tickets to travel benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding and in-flight purchases. 

Hotel credit cards 

Hotel cards reward loyalty to a specific hotel or hotel chain. With a hotel card, you may earn rewards to redeem for rooms, potentially giving you some free nights at the hotel. 

You may also get to enjoy benefits just for cardholders, like complimentary breakfasts, room upgrades and concierge service. Some other kinds of travel credit cards may let you transfer rewards to qualifying hotel loyalty programs.

General travel reward credit cards 

With a general travel rewards credit card, you’re likely not tied to a single travel provider. That can give you more choices. You may be able to use your rewards at a range of airlines and hotels or for other travel purchases like car rentals, vacation rentals and train tickets.

That flexibility may also mean you can book flights and hotel rooms when you want them, without blackout dates and other restrictions. 

Want extra perks and benefits that help make travel more convenient? General travel rewards credit cards may give you those too. Some offer a statement credit toward TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry , programs that can help you skip long lines at airport security or customs. Some cards may also offer zero foreign transaction fees to help you save money when you make purchases outside the U.S.

Ways to maximize your travel card rewards

As with any credit card, it’s important to use travel credit cards responsibly. If you do, it can be a great tool, especially for frequent travelers. 

Here are a few ways to maximize a travel card’s benefits and rewards:

• Know how to earn your sign-up bonus. Some travel cards may offer a welcome bonus for spending a certain amount during a set period of time from account opening. Understanding the details, timing and spending requirements of your sign-up bonus could keep you from missing a good opportunity. 
• Make the most of your card’s benefits. Being familiar with your card’s travel benefits could help you get the most out of them. Benefits may include everything from savings on ride-hailing services to exclusive access to airport lounges .
• Use your full range of redemption options. Your options for redeeming your points or miles may vary from card to card. Some may allow you to redeem rewards for cash back, for example. Others may let you transfer miles to qualifying hotel and airline loyalty programs. Just keep in mind that the value of your rewards may vary depending on how you use them.
• Book through the card issuer’s travel portal. Some issuers may have travel portals that let cardholders book trips and earn a higher rate on those purchases. For Capital One travel credit cardholders, booking with Capital One Travel can help you get great prices on flights, hotels and rental cars. Price prediction on flights can even help you save an average of 15% by alerting you when it’s time to book.* And depending on the card, you can earn up to 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights when you book through Capital One Travel .

Travel credit card FAQ

Want to know more about travel credit cards? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.

What credit score is needed for a travel credit card?

Some travel credit cards may require a credit score that’s good or even excellent . If you’re working on your credit, check out this guide on ways to improve your credit scores .

Checking your credit score before you apply for a travel card could help save time. With CreditWise from Capital One , you can access your free TransUnion® credit report and VantageScore® 3.0 credit score as often as you like. It’s free for everyone, even if you’re not a Capital One account holder. And using CreditWise won’t hurt your score. 

You can also check for pre-approved card offers from Capital One before you apply. Pre-approval is quick and only requires some basic information, like your legal name, address, Social Security number, employment status and income. Plus, it won’t affect your credit scores.

Do all travel credit cards come with an annual fee?

Some travel cards don’t charge an annual fee and some do. You might find it helpful to estimate the rewards you’ll earn in a year and weigh them against the annual fee.

How do you choose the best travel rewards card? 

Finding the best travel credit card to suit your needs depends on a few factors, like how often you travel, your spending habits and what travel credit cards you may qualify for.

Check out this guide on how to decide if a travel credit card is right for you to learn more.

How travel credit cards work in a nutshell

Travel credit cards let you earn rewards to use on travel expenses like airline tickets, hotel stays and more. You may be able to enjoy exclusive perks and benefits that come with many travel cards too. 

The more you learn about general travel rewards credit cards, airline cards and hotel cards, the better equipped you’ll be to make the best choice. One place to start is by comparing Capital One travel credit cards to find the one that’s right for you.

Other ways to maximize your travel benefits

Who wouldn’t want to get the most out of their credit card? Here are some things to know about Capital One travel rewards credit cards: 

Get a one-time 75,000-mile bonus with the Capital One Venture X card and receive an additional 10,000 bonus miles every year, starting on your first anniversary. ( View important rates and disclosures .)

Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, every day and get 75,000 bonus miles upon signup with the Capital One Venture card . ( View important rates and disclosures .)

Earn unlimited 1.25X miles with no annual fee with the Venture One card from Capital One . ( View important rates and disclosures .) 

Explore travel rewards card options by comparing Capital One Venture cards . 

Learn how Venture X cardholders can get access to a worldwide network of airport lounges thanks to a complimentary Priority Pass membership .

Related Content

All about the capital one venture card.

video | April 23, 2024 | 1 min video

All about Venture X

article | February 20, 2024 | 9 min read

All about Capital One Venture X Business

article | October 5, 2023 | 8 min read

Airline cards vs. travel cards: What are the differences?

Travel credit cards: pros and cons, the verdict: which one is better, airline cards vs. travel credit cards: the pros and cons -- and which one’s better for you.

Before embarking on your next adventure, make sure you've got the right credit card.

Contributing Writer

Dori Zinn loves helping people learn and understand money. She's been covering personal finance for a decade and her writing has appeared in Wirecutter, Credit Karma, Huffington Post and more.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

Savvy travelers make sure they earn reward miles every time they buy something -- whether it’s groceries, gas or anything else. Depending on how much you spend, you can earn enough to fly for free and perhaps then some. Within the realm of travel credit cards are two main kinds of cards: those offered by specific airlines and general travel cards. 

All of these credit cards feature  perks  and rewards. But should you apply for a credit card associated with a particular airline or a more general travel credit card, which earns reward miles compatible with a variety of carriers? Here’s how to choose.

Read more:  Best travel credit cards

There are so many different credit cards, each with its own terms and conditions and eligibility requirements.  Reward credit cards ,  cash-back cards  and many different types of travel cards. 

Specific branded cards by carriers can be used to make purchases anywhere -- but earn rewards miles that can be redeemed only for flights on that airline. That’s great if you’re loyal to one airline but less so if you tend to book flights on different carriers. That noted, the carriers’ credit cards tend to have a lower annual fee -- usually around $95 a year -- than general travel cards, which can exceed $500. 

Airline credit cards: Pros and cons

Airport perks like free lounge access

In-flight discounts

Free checked bags

Priority boarding

Can only be redeemed for flights

Limited or no cash-back options

Restricted to one airline

Some travel credit cards, however, are more versatile, earning reward points that can be redeemed with a variety of carriers as well as other travel-related purchases including hotel rooms and dining. If you tend to book flights (and trips on other modes of transportation), you’re better off with a more flexible travel credit card. There are drawbacks, however, including higher annual fees and more restrictive eligibility requirements.

Earnings on everyday spending

Flexibility in redemption

Big introductory offers through points or cash back

Hefty annual fees

Some foreign transaction fees

High credit score may be required

If you fly exclusively on one carrier, you may get the most value out of applying for its branded credit card. These types of cards often feature generous introductory offers of miles or points according to Ben Luthi, a travel and finance expert. Otherwise, he says, a more general travel credit card is your best bet: “You can use your points or miles for flights, hotel stays,  rental cars , cruises and a lot more,” he says. “With airline cards, you technically can redeem your rewards for more than just reward flights -- but you’ll rarely get good value with the alternatives, which effectively limits your options.”

More credit card advice

• Best credit card
• Best student credit cards
• Best balance transfer credit cards
• Best cash-back credit cards
• Best checking accounts

First published on July 8, 2020 at 6:00 a.m. PT.

CNET editors independently choose every product and service we cover. Though we can’t review every available financial company or offer, we strive to make comprehensive, rigorous comparisons in order to highlight the best of them. For many of these products and services, we earn a commission. The compensation we receive may impact how products and links appear on our site.

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The 13 best travel credit cards of may 2024, the best travel credit cards can earn you hundreds of dollars in rewards each year and make your travels more enjoyable..

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

The best travel credit cards offer more than just great  cash-back , points or miles incentives — they also come with a range of perks that can take your next trip from basic to bougie without spending extra money.

Some travel card features are nearly standard across the board:  no foreign transaction fees ,  travel insurance  and various travel credits. More  premium cards  take things up by offering  lounge access  and credits for expedited airport security.

To help you choose the best travel rewards card for your needs, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of popular travel cards and dug into each card's perks and drawbacks to find the best of the best based on consumer habits. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel credit cards.)

Best travel credit cards

• Best for no annual fee: Discover it® Miles
• Best for dining when traveling: American Express® Gold Card
• Best for authorized user perks: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees )
• Best for welcome bonus:   Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Best for bonus categories: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Journey Visa® Card
• Best for earning points on rent: Bilt Mastercard®
• Best for lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Best for luxury travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Best for fair credit: Credit One Bank Wander® Card
• Best secured travel card: Discover it® Secured Credit Card
• Best for low annual fee: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Best for low interest: First Tech Credit Union Choice Rewards World Mastercard®
• Best for students: Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students

Best for no annual fee

Discover it® miles.

Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

Welcome bonus

Unlimited Bonus: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you've earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There's no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.

0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases

Regular APR

17.24% to 28.24% Variable

Balance transfer fee

3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Good / Excellent

*See rates and fees , terms apply.

Read our Discover it® Miles review.

• Miles program
• Generous welcome bonus
• No blackout dates
• No limit to the amount of miles you can earn and miles never expire
• No Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit offerings
• Travel spending does not receive additional rewards
• No airport lounge access

Who's this for?  The  Discover it Miles  card comes with a generous rewards program and welcome bonus — all for zero annual fee.

Standout benefits:  Discover has a welcome bonus that's hard to beat: It will do a mile-for-mile match of all miles earned the first year (for new card members in their first year only). If you rack up 35,000 miles within the first 12 months, Discover will match you with 35,000 miles. That's a total of 70,000 miles or $700 toward travel. Plus, the card has no foreign transaction fees.

[ Jump to more details ]

Best for dining when traveling

American express® gold card.

4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Not applicable

See Pay Over Time APR

Excellent/Good

See rates and fees , terms apply.

Read our American Express® Gold Card review .

• Up to $120 dining credit annually ($10 a month) for purchases made with Grubhub, Goldbelly and other eligible restaurants (after a one-time enrollment)
• Up to $120 Uber Cash annually ($10 a month) for U.S. Uber Eats orders and U.S. Uber rides (card must be added to Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit)
• Strong rewards program with 4X points earned at restaurants and 3X points earned on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com
• Baggage insurance plan covers up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage that is damaged, lost or stolen
• No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
• No introductory APR period
• $250 annual fee
• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $1,074
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,969

Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus

Who's this for? The American Express® Gold Card is a smart choice for consumers who love traveling and dining out due to its generous rewards rates. While the card comes with a $250 annual fee ( see rates and fees ), it offers premium rewards that help offset the cost.

