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The 10+ Best Credit Cards for Vacations & Vacation Packages [2024]

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Planning an entire vacation can be complicated. As you attempt to book flights, hotels, ground transportation, activities, and other pertinent elements of your journey, the process can soon become overwhelming.

Fortunately, vacation packages were designed to simplify the process by delivering a 1-stop solution that can combine all of your vacation components. A vacation package can be as simple as a flight combined with a rental car or it can include your flight, hotel, rental car, activities, ground transportation, and more.

Booking each element of your vacation separately also has its benefits. Perhaps you have points and miles spread across several loyalty programs and want to utilize them all in 1 vacation. Booking a package may not always work for you in that situation.

Regardless of whether you book your trip elements separately or choose to purchase a package, knowing you’ve offset a portion, or all, of your vacation expenses with points, miles, or cash-back can be a satisfying accomplishment.

If that’s the direction you’d like to go, covering your vacation expenses with points, miles, or cash-back, you’ll find today’s article right on target. We’ll talk about the best credit cards to consider for building your trip piece by piece, and for vacation packages.

Hang in there as there’s a lot to cover.

Vacation vs. Vacation Package

Should you try to book every component of your vacation separately, or select an all-in-1 vacation package? Let’s look at some of the advantages of each option.

Advantages of Building Your Own Vacation

If you found a great deal on a hotel, airfare, or another element of your trip, you might not want to consider a vacation package. You may be able to build each piece of your trip based on that deal. Here are some advantages of BYOV (Building Your Own Vacation).

  • Cost — BYOV allows you to find the best deal for each element of your vacation. For example, you found a killer deal on a hotel and can add the airfare and other elements of your trip later.
  • Ability To Use Points/Miles From Several Programs — If you have a lot of points/miles spread across several loyalty programs, booking separately may allow you to utilize each reward currency for its maximum value.
  • Flexibility — Changes may be easier to make on individual hotel, airline, and ground transportation bookings than with a travel package. If you decide to forgo the big city hotel, for example, and secure a country bed and breakfast, you can do that within the cancellation terms of your individual hotel booking. Additionally, if you’re planning a lengthy trip, you might not want to lock in all your hotel stays upfront with a vacation package.

Advantages of a Purchasing a Vacation Package

Booking a vacation package creates an all-in-1 itinerary that can be easy to manage, save you money versus booking each element separately, and may offer the option to utilize points and miles.

  • Convenience — Having your flight, hotel, rental car, and activities all in 1 package eliminates the need to coordinate each element of your trip. If you’re looking to book for several travelers, the package option may be more convenient than booking each element separately.
  • Cost — Purchasing your flight, hotel, rental car, and activities together can result in bundled discounted pricing.
  • Ability To Utilize a Large Stash of Points and Miles — Many airlines and credit card rewards programs allow you to use your frequent flyer miles/points to book vacation packages. If you have a lot of miles/points in 1 loyalty program, you may be able to maximize their value by booking a vacation package.

If you decide to purchase an all-in-one package, check out our posts about finding the best websites for family vacation packages, all-inclusive vacation packages, Hawaii vacation packages, and Mexico vacation packages.

Bottom Line: Whether you’re a fan of building your own vacation, element by element, or securing an all-in-1 vacation package, the right travel rewards card can help you earn the points or miles you need to pay for a portion, or all, of your trip. 

Best Travel Rewards Cards for Vacations

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel.
60,000 points
$1,200
$550
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-850)

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros

  • 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
  • 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
  • 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
  • 5x points on airfare booked through Chase TravelSM
  • 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
  • $300 annual travel credit
  • Priority Pass airport lounge access
  • TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
  • Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
  • Rental car elite status with National and Avis

Cons

  • $550 annual fee
  • Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ 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
  • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card earns valuable Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel via the Chase travel portal. Additionally, you have the option to transfer points to airline and hotel partners where those miles/points can be used to purchase flights or vacation packages.

But there are so many more reasons for using the Chase Sapphire Reserve card to book travel!

Why We Like the Card for Booking Vacations and Vacation Packages

  • A generous welcome bonus that can help offset travel expenses
  • $300 travel credit each year that can be used toward any travel expense, including vacation packages
  • Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for 50% more value via the Chase travel portal
  • Use Ultimate Rewards to purchase flights, hotels, ground transportation, experiences, or rental cars
  • Worldwide airport lounge access to over 1,400 properties via Priority Pass Select membership for the cardholder and 2 guests
  • Earn 3x Ultimate Rewards points on travel and dining
  • Transfer points to Chase transfer partners for even greater potential value for flights, hotel rooms, and vacation packages
  • Travel benefits and protections including primary car rental coverage, trip interruption and cancellation coverage, and emergency evacuation

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

POPULAR FIRST CARD
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
60,000 points
$1,200
$95
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros

  • 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
  • 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
  • 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
  • 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
  • 2x points on all other travel worldwide
  • $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
  • 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
  • Excellent travel and car rental insurance
  • 10% annual bonus points
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is one of our favorite travel rewards cards. We like its lower annual fee, the ability to earn flexible Ultimate Rewards points, and its solid collection of travel benefits and protections.

