Best Travel Credit Cards: Your Ticket to See the World
Published July 23, 2023, Updated September 20, 2024
Do you frequently dream of traveling the world without breaking the bank? The best travel credit cards can help make that dream a reality.
This is exactly how I made my 3-month journey around the world possible!
Picking the right card can come jam-packed with fantastic rewards like sign-on bonuses, airline miles, free meals, purchase discounts, and more.
If traveling is a priority for you, travel rewards are something you should definitely look for while credit card shopping.
Sounds overwhelming? I’ve done all the research for you. Below, I’ll break down all the best travel credit cards.
We’ll go over the best travel cards for sign-on bonuses, as well as the best credit cards with airline miles and airport lounge access.
Then I’ll share the top credit cards for travel with a variety of other perks that are perfect for international travelers.
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Tips for Using Travel Credit Card
Before we get started, a word to the wise: while credit cards offer numerous benefits, it’s crucial to remember that responsible usage is key.
Using your travel credit card mindfully can help you maximize rewards and avoid unnecessary fees. Here are some tips to begin your journey:
- Plan to Pay Your Balance in Full: Avoid high interest charges (that can potentially harm your credit score) by paying off your balance each month.
- Monitor Your Credit Utilization: Keep your credit utilization ratio low to maintain a good credit score. Aim for below 30% of your credit limit.
- Take Advantage of Signup Bonuses: Many travel cards offer generous signup bonuses. However, you’ll need to make sure you meet the spending requirements to earn these bonuses. Otherwise, it’s not worth it.
- Stay Aware of Fees: One of the best ways to avoid surprises is to know your card’s fees from the start. The primary ones are annual fees, late payment fees, and balance transfer fees. And don’t forget about foreign transaction fees when you’re traveling internationally.
- Know Your Card’s Benefits: Familiarize yourself with your card’s perks, like travel insurance, lounge access, and no foreign transaction fees.
- Redeem Rewards Wisely: Use your points or miles for travel-related expenses to get the most value for your money.
- Use Cardholder Perks: Take full advantage of additional benefits like rental car insurance, trip cancellation insurance, and purchase protection.
- Use It for Everyday Purchases: Earn rewards faster by using your card for daily expenses like groceries and gas. Just make sure to do this intentionally.
- Keep Track of Expiration Dates: Some rewards expire if not used within a certain timeframe. Keep track of these dates to avoid losing points.
Again, it’s important to keep in mind some annual fees and foreign transaction fees might be a necessity. But for the frequent traveler, the rewards and perks can far outweigh these costs!
Remember to assess your travel habits and spending patterns to ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck.
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s dive into what the best travel credit cards have to offer for my globetrotting enthusiasts!
Note: Stats verified September 2024 and could change depending on when you apply.
Best Travel Credit Cards for Sign-on Bonuses
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card tops the list here.
New card members can earn a whopping 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. That’s worth up to $750 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
This was the first card I opted for when I decided to chase the points. The annual fee is also low at $95 per year.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a top pick if you’re looking for straightforward rewards and a solid bonus.
You can earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, which translates to $750 toward travel. It also offers unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, making it easy to rack up rewards.
The Venture Rewards card also comes with great perks for travelers, like Hertz® Five Star status and credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.
It comes with an affordable $95 annual fee and perks like no foreign transaction fees.
With your new credit card for travel, get inspired for your next trip with my post on the cheapest cities in Europe!
Cards with Highest Points on Spending
American Express® Gold Card
When earning points on everyday spending, the American Express® Gold Card is hard to beat. It might just be the best travel rewards credit card for travelers and foodies alike!
You’ll rake in 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide, as well as on takeout and delivery in the US. Plus, there’s the 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
And while the $325 annual fee might seem steep, the card is a gold mine for frequent flyers looking for high reward rates.
Citi Premier® Card
Consider the Citi Premier® Card if you like the idea of earning points across multiple categories.
This is the best credit card for points and travel, with 3x points on air travel, hotels, dining, gas stations, and supermarkets.
You also get a sign-on bonus of 70,000 points after the first 3 months, and the annual fee is only $95.
Best Travel Credit Cards with Flight Rewards
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is definitely the best credit card for flying. For frequent Delta flyers, it’s a must-have.
