The Ultimate Guide to the Best Travel Credit Cards for Every Traveler

Traveling can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right travel credit card, you can save money on flights, hotels, and other travel expenses.

But with so many travel credit cards on the market, it can be tough to know which one is right for you. That’s where this guide comes in. We’ll break down the best travel credit cards for every type of traveler, so you can find the perfect card to help you maximize your rewards and save money on your next trip.

What to Look for in a Travel Credit Card

When choosing a travel credit card, there are a few key factors to consider:

Sign-up bonus: Many travel credit cards offer a sign-up bonus for spending a certain amount of money within the first few months of opening the account. These bonuses can be worth hundreds of dollars in travel rewards.
Earning rate: The earning rate is the number of points or miles you earn for every dollar spent. Some cards offer bonus points for travel-related purchases, while others offer bonus points on all purchases.
Redemption options: Once you’ve earned points or miles, you can redeem them for travel rewards, such as flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. Make sure the card offers redemption options that are valuable to you.
Annual fee: Some travel credit cards have an annual fee, while others are free. Consider whether the benefits of a paid card outweigh the cost.
Travel protections: Some travel credit cards offer valuable travel protections, such as travel insurance, baggage delay protection, and more. These protections can save you money and stress in the event of a travel emergency.
Transfer partners: Some travel credit cards allow you to transfer your points or miles to airline or hotel loyalty programs. This can be a great way to maximize your rewards, especially if you’re loyal to a particular airline or hotel chain.

Best Travel Credit Cards for Beginners

If you’re new to travel credit cards, these beginner-friendly cards are a great place to start.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Sign-up bonus: 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases within the first 6 months from account opening.
Earning rate: 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases.
Redemption options: Miles can be redeemed for travel through Capital One Travel, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Annual fee: $395.
Travel protections: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, and more.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Sign-up bonus: 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Earning rate: 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining, 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Redemption options: Points can be redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Annual fee: $95.
Travel protections: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, and more.

Citi Premier® Card

Sign-up bonus: 80,000 ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Earning rate: 3 ThankYou Points per dollar spent on travel, dining, and entertainment, 1 ThankYou Point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Redemption options: Points can be redeemed for travel through Citi ThankYou Rewards, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Annual fee: $95.
Travel protections: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, and more.

Best Travel Credit Cards for Frequent Travelers

If you travel frequently, you’ll want a card that earns you lots of points or miles and offers valuable travel perks.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Sign-up bonus: 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first 6 months from account opening.
Earning rate: 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Redemption options: Points can be redeemed for travel through American Express Travel, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Annual fee: $695.
Travel protections: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, baggage delay protection, and more.
Other perks: Includes access to airport lounges, airline fee credits, and more.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Sign-up bonus: 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Earning rate: 3 points per dollar spent on travel and dining, 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Redemption options: Points can be redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Annual fee: $550.
Travel protections: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, baggage delay protection, and more.
Other perks: Includes access to airport lounges, airline fee credits, and more.

United Quest℠ Card

Sign-up bonus: 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Earning rate: 2 miles per dollar spent on United purchases, 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Redemption options: Miles can be redeemed for United flights, upgrades, and more.
Annual fee: $99.
Travel protections: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, and more.

Best Travel Credit Cards for Luxury Travelers

If you’re looking for a travel credit card that offers premium perks and benefits, these cards are worth considering.

The Centurion® Card from American Express

Sign-up bonus: Not applicable.
Earning rate: 1 point per dollar spent on all purchases.
Redemption options: Points can be redeemed for travel through American Express Travel, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Annual fee: $2,500.
Travel protections: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, baggage delay protection, and more.
Other perks: Includes access to exclusive airport lounges, concierge service, and more.

JPMorgan Chase Palladium Card

Sign-up bonus: Not applicable.
Earning rate: 1 point per dollar spent on all purchases.
Redemption options: Points can be redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Annual fee: $595.
Travel protections: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, baggage delay protection, and more.
Other perks: Includes access to airport lounges, concierge service, and more.

HSBC World Elite Mastercard®

Sign-up bonus: 50,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Earning rate: 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining, 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Redemption options: Points can be redeemed for travel through HSBC Rewards, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Annual fee: $450.
Travel protections: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, baggage delay protection, and more.
Other perks: Includes access to airport lounges, airline fee credits, and more.

Best Travel Credit Cards for Families

If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll need a card that offers family-friendly perks and benefits.

Disney® Premier Visa® Card

Sign-up bonus: 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Earning rate: 2 points per dollar spent on Disney purchases, 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Redemption options: Points can be redeemed for Disney vacations, merchandise, and more.
Annual fee: $0.
Travel protections: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, and more.
Other perks: Includes discounts on Disney merchandise and dining.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Sign-up bonus: 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Earning rate: 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all purchases.
Redemption options: Miles can be redeemed for travel through Capital One Travel, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Annual fee: $0.
Travel protections: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, and more.

Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard®

Sign-up bonus: 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 90 days from account opening.
Earning rate: 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases.
Redemption options: Miles can be redeemed for travel expenses through Barclaycard Rewards.
Annual fee: $89.
Travel protections: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, and more.

Best Travel Credit Cards for Business Travelers

If you travel frequently for business, you’ll need a card that offers perks and benefits that cater to your needs.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Sign-up bonus: 125,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Earning rate: 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases.
Redemption options: Points can be redeemed for travel through American Express Travel, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Annual fee: $695.
Travel protections: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, baggage delay protection, and more.
Other perks: Includes access to airport lounges, airline fee credits, and more.

Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card

Sign-up bonus: 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Earning rate: 3 points per dollar spent on travel, shipping, and internet, 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Redemption options: Points can be redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Annual fee: $95.
Travel protections: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, and more.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Sign-up bonus: 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Earning rate: 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases.
Redemption options: Miles can be redeemed for travel through Capital One Travel, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Annual fee: $95.
Travel protections: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, and more.

Tips for Choosing the Right Travel Credit Card

Once you’ve considered the factors listed above, here are a few more tips for choosing the right travel credit card for you:

Think about your travel style. If you travel frequently, you’ll want a card that earns you lots of points or miles and offers valuable travel perks. If you only travel occasionally, you might be better off with a card that has a lower annual fee and a good sign-up bonus.
Compare offers from multiple issuers. Don’t just settle for the first card you see. Shop around and compare offers from different issuers to find the best deal.
Read the fine print. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the card, including the earning rate, redemption options, and annual fee.

Conclusion

The right travel credit card can help you save money on your next trip. By considering the factors discussed above, you can find the perfect card to fit your needs and travel style. Happy travels!