The 11 Best Travel Credit Cards to Maximize Your Rewards [January 2021]
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Whether you spend a little or a lot, travel frequently or just occasionally, you’ll find tremendous value in having the right travel rewards-earning credit card.
The right travel rewards-earning credit card does more than help you offset the cost of travel. It can:
- Let you linger with late checkouts and freshen up with early check-in at hotels
- Reimburse you for airline checked baggage fees
- Allow you to experience some of the best hotels in the world
- Provide discounted (or free) flights, hotel rooms, and experiences
- Give you priority access to special entertainment and sporting events
- Provide a 24/7 concierge service
- Cover your rental vehicle for theft and damage
- Give you access to some of the nicest airport lounges in the world
And this is just a sampling of the benefits of having a travel rewards credit card. The perks you’ll receive with the actual card you carry will vary, but they should complement your travel profile and reward your spending habits.
Let’s take a look at some of the best travel rewards credit cards available in 2021, review their perks and benefits, and consider which card might be a perfect match for you depending on how you like to travel.
Table of contents
- Travel Card Comparison Table
- Best Card for First-Time Cardholders
- Best Card for Luxury International Travelers
- Best Cards for the Frequent Domestic Traveler
- Best Card for the Everyday Spender
- Best Cards for Travelers Who Want Simple Earnings and Redemptions
- Best Card for the Low Spender
- Best Card for Family Road Trippers
- Best Card for the Budget Traveler
- Best Card for the Hotel Loyalist
- Final Thoughts
Table of Contents
- Travel Card Comparison Table
- Best Card for First-Time Cardholders
- Best Card for Luxury International Travelers
- Best Cards for the Frequent Domestic Traveler
- Best Card for the Everyday Spender
- Best Cards for Travelers Who Want Simple Earnings and Redemptions
- Best Card for the Low Spender
- Best Card for Family Road Trippers
- Best Card for the Budget Traveler
- Best Card for the Hotel Loyalist
- Final Thoughts
Travel Card Comparison Table
| Travel Credit Card | Benefits & Info | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Apply Now (at Chase's secure site) |
Best for: First-Time Cardholders UP's Bonus Valuation*: $1,200 | $95 |
The Platinum Card® from American Express Apply Now (at Amex's secure site) |
Best for: Luxury International Travelers UP's Bonus Valuation*: $1,650 | $550 (see rates & fees) |
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Apply Now (at Chase's secure site) |
Best for: The Frequent Domestic Traveler UP's Bonus Valuation*: $975 | $550 |
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card Apply Now (at Chase's secure site) |
Best for: The Frequent Domestic Traveler UP's Bonus Valuation*: $488 | $95 |
American Express® Gold Card  Apply Now (at Amex's secure site) |
Best for: The Everyday Spender UP's Bonus Valuation*: $1,320 | $250 (see rates & fees) |
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card Learn More (at Capital One's secure site) |
Best for: Simple Earnings & Redemptions UP's Bonus Valuation*: Up to $1,350 | $95 |
Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card Learn More at Capital One's secure site |
Best for: Simple Earnings & Redemptions UP's Bonus Valuation*: Up to $270 | $0 |
Blue Cash Everyday® from American Express Apply Now (at Amex's secure site) |
Best for: The Low Spender | $0 (see rates & fees) |
Blue Cash Preferred® from American Express Apply Now (at Amex's secure site) |
Best for: Family Road Trippers | $95 (see rates & fees) |
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Learn More (at Chase's secure site) |
Best for: The Budget Traveler | $0 |
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card Apply Now (at Amex's secure site) |
Best for: The Hotel Loyalist UP's Bonus Valuation*: $600 | $450 (see rates & fees) |
Best Card for First-Time Cardholders
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
| Credit Card | Benefits & Info |
|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Apply Now (at Chase's secure site) |
Must Reads: For more info on the Chase Sapphire Preferred, see our thoughts on its benefits, travel insurance coverage, and credit score requirements. Take a look at our full review to see why it's one of our favorite Chase credit cards. |
One of the most compelling reasons to hold a travel rewards credit card is to fund your travel goals, and one of the most valuable ways to accomplish this is to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
That’s because Chase Ultimate Rewards points are easy to earn, offer flexible redemption options, and increase in value when redeemed through a premium Chase credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
You’ll earn a sign-up bonus when you complete the required initial spending on the card, and then you’ll go on to earn 2 points per $1 on every travel and restaurant purchase you make.
When it comes time to redeem your Ultimate Rewards points — whether you’re transferring your points to hotel or airline partners or using the Chase travel portal to book your travel — the experience will make you a fan forever.
