Best Travel Credit Card 2019 With No Annual Fee
| Carte du jour | Best for | Welcome Offer/Sign Upwardly Bonus | Earning Charge per unit | Almanac Fee |
| Hunt Sapphire Preferred® Carte | All-time for total value | 80,000 points |
| $95 |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Bill of fare | Best for earning miles | 60,000 miles |
| $95 |
| The Platinum Carte® from American Express | Welcome bonus | Earn 100,000 points |
| $695 |
| Capital One Venture Ten Rewards Credit Card | Best new premium travel credit carte | 75,000 miles |
| $395 |
| Capital letter One VentureOne Rewards Credit Carte du jour | All-time for no almanac fee | 20,000 miles |
| $0 |
| Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | Best for maximizing business organization purchases | 100,000 points |
| $95 |
| Citi Premier® Card | All-time for rewards rate | 60,000 points |
| $95 |
| American Express® Gold Card | Best for dining at restaurants | lx,000 points |
| $250 |
| The Business Platinum Menu® from American Express | Best for concern travel | 120,000 points |
| $695 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Dizzying® Credit Card | Best midrange hotel bill of fare | Earn 3 Free Nights (each night valued upwardly to l,000 points) |
| $95 |
| Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit bill of fare | Best for first travel carte | 25,000 points |
| $0 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | All-time for airline rewards | l,000 miles |
| $250 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Best for travel credits | l,000 points |
| $550 |
| Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card | All-time for Alaska Airlines miles | $100 Statement Credit + 40,000 Bonus Miles |
| $75 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Carte | Best for Delta business organisation flyers | 60,000 miles |
| $250 |
Let'due south take a look at the details of each of these travel credit cards and offers, including their bonus values and some of the ways I've been able to put the credit carte du jour benefits to use.
Capital 1 Venture Rewards Credit Bill of fare: All-time for earning miles
Why this is the all-time stand-alone travel credit card: With the Capital One Venture, you're earning 2 miles per dollar on every purchase. That makes it easy to rack up rewards without having to juggle different bonus categories or spending caps. And with flexible redemption options and a manageable annual fee, this menu is an excellent choice if you're looking to continue just ane credit bill of fare in your wallet for all spending.
Current sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles later y'all spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of business relationship opening. Since we value Capital letter One miles at 1.85 cents each, this offer is worth potentially $1,110 (valuation not provided past the issuer).
Rewards rate: Earn two miles per dollar spent on every purchase.
Travel benefits: You get an application-fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck of up to $100 every iv years, a overnice perk for a mid-tier card that only costs $95 a year.
Annual fee: $95.
Why it'due south worth it: The Capital One Venture Card allows y'all to redeem miles for a fixed value or transfer the miles you earn to 15 total airline and iii hotel transfer partners , including Avianca, Etihad, Turkish Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Capital 1 has recently added a new one:ane transfer tier for many partners, however there's also a less lucrative 2:1.5 or two:1 transfer tiers for some partners. Finally, information technology's the ane menu The Points Guy himself, Brian Kelly, can't alive without .
Related : Capital One Venture Card review
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Official application link: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Menu.
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Chase Sapphire Preferred Bill of fare: All-time full value
Why this is the best total value travel credit card: Nosotros've long suggested the Hunt Sapphire Preferred every bit an excellent option for those who are new to earning travel rewards because it lets you earn valuable, transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points with strong bonus categories and a reasonable annual fee.
Current sign-upward bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points later on you spend $four,000 on purchases in the first iii months from account opening. TPG values this bonus at $1,600.
Rewards rate: 5 points per dollar on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3 miles per dollar on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out, iii miles per dollar on select streaming services, iii miles per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar on all other travel, 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases
Travel benefits: When you redeem your points for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal , you get a 25% bonus that makes your points worth 1.25 cents each. The Sapphire Preferred besides comes with an entire suite of travel protections, including trip delay insurance , trip counterfoil coverage , baggage delay and primary rental car insurance .
Annual fee: $95.
Why information technology'south worth it: You'll earn a solid return (6% back and 4% back respectively based on TPG valuations ) on dining and travel on meridian of your generous sign-up bonus and you have access to some of the best travel protections offered by whatever travel rewards credit menu.
Although you lot won't get the same travel credits or lounge access as you practice with the Hunt Sapphire Reserve , this is the perfect starter travel credit card for anyone who tin can't justify a higher annual fee. Chase has likewise added new not-travel redemption options, giving you more flexibility for your points.
Related : Chase Sapphire Preferred review
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Official awarding link: Chase Sapphire Preferred Carte.
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The Platinum Card from American Express: All-time for welcome offering
Why it's the best travel card for welcome offer: The Amex Platinum's welcome offer is currently worth $ii,000 according to TPG valuations , but that's merely the kickoff.
Current welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points afterward you spend $6,000 on purchases on the bill of fare in the first vi months of card membership ( valued past TPG at $2,000). However, be sure to check the CardMatch tool to see if you're targeted for a college 125k-point welcome offer (offer subject to change at any time).
Rewards rate: Earn v points per dollar on airfare purchased directly with the airlines or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 each calendar year) and 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel .
Travel benefits: Although Amex has recently increased the almanac fee to $695 (see rates and fees ), the Amex Platinum is still the male monarch of luxury travel benefits with a ton of almanac statement credits that will even so make the annual fee worth it. You'll get up to $200 in annual hotel argument credits for Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with Amex Travel (two nighttime minimum stay required), upward to $200 in almanac airline fee statement credits , upward to $179 in Articulate membership credits each year on your membership, up to $300 in annual Equinox credits ($25 statement credits each month), up to $200 in Uber cash for U.S. services, up to $240 in almanac digital entertainment statement credits for select providers, upwardly to $100 in statement credits at Saks Fifth Avenue and upward to $100 statement credit for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee once every 4 years (up to $100) — and more . Plus, y'all'll go unparalleled lounge access , automated Gilt condition with Hilton and Marriott, and extra perks with Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and National Motorcar Rental Emerald Club Executive. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Annual fee: $695 (run across rates and fees ).
Why information technology's worth it: It's not merely the 100,000-betoken welcome offer that lands this card on our list of the most valuable travel cards. Besides the $ane,400+ in credits each year and various lounge admission options, the Amex Platinum is a stellar premium travel card that tin provide amazing redemptions . Amidst the Membership Rewards program's travel partners is Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer , which is the only manner to book the ultra-premium Singapore Suites using miles. Even so, keep in heed that premium-class service is pretty watered down right now thank you to the coronavirus pandemic, so information technology might be best to relieve up for later premium-cabin award flights.
Other menu highlights include an amazing 5 points per dollar spent on airfare purchased direct with the airline or through Amex Travel (equal to a 10% return on these purchases) and the ability to add three authorized users for a total of $175 ( see rates and fees ).
Related : American Limited Platinum review
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Official awarding link: The Platinum Bill of fare from American Limited.
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Capital 1 Venture X Rewards Credit Bill of fare: Best new premium travel credit card
Why this is the best new premium travel credit carte du jour: At $395 per year, this new premium carte is cheaper than all of its competitors without sacrificing the latitude of valuable perks that come on this card. Cardholders will get unlimited visits to Upper-case letter One's premium network of lounges and 1,300-plus Priority Pass lounges worldwide and bring upward to two guests for no additional charge.
Current sign-upward bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when y'all spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from business relationship opening.
Rewards rate: Earn 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital letter One Travel , v miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Travel benefits: Cardholders volition receive up to $300 back every bit statement credits every yr toward travel bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal. That credit alone — if maximized — cuts down the almanac fee to $95. Other travel benefits include a x,000-mile anniversary bonus, worth $185 according to our valuations, reimbursement for your Global Entry or TSA Precheck application, travel and buy protection and then much more.
Almanac fee: $395.
Why information technology'southward worth it: For frequent travelers, the Capital letter Ane Venture X is a must-have and is well worth the $395 annual fee. If y'all travel oftentimes with your meaning other, family or friends, you can fifty-fifty add up to four authorized users for no additional price. This will grant them their own lounge access (and the ability to bring up to two guests for no fee) amid many other benefits, making this a huge cost-saver for those who travel in groups.
Related : Capital One Venture X Review
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Official application link: Capital 1 Venture X Rewards Credit Card .
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Capital One VentureOne Menu: Best for no annual fee
(Photo past Eric Heglas/The Points Guy)
Why it'due south the best travel card for no almanac fee : The no-almanac-fee Capital 1 VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has the aforementioned decent redemption options as its older brother menu, the Uppercase One Venture Rewards Credit Carte du jour — but with a lower rewards charge per unit and fewer perks. The miles earned on the card can also be transferred to airline and hotel partners and some other benefits non unremarkably seen with a no-almanac-fee menu.
Current bonus : 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 within the showtime three months from business relationship opening. This bonus is worth $370 according to TPG'due south valuations.
Rewards charge per unit : You'll get a flat 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases, which equates to a solid two.31% render.
Travel benefits : Some of the perks include travel accident insurance — get upwardly to $250,000 in coverage for common carrier accidental expiry or dismemberment when you pay for your entire travel fare with your card. At that place'due south likewise lost luggage reimbursement for up to $iii,000 per trip if your bags are lost or stolen. Yous'll get extended warranty, also — double the manufacturer's warranty or upward to one actress year for warranties of iii years or less, with a maximum of $10,000 per claim and $fifty,000 per cardholder. On top of all that, the VentureOne card is one of the but no-annual-fee options that don't accuse foreign transaction fees. Benefit but available to accounts approved for the Visa Signature bill of fare. Terms employ.
Why it'south worth information technology : The VentureOne card is a potent card to have in your arsenal and great if yous are budgeting due to its no annual fee. After all, at that place aren't many no-almanac-fee cards with the power to transfer points and miles directly to travel partners, so information technology's a big bonus that this bill of fare offers that. The VentureOne besides beats other no-annual-fee cards for perks such as purchase protection and no foreign transaction fees. Its earning scheme is practically identical to the $95-a-year bill of fare, only with a slightly lower return on everyday spending — so if y'all think you'll spend $7,600 on everyday purchases per yr — this card is for you.
