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Bank of America Travel Rewards Review: Easy Rewards for Easy Travel

Melissa Lambarena Author Avatar

What’s on This Page

The bottom line, detailed review, compare to other cards, benefits and perks, drawbacks and considerations, how to decide if it's right for you.

This solid no-fee travel credit card is especially rewarding for Bank of America® banking customers.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card Image

Rewards rate

Bonus offer

  • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.

0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 billing cycles and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Ongoing APR

APR: 19.24%-29.24% Variable APR

Cash Advance APR: See Terms

Penalty APR: 29.99%, Variable

Balance transfer fee

3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%

Foreign transaction fee

  • Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
  • Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Pros and Cons

No annual fee

New cardholder bonus offer

No foreign transaction fees

Flexible rewards redemption

Intro APR period

Requires good/excellent credit

No bonus categories

Best rewards limited to certain customers

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is an excellent option for frequent travelers who want flexible rewards but just can't bring themselves to pay an annual fee for a credit card.

Cardholders earn an unlimited 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases. Rewards never expire as long as the account is open, but some of the redemption options have a time limit attached (more on that later). Points can be redeemed for credit against any travel or restaurant purchase. With no foreign transaction fees and a $0 annual fee, this card definitely travels light.

Note that this card is different from the similarly named Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students . For more information about that version of the card, see our full review .

» MORE: NerdWallet’s best travel credit cards

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : Basics

Card type: Travel .

Annual fee: $0 .

Sign-up bonus: 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.

Rewards: 1.5 points per dollar spent.

Points are worth 1 cent apiece when redeemed for travel or restaurant purchases and a little over half a cent apiece for cash. Points can also be redeemed for gift cards at varying point values. Minimum redemption: 2,500 points for travel or cash.

Interest rate: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply . (A 0% APR period is relatively rare on a travel card.)

Foreign transaction fees: None.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flexible rewards

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card isn't tied to any particular airline or hotel chain. Book travel any way you want, with no restrictions and no blackout dates, and then use points to wipe out the cost on your statement. Bank of America® also has one of the broadest definitions of "travel" of any major issuers. You can use points to get credit for airfare, hotel stays, cruises and car rentals, of course — but also for things like campgrounds, art galleries, amusement parks, carnivals, circuses, aquariums and zoos. Add to that, points are good for credit on restaurant purchases, too.

Points don't expire, but the travel and dining purchases you can redeem them for have a time limit. You can redeem points for a statement credit toward travel or dining purchases made within 12 months prior to the date of redemption. And, these redemptions are limited to the most recent 2,500 qualifying travel and dining purchases.

Travel-friendly features

As part of the Visa network, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card travels well internationally. Visa is widely accepted worldwide, meaning you're less likely to run into trouble using it abroad. You also don’t have to worry about paying foreign transaction fees, which typically cost 1% to 3% of every transaction.

» MORE: Benefits of the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card

Bank of America Preferred Rewards® boosts earnings

The Bank of America Preferred Rewards ® program allows certain Bank of America® credit card holders to earn bonus rewards. If you have enough money in combined balances in Merrill accounts, you can earn bonuses of 25% or more. There are three tiers to the program, determined by your combined balances in those bank and investment accounts:

Say you spent $10,000 on your card in a year. That would usually earn you 15,000 points, worth $150 at a penny a point. If you were a Gold member in Bank of America Preferred Rewards®, your bonus would push your earnings to 18,750 points ($187.50). If you were Platinum, 22,500 points ($225). For Platinum Honors, 26,250 ($262.50).

» MORE: Bank of America® credit cards mobile app review

N o elevated rewards on bonus categories

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a great $0 -fee travel companion, but if your spending leans heavily towards travel and restaurants, a different card might better suit you.

The $0 -annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card earns an impressive 3 points per dollar spent on:

Restaurants.

Gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations.

Streaming services.

Select phone plans.

Other purchases earn 1 point per dollar.