Standout benefits:  Travelers will appreciate the Amex Gold card's various statement credits. Cardholders get up to $120 in annual dining credit (up to $10 per month at Grubhub , Goldbelly, The Cheesecake Factory and other participating restaurants; enrollment is required) and up to $120 in Uber Cash ($10 per month) to put toward rides in the U.S. and dining via Uber Eats (you must add your Amex Gold Card as a payment method in the Uber app to enroll).

Best for authorized user perks

Capital one venture x rewards credit card.

Unlimited 2X miles on all eligible purchases, and 5 Miles per dollar on flights and 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booked via Capital One Travel portal

Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

Foreign transaction fees

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.

• Large welcome bonus
• No foreign transaction fees
• Up to $100 statement credits for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• High annual fee
• No introductory 0% APR period

Who's this for? The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want a premium credit card at a lower price point than other high-end cards with similar benefits. Plus, up to four authorized users can be added for free (see rates and fees ).

Standout benefits:  This card is loaded with benefits, including a $300 Capital One Travel credit to use toward purchases made through Capital One Travel and a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary (worth at least $100 for travel). Cardholders also receive an up to $100 statement credit for either  Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® , complimentary  cell phone insurance , access to Capital One and partner airport lounges and more. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.

Best for welcome bonus

Chase sapphire preferred® card.

Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

• Terms apply.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review .

• Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel via Chase Travel℠
• Transfer points to leading frequent travel programs at a 1:1 rate, including: IHG® Rewards Club, Marriott Bonvoy™ and World of Hyatt®
• Travel protections include: auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement
• $95 annual fee
• No introductory 0% APR

Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a loyal following among travelers looking for a travel-centric rewards program and a robust suite of perks. What makes this card shine the most is its generous welcome bonus offer.

Standout benefits:  This card comes with many helpful benefits, such as an up to $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, no foreign transaction fees, primary rental car insurance , trip cancellation and interruption insurance and baggage and trip delay insurance. Cardholders can also benefit from a 10% points boost on each card anniversary and complimentary DashPass membership for a minimum of one year through Dec. 31, 2024.

Best for bonus categories

Wells fargo autograph journey℠ visa® card.

Earn 5X points on hotels; 4X points on airlines; 3X points on other travel; 3X points on dining. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases

Earn 60,000 bonus rewards points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first three months.

21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99% variable based on your creditworthiness

Introductory fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that, up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5.

Terms apply

• Excellent rewards rate for hotel, airfare and travel
• Strong welcome bonus
• Access to transfer partners
• Fewer transfer partners than comparable programs
• Doesn't have several key travel protections (trip delay, primary rental car coverage in the U.S.)

Who's this for? The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Journey Visa® Card has just about everything you could want in a travel card: A great welcome offer, a reasonable annual fee, useful bonus spending categories and meaningful perks.

Standout benefits:  The Wells Fargo Autograph card will help you rack up rewards quickly for travel spending. It earns 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines and 3X on dining and other travel. The best part is that you can transfer Wells Fargo points to airline and hotel travel partners including Choice Privileges, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Executive Club and Air France/KLM Flying Blue.

Best for earning points on rent

Bilt mastercard®.

Earn Bilt Points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period - up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year), 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and 1x points on other purchases.

Introductory fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that, up to 5% for each balance transfer ($5 minimum).

See rates/fees and rewards/benefits ; terms apply.

• No annual fee
• Solid rewards on broad spending categories
• Ability to pay your rent with no transaction fees
• Transfer points to leading frequent traveler programs at a 1:1 rate, including American Airlines, United and World of Hyatt®
• No welcome offer

Who's this for? If you rent your home and don't have the Bilt Mastercard® , you're leaving points on the table. The Bilt Mastercard is the only card that lets you earn travel rewards on rent payments with no fees .

Standout benefits:  Bilt makes it easy for even beginners to get maximum value from their points through a unique partnership with the award search engine point.me . The BiltProtect feature also protects cardholders from using up their entire credit limit or risk going into debt by charging their rent every month. Other benefits include cell phone protection; Purchase Assurance Plus, which covers your purchases for 90 days; discounts with partner brands; and access to the Mastercard Luxury Hotels & Resorts portfolio, which offers amenities like upgrades, free breakfast and property credits.

Best for lounge access

The platinum card® from american express.

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, 1X points on all other eligible purchases

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.

Credit Needed

Read our The Platinum Card® from American Express review .

• Up to $200 in annual airline fee credits
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive a statement credit that covers the full cost each month. $12.95 plus applicable taxes. Plus Up Benefits not eligible.
• $695 annual fee
• No special financing offers on new purchases

Who's this for? The Platinum Card® from American Express is for road warriors who want to make their travels more comfortable. It grants access to more airport lounges than any other card on the market and is loaded with lots of other travel and lifestyle benefits that help justify its high annual fee (see rates and fees ).

Standout benefits:  Cardholders have an extensive list of opportunities to earn over $1,500 in statement credits each year and enjoy ongoing benefits like automatic hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy and various travel and shopping protections. Even if you only take advantage of half of this card's perks, it's worth paying the annual fee (see rates and fees ).

Best for luxury travel

Chase sapphire reserve®.

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. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

22.49% - 29.49% variable

5%, minimum $5

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® review.

• $300 annual travel credit for travel purchases
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit up to $100 every four years
• Priority Pass™ Select lounge access at 1,000+ VIP lounges in over 500 cities worldwide
• Points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel via Chase Travel℠
• Special benefits at The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
• Complimentary year of Lyft Pink membership
• High annual fee, but it can be offset by taking advantage of all the card’s perks
• No introductory APR
• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $1,469
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $3,346

Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Reserve is enormously popular among frequent travelers for its luxe perks, including comprehensive travel protections, and a strong rewards program. While this card comes with a substantial annual fee of $550 , the many statement credits help to offset the costs.

Standout benefits:  This card provides an annual $300 travel credit, which can cover everything from airfare and hotels to parking and tolls. Cardholders   can also get a statement credit of up to $100 (every four years) to help cover Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fees as well as enroll in Priority Pass™ Select for airport lounge access . Other benefits include elite-like benefits when booking hotels through The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection; trip interruption/cancellation coverage; primary rental car coverage; lost luggage reimbursement; and trip delay reimbursement. 

Best for fair credit

Credit one bank wander® card.

10X points on eligible hotels and rental cars book through the Credit One Bank travel partner; 5X points on eligible flights, dining and gas purchases; 1X points on all other purchases

No current offer

29.74% Variable

Average to excellent credit

See rates and fees. Terms apply.

• Great return on travel purchases
• Available to those with average credit
• No welcome bonus

Who's this for? The Credit One Bank Wander® Card is ideal for those with fair or average credit who want to earn generous rewards on their travel, dining and gas purchases.

Standout benefits: You'll earn a whopping 10X points when you book eligible hotels and rental cars through the Credit One Bank travel site (5X when you book and 5X when you complete the booking). This card also earns 5X points on flights, dining and gas purchases, so it's rewarding for a wide variety of travel spending. Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees.

Best secured travel card

Discover it® secured credit card.

Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Discover will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year

N/A on purchases

28.24% Variable

New / Rebuilding

Read our Discover it® Secured Credit Card review.

• Cash-back program
• Starting at seven months from account opening, Discover will automatically review your credit card account to see if you can transition to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit
• Cash-back program limits earnings: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%
• Low credit line prevents cardholders from charging high-cost items or many expenses

Who's this for? For anyone who is working to build their credit , the Discover it® Secured Credit Card offers an opportunity to earn rewards along the way.

Standout benefits: The Discover It Secured card earns cash back on every purchase and offers a generous cash-back matching welcome bonus. Plus, the card charges no foreign transaction fees.

Best for low annual fee

Capital one venture rewards credit card.

5 Miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase

Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

N/A for purchases and balance transfers

19.99% - 29.99% variable

$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

• 5 miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit up to $100 every 4 years
• There’s a $95 annual fee

Who's this for? The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers an abundance of travel benefits. It's especially valuable for those who want a straightforward way of earning rewards without having to juggle bonus categories.

Standout benefits:  Travelers going overseas can take advantage of  no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ). Cardholders also get a credit of up to $100 to cover  Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership .

Best for low interest

Choice rewards world mastercard®.

Earn 2X points on groceries, gas, electronics, medical, household goods and telecommunications, 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 20,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first 60 days from account opening

13.50% - 18.00% variable

• Good rewards program for everyday purchases
• No balance transfer fee
• Balance must be transferred within 90 days of account opening date
• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year:  $344
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $1,720

Who's this for? You should consider the Choice Rewards World Mastercard® from First Tech Federal Credit Union if you're looking for a card that offers an introductory APR. It made our list of the top travel cards for its unique rewards program and relatively low variable APR of 13.50% - 18.00%.

Standout benefits:  The 13.50% - 18.00% variable APR rate is significantly lower than many other competitor cards (though we recommend that you pay off your card in full and on time each month). There are also no foreign transaction fees, which is a huge plus when traveling abroad.

Best for students

Bank of america® travel rewards for students credit card.

Unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases

25,000 online bonus points after you spend at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening, which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward qualifying travel and dining purchases

0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account

18.24% - 28.24% variable

3% of each transaction intro balance transfer fee for the first 60 days from account opening, then 4%

Good/Excellent

• Strong welcome bonus of 25,000 points if you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days
• Intro 0% APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers
• No student-centric benefits or incentives to practice responsible credit behavior
• Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $466
• Estimated rewards earned after 5 years:   $1,528

Who's this for? The Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students is a great choice for students who plan on studying abroad or traveling during breaks. The rewards program is geared toward travel, and cardholders earn 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases.

Standout benefits: There are no foreign transaction fees, making it an ideal card for college students studying abroad. This card also comes with a longer-than-average special financing offer of no interest for 15 billing cycles (then 18.24% to 28.24% variable APR). A full year of no interest is a great way for you to pay off new purchases over time, without incurring interest charges, though we recommend you pay off your balance on time and in full each month.

More on our top travel credit cards

The Discover it Miles card is an exceptionally rewarding credit card for everyday purchases , especially when you consider that it has no annual fee.

• 1.5X miles per dollar on every purchase

Discover will match the miles you earn during the first year with no minimum spending requirement or limits on how much you can earn through the match.

Notable perks

The appeal of the Discover it Miles card is its simplicity of not having to worry about paying an annual fee or paying foreign transaction fees. The card also has an introductory 0% APR offer for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers , then a 17.24% to 28.24% variable APR (3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% balance transfer fee on future transfers, see terms ).

