7 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
While we'd all love to be able to book every trip using only points and miles, once in a while, we have to tap out and pay cash for a flight, hotel, rental car or other travel expense.
But if we can't burn miles on a trip, we should at least earn some, and preferably as many as possible. Alternatively, if a travel expense can be reimbursed via a travel or airline fee credit, that can effectively offset the cost of the trip even better than any loyalty currency.
So, which credit card should you use for your travel purchases?
We've put together separate lists of the best ones to use for booking flights and hotels, and now we're looking at the best ones for all other types of travel spending. (Think car rentals, cruises, tours, ride-hailing services and trips booked through third-party travel websites like Expedia and Priceline).
The best credit cards for travel spending
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees)
- American Express® Green Card
- Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees)
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)
- Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Welcome bonus: Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $795
Why we like it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a ton of value for travel purchases. A fan-favorite feature includes a $300 travel credit that can be used for many different expenses.
Chase has made the travel category rather broad for this card — you'll be able to earn 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly, and most of your travel purchases made with this card are covered by industry-leading travel protections.
But the cherry on top is the up to 2 cents per point you get when redeeming these points through Chase Travel℠. That's the best-guaranteed redemption on any personal credit card on the market. The points are also transferable to Chase's valuable travel partners, so you can also use them for standard loyalty program awards that might otherwise be quite expensive.
Considering its benefits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a top choice for travel purchases despite its pricey $795 annual fee. See our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve for more details.
Related: Which purchases count as travel with Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
American Express Green Card
Welcome bonus: Earn 40,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Annual fee: $150
Why we like it: The Amex Green is a great mid-tier card for travel purchases. You'll earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel, transit and dining at restaurants, and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else.
This card's travel bonus category includes a wide range of purchases, including transit and short-term vacation rental website purchases, in addition to traditional airfare and hotel spending.
The card also offers an up to $199 Clear Plus membership credit and does not charge foreign transaction fees.
Related: What counts as travel on the Amex Green card?
Learn more: Amex Green full card review
Citi Strata Premier Card
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Why we like it: With a $95 annual fee, Citi's mid-level Premier Card is inexpensive to keep in your card collection. You can earn 10 points per dollar spent on multiple travel purchases booked through the Citi Travel Portal (such as hotels, car rentals and attractions, excluding air travel).
The card also has solid 3 points per dollar spent categories; these include air travel, other hotels, gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, restaurants and supermarkets.
Once you've earned ThankYou points with this card, you can transfer points to Citi's travel partners, which aren't quite as strong as its competitors but have some sweet spots, like with Avianca LifeMiles as an airline partner. See our full Citi Strata Premier card review for more details.
Related: Why the Citi Strata Premier and Rewards+ cards are a great pair
Apply here: Citi Strata Premier
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $95
Why we like it: After all the excitement about the Chase Sapphire Reserve, it's easy to forget its little sibling. But the Chase Sapphire Preferred is still here, and with a modest $95 annual fee, it's a very attractive option for regular travelers.
This card earns:
- 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase Travel
- 3 points per dollar spent on dining
- 3 points per dollar spent on select streaming services
- 3 points per dollar spent on online groceries (excluding Target®, Walmart® and wholesale clubs)
It earns 2 points per dollar spent on other travel purchases.
With this card, you'll earn a flat 1.25 cents per point toward booking through Chase Travel. Still, Ultimate Rewards points are extremely valuable when transferred to partners such as Air Canada Aeroplan and World of Hyatt.
The card also offers a $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through Chase Travel and 10% of your points back each year based on your card spending. The 10% is based on a rate of 1 point per dollar you spend throughout the year (not including bonus points from specific categories).
Finally, the Sapphire Preferred also provides primary car insurance when you're renting vehicles, which is a fantastic benefit if you don't want to rely on your auto insurance to cover you and drive up your premiums if an accident happens, as well as other travel protections such as trip delay insurance and trip cancellation insurance. See our full Chase Sapphire Preferred review for more details.
Related: How to use the $50 hotel credit on the Chase Sapphire Preferred
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $95
Why we like it: At first glance, Bank of America's entry into the travel rewards market might not seem that exciting. The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card earns a respectable 2 points per dollar spent on both travel and dining and 1.5 points per dollar spent on all other purchases, but there are no transfer partners with this card. Instead, you can redeem your points for a statement credit, a bank deposit, gift cards or travel booked directly at a rate of 1 cent per point.
However, the real value of this card comes when you combine it with Bank of America's Preferred Rewards® program. Depending on how many assets you maintain at Bank of America and Merrill Lynch — including checking accounts, savings, retirement, investment portfolios and the like — you'll earn one of three status tiers in the Preferred Rewards program, which translates to higher earning rates with the Premium Rewards card.
At either the Platinum Honors, Diamond or Diamond Honors tier, the normal 2 points per dollar spent on travel turns into 3.5 points, and the everyday earning rate on this card becomes 2.625 points instead of 1.5 points. With those returns, the Premium Rewards credit card is definitely one to consider for travel purchases.
Plus, you'll get up to $100 TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credit every four years and up to $100 annual airline incidental statement credit for qualifying purchases. See our full Bank of America Premium Rewards card review for more details.
Related: The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison
Apply here: Bank of America Premium Rewards
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $95
Why we like it: Ease of use is the name of the game for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, including all your general travel expenses. Plus, you can earn 5 points per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through the Capital One Travel portal.
The Capital One Venture also allows you to redeem miles for a fixed value or transfer the miles you earn to their 15-plus airline and hotel transfer partners, including Avianca, Etihad and Turkish Airlines. Most Capital One partners transfer points at a 1:1 ratio.
See our full Capital One Venture Rewards review for more details.
Related: Reasons to get the Capital One Venture Rewards card
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Card
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual Fee: $395
Why we like it: Capital One's premium travel rewards card is an exciting one. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card gives you a $300 annual travel credit for travel booked through Capital One Travel, up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, and 10,000 bonus miles on each anniversary.
Additionally, Venture X cardholders receive complimentary access to Capital One lounges and a Priority Pass membership. The card also offers travel protections such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement and rental car insurance.
With a significantly lower annual fee than some competitors, Venture X provides some excellent travel perks that make it a worthy addition to a traveler's wallet. See our full Capital One Venture X card review for more details.
Related: Who should (and shouldn't) get the Capital One Venture X card?
Learn More: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Bottom line
Since so many credit cards focus on travel, there are many great options for purchases, and you can't go wrong with any of these cards.
Whether your interest is points and miles or using up travel credits, this list has the pick of the litter. So the next time you face a significant travel expense — or even a minor one — make sure you know which card to use.
Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.