Related: Capital letter One Venture vs. Capital letter 1 VentureOne
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Official application link: Capital 1 VentureOne .
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Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: Best for maximizing business purchases
Why it'southward the all-time for maximizing business concern purchases: If you spend a lot on business travel or social media ad, you'll exist able to earn significant points with the Ink Concern Preferred card . The card earns 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 in combined travel, shipping, cyberspace, cable, phone services, and advertising purchases made on social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year.
Current welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after $fifteen,000 worth of spending in the beginning iii months after card opening.
Rewards charge per unit: Earn 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business organisation categories each business relationship ceremony year. Earn i indicate per dollar on all other purchases.
Travel benefits: You lot tin also get great value out of Chase Ultimate Rewards points by transferring them to the 11 airline and iii hotel loyalty programs , including United and Hyatt. Plus the card gives you 25% more than value for the points yous earn when you redeem them for travel at a fixed value in the Ultimate Rewards portal , a perk also available on other Chase credit cards .
Annual fee: $95.
Why it'southward worth information technology: TPG'due south most recent point valuations peg the value of Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents apiece, so y'all'll get a fantastic return of half dozen% on purchases in these categories. If you spend the full $150,000, yous'll take home 450,000 Ultimate Rewards points (which are worth $9,000 based on TPG's valuations).
Related : Chase Ink Business Preferred Card review .
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Official application link: Ink Business Preferred .
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Citi Premier card: Best rewards rate
Why this is the all-time rewards rate travel bill of fare: The 3 points per dollar earning charge per unit applies to a scattering of categories, ranging from everyday to select travel purchases. With the Citi Premier , y'all'll speedily rack up ThankYou points toward your time to come travel redemptions.
Electric current sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points afterward spending $4,000 in the offset 3 months of business relationship opening. TPG values this bonus at $one,020.
Rewards rate: Earns 3 points per dollar on restaurants , supermarkets , gas stations , air travel and hotels; 1 signal per dollar on everything else.
Travel benefits: There's a $ 100 annual hotel savings do good on eligible reservations of $500 or more than booked through thankyou.com.
Annual fee: $95.
Why it's worth it: At TPG, we recommend that you diversify your points-earning strategy. Citi ThankYou points are an excellent transferable point currency since y'all can transfer your Citi ThankYou points to 15-plus airline loyalty programs in every alliance to achieve outsized value. Popular options include Virgin Atlantic Flight Club and Singapore KrisFlyer .
Related : Citi Premier review
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Official application link: Citi Premier carte du jour .
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American Express Gilt Carte: Best for dining at restaurants
(Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)
Why information technology'south the all-time travel card for dining at restaurants: The Amex Aureate earns four points per dollar on dining at restaurants, with no strange transaction fees (see rates and fees ), pregnant you'll get an eight% render on purchases (based on TPG'due south valuations ). While a few other cards temporarily offer college return rates on dining, this is the all-time choice for long-term spending, making it one of the best dining cards and best rewards cards .
Current welcome offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the commencement six months of account opening ( valued by TPG at $ane,200). However, check the CardMatch tool to encounter if y'all're targeted for a higher 75,000-point welcome offer (offering subject to change at any time).
Rewards rate: Earn 4 points per dollar for dining at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 spent each agenda year, then ane point per dollar); iii points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com; 1 point per dollar on everything else.
Benefits: You'll get up to $120 in dining credits each yr when you pay with the Amex Gold card at participating dining partners, including Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Boxed and participating Shake Shack locations. Yous'll as well bask upwardly to $120 in Uber Cash credits each twelvemonth when you add together your Gold menu to your Uber business relationship, redeemable for Uber rides in the U.Southward. or on Uber Eats orders. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Annual fee: $250 (see rates and fees ).
Why it's worth it: The Amex Gold is a top performer in two categories — dining and groceries. Y'all're getting a great return on those purchases, plus boosted perks such as the dining credit.
The card doesn't do too bad in the travel sector, either, with 3 points per dollar on flights booked direct or via amextravel.com. The fact that you're raking in high-value points across several common spending categories is a major reward.
The annual fee is $250, but that fee is easily offset if you're using all the card's benefits. In fact, the Amex Aureate is my nigh-used bill of fare right now, with its iv points per dollar at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets on top of the dining credit. While Membership Rewards aren't a great value for greenbacks dorsum, I'm saving upwards my points haul for flights later this year.
Related : American Limited Golden review
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Official application link: American Express Golden Carte .
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The Business concern Platinum Carte du jour from American Limited: All-time for business organization travel
Why it's the best travel card for business organization travel: You're earning a solid return (10%) across select business travel spending, plus receiving a stellar lineup of benefits that can help take your business travels to the side by side level.
Current welcome bonus: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business organization Platinum Card within the outset three months of carte du jour membership.
Rewards rate: 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel ; 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more; on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year; 1 indicate per dollar spent everywhere else.
Travel benefits: The Amex Concern Platinum comes with a lot of the same benefits as the personal version, including upwardly to $200 in annual airline fee statement credits , up to $100 in statement credits for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee once every four years, up to $179 in annual Clear membership statement credit, unparalleled lounge admission and automatic Golden condition with Hilton and Marriott . Y'all'll also get a 35% airline bonus when yous use Pay with Points for all or part of a flight with your selected qualifying airline (upward to i million points per calendar twelvemonth) when you book on Amex Travel. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Almanac fee: $695 (meet rates and fees ).
Why it's worth it: The Amex Business Platinum is unmatched when it comes to travel and business concern perks. In improver to the long list of travel-specific benefits, cardholders also get upward to $400 in statement credits each calendar year for any U.S. Dell engineering science purchases, up to $360 in Indeed annual argument credits, up to $150 in Adobe almanac argument credits and up to $120 in wireless telephone statement credits (enrollment required). If you lot travel for concern often, this card could help you upgrade your experience while in the air and on the ground. And the current welcome bonus is only the icing on the cake.
This card is a Membership Rewards carte, which ways the points you earn tin can exist used with Amex's many transfer partners to help you get the almost out of your hard-earned rewards.
Related : Amex Business Platinum card review
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Official application link: The Business Platinum Card from American Express .
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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Bill of fare: Best midrange hotel bill of fare
(Photo past Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)
Why it'due south the all-time mid-tier hotel travel credit card: There are more than 7,000 Marriott properties around the world — plus, this menu offers some substantial perks for coincidental travelers.
Current sign-up bonus: Earn 3 Free Nights (each night valued up to fifty,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first three months from business relationship opening.
Rewards rate: Earn up to 17 Bonvoy points per dollar spent at over seven,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, iii points per dollar on the get-go $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on gas stations, grocery stores and dining, and 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Travel benefits: You'll earn 15 elite-night credits every yr, good enough for Marriott Bonvoy Silver Aristocracy status . By spending $35,000 or more on your menu each account ceremony year, yous'll qualify for Marriott Bonvoy Gold Aristocracy status. Plus, yous'll receive a complimentary laurels nighttime good for stays costing up to 35,000 points , which can soon be topped-off with upwards to fifteen,000 additional points for pricier stays, every year after your account anniversary.
Annual fee: $95.
Why it's worth information technology: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless offers a free night certificate that can be worth style more the $95 annual fee, not to mention the elite dark credits and big sign-upwards bonus.
Related : Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card review
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Official awarding link: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card .
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Bank of America Travel Rewards credit menu
(Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)
Why it's the best credit carte for earning miles: The Banking concern of America Travel Rewards operates similarly to the Capital I Venture Rewards Credit Card . You're earning flat-rate rewards across all spending, and then you tin use those rewards every bit a statement credit to erase eligible travel purchases.
Current bonus: 25,000 points subsequently y'all spend $1,000 in purchases in the outset 90 days of account opening — which tin can exist redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
Rewards rate: 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases.
Almanac fee: $0.
Why it'southward worth it: It'due south perfect for low-budget beginner travelers who want a card with no annual fee and a simple way to earn and redeem points.
Related: Banking company of America Travel Rewards credit carte review
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Official awarding link: Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card .
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Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Limited Carte: Best for airline rewards
(Photo by Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)
Why it'due south the best travel credit card for airline rewards: When it comes to cobranded airline cards , it doesn't get much better than Delta's lineup of cards . The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex is a great card for travelers hoping to striking Medallion aristocracy status with the airline while racking upwards miles beyond a wide range of purchases.
Electric current welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $ii,000 in purchases on your new Menu in your first three months.
Rewards charge per unit: Earn three miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases and hotel stays; ii miles per dollar on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets; and 1 mile per dollar on other eligible purchases.
Travel benefits : The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card offers a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit (up to $100), an almanac companion document for a domestic main cabin round-trip ticket each year, elite-like perks such as a gratuitous checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights, and a mode to hitting Medallion status faster: Earn ten,000 Medallion Qualification Miles subsequently $25,000 in eligible purchases and another x,000 MQMs afterward spending $50,000 in a calendar year. Y'all tin as well get a Medallion Qualification Dollar waiver — simply only if you spend $25,000 in a calendar twelvemonth.
Annual fee: $250 (see rates and fees ).
Why it'south worth it: The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex offers enhanced bonus categories (including increased 3 miles per dollar earning on Delta) and a host of travel benefits. The menu's annual fee is $250, so make sure you will get at to the lowest degree that much in value from the menu each year. This card is best suited for regular travelers who are loyal to Delta and want a petty assistance earning Medallion status with the airline.
Related : Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex Card review
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Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card .
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Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for travel credits
(Photo by The Points Guy)
Why it's the best credit bill of fare for travel credits: The Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with an almanac $300 travel credit. Simply rather than limiting that credit to airline incidental fees equally competing cards do, you tin can use information technology to offset several travel expenses such equally airfare, hotels, rental cars, transit and more. You're also getting an up-to-$100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit once every four years.
Current sign-upwardly bonus: Earn 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points later on y'all spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening ( valued by TPG at $1,000).