There are also no blackout dates when you pay for travel purchases using your card. And, you can easily redeem miles as a statement credit for travel,  restaurant or gas station  purchases, as well as a deposit to your bank account. The best part is, the miles you earn never expire even if your account is closed (Discover credits your account with your rewards balance if your account is closed).

[ Return to card summary ]

The American Express Gold Card earns elevated rewards for several popular spending categories, including dining, groceries and airfare. To top it off, the Amex Membership Rewards points you earn are some of the most valuable travel points out there.

• 4X points per dollar spent at restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
• 4X points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X)
• 3X points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
• 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first 6 months of card membership.

$250 (see rates and fees )

In addition to the up to $240 in annual credits for dining and Uber Cash, the American Express Gold Card has a variety of other useful benefits. For example, cardmembers get a $100 experience credit and potential room upgrade when booking stays of at least two nights through The Hotel Collection. Experience credit varies by property.

Eligible purchases also qualify for the following insurance coverages*:

• Baggage insurance (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.)
• Extended warranty (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.)
• Purchase protection (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.)
• Trip delay insurance (Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.)
• Car rental loss and damage insurance (secondary) (Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.)

You can use the American Express Membership Rewards points you earn with this card in a variety of ways, from redeeming for gift cards and statement credits to booking travel through the  Amex Travel Portal . To get a potentially bigger bang for your buck, transfer your Membership Rewards points to a variety of airline or hotel partners, including Delta SkyMiles, JetBlue TrueBlue, Hilton Honors,  Marriott Bonvoy , Choice Privileges and more. * Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a luxury travel credit card with a straightforward rewards structure and a myriad of benefits that easily make its annual fee worth it.

• 10X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel portal
• 5X miles per dollar on flights booked via Capital One Travel portal
• 2X miles on all other eligible purchases

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

$395 (see rates and fees )

On top of the annual $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, the Capital One Venture X card is loaded with other benefits. Cardmembers receive up to $100 statement credit for either  Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® , complimentary  cell phone insurance , special perks on hotel stays booked through the Premier Collection** and Lifestyle Collection  and unlimited access to  Capital One Lounges  as well as the extensive network of Priority Pass and Plaza Premium airport lounges worldwide. 

You can add up to four authorized users for free and each additional cardholder also gets airport lounge access (see rates and fees ). If you value rental car perks, cardholders receive complimentary Hertz President's Circle status (enrollment required)***, which grants benefits such as guaranteed upgrades.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has the same redemption options as the Venture Rewards Card. You can use miles to offset eligible travel purchases or transfer them to various airline and hotel partners.

*Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.

***Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

In addition to an excellent  welcome bonus , the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers lucrative bonus categories and other useful perks like travel and purchase protections, all for a modest annual fee.

• 5X points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 5X points per dollar on Lyft rides through Mar. 31, 2025
• 3X points per dollar on dining
• 3X points per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).
• 3X points per dollar on select streaming services.
• 2X points per dollar on all other travel purchases
• 1X points per dollar on all other purchases
• 10% anniversary points boost
• $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit

Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers travelers many important protections, including  primary rental car insurance , trip cancellation and interruption insurance and baggage and trip delay insurance. Travelers can also rack up rewards faster thanks to a 10% points boost on each card anniversary. That means if you spend $50,000 on purchases, you'll get a 5,000-point bonus (worth $75 in travel booked through Chase).

Cardholders can take advantage of various statement credits for specific purchases. For starters, the card offers up to $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit. Through July 31, 2024, you can register your Sapphire Preferred to receive six months of free Instacart+ membership and up to $15 back each quarter for Instacart purchases. You'll also receive a complimentary DashPass membership and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.

One of the best benefits of the Sapphire Preferred is that it unlocks access to Chase's 14 airline and hotel transfer partners. You can transfer points to United Airlines MileagePlus,  Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards , Air Canada Aeroplan, World of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards,  Marriott Bonvoy and more. Otherwise,  your points are worth  1.25 cents each through Chase Travel℠ or one cent per point when redeemed for gift cards or cash back.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Journey Visa® Card

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Journey Visa® Card stands out for having a modest annual fee and high rewards rate on airline and hotel purchases which are uncapped and don't require you to book through a specific site to get the increased return.

• 5X points on hotels
• 4X points on airlines
• 3X points at restaurants
• 3X points on other travel
• 1X points on all other purchases

Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Every year, cardholders receive a $50 airline statement credit with a minimum purchase of $50. This credit covers more than half of this card's annual fee and applies to purchases such as airfare, baggage fees and more.

You can also save money and increase your peace of mind by taking advantage of this card's many insurance benefits. Cardholders receive these coverages:

• Cell phone protection
• Roadside dispatch
• Travel accident insurance
• Lost baggage reimbursement
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection
• Auto rental collision coverage
• Travel and emergency assistance

You can redeem Wells Fargo rewards for gift cards, cash back, travel and more. However, you'll typically get the best value when you transfer Wells Fargo rewards to travel partners. You can transfer points to these airlines at a 1:1 ratio:

• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Air France/KLM Flying Blue (partners with Delta)
• Avianca LifeMiles  (partners with United)
• British Airways Executive Club (partners with American Airlines and Alaska Airlines)
• Iberia Plus (partners with American Airlines and Alaska Airlines)

Wells Fargo points also transfer to Choice Privileges at a 1:2 ratio.

Normally it's not worth paying rent with a credit card because of the fees, but the Bilt Mastercard offers a path to earning points for paying rent without any fees.

When you make at least five transactions in a statement period, you'll earn points at the following rates:

• Up to 1X points per dollar on rent payments without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year)
• 2X points per dollar on travel
• 1X point per dollar on all other purchases

Thanks to the BiltProtect feature, Bilt Mastercard cardholders are protected from using up their entire credit limit or risk going into debt by charging their rent to their card every month. Other benefits include a $5 monthly Lyft credit after taking three Lyft rides in a month (through March 31, 2024), as well as a free ShopRunner membership (through March 31, 2024).

For a no-annual-fee card, the Bilt Mastercard has a surprising amount of built-in insurance perks, including:

• Trip delay reimbursement
• Rental car collision damage waiver
• Purchase protection

Bilt Rewards points can be redeemed for travel either by transferring them to airline and hotel partners or by booking through the Bilt Travel Portal at a fixed rate of 1.25 cents per point. Other redemption options include using them to shop online, book fitness classes, pay rent and even make a down payment on a home.

The Platinum Card from American Express has a high annual fee but also packs a punch in benefits. If you're able to take advantage of its numerous annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access and elite status perks, you'll be sure to come out ahead.

• 5X points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
• 5X points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel

Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.

$695 (see rates and fees )

Cardholders can enjoy a long list of benefits, including:

• Up to $200 annual hotel credit (Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay)
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit
• Up to $300 per calendar year Equinox credit (enrollment required)
• Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit (enrollment required)
• Up to $189 credit to enroll in CLEAR® Plus (subject to auto-renewal)
• Up to $240 annual digital entertainment credit (enrollment required)
• Up to $155 annual Walmart+ credit. (Plus Ups are not eligible. Subject to auto renewal)
• Worldwide airport lounge access, including Delta SkyClubs and Amex Centurion Lounges
• Up to $200 annual Uber credit. Benefit renews annually. (Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.)
• $100 fee credit for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSAPreCheck
• Automatic hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
• Comprehensive travel insurance
• Complimentary Amex concierge service

Membership Rewards points can also be exceptionally valuable. The best way to use Amex points is to transfer them to one of Amex's airline and hotel partners. They can also be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards and when  checking out at retailers like Amazon , though you'll usually get a lower value for your points.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve ® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee. Its travel insurance perks can add peace of mind to any adventure and the card's airport lounge access and credits for expedited airport security can help reduce airport stress.

• 10X total points per dollar on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠*
• 10X points per dollar on Lyft purchases through March 2025
• 5X total points per dollar on flights purchased through Chase Travel℠*
• 3X points per dollar on other travel*

*After the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually

Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Chase Sapphire Reserve ® card members get up to $300 in annual travel credits, which covers more than half of the card's annual fee. Additional benefits include an up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit (every four years), elite-like perks when booking hotels through The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, access to Sapphire airport lounges and a Priority Pass Select membership (valued at $469), which unlocks access to more than 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide.

Cardholders also have access to a wide range of limited-time benefits and credits, including:

• Two years of complimentary Lyft Pink All Access membership (worth $199 a year) when activated by Dec. 31, 2024
• At least 12 months of complimentary DashPass membership when activated by Dec. 31, 2024
• $5 in DoorDash credit each month through Dec. 31, 2024
• One year of free Instacart+ membership (activate by July 31, 2024)
• Up to $15 in Instacart credits each month (through July 31, 2024)

Some of the easiest benefits to overlook are this card's top-notch travel and purchase protections, such as purchase protection, extended warranty protection, return protection, primary rental car collision coverage, trip delay protection, trip interruption/cancellation insurance, baggage delay protection, travel accident insurance, emergency medical and dental insurance and more. Cardmembers traveling internationally also don't need to worry about foreign transaction fees.

The value of the points you earn depends on how you use them. If you redeem points for cash and gift cards, each point is worth one cent. However, the value of points increases to 1.5 cents apiece when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $1,125 toward travel. This is a great way to maximize the value of your rewards and makes this card stand out from the pack. Of course, transferring your points to Chase's airline and hotel partners is also an option.

Credit One Bank® Wander Card

The Credit One Bank® Wander Card is special because it allows you to earn rewards while working on your credit score and doesn't require a security deposit.

• 10X points on eligible hotels and rental cars you book through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• 5X points on eligible travel
• 5X points on dining
• 5X points on gas purchases

It's easy to redeem the rewards you earn with your Credit One Bank Wander card. You can use points for cash back, gift cards and consumer goods and services. There is a 1,000-point minimum redemption amount when you're using points for a statement credit .

When you make a purchase in a foreign currency with this card, there are no foreign transaction fees. Eligible purchases are also covered by this card's built-in travel accident insurance .

The Discover it Secured Credit Card is ideal for anyone with no credit or poor credit because you don't need a credit score to apply. It has no annual fee and has a generous rewards structure for a secured credit card .

• 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Discover will match the cash back you earn during the first year with no minimum spending requirement or cap on the match.

The Discover it Secured card is designed for those who have no credit history or need to repair their credit score. You don't need a credit score to apply. Instead, you're required to make a refundable deposit of at least $200 to open the card. Whatever amount of money you deposit becomes your credit limit.

At seven months from account opening, Discover will automatically review your credit card account to see if they can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit. The card also has no foreign transaction fees, so you won't be dinged for using it abroad.