You can’t go wrong beginning your travel-rewards journey with any Chase credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards points. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is an especially fine first choice because it allows you to redeem your points for 25% more in value.
Best Card for Luxury International Travelers
The Platinum Card® from American Express
| Credit Card | Benefits & Info |
|---|---|
The Platinum Card® from American Express Apply Now (at Amex's secure site) |
Must Reads: For more info on the Amex Platinum, see our thoughts on its benefits & perks, travel insurance coverage, and unbeatable airport lounge access. Take a look here for our full review. |
When you prefer the best travel experiences, you want only the best travel rewards credit card. And if you’re an international traveler who won’t settle for anything less than a nice comfy seat, lounge access, and premium travel perks and benefits, you’re going to want the Amex Platinum card.
The benefits of the Amex Platinum card collectively create a stunning package of everything a luxury international traveler needs to elevate their travel experience.
- The Best Travel Earnings: With the Amex Platinum card, earning valuable Membership Rewards points is simple. Make your flight and prepaid hotel purchases through American Express Travel and you’ll earn 5 points per $1 spent.
- The Best Lounge Access: Whether you want to visit a Delta Sky Club, a Priority Pass lounge, or treat yourself to a Centurion Lounge visit, your card will grant you access.
- Savor Those Upgraded Hotel Rooms: Enjoy the benefits of complimentary hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy.
- The Best Seat on the Plane: Purchase an upgraded seat and get reimbursed up to $200 for incidental airline fees each year.
- Make Checked Luggage Fees Disappear: Use your $200 in incidental airline fees reimbursed each year and forget about checked luggage fees or other incidental airline charges.
- Take Uber for Free: Each month you’ll receive up to $15 in statement credits toward Uber purchases. In December, you receive up to $20.
- No Reservations? No Problem: Just call your private concierge.
- Ease Through Security: Purchase Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and receive a statement credit of up to $100.
- Enjoy Those Hotel Perks: Stay for 2 nights at a Fine Hotels and Resorts property and receive a room upgrade, $100 property amenity, late checkout, and more.
- Terms Apply.
Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card sets the standard for a premium rewards travel credit card. If its benefits are some you can use, the value will far exceed the annual fee. There’s even a possibility of getting a 100k welcome bonus for the Amex Platinum!
Best Cards for the Frequent Domestic Traveler
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
| Credit Card | Benefits & Info |
|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® Apply Now (at Chase's secure site) |
Must Reads: For more on the Chase Sapphire Reserve, see our thoughts on its benefits, global airport lounge access, and travel insurance protection. Take a look here for our full review. |
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is not just another premium travel rewards credit card. Yes, it earns rewards on travel and dining, offers a fine collection of premium travel benefits (including lounge access), and grants annual statement credits for travel purchases.
But it also does something that no other travel rewards credit card does: when you redeem your points for travel on the Chase travel portal, 50% more value is added to your points.
For example, if you redeem 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points, you’ll receive $750 in value toward your travel purchase.
While expensive long-haul premium flights can be better secured utilizing Ultimate Rewards airline transfer partners, a sweet spot for redeeming your Ultimate Rewards points is for first-class domestic flights.
If you’re a frequent domestic traveler, this means you can basically travel in first class for the price of economy.
We should also talk about earning Ultimate Rewards, too, as the card is clearly a winner with earnings of 3 points per $1 spent on travel and dining. All other purchases earn 1 point per $1, and purchases using the Chase shopping portal can earn as much as 20 points per $1.
Update:Chase has added these limited-time benefits to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card:
– Redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for 1.5 cents each for statement credits (via Pay Yourself Back) for previous grocery store, home improvement, and dining purchases through April 30, 2021.
– Any remaining $300 travel statement credits unused will automatically be applied to grocery store and gas station purchases through April 30, 2021.
Benefits of this card include worldwide Priority Pass lounge access, but there are more than 90 lounge and restaurant locations domestically.
A $300 travel credit each card anniversary year automatically reduces travel expenses, and an annual statement credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck just adds more value.
The road warrior will find value in the additional travel coverage that comes with the card, including auto rental collision damage coverage and 24/7 travel and emergency assistance.
Bottom Line: The world traveler can certainly find value in having the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, but the frequent domestic traveler who likes to fly first class, enjoys Priority Pass lounge and restaurant access, and spends a lot on travel and dining will fare very well by having the card.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card
| Credit Card | Benefits & Info |
|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card Apply Now (at Chase's secure site) |
|
For the traveler who values choice when it comes to hotels, you won’t find a hotel chain with more properties around the world than Marriott. Plus, each year after your card anniversary, you’ll receive a complimentary night’s stay at one of the properties (up to 35,000 points in value).