Rewards rate: Earn 10 points per dollar on hotels, automobile rentals and Chase Dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, five points per dollar on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, iii points per dollar on all other travel and dining and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
Travel benefits: When you lot're traveling, you'll get Priority Pass lounge admission and some of the well-nigh extensive protections available on whatsoever credit bill of fare (including trip cancellation/pause insurance , primary rental automobile coverage, trip delay insurance , emergency medical and more). The 50% redemption bonus when you use your points to pay for travel through the Chase portal is besides a nice perk.
Annual fee: $550.
Why it'south worth information technology: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a stellar selection of perks on elevation of solid earning rates. And if yous have this bill of fare, the Ultimate Rewards points you earn on other Chase credit cards can exist transferred over and redeemed at the 1.5-cent rate. You lot could become even more than value by transferring your rewards to Chase's xi airline and iii hotel partners , including Hyatt and United .
Yous as well get an impressive 3 points per dollar on all other travel (subsequently the $300 travel credit is exhausted) and dining purchases , which equates to a 6% return, based on TPG valuations. This credit card is a prime number case of benefits more than than making upward for a steep annual fee.
Related : Chase Sapphire Reserve review
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Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve .
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Alaska Airlines Visa® Signature credit menu: All-time for Alaska Airlines miles
Why it's the best travel credit card for Alaska Airlines miles: Alaska Airlines miles are amongst the most valuable airline miles you can earn today, in part considering of Alaska'due south mix of airline partners and distance-based award chart.
Current bonus: Go xl,000 bonus miles, a $100 statement credit, and Alaska'due south Famous Companion Fare from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22) when you lot brand $ii,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Rewards rate: Earn iii miles per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases; i mile per dollar on everything else.
Travel benefits: Get a free checked purse on Alaska flights for you and upwards to six guests on your reservation; receive an almanac Companion Fare on your business relationship anniversary; enjoy 50% off Alaska Lounge 24-hour interval passes and xx% back on all inflight purchases.
Annual fee: $75.
Why it'due south worth it : Whether you live on the W Coast or not, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature is a good cobranded airline card to consider adding to your wallet. The Seattle-based airline is mostly limited to Due north American routes (with some international destinations through partners), but that will change at present that the airline has joined Oneworld. American Airlines and Alaska Airlines are also renewing (and strengthening) their partnership . Both developments volition aid Alaska Airlines add new ways for customers to use the Mileage Program programme equally the airline establishes a global footprint.
Related : Maximizing the Alaska Airlines Visa Companion Fare
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Official application link: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit menu
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Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Bill of fare: All-time for Delta business organization flyers
Why it's the all-time for Delta concern flyers: The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Concern offers a suite of airline and travel perks that are ideal for Delta loyalists.
Current welcome offering: Earn 60,000 bonus miles and v,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 3 months of card membership.
Rewards charge per unit: 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases and i mile per dollar on everything else.
Travel benefits: Go your first bag checked free on Delta flights, priority boarding and 20% off inflight purchases.
Annual fee: $250 (see rates and fees ).
Why it's worth information technology: There's an almanac companion certificate each year upon card renewal for main-motel, round-trip travel.
Related: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business organization American Express Card review
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Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card
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Hilton Honors American Limited Aspire: Best for premium hotel perks
(Photograph by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)
Why information technology'due south the all-time premium hotel travel credit carte: Hilton is 1 of the meridian hotel brands in the globe, and the Hilton Honors Aspire Amex offers a packed lineup of neat benefits for hotel customers.
Electric current welcome offering: Earn 150,000 bonus points later using your new card to make $iv,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.
Rewards rate: Earn fourteen points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases; vii points per dollar on U.Southward. restaurants, eligible airfare and eligible motorcar rentals; and 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Travel benefits: With this menu, you become some cracking perks: complimentary Hilton Diamond condition , upwardly to two complimentary weekend reward nights (one each year and one after you spend $60,000 on eligible purchases in the calendar year), up to $250 in Hilton resort statement credits, up to $250 in annual airline fee credits, up to $100 in Hilton on-belongings credit at certain hotels and a Priority Pass membership . Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Annual fee: $450 (run across rates and fees ).
Why information technology'southward worth it: Hilton's premium card, the Hilton Honors American Limited Aspire , offers a terrific haul of points and an array of perks. In improver to some stellar benefits, it provides an excellent 14 points per dollar bonus category on spending at eligible Hilton backdrop — equivalent to an 8.4% return based on TPG's point valuations — amidst solid returns in other spending categories.
Related : Hilton Honors American Limited Aspire Credit Card review
The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been nerveless independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this folio accept not been reviewed or provided by the menu issuer.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Best for American Airlines flyers
(Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)
Why it's the best travel credit menu for American Airlines flyers: If you lot wing American Airlines often, it can exist handy to accept a cobranded credit card from the airline. The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select offers a squeamish mix of benefits and earning opportunities for a manageable $99 annual fee, making it great for AA flyers who aren't looking for lounge admission or an affluence of luxury perks.
Electric current bonus: Earn fifty,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,500 in the commencement three months of account opening.
Rewards charge per unit: Earn 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases, restaurants and gas stations.
