10 best travel credit cards in 2024
Published 3:56 PM EDT, Wed July 3, 2024
The travel rewards credit card landscape is competitive, with issuers launching new products and updating existing offerings to stay on top of the market. Picking the best travel credit card for you is going to depend on your priorities: Do you want a card packed with benefits, or one with a lower annual fee? Which benefit will you use more, airport lounge access or travel insurance? Here are the top options to include in your travel credit cards comparison, and what makes them stand out in a crowded market.
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Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
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Our team of experts evaluated over 100 travel credit cards, including cards that earn flexible rewards, airline miles and hotel points. We considered factors including welcome bonuses, rewards, fees, day-of-travel benefits and other travel-related perks. Using a data-based approach, we narrowed down the list to the 10 best credit cards for travel that scored highly based on our weightings. Read our full methodology below.
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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best travel credit card
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Chase Sapphire Reserve?: Best for travel spending
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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for flexible/easy rewards
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Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card: Best for beginners
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The Platinum Card? from American Express: Best for luxury benefits
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Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Best no annual fee credit card
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Wells Fargo Autograph Journey? Card: *Best for earning Wells Fargo points
The information for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Citi Strata Premier? Card: *Best for earning Citi ThankYou points
The information for the Citi Strata Premier? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant? American Express? Card: Best hotel card for all-around travel
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Delta SkyMiles? Reserve American Express Card: Best airline card for all-around travel
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Chase Sapphire Reserve?
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
The Platinum Card? from American Express
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey? Card
*The information for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Citi Strata Premier? Card
*The information for the Citi Strata Premier? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant? American Express? Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Delta SkyMiles? Reserve American Express Card
The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.
Our picks at a glance
| ? | Annual fee | Welcome bonus | Best for | Notable feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
| $395
| 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening
| Travel
| $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles
|
Chase Sapphire Reserve?
| $550
| 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
| Travel spending
| $300 annual travel credit
|
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
| $95
| 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
| Flexible/easy rewards
| Flexibility to transfer miles to travel partners or use other redemption options
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Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card
| $95
| 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
| Beginners
| 25% bonus when redeeming points for travel through the Chase portal
|
The Platinum Card? from American Express
| $695
| 80,000 Membership Rewards? points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening
| Luxury travel benefits
| Over $1,500 in annual benefits with various partner brands
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Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
| $0
| 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within three months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
| No annual fee
| Earn flexible, transferable miles without paying an annual fee
|
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey? Card * The information for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. | $95
| 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening
| Earning Wells Fargo points
| $50 annual airfare credit
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Citi Strata Premier? Card * The information for the Citi Strata Premier? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. | $95
| 70,000 bonus ThankYou? Points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening
| Earning Citi ThankYou points
| $100 annual hotel credit
|
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant? American Express? Card
| $650
| 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership
| Hotels
| Marriott Bonvoy Platinum elite status
|
Delta SkyMiles? Reserve American Express Card
| $650
| 100,000 miles after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership
| Airlines
| Delta Sky Club access
|
How do travel credit cards work?
Travel credit cards fall into a general dichotomy of specific and general: Some offer rewards and perks with a particular airline or hotel, while others offer broader appeal. Either way, travel credit cards can improve your time on the road and earn you points and miles for your next vacation.
Transferable points cards
Let’s say you want to fly from Miami to Paris next year. If you have a co-branded American Airlines credit card, you’ll earn AAdvantage miles that you can use to book flights operated by American Airlines or one of its partner airlines, such as British Airways.
But award seats might not be available on the days you want to travel, forcing you to look at other options. If instead of American Airlines miles you’d collected rewards through a credit card issuer’s rewards program, such as Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards, you could have more flexibility.
That’s because those rewards programs allow transfers to participating airline loyalty programs, not all of which are part of the same airline alliance. An airline alliance is a group of airlines that collaborates to offer travel to more destinations, and travelers can typically redeem rewards they hold with one airline’s loyalty program for flights with any alliance-member airline. As a result, earning transferable rewards such as Capital One miles can increase your redemption options.
Co-branded airline credit cards
Some people are fiercely loyal to a single airline, possibly because it’s the dominant carrier in their home city or because that airline serves the destinations they fly to most often. Co-branded airline credit cards can be especially appealing in these cases. If you already earn a lot of miles with a single airline from flying, augmenting that balance with a credit card welcome bonus makes sense. And card perks like free checked bags, airport lounge access and rebates on in-flight Wi-Fi can add up.
Co-branded hotel credit cards
Some business travelers will end up loyal to a specific hotel brand because that’s where their company puts them up, and other travelers might just pick based on personal preference. A co-branded hotel credit card can be a great shortcut to earning points and elite status in hotel loyalty programs, and getting access to jealousy-inducing perks such as suite upgrades and free breakfasts. Some hotel cards offer elite status simply for holding the card. Many hotel cards also offer free nights, which can offset their annual fees.