Additional benefits of having the Marriott Boundless card include:
- Complimentary Elite Status: 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher elite status, good for Silver status
- Accelerated Earnings: Earn 6 points per $1 at the Marriott family of properties and 2 points per $1 on all other purchases
You’ll also receive a variety of Visa Signature travel perks with the card including:
- Roadside dispatch
- Auto rental collision damage waiver
- Travel and emergency assistance
- Lost luggage reimbursement
- Baggage delay insurance
- Travel accident coverage
- No foreign transaction fees
Bottom Line: If you’re loyal to a particular hotel brand, it makes sense to be earning additional rewards on those hotel expenditures with a hotel-branded travel rewards credit card… especially when those rewards can be turned into more free nights.
Best Card for the Everyday Spender
American Express® Gold Card
| AMEX CARD | BENEFITS & INFO |
|---|---|
American Express® Gold Card Apply Now (at Amex's secure site) |
Must Reads: For more info on the Amex Gold Card, see our guides on its benefits and perks, as well as our full review. |
Want a card that doubles as an everyday spending card and a travel rewards card? Get richly rewarded with the Amex Gold card, which offers a stellar 4 Membership Rewards points for every $1 spent at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year, and at restaurants worldwide! Cardholders earn 1 Membership Rewards point per $1 on all other purchases.
As a traveler, there’s no need to be loyal to 1 airline — with the Amex Gold card, you’re going to earn 3 valuable Membership Rewards points for every $1 spent for flights purchased directly from the airline and at American Express Travel.
You don’t need status with your favorite airline to enjoy the perks of free checked bags or other incidentals, since your $100 statement credit each calendar year will take care of these travel-related costs.
When it comes to hotels, you can book a 2-night stay at an American Express Hotel Collection property and receive a $100 hotel credit that can even be used toward an extra night.
You can also redeem those Membership Rewards points for travel with any airline or hotel and for other travel purchases at American Express Travel.
Everything you need to know about the Amex Gold card, its additional benefits, and how to book travel through the Amex Travel website can be found in our expert guides.
Hot Tip: With so many different issuers in the “Travel Credit Card” space, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with each bank’s specific rules before applying.
Best Cards for Travelers Who Want Simple Earnings and Redemptions
Keeping track of bonus spending categories, quarterly registrations, and complicated redemption processes may have deterred you from securing a travel rewards-earning credit card.
If that’s the case, you’ll find these Capital One travel rewards cards refreshingly simple.
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Card
- Generous welcome bonus worth up to $500 in travel
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on every purchase
- Redeem miles for travel or transfer to airline partners
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement
- Annual fee waived the first year
Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Card
- Welcome bonus worth up to $200 in travel
- Earn 1.25 miles per $1 spent on every purchase
- Redeem miles for travel or transfer to airline partners
- $0 annual fee
No need to wonder which category of expenses earns more than others — you’ll earn the same on any purchase you make. It’s that simple!
When it comes time to redeem your rewards, you’ll have many choices. The best value, however, will be to use Purchase Eraser to “erase” prior travel purchases at a value of 1 cent for each mile or transfer your miles to airline partners and book award tickets. Transferring miles to airline partners can result in potentially higher value for your reward miles.
Bottom Line: For straightforward earnings and redemptions, Capital One travel rewards credit cards allow you to forget about managing your rewards and let you concentrate on planning your next trip instead.
Best Card for the Low Spender
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
| Amex Credit Card | Benefits & Info |
|---|---|
| Blue Cash Everyday® from American Express Apply Now (at Amex's secure site) |
Must Reads: For more info on the Blue Cash Everyday Card, see our guide on its benefits and our full review. |
You don’t have to be a big spender to earn travel rewards. With a relatively low minimum spend requirement once you’re approved for a card, you can earn a welcome bonus and jumpstart the rewards-earning process.
Perhaps you haven’t pursued a rewards-earning credit card because you don’t spend a lot and might be wondering whether it’s worth the effort at all. You may be surprised to learn that the purchases you’re already making can earn rewards to help you fund a trip, or just add some cash to your bottom line.
Because you’ll be earning rewards on your everyday purchases with the Blue Cash Everyday card, you don’t have to spend big for the cash-back to start adding up. On groceries alone, you’ll earn $180 after getting 3% back from $6,000 in annual purchases at U.S. supermarkets.