Depending on where you spend your money, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has the potential to earn significantly more than the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card (assuming, of course, you don't qualify for a high tier with Bank of America Preferred Rewards®).

Like the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card , points earned on the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card can be redeemed for travel or a statement credit. But you can also transfer any rewards you earn to one of Wells Fargo's transfer partners, which can help you earn outsize value.

Air France-KLM (1:1 ratio).

Avianca (1:1 ratio).

British Airways (1:1 ratio).

Aer Lingus (1:1 ratio).

Iberia (1:1 ratio).

Choice Privileges Hotels (1:2 ratio).

You get a lower redemption value for cash

The Discover it® Miles has a lot in common with the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : an unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar spent, a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. But a key difference is that the Discover it® Miles gives you the same value per point whether you redeem for travel or cash back. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has an edge over this card Visa's wider acceptance abroad, but the Discover it® Miles is worth considering if you want better cash-back value.

Premium perks can take your travel further

The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards American Express® Card offers premium perks without the premium cost. Cardholders get 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases (4 points for those enrolled in the PenFed Honors Advantage program) and 1.5 points per $1 spent everywhere else. On top of rewards, the card offers a $100 annual air travel credit and up to $100 in the form of a statement credit for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck programs every five years.

This card comes with a $95 annual fee, but it's waived for PenFed Honors Advantage members. Even without qualifying for PenFed Honors Advantage, you can effectively cancel out the annual fee as long as you can take advantage of the full $100 air travel credit. You’ll need to be a credit union member to qualify for this card.

If you'd like to see how these cards compare with other potential travel card options, you can search NerdWallet's list of best rated credit cards .

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card offers a solid travel rewards program for the fee-averse. If your deposits reside at Bank of America®, you can gain even more rewards.

alt

If you're willing to pay an annual fee ( $95 ), this card gives you 2 miles per dollar on most spending. It has a big sign-up bonus, and miles are redeemable for statement credit against any travel expense.

Looking For Something Else?

Methodology.

NerdWallet reviews credit cards with an eye toward both the quantitative and qualitative features of a card. Quantitative features are those that boil down to dollars and cents, such as fees, interest rates, rewards (including earning rates and redemption values) and the cash value of benefits and perks. Qualitative factors are those that affect how easy or difficult it is for a typical cardholder to get good value from the card. They include such things as the ease of application, simplicity of the rewards structure, the likelihood of using certain features, and whether a card is well-suited to everyday use or is best reserved for specific purchases. Our star ratings serve as a general gauge of how each card compares with others in its class, but star ratings are intended to be just one consideration when a consumer is choosing a credit card. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.

Frequently asked questions

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a good choice for someone looking for simple rewards with a $0 annual fee. Cards with annual fees, however, typically offer more robust rewards and perks and may be a better fit for heavy travelers. With this card, you earn 1.5 points per $1 spent. (Bank of America Preferred Rewards ®customers earn 25%-75% more points.) Points can be redeemed for credit against any travel purchase.

Use your Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card to book travel however you want, and then redeem points for credit on your statement against those travel purchases. You can use points to cover expenses like flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars, baggage fees and more.

Points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for a travel statement credit.

Points don’t expire as long as your card account is open, but you will forfeit unused points if you close your account. While points don't expire, the travel and dining purchases you can redeem them for do have a time limit. You can redeem points for a statement credit toward travel or dining purchases made within 12 months prior to the date of redemption. And, redemptions are limited to the most recent 2,500 qualifying travel and dining purchases.

The more often you travel, especially if you travel internationally, the more value you can get out of a travel rewards credit card. However, if you don’t travel often, you may benefit from a cash-back card instead.

About the author

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Melissa Lambarena

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Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card – Full Review [2024]

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Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

Bank of America ® Travel Rewards Credit Card

25,000 points

0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% variable will apply.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a great option for those who want an easy way to earn travel rewards without paying an annual fee.

The Bank of America ® Travel Rewards credit card  is a great option for those looking to dip their toe into the world of travel rewards cards, without paying an annual fee.

The card makes earning points and redeeming them for travel super easy for cardholders.

Card Snapshot

Welcome bonus & info.

  • Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don’t expire.
  • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening –  that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
  • Use your card to book your trip how and where you want – you’re not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
  • Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
  • 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers made within the first 60 days, and a 4% fee applies thereafter.
  • If you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
  • Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Card Categories

Credit Card Reviews

  • Travel Rewards Credit Cards
  • No Annual Fee Cards
  • 1.5x points per $1 you spend on all purchases
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Boost your rewards rate with the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program
  • Points are worth a fixed 1 cent per point, so it isn’t possible to get outsized redemptions

Great Card If

  • You’re looking for an easy way to start earning travel rewards
  • You have status in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program

Don’t Get If

  • You want a card that earns transferable rewards
  • You want a card that offers more benefits

Bank of America Travel Rewards Card — Is It Worth It?

If you are new to the world of travel rewards cards, and you’re looking for a card that offers a simple earning structure and uncomplicated redemptions, along with no annual fee or foreign transaction fees, then the Bank of America Travel Rewards card would likely be worth it for you.

Further, if you’re someone who has status in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program, then the card would be very worthwhile to you thanks to the 25% to 75% rewards points boost you can earn.

Bank of America Preferred Rewards Boost

As a no-annual-fee card, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card doesn’t offer much in the way of benefits.

But one benefit it does offer that can be quite lucrative to cardholders is the ability to boost your rewards rate through the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program .

If you’re not already familiar, the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program is the bank’s loyalty program that offers added rewards and benefits for those who hold a certain level of assets in their Bank of America deposit accounts and/or Merrill Edge and Merrill Lynch investment balances.

There are quite a few benefits you receive at each elite status tier, but for this post, we will be exclusively focusing on the credit card rewards boost you receive:

The ability to earn up to 2.625x points per $1 on every purchase that you make is quite exceptional, and quite a bit higher than what you would earn with many other non-bonused cards.

Best Ways To Earn and Redeem Your Bank of America Points

When it comes to earning more points, the best way to do so is by using your card for as many purchases as you can. Further, if you have the ability to achieve a status level in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program, this is a great way to boost the number of points you will earn by 25% to 75%.

The Bank of America travel portal allows you to redeem your points for any travel-related purchase you can think of, at a set rate of 1 cent per point. This includes flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruises, but also excursions like amusement parks, zoos, and more.

Alternative Card to the Bank of America Travel Rewards Card

Chase freedom unlimited ®.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

The Chase Freedom Unlimited ® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.

  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
  • 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited ® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC
  • APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees:  3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Chase Ultimate Rewards

An obvious alternative to the Bank of America Travel Rewards card is the Freedom Unlimited card, as it also earns 1.5% all purchases with no annual fee .

However, the Freedom Unlimited card also offers 5% on travel purchased through the Chase travel portal and 3% on dining and at drugstores.

The card also offers flexible redemption options at 1 cent per point towards the Chase travel portal, cash-back, and more. Plus, those with a premium Ultimate Rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card can pool their points together to redeem through one of the Chase transfer partners .

We’ve also compared the Bank of America Travel Rewards card to other popular credit cards:

  • Bank of America Travel Rewards card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card

The information regarding the Bank of America ® Travel Rewards credit card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the bank of america travel rewards card worth it.

If you’re looking for an uncomplicated way to earn travel rewards, without an annual fee, then yes the Bank of America Travel Rewards card could be worth it to you… even more so if you are in the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program and can earn 25% to 75% more rewards.

Does the Bank of America Travel Rewards card have an annual fee?

No, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card does not charge an annual fee.

Does the Bank of America Travel Rewards card have travel insurance?

No, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card does not offer any sort of travel insurance.