Why We Like the Card for Booking Vacations and Vacation Packages

  • A generous welcome bonus that can be used to offset travel expenses
  • 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
  • 3x points on dining
  • 2x points on all other travel purchases
  • Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for 25% more value via the Chase travel portal
  • Use Ultimate Rewards to purchase flights, hotels, ground transportation, experiences, or rental cars
  • Transfer points to airline and hotel partners for even greater potential value to book flights, hotels, and vacation packages
  • Travel benefits and protections including primary car rental coverage, trip interruption and cancellation coverage, baggage insurance

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

OUR BEST OFFER
The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
120,000 points
$2,640
$695
19.49% - 27.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Pros

  • 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
  • Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
  • Statement credits on select purchases with your card
  • 35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year)
  • Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
  • Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
  • Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program

Cons

  • High annual fee of $695 (rates and fees)
  • Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
  • Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
  • Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card®.
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
  • $695 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.49% - 27.49% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

We like that the Amex Business Platinum card often has a generous welcome bonus that, once earned, can jumpstart your travel fund. Plus, every purchase you make with the card will be earning additional rewards that can help cover those annual vacation expenses, whether booking separately or for a vacation package.

Why We Like the Card for Vacations and Vacation Packages

  • A generous welcome bonus that can be used for travel
  • 5x earnings on prepaid hotels and flights booked via AmexTravel.com
  • 35% rebate when using points to book your flights via AmexTravel.com
  • Worldwide airport lounge access, including Centurion Lounges
  • Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, upon enrollment
  • Car rental perks
  • Transfer points to airline/hotel partners for potentially increased value for flights, hotel nights, or vacation packages
  • Up to $200 statement credit for airline incidental fee purchases

The Platinum Card® from American Express

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card® from American Express

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points
$1,760
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros

  • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
  • 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
  • Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
  • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
  • Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
  • Access to Amex International Airline Program
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

  • $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • 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.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: 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 you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: 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 Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
  • $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

With a heavy collection of premium travel benefits, statement credits for select purchases, and several ways to receive value at redemption time, the Amex Platinum card is a good choice for booking vacations.

Why We Like the Card for Vacations and Vacation Packages

We like that you can use Membership Rewards points to pay for your flights. It’s worth noting, however, that the card is not the best choice for purchasing vacation packages with your points as points are worth just 0.7 cents each when used for this purchase versus 1 cent per point for flight purchases.

Capital One Venture Rewards Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
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.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$95
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros

  • 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
  • Access to Capital One transfer partners

Cons

  • 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
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

With its simplistic earning structure and several good-value redemption choices, the Capital One Venture card offers plenty of reasons to consider the card for booking your vacation or vacation package.

Why We Like the Card for Vacations and Vacation Packages

  • A generous welcome bonus that can be used for travel
  • Earns 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, including travel
  • Transfer miles to airline partners to use for flights or vacation packages

Bottom Line: When selecting a card to use for building your own vacation or purchasing a vacation package, you’ll want to select a card that allows you to accumulate rewards quickly, such as a card with a generous welcome bonus and one that has elevated earnings on your most common purchases. You’ll also want the card to have redemption options that will allow you to use those rewards to cover the major elements of your trip. 

Best Cash-Back Cards for Vacations and Vacation Packages

Cash may be king when you’re looking for vacation dollars, however, these no-annual-fee cards can help you accumulate that cash faster or earn rewards that can be used to help you purchase your next vacation.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Up to $300 cash back
$0
0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.

Pros

  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
  • 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
  • 1.5% back on all other purchases
  • No annual fee
  • Earn big on travel purchased through Chase Travel
  • Everyday bonus on dining and drugstores
  • Straightforward cash-back on all other purchases
  • Ability to pool points

Cons

  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Chase Freedom Flex℠

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
$200
$0
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ sure does pack quite a punch — especially for a no-annual-fee card.

The Freedom Flex card is an incredible option for those looking for a well-rounded cash-back card, or a powerful point-earner when paired with a premium card in the Ultimate Rewards family.

