One way to travel the world for cheap or free is to have a travel rewards credit card. This post goes over some of the best credit cards for travel that I have found or currently use. There are a ton of different types of cards to get with different price ranges.
Most airlines and hotel chains have their own branded cards. Each card comes with its own travel perks and ways to earn points. Some of the cards are for a specific brand only and others can be used across many airlines and hotel chains.
The following are options for the best credit cards for travel I suggest you have in your wallet. Just from my normal everyday spending, I have received thousands of dollars worth of free flights and hotels! Even when you are not traveling, you can use the cards to save up enough points for the ultimate bucket list vacation.
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General Travel Credit Cards
There are a ton of general travel credit cards out there. The perk of having a general travel credit card means you can use the points for anything related to travel: hotels, airplane tickets, rental cars, and sometimes even experiences! I personally love the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and I think it is one of the best credit cards for travel. I have used points from the Chase Sapphire Reserve to fly around the world such as to Morocco and Italy.
American Express
American Express Platinum
Cost: $695
Perks: $200 annual travel credit, $20/month streaming credit, Lounge Access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, Uber Credit
Cons: Annual Fee, restrictive
5X points on travel related expenses
The American Express Platinum has a lot of perks, especially for people who like more luxury travel. Not only does this card give you a Priority Pass lounge membership, but it also gets you into AMEX Centurion Lounges. Each year, you also get $200 worth of credit to spend on one airline which can cover things such as baggage or sometimes upgrades.
A different perk of the AMEX Platinum is the status you get at Hilton and Marriott branded hotels. Both of these include benefits such as room upgrades, free breakfast, and more points. The one downside of the AMEX Platinum is that the credits are a bit more restrictive than other credit cards.
American Express Green
Cost: $150
Perks: $100 Clear credit, $100 lounge buddy credit
Cons: Not as many benefits as other cards
3X points on travel related expenses
The American Express Green Card is a perfect introduction credit card. If you are not sure about getting a card with a hefty annual fee, start with this card! It still allows you to earn points and still gives you access to the AMEX portal, but without the hefty price tag. You can try out some lounges with the lounge buddy credit to see if you like the experience or not. Clear is also a great thing to have if you do not have TSA pre-check.
Chase
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Cost: $550
Perks: Lounge Access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, $300 annual travel credit, $120 Peloton Credit
Cons: Annual Fee
3X points on travel related expenses, 10X hotels/cars, 5X flights if booked through Chase
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is my personal favorite of the best credit cards for travel. Although it does come with a hefty annual fee, I find it worth it for the perks I get out of it. Oftentimes, the signup bonus is 75,000-100,000 points, so that is the best time to apply!
I love the $300 annual travel credit as it guarantees me at least one domestic plane ticket or a weekend away. Another favorite perk of mine is the lounge access. Although this is mostly when traveling internationally, lounges are a lifesaver on a long layover or to relax before hopping on your flight!
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Cost: $95
Perks: 5X points on Lyft, DashPass
Cons: Not a ton of great perks besides points
2X points on dining and travel
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is another good credit card to start with to get a feeling for the points game. Although there are not a ton of perks that come with this card, it still earns you points for travel with a low annual fee. If you use Lyft a lot, the five times the points also add up.
Chase Freedom/Chase Freedom Unlimited
These no annual fee cards from Chase are good cards to supplement your other Chase cards. The cool thing with Chase cards is you can pool your points, and you will get the benefits of the highest level card you hold. The Freedom Unlimited gives you 1.5% extra points on all purchases, so it is a great one to use for random purchases.
The Freedom offers quarterly 5% bonuses on certain categories. For example, one quarter might be five times the points on internet and streaming services. These are easy cards to add to your collection.
Capital One
Capital One Venture X
Cost: $395
Perks: Lounge Access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, $300 annual travel credit, $200 vacation rental credit
Cons: You only get bonus points for booking through Capital One.
10X points on hotels/cars, 5X points on flights booked through Capital One
The Capital One Venture X is the newest of the best credit cards for travel on the scene. This seems to be a newly popular option that I plan on getting in the next year. Right now, the sign-on bonus is 100,000 miles. It has a lot of premium perks for a lower price than a lot of the other premium cards.
For a $395 annual fee, you get 10,000 anniversary points a year, $300 travel credit, $200 vacation rental credit, access to Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, and quite a few other little bonuses. It seems like the new best travel credit card to get, especially if just starting out.
Capital One Venture
Cost: $95
Perks: Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
Cons: Not a bunch of perks
5X points on hotels/cars booked through Capital One
The Capital One Venture Card has been around for a while and gets a decent amount of perks for the cost. At only a $95/year annual fee, you get 2 visits to Capital One lounges, $100 towards Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, as well as a few other status perks.
Airline Branded Credit Cards
Almost every single airline has its own branded credit card. I suggest you get a credit card with the airline you fly most often, or the airline you prefer. Although I always fly whatever is cheapest, my preferred airline of choice in the United States is Southwest Airlines. Therefore, I have the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card which I think is one of the best credit cards for travel.
For a $99 annual fee, benefits of this card include 2 points for every dollar on Southwest purchases, 6,000 points on your card member anniversary, and no foreign transaction fees. I have used my Southwest points to fly to places like Chicago, St. Louis, and Philadelphia.
I also have the $99 JetBlue Card. This gets me free bags on any JetBlue flight. I fly them at least twice a year to visit family and friends in New York City, so I found it worth it for me. (Note that I have now canceled this one since I do not fly them as much).
Other perks airlines offer on their credit cards may also include free checked bags, upgraded boarding groups, lounge entrance, a companion pass, and much more! Check out each airline’s specific card for more information.