What are the benefits of the Bank of America Travel Rewards card?

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card doesn’t offer many card benefits. However, those who are part of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program can earn 25% to 75% more points.

Does the Bank of America Travel Rewards card have foreign transaction fees?

No, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card does not charge foreign transaction fees.

About Jarrod West

Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times.

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Credit One Bank Wander® Visa® – Full Review [2024]

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation  calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

bank of america travel rewards guide to benefits

Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card worth it?

Key takeaways.

  • The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is worth it to cardholders who seek simplicity and easy rewards.
  • The card is not worth it for people who like to maximize rewards or prefer to transfer points to their preferred airline or hotel chain.

There are dozens of travel credit cards to choose from, but the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card stands out for a few reasons. At first glance, several features deserve a callout, including the lack of an annual fee, intro APR offer on purchases and no foreign transaction fees. The 25,000-point welcome bonus, earned after spending $1,000 within 90 days of account opening, is also worth mentioning.

As you dig a little deeper, the rewards structure might seem rather uninspired, especially compared to other travel credit cards : You earn an unlimited 1.5X points on every purchase. However, depending on the spender, the card’s simple rewards structure could be considered a disadvantage of a perk. Keep reading to find out if the Bank of America Travel Rewards card is worth it for you.

When is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card worth it?

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card offers plenty of benefits for consumers, even if it doesn’t look exactly like other travel credit cards or programs.

If you prefer a simple rewards structure

The card rewards you with unlimited 1.5X points on every purchase. That means you earn points no matter where you make your purchase or which category your purchase falls under. Travel booked through the Bank of America Travel Center also earn 3X points. As an added bonus, your points never expire.

The welcome bonus is also easy to earn — spend $1,000 in purchases within 90 days of account opening to receive 25,000 points. For most cardholders, $1,000 is an attainable number that won’t require you to spend far above your budget. The best part is that there’s no annual fee , so you do not have to strategize your spending or work hard to maximize the card to make up for a high annual fee. You can simply swipe the card on every purchase and wait for the rewards to pile up.

If you have a Bank of America or Merrill bank account

Existing Bank of America or Merrill customers or those interested in banking with them may find the Bank of America Travel Rewards card highly lucrative because of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program. By joining, you can earn an additional 25 percent to 75 percent in rewards for each dollar you spend.

Although there is no fee to join the program, you have to meet minimum balance requirements for at least three months to qualify. To receive a 75 percent boost on your 1.5X points rate, making your rewards rate 2.625X points, you would need to become at least a Preferred Rewards Platinum Honors. This tier requires a minimum $100,000 balance across your accounts. If you’re able to take advantage of this program, it could add a substantial boost to your rewards.

If you’d like to redeem rewards for travel or dining

The Bank of America points you receive can be used for the standard redemptions such as statement credit, gift cards, check or direct deposit into a Bank of America or Merrill account. However, one special feature this rewards program offers is that you can redeem your rewards for statement credits retroactively, on eligible travel and dining purchases, for up to 12 months of your purchase date.

This essentially means that you can spend your rewards on travel booked through third-party websites or directly with the airline or hotel, instead of restricting redemptions to only travel reservations made through the issuer’s online portal. Plus, the travel and dining categories actually have a broad definition.

Here are a few examples of the wide range of redemption options for travel:

  • Flights, including baggage fees
  • Hotel stays
  • Vacation rentals
  • Travel agencies
  • Car, boat and truck rentals
  • Cruise lines
  • Tourist attractions
  • Campgrounds

Restaurant redemption also covers more than you might expect, including:

  • Restaurants
  • Bars and taverns

Each point is worth 1 cent each when you redeem it for a qualifying travel or restaurant category. However, for gift card redemptions the value goes down to 0.6 cents, giving you far less bang for your rewards buck.