Pros

  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
  • Powerful cash-back earner: 5% back on quarterly categories and travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases
  • No annual fee
  • Excellent cell phone insurance
  • Ability to pool points
  • Mastercard World Elite benefits

Cons

  • 3% foreign transaction fees in U.S. dollars
  • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
  • 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
  • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
  • No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

In addition to elevated earning on travel, drugstores, and dining, the Freedom Flex card offers quarterly bonus category merchants that may sell travel-related gift cards. You’ll earn 5% cash-back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter.

Why We Like the Cards for Vacations and Vacation Packages

  • Welcome bonuses that can be used toward travel purchases
  • 5% cash-back on travel purchased via Chase travel portal
  • Points add up quickly with 3% cash-back at drugstores and on dining
  • Cards earn cash-back in the form of Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for 1 cent each for cash-back, travel, gift cards, and more
  • Ultimate Rewards points earned on the cards can be transferred to premium Chase cards and redeemed for travel for up to 50% more in value
  • Ultimate Rewards points transferred to premium Chase cards can then be transferred to travel partners for even greater value for flights, hotel rooms, and vacation packages

Can’t decide which card is better for you? Check out our comparison of the Freedom Unlimited card and the Freedom Flex card.

Citi Double Cash® Card

Citi Double Cash® Card

Citi Double Cash® Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Learn More(at our partner's secure site)

Citi Double Cash® Card

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!
Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
$200 cash back
$0
19.24% - 29.24% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Fair to Excellent (580-850)

The Citi Double Cash® Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!

This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.

Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.

Pros

  • Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
  • Flexible redemption options
  • No annual fee

Cons

  • No bonus categories
  • 3% foreign transaction fees
  • Lack of premium travel benefits
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
  • To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

With a simplified earning structure and redemption options, the Double Cash card is a good choice for those who want an easy route to earn and redeem rewards.

Why We Like the Card for Vacations and Vacation Packages

  • No annual fee
  • Earn 1x when you make your purchase and an additional 1x when you pay for a total of 2x points that can be converted to cash-back
  • We like that you can accumulate the cash-back in your account and redeem it for cash or a statement credit to offset vacation expenses
  • You can also redeem points for travel through the Citi travel portal or through limited transfer partners

Note that while these cash-back cards work well for earning rewards that can be used for vacations, the cards do not travel well internationally as all of these cash-back cards charge foreign transaction fees.

Hot Tip: Booking a Disney or Universal vacation with credit card rewards requires some research. If you’re looking for the best credit card for a Disney or Universal vacation, you won’t want to miss our article with some of the best cards to use and also a few booking tips.

Best Hotel-Branded Cards for Vacations and Vacation Packages

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

All information about Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.
Earn 180,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Aspire card from American Express after you use your new card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership.
180,000 points
$900
$550
20.74% - 29.74% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.


Paying hundreds of dollars for an annual fee on a co-branded hotel card might seem ridiculous, but you should know that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is much more than your run-of-the-mill hotel credit card.

The Hilton Aspire card is not only a phenomenal card for Hilton Honors loyalists, but even those who visit Hilton hotels just a few times a year can still get excellent value out of all the benefits that are packed into this card.

So let’s have a look at what makes the card so valuable to travelers.

Pros

  • 14x points per $1 on Hilton purchases
  • 7x points per $1 on select travel and at U.S. restaurants
  • 3x points per $1 on all other purchases
  • Complimentary Hilton Diamond status
  • Up to $400 in annual statement credits on purchases with participating Hilton Resorts (up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually)
  • Up to $200 back annually on eligible flight purchases (up to $50 in statement credits each quarter)
  • 1 Free Weekend Night Award each cardmember anniversary
  • $100 credit at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties

Cons

  • High annual fee of $550
  • Earn 180,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Aspire card from American Express after you use your new card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership. Plus, enjoy a free Weekend Night Reward within your first year and every year after renewal.
  • Earn 14x Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you make eligible purchases on your card at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
  • Earn 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for eligible purchases: on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants.
  • Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your card.
  • Enjoy up to $400 in Hilton Resort Credits (up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually) on your card each anniversary year when you stay at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
  • Enjoy complimentary Diamond status.
  • $550 annual fee.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 20.74% - 29.74% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Why We Like the Card for Vacations

While Hilton Honors points can be transferred to Delta Air Lines, the redemption ratio is 10,000 Hilton Honors points yielding just 1,000 Delta SkyMiles and not good value. Hilton Honors points are best used for free hotel nights.

