The Best Travel Credit Cards for Earning Rewards
Travel credit cards have transformed how frequent flyers and occasional vacationers alike approach their journeys. With the right travel credit card, you can turn everyday purchases into free flights, hotel stays, upgrades, and more. But with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the best one.
In this comprehensive guide, we break down the best travel credit cards for earning rewards in 2025, based on value, flexibility, travel perks, and user experiences. Whether you’re a points enthusiast, luxury traveler, or budget-conscious explorer, this blog will help you find a card that aligns with your travel goals.
Why Choose a Travel Credit Card?
Travel credit cards are designed to reward users with points or miles for their spending, which can be redeemed for travel-related expenses. Beyond rewards, these cards often offer perks like lounge access, travel insurance, priority boarding, and no foreign transaction fees. The right travel credit card can significantly reduce your travel costs and enhance your overall experience.
What to Look for in a Travel Credit Card
Before diving into the best cards available, it’s important to understand the criteria for selecting the right one:
- Sign-Up Bonus: A large welcome bonus can give your points balance a solid boost.
- Reward Rates: Look at how many points or miles you earn per dollar spent, especially on travel-related categories.
- Annual Fees: Some cards have high annual fees that are offset by premium benefits.
- Redemption Flexibility: The ease and value of redeeming points or miles.
- Travel Perks: Airport lounge access, Global Entry credits, insurance, etc.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: Avoid cards that charge extra for overseas spending.
Best Overall Travel Credit Card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Annual Fee: $95
Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
Reward Rate: 5x on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x on dining, 2x on other travel, 1x on all else
Why It Stands Out:
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is one of the most well-rounded travel cards available. With a modest annual fee and strong reward rates on travel and dining, it appeals to both novice and experienced travelers. Points are worth 25% more when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal and can be transferred to several airline and hotel partners.
Best For: General travelers seeking high value without a premium fee.
Best Premium Travel Card: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Annual Fee: $695
Sign-Up Bonus: 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months
Reward Rate: 5x on flights booked directly or via Amex Travel, 5x on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel, 1x on everything else
Why It Stands Out:
Though pricey, The Platinum Card® offers elite travel perks such as Centurion Lounge access, hotel elite status, and up to $1,500 in statement credits annually for things like airline incidentals, Uber, and digital subscriptions.
Best For: Luxury travelers who want VIP treatment and can maximize the benefits.
Best for No Annual Fee: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee: $0
Sign-Up Bonus: 20,000 miles after spending $500 in the first 3 months
Reward Rate: 1.25x miles on every purchase
Why It Stands Out:
The VentureOne is ideal for those new to travel rewards who don’t want to pay an annual fee. It offers decent mileage earnings and easy redemptions toward travel purchases. Plus, it includes travel accident insurance and no foreign transaction fees.
Best For: Beginners or infrequent travelers.
Best for Frequent Flyers: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee: $95
Sign-Up Bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
Reward Rate: 2x miles on every purchase
Why It Stands Out:
The Venture card’s simplicity makes it a fan favorite. You earn a flat 2x miles on everything, and miles can be transferred to over 15 travel loyalty programs. The card includes TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit and travel insurance.
Best For: People who travel often and prefer straightforward earning and redemptions.
Best for Airline Rewards: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Annual Fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $150
Sign-Up Bonus: 70,000 SkyMiles after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months
Reward Rate: 2x on Delta purchases, restaurants, and groceries, 1x elsewhere
Why It Stands Out:
This co-branded card is a great fit for Delta loyalists. Benefits include a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and 20% in-flight savings. SkyMiles never expire, adding long-term value.
Best For: Frequent Delta Airlines travelers.
Best for Hotel Rewards: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Annual Fee: $95
Sign-Up Bonus: 3 Free Night Awards (each night up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
Reward Rate: Up to 17x total points on Marriott purchases (6x from card + elite bonuses), 2x on other purchases
Why It Stands Out:
Ideal for Marriott loyalists, this card offers elite night credits, free anniversary nights, and access to over 7,000 Marriott properties worldwide.
Best For: Hotel hoppers and loyal Marriott customers.
Best for Flexible Travel: Citi Premier® Card
Annual Fee: $95
Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
Reward Rate: 3x on air travel, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations; 1x on all else
Why It Stands Out:
The Citi Premier® Card offers broad travel and everyday category bonuses. Points are transferable to over 15 travel partners, including airlines and hotels.
Best For: Those who want versatile points and solid everyday rewards.
Best for International Travel: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee: $0
Sign-Up Bonus: 25,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
Reward Rate: 1.5x points on all purchases
Why It Stands Out:
This card offers consistent earnings, no foreign transaction fees, and solid redemptions. Preferred Rewards members can boost their earnings by up to 75%.
Best For: International travelers and Bank of America customers.
How to Maximize Your Travel Rewards
- Use the Card for Everyday Spending: Put most of your purchases on the card to rack up points or miles.
- Take Advantage of Sign-Up Bonuses: Meet minimum spend requirements early without overspending.
- Transfer Points to Partners: Use airline and hotel transfer partners for higher-value redemptions.
- Track Your Benefits: Don’t forget about credits, lounge access, or insurance perks.
- Pay in Full Every Month: Avoid interest charges that can offset your rewards value.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Chasing Points Without a Strategy: Pick cards that match your spending habits.
- Ignoring Annual Fees: Make sure the benefits outweigh the cost.
- Not Redeeming Points Efficiently: Avoid low-value redemptions like gift cards.
- Missing Payment Due Dates: Late payments can affect your credit score and rewards.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Travel Credit Card for You
The best travel credit card is the one that fits your unique travel style and spending habits. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Consider what airlines or hotels you prefer, how much you travel, and which perks you’ll actually use.
Whether you’re after luxury benefits or straightforward cash-back style redemptions, the options above offer something for every type of traveler. By aligning the right card with your goals, you can make your trips not only more enjoyable but also significantly more affordable.
Travel smart, earn big, and enjoy the journey.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are subject to change. Always check the issuer’s official site for the latest terms and conditions before applying.
