I’m a big proponent of traveling with a credit card. That’s because I’ve seen so many of the benefits that come with having a card that delivers on the perks and security like some of the best travel credit cards listed below.
Last year, I traveled to Spain and saved over $10,000 in flight and hotel costs because of my card’s rewards program.
When this post was originally published (February 2024), I was in Switzerland – again. I flew there for free (a flight that would typically cost $1,200) and redeemed a free night in a hotel worth $400.
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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
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Everyone Should Have a Travel Credit Card
Why a travel credit card?
A travel credit card helps you earn miles, perks, and points to go towards your next vacation. Additionally, the best travel credit cards offer advantages over normal credit cards, including foreign currency services, additional security, locked-in exchange rates, customer services, and emergency services, among other benefits.
You can definitely travel without a travel-specific credit card, but why would you do that when you could have benefits like these?
Who This Post is For
When I’m talking to fellow travelers or coaching my travel clients about travel ideas, people always wonder whether using credit cards to travel is worth it or not. Here are some common objections from people who don’t think they need a travel credit card:
- “I hardly travel – maybe once every one or two years.”
- “When I travel, I don’t fly first class or stay in the fanciest hotels.”
- “Most of my traveling is done on holidays or typical vacation days – going home and seeing family. I’m not going on extravagant vacations.”
- “I avoid staying in hotels whenever I can. I usually stay with friends and family at their homes.”
- “I prefer driving to flying.”
The bottom line is: no matter how experienced or luxurious of a traveler you are, it makes sense to get a travel credit card, start building up the rewards, and redeem them when you’re ready. Who knows? A free flight could be the incentive you need to go on your next adventure!
Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Travel Credit Card for You
The travel credit card industry is HUGE. You can find a credit card for pretty much any need, from hotels and airlines to cash back to pay for your travel expenses.
Because there are so many options, it’s important to zero in on exactly what you’re looking to get out of your card and make sure you’re choosing the right card for you.
Travel Credit Card Rewards, Benefits, & Perks
All travel credit cards offer some combination of benefits, card rewards, perks, and points. Some travel cards provide rewards in the form of points or flight miles. Others have preferred partner networks where cardholders can get discounts, deals, and other benefits on things like lodging, rentals, or dining.
There are also cards that offer travel-specific perks, like statement credits for TSA PreCheck, airport lounge access, a free checked bag, and more.
Be sure you understand the perks package you’ll get before you choose your travel credit card.
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Travel Card Annual Fees
Some travel credit cards operate with APR interest charges on purchases, and some charge their customers annual fees.
According to CNBC, typical annual fees range anywhere from $95 to $695. NerdWallet states that the average annual fee is around $105 per year.
I know what you’re thinking; you’d probably prefer a card with an annual fee of $0. But, I tend to prefer credit cards with a $95 annual fee, and even an AMEX card with a $695 fee, because of the benefits they come with. With the right card, the benefits can more than make up for the fees.
Travel Card Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on Purchases
The “APR” is how much interest you’re charged on your balance. The lower, the better. That means you’re likely to pay a lower monthly fee if you carry a balance on your credit card. According to Forbes Advisor, APR interest rates range from 19% to 28%.
In some cases, credit cards have a grace period during which they don’t charge interest on your balance, usually in the first 6 – 12 months of getting the card.
As with any loan or credit request, your APR is probably the most important deciding factor in choosing a card. If you plan on carrying a balance, aim for a travel card with a lower APR.
Travel Card Foreign Transaction Fees & Rates
When you purchase something out of the country with a travel credit card, you’ll typically incur a currency exchange fee of some kind.
The best travel credit cards will give you a flat rate transaction fee, which means your rate isn’t changing based on fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates, but a flat rate set by your credit provider.
According to HMS, a typical flat rate fee is 2.75% to 2.9% of the transaction cost.
Travel Card Holder Services
Some credit cards offer additional account services, such as travel assistance (e.g., booking flights, helping you find accommodations, and more), concierge-style services, and card account management. These services can help you save more time and money when you travel!
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Travel Credit Card Security & Protection
Things can go wrong when you’re traveling, and a good travel credit card can help you with card and account security benefits, trip insurance, and more. The best travel credit cards will offer you some kind of trip insurance and coverage if things go south. Check to see what amounts are covered in case of loss or theft.
Welcome/New Customer Bonuses
Last but not least, some cards offer new customers advantages and bonuses. Most of the time, these come in the form of miles or points bonuses. This is extremely important, and it’s why I recommend getting multiple credit cards — it’s how you earn the most points!
A List of the Best Travel Credit Cards [Updated for 2025]
Your travel credit card options are always changing as new cards come on the market, credit programs change from year to year, and other factors.
The list below is current as of early 2025 and takes into account what some of the top financial websites are recommending as the best travel credit cards.
First, we’ll show you what everyone is recommending, and then we’ll consolidate all the rankings into one ultimate list. Here we go!
The Abundant Traveler’s Best Travel Credit Cards 2025
I’ve spent years testing out different types of travel credit cards, so this list is based on my own personal experiences.
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NerdWallet’s Best Travel Cards of 2025
NerdWallet is known as one of the go-to resources for credit card advice, and its travel card section is no different. It starts by listing all its travel cards from most recommended to least recommended and then lists what each travel card is best at.
Since 2024, they’ve added a few cards, including the best hotel rewards, the best airline credit card, and the best card for rewards on paying your rent.
- Best Overall: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card – Miles Boost
- Best for Flexibility: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best for Flat rate travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best for Cash back for travel bookings: Chase Freedom Unlimited
- Best for Business Travel: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- Best for Luxury travel perks: The Platinum Card from American Express
- Best for Booking Travel Direct: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
- Best for Bonus rewards: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Best for Everyday Spending: American Express® Gold Card
- Best for Travel Rewards for Rent Payments: Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card
- Best Airline Card: United℠ Explorer Card
- Best for Triple Points: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
- Best Hotel Card: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Best Credit Union Benefits Card: PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card
U.S. News’s Best Travel Cards of 2025
We’re adding U.S. News’ list of the best travel credit cards this year. Although they don’t offer specific recommendations for each card, their list is one of the most diverse.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Hilton Honors American Express Card
- United Gateway℠ Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
- Choice Privileges® Mastercard®
ThePointsGuy.com’s Best Travel Cards of 2025
ThePointsGuy.com is one of the web’s go-to authorities on travel spending, and their list of credit cards for 2025 includes many different criteria for new and seasoned travelers. One main difference from the 2024 list is that they have switched the best “business travel” card from Chase Ink Business Preferred® to The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
- Best for beginner travelers: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best for earning miles: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best for lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best for premium travel: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Best for dining at restaurants: American Express® Gold Card
- Best for maximizing business purchases: Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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Wall Street Journal’s Best Travel Cards of 2025
The Wall Street Journal’s list is short and sweet. Their focus is on different cards that meet some of the more essential criteria for cardholders.
- Best overall: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best for stretching your points: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best premium card: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Best for lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best for no annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
The Ultimate List of the Best Travel Credit Cards
Now that we’ve seen what some of the most reputable experts out there recommend, let’s put it all together. Luckily, there are some obvious standouts for my favorite travel credit cards.
My Favorite Travel Credit Cards of 2025
The Capital One Venture Rewards credit card is your passport to rewarding travel experiences. Start your journey with a generous offer of 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months from opening your account (terms apply). These miles can be a significant boost to your future travel adventures.
Here’s what sets this card apart: you earn 2X miles for every dollar spent on all purchases, ensuring that every aspect of your life contributes to your travel goals. When it comes to travel-related expenses, such as hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, you get a whopping 5X miles, making your travel rewards stack up quickly.
With an annual fee of just $95, this card offers excellent value for frequent travelers. Plus, it boasts a variable APR of 19.99% – 29.99%, making it suitable for various credit profiles.
The benefits don’t stop there. You can enjoy Hertz Five Star® Status, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credits, and access to Capital One Travel, Entertainment, and Dining. Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees, ensuring you won’t be charged extra when using your card internationally.
Furthermore, the Capital One Venture card offers additional perks, like travel accident insurance, 24-hour travel assistance services, extended warranty protection, and auto rental collision damage waiver. You can also transfer your miles to over 15 travel loyalty programs, giving you the flexibility to choose your favorite.
When it’s time to book, Capital One Travel ensures you get the best prices, and they even offer price drop protection, price matching, and real-time price alerts. So, if you’re ready to take your travel experiences to new heights, the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card is your ideal companion.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Card offers all the great travel benefits of the Venture card but with more premium benefits and decidedly higher earning rates on travel purchases. Things to consider:
- $300 more in annual fees
- 10X miles on hotels and rentals
- 5X on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Access to priority pass lounges, Capital One lounges, Hertz President’s Circle status
- Travel insurance protection
New cardholders of either card can earn 75,000 bonus miles by spending $4,000 within the first three months (terms apply).
The Platinum Card® from American Express opens the door to a world of luxurious travel benefits. Although it has an annual fee of $695 (see Rates & Fees), the benefits make it well worth it.
With a $200 Hotel Credit, you can enjoy statement credits each year for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel. Plus, The Hotel Collection offers a $100 experience credit for a two-night minimum stay.
Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection® ensures you can relax in style at over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, making travel more comfortable and convenient.
The Platinum Card® also offers a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Simply select a qualifying airline, and you’ll receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by the airline.
Additionally, you gain access to CLEAR® Plus, a service that expedites airport security with biometric verification, with up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year.
Travel enthusiasts will appreciate the International Airline Program, which offers savings on International First, Business, and Premium Economy seats with various world-class airlines.
The Platinum Card® also includes a Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. You can receive a statement credit when you apply for and use either service, simplifying your airport experience.
Furthermore, enjoy Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite Status and Hilton Honors™ Gold Status, enhancing your hotel stays. Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees when using your Platinum Card® abroad.
Car rental privileges with Avis, Hertz, and National, along with Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, provide peace of mind during your travels. Premium Global Assist® Hotline offers 24/7 emergency coordination services when traveling more than 100 miles from home.
The Membership Rewards Program allows you to transfer points to numerous airline and hotel partners, adding flexibility to your travel plans. Finally, trip delay, trip cancellation, and interruption insurance help safeguard your journeys with coverage for various unforeseen circumstances.
In summary, The Platinum Card® from American Express is your key to a world of premium travel benefits, ensuring your trips are more enjoyable, stress-free, and rewarding.
The American Express® Gold Card is one of the most recognized cards available. It offers a lot of perks for every day spending, but it also has a lot of travel benefits, great for beginner travelers. It’s annual fee is much less than the Platinum Card, at $325 annually (see Rates & Fees).
One of the biggest perks of the Amex Gold card is the baggage and rental car insurance benefits cardholders have. Cardholders get extra coverage in case of damage or loss of a rental car and up to $1,250 reimbursement for carry-on and $500 reimbursement for checked baggage.
Additionally, the Gold card doesn’t add any foreign transaction fees.
Cardholders can also get a $100 “experience” credit. If you book a room in Amex’s Hotel Collection and stay two consecutive nights, you can get a $100 hotel credit to spend on qualifying resort experiences.
The Best Travel Credit Cards Can Change the Way You Travel
When you start to really take traveling seriously, it’s time to think about a credit card with travel points. If you plan on making traveling a part of your lifestyle, the right travel credit card can help you get more out of your travel, have additional security abroad, and potentially get you free flights, hotel stays, and more.
Click here if you want to learn even more about these and other incredible travel credit cards!
Looking for more travel tips and inspiration? Check out my favorite travel products and some of my other posts below!
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