To learn more about the best cards for Hilton loyalists, you’ll find this article packed with useful information.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

NEW 185K WELCOME OFFER
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.
Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
185,000 bonus points
$1,295
$650
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

Pros

  • 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program
  • 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
  • 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
  • 25 Elite Night Credits each year
  • Priority Pass Select membership upon enrollment
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit
  • Annual Free Night Award after card renewal
  • Complimentary Platinum Elite status

Cons

  • Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
  • With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
  • Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
  • $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
  • Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
  • With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
  • $650 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

Why We Like the Card for Vacations

  • Generous welcome bonus
  • Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
  • 25 elite night credits
  • 6x earnings at Marriott
  • Worldwide lounge access via Priority Pass Select membership
  • $25 monthly dining credit
  • Free night certificate worth for hotels that cost up to 85,000 points per night
  • $100 property credit at Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis properties on 2-night minumum stays booked at a select rate
  • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit

Hot Tip: Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors loyalty programs offer the benefit of receiving your fifth consecutive award night for free. Marriott offers this benefit to all Marriott Bonvoy members while Hilton offers it to elite members. Hilton-branded cards come with complimentary Hilton Honors elite status so it’s easy to qualify and make your points go further.

Best Airline-Branded Cards for Vacation Packages

Earning miles on an airline-branded credit card can help you build a stash of travel currency you can use for your next vacation. Let’s look at some popular airline-branded cards that serve this purpose well and allow you to use miles/points for a portion, or the entire cost, of your vacation package.

Delta Air Lines-Branded Credit Cards

Use your Delta SkyMiles (or a combination of miles and cash) to purchase vacation packages that include flights, hotels, rental cars, ground transportation, and activities for all the travelers in your group. Delta offers vacation packages for over 300 destinations.

A minimum of a flight and 2 nights hotel is required to book a Delta Vacation and there is no minimum as to how many miles you can use for payment.

Delta SkyMiles are normally worth 1 cent each towards a vacation package but watch for specials where miles could be worth more.

To find out which Delta-branded card is a fit for you, you’ll want to read our comprehensive article that illustrates the features and benefits of each Delta Air Lines credit card and how the cards enhance your travel experience.

American Airlines-Branded Credit Cards

Booking your vacation package with American Airlines Vacations gives you access to discounted airfare for your customized vacation package. You can pay for the non-flight portion of the vacation package, including hotel rooms, ground transportation, activities, car rental, and more with AAdvantage miles.

To learn more about earning AAdvantage miles and the best cards for American Airlines loyalists, you’ll want to check out these informative articles that covers these topics well.

JetBlue Airways-Branded Credit Cards

Earn TrueBlue Points on The JetBlue Card, The JetBlue Plus Card, or The JetBlue Business Card and use your points to pay for the flight portion of your JetBlue Vacations package.

Bottom Line: Many airlines allow you to book vacation packages using your frequent flyer miles and points. Check the airline’s vacation package terms and conditions to determine if you are allowed to use miles/points to pay for a portion, or all of, the cost of the vacation package. 

Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit To Use for Vacations and Vacation Packages

You will normally need good to excellent credit to secure any of the travel rewards cards mentioned here. However, there are several cards that you can qualify for with bad credit. We’ve put together a collection of the best secured credit cards for no credit or bad credit and the best overall credit cards for bad credit to help you get started in the right direction.

You may also want to check to see if you have credit card offers already available to you. Use the no-risk CardMatch tool to check for offers with no inquiry on your credit report.

Hot Tip: If your next vacation is a road trip, don’t load up the minivan before reading our article on the best credit cards for funding a road trip and for earning while you’re on the road.

Best Credit Cards for Vacations and Vacation Packages — Summary

We’ve covered some of the best cards to use for building your own vacation, to use while on vacation, and for purchasing vacation packages. Let’s summarize all the information in 1 spot and see how the cards compare.

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CardVacation and Vacation Package Benefit Highlights
Chase Sapphire Reserve card
  • Book each element of your vacation via the Chase travel portal with Ultimate Rewards points at 50% more value for your points
  • Transfer points to airline and hotel partners to book flights, vacation packages, or free hotel award nights
  • Worldwide lounge access via Priority Pass Select membership
  • $300 travel statement credit each year
  • Earn 3x rewards on travel purchases
Chase Sapphire Preferred card
  • Book each element of your vacation via the Chase travel portal with Ultimate Rewards points at 25% more value for your points
  • Transfer points to airline and hotel partners to book flights, vacation packages, or free hotel award nights
  • Earn 2x rewards on travel purchases
Amex Business Platinum card
  • 5x earnings on prepaid hotel and flights via AmexTravel.com
  • 35% rebate when using points for select flights via AmexTravel.com
  • Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors upon enrollment
  • Worldwide lounge access
  • $200 statement credit for airline incidentals each year
  • Car rental perks
Amex Platinum card
  • 5x earnings on prepaid hotel and flights via AmexTravel.com (capped at $500,000 per year)
  • Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors upon enrollment
  • Worldwide lounge access
  • $200 statement credit for airline incidentals each year
  • Car rental perks
Capital One Venture card
  • Redeem rewards as a statement credit for travel purchases
  • Transfer miles to airline partners to use for flights or vacation packages
Freedom Unlimited card

