How to pick the right travel credit card for you
Editor's Note
With dozens of travel credit cards available, there's truly something for every kind of traveler. The key is finding a card that matches your spending habits and helps you get closer to your travel goals — whether that's a weekend getaway or a dream vacation.
Here's what to look for when choosing the best travel credit card for you.
Key features to look for in a travel credit card
The best travel credit card for you depends on how you spend and travel. As you compare options, keep an eye out for:
- Card type: Decide between a cobranded card (tied to one airline or hotel) and a general travel card with flexible rewards.
- Welcome bonus: A strong introductory offer can deliver significant up-front value if you can meet the spending requirement.
- Bonus categories: Look for cards that reward your everyday purchases, like dining, travel and groceries.
- Annual fee versus benefits: Make sure the perks outweigh the cost of carrying the card.
- Travel perks: Benefits like lounge access, free checked bags and elite status can enhance your trips and save money.
Each of these elements plays a role in how much value you'll get — and whether the card truly fits your lifestyle.
Related: How (and why) you should earn transferable credit card points
Cobranded vs. general: Which travel card should you pick?
First, consider the type of travel card you want and the rewards you wish to earn.
There are two main categories: cobranded travel credit cards and general travel rewards credit cards.
Cobranded travel credit cards are linked with a particular airline or hotel and often come with brand-specific perks.
For airline cards, this might include free checked bags, priority boarding or inflight discounts. Hotel cards may offer annual free night certificates, property credits or automatic elite status. These cards work best if you're loyal to one brand, like Delta Air Lines, United Airlines or Marriott.
General travel rewards credit cards aren't tied to a single program. Instead, they earn points or miles you can use across multiple airlines and hotel brands, or redeem for travel through the issuer's portal, statement credits or gift cards.
General travel credit cards are typically preferable for those who want flexibility in their rewards without being tied to a specific airline or hotel brand.
Related: My 4 top travel credit cards — and how they elevate my trips
Why welcome offers matter
A welcome bonus is a one-time bonus, usually in the form of points, miles or cash back, that you earn after spending a certain amount on your new credit card within a specified time frame.
It can quickly supercharge your points or miles balance and help offset a card's annual fee. When evaluating offers, think about:
- Bonus size: A welcome bonus of 60,000 to 100,000 points (or more) can offer significant value — often worth hundreds of dollars in travel.
- Spending requirement: Be sure you can meet the minimum spending requirement to earn the bonus without stretching your budget or making unnecessary purchases.
- Offer timing: Some cards run elevated offers throughout the year, and timing your application can maximize value.
To stay in the know on the latest welcome offers, sign up for one (or all!) of TPG's newsletters, and check out our running list of the best current welcome bonuses.
Related: The best time to apply for American Express cards based on offer history
Match bonus categories with your lifestyle
The right travel credit card should reward you for the purchases you already make, so to get the most value, look closely at how a card earns points or miles and whether those bonus categories align with your lifestyle.
- Dining and groceries: Many travel cards offer elevated rewards at restaurants and supermarkets, making them great options for foodies or families.
- Travel purchases: Airline and hotel cards typically offer bonus points for spending with their specific brand, while general travel cards often reward broader categories like flights, hotels and even ride-hailing services.
- Everyday expenses: Some cards go beyond travel and dining by offering bonus points on gas, streaming services, online shopping or transit, ideal if you're looking for year-round earning potential.
By choosing a card that matches your regular spending, you'll maximize your rewards and earn rewards faster without changing your habits.
Weigh the annual fee against the benefits
Travel credit card annual fees can range from $0 to nearly $900, and whether a card is "worth it" depends on how much value you can realistically get from its perks.
Here's a good way to think about it: Figure out the card's true cost by subtracting the value of perks or statement credits you'll actually use from the annual fee. This gives you the card's effective annual cost and a clearer picture of what you're really paying.
Let's look at two examples:
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Annual fee: $795
Key perks and credits:
- $300 annual travel credit
- Up to $300 annually with StubHub and Viagogo through Dec. 31, 2027
- Up to $250 annually in complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions through June 22, 2027 (one-time activation per service through chase.com or the Chase Mobile app is required)
- Up to $120 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus every four years
- 8 points per dollar spent on all Chase Travel℠ purchases, 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked direct, 3 points per dollar spent on dining worldwide
Your effective annual fee for the Chase Sapphire Reserve when using these statement credits comes out to $0. You're actually $85 in the green.
Now factor in the value of Priority Pass, travel protections, other statement credits and high earning potential. If you take advantage of these, the card can easily provide more value than you pay in.
To learn more, see our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
The Platinum Card from American Express
Annual fee: $895 (see rates and fees)
Key perks and credits:
- Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by one airline you select*
- Up to $200 in Uber Cash per calendar year, valid on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. (split into monthly up-to-$15 credits plus an up-to-$20 bonus in December); Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the Amex Platinum as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card
- Up to $120 Uber One statement credit, fully covering an auto-renewing $96 annual or $9.99 monthly membership*
- Up to $300 per calendar year in annual digital entertainment credit, given as up to $25 in monthly statement credits when you pay for eligible purchases with the Amex Platinum at eligible partners*
- Up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year to cover your Clear+ annual membership* (subject to auto-renewal)
- Earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent after)
*Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Your effective annual fee for the Amex Platinum when maximizing these statement credits reduces below $0 — in fact, if you can take advantage of just the credits mentioned above, you'll be $134 in the green.
Add in lounge access and the elevated earning rate on flights and hotels booked with Amex Travel, and the overall value can far exceed the cost.
To learn more, see our full review of the Amex Platinum card.
Popular travel cards to consider
- Premium travel cards: The Chase Sapphire Reserve and The Platinum Card from American Express come with high annual fees but include airport lounge access, travel credits and elite status perks.
- Mid-tier and beginner cards: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is great for beginners or casual travelers who want strong rewards without a huge up-front cost. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has a higher $395 fee, but built-in travel credits and anniversary miles can fully offset the cost, making it a great value for frequent travelers.
- No-annual-fee cards: Cards such as the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card can still deliver solid value, though benefits and earning rates may be more limited.
Remember, a travel card is only worth the annual fee if you'll actually use the perks. If the value outweighs the cost — or comes close — it's likely worth it. But if the benefits feel forced, you're probably better off with a lower-fee option.
Related: The complete guide to credit card annual fees
Bottom line
The best travel credit card isn't always the one with the flashiest perks — it's the one that fits your lifestyle.
Whether you're looking for luxury lounge access or simple points on groceries and flights, make sure the card you choose matches your spending and helps you get closer to your travel goals without paying for benefits you won't use.
Related: The credit cards that help fuel my luxury travel
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.