Top 6 Credit Cards for Travelers: Maximize Rewards

Looking for a new credit card in 2023? These are the best travel credit cards currently on the market.

The best travel credit cards offer exceptional flexibility and value through their rewards programs and additional perks. While many of our top choices charge steep annual fees, they also provide opportunities for even casual travelers to make up for them and still enjoy top-tier perks like travel credits, airport lounge access, and more. Moreover, some solid options exist for individuals who prefer to limit their annual fees or even avoid them altogether. As you consider your travel habits, here are some of the top options to explore.

Capital One Venture X

This relatively new premium credit card from Capital One offers significant value for its $395 annual fee, and you don’t have to do much to make up for that yearly charge in card benefits alone. Here’s what you’ll get with the Capital One Venture X:

• 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.
• 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, five miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and two miles per dollar on all other purchases.
• Redeem your miles for travel at a rate of 1 cent per mile by booking through Capital One Travel or booking on your own with the card and requesting a statement credit.
• Transfer your miles to 17 airline and hotel transfer partners.
• 10,000-mile anniversary bonus.
• $300 annual travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel.
• Up to a $100 credit toward your application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
• Complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges within the Priority Pass, Plaza Premium Lounges, and Capital One Lounge networks.
• Access to reservations at exclusive restaurants and tickets to various culinary experiences.
• Various trip protections, including primary auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, and travel accident insurance.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

If you appreciate the flexibility of Capital One Venture Miles but prefer a lower annual fee, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, with its $95 annual fee, might be a better option. Here’s what the card includes:

• 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.
• Five miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and two miles per dollar on all other purchases.
• Redeem your miles for travel at a rate of 1 cent per mile by booking through Capital One Travel or booking on your own with the card and requesting a statement credit.
• Transfer your miles to 17 airline and hotel transfer partners.
• Up to a $100 credit toward your application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
• Two complimentary lounge visits each year with the Plaza Premium Lounges and Capital One Lounge networks.
• Complimentary Hertz Five Star elite status, providing a wider selection of rental cars and the ability to skip the counter.
• Five miles per dollar on Turo car rentals through May 16, 2023.
• Access to reservations at exclusive restaurants and tickets to various culinary experiences.
• Trip protections including auto rental collision damage waiver and travel accident insurance.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers numerous premium travel perks alongside valuable lifestyle benefits. While its $550 annual fee may seem high, it’s feasible for savvy credit card users to make up for it. Here’s what you can expect:

• 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.
• 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Chase Dining purchases; five points per dollar on flights booked through Chase; three points per dollar on other travel worldwide, plus other dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services; and one point per dollar on all other purchases.
• Redeem rewards for travel through Chase or obtain statement credits on rotating categories at a value of 1.5 cents per point.
• Transfer points to 14 airline and hotel transfer partners.
• Up to a $100 credit toward your application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
• $300 annual travel credit.
• Complimentary access to more than 1,300 airport lounges in the Priority Pass network.
• $10 monthly statement credit toward GoPuff orders through December 31, 2023.
• Complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership for at least one year if activated by December 31, 2024, plus $5 in monthly DoorDash credits.
• Complimentary 12-month Instacart+ membership along with $15 in monthly statement credits for Instacart orders.
• 10 points per dollar on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025.
• Various trip protections, including primary auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement, and emergency evacuation and transportation.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve’s companion card doesn’t provide the same premium perks, yet it doesn’t have as high an annual fee, which is just $95. Here’s what the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has to offer:

• 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.
• Five points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, three points per dollar on select streaming services, online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), and dining, including eligible delivery services; two points per dollar on other travel purchases; and one point per dollar on everything else.
• Travel rewards redeemable through Chase or for statement credits on rotating categories at a value of 1.25 cents per point.
• Points transferable to 14 airline and hotel transfer partners.
• Up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel stays booked through Chase.
• $10 monthly statement credit toward GoPuff orders through December 31, 2023.
• Complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership for at least one year if activated by December 31, 2024.
• Complimentary six-month Instacart+ membership plus $15 in quarterly statement credits for Instacart orders.
• Five points per dollar on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025.
• Various trip protections, including primary auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, and trip delay reimbursement.

The Platinum Card from American Express

As one of the most expensive travel credit cards available, the Platinum Card from American Express comes with a $695 annual fee. However, frequent travelers can often recoup far more than that in value each year. Here’s what the card offers:

• 100,000 bonus points when you spend $6,000 in the first three months from account opening, plus an introductory 0% APR on eligible charges for six months.
• Five points per dollar on flights booked with airlines or through the American Express Travel portal (up to 500,000 per year), five points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel, and one point per dollar on all other purchases.
• Redeem points for travel at a rate of up to 1 cent per point with American Express.
• Transfer points to 20 airline and hotel transfer partners.
• Up to a $100 credit for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
• Up to $200 in incidental airline fee credits with one qualifying airline each calendar year.
• Up to $200 in Uber cash benefits each calendar year, that’s up to $15 monthly and $35 in December.
• Up to $240 in digital entertainment credits each calendar year ($20 per month) for subscription fees with platforms like Audible, Disney+, and others. Enrollment is required.
• Up to $200 in hotel credits each calendar year on select prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with a two-night stay through American Express Travel.
• Up to $300 in credits per year ($25 per month) toward a monthly membership to Equinox All Access or Destination.
• Up to $100 in statement credits each year ($50 every six months) toward purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com.
• Complimentary CLEAR membership for expedited airport security.
• Complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges in various networks, including The Centurion Lounge and Priority Pass Select.
• Complimentary Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Gold status with Hilton Honors upon enrollment.
• Complimentary Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, and National Car Rental Emerald Club status.

Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card

If you are considering entering the travel rewards space or prefer to avoid fees, the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card offers a $0 annual fee. Here’s what you’ll receive:

• 25,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days from account opening, plus an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers made within the first 60 days for 18 billing cycles.
• Three points per dollar on travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases.
• Earn up to 75% more rewards as a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, requiring at least $20,000 in deposits between eligible Bank of America and Merrill Lynch accounts.
• Redeem points for travel through Bank of America at a rate of 1 cent per point.

While the card does not offer many valuable benefits beyond its rewards program, it serves as an excellent option for casual travelers uncertain about paying a high annual fee.

How to Choose the Right Travel Credit Card for You

There is no universal credit card that fits everyone perfectly. Therefore, it’s crucial to take the time to reflect on your travel goals and spending habits to find the right fit. Many of these cards offer bonus rewards across selected spending categories. Consequently, if you spend heavily in specific areas, seek a card that maximizes your returns on those purchases.

Even though some of these cards come with significant annual fees, frequent travelers may find it easy to justify those costs. Look for features and benefits that are essential to your travel experience. Additionally, most top travel rewards credit cards require good or excellent credit, generally defined as a score of 670 or above. If your score is below this threshold, consider taking some time to enhance your credit before applying.