Cashback earned with this card doesn't expire and you can redeem your rewards at any time for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise and more.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card stands out for earning versatile rewards that can be used for just about any travel expense while having a reasonable annual fee and convenient benefits for travelers.

• 5X miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase

$95 (see rates and fees )

Capital One Venture Rewards cardholders receive a credit of up to $100 to cover  Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership . Other perks include access to extended warranty protection*, Travel Assistance Services*, Purchase Assurance*, MasterRental Insurance*, Master RoadAssist®*, and Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage*.

Travelers going overseas can take advantage of no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ). As an added plus, you can use your Venture Rewards card to get access to exclusive sporting and music events, plus premiere culinary experiences through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment .

You can use Capital One miles to book flights, hotels, rental cars and more through  Capital One Travel , or you can use them to offset recent travel purchases at a fixed value of one cent per point. Alternatively, you can transfer them to any of Capital One's hotel and airline partners including Accor Live Limitless, Air Canada Aeroplan, Etihad Guest and others to get even more value from your miles.

*Benefit available to accounts approved for the World Elite Mastercard product, subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions in the World Elite Mastercard Guide to Benefits. See Account Terms or Application Terms for more details. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

First Tech Credit Union Choice Rewards World Mastercard®

Although we always recommend aiming to pay off credit card debt , if you have the debt, the Choice Rewards World Mastercard has one of the lowest interest rates you can find on a credit card.

• 2X points per dollar on everyday purchases such as groceries, gas, electronics, household goods and telecommunications

Earn 20,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first 60 days from account opening.

Not only does the Choice Rewards World Mastercard have a low APR, but it also has no foreign transaction fees, which is a huge plus when traveling abroad. It is a World Mastercard and as such, comes with purchase protection, Mastercard ID Theft Protection and 24-hour worldwide assistance for lost or stolen cards. It has an array of travel protections as well, including insurance for trip cancellations, travel accidents, baggage delays, lost luggage and rental cars (secondary).

Membership to First Tech Federal Credit Union is required to apply, but anyone can join through affiliation with select organizations or employers, a relationship with a current member, working or living in Lane County, Oregon, attending Cogswell Poly Technical College or by joining the Community History Museum (CHM) or Financial Fitness Association (FFA). First Tech pays the membership fee for the CHM and FFA on your behalf.

The rewards can be redeemed at a fixed rate toward cash-back, travel, merchandise, gift cards and experiences.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students

The Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students card provides a strong return for everyday purchases that competes with many of the top non-student credit cards.

• 1.5X points per dollar on all purchases

Earn 25,000 bonus points after spending at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

In addition to having no annual fee, the Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students card charges no foreign transaction fees, which is useful when studying or traveling abroad.

You must be 18 or older and enrolled in school (college, vocational or trade school) to qualify for this card. Eligible students have access to a 0%-APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles, then a variable 18.24%-28.24% APR applies. Only balance transfers made in the first 60 days of account opening qualify for the 0%-APR offer and there is a 3% balance transfer fee.

Rewards can be redeemed as a statement credit to cover the cost of travel and dining purchases — a simple way to reduce the cost of taking a spring break vacation or buying a plane ticket home. You can redeem rewards at any time and any amount.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

How to choose a travel credit card

There is a variety of travel credit cards available, from general to airline - and hotel -specific, and all the choices can make it hard to settle on one. To choose the best card for your needs, you should consider several factors. Here are some tips on how to choose a credit card.

Consider whether you're willing to pay an annual fee. Some travel cards have steep annual fees of over $500, which can be worthwhile, but not for everyone. Make sure you do the math to see if an annual fee travel card is for you.

Another key factor to consider is the type of travel you do most. If you travel within the U.S., then it doesn't matter if a card charges foreign transaction fees. But if you're off to Mexico or Spain, then it's important to have a no foreign transaction fee card.

Rewards should also play a part in your decision. Do some research to determine which card offers a rewards program more geared toward your spending habits. If you dine out a lot when you travel, consider the American Express Gold Card with 4X points on dining at restaurants. But if you want a competitive rewards rate on all sorts of purchases, the Discover it Miles has no annual fee and unlimited 1.5X miles on every dollar of every purchase.

You can compare card benefits side by side to see if one card rates better than another. The  Chase Sapphire Reserve , for example, offers complimentary lounge access, while the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers cardholders a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck .

Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our  credit card marketplace  or get personalized offers via  CardMatch™ .

Pros and cons of a travel credit card

Many of the top rewards credit cards are also travel credit cards, but that doesn't mean that a travel card is the best option for every situation. Travel cards are rewarding for travel-related purchases and can provide outsized value when you use the rewards to book your next vacation. However, travel can be a small part of the typical consumer's budget and other credit cards can be more rewarding for everyday spending or have simpler rewards programs.

• High-value rewards
• Luxury perks
• Valuable welcome bonuses
• Rewarding for common travel-related purchases
• Travel rewards programs are sometimes more complicated
• May be less rewarding for non-travel purchases (groceries, online shopping , etc.)
• Can have higher annual fees
• Typically require higher credit scores

How travel credit cards work

The premise of travel credit cards is to give you a path to turning your credit card purchases into travel rewards. What you can use travel rewards for and the amount of rewards you earn varies by card.

The type of rewards you earn, the cost of keeping the card and the card benefits depend on the type of travel card. There are co-branded hotel and airline cards that earn miles and points tied to a specific hotel chain or airline. These cards also provide brand-specific benefits such as elite status or elite status credit and statement credits tied to a specific company. A general travel card is typically better for anyone who isn't extremely loyal to a specific company. General travel rewards or flexible rewards can usually be redeemed to offset travel expenses and, with the best cards, you can transfer miles or points to partner travel programs. This gives cardholders the option to pick the best program for a specific trip.

Outside of the rewards a card earns, most of the best travel credit cards also provide ongoing benefits. These benefits run the gamut from travel and purchase protections to statement credits and airport lounge access. Luxury benefits like airport lounge access are typically tied to premium credit cards , which usually have annual fees of $400 or more.

Making the most of your travel card

To make the most of your travel card, you should familiarize yourself with the various credit card benefits and fees. Take note of any annual fees, foreign transaction fees and the APR associated with your account. Also, consider the rewards rates and added perks, such as annual statement credits.

Once you're familiar with the terms of your card, you can start optimizing them. That may include setting reminders to use the annual $300 travel credit provided by the Chase Sapphire Reserve or submitting a Global Entry application with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to take advantage of the up to $100 credit.

If you have multiple credit cards , you might want to have a plan for the best time to use each card. Let's say you have the Discover it Miles and American Express Gold Card . Use the Amex Gold Card for dining expenses at restaurants to earn 4X points, then use the Discover card for all your other purchases to earn unlimited 1.5X miles.

Other types of credit cards to consider

Travel credit cards aren't for everyone. If you travel infrequently, you should consider alternative credit card options, such as cards with dining, grocery or gas rewards. Some cards provide up to 6% back in those categories, allowing foodies, meal-preppers and commuters to benefit.

Beyond rewards, you might benefit from a card that offers a 0% APR period . Some cards offer no interest for a year or more on new purchases and balance transfers, such as the Citi Simplicity® Card . The card has 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from the date of first transfer, plus 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening (after, 19.24% - 29.99% variable APR; balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening.) There is an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your balance transfer fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5; see rates and fees ). When used responsibly, these cards can help you get out of debt without high interest charges.

Should you get a travel credit card?

If you travel often and pay for purchases with cash or a debit card , you're missing out on rewards and perks that can make travel more affordable. It can be in your best interest to get a travel credit card that awards high rewards rates on airfare, hotels, rideshares and other common travel expenses.

Who should apply for a travel card?

If you're interested in submitting a travel credit card application, keep in mind that card issuers usually require you to have good credit or excellent credit (scores above 670). Therefore, it's key to check your credit score before applying for a travel card.

Once you know your credit score and can check if you prequalify for a travel card, choose the best card for your needs and apply.

What's the difference between points and miles?

Unlike cash-back cards , travel credit cards generally earn points or miles. Traditionally, the term points referred to flexible rewards that could be redeemed directly through a bank's portal or transferred to a partner airline or hotel loyalty program. Meanwhile, the term miles has been associated with rewards earned through an airline's frequent flyer program. However, nowadays, points and miles are used interchangeably as there are flexible credit card rewards called miles and more restrictive airline rewards referred to as points.

How do I compare credit cards for travel?

If you're having trouble narrowing down the best travel card for you, it can be helpful to compare credit cards. First list the benefits you're looking for and any deal breakers, such as an annual fee. Then consider cards that have those benefits.

For instance, if you want both travel and dining rewards, the Amex Gold Card is a better choice than the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card since the rewards rate is 4X versus 2X.

But if you don't want to pay a high annual fee, the Venture Card is only $95 (see rates and fees ) compared to the $250 you'll pay for a Gold Card (see rates and fees ).

Bottom line

The best travel credit cards earn rewards you can use to book flights, hotels , rental cars and much more. But the benefits of having a travel credit card go beyond the rewards you earn. Many travel cards offer additional perks, such as travel insurance that reimburses if a trip is delayed or your baggage is lost.

Before you sign up for a travel credit card, consider how you'll use it and how you can best optimize its  rewards program , especially if you're paying a steep  annual fee . It's also important to make sure you can pay off your balance on time and in full each month because many of these cards have  high interest rates .

The good news: If you choose a card from this list, you could earn over $2,000 in rewards over the next five years based on our calculations.

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel credit cards.

Our methodology

To determine which travel credit cards offer the best value, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of travel cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions that are widely available in the U.S.  

We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards (e.g., cash back, points and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cashback).    We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.  

When choosing the best travel cards, we focused on relevant features, like cards that charge no foreign transaction fees, are widely accepted internationally and provide consumers with bonus rewards on travel spending. We prioritized cards that offered the strongest returns on travel purchases but also considered additional perks that may be useful when traveling, such as travel protections, baggage allowances, airport lounge access and elite status benefits. 

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of  credit cards ,  banking  and  money , and follow us on  TikTok ,  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Twitter  to stay up to date.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here .

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here .

For rates and fees of the Discover it® Miles, click  here .

For rates and fees of the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, click  here .

Information about the Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students, has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

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• Credit Cards
• Credit Cards 101

Travel Credit Cards vs. Airline and Hotel Cards

Get a Card that’s custom fit to your travel goals

Airline Credit Cards

Hotel credit cards.

• Picking the Right Travel Rewards Card

Travel rewards can open up a lot of opportunities for occasional and seasoned travelers alike. But depending on your travel goals and the kind of experience you want, some credit cards may be better than others.