Travel benefits: Y'all'll get preferred boarding, a costless checked purse on domestic itineraries for you and upwardly to 4 travel companions, a 25% discount on eligible inflight purchases and a $125 American Airlines flight discount when yous spend more than than $20,000 in a calendar yr and renew your bill of fare.
Almanac fee: $99 (waived for the starting time twelvemonth).
Why it's worth information technology : For a low annual fee, American Airlines customers can savour elite-like benefits without breaking the bank or needing to striking an elite condition tier. You lot'll earn 2 miles per dollar on three unlike bonus categories and a few nice benefits to help brand the flight experience more enjoyable. Plus, the card is currently offering a welcome bonus that TPG values at $885. If yous know how to maximize your AAdvantage redemptions , that bonus could potentially exist worth even more.
The information for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The carte details on this folio accept not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related : What credit score exercise yous need to get the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard?
Enquiry methodology for the best travel credit cards
I reviewed numerous travel credit carte du jour offers and spent endless hours studying the pros and cons of each offering. I assigned value to these credit cards based on the following criteria:
- Sign-upward bonus/welcome offer value — The first thing I look at for each card is the value of each sign-up bonus. Although you shouldn't choose a credit carte based solely on that metric, you can use bonus values every bit a tiebreaker of sorts betwixt similar cards or as a way to prioritize which card to go first.
- Earning rate — Bonus value is important, but so is the long-term value each card offers. I looked at the rewards rates to see which cards would reward cardholders for the long term.
- Travel credits — The best travel credit cards often offer an assortment of travel credits for cardholders. Some cards, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve, offer broadly defined travel credits. Others, such as the Amex Platinum, provide shopping and airline fee credits. Several offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck awarding fee credit.
- Travel benefits — In addition to travel credits, top travel credit cards ofttimes come up with benefits like complimentary elite status or lounge access. I took these into consideration too.
- Rewards programme — Not all credit menu rewards programs are created equal. Each program has its own valuation, which you can study here. The value of each currency is vitally important when rating travel credit cards and their promotional offers.
- Foreign transaction fees — This is a huge factor when choosing a credit card. If you lot plan to use your travel credit card away or on websites hosted abroad, you want to ensure you don't have a strange transaction fee bitter into your earnings.
- Travel insurance coverage — Last, I look at what travel protections each menu offers. These benefits are often overlooked but tin salvage travelers hundreds or even thousands of dollars when things go awry during trips.
How do I utilize a travel credit card?
Travel credit cards offering rewards on unlike purchases that can assistance you book flights, hotels and more for little to no out-of-pocket expenses. Some cards also provide valuable perks and benefits that upgrade the overall travel experience — from Global Entry application fee credits to lounge admission to free elite status . If y'all take the right card (or cards) in your wallet, the sky is the limit on where your travels can take you — literally.
Are yous new to the travel rewards carte du jour game? Cheque out our beginner's guide to all things points and miles . You'll learn most elevation loyalty programs, how to maximize your credit carte du jour strategy to reach your travel goals and and so much more.
Related: The complete history of credit cards, from artifact to today
Different types of travel credit cards
The reason to concur whatever travel rewards credit card is to earn rewards, but at that place are different types of travel credits:
Transferable-rewards credit cards
Transfer your American Limited Membership Rewards or Hunt Ultimate Rewards points to book a seat in Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350 business form. (Photograph by Zach Honig/The Points Guy)
These cards earn rewards that can be redeemed through a bill of fare's rewards program direct or by transferring them to a travel partner . Many of our best travel credit cards fall under this category because they are the near valuable type of points you can earn. Transferable rewards requite you lot the flexibility to redeem your rewards in a fashion that will be most beneficial to y'all. Examples of height transferable rewards cards are the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum.
Some popular transfer rewards programs
- Guide to Amex Membership Rewards
- Guide to Capital letter 1 miles
- Guide to Hunt Ultimate Rewards
- Guide to Citi ThankYou Rewards
Related: A guide to earning transferable points and why they're so valuable
Airline credit cards
Airline cobranded cards earn a specific type of airline miles. These cards likewise more often than not come up with perks specific to that airline. For example, an airline card may offer free checked bags , a certain number of elite-qualifying miles to aid you achieve condition, priority boarding privileges, inflight discounts and more.
Related: Best airline credit cards
Hotel credit cards
Hotel cobranded cards work like airline cards. Y'all'll earn rewards that are redeemable for a item hotel plan, such as Hilton or Marriott. Hotel cards come with their own benefits, such every bit gratuitous elite status or costless honor-night stays. I of my favorite things about hotel cards is that you can stack your earnings on hotel stays with the hotel'south plan.
(Photo courtesy of the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay)
For case, if y'all take the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card , yous'll earn vi points per dollar spent at participating Marriott backdrop on tiptop of the ten base points you get as a member of the Bonvoy program and upwards to 1 point from Marriott with guaranteed Argent Elite Status. That ways you're actually earning 17 points per dollar spent on Marriott stays when y'all use your hotel card to pay for your booking.
Related: Best hotel credit cards
Stock-still-value credit cards
Fixed-value cards earn points or miles that are always redeemed for the same value. For example, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card earns points worth 1 cent each. These cards are peachy for beginners who haven't quite gotten the hang of maximizing transferable points or casual travelers who don't desire to worry virtually transfer partners or dynamic pricing.