Add that to your 2% earnings at U.S. gas stations and selected U.S. department stores, and you’ve paid for your hotel nights without spending any more than you’d normally spend!
Whether your travel goal is a weekend trip away with the family or a flight to visit an old friend, you can utilize the cash-back you earn on the Blue Cash Everyday card to help offset the cost of your adventure.
Hot Tip: If you’re working toward a travel goal and using a cash-back credit card, you may want to purchase gas, hotel, or other travel-related gift cards with your rewards to help save for your trip.
Best Card for Family Road Trippers
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
| Amex Credit Card | Benefits & Info |
|---|---|
| Blue Cash Preferred® from American Express Apply Now (at Amex's secure site) |
|
It’s Friday afternoon and the workweek is done. You’re ready to high-five the family when you arrive home because you’re hitting the road for a weekend adventure. It doesn’t happen often… but this weekend it’s on!
We’re certain the Blue Cash Preferred card was created with family road trippers in mind. After all, you’ll earn cash-back on all the purchases you’ll be making during your trip, and you can use the cash-back you earned previously on everyday expenses to actually help fund your trip.
It’s a win-win cash-back solution for the family that hits the road together or those who just want a little extra cash flow.
Earning 6% cash-back on U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) delivers up to $360 each year in cash-back. Add all the cash you’ll earn with 3% cash-back on your U.S. gas stations, plus a generous cash-back introductory bonus, and you’ll have plenty of travel funds for that weekend road trip.
Not only do you earn cash-back on groceries and gas, but the card also offers 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions and 3% cash-back on transit, including taxis and rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more.
The Blue Cash Preferred card just might make you a family road trip hero!
Best Card for the Budget Traveler
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card
| Credit Card | Benefits & Info |
|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® Learn More (at Chase's secure site) |
Must Reads: For more info on the Chase Freedom Unlimited, see our thoughts on its benefits and our full review. |
Do you like to travel but have a tight budget? The Freedom Unlimited card has a little secret that might help you out.
You see, the cash-back you earn on all of your purchases with the Freedom Unlimited card is not just cash-back; it can be redeemed for travel or transferred to Chase premium credit cards for even greater value.
If you like to travel on a budget, Ultimate Rewards points are perfect for securing economy flights on the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal. Booking travel is easy, and you can redeem your points for airline tickets, hotels, car rentals, and travel experiences.
To step up the value of your Ultimate Rewards points, you can transfer them to a Chase premium card such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, where the value of your Ultimate Rewards Points is increased by up to 50% more. You’ll also have the option to then transfer your points to airline and hotel partners for even greater potential value.
With no annual fee, a simple earning structure, and the value you can receive when redeeming Ultimate Rewards Points, the Freedom Unlimited card is a fine choice for the budget traveler.
Now go tell your family they’re going to Disney World!
Bottom Line: When redeeming Ultimate Rewards points for travel, you can pick any airline, hotel, or travel experience without worrying about award availability or blackout dates — redeeming your points is just like paying with cash.
Best Card for the Hotel Loyalist
If Hilton is your hotel brand of choice, you’ll be happy to learn that the perks and benefits you receive in its Hilton Honors loyalty program will be elevated to a new level when you carry and use its hotel-branded credit card.
Let’s take a look at how your experience can be enhanced with the addition of the hotel’s branded credit card.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
| CREDIT CARD | CARD INFO |
|---|---|
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card Apply Now (at Amex's secure site) |
Must Reads: For more info on the Hilton Aspire Card, see our insights on its benefits and our full review. |
It’s unusual that a credit card alone would grant top elite status to the cardholder, especially without a required level of spending each year — but that’s exactly what you’ll receive by having the Hilton Aspire card. And it’s not the only premium benefit that comes with this card!
- Top Diamond Elite Hilton Honors status: Valid for as long as you have the card, you’ll receive room upgrades (including suites), breakfast, hotel amenities, bonus points, internet, and more. Diamond Elite members receive 20 Hilton Honors points per $1 spent at Hilton properties, and the Hilton Aspire card elevates that to a total of 34 points per $1.
- Free Hotel Room Nights: Receive 1 free hotel room night each card anniversary year, plus another when you spend $60,000 on the card each year. You’ll also receive your fifth night free when booking award nights with your points.
- Airline and Hotel Statement Credits: Get $250 in incidental airline fees, a $250 Hilton resort credit, and a $100 property credit at Conrad or Waldorf Astoria properties.
- Worldwide Lounge Access: Your Hilton Aspire Card comes with a full Priority Pass Select worldwide lounge membership.
- Terms Apply.
