Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards
A travel rewards credit card can be an excellent companion whether you travel often or just take the occasional vacation. With every purchase, you can use a travel card to collect points or miles that you can redeem for flights, hotels, or other travel bookings. Many travel rewards cards come with extra benefits, too, from free entry into airport lounges to statement credits toward application fees for TSA PreCheck and other programs that expedite security screening at the airport.
Why Choose iBestTravel for Your Travel Credit Card Needs?
iBestTravel crunches the numbers on a wider variety of cards, such as those issued by credit unions and smaller banks. This way, you can find the most suitable travel rewards credit card for your unique spending habits.
Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards Overview
If you want a card that offers travel rewards, here are some categories to explore:
- No Annual Fee
- Worth the Annual Fee
- Flexible Travel Redemptions
- Luxury Travel
- Dedicated Airline Cards
- Dedicated Hotel Cards
- Dining Rewards Cards
Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards With No Annual Fee
With these cards, you reap points or miles without paying an annual fee. However, consider foreign transaction fees if you plan to do a lot of international travel.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, and unlimited 1.5% on all other purchases.
- Interest rate: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% to 29.24%.
- Rewards after first year or $20,000 spent: 5% cash back on travel, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% on everything else.
Best Travel Cards Worth the Annual Fee
With a high payback on travel spending and various perks, these cards make the annual fee worth paying.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Annual fee: $95
Rewards: Earn two miles per dollar on all purchases.
- Interest rate: 19.99% to 29.99% for purchases.
- Bonus offer: Example: Earn 75,000 miles if you spend $4,000 in the first three months.
Best Cards for Flexible Travel Redemptions
Redeem points for travel bookings or transfer them to a broad range of partner airline and hotel loyalty programs.
BILT Mastercard
Rewards: Earn one point per dollar on rent payments and three points per dollar on dining. Points can transfer to various airline programs.
Important Considerations for Travel Rewards Cards
When choosing a travel rewards credit card, consider factors such as welcome bonuses, rewards rates, redemption options, and annual fees. Look for cards that align with your spending habits and travel goals to maximize your benefits.
How Do Travel Rewards Cards Work?
Travel rewards credit cards offer points or miles on your purchases and may also come with other travel-related benefits. There are three main types of travel credit cards:
- General travel credit cards – Not linked to a specific airline or hotel loyalty program.
- airline credit cards – Co-branded with a particular airline for earning miles.
- hotel credit cards – Co-branded with specific hotel chains for earning points.
What Are Travel Rewards Worth?
The value of points or miles earned may vary by program. Typically, you might see predictable redemption rates, but through airline or hotel programs, values can fluctuate based on various factors like travel dates and specific properties.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Card
After selecting a travel rewards credit card, maximize its value by making sure to meet minimum spending requirements, using it for everyday purchases, and paying off balances in full to avoid interest charges.
Disclaimer
All information about travel credit cards was reviewed independently by iBestTravel. Travel rewards are subject to terms and conditions. Always check with the issuer for current rates and offers.
