Geoff Whitmore using travel credit card rewards for first class flights — Geoff redeeming rewards from travel credit car

Best Travel Credit Cards

10 min readSep 28, 2023

An easy way to make life more exciting is by paying for purchases using credit cards with travel rewards. Whether you like to redeem your rewards for flights, hotels, or road trip expenses, these cards can optimize your travel habits. And if you don’t have travel plans at the moment, that’s okay too. These best travel cards come with bonuses and perks that can be used when you are ready to travel.

Credit Cards With Travel Rewards

Here is a preview of the best credit cards with travel rewards to help you get more for your spending:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® bonus (worth $750 in award travel)
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: 75,000 bonus miles
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: 60,000 bonus points (worth $900 toward award travel)
The Platinum Card® from American Express: 80,000 Membership Rewards® points
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: 100,000 bonus points
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: 50,000 Points
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: 80,000 bonus points
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: 140,000 bonus points
United Gateway℠ Card: 20,000 bonus miles

What Credit Card Gives the Best Travel Benefits?

For the last few years, the Chase Sapphire Preferred has been the travel credit card I’ve recommended the most family and friends.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best overall travel credit cards because it earns some of the most valuable credit card points on purchases.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns unlimited:

5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Anniversary Hotel Credit)
3x points on dining (including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out)
3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target®, Walmart®, and wholesale clubs)
Also 3x points on select streaming services
2x points on all other travel purchases
1x point per $1 spent on all non-bonus purchases

There is a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit. It comes in the form of a statement credit that will automatically be applied to your account when your card is used for hotel accommodation purchases made through the Ultimate Rewards program, up to an annual maximum accumulation of $50.

Plus, on each account anniversary, you’ll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year. So, if you spend $25,000 on purchases, you’ll get 2,500 bonus points.

Each point is worth 25% more when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards dashboard for award travel. You can also transfer your points at a 1:1 ratio to airlines and hotels including Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and World of Hyatt.

Other travel benefits include trip cancellation coverage (up to $10,000 per person) and a primary rental car collision damage waiver.

New Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Member FDIC

The annual fee is $95.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is another top-notch credit card for travel rewards. All purchases earn 2 miles per $1.

However, if you are wanting to earn a few more miles on travel, there is good news — earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

You can redeem your miles for travel statement credits, book upcoming travel, and transfer your miles to airlines and hotels. One travel benefit you may like is a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit. You can learn more about how to maximize flight travel benefits in our in-depth Capital One Venture Card review.

The annual fee is $95, and there are no foreign transaction fees.

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel, with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The best credit card offers like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® continue to offer the best travel rewards. The Sapphire Reserve can be the best premium option as you have flexible redemption options.

Your dining purchases earn 3x Ultimate Rewards worldwide. Plus, earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Your points are worth 50% more (1.5 cents each) when booking award travel through Ultimate Rewards. You can also transfer them to airlines and hotels.

Most premium cards are most valuable when booking award flights but your Ultimate Rewards can be valuable for hotels and rental cars as well.

Some additional travel benefits include:

$300 annual travel credit
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Priority Pass Select lounge membership
Special benefits at Luxury Hotel & Resorts Collection

New Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

The annual fee is $550 and $75 per additional user.

The Platinum Card from American Express

Another top contender for the best premium travel credit card is The Platinum Card® from American Express. It’s an excellent option for frequent flyers and international travelers.

Cardholders earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, and earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

Cardholders can get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when they pay with their Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.

Also, select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card.

Plus, American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.

Other Platinum Card from American Express Benefits

There’s also a digital entertainment credit, making this card one of the best for streaming services. Cardholders can get up to $20 in statement credits each month when they pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.

In addition to enjoying TSA PreCheck or Global Entry access, cardholders can also enjoy CLEAR perks. Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus and get up to $189 back per year on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card.

Another exciting benefit is the ability for cardholders to get up to $300 back each year in the form of statement credits on an Equinox+ subscription or any Equinox club membership when they pay with their Platinum Card. Enrollment required. And using the Amex Platinum for traveling items like the best luggage products is a good idea.

Plus, get a $155 Walmart+ credit, which covers the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. The cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.

Get the full details and learn more in our in-depth The Platinum Card from American Express review.

The annual fee is $695 but can be offset with the perks, which are valued at over $1,400.

New The Platinum Card® from American Express cardmembers can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 on purchases on their new Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

If you need a business card, the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is one of the best for travel and daily business spending.

