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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
How to use these 7 credit cards to maximize your domestic U.S. getaway
Chris was a reporter at The Points Guy, where he covered the intersection of credit card rewards and travel. At TPG, he wrote a broad array of stories ranging from in-depth features and reports to trending travel news as it related to loyalty, card benefits and consumer behavior.
July 23, 2020 • 10 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Domestic travel has become the primary focus for many U.S. residents due to ongoing international restrictions.
Several credit cards offer strong benefits for domestic trips, including flexible redemption options, lounge access and broad travel protections.
Some cards are particularly well-suited for beginners, small business owners or those seeking premium perks.
The article highlights key features, such as transferable rewards, cash-back options and added credits for travel-related expenses.
What to consider
Many card benefits apply equally to domestic and international travel, but foreign transaction fees are not a concern for local trips.
Some premium perks, such as lounge access, may be limited due to temporary closures or reduced services.
Certain offers mentioned in the article are no longer available.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of top cards for domestic travel, including which features best match different travel styles and needs.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
As the months wear on, travel continues to look very different -- with no end in sight.
Many borders are closed to U.S. residents, and international trips are limited. However, if you're comfortable with the idea of going someplace that's not the grocery store, you're likely doing it a bit closer to home. Domestic travel is the new normal for the foreseeable future -- and you want to be using the right credit card to do it.
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Pro tip: Many card benefits are the same whether you're traveling abroad or within the U.S. Of course, you never have to worry about those pesky foreign transaction fees if you're keeping it (relatively) local. These are our top picks for the best cards for domestic travel.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Best overall starter travel card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for flexible redemptions
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for premium domestic travel
Citi® Double Cash Card: Best for easy cash back
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: Best for small business travel
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for lounge access and premium perks
American Express® Green Card: Best for broad category of travel
Comparing the best domestic travel cards
Card
Best for
Travel-related earnings
Annual fee
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Starter travel card
2x on travel, 3x on dining
$95
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Flexible earning and redemption
2x on all purchases
$95
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Premium domestic travel
3x on travel, 3x on dining
$550
Citi Double Cash Card
Easy cash back
2% cash back, 1% cash back when you buy and 1% as you pay
None
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Small business travel
3x on travel (on up to $150,000 in combined bonus categories)
$95
The Platinum Card from American Express
Domestic lounge access and premium perks
5x on airfare booked directly (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, starting Jan. 1, 2021), 5x on airfare and prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Terms apply
$695 (see rates and fees)
American Express Green Card
Broad category of travel
3x on broad categories of dining, travel and transit. Terms apply
$150 (see rates and fees)
A closer look at each card
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Why we like it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great option for those who are new to earning travel rewards, because it lets you earn valuable, transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. That's great for domestic and international trips alike. You'll get 3x points on dining and 2x points travel including things such as rental cars, Airbnb, hotels and local transit.
To redeem, you can transfer to an array of hotel and airline partners -- or redeem points for travel directly at a 1.25 cents per point rate.
Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.(valued by TPG at $1,200).
Why we like it: With the Capital One Venture, you’ll be earning 2x miles on every purchase. That makes it easy to rack up rewards without having to juggle different bonus categories or spending caps. You can also redeem miles directly through Capital One or transfer to travel partners for that domestic getaway. Flexibility is key, and this card is one of the best rewards credit cards because it has it.
Sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Why we like it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with a 3x bonus points for a broad array of dining and travel purchases including rental cards and home shares -- not just flights. You'll get extensive travel and trip delay protection, as well as a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit once every four years.
You're able to redeem for travel at an increased rate of 1.5 cents per point directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal or transfer to a variety of travel partners. Even better, you can use Chase's new Pay Yourself Back feature to redeem for everyday purchases at groceries, dining and more.
Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening (valued by TPG at $1,200).
Why we like it: If you want to keep things easy and maximize cash back on domestic trips, you can't go wrong with the Citi Double Cash. You'll get 2% cash-back earnings on all purchases -- 1% when you buy and another 1% as you pay.
Why we like it: With solid bonus categories including travel, the Ink Business Preferred is a fantastic option for small business owners. Plus, it gives you access to the Ultimate Rewards program and Chase’s valuable airline and hotel transfer partners.
Earn 3x on the first $150,000 spent each cardmember year on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines.
Earn 5x points on airfare purchased directly with the airlines or through Amex Travel, and 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. (valued by TPG at $1,600).
Why we like it: The Amex Green earns 3x Membership Rewards points on travel, restaurants and transit, so that is a broad swath of spending that earns bonus points. From car rentals to hotels (and even flights), this card will have you covered with 3x points.
The Amex Green also offers annual up to $100 Clear and up to $100 LoungeBuddy statement credits, for when you're comfortable once again taking to the skies.
Welcome offer: The current welcome bonus is 45,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in your first six months (although you can sometimes do better with targeted offers or referrals). Based on TPG’s valuation of Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, the welcome offer points are worth about $900.
While no airline cards are mentioned here, that is certainly another option if you have an affinity to a specific airline. The best perk of a cobranded airline card in the U.S. is the free checked bag privilege. If that's something you can take advantage of, it's well worth a card's annual fee. For instance, a checked bag with American Airlines when flying domestically costs $30. By flying just twice, round-trip with one checked bag, you can more than make up for the $99 annual fee (waived for the first year) on the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®.
Bottom line
If a domestic trip is on your radar, it makes sense to use the right card to maximize your travel. These cards are a great start and will help you get you on your way to earning a whole lot of points, miles or cash back.
For rates and fees of the Amex Green card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Platinum Card, please click here.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