Flat-rate rewards cards
Some travel cards earn rewards you can redeem at a fixed rate for travel (often 1 cent per point or mile). These cards, including the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card * The information for the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. and Discover it? Miles * The information for the Discover it? Miles has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , function more like cash back cards with a travel focus.
You can’t get more value out of your points or miles by saving up for an aspirational first-class redemption, but for less frequent travelers these can be a great choice. They’re more straightforward than transferable points cards and make it easier to cash out in smaller chunks. If you have 19,999 miles in your frequent flyer account and the award you need costs 20,000, your hard-earned rewards aren’t bringing you any value (unless you buy miles or find another way to close the gap).
Travel cards vs. cash back cards
Issuers typically advertise travel credit cards as earning points or miles. With a cash back credit card, you can expect to earn back some percentage of your eligible spending as cash. Some cash back cards earn at higher rates on travel spending. For example, the U.S. Bank Cash+? Visa Signature? Card * The information for the U.S. Bank Cash+? Visa Signature? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. earns 5% cash back on eligible travel bookings.
Pros and cons of travel credit cards
The travel credit card marketplace is full of variety, and you can expect to encounter the following pros and cons as you pick a card:
Pros:
- Many options. Card issuers offer a range of travel cards, from no annual fee options to premium cards with high fees and luxury benefits. Diverse offerings allow you to find a card that matches your travel needs, whether you go on one or two trips a year or are regularly on the road.
- Potential to save money on travel. You can typically redeem travel card rewards to cover travel expenses. Some cards also offer money-saving perks such as free checked bags on eligible flights and annual statement credits to pay for eligible travel. To actually save money with your card, be sure not to carry a balance, and make sure you’re getting enough value to make up for any annual fee.
- Travel more comfortably. In addition to cost savings, travel cards can offer perks such as airport lounge access and late hotel checkout that enhance your travel experience.
Cons:
- Maximizing rewards can take effort. Some travel cards offer a lot of benefits, and it can take planning to maximize the value you receive.
- May have high interest rates. Many of the best travel credit cards may charge above-average interest rates, making them less suitable for people who carry balances.
- May require higher credit scores for approval. Credit score requirements can vary by card, but you should aim for a credit score in the good range or higher when you apply for a travel credit card.
What is the best travel credit card for you?
Choosing the best travel credit card for you requires drawing a few boundaries. How high of an annual fee are you comfortable paying? Do you travel enough to make use of benefits? What options are available to you based on your credit score? These questions will help guide you to the right corner of the market, whether that’s no annual fee travel cards, premium options or something in the middle.
Other worthwhile questions to ask yourself include: Do you fly with the same airline every time and stay at the same hotel brands? Do you travel internationally? How do you want to use your rewards?
Your choices will also look different depending on why you travel.
Best credit cards for leisure travel
Leisure travelers have to foot all their own expenses on the road, and savings from benefits such as free checked bags can add up if you use them enough. Don’t forget to make sure you travel enough to get your money’s worth if you’re paying an annual fee for the card.
Best credit cards for business travel
Business travelers may want to consider getting co-branded airline and hotel cards that line up with their companies’ travel policies. These cards may help you reach elite status faster in the airline or hotel loyalty program, which can be very welcome for a road warrior. If your company requires you to book travel through a specific platform (vs. letting you book yourself and reimbursing you), this may affect your ability to earn and redeem rewards and benefits.
Best credit cards for road trips
Even if you’re not a frequent flyer, travel credit cards can be a great option for road trips. Several cards offer bonus rewards for spending at gas stations. Consumers with the Sapphire Reserve can use the card’s annual $300 travel credit to cover road trip expenses like tolls. Depending on how long your trip is and where you plan to sleep at night, a co-branded hotel credit card might be a good complement.
How to maximize your travel credit card benefits
In addition to earning points or miles for your next vacation, many travel credit cards offer some form (or forms) of travel insurance. While the exact terms vary from card to card, this can include trip delay, cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage loss or delay insurance, and even rental car insurance.
Other benefits can include free checked bags on flights, free nights at eligible hotels and reimbursement for the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. These perks can help you feel like the most valued customer even if you’re not a frequent traveler.
Luxury travel perks provided by credit cards
A premium card’s benefits should justify the annual fee it charges. One possible luxury perk is a Priority Pass membership, granting you access to airport lounges around the world.
Depending on the card, you could also get access to travel consultants, special assistance at the airport and exclusive restaurant reservations.
When should you use a travel credit card?
You should use a travel credit card for your travel purchases, but its usefulness may go beyond that. For example, if your card comes with cell phone insurance, you may want to use it to pay your monthly wireless bill. Travel cards often earn bonus rewards in other spending categories, too.
Premium cards, such as Amex Platinum, may also reimburse eligible non-travel spending.
Alternatives to travel credit cards
If you’re looking for a simpler way to earn rewards, a cash back credit card may be a better choice for you. College students who don’t have the credit to qualify for one of the best travel rewards cards should consider the best student credit cards.