0% introductory APR offer

Anyone seeking to buy an expensive item — a laptop, treadmill or a sectional for the living room — or planning to pay off balances racked up from other credit cards would appreciate the Bank of America Travel Rewards card’s introductory offer. The card carries a lengthy intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. Note, balance transfers must be made in the first 60 days to receive the introductory rate, and a 3 percent balance transfer fee applies to all transferred balances.

If you want useful travel perks

Naturally, you would expect a travel rewards card to limit the fees for those traveling overseas. This is true of the Bank of America Travel rewards card, as it doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees . In other words, you can swipe your card outside of the United States without generating fees for doing so.

The card is also a Visa Signature card , which entitles you to a host of benefits, which include a variety for travel such as:

  • Visa Signature concierge services
  • Auto rental collision damage waiver
  • Roadside dispatch
  • Travel and emergency assistance

When is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card not worth it?

Before signing up for the card, be sure to consider your own financial priorities. There are potential downsides to the card, too, which make it unsuitable for certain types of cardholders. If the following scenarios apply for you, you’d be better off applying for a different card.

If you want to join a robust travel program

Despite the name, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card does not offer much in terms of actual travel features. There is a travel portal where you can book flights, hotels and car rentals, but the issuer has no airline or hotel partners to which you can transfer rewards.

That means there is no way to maximize rewards potential by transferring points to travel partners. And your points are not worth more, per point, when redeemed on the travel portal as opposed to using them for statement credits toward eligible travel and dining purchases. For both redemption options, one point is worth 1 cent.

With inflation affecting travel prices , rewards from a more robust travel program, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards , may bring you more value.

Should you get the Bank of America Travel Rewards card?

If you’d like to earn simple, reliable rewards while paying off debts from other credit cards or a large purchase, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a good card to keep in your back pocket. The introductory APR allows you to focus your payments on your balances, without charging you high interest. Any purchases you make here and there would earn 1.5X points on all purchases in any category.

However, as the only card in your wallet or the only travel credit card you have, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card may not be worth it. If you put all your expenses on it, you’ll amass a decent amount of rewards. But it may be difficult to maximize their value without being able to transfer to any hotel or airline partners (or receive a boost in rewards value when making travel bookings via the Bank of America Travel Center).

The bottom line

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card works best for someone who craves flexibility and a rewards structure that is easy to keep track of.

What this card lacks in a travel portal and boosted earnings, it makes up for in low (or no) fees and intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers.

Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card worth it?

Best Bank of America credit cards of June 2024

Christina Ly

As one of the largest financial institutions in the U.S., it’s no surprise that there are a variety of options when picking the best Bank of America credit cards to add to your wallet. The issuer offers a variety of cards that can cater to almost all consumers and small businesses —  whether you’re looking to earn cash back on everyday purchases or rack up travel rewards.

Many of these cards are especially lucrative when paired with a Preferred Rewards account to boost your earning rates, so see our picks for the best Bank of America credit cards below.

  • Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card : Best for flat-rate earning structure
  • Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card : Best for travel rewards
  • Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card : Best for flexible earning structure
  • Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : Best for travel rewards beginners
  • Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card : Best for earning Alaska miles

Browse by card categories

Comparing the best credit cards, more details on the best credit cards, what is bank of america, how we rate, maximizing bank of america credit cards, how to choose the best bank of america credit card, ask our experts, pros + cons of bank of america credit cards, frequently asked questions, bank of america® unlimited cash rewards credit card.

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card brings in simplicity to the line-up of the best Bank of America cards. With an easy-to-remember 1.5% rewards rate, you could potentially earn 25 to 75% more cash back on every purchase if you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member. That means you could earn up to 2.62% cash back on every purchase. Read our full review of the Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card .

  • Unlimited 1.5% earnings on every single purchase
  • No annual fee
  • $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
  • Other cards can offer bonus points on common everyday purchases
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 1.87%-2.62% cash back on every purchase with Preferred Rewards.
  • No annual fee.
  • No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

The Bank of America Premium Rewards card allows cardmembers to earn 2 points per dollar on travel and dining expenses, but Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members will earn at a higher rate of up to 3.5 points per dollar spent. Read our full review of the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card .

  • This card is more valuable for Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members, who can get between a 25% and 75% bonus on points earned
  • Comes with up to $100 in airline incidental statement credits annually and up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® statement credit and travel protections
  • Can transfer points earned into a 529 college fund
  • Other cards offer higher points for key bonus categories
  • Must open a Bank of America account to get the best value for points
  • Low $95 annual fee.
  • Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 - 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
  • Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
  • Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
  • Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
  • No foreign transaction fees.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

If you find that other cash-back cards don’t exactly match your lifestyle and spending habits, you’ll like the flexibility of the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. You have the power to pick your bonus category each month, which can appeal to those who don’t have traditional spending habits. Read our full review of the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card .

  • Flexible earning structure (3% cash back in the category of your choice and 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs); up to $2,500 in combined purchases per quarter (then 1%)
  • No annual fee or expiration on rewards
  • Maximum $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then 1%
  • Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
  • Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishings purchases.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
  • No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

When you’re stepping into the world of travel rewards, it’s likely you’re looking for simple earning and redemption options — and that’s exactly what the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is best at. Read our full review of the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card .

  • 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Bank of America does not offer airline or hotel transfer partners like other banks such as American Express, Chase or Capital One
  • No travel and purchase protections.
  • Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
  • Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
  • Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card

Alaska Airlines only offers one consumer credit card for its loyal travelers. With a low $95 annual fee, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card is a no-brainer for those who frequently fly with the Seattle-based carrier. Read our full review of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card .

  • Free checked bag for you and up to six guests on your reservation
  • Alaska discounts, like 20% back on in-flight purchases
  • $95 annual fee
  • Limited Time Online Offer—60,000 Bonus Miles!
  • Get 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
  • Get Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
  • Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. And earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. And, your miles don’t expire on active accounts.
  • Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account.
  • Free checked bag and enjoy priority boarding for you and up to 6 guests on the same reservation, when you pay for your flight with your card — Also available for authorized users when they book a reservation too!
  • With oneworld® Alliance member airlines and Alaska’s Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem miles.
  • Plus, no foreign transaction fees and a low $95 annual fee.
  • This online only offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

The Unlimited Cash Rewards card features a solid welcome bonus, simple 1.5% cash back on all purchases and no annual fee and other typical Bank of America benefits like extended warranty. It is a great way to be introduced to credit cards, earn unlimited cash back and not have to worry about bonus categories.

If you are looking for a solid cash-back credit card that features simple reward earnings, the Unlimited Cash Rewards is a great option. It earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, making it great for everyday purchases.

If you are a Preferred Rewards member, the Unlimited Cash Rewards can provide even more value. Bank of America features a bonus rate for its members and Platinum members have the highest bonus rate at 75%. That means the Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card would earn unlimited 2.625% cash back on all purchases.

If it doesn’t have to be a Bank of America credit card but you love the no annual fee and flat rate cash back aspect of the card, consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited® . In addition to its 1.5% cash back, the card also features multiple bonus categories that are as high as 5% cash back. And if you have a Chase Ultimate Rewards credit card, you can transfer your cash back to points for maximum value.

This low annual fee Bank of America card packs a punch with many travel related perks such as an up-to-$100 annual airline incidental statement credit and an up-to-$100 credit that can be applied toward the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck enrollment fee every four years.

The Premium Rewards card is a great card for travelers. In addition to its airline incidental statement credit and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, the card also comes with travel insurance protections, including trip delay/cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay/loss insurance, emergency evacuation and transportation insurance, and rental car insurance — perks that normally come with more premium cards.

To get the best value out of your card, you can boost your return by as much as 75% through Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards® program. To participate, you’ll need an eligible Bank of America checking account and an average daily balance of at least $20,000 in qualifying deposit or investment accounts. The largest bonus is available to customers with a balance of $100,000 or more — at that level, you’ll earn 3.5 points per dollar on dining and travel, and an impressive 2.62 points per dollar on non-bonus spending.

If you love the Premium Rewards card’s simple earning structure but don’t want to pay an annual fee, consider the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card instead. It features less benefits and perks but still offers a sizable welcome bonus and earns an impressive 1.5 points on all purchases.

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is one of the only credit cards that allows you to essentially customize your rewards structure to fit your changing spending habits throughout the year — with the chance to change categories every month.

People who continue to shift their spending habits would benefit from the card’s flexible reward structure.

The Customized Cash Rewards card offers solid cash-back and a flexible rewards structure so that you can get the most out of your spending every month.

If you want to stick with Bank of America but are looking for a card with a few more benefits and a higher welcome bonus, consider the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card . It offers more bonus categories, up to $100 in annual airline incidental statement credits and an up to $100 Global Entry/TSA statement credit. The card also comes with a $95 annual fee.

Although this certainly isn’t the most lucrative or flexible rewards card, the Bank of America travel rewards still offers a flat-rate reward across all spending. These rewards can then be used as a statement credit to erase eligible travel purchases.

It is a perfect card for low-budget beginner travelers who want a card with no annual fee and a simple way to earn and redeem points.

The Travel card is a great introduction to the travel credit card world. It allows new travelers to earn points on all their purchases and use these points to erase travel purchases.

If you are looking for a card with a similar flat earning rate, consider the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card . It does come with a $95 annual fee and earns an elevated 2 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases. The card also features a higher sign-up bonus, up to $100 in annual statement credits for airline incidental fees and an up to $100 TSA PreCheck/Global Entry statement credit. But the best perk of the Premium Rewards card is the ability to redeem points as statement credits or sent directly to your bank account while the Travel Rewards only allows redemption on travel and dining statement credit.

Having Alaska miles opens up some exciting redemption options. In addition to a great sign-up bonus, the card also comes with an annual companion fare, which will give your companion traveling on the same itinerary a free coach ticket on Alaska-operated flights from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) awarded each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year, among other perks like discounts on inflight purchases and lounge passes.

This is the perfect card for loyal Alaska flyers. Not many credit card companies transfer miles to Alaska Airlines so if you are a regular Alaska traveler, this can be a great addition to your wallet.

Arguably the card’s most valuable perk is the annual companion fare, allowing you to take a travel companion on the same flight for $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23).

If you are looking for a card that earns more flexible rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of our top mid-tier picks. It features multiple bonus categories like dining and select streaming services. Chase Ultimate Reward points can also be transferred to any of Chase’s airline and hotel partners.

Bank of America is one of the largest and most influential banks in the world. It is a powerhouse in banking and financial services, boasting an extensive network of branches and ATMs. Bank of America offers a large selection of financial services including traditional bank accounts, investment accounts, credit cards and more. 

Types of Bank of America credit cards

There are many different kinds of Bank of America cards, so be sure to carefully consider which one(s) would be the best for you.

Many Bank of America cards are cash-back cards, which earn a percentage of cash back from a purchase. A Bank of America cash-back credit card is the Unlimited Cash Rewards card which earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

Select Bank of America cards earn travel rewards instead of cash-back, but since Bank of America does not earn transferable points, it is still a similar concept to cash back. Generally, travel rewards can be redeemed as statement credits or sent to a qualifying Bank of America account. A point is typically worth 1 cent (or 1% cash-back). But it is important to check what your card’s point value is as the Travel Rewards card, when redeemed as cash rewards, has a value of only 0.6 cents per point. 

Airlines often feature a co-branded card with a large banking institution like the Bank of America Alaska Airlines Visa card. Generally, the card earns a select amount of the brand’s loyalty points per purchase and the points can be redeemed for future flights. In addition, airline cards typically offer brand-specific perks and benefits.  