AAdvantage Credit Card
4 different card choices
Cost: $0, $99, and $450
Perks: Free checked bag, premium boarding, extra points
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature
Cost: $75
Perks: One companion fare/year, free checked bag, extra points
Delta SkyMiles American Express
4 card options
Cost: $0, $99, $250, or $550
Perks: Free checked bag, premium boarding, extra points
The JetBlue Card
2 card choices
Cost: $0 or $99
Perks: Free checked bag, extra points
**Note this card never gave me my sign-on bonus even after I met the spending requirement so I would not recommend it.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card
4 different card options
Cost: $69, $99, or $149
Perks: anniversary points, extra points, upgraded boardings
Spirit Airlines World Mastercard
Cost: $59
Perks: anniversary points, extra points
United MileagePlus Credit Card
2 credit card choices
Cost: $95 or $450
Perks: free checked bag, extra points, priority boarding, lounge access
Hotel Branded Credit Cards
Many hotels also have co-branded credit cards as well. Much like airline credit cards, I recommend getting a credit card for the hotel chain you stay at the most. Hotel credit cards are some of the best credit cards for travel because you can get the most value out of them.
I personally have the Hilton Honors Surpass Card and I have gotten a ton of points from it! It is a great value for the price and one of the best credit cards for travel. I have used it to stay at the Hiltons all over the United States such as near Zion and Sequoia.
Hilton American Express
Cost: $0-$450
Perks: Status, higher points earnings, lounge access
Cons: Only good for Hilton Hotels
Hilton has three different credit cards. The cheapest one, the Hilton Honors American Express, has a $0 annual fee. Perks of this card include silver status and seven times the points on Hilton stays.
My personal favorite is the mid-level Hilton Card the Hilton Honors Surpass. This card only has an annual fee of $95 and comes with a ton of perks. First, you get twelve times the points on any Hilton stay and you also get 10 Priority Pass lounge visits a year at airports.
My favorite perk is the Hilton Gold Status that comes with the card. This enables you to get free upgrades at hotels, extra points for stays, free breakfast, snacks, drinks, and more!
The most expensive Hilton Card is the Hilton Honors Aspire. A $450 annual fee means this card comes loaded with perks and fourteen times the points on Hilton stays. These include a $250 Hilton resorts credit, a $250 airline fee credit, $100 Hilton property credit, and a Priority Pass lounge membership.
Also, this card comes with Hilton Diamond Status, which includes the same benefits as gold status but with better upgrades. It also gives you a few other perks such as premium parking, high-speed wifi, and lounge access at the hotels.
No matter which Hilton card you choose, they all come with some great perks. Use this link to sign up to get bonus points (and me some points as well). I recently upgraded to the Aspira and it is one of the best credit cards for travel for those who love Hilton properties.
Marriott Bonvoy Chase
Cost: $0-$450
Perks: Status, higher points earning,
Cons: Only good for Marriott Hotels
Marriott offers four different cards for you to choose from. Their $0 annual fee card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold, gets you silver status and three times the points on Marriott purchases. Not bad for no annual fee!
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, a $95 annual fee, gets you silver status, six times the points on Marriott purchases, and one free reward night a year. Use this link to get 3 free nights for signing up (and get me some points too).
For businesses, Marriott offers the Marriott Bonvoy Business card. This one comes with a $125 annual fee and the same perks as the Boundless. However, you have the opportunity to earn another rewards night.
Finally, their premium credit card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, comes with an annual fee of $450. Much like other high-fee credit cards, this one comes loaded with perks.
Some of these include Marriott gold status, six times the points at Marriott properties, a free rewards night, $300 Marriott statement credit, $100 Marriott property credit, lounge access, and Global Entry/TSA precheck. No matter what, Marriott offers some pretty decent credit card choices to choose from!
I personally think my Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is one of the best credit cards for travel just for the free night along.
Hyatt and IHG also have hotel-branded credit cards that give similar perks to Hilton and Marriott.
**Note you MUST pay your card off on time in order to gain the travel points. Make sure to charge responsibly.
Here are some more travel hacks to help you plan a vacation. What do you think are the best credit cards for travel?
10 thoughts on “15+ of the Best Credit Cards for Travel: How to Travel for (Almost) Free Using Points”
We have a travel rewards credit card through out bank and absolutely love it. Every year we earn enough to pay for 2 roundtrip tickets to Europe from the United States! 🙂
That is awesome! People don’t realize how much they can get for free simply because of their everyday spending.
This is really amazing, so many benefits. I wish South Africa had travel credit cards, would be helpful for a frequent traveler like myself
Yah it stinks not as many countries have as beneficial credit cards.
I started learning about credit card travel rewards when I moved to the US. I don’t think they are very popular in Spain and I have the feeling that they wouldn’t come with as many perks. My husband is a “points freak” and he has signed up for a few credit cards through the years, like Chase and American Express. we may have a Marriott card too… >D
Haha yes! I’m getting into that phase but still learning.
You’ve really done your homework on this list! We are about to begin full-time travel (well when it’s safe to do so – waiting patiently). I’m in the planning stage of looking at global options for bank accounts and credit cards. Your list is really helpful with this!
That is awesome! I hope things get better soon so you can begin your adventure.
I did not even know there were specific travel credit cards to be honest. There’s a whole new world out there that I didn’t even know about!! I just have a simple one from my bank but will definitely check if there are travel credit cards in the Netherlands because I would love to get credits and perhaps discounts in the future. 🙂
The US has some really awesome credit cards. It has helped me take some free trips that’s for sure!