If you love to travel, having a credit card that earns you travel rewards can be a great way to save money on flights, hotels, and other travel expenses. But with so many credit cards on the market, how do you know which one is right for you? In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 10 credit cards for earning travel rewards and help you find the one that’s perfect for your travel goals.
What to Look for in a Travel Rewards Credit Card
Before we dive into the top 10 travel rewards credit cards, let’s take a look at some of the features you should consider when choosing a credit card for travel rewards.
Rewards Program
The first thing to consider is the rewards program offered by the credit card. Some cards offer a flat rate of rewards on all purchases, while others offer bonus rewards in specific categories such as travel, dining, or gas. Make sure you choose a card that rewards you for the purchases you make most frequently.
Sign-Up Bonus
Many travel rewards credit cards offer a sign-up bonus for new cardholders. This bonus can be a great way to earn a large number of points or miles right off the bat. Just make sure you can meet the spending requirements to earn the bonus before applying for the card.
Annual Fee
Most travel rewards credit cards come with an annual fee. Make sure you factor this fee into your decision-making process and choose a card that offers enough rewards to offset the fee.
Travel Benefits
Finally, consider the travel benefits offered by the credit card. Many cards offer perks such as free checked bags, airport lounge access, and travel credits that can help you save money on your next trip.
The Top 10 Travel Rewards Credit Cards
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a popular travel rewards credit card that offers 2x points on travel and dining purchases and 1x point on all other purchases. New cardholders can earn a sign-up bonus of 100,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. The card also offers travel benefits such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance and primary car rental insurance.
2. Capital One Venture Rewards
The Capital One Venture Rewards card offers 2x miles on all purchases and a sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. Miles can be redeemed for travel purchases at a rate of 1 cent per mile, making it easy to use your rewards to offset travel expenses.
3. American Express Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card offers 4x points on dining purchases and 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com. The card also offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months and travel benefits such as baggage insurance and car rental loss and damage insurance.
4. Citi Premier Card
The Citi Premier Card offers 3x points on travel purchases, including gas stations, airfare, hotels, and more. Cardholders can also earn 2x points on dining and entertainment purchases and 1x point on all other purchases. New cardholders can earn a sign-up bonus of 80,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
5. Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premium travel rewards credit card that offers 3x points on travel and dining purchases and 1x point on all other purchases. New cardholders can earn a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. The card also offers a $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge access, and travel insurance benefits.
6. The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express is another premium travel rewards credit card that offers 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com and 5x points on eligible hotels booked on amextravel.com. The card also offers a sign-up bonus of 100,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months and travel benefits such as airport lounge access and up to $200 in Uber credits annually.
7. Bank of America Premium Rewards
The Bank of America Premium Rewards card offers 2x points on travel and dining purchases and 1.5x points on all other purchases. New cardholders can earn a sign-up bonus of 50,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days. The card also offers travel benefits such as trip interruption/cancellation insurance and baggage insurance.
8. Capital One VentureOne Rewards
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards card is a no-annual-fee travel rewards credit card that offers 1.25x miles on all purchases. New cardholders can earn a sign-up bonus of 20,000 miles after spending $500 in the first 3 months. Miles can be redeemed for travel purchases at a rate of 1 cent per mile.
9. Discover it Miles
The Discover it Miles card is another no-annual-fee travel rewards credit card that offers 1.5x miles on all purchases. At the end of the first year, Discover will match all of the miles you’ve earned. This means that if you earn 25,000 miles in your first year, Discover will give you another 25,000 miles for a total of 50,000 miles.
10. Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card
The Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card offers 3x points on dining, travel, and streaming services and 1x point on all other purchases. New cardholders can earn a sign-up bonus of 20,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. The card also offers cell phone protection and travel insurance benefits.
How to Choose the Right Travel Rewards Credit Card
With so many travel rewards credit cards to choose from, it can be overwhelming to find the right one for you. Here are some tips to help you make your decision:
- Consider your spending habits: Choose a card that rewards you for the purchases you make most frequently.
- Look at the sign-up bonus: A large sign-up bonus can be a great way to jump-start your rewards balance, but make sure you can meet the spending requirements before applying for the card.
- Factor in the annual fee: Make sure the rewards you earn with the card are worth the annual fee.
- Look at the travel benefits: Consider the travel benefits that come with the card, such as airport lounge access, travel insurance, and statement credits for travel purchases.
- Check for foreign transaction fees: If you plan on using your card while traveling internationally, make sure it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
- Research the rewards program: Understand how the rewards program works and how you can redeem your rewards.
- Consider the issuer: Choose a card from an issuer that you trust and that has a good reputation for customer service.
By considering these factors, you can choose the travel rewards credit card that’s right for you and start earning points or miles towards your next trip.
Conclusion
Travel rewards credit cards can be a great way to earn points or miles towards your next trip. The top 10 credit cards for earning travel rewards offer a variety of benefits and rewards programs to suit different needs and preferences. By choosing the right card for you and using it wisely, you can earn rewards and save money on travel.