Freedom Flex card

  • Ultimate Rewards points earned on the cards can be transferred to premium Chase cards and redeemed for up to 50% more
  • Ultimate Rewards points that are transferred to premium Chase cards can then be transferred to travel partners for even greater potential value
Double Cash card
  • Accumulate cash-back to use for travel or convert cash-back to ThankYou Points and redeem for travel
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card
  • Use Marriott Bonvoy points earned on the card for free hotel nights or you can transfer to airline partners
  • Free hotel night certificate each year worth up to 85,000 points
  • Worldwide lounge access
Hilton Aspire card
  • $200 resort credit each card anniversary year
  • $400 airline incidentals statement credit
  • Free Night Reward each card anniversary year
Delta Air Lines-branded cardsBest for earning Delta SkyMiles which can be used to book Delta Air Lines flights, partner flights, and Delta Vacations
American Airlines-branded cardsUse AAdvantage miles to purchase the non-flight portion of your vacation package
JetBlue Airways-branded cardsUse TrueBlue Points to purchase the flight portion of your vacation package

Final Thoughts

Utilizing credit card rewards to offset the cost of your vacation is a grand economic accomplishment that can be the result of making purchases you’d normally be making anyway.

However, you’ll want to select a card that aligns with your travel goals to receive the most value at redemption time. The best card for individual flights, hotels, activities, or ground transport, for example, could be a card that earns flexible rewards such as Ultimate Rewards points or Membership Rewards points. The best credit card for purchasing a vacation package may be a hotel- or airline-branded card.

Then, of course, you’ll want the card to earn lots of rewards you can use for your vacation expenses. To do this, you’ll want your highest most common spending categories to be rewarded well, and/or you’ll want the card to have a generous welcome bonus you can use for travel.

Finding a card that meets your travel redemption options and ensures your spending earns maximum rewards will help you nicely offset a portion, or nearly all of your next vacation expenses. You may even be able to elevate your trip experience with the associated card perks and benefits.

The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding The JetBlue Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding The JetBlue Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding The JetBlue Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best credit card for vacations?

The best credit card for vacations or vacation packages for you will be the card that provides elevated earnings on your most common purchases and comes with redemption options that allow you to use the rewards you’ve earned to cover some, or most of, your vacation expenses.

You’ll also want to determine if you will use the benefits that come with the card and if you’re comfortable paying the annual fee.

The best card for you may be different than the best card for someone else, depending on your priorities.

Should I get a credit card for vacation?

Yes. A travel rewards card that earns well on travel purchases is an excellent way to earn rewards that could be used for future trips.

You’ll want to select a card that offers elevated earnings on the largest purchases you’ll be making during your trip, a card that has redemption options that match your future travel goals, and a card with an annual fee you’re comfortable paying.

What is the best credit card for international travel?

The first attribute you’ll want to look for in a card to use for international travel is that it does not charge foreign transaction fees. These fees can be as high as 3% and can add up significantly.

The best card to use for international travel will also be the one that rewards the specific types of purchases you’ll be making. For example, if you are doing a lot of train travel, using ground transportation, and eating out, you’ll want a card that earns elevated rewards on travel and dining.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a good choice for international travel as it earns well on travel and dining and does not charge foreign transaction fees. Plus, the card comes with several useful travel benefits such as primary rental car insurance.

How do I use credit card miles for vacations?

There are several ways to use credit card miles for vacations. Some credit cards earn flexible points that can be transferred to airline partners and turned into miles. You can then use these miles to purchase award flights or vacation packages with the airline.

You may also be able to transfer points to hotel partners to book award nights. Additionally, points may be able to be used to purchase travel directly via the card issuer’s travel portal.

Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning cards and Amex Membership Rewards-earning cards both allow these types of redemptions.

Additionally, you may be able to use the points/miles you earn on a credit card towards a statement credit for travel purchases. Capital One is one card issuer that allows you to do this on select cards.

Christine Krzyszton's image

About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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