10 Best Travel Credit Cards
Overview
Traveling is one of life’s greatest joys, but it can also be costly. Thankfully, travel credit cards can help you save money while earning rewards on everyday purchases. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional traveler, the right travel credit card can unlock a host of benefits like free flights, hotel stays, and more. But with so many options available, choosing the best travel credit card can feel overwhelming. In this guide by Academic Block, we’ll break down the best travel credit cards for 2024, including their features, rewards, and benefits, to help you find the one that’s right for you.
Bilt Mastercard®
The Bilt Mastercard® is unique in that it allows you to earn points on rent payments, an expense that many credit cards don’t cover. It’s perfect for renters who want to maximize their rewards.
Key Features:
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Sign-up Bonus : 50,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
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Rewards Rate : 2X points on travel, dining, and entertainment, 1X point on other purchases, and points on rent payments.
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Annual Fee : $0
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Travel Benefits : Points transfer to over 15 airline and hotel partners, including American Airlines and Hyatt.
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Best for : Earning Points on Rent and Everyday Purchases.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is consistently rated as one of the best travel credit cards, especially for those new to travel rewards. It offers a solid blend of value, flexibility, and bonus categories that appeal to a wide range of travelers.
Key Features:
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Sign-up Bonus : 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. This can be worth $750 when redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.
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Rewards Rate : 2X points on travel and dining, 1X point on all other purchases.
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Annual Fee : $95
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Travel Benefits : Includes trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance, and no foreign transaction fees.
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Flexibility : Points can be transferred to over 14 airline and hotel partners, including United, Southwest, and Marriott.
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Best for : Beginners and Travel Enthusiasts.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
If you’re looking for top-tier perks, the American Express Platinum Card® offers a premium experience for those who value luxury. This card is ideal for frequent travelers who want access to airport lounges, concierge services, and elite status with various travel programs.
Key Features:
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Sign-up Bonus : 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.
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Rewards Rate : 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1X point on other purchases.
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Annual Fee : $695
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Travel Benefits : Access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide (including Centurion Lounges), $200 in annual airline fee credits, complimentary Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status, and up to $200 in Uber credits each year.
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Global Entry/TSA PreCheck : Cardholders receive a statement credit for the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
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Best for : Luxury Travelers.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a top choice for serious travelers who want to maximize their rewards and enjoy luxurious travel benefits. It offers higher earning rates on travel and dining, along with extensive travel protections.
Key Features:
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Sign-up Bonus : 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Worth $900 in travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.
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Rewards Rate : 3X points on travel (after earning your $300 travel credit) and dining, 1X point on all other purchases.
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Annual Fee : $550
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Travel Benefits : $300 annual travel credit, 1:1 point transfer to travel partners, access to Priority Pass lounges, and comprehensive travel insurance (trip delay, trip cancellation, lost luggage, etc.).
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Additional Benefits : No foreign transaction fees and a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application.
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Best for : Premium Travel Perks.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great option for those who prefer simplicity. With a flat-rate rewards system, you earn 2X miles on every purchase, making it easy to rack up points for future travel.
Key Features:
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Sign-up Bonus : 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. This can be worth $750 in travel.
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Rewards Rate : 2X miles on every purchase.
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Annual Fee : $95
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Travel Benefits : Miles can be redeemed for travel expenses such as flights, hotels, and car rentals, or transferred to 15+ travel partners.
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Flexibility : The card offers great flexibility for redeeming miles toward travel expenses, making it perfect for travelers who prefer an easy-to-use rewards program.
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Best for : Simplicity and Flat-Rate Rewards.
American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card is a great choice for foodies and travelers who dine out frequently. It offers the highest earning rate on dining and U.S. supermarkets, making it perfect for those who love to eat while traveling.
Key Features:
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Sign-up Bonus : 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months.
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Rewards Rate : 4X points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.; 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com; 1X point on other purchases.
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Annual Fee : $250
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Travel Benefits : Includes no foreign transaction fees, travel protections, and the ability to transfer points to over 20 airline and hotel partners.
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Dining Perks : $120 in annual dining credits at select restaurants and food delivery services.
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Best for : Dining Rewards.
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card offers a strong rewards program across several categories, including travel and entertainment. It’s a great card for those who want to maximize earnings while covering day-to-day expenses.
Key Features:
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Sign-up Bonus : 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Worth $750 in travel.
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Rewards Rate : 3X points on travel, including gas stations, 2X points on dining and entertainment, 1X point on other purchases.
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Annual Fee : $95
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Travel Benefits : 1:1 point transfer to airline partners, including Air France, Delta, and Singapore Airlines, and no foreign transaction fees.
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Best for : Earning Rewards on Everyday Purchases.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
For those who want a no-annual-fee option with straightforward rewards, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is an excellent pick. It offers unlimited 1.5X points on every purchase, making it easy to earn rewards with no hassle.
Key Features:
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Sign-up Bonus : 25,000 online bonus points after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days, which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
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Rewards Rate : 1.5X points on every purchase.