As more hotels and airlines motion to a dynamic pricing model where award pricing shifts dramatically, fixed-value rewards programs are becoming more than popular.
Related: Comparing the best fixed-value point credit cards
Pros and cons of travel credit cards
The American Limited Centurion Lounge at JFK Airdrome. (Photograph by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)
Travel credit cards are a groovy way to earn rewards that let you to travel the world for less money — or practically for free — but by using a credit menu to buy the same items you'd otherwise buy with greenbacks or a debit card. With certain travel credit cards, you can also become perks to use while traveling — everything from airport lounge access and hotel elite status to complimentary airline companion certificates and discounts or credits on your travel purchases. Those who are well-versed in honor charts and redemption options for travel rewards cards can often get more than value from points than from cash dorsum.
However, there are a few drawbacks to travel rewards cards. Because travel credit cards are focused on earning and redeeming for travel expenses, your redemption options are slightly express when it comes to maximizing value. For example, you tin can redeem your Amex Membership Rewards points as a statement credit — through Amazon, for gift cards and more — but y'all're generally only getting the best value when you transfer your points to partners.
But when it comes to transfer partners, the value you're getting can besides alter drastically depending on the partner and redemption you volume. More than airlines and hotels are switching to dynamic pricing models, which means the value yous get from your points and miles can vary drastically.
Still, the advantages of travel rewards cards almost always outweigh the drawbacks for frequent travelers. You can't beat out the potential redemptions, travel benefits and sign-up bonuses that top travel credit cards offer. Plus, many of these cards provide temporary perks that extend their value beyond just travel, at least in the short-term.
How to compare travel credit cards
With so many travel credit cards on the market, it's essential to inquire yourself which credit card benefits best meet your travel goals. Are you hoping to utilise your sign-up bonus for a specific redemption? Are you looking for a card that gives you lot luxury travel perks? Are you hoping to hitting elite status with a specific hotel brand or airline? Are you a casual traveler or a frequent flyer? Which spending categories will be most beneficial to you?
(Photo by Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)
For example, if you want a bill of fare to aid yous hit aristocracy status with Delta while giving you elite-like perks, you should strongly consider getting a Delta credit carte du jour, such as the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card . Multiple Amex Delta cobranded cards give you perks such every bit earning Medallion Qualification Miles when yous hit certain spending thresholds and offer free checked bags and priority boarding.
Related: Delta now makes it even easier to earn elite status — merely is it worth it?
On the other paw, if you simply fly occasionally and aren't exclusively loyal to one airline, you might be amend off with a flexible travel credit card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred . While it doesn't offer perks on whatever one airline, it earns points that can be transferred to various airlines (and hotels). And if you're typically a route warrior who flies every calendar week, you'll want to think virtually a premium travel card that offers lots of travel perks, such as the Amex Platinum , with airport lounge admission and hotel elite status. Other aspects to consider are below.
Rewards rates
You should consider each menu's advantage rates — how many points or miles y'all receive per dollar spent. Full general travel cards offering flat-rate rewards while cobranded cards will likely offering a base rate so a higher percentage in certain categories similar hotels and airline tickets. Remember to wait at the categories to which those reward rates use and detect a card that matches your spending patterns.
Annual fee
Most travel credit cards have an almanac fee — the higher the fee, the ameliorate the perks and some premium cards tin accuse up of $695. Consider the value of the rewards and perks you'll get to make sure they'll make upward for the fee. If you only travel a few times a year, a high-end carte like the Amex Platinum probably isn't worth information technology.
Elite condition
Some travel cards offer automatic elite status with various brands when you lot sign upwardly and can also accelerate the journey to elite airline status past converting points to air miles. If you are loyal to a particular hotel brand, status with that make will be valuable. You'll be entitled to room upgrades, resort credits, early on check-in, late checkout and more. If you're non loyal, it won't. The aforementioned goes for elite status with an airline — you'll become lounge access, upgrades, increased baggage allowance, etc. When comparison the perks of various cards similar elite status, exist realistic most which ones you will and won't use.
Foreign transaction fees
Since i of the points of a travel credit bill of fare is that it is advantageous for people who travel a lot, a decent 1 should not charge a foreign transaction fee. If it does, manifestly the lower the better. Certain issuers like Discover and Capital Ane don't charge foreign transaction fees on whatever of their cards. Others accuse them on some cards but not all.
Things to consider before applying:
- 7 things to understand about credit earlier applying for cards .
- six things to do to improve your credit score .
- Debunking credit carte myths: Does applying for a carte du jour permanently touch my credit score?
Every bit always, head to TPG'southward cards hub to see the best credit cards currently bachelor.
Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards
How much is a point or mile worth on a travel credit card?
Every indicate or mile from an airline, hotel or depository financial institution is worth a unlike amount, so you tin can't presume that a 50,000-point bonus on i carte is equivalent to a 50,000-point bonus on some other. That's why The Points Guy maintains a guide to point and mile valuations , which explains how much each type of signal and mile is worth. You tin can use those valuations to determine how much a sign-upwardly bonus or bonus category is worth.