If you want travel protections beyond what your card offers, consider other travel insurance options.
Important considerations for international travelers
Before you pack a credit card for international travel, you should check whether your card charges a foreign transaction fee, and be aware that American Express and Discover cards are not as commonly accepted as Visa and Mastercard outside the US. You should also check whether you need to notify your bank of upcoming travel to avoid fraud alerts on your account, and whether you have benefits like travel insurance to assist if things go wrong.
Methodology
Our money and data analytics teams compared over 100 credit cards — from cards that earn transferable, flexible points to co-branded airline and hotel cards. From there, we narrowed down our list to pick the best credit card for travel in different categories by giving them a star rating out of five based on the following factors and our editorial judgment:
Sign-up bonus value (25%)
A big welcome bonus can be a great way to kickstart your travel rewards journey. We gave these bonuses a dollar value based on average points valuations from travel site The Points Guy, with higher rankings going to cards with bigger potential returns.
Rewards value (25%)
A good travel credit card should reward travel purchases, and the best also offer bonuses in complementary spending categories, such as dining and gas. We looked at each card to assess their ongoing earning potential. Cards that don’t offer useful bonus categories or have a low base rewards rate for most spending got lower grades than cards with spending categories that align with the travel and everyday spending habits of consumers.
Benefits and annual credits/bonuses (40%)
Travel credit cards aren’t just about earning rewards. The top travel cards also offer lucrative benefits that can help make your travels more comfortable, save you money or give you added protections at home and on the road. We looked at perks such as airport lounge access, elite status, free checked bags and other day-of-travel perks, travel insurance and purchase protections. We also included annual credits, free night certificates and bonuses tied to meeting spending thresholds, and gave higher marks to cards with easy-to-use benefits.
Select fees (10%)
Most of the best travel cards charge annual fees, but paying an annual fee can be well worth it if the benefits you receive outweigh the yearly cost. We considered the potential return you can get from each card, especially considering statement credits and perks like free checked bags that can save you a substantial amount of money. Annual fee cards with the best overall value got a boost, but so did cards with no annual fee. Cards that charge foreign transaction fees scored much lower.
What didn’t make the cut
While this list includes some of the top travel rewards cards in a number of categories, there are plenty more options to consider if you’re looking to pick up another welcome bonus or get perks with a specific airline or hotel:
- Other co-branded hotel and airline cards: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is a great choice for frequent travelers looking for Marriott-specific benefits. However, another hotel card or airline card could be a better fit depending on your travel needs.
- U.S. Bank Altitude? Reserve Visa Infinite? Card * The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude? Reserve Visa Infinite? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Infinite is more of a cash back card than a travel rewards card, but card holders do enjoy a 50% bonus when redeeming their points for eligible travel bookings and up to $325 in annual statement credits for travel purchases, dining, takeout and food delivery.
- American Express? Gold Card: The Amex Gold is a foodie’s dream, but it didn’t beat out some more travel-oriented cards. It earns 4 Membership Rewards? points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 4 Membership Rewards? points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1 point per dollar), 3 Membership Rewards? points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases (terms apply)
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Most of the top travel credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees, but you should check your credit card’s terms and conditions to confirm. None of the cards on our best travel credit cards list adds foreign transaction fees.
You should have a good or excellent credit score when you apply for a travel credit card. Premium products like the Amex Platinum card often require higher credit scores. A number of factors contribute to your score, including your credit utilization rate and length of credit history. Make sure you understand your score so you can take steps to improve it and be a competitive applicant.
Co-branded credit cards can be a good value for people who are loyal to a single airline or hotel chain, but many people are better off sticking to a more flexible card such as the Sapphire Preferred.
How many miles you’ll need to book an award flight depends on factors including where you’re traveling, which program you’re using, what class your ticket is (such as economy or first class) and whether you’re flying on peak dates. Some domestic economy awards can start as low as 7,500 miles, while it’s not uncommon for international first and business class awards to cost more than 100,000 miles. If you’re saving up for a specific trip, spend some time searching for award tickets to get an idea of how much that route might cost.
Points and miles are worth different amounts depending on the program and how you redeem them. Two people with the Venture X might get very different values out of their miles if one person is redeeming them as statement credits against travel purchases (at a fixed rate of 1 cent each) and the other is transferring them to partner airlines to book international first class award tickets. You should look at your redemption patterns, comparing the miles you spend to the cash price of the same award, to see how much miles are worth to you.
To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card? from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles? Reserve American Express Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Wells Fargo Autograph Journey? Card * The information for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. please visit this page.
All information about Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, Citi Premier? Card, Citi Strata Premier? Card, Discover it? Miles, U.S. Bank Altitude? Reserve Visa Infinite? Card, U.S. Bank Cash+? Visa Signature? Card and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines, hotel chain, or other commercial entity and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of such entities.
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended and should not be understood to constitute financial, investment, insurance or legal advice. All individuals are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified financial professional before making any financial, insurance or investment decisions.
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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