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Annual Fee : $0
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Travel Benefits : No foreign transaction fees, no blackout dates, and easy redemption for travel expenses like flights and hotels.
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Flexibility : Points can be used for travel purchases such as flights, hotels, and car rentals, with no restrictions.
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Best for : No Annual Fee and Simple Rewards.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card offers generous rewards on everyday spending, making it a solid choice for those who want to earn points on more than just travel-related purchases.
Key Features:
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Sign-up Bonus : 50,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months. Worth $500 in travel through the U.S. Bank Altitude Rewards Center.
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Rewards Rate : 4X points on travel and dining, 2X points on grocery stores, streaming services, and other categories.
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Annual Fee : $95
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Travel Benefits : No foreign transaction fees, 2X points on dining, and up to $100 in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credits.
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Best for : Earning Points on Everyday Spending.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is designed for frequent travelers who want to earn rewards on a variety of purchases, including travel and dining. It offers a great mix of earning rates and travel protections.
Key Features:
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Sign-up Bonus : 20,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
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Rewards Rate : 3X points on travel, dining, and gas stations, 1X point on all other purchases.
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Annual Fee : $0
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Travel Benefits : No foreign transaction fees, plus flexible point redemptions for travel purchases like flights and hotels.
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Best for : Earning Rewards on Travel and Dining.
Final Words
Choosing the best travel credit card depends on your travel habits and financial goals. Whether you’re looking for a card with a generous sign-up bonus, high rewards for dining, or premium travel benefits, there’s a card on this list that fits your needs. For beginners, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers excellent rewards and travel flexibility. If you prefer luxury perks, the American Express Platinum Card® delivers top-tier travel benefits. And if you prefer a simple rewards system, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great choice. Hope you liked this article by Academic Block, please share your thought below. Thanks for Reading!
This Article will answer your questions like:
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card is considered one of the best for travel benefits. It offers 3X points on travel and dining, a $300 annual travel credit, and exclusive perks like access to airport lounges. Additionally, the points can be transferred to over 13 airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio, making it ideal for frequent travelers.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is often considered the best for frequent travelers. It offers 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, access to over 1,200 airport lounges, and $200 in airline fee credits annually. It also provides elite status with hotel and rental car programs, making it a top choice for luxury travelers.
The best bank card for travel is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. With its 2X points on travel and dining, it offers excellent value for everyday expenses and travel-related purchases. There are no foreign transaction fees, and the points earned are flexible, able to be redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program.
75,000 Capital One bonus miles can be worth around $750 if redeemed for travel expenses like flights or hotel stays. The value can vary depending on how you redeem the miles, with higher value achieved through Capital One’s travel partners or using their Purchase Eraser tool for past travel purchases.
For occasional travelers, travel credit cards can still provide great value, especially those with no annual fee. These cards allow you to earn rewards on travel and everyday spending, with added benefits such as travel insurance and no foreign transaction fees. However, the best options may depend on your travel habits and spending patterns.
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is one of the best travel credit cards with no annual fee. It offers 3X points on travel, dining, and gas, with no foreign transaction fees. Additionally, you can redeem points for travel expenses or cash back, making it a versatile option for frequent and occasional travelers alike.
Travel credit card points are earned through purchases and can be redeemed for travel-related expenses, such as flights, hotels, or car rentals. The value of points varies by card and redemption method. Many cards allow you to transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs for potentially higher value.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card are excellent for beginners. Both offer straightforward earning potential with 2X points on travel and dining, no foreign transaction fees, and flexible point redemption options. They also offer generous sign-up bonuses to help you get started.
To maximize rewards, focus on using your travel credit card for categories that earn the highest points, such as dining, travel, and gas. Be mindful of the card’s bonus categories and spending thresholds. Additionally, consider transferring points to travel partners for increased redemption value and use your rewards before they expire.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best travel credit cards for lounge access. It grants access to more than 1,200 airport lounges globally, including the Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and Priority Pass lounges. This perk alone makes it a great card for frequent travelers who value comfort during layovers.
Premium travel credit cards offer a variety of high-end benefits, including airport lounge access, concierge services, travel insurance, and exclusive hotel and car rental perks. They typically offer higher rewards on travel and dining and come with annual travel credits, making them an excellent choice for frequent travelers.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card is a top pick for earning travel miles. It offers 3X points on travel and dining, and points can be transferred to numerous airline partners. The card also offers premium travel benefits, including access to luxury lounges and comprehensive travel insurance, enhancing the value of your miles.
Yes, you can use travel credit card points for flights, car rentals, hotels, and other travel expenses. Points can be redeemed directly through the card issuer’s travel portal or transferred to airline and hotel partners for booking flights and car rentals. Some cards also offer statement credits for travel-related purchases.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent choice for international travel, thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees, 2X points on travel and dining, and a strong rewards program that can be redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal or transferred to airline partners.
Cash back cards offer a straightforward percentage of your spending back in cash, while travel rewards cards earn points or miles that can be redeemed for travel-related expenses. Travel rewards cards often come with added travel benefits, such as airport lounge access and travel insurance, making them ideal for frequent travelers.