There are three main types of travel rewards cards:

• General travel credit cards
• Airline credit cards
• Hotel credit cards

Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks, and understanding what you want can help you determine which is the best fit for your needs.

General Travel Credit Cards vs. Airline and Hotel Credit Cards

If you’re looking for a new travel card, it’s important to avoid taking the first offer you see, even if it’s a lucrative one. Take some time to compare several options, and pick the one that can give you the most bang for your buck. Here’s what to know about travel credit cards vs. airline and hotel credit cards.

General Travel Credit Cards

Instead of offering you points or miles with a specific hotel or airline program, general travel credit cards earn rewards with the card issuer’s proprietary rewards program. Examples of general travel reward programs include Chase Ultimate Rewards , American Express Membership Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Rewards.

With general travel rewards, you may have one of three options for redeeming your points or miles for travel:

• Book directly through the rewards program travel portal.
• Use your card to book travel with third-party merchants, then use your points or miles to get a statement credit against the purchase.
• Transfer your rewards to a partner airline or hotel rewards program.

This flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of using a general travel credit card. Also, depending on the card you have, there may be benefits of using one redemption option over another. 

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred, for instance, you’ll get 25% more value if you redeem your points for travel through Chase. But depending on how savvy you are, you may be able to get even more value by transferring your points to a partner rewards program and redeeming them there.

Where general travel credit cards may fall short is in the perks department. Some premium credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, offer annual travel credits, airport lounge access, and more, but you’ll have to pay a steep annual fee to get them.

Most general travel credit cards won’t offer you elite hotel status, free checked bags, or other benefits that are specific to a hotel or airline brand.

Airline credit cards are co-branded with a single airline and typically offer rewards and perks with that airline’s frequent flyer program.

With the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card From American Express, for instance, you’ll get the chance to rack up Delta SkyMiles with every purchase you make, plus a free checked bag, priority boarding, and a discount on in-flight purchases in the form of a statement credit.

Some airline cards go even further. For example, the United Explorer Card offers cardholders similar benefits plus two passes to the United Club (the airline’s airport lounge network) each year and an application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

Airline credit cards can be an excellent choice if you’re loyal to a specific one and travel enough to take advantage of the card’s perks and rewards program. For example, mid-tier airline cards with an annual fee often waive checked-bag fees. The savings from this perk alone can offset the annual fee after a single roundtrip flight for the cardholder and a companion.

If you don’t fly a lot, it can be hard to earn rewards miles with an airline card. Some airline credit cards make it easier by offering bonus miles for grocery, restaurant, or other common purchases.

The downside is that while frequent flyer programs allow you to redeem your miles or points for more than just free flights—with Delta, you can bid on exclusive experiences, buy gift cards or merchandise, and more—you typically won’t get as much value out of these alternatives.

As a result, get an airline credit card if your top priority is to rack up rewards with a single frequent flyer program, and you want the added perks every time you fly.

As with airline credit cards, hotel credit cards are co-branded with a single hotel brand. Each card allows you to earn points with the co-brand partner’s rewards program, and may also offer other perks.

For example, a modest card with a modest annual fee like the World of Hyatt Credit Card will get you entry into the hotel’s status program, a complimentary night’s stay on your cardholder anniversary, and more perks as you spend with the card (and amass points).

If you’re ambitious, a top-tier hotel card (with a top-tier annual fee) like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card will pile on annual credits for purchases at Marriott hotels, complimentary anniversary nights at luxury properties, complimentary airport lounge access, and more.

Hotel credit cards can provide a lot of value, and many of them effectively pay for themselves by offering a free anniversary night that can be worth more than the annual fee. If you regularly stay with one hotel brand, it could be worth it to get its credit card.

But if you’re looking to go all-in on one credit card and consider yourself a free agent, so to speak, you’ll have a hard time getting good value when redeeming your points for anything but free hotel stays. As with airline cards, the best redemption value is generally reserved for purchases with the brand.

How to Pick the Right Travel Rewards Card For You

When it comes to travel rewards, there’s no one credit card that’s the best fit for everyone. To find the right one for you, it’s important to think about your travel goals and preferences.

For example, if you’re not sure you want to be beholden to a single airline or hotel rewards program, consider getting a general travel credit card.

With some, such as the American Express Gold Card, you can redeem your points for travel directly with Amex, or you can transfer them to one of many airline and hotel rewards programs. You won’t get that level of flexibility with a co-branded credit card.

But if you do like the idea of getting rewards and perks with a specific frequent flyer or hotel program, it may be worth getting a credit card that will make that happen.

In all of this, it’s also important to compare the value of the benefits you’re getting with the card’s annual fee. For example, if a general travel credit card offers great rewards but no significant perks, you’ll need to spend a certain amount each year just to make up for the cost of the card.

But if you have an airline or hotel card that offers perks that effectively reduce or eliminate the net cost of the card, you don’t have to worry as much about how much you spend.

In some cases, getting more than one travel rewards card may be the solution, making it possible to take advantage of the benefits of different types of cards and mitigating the disadvantages. For example, if you’re loyal to American Airlines, you might pair an AAdvantage branded card with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, since Preferred’s Ultimate Rewards points don’t transfer to American, but do transfer to other airlines and hotels, and can also be used to book all kinds of travel through the Chase portal.

Or you might want to have more than one type of rewards card. Say you put all your travel purchases on a general travel card that earns 3 points per $1 spent on travel and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else. For all your non-travel buys, you could use a cash-back card that earns 1.5% on all purchases.

Whatever you do, it’s critical you take time to think about what’s most important to you and pick the card or cards that provide the features you want.

Chase. " Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card ."

American Express. " Transfer Points to a Loyalty Program ."

Chase. " Sapphire Preferred ." See "1:1 Point Transfer."

Travelling with Cash vs Travel Card vs Credit Cards

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Credit Card vs. Debit Card: Which is the Best for Travel Abroad?.

Planning a trip overseas involves several aspects, and one important thing to consider is how you will use money when you get there. Failure to cover this part of the equation before leaving can lead to significant losses through fees, which is not how most travelers envision spending their funds.

To avoid these fees, it's crucial to find the best way to access and spend your money while abroad.

What’s the Best Way to Access and Spend Your Money While You Travel Abroad?

There are lots of ways to access your money while abroad, more than ever, in fact.

You could go credit cards only and leave the cash in your bank account to pay for it all when you return.

Or you could use your debit card to ensure that you don’t accidentally overspend (sometimes that credit card swipe can be a little too easy).

But which way is best?

Besides the fact that only you know what will work best for your habits, there are other considerations at play: making the choices that will charge the least amount of fees and that will potentially even earn you money.

Fees to Worry About While You Travel

When it comes to fees and travel, most people worry about the conversion rates.

And they should!

Depending on where you go, your money could either as much as double in value or go down to half of what it’s worth at home.

To a point, there’s not much you can do about it besides creating a budget that keeps that in mind, so you aren’t blindsided when it’s too late.

But conversion rates aren’t the only thing that can cost you money while you travel.

In fact, the fee that can be the peskiest of all is the foreign transaction fee.

Foreign transaction fees are charges that happen on every transaction you make while you’re traveling in a foreign country .

While these fees may not sound like much at first (usually around 3% at the most), they can add up very quickly - especially if you’re not likely to carry any cash while you travel.

Think about it this way, if you buy breakfast, lunch, and dinner while you’re away, that’s already three foreign transaction fees per day - that doesn’t even count buying train tickets or souvenirs or tickets for cultural events and institutions.

Multiply that minimum of 3 fees times one week-long trip, and suddenly you’re paying up to 3% of 21 transactions.

See how quickly that can get expensive?

The math makes this one simple.

No matter what kind of card you’re using to spend your money while you’re traveling in a foreign country, make sure it’s one that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

How You Can Earn Money While You Travel

Now that you know how to avoid fees when you travel let’s talk about how you can earn money while you travel .

Depending on the type of card you’re using (or what kind you get if you’re shopping for a new card), you could earn rewards for all kinds of different spending.

If you’re planning on using a card to make your purchases while you travel abroad anyway, why not earn some points , cash, or rewards for doing so?

If your current debit or credit card doesn’t offer rewards - or if you don’t usually focus on rewards because you spend with cash - consider the benefits of looking into a rewards card for your trip .

Chances are you won’t be using cash - so why not get paid for using your card?

If it’s a credit card, just make sure you pay the balance in full before the interest hits, so you don’t wind up losing more than you earn.

So What’s Best for Travel? Credit or Debit Cards?

Now that we’ve covered the fees to look out for and the ways to earn, let’s get into the real question: whether you should use a debit card or credit card while you travel.

The Pro and Cons of Using a Debit Card

If you’re using a debit card, you’re basically using cash. Whether you enter a pin at the time of purchase or select the “credit” option, that money is coming right out of your account within a few days time.

For someone who doesn’t want to run the risk of spending more than planned, this can be a good option.

After all, as easy as it is to swipe a card, there is still a finite money in your bank account to contend with.

The other benefit of using a debit card is that it also functions as an ATM card.

So if you need cash on hand, you can get it with your debit card. Just beware hefty ATM and exchange fees.

The biggest downfall of paying with debit versus a credit card is the fact that if a debit card is hacked, the funds from your bank account are at risk.

If you don’t have a credit card to use as a backup, then that could severely hamper your entire trip while you wait to get it all sorted out and free up your funds.

When someone makes charges on your account, the money you need for bills and living expenses are immediately taken away, giving you less to manage, overall.

You could face serious financial consequences if your bank account information is leaked and someone manages to use all of the funds.

Pending transactions or checks may bounce, and that could result in hurting your credit score.

It is possible to fix errors that were not your fault, but when a debit card is stolen it could cause you a bigger headache.

The Pros and Cons of Using a Credit Card

Unlike a debit card, there are far fewer limits to what you can spend.

As long as your credit limit is decently high, you have a lot of funds to work with.

The problem is, that makes it a little too easy sometimes to spend more than you can afford.

The benefit of using a credit card while you travel is a double-edged sword.

You can spend roughly as much as you’d like, but you don’t want to spend so much that it will take years to pay off.

One of the best things about using a credit card for foreign travel is that, if it’s stolen, you don’t have to worry about losing access to your real money.

However, you’ll still need to have a backup card (whether it’s debit or credit) if that happens.

Your issuer may still suspend your account while the situation gets resolved.

The con of using a credit card for travel is you won’t be able to use it at ATMs to access the cash in your bank account.

So if you find yourself at a cash-only establishment, you’re going to get stuck if you don’t also have cash or a debit card to withdraw some money.

The Best Approach Is a Combination of the Two

Since both options have a fair list of pros and cons, the real winner here is to use a combined approach.

Rather than asking if you should use a credit card or a debit card while you travel abroad, bring both.

