Are travel credit cards worth it?
Editor's Note
If you don't travel frequently and are new to the world of credit cards, you're probably wondering if a travel credit card makes sense for your wallet. Because they make up so much of the card landscape, it can be hard to know which type of travel card to apply for, let alone if they're worth it.
For most consumers, though, the answer is an unequivocal yes. Here are a few reasons why a travel credit card might make sense for you.
Related: How to pick the right travel credit card for you
Who benefits from travel cards?
Frequent travelers
Unsurprisingly, if you're a globe-crossing jet-setter, chances are you'll be able to get substantial value out of pretty much any travel card out there. If this is you, you'll want to consider cards with perks like lounge access, free checked bags and statement credits for services like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
While these cards sometimes come with high annual fees and lots of bells and whistles, if you're a frequent traveler, you're right in the target market for something like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), meaning you're tailor-made to get value out of it.
Aspirational travelers
If you travel even a little bit or are an aspirational traveler — someone who wants to get more involved in the travel space but maybe without the financial backing or credit card portfolio to justify it — there are plenty of card offerings that will help you get where you want to be, literally and figuratively.
People in this camp will likely want to start with a no-annual-fee card or a mid-tier card like the popular Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees). These cards offer lots of benefits at a low or no cost and can jump-start your credit card journey while giving you points to spend and perks to enjoy in the meantime.
Big spenders
Not a jet-setter or interested in that lifestyle? Travel cards might still make sense for you if your monthly budget is high. Putting your day-to-day purchases on a credit card — any credit card — will benefit you more than using a debit card.
If you're a big spender, you'll be able to easily cash in on most cards' welcome offers, easily hitting the spending threshold and getting lots of bonus points to boot. Additionally, if you regularly rack up points on a card, you'll earn benefits like airline and hotel elite status, plus free hotel nights.
Small-business owners
If you have a small business and are looking to cut down on your expenses, plenty of travel cards can help you do so. That's because, like the big spenders, you'll likely be putting out a lot in monthly expenditures. If you put those expenses on a card, those expenditures can lead to travel rewards.
Consider something like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees), which earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points that are worth 2.05 cents apiece, per TPG's February 2025 valuations.
Related: Your guide to the Chase Ink Business credit cards
Should you get a travel credit card?
If you're not a traveler at heart and don't spend a lot every month, either on a personal level or with a small business, then a travel card might not make the most sense. You might be better off with a cash-back card that earns simple rewards on everyday spending categories and doesn't require a lot of jumping through hoops.
But as you get deeper into the credit cards world, be sure to consider travel cards — not just because they make up most of all credit cards, but because you can get substantial value out of them whether or not you consider yourself a globe-trotter.
Related: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?
Bottom line
Even if you don't fly or sleep in hotels frequently, travel credit cards can still offer significant value if you follow a few straightforward steps and leverage their earning rates and welcome bonuses.
Not everyone can fully maximize the benefits of a premium travel credit card. However, there are plenty of options available for everyone. With some research, you can find the right card to help you reduce the cost of your next trip and potentially enhance your travel experience.
Related: TPG's guide to getting started with points, miles and credit cards
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees