Travel rewards cards are a fantastic way to maximize travel experiences and save money.
Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or a dream vacation, the right travel rewards card can help you earn points, miles, and cash back on your travel purchases.
With so many options available, it can be challenging to find the perfect card.
So, we’ve done the research on seven travel rewards cards you need to check out, along with their pros, cons, current offers, and a scoring system based on key features.
Our Travel Rewards Cards Rubric (For Scoring)
- Cash Back: Up to 5 points
- Low Interest/No Fees: Up to 5 points
- Air Miles/Ease of Booking: Up to 5 points
- Sign-Up Bonuses: Mention notable bonuses but not included in the score.
5 Expert Tips on How to Use Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Travel Rewards Cards Reviews
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Type of Reward: Points
- Pros:
- Earn 2x points on travel and dining at restaurants.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- Cons:
- $95 annual fee.
- Higher interest rate compared to some competitors.
- Current Offers:
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- Score:
- Cash Back: 4 points (for travel and dining multipliers)
- Low Interest/No Fees: 3 points (no foreign transaction fees, but has an annual fee)
- Air Miles/Ease of Booking: 5 points (25% bonus through Chase Ultimate Rewards)
Total Score: 12/15
2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Type of Reward: Miles
- Pros:
- Earn 2x miles on every purchase, every day.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Flexible redemption options including travel statement credits and bookings through Capital One Travel.
- Cons:
- $95 annual fee.
- No bonus categories for specific types of spending.
- Current Offers:
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
- Score:
- Cash Back: 4 points (for 2x miles on all purchases)
- Low Interest/No Fees: 3 points (no foreign transaction fees, but has an annual fee)
- Air Miles/Ease of Booking: 4 points (flexible redemption options)
Total Score: 11/15
3. The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Type of Reward: Points
- Pros:
- Earn 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.
- Access to premium travel benefits including airport lounge access and hotel credits.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Cons:
- High annual fee of $695.
- Benefits may be more suited for frequent travelers.
- Current Offers:
- Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Score:
- Cash Back: 5 points (5x points on flights)
- Low Interest/No Fees: 2 points (no foreign transaction fees, but high annual fee)
- Air Miles/Ease of Booking: 5 points (premium travel benefits)
Total Score: 12/15
4. Discover it® Miles
- Type of Reward: Miles
- Pros:
- Earn unlimited 1.5x miles on every dollar spent on all purchases.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Miles can be redeemed as a statement credit for travel purchases or for cash back.
- Cons:
- Lower earning rate compared to some competitors.
- Fewer premium travel benefits.
- Current Offers:
- Discover will match all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
- Score:
- Cash Back: 3 points (1.5x miles on all purchases)
- Low Interest/No Fees: 5 points (no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees)
- Air Miles/Ease of Booking: 3 points (flexible redemption, but fewer benefits)
Total Score: 11/15
5. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
- Type of Reward: Points
- Pros:
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Points can be redeemed for travel statement credits.
- Cons:
- Limited premium travel benefits.
- Lower earning rate compared to some travel cards with bonus categories.
- Current Offers:
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. That can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Score:
- Cash Back: 3 points (1.5 points per dollar)
- Low Interest/No Fees: 5 points (no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees)
- Air Miles/Ease of Booking: 3 points (flexible redemption, but fewer benefits)
Total Score: 11/15
Cash Back vs Travel Rewards Credit Cards: Which One is Better For You?
6. Citi Premier® Card
- Type of Reward: Points
- Pros:
- Earn 3x points on air travel, hotels, and restaurants.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Points can be transferred to various airline loyalty programs.
- Cons:
- $95 annual fee.
- Higher interest rate for carrying a balance.
- Current Offers:
- Earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Score:
- Cash Back: 4 points (3x points on travel and dining)
- Low Interest/No Fees: 3 points (no foreign transaction fees, but has an annual fee)
- Air Miles/Ease of Booking: 5 points (points transfer to airline programs)
Total Score: 12/15
7. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
- Type of Reward: Points
- Pros:
- Earn 2x points on Southwest purchases and 1x points on all other purchases.
- Anniversary bonus points.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Cons:
- $149 annual fee.
- Limited to Southwest Airlines for points redemption.
- Current Offers:
- Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- Score:
- Cash Back: 3 points (2x points on Southwest purchases)
- Low Interest/No Fees: 2 points (no foreign transaction fees, but high annual fee)
- Air Miles/Ease of Booking: 4 points (anniversary bonus points)
Total Score: 9/15
Choosing the Right Travel Rewards Cards for You
Choosing the right travel rewards cards can make a significant difference in your travel experiences and savings.
Consider your:
- travel habits
- spending patterns
- the benefits that matter most to you when selecting a card
Keep an eye out for sign-up bonuses and special promotions that can boost your rewards!
With the right card in hand, you’ll be well on your way to earning rewards and enjoying memorable travel adventures.