Bringing both a credit and debit card helps prepare you for all the situations listed above - and when you’re far from home, being prepared can be a real game changer.

But when it comes down to which one you should use primarily, consider your spending habits.

If you’re afraid of overspending, stick to the debit card.

If you’re afraid of fraud, use a credit card. (The credit card won’t prevent fraud, but it does prevent your bank account from being accessed in case of fraud.)

No matter what you do, choose the option that works best for you in the end.

Federal Laws Regarding Debit and Credit Cards

What many people do not realize is that consumer protection laws have different guidelines regarding debit and credit card fraudulent activity.

Under the federal credit billing act, if a credit card number is stolen and used, the card owner is not held liable for any charges.

When a credit card is actually stolen, the card owner is not held liable for any charges as long as it is reported missing before transactions take place; otherwise, a maximum of $50 for fraudulent activity could be charged on the card.

Debit cards are a completely different story and give people more to lose if lost or stolen.

If a debit card is lost or stolen and reported before it is used, the card owner is not liable for any of the charges.

However, he/she may be held liable for $50 of fraudulent activity if it is reported within two business days after unauthorized use.

Reporting a stolen card is crucial to avoid paying penalties.

A cardholder could be responsible for up to $500 of fraudulent charges if he/she fails to report a lost or stolen debit card after two days of unauthorized use.

In addition, there is no real limit to the amount a person can lose if a debit card is not reported lost or stolen after the first 60 days of unauthorized usage.

Don’t Forget to Protect Your Money While You Travel

Nothing can ruin a trip faster than not being able to access your money.

That’s why it’s imperative to have some protections in place before you leave.

Here are the two most important things you can do to protect your money before you embark on foreign travel .

Tell Your Card Issuer You’re Going to Travel Abroad

First of all, call your credit card issuer before you go and alert them of your plans.

If you don’t, you might find that the first transactions you make abroad get declined immediately.

Usually, a card issuer would worry that this type of activity is fraudulent - it’s up to you to warn them, so they know it's you making the foreign purchases.

In order to do this, simply look up the customer service number on the back of your card or on your card issuer’s website.

Let them know where you’re going and for how long.

They can make a note of it on your account, so you won’t get declined after you go away.

Keep Your Personal Items on You

Finally, a protected debit or credit card is one that you know where it is.

When you’re embarking on adventures, buy a pack to strap them to your body under your clothes.

When you’re in busy markets, avoid putting them in open purses or your back pocket.

When you’re sitting down, keep your bags near your feet instead of behind or even next to your chair.

It’s not hard for a practiced thief to swipe a wallet or purse.

Keep your personal items on you and you’ll be less likely to endure theft.

Again, a rule that works both abroad and at home.

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6 mistakes to avoid when using a travel credit card

To get the most out of your travel credit card, avoid overspending, ignoring fees, and carrying a balance while focusing on understanding redemption options and choosing the right card for your needs.

Holly D. Johnson

Johnson has been a personal finance contributor for more than 10 years. She focuses on investing, banking products, credit cards and scoring and insurance.

Hanna Horvath

Hanna Horvath is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Bankrate's senior editor of content partnerships.

Updated May 6, 2024, 12:23 PM EDT

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Travel rewards, especially those earned through credit cards, can fund flights, hotels, rental cars, and more at a steep discount — or even for free. 

You can rapidly accumulate a stash of points and miles by charging your everyday expenses to a rewards card. Combine that with generous credit card sign-up bonuses, and you'll be jetting off on your dream vacation in no time... right?

Not so fast. While rewards can help stretch your budget and upgrade your travel experience, there are plenty of traps to watch out for. Try to avoid these seven common mistakes to ensure you're getting the most bang for your rewards buck. 

1. Overspending to earn a welcome offer

Big credit card welcome offers, which often require spending several thousand dollars within the first few months, can be oh-so-tempting. But as financial coach James Beckett of Money Stocker warns, it's too easy to get caught up in the excitement and buy beyond your means just to check that "minimum spend" box.

For example, if a card requires you to spend $4,000 in three months to earn the bonus, that breaks down to over $1,300 monthly. This may lead you to make unnecessary purchases or splurge on items you wouldn't normally buy to reach the spending requirement. If you're unable to pay off your balance, you may face interest and accumulating debt. This negates the value of the welcome offer.

The solution? Only apply for a card with a welcome offer that aligns with your normal spending habits. Create a budget and track your expenses to ensure you're not overspending to earn the bonus.

Beckett's pro tip: Time new card applications around major planned expenses, like booking a vacation or replacing a household appliance. That way, you'll hit the bonus threshold effortlessly.

2. Not knowing the true value of your points 

Not all points are created equal. The value can vary significantly depending on the program and how you redeem them . Depending on the card, a point could be worth anywhere from 0.5 to over 2 cents. 

Failing to research the value of your points can lead to suboptimal redemptions and wasted rewards. Many people redeem their points for less valuable options, such as statement credits or gift cards, without realizing they could get much more value by using them for travel.

"Whether it's booking through a card issuer's travel portal, transferring points to airline or hotel partners, or redeeming for statement credits, knowing the most valuable redemption methods can significantly increase the value of your rewards,” says attorney and personal finance expert Erika Kullberg.

For example, Chase Ultimate Rewards offers a baseline value of 1-1.5 cents per point, depending on the card. However, points could be worth up to 2 cents per point when transferring rewards to travel partners. On the other hand, points used at Amazon.com or when you checkout with PayPal offer only 0.80 cents per point. 

Familiarize yourself with your credit card's rewards program and available redemption options. Use reward guides to determine the average value of your points. Aim to redeem points to earn the highest possible return, such as airline tickets, hotel stays, or transferring to partner programs. 

3. Ignoring credit card annual fees

Kullberg cautions against ignoring the annual fees that come with many travel cards — especially premium ones . While travel cards might charge less than $100 annually, luxury cards can set you back anywhere from $395-$695 annually. 

Those fees take a direct bite out of the rewards you're earning, so it's crucial to weigh the benefits against the cost. Perks like travel credits, lounge access, and elite status can more than offset a hefty annual fee, but you'll need to run the numbers to ensure you're coming out ahead.

It’s also essential to re-evaluate your card's value year after year to avoid wasting money on fees for benefits you’re not using.

4. Earning inflexible rewards

Some travel cards earn rewards tied to specific airlines, hotels, or other travel brands. But pigeon-holing yourself into a single airline or hotel loyalty program can come back to bite you.

People often choose co-branded cards based on loyalty to a particular airline or hotel chain without considering the limitations of earning brand-specific rewards. 

They may accumulate many points or miles with a single brand, only to find that they can't use them for their desired travel plans due to lack of availability, blackout dates, or other restrictions.

The solution is to diversify your rewards stash. While keeping a co-branded card open may make sense, consider adding a flexible rewards card that allows you to book with various travel partners. 

5. Signing up for a card based on branding 

Branded airline and hotel credit cards can offer outsized value — but some are more lucrative than others. 

Many people sign up for co-branded cards solely based on their affinity for the associated brand, without comparing the card's benefits, rewards, and fees to other options. This can lead to earning subpar rewards, paying higher annual fees, or missing out on more valuable perks other cards offer.

In many cases, general travel rewards cards (think: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ) outshine their co-branded counterparts.

A good example of an inferior card is the Disney® Visa® Card from Chase. While this card has no annual fee, it offers only 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on your purchases. 

This pales in comparison to no-annual-fee cash back cards that offer 2% back on everything (like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card), which could be redeemed as a statement credit to offset Disney purchases.

Don't let brand loyalty blind you to potentially better options. Analyze the underlying reward structure and benefits to determine whether a card is truly worthwhile.

6. Paying credit card interest

The benefits that come with travel cards are quickly negated if you carry a balance and pay interest on your purchases.

No amount of points or miles is worth the double-digit interest rates you'll face as a result, says consumer finance expert Andrea Woroch. The average credit card interest rate is around 21%.

To avoid falling into this trap, commit to paying your credit card bill in full every month, without fail. If you're worried about your ability to do so, you're better off foregoing travel rewards entirely until you can get your spending under control.

The bottom line 

When used properly, travel rewards can help you save money and travel for less. But to reap those benefits, it's critical to sidestep the pitfalls that can undermine your efforts.

Editorial disclosure: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.

Personal Finance

Best discover credit cards 2024.

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Discover is one of the best providers of introductory credit cards. None charge an annual fee, interest rates are on par with other credit card issuers, they earn cash back, and there are introductory offers for waiving interest on new purchases or balance transfers.

There are also options for people who don’t have a credit history, such as students or people with a low credit score. With a Discover credit card, you can build your credit score over time.

The following are the best Discover credit cards for various goals and credit scenarios.

Best Discover credit cards: Summary

Best for earning travel rewards: discover it® miles, best for cash back: discover it® cash back, best for cash back for students: discover it student® cash back, best for student purchases on gas and restaurants: discover it student® chrome card, best for balance transfers: discover it® balance transfer, best for road trips: discover it® chrome gas & restaurant card, best for hockey fans: nhl® discover it®, best for low credit score: discover it® secured credit card, our recommendations.

There isn't a bad egg in the Discover credit card portfolio. They’re all solid cards with cash back earnings and no annual fee. There are Discover cards designed for different borrowers, however, so you’ll want to see whether any of the following cards makes sense for your spending habits.

The Discover it Miles is Discover’s travel card, though its redemptions are more like cash-back redemptions that can only be used as statement credits on travel purchases. The regular earning rate is good—1.5 miles per dollar spent. At the end of the first year, any miles you’ve earned will be doubled.

• No annual fee.
• Earning miles is simple and unlimited.
• Miles are doubled the first year.
• Earn 1.5 miles on every $1.
• Redemptions are limited to flat rate.
• No travel rewards partners or program.

Cardmembers looking to earn cash back in a variety of everyday categories may want to consider the Discover it Cash Back. The card earns 5% cash back on rotating categories throughout the year, up to $1,500, plus 1% on everything else. There is a long 0% APR introductory period of 15 months (then 17.24% to 28.24%). All the cash back earned on the card in the first year is doubled at the end of the year.

• Generous cash-back options.
• 15-month introductory 0% APR.
• Categories may be unpredictable.

The Discover it Student Cash Back credit card earns a lot in cash-back rewards—especially for a student card with no annual fee. Like the Discover It Cash Back card above, holders earn 5% cash back on a different category group each quarter, up to $1,500 in purchases, plus 1% on other purchases. There is no minimum credit score required, making the card perfect for students new to credit. For new cardholders, cash back is matched at the end of the year.

• Generous cash-back rewards.
• Pre-approval tool to see if you qualify.
• High balance transfer fee.
• High cash advance fee.

