Best travel credit cards
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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.
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.
Advertisement: Partner compensation may impact how or where our card products appear, but does not impact our editorial opinions and reviews. Learn more here.
Best for beginner travelers
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit card on the market. Offering an excellent return on travel and dining purchases, the card packs a ton of value that easily offsets its $95 annual fee. Cardholders can redeem points for Chase Travel bookings or transfer points to one of Chase’s 14 valuable airline and hotel partners. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Best for premium travel
Best for dining at restaurants
Best for dining and travel insurance
Best for maximizing business purchases
Best for variety of bonus categories
| Rate | Category |
|---|---|
| 5x | Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. |
| 3x | Earn 3x on dining, vacation homes at top brands, gas & EV charging, top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs). |
| 2x | Earn 2x on all other travel purchases. |
| 1x | Earn 1x on all other purchases. |
75,000 bonus points.
$95
19.49% - 27.74% Variable
670-850
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit card on the market. Offering an excellent return on travel and dining purchases, the card packs a ton of value that easily offsets its $95 annual fee. Cardholders can redeem points for Chase Travel bookings or transfer points to one of Chase’s 14 valuable airline and hotel partners. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
75,000 bonus points.
$95
19.49% - 27.74% Variable
670-850
Excellent/Good
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit card on the market. Offering an excellent return on travel and dining purchases, the card packs a ton of value that easily offsets its $95 annual fee. Cardholders can redeem points for Chase Travel bookings or transfer points to one of Chase’s 14 valuable airline and hotel partners. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
| Rate | Category |
|---|---|
| 3X | Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. |
| 1X | Earn 1X points on other purchases |
20,000 bonus points
$0
18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable APR
670-850
The Wells Fargo Autograph card packs a punch for a no-annual-fee product, with an array of bonus categories plus solid perks and straightforward redemption options.
The Wells Fargo Autograph card packs a punch for a no-annual-fee product, with an array of bonus categories plus solid perks and straightforward redemption options.
Best for variety of bonus categories
20,000 bonus points
$0
18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable APR
670-850
Excellent/Good
The Wells Fargo Autograph card packs a punch for a no-annual-fee product, with an array of bonus categories plus solid perks and straightforward redemption options.
| Rate | Category |
|---|---|
| 10 Miles | 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 5 Miles | 5 Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2 Miles | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
Earn 75,000 bonus miles
$395
19.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
If you can maximize the up to $300 annual credit toward Capital One Travel, the Venture X’s annual fee effectively comes down to $95. Add in a 10,000-mile bonus every account anniversary (worth $185, according to TPG valuations), and the card may become the strongest option out there for a lot of travelers. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
If you can maximize the up to $300 annual credit toward Capital One Travel, the Venture X’s annual fee effectively comes down to $95. Add in a 10,000-mile bonus every account anniversary (worth $185, according to TPG valuations), and the card may become the strongest option out there for a lot of travelers. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Best for premium travel
Earn 75,000 bonus miles
$395
19.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
740-850
Excellent
If you can maximize the up to $300 annual credit toward Capital One Travel, the Venture X’s annual fee effectively comes down to $95. Add in a 10,000-mile bonus every account anniversary (worth $185, according to TPG valuations), and the card may become the strongest option out there for a lot of travelers. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
| Rate | Category |
|---|---|
| 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 | 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. |
As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
The Amex Gold consistently delivers top-tier returns on everyday spending, especially for dining and groceries, while offering flexible travel redemption options through Amex Membership Rewards or transfer partners.
The Amex Gold consistently delivers top-tier returns on everyday spending, especially for dining and groceries, while offering flexible travel redemption options through Amex Membership Rewards or transfer partners.
Best for dining at restaurants
As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
$325
See Pay Over Time APR
Excellent to Good
The Amex Gold consistently delivers top-tier returns on everyday spending, especially for dining and groceries, while offering flexible travel redemption options through Amex Membership Rewards or transfer partners.
| Rate | Category |
|---|---|
| 8x | Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠. |
| 4x | Earn 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. |
| 3x | Earn 3x points on dining worldwide. |
| 1x | Earn 1x points on all other purchases. |
100,000 bonus points.
$795
19.74% - 28.24% Variable
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® remains one of the most rewarding travel credit cards thanks to its elevated earning rates on both Chase Travel℠ and direct hotel and airline purchases. Cardholders also gain access to more than $2,700 in potential annual value through premium perks like lounge access, hotel status, lifestyle credits and flexible travel credits.
With its strong earning structure and access to Chase’s airline and hotel partners, it’s a top choice for travelers seeking both luxury and long-term value.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® remains one of the most rewarding travel credit cards thanks to its elevated earning rates on both Chase Travel℠ and direct hotel and airline purchases. Cardholders also gain access to more than $2,700 in potential annual value through premium perks like lounge access, hotel status, lifestyle credits and flexible travel credits.
With its strong earning structure and access to Chase’s airline and hotel partners, it’s a top choice for travelers seeking both luxury and long-term value.
Best for dining and travel insurance
100,000 bonus points.
$795
19.74% - 28.24% Variable
740-850
Excellent
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® remains one of the most rewarding travel credit cards thanks to its elevated earning rates on both Chase Travel℠ and direct hotel and airline purchases. Cardholders also gain access to more than $2,700 in potential annual value through premium perks like lounge access, hotel status, lifestyle credits and flexible travel credits.
With its strong earning structure and access to Chase’s airline and hotel partners, it’s a top choice for travelers seeking both luxury and long-term value.
| Rate | Category |
|---|---|
| 3X | Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year |
| 1X | Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases – with no limit to the amount you can earn |
Earn 100,000 bonus points
$95
17.99% - 26.99% Variable
670-850
The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card's sign-up bonus is a generous offer for the card. Plus earn points across the four bonus categories (travel, shipping, advertising and telecommunication providers) that are most popular with businesses. The card comes with travel protections, shopping protections and will also have primary coverage when renting a car for business purposes for you and your employees. Read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.
The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card's sign-up bonus is a generous offer for the card. Plus earn points across the four bonus categories (travel, shipping, advertising and telecommunication providers) that are most popular with businesses. The card comes with travel protections, shopping protections and will also have primary coverage when renting a car for business purposes for you and your employees. Read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.
Best for maximizing business purchases
Earn 100,000 bonus points
$95
17.99% - 26.99% Variable
670-850
Good, Excellent
The Ink Business Preferred Credit Card's sign-up bonus is a generous offer for the card. Plus earn points across the four bonus categories (travel, shipping, advertising and telecommunication providers) that are most popular with businesses. The card comes with travel protections, shopping protections and will also have primary coverage when renting a car for business purposes for you and your employees. Read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.
740-850
$325
See Pay Over Time APR
Excellent to Good
740-850