You earn 3 Ultimate Rewards per $1 on the first $150,000 in combined annual purchases for these categories:

Travel
Shipping purchases
Internet, cable, and phone services
Social media and search engine advertising

Your points are worth 1.25 cents each (25% more) for award travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards. You can also transfer your points at a 1:1 ratio to airlines and hotels. Trip cancellation insurance and primary auto rental insurance coverage are additional travel benefits.

New Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card cardholders can earn 100k bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is a great option for frequent Southwest flyers.

Cardholders earn unlimited:

3x points on Southwest® purchases
2x points on local transit and commuting, including rideshares
2x points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming purchases

Additionally, get 25% back on inflight purchases.

New Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card cardholders can earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Built-in card benefits include a $75 annual Southwest Airlines travel credit, 4 Upgraded Bookings per year (when available), and 7,500 bonus Rapid Rewards each card anniversary. The annual fee is $149 before redeeming the annual travel credit. There are no foreign transaction fees.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card

If you fly for business on Southwest Airlines, check out the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card that earns:

4x points on Southwest® purchases
3x points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car partners
2x points on rideshares
2x points on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services
1x points on all other purchases

Cardholders also get unlimited tier qualifying points (TQPs) that can be earned toward A-List status. There is also a $500 annual fee credit for Rapid Rewards points transfers.

New card members can earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.

Additional business travel rewards include:

In-flight wifi credits (up to 365 per year)
4 Upgraded Bookings per year (when available)
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
9,000 Rapid Rewards on each card anniversary

The annual fee is $199.

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

One of the most exciting hotel credit cards is the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. IHG properties like the Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, and Staybridge Suites are in many cities across the US.

Cardholders can earn up to 26 points total per $1 spent when they stay at an IHG hotel. Also, earn 5x points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3x points per $1 spent on all other purchases.

As an IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card cardholder, you’ll also get to enjoy a Reward Night after each account anniversary year at eligible IHG hotels worldwide.

Additionally, you can enjoy a reward night when you redeem points for any stay of 3 or more nights.

As long as you remain a Premier card member, you can enjoy Platinum Elite status. Platinum Elite Status allows for room upgrades (when available), late check-out, welcome amenities at check-in, and more. Additionally, enjoy a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card.

New cardholders can earn IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card earns 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn up to $100 in IHG® statement credits on purchases at IHG® Hotels and Resorts during the first 12 months from account opening. The annual fee is $99.

United Gateway Card

Not all credit cards with travel perks charge an annual fee. The United Gateway℠ Card is one of the better options if you like flying on United Airlines. You 2x United miles on United® purchases, gas stations, local transit, and rideshares.

You get 25% back on in-flight purchases and get expanded seat availability on United flights.

New United Gateway℠ Card cardmembers can earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months the account is open. Plus, 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. Learn more.

Summary: What is the best card to use while Travelling?

You will find that the best credit cards to use while travelling offer flexible redemption options for (almost) any travel purchase. Airlines and hotel credit cards can offer exciting loyalty perks that add value to your travel experience and can save you money as well.

FAQs

Which credit card gives the best travel rewards?

The best “consumer” travel credit card with travel rewards is the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Your points can be redeemed for 25% more for most types of award travel including flights, hotels, and rental cars. You can also transfer them at a 1:1 ratio to airlines and hotels.

While you won’t get travel statement credits or automatic lounge access, you can easily earn and redeem valuable credit card points.

The annual fee is $95 which makes this a good option for frequent and casual travelers.

Are credit cards with travel rewards worth it?

You should get a travel miles credit card if you prefer redeeming your credit points for flights, hotel nights, and other travel purchases. The best cards may offer a point redemption bonus for award travel that you book through the credit card travel portal. Flexible travel credit cards let you transfer your points to airlines and hotels to find better redemption values.

A cash rewards credit card is better if you want monthly statement credits when you don’t travel often. Also, cash-back credit cards are less likely to have an annual fee and may offer more relevant bonus categories to match your purchase habits.

How much is a credit card mile worth?

Most credit card miles are worth 1 cent each when booking award travel through the credit card travel portal. In most cases, you will need to book an award flight to get the best redemption value.

Your points can be worth more than 1 cent each if you have the ability to transfer your credit card points directly to an airline or hotel. Saving your points for business class and first-class tickets tends to have the highest redemption value of up to 6 cents per mile.

Redeeming credit card miles for non-travel rewards like cash or gift cards means your redemption value will most likely be less than 1 cent per mile.