The Discover it Student Chrome Card earns a steady 2% cash back on gas station and restaurant purchases up to $1,000 each quarter and 1% on all other purchases. For students who commute, it’s a good amount of rewards, especially for a card with no annual fee. There is a cash-back match offer for the first year and no credit score required to apply.

• Students are able to qualify for the card.
• Prequalification tool.
• No credit score required to apply.
• Cash-back matched the first year.
• Fewer bonus categories.
• High balance transfer and cash advance fee.

The Discover it® Balance Transfer credit card offers 0% APR for 15 months for balance transfers. The balance transfer fee is 3% during the introductory period and 5% after. The card also earns rewards at the rate of 5% in rotating quarterly categories and has a cash back matching offer for the first year.

• Long introductory balance period.
• Earns rewards.
• High cash advance and balance transfer fees.

If you drive and eat out frequently, you might want to consider the Discover it Chrome Gas and Restaurant credit card. It earns 2% on gas and restaurant purchases up to $1,000 each quarter, plus 1% on all other purchases. The card offers a 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months.

• Bonus rewards for gas and restaurants.
• Cash back matched the first year.
• 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months.
• 2% cash back bonus limited to $1,000 in purchases each quarter.

The NHL Discover it credit card earns the same rewards as the Discover it cards at 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories. In the first year of card membership, cash back is matched. There is also a low introductory APR of 0% for 15 months. The only thing different about NHL Discover is the card’s design, which can be selected from one of 32 NHL teams.

• Custom NHL team card design.
• Low intro APR at 0% for 15 months.
• Generous cash rewards.
• High balance transfer and cash advance fees.

The Discover it Secured credit card offers a way for people with low credit scores to build credit. There is no minimum credit score requirement for approval, and a security deposit can be for as low as $200. The card doesn’t charge an annual fee and earns cash back at a rate of 2% at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 of combined purchases each quarter. There is also a cash-back match offer that doubles cash back at the end of the year.

• Deposit as low as $200.
• No minimum credit score requirement.
• Automatic reviews every seven months.
• Cash-back match at the end of the year
• Approval isn’t guaranteed, even as a secured card.

Methodology

Discover has a variety of credit card offerings. We evaluated annual fees, cash-back offers, APRs, and introductory offers. The best were chosen for their unique features geared toward specific cardholders. These include cards for cash back, travel , gas , restaurants , balance transfers , and rebuilding credit .

How to pick the best Discover credit card for you

Picking the best Discover credit card depends on your credit profile and what you want to earn. Do you have good credit and want to earn the most cash back? Are you rebuilding your credit and just need a card that doesn’t charge a ton of fees? There are Discover cards to match a variety of priorities.

Decide what you want to earn

The two main things you’ll earn on a Discover credit card are cash back and miles. Discover is known for its cash back, and the miles rewards are similar. If you’d rather earn miles than cash back, you can apply for the Discover it Miles credit card. Every other Discover card earns cash back, even the student and secured cards.

Pick a card that matches your credit profile

• Student . Discover has credit cards perfect for students, with qualification requirements suitable for those with little or no credit history. They’ll even earn you rewards, to boot. As we explained in detail above, the Discover it Student® Cash Back and Discover it Student® Chrome Card both earn rewards.
• Rebuilding credit . If you’re on the path to rebuild your credit, the Discover it Secured credit card may be the way to go. There is no credit check and the security deposit can be as little as $200.
• Traveler . The Discover it Miles Card is Discover’s card for award travel. Redemptions are made at a fixed value of 100 miles = $1, which is much like Discover’s cash back redemption. You’ll need good to excellent credit to be approved.
• Household shopper . If most of your expenses are for household goods, you might be happy earning cash back from one of the Discover cash-back cards. Take a look at what you currently spend money on the most and choose a card that earns bonus points in those categories. For example, if you spend a lot of money on gas, you may want to go for the Discover it Gas and Restaurant Card. A good-to-excellent credit score is required.

More on Discover credit cards

If you’re seriously looking at Discover cards, you might be considering the following:

What credit score do you need to get a Discover card?

The credit score needed for a Discover card depends on the type of card you’re getting. Student cards and the secured card don’t have a credit score requirement. However, the other cards require at least a good credit score , which FICO defines as 670 or above.

If you’re worried about being approved for a card, you can try Discover’s pre-approval tool which can check your approval likelihood without a hard credit check .

How can I apply for a Discover credit card?

You can apply for a Discover credit card online.

You’ll need to provide:

• Last four numbers of your Social Security number
• Home address
• Employment status
• Bank accounts owned
• Housing payment
• Total gross income
• Email address

You’ll choose your card design (if applicable) and accept the terms to proceed with your application.

Discover credit card fees

• Annual fee: $0
• Cash advance: $10 or 5% for each cash advance
• Late payment: Up to $41
• Returned payment: Up to $41
• Balance transfer: 3% during the introductory period, 5% after

What is the APR on Discover credit cards?

Discover credit cards currently have APRs that range from 17.24% to 28.24%.

What credit limit can I get with a Discover card?

Discover credit limits start at $500 for all cards except the secured card, which can start at $200. Over time, with a regular payment history and reported income increases, you may see your credit limit increase.

What are the benefits of Discover credit cards?

Some of the benefits of Discover credit cards include strong cash-back offers, FICO Credit Score monitoring, 0% introductory APRs, and various redemption options.

Which Discover card is easiest to get?

The easiest Discover cards are the ones with the lowest credit score requirements. These include the Discover it Secured Card, Discover it Student® Cash Back, and Discover it Student® Chrome.

Will a Discover card help me build credit?

Yes, a Discover credit card can help you build credit. If you establish good habits, such as paying off your balance, paying on time, and keeping your purchases far below your credit limit, you may see a positive credit history start to build.

TIME Stamp: Discover credit cards are great for earning cash back and building credit

Discover credit cards aren’t the flashiest cards around, but they are solid—especially for those new to credit. None of the cards charge an annual fee and the APRs are on par with other cards. The cash back earnings and redemptions are average, and introductory offers include a matching cash back offer for a year and 0% APR for an introductory period.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Which discover card is easier to get.

The Discover it Secured Credit Card is easiest to get because it does not require a credit check. Instead, you need to provide a security deposit—the amount serves as your credit limit.

Is a Discover card worth having?

A Discover credit card is a solid cash back earner and doesn’t charge an annual fee—even for higher risk, new borrowers like students. As far as the cash back rewards go, it depends on how you’re able to use it to make it worth having.

How many Discover cards can you have?

You can have two different Discover credit cards at the same time.

Is a Discover card a Visa?

No, a Discover card is not a Visa card. Discover has its own payment network.

The information presented here is created independently from the TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About page.

Investing app Robinhood launched a new credit card — some VIP members are getting theirs made of real gold

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews .

You've probably heard of Robinhood , the personal finance platform that lets you purchase stocks, cryptocurrencies, fractional shares, retirement plans, and other investments without paying commission (other fees may apply). You may even have the Robinhood Cash Card , a prepaid card linked to a spending account. 

Now, this popular fintech company has launched the Robinhood Gold Card , which earns up to 5% cash back with no annual fee. Gold Card members receive the following benefits: 

• 3% cash back on most categories
• 5% cash back on travel booked through the Robinhood travel portal
• No annual fee with a Gold membership and no foreign transaction fees
• The ability to add five family members of any age as cardholders
• Digital tools such as virtual cards
• Join the waitlist today »

Robinhood rewards points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, and shopping at major retailers like Apple, Nike, Bloomingdales, and more. You can also redeem points as cash and transfer them to your Robinhood brokerage account. From there, you can withdraw or invest your funds, or leave them to earn interest through Robinhood's cash sweep program, which maximizes your investment earnings by transferring loose cash into interest-earning accounts.

The Robinhood Gold card comes with its own app for tracking transactions and generating virtual cards with unique credit limits. The latter benefit is particularly useful for recurring subscriptions, large purchases, or transactions with merchants where you risk being charged more than you want to pay. 

Who can get the Robinhood Gold Card?

The Robinhood Gold credit card is restricted to members of Robinhood's premium Gold plan, which costs between $5 to $7 a month. Robinhood Gold subscription members get 5% APY on uninvested cash in their brokerage account, a 3% match on IRA retirement contributions, and will soon enjoy a 1% boost on brokerage deposits. 

Most Robinhood Gold Cards are made of stainless steel and weigh 17 grams, making this card one of the heftiest metal credit cards on the market. Top-tier Gold members can even request theirs in real 10-karat gold. Interested applicants must refer 10 or more subscribers to the Robinhood Gold membership to be eligible for the 36-gram precious-metal credit card. 

The Robinhood Gold Card waitlist has more than one million interested users, and the company began rolling out the first Gold Cards to the first tier of recipients in April 2024.

Interested applicants who are preapproved to apply for the Gold Card won't see any impact to their credit until they complete the card application, when Robinhood initiates a hard credit inquiry.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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How to Compare Travel Credit Cards

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Regardless of whether you’re just starting to look into travel cards or already have a few under your belt, understanding how to compare travel credit cards can quickly get complicated. From cardholder benefits to annual fees, each card is unique.

So how do you know which ones you should get? Let’s take a look at the different aspects of travel cards, some of the best travel credit card perks and how to figure out which ones are right for you.

What to consider when you compare travel credit cards

Your travel credit card selection will ultimately come down to the following four factors: The size of the welcome bonus, the card's benefits and rewards, how you'll earn points and the card's overall cost (or annual fee).

Welcome offers

Banks want your business. In the highly competitive U.S. credit card market, this means they’ll need to stand out in order to attract your attention. One of the ways they do this is by offering welcome bonuses.

Welcome bonuses can vary, but they usually feature a one-time lump sum of bonus points after making enough purchases on your card in a specific amount of time. You can find offers ranging from 15,000 points all the way up to 180,000 points — but not all bonuses are created equal.

You’ll want to consider how you’re going to redeem those points well before you send in your application. Are you a frequent flyer? A co-branded airline card may be a good option for you. Do you prefer a certain hotel chain? You may want to direct your attention toward hotel cards instead. Make sure you can and will use the bonus points on offer before you sign up.

Some card issuers limit how often you can sign up for new credit cards — and even how many times you’re allowed to receive a welcome offer. Research this before applying.

Some of the best travel credit card offers out there are with credit cards that offer flexible point currencies, such as American Express Membership Rewards , Chase Ultimate Rewards® and Citi ThankYou points . The points these cards earn can transfer to a number of partners, such as airlines and hotel chains. These cards thereby give you more flexibility and ultimately help you avoid pigeonholing yourself into earning points or miles that can only be redeemed with a single loyalty program.