Earning Hilton Honors points is easy: you’ll receive 14 points per $1 spent at Hilton properties; 7 points per $1 spent on airlines, Amex Travel purchases, U.S. restaurants, and U.S. rental cars; and 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Redeem your Hilton Honors points for the best value by booking free hotel nights with points or with cash and points. Our expert guide on the best ways to redeem your Hilton Honors points will help make sure you receive maximum value at redemption time.
Final Thoughts
There’s a lot to think about when it comes to selecting a travel rewards-earning credit card. Fortunately, each card has its own distinct characteristics that match up with certain travel and spending profiles. This makes it possible to zero in quickly on which travel rewards credit card might be a good fit for you.
Remember: because Chase plays a prominent role in the travel rewards credit card arena, you’ll want to consider the Chase 5/24 rule in your selection process.
Regardless of which card you choose, we know for sure that travel rewards credit cards can change the way we travel and the way we live. They allow us to earn points, cash, or miles on purchases we would be making anyway and give us the ability to offset the cost of travel we may have never considered otherwise.
The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, Capital One® Venture Card, Capital One® VentureOne Card, and Chase Freedom Unlimited® card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® from American Express, please click here.
Very helpful, thanks.
Glad you found the information useful, Annie.
Helpful information.
Noticed that you have not mentioned Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card with no annual fees and no foreign transaction fees. It is regarded better than the ones you have mentioned. Interested to know your thoughts on it.
Hi Keya. Thank you for reading and for your comment. We tend to favor travel rewards cards that earn transferable rewards but the best travel rewards card will be one that works for you personally. The Bank of America Travel Rewards Card earns 1.5 points for every dollar you spend on the card and with no annual fee, a generous welcome bonus, and no foreign transaction fees, it does have value for the right consumer.
Hi,
I am a road warrior traveling every week domestically. I currently book my business air tickets using Delta Platinum card (Silver medallion status) on Delta flights only and Marriott hotel bookings using Marriott chase card (Titanium Elite status).
I also take a lot of family vacations in Europe and India. I constantly run into issues of not being able to use my Delta miles for either domestic (family) or international trips either because Delta does not have good options or the miles redemption is very high and also because I cannot use Delta lounge free of cost. We typically end up flying on non-delta flights in economy class thereby not being able to make use of the miles at all.
What credit card would you suggest I get that will help me fly on non-Delta airlines in Business class and will make the process of redeeming the credit card miles very very easy? Would also like to use to the lounges both domestically and international for the entire family. Please advise.
Hello Sameer. You may want to consider the Amex Platinum for several reasons. First, you receive complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges (cardholder only) when traveling on Delta. You will also have complimentary access to over 1,200 additional lounges worldwide for yourself and no additional fee to bring 2 guests. You would receive 5x earnings on flights purchased through Amex Travel and hotel elite status. Finally, the Membership Rewards points earned on the card can be redeemed for travel or transferred to several airline partners, including Delta.
What makes people think they need a CSR or CSP and a CFU? Especially when everyone is always talking about transferring their UR points and getting a 50% bonus on the CSP or CSR.
Hi EasternTraveler. One reason for pairing the Chase Freedom Unlimited with either the CSR or the CSP is to receive 1.5% cash back (Ultimate Rewards points) on purchases that only earn 1 point per dollar on the CSR or CSP. This maximizes earnings and you can then transfer those points from the CFU to either the CSR or CSP to maximize redemption options.
I still can’t figure out which credit card my parents should be applying for. They’re traveling to Pakistan in February and then after that one more of same trip. They’re not frequent traveling internationally so should they apply for travel credit card at all? They want to apply for TSA Global too so please help/advice. Traveling to Pakistan from USA is a total of 24 hrs or more depending on how many stops they’ll have and how long each stop would be but they’re looking for stops that are 3 hrs or more so they don’t miss their flight. I was thinking they should apply for a credit card that would have a free lounge access benefit? Thanks in advance. Happy New Year!
Hi Afshan and Happy New Year to you too. If lounge access is a priority, the Platinum Card or the Sapphire Reserve card are both good choices. It sounds like your parents would also use the Global Entry credit. Additionally, the International Airline Program on the Platinum Card may help them save money on their international tickets. I would start by making a list of what you want a travel rewards card to accomplish for them. Then make sure the card you select matches up with their travel goals, has an annual fee they’re comfortable paying, and delivers benefits they’ll be able to use. Also keep in mind that this is not a permanent decision. They can try the card (or cards) for a year and see if it works for them. You may also consider just adding them as authorized users to a card you might carry that offers lounge access benefits.