For instance, Amex Membership Rewards are worth 2 cents each based on TPG's valuations, which means the 100,000-point bonus on the Amex Platinum is worth $2,000. That'due south considering 100,000 x .02 = $2,000. And since that card earns 5 points per dollar on airfare, you can also determine that each dollar y'all spend on airfare volition get y'all x cents back in points considering 5 points 10 2 cents = 10 cents.
Is an annual fee worth it?
Many of the meridian travel rewards credit cards come with hefty annual fees. But cardholders who maximize the perks and rewards structures on these cards will almost always come out net-positive by the stop of the year.
For case, although the Amex Platinum comes with a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees ), you're getting up to $500 in almanac credits, unrivaled lounge access, a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry awarding fee credit, elite status with Hilton and Marriott and more in return. If you're using your credits every twelvemonth and regularly visiting lounges, that annual fee is already paying for itself fifty-fifty before factoring in any rewards you earn with the menu.
Related: Best premium credit cards
Should I become a greenbacks-back or travel credit card?
Ideally, you should accept both types of cards in your wallet. Travel credit cards are great when you desire to redeem points and miles for travel purchases, but you aren't getting a great redemption value when you redeem for nigh annihilation else. On the other hand, cash-back cards can be used to offset the cost of expenses your points and miles won't cover.
Related: The all-time cash-back credit cards for 2022
Let's say you are taking a trip to London in the fall. With the points earned through your Amex Platinum , y'all transfer points to partners for your honour flights and hotel stays. Withal, those aren't the only expenses that go into a trip. Points and miles won't cover expenses like ground transportation, eating out or tourist attractions while you're there. But yous can utilize cash-back rewards to offset those costs.
For example, if you employ a carte du jour like the Capital One Savour Cash Rewards Credit Carte for your dining and entertainment spending, y'all can employ the cash back you've saved up previously as a statement credit to comprehend those purchases fifty-fifty while earning iv% back.
The information for the Capital One Bask Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this folio have non been reviewed or provided past the card issuer.
If you lot wonder which type of menu would be best equally your kickoff travel credit card , consider what type of rewards you will observe more valuable. Cardholders who just plan to travel every once in a while may get more than value out of a cash-dorsum card that they can use to starting time the cost of other expenses. Withal, if you hope to employ the rewards from your card to book award flights and hotels, a travel credit carte is the fashion to go.
Are there different considerations for choosing a menu for international travel?
Not all travel credit cards are all-time for spending exterior of the U.S. Some tack on fees for purchases that are not made within the U.S. or on a U.S. site. Others may non exist widely accepted overseas. Plus, some cards offering more benefits that aid you on your international adventures.
Here are a few of the things to await out for when choosing a carte for international travel:
- Foreign transaction fees — Some cards charge a fee (typically 3% to 5% of each transaction) when yous use your card outside of the U.S. (including sites that are considered international and not U.Due south.-based). That fee will wipe out any rewards you may earn, so make sure to have a card that charges no foreign transaction fees .
- TSA PreCheck/Global Entry — TSA PreCheck and Global Entry can make security lines go faster and reentry into the U.Southward. smoother. Luckily, plenty of top travel credit cards come with a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry awarding fee credit typically worth $100 every four years.
- Insurance benefits — Now more than than ever, travel insurance is an important consideration when opening a new credit carte du jour. No one wants to call up about the worst-instance scenario happening on holiday, but it'southward meliorate to be prepared with a carte that offers some course of travel protection.
- Earning abroad — Some cards limit your bonus categories to U.S. merchants. If yous plan to use a credit card abroad, make certain information technology will earn rewards on purchases no thing where you are.
What credit score is needed for a travel credit carte du jour?
The all-time travel credit cards typically require a good to excellent credit score. If you have no credit history, rather than a negative 1, you lot may have to spend some time edifice your credit score with "beginner" cards earlier applying for a travel credit card. If your credit scores are in the 670 to 739 range, your credit is considered good, while scores above that will put yous in the very skillful to excellent range.
Other factors are also considered when card issuers review your application, including income and monthly expenditure. Individual cards may also give a ballpark credit score yous will need and yous can as well apply our CardMatch tool which will recommend the all-time cards for yous.
Bottom line
Travel credit cards are bully at helping you run into your vacation goals. They can relieve yous thousands of dollars on airfare and hotel costs. Whether you're a beginner who wants a card to offset the price of your first big international trip or a road warrior looking to upgrade your travel experiences, there is a travel credit menu out there for y'all.
Information technology all comes down to choosing a bill of fare that will help you maximize your spending. Adding one of these cards to your wallet now could aid you save up rewards for a fantastic redemption in the future.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, please click here .
For rates and fees of the Amex Concern Platinum Card please click hither.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire Card, please click here .
For rates and fees of the Delta Platinum Amex, please click here .
For rates and fees of the Amex Gilt Card, please click here .
Additional reporting past Hayley Coyle.
Featured photo past AnnaTamila/Shutterstock.
Updated on 5/four/22.
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