» Learn more: The best travel credit card welcome bonuses right now

Benefits and rewards

Another way card issuers try to differentiate themselves is by the perks they offer. You’ll find a different range of benefits based on the type of card you’re getting. No-annual-fee and mid-tier cards (those costing an annual fee of $100 or less) inherently offer fewer perks than their more expensive cousins, premium travel cards. These credit cards may cost hundreds to renew every year.

When comparing travel credit card rewards, consider how many of these benefits you can realistically maximize — let alone use. For example, several different travel credit cards come with TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credits , but you only need one membership every four years. If you already have one card that offers this credit, then target other benefits when applying for another travel rewards card.

The same can be said of cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express . As a top-tier card, you’ll enjoy complimentary elite status with hotel chains like Marriott and Hilton . Enrollment required. However, the card also comes with a $25 monthly Equinox credit that may not fit into your existing lifestyle. Terms apply.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Earning bonus points

Once you’ve earned your welcome bonus, the best way to increase your points balance is by putting purchases on the card itself. Each individual card will offer varying amounts of bonus points for different spending categories. Sometimes these are called bonus categories.

You’ll need to decide how diligent you want to be about earning points. Are you fine with switching out cards in order to maximize your bonus points? Or are you content with keeping a select few on hand and leaving some other cards' rewards on the table?

Based on what you decide, you’ll want to compare the earning structure for the travel cards you’ll own. Some, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , offer a flat 3x points on a broad category of travel-related expenses. Others, like The Platinum Card® from American Express , will give you an objectively better 5x points on airfare and hotels — but will restrict how you earn based on how you book your travel. You’ll also face an annual cap of $500,000, after which you’ll earn just 1x point per dollar.

Annual fees

Most travel credit cards aren’t free. True, there are some entry-level cards that’ll provide limited benefits and no annual fee, but the best perks are offered on cards that will cost you money.

Active duty military members can have their credit card annual fees waived by major banks such as American Express and Chase.

The question here is: How much are you willing to spend? Some of the most expensive travel credit cards will charge you upwards of $500 per year. In return, you’ll get best-in-class rewards and the ability to maximize bonus points on your spend.

If you’re not looking to lay out a lot of cash, mid-tier cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card can offer similar but less extensive rewards with a much cheaper annual fee. Figure out the budget you’re comfortable spending each year and take a look at cards that fit your needs.

» Learn more: Best no annual fee travel credit cards of October 2021

If you’re looking to compare travel credit cards …

Each travel credit card is unique, and the best way to figure out which one is right for you is by comparing them. Decide what’s important to you, whether it’s a large welcome offer, the ability to earn plenty of points or a whole slew of cardholder benefits, and pick out cards that match what you’re willing to pay.

Not all cards are right for every person, but with the range of available travel credit cards on the market today, odds are you’ll find one that suits your lifestyle.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Which purchases count as travel with Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve?

Editor's Note

Thanks to its plethora of premium travel perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is well-known in the travel credit card space. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the Sapphire Reserve's mid-tier sibling that features a $95 annual fee — which is also the more affordable card considering the Reserve's annual fee is $550 — and remains a top pick, winning Best Travel Rewards Credit Card for the sixth straight year at the 2023 TPG Awards .

No matter which Sapphire card you have, Chase clearly defines what counts as travel. Both cards generously award for travel booked through Chase Travel℠ and all other travel purchases.

We'll go over the purchases that count (and don't count) toward earning bonus points in this guide.

How many points do the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Preferred cards earn on travel?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve awards 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel and 5 points per dollar on flights booked through Chase Travel.

But suppose you're looking to book directly with the airline, hotel or another company or get awarded for other travel purchases like taxi rides and parking fees. In that case, you'll still earn 3 points per dollar on these purchases.

The Sapphire Preferred earns 5 points per dollar on all travel purchases booked through Chase Travel and 2 points per dollar on other travel purchases.

You'll also earn a boosted rate of 10 and 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides on the Reserve and Preferred, respectively (through March 2025).

'Travel,' according to Chase

The Chase Travel portal allows you to book various types of travel. For "all other travel purchases," here's how Chase defines it:

Merchants in the travel category include airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, campgrounds and operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways, and parking lots and garages.

Compared to bonus categories from other credit cards, Chase's travel category is extremely generous.

While cards such as the American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer bonus points for airfare purchases made directly with the airline (with a spending cap of $500,000 on the Amex Platinum per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve cards let you earn a bonus on virtually every trip-related charge.

The travel category encompasses a wide variety of purchases, from hotels and airfare (which doesn't have to be booked directly with the airline) to cruises, tolls and even parking fees. Uber and Airbnb purchases count as travel as well.

The following purchases do not apply toward the 2 or 3-points-per-dollar bonus categories on these cards, but most of them shouldn't be a huge surprise or disappointment:

Merchants in this category include airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, campgrounds and operators of passenger trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways, and parking lots and garages. Some merchants that provide transportation and travel-related services are not included in this category; for example, real estate agents, educational merchants arranging travel, in-flight goods and services, on-board cruise line goods and services, sightseeing activities, excursions, tourist attractions, RV and boat rentals, merchants within hotels and airports, public campgrounds and merchants that rent vehicles for the purpose of hauling. Purchases from gift card merchants or merchants that sell points or miles will not qualify in the travel category.

A few notable travel-related charges that have not been posted as travel for the purposes of bonus points with Chase for TPG staffers in the recent past include an RV rental as well as some vacation rentals via Vrbo and similar services. Whether a vacation home rental automatically codes as travel depends on whether an individual or a conglomerate operates it. In the latter case, that charge may code as "professional services" instead of travel.

If you're ever unsure whether a given purchase counts as travel, it could be worth making a small charge and checking whether it earns any bonus points on your online Chase account.

Additionally, suppose you feel like a travel purchase should have earned bonus points but didn't. In that case, you can always try calling or secure messaging Chase and requesting consideration for that charge to be awarded points as a travel charge. Even if you don't get the outcome you're looking for, you'll at least get some clarity on how certain charges are coded and can plan future spending accordingly.

What does Chase typically count as travel purchases?

• Campgrounds
• Car rental agencies (excludes RV and boat rentals)
• Cruise lines
• Discount travel sites
• Parking lots and garages
• Passenger trains
• Toll bridges and highways
• Travel agencies
• Vacation rentals (including some VRBO rentals operated by an individual )

What does Chase typically not count as travel purchases?

• Educational merchants arranging travel
• Gift card merchants
• Inflight goods and services
• Merchants that rent vehicles for the purpose of hauling
• Merchants within hotels and airports
• Onboard cruise line goods and services
• Purchasing points or miles
• Public campgrounds
• Real estate agents
• RV and boat rentals
• Sightseeing activities
• Tourist attractions
• Vacation rentals ( some VRBO rentals operated by a conglomerate rather than an individual )

Bottom line

Cardholders of the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred have plenty of opportunities to earn 3 or 2 points per dollar spent, respectively, on "other travel purchases." Based on TPG's valuations , that means you could be getting a return of up to 6.15% on these purchases, and you can put your points to use with Chase's airline and hotel partners .

On top of that, these Chase cards have some of the most generous travel and purchase protections on the market, making either card a valuable addition to your wallet.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve with a 75,000-point sign-up bonus after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred with a 75,000-point sign-up bonus after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.

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What the Fed's interest rate pause means for your credit card debt

By Joshua Rodriguez

Edited By Matt Richardson

Updated on: May 1, 2024 / 4:30 PM EDT / CBS News

The Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting concluded earlier today. And, the Fed announced that it will be keeping its target federal funds rate unchanged . That means that this benchmark rate will remain elevated  at a 23-year high . That's bad news for borrowers because the federal funds rate affects the benchmark for consumer interest rates. 

But what if you have credit card debt? What does the Federal Reserve's decision to keep its benchmark rate unchanged mean in terms of your credit card interest rates  and minimum payments ?

Find out how a debt relief service can help you eliminate credit card debt now .

What the Federal Reserve's news means for your credit card debt

The Federal Reserve's decision to keep its federal funds rate target unchanged means that elevated credit card interest rates, and in turn, minimum payments, may not fall any time soon. And that could be a painful reality if you have credit card debt , especially in today's inflationary environment . But, a debt relief service could provide the relief you need to make it through this inflationary period.  

"As inflation continues, borrowers who are barely scraping by should consider debt relief services because it can help them climb out of overwhelming debt," explains Ryan Moore, financial advisor at the retirement planning firm, TBS Retirement Planning. So, how can debt relief help you with your credit card debt ?

Debt relief could get you a lower interest rate

One way that debt relief services can help you is by reducing your interest rate - which could provide meaningful relief with the federal funds rate being so high. Debt relief services typically achieve this in one of two ways: 

• Negotiations : Some debt relief providers will negotiate your interest rate with your credit card companies . They'll usually use the financial information they collect when you enroll into the service when completing these negotiations. For example, if you're going through financial hardship , they may use your hardship details to negotiate a better rate for you. 
• New loans : If you have a solid credit score , a debt relief service may recommend a debt consolidation loan . This loan would presumably have a lower interest rate than your average interest rate on your current credit card debt.   

Learn more about how debt relief services may be able to reduce your interest rates now . 

Debt relief could make your payments more manageable

Beyond reducing your interest rate, which could lead to lower minimum payments, debt relief services may make your payments more manageable. 

"Debt relief programs can help a borrower pay back debt under one entire loan," says Moore. And, making one debt consolidation loan payment simplifies the payment process when compared to making multiple credit card payments. 

However, you don't have to opt for a debt consolidation loan to tap into this simplicity. 

Debt forgiveness and debt consolidation programs can also help. With these programs, you'll typically send one monthly payment to your debt relief provider. In the case of debt consolidation, your provider will send individual payments to your credit card companies on your behalf. In the case of debt forgiveness, your payments will usually be saved in a special purpose savings account until you've saved enough to settle your debt. In either case, your debt will become more manageable as you'll only be required to make one monthly payment - rather than keeping up with multiple payments. 

Debt relief could reduce your principal balance

If you opt for credit card debt forgiveness, your debt relief service provider may be able to reduce your principal balance through negotiations. But, this option should only be used as a last resort before bankruptcy as credit card debt forgiveness may cause long-term damage to your credit score . 

The bottom line

The Federal Reserve has decided to keep its Federal Funds rate unchanged. Unfortunately, that means credit card users who carry balances from month to month may have to continue contending with high interest rates and minimum payments. 

But, if you're having a hard time making your minimum payments , you have options. Debt relief solutions may be able to reduce your interest rates, make your payments more manageable and even reduce your principal credit card balances. Find out how much relief a debt relief expert could provide today . 

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he's not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.

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