The best card for airline miles, you’ll earn 2x miles on Delta purchases, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets, plus 1x on everything else. There’s also the welcome bonus of 80,000 miles after 3 months.
You’ll enjoy free checked bags and priority boarding. And there’s no annual fee for the first year (then it’s $150 annually), so it’s a great way to enjoy airline perks without high fees upfront.
United℠ Explorer Card
One of the best airline cards is the United℠ Explorer Card. Cardholders enjoy perks like free checked bags and priority boarding, plus 2 United Club passes annually.
It might also be the best flyer miles credit card, with tons of ways to earn miles! Get up to 7x miles on United flights, up 4x miles on hotels, 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays, plus 1x on all other spending.
And it’s easy to start using, with the $95 annual fee waived the first year.
Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card
The Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card is the best airline credit card, especially if you fly with friends a lot.
Besides earning 3x miles on Alaska purchases and 1x on everything else, one of its best perks is the famous Companion Fare. This allows a companion to fly with you for free.
You also get free checked bags for yourself and up to 6 companions on the same reservation, as well as 50,000 sign-on miles. At that point, the $95 annual fee is nothing!
AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard
Another of the best flight credit cards for international travel is the AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard.
Besides 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, as well as at restaurants and gas stations, you’ll score a generous sign-on bonus of 75,000 (with conditions).
You also get the first checked bag free on domestic flights, and the card comes it comes with no foreign transaction fees. The annual fee (normally $99) is waived for the first year), too.
Want to see the northern lights on your next big adventure? Read my post on when and where to see the Northern Lights.
Best Travel Cards for Additional Perks
Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express reigns supreme as the best credit card for travel points and additional perks.
It offers unparalleled benefits that include the following:
- access to more than 1,200 airport lounges worldwide
- up to $200 airline fee credit per calendar year
- $200 per year hotel credit
- 5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel
It’s also considered one of the best travel rewards cards because of the massive sign-on bonus of 80,000 points after the first 3 months. This was the second card I opted for, and it’s worth it!
Now, this card isn’t for everyone, touting a hefty annual fee of $695. However, the perks can easily offset the cost if you travel frequently.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
If you’re looking for luxury travel perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is an excellent alternative to the Platinum Card.
Cardholders earn 3x points on travel and dining, and those points are worth 50% more when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
You’ll also get up to $300 in annual travel credits, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement, and access to Priority Pass airport lounges worldwide. So, it’s easy to see why this card ranks as the best credit card for flights and airport lounge access.
Plus, it comes with no foreign transaction fees and extensive travel protections. While the annual fee is $550, it’s worth considering for the perks.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is ideal for international travelers seeking extra benefits.
To start, cardholders get automatic Gold status, which means room upgrades, free breakfast, and late check-out at Hilton hotels worldwide. And you’ll enjoy 12x points at Hilton properties and 6x on dining and US supermarkets.
Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees and incentives for a 165,000 sign-on bonus. You’ll barely notice the $95 annual fee!
Credit Cards for Travel FAQ
Are travel credit cards worth it?
Travel credit cards can be super helpful! Good travel credit cards offer rewards or miles, as well as perks like free checked bags or lounge access, and no foreign transaction fees.
What credit card is best for travel?
While the best travel credit card depends on your needs, the most popular choices are the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Platinum Card® from American Express for all the rewards and perks.
How do travel credit card rewards work?
When you use your card, you earn points or miles on purchases. This can be redeemed for travel expenses like flights, hotels, or car rentals. Travel cards also tend to include travel-specific perks like free checked bags, lounge access, and often no foreign transaction fees.
Do travel credit cards have foreign transaction fees?
Many travel credit cards, especially the premium ones, waive foreign transaction fees, which is ideal for international use.
What is the most widely accepted credit card for international travel?
Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards for international travel because they’re the most widely accepted across the world. They’re also preferred for travel since many of their cards waive foreign transaction fees, which is a huge bonus!
Best Travel Credit Cards Wrap Up
The best travel credit cards offer an enticing way to cut costs on your travel expenses. I know this from experience!
I’ve used travel cards to pay for multiple flights, as well as some really nice hotels. But one of the best perks has probably been access to airport lounges, especially during long or unexpected layovers!
These cards allow you to earn points, miles, and other perks by making everyday purchases. No matter what benefits you’re seeking, there’s a card out there that can make your travel dreams come true.
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