Bank of America does not offer significantly lower variable interests than other financial institutions. It does, however, offer the BankAmericard® credit card , which is a lower interest rate credit card. The card features a 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles for both purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days of account opening, so that it is easier to pay down your debt or finance a large purchase. A variable APR of 16.24% to 26.24% will apply after the intro APR period. Additionally, a 3% fee applies to all balance transfers for the first 60 days of account opening, then 4% thereafter.

The information for the BankAmericard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. 

Bank of America offers a fair selection of small business credit cards that mirror their personal card counterparts. For example, the Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards card and the Unlimited Cash Rewards card both earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Business cards do come with additional business benefits like free employee cards, cash management tools and more. 

Bank of America credit card benefits

Many Bank of America credit cards come with a variety of benefits, though the extent of those perks depends on which card you have. 

Bank of America features solid earning rates for both points and cash-back. If you are a Preferred Rewards member, you will earn a 25%-75% bonus on your earning rate, depending on your membership tier. 

Many Bank of America cards feature a welcome bonus which can vary from points to cash rewards. Each card will have a different welcome bonus and minimum spend to achieve the bonus. 

Select Bank of America cards come with an auto rental collision damage waiver and emergency assistance service. This benefit allows cardholders to know that if an emergency arises while they’re traveling, Bank of America’s assistance services will be there to help. To use the services, simply call the 24-hour line at 1-800-992-6029. If you are outside of the United States, call 1-804-673-1675. 

Bank of America offers an auto rental collision damage waiver. This allows cardholders to reduce the expense of repairing or replacing a rented car should it be stolen or involved in an accident. It does not cover damage to anyone else who is involved in the accident’s car or their injury. You are eligible for primary coverage if the vehicle was rented for commercial/business use and secondary coverage if it was rented for personal use. If you rent a personal use vehicle outside the United States, Bank of America will offer primary coverage. Primary coverage allows you to be reimbursed for up to the actual cash value of the vehicle. Secondary coverage is supplemental to your automobile insurance which means you are still responsible for your personal’s insurance deductible and charges.

For more information about either of these benefits, you can check out Bank of America’s comprehensive description of these coverages here . 

Select Bank of America card feature travel statement credits. For example, the Premium Rewards card comes with an up to $100 of airline incidental credit every year and TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit every four years. This means if your purchases fall under either of these categories, Bank of America will reimburse you up to the maximum amount in the allotted time period on your credit card statement.

Have multiple Bank of America credit cards

While Bank of America does not offer the flashiest cards, it does feature some solid credit cards. In order to take full advantage of Bank of America, you will want to consider multiple credit cards so that you are getting the most return on your spending. For example, combining the Customized Cash and Unlimited Cash cards will allow you to earn 3% cash on your category of choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. This is a higher return rate than if you only had one of either card. 

Be a Preferred Rewards member

It’s no secret that Bank of America favors cardholders with whom it has banking relationships. This is less than ideal for anyone who keeps their money with other banks, but you can take advantage of a number of perks and benefits if you are a Bank of America customer who qualifies for the Preferred Rewards program. In order to qualify for the program, you will have to have an eligible Bank of America personal checking account and a three-month combined balance of $20,000 or more in a Bank of America account and/or Merrill investment account.

Members of the program receive a bonus on their earning rates that vary between 25% and 75%, depending on their membership tier.

Attain Platinum Honors status

While being a Preferred Rewards member is a great way to maximize your Bank of America card, Platinum Honors members receive the highest earning bonus of 75%. In order to qualify for Platinum Honors, you will have to have a three-month average combined balance of at least $100,000 or more in a Bank of America account and/or Merrill investment account. Diamond members are a tier but feature the same earning bonus while requiring a much higher minimum balance. 

  • 1 Sign-up bonus Go with a Bank of America card that features a solid sign-up bonus with a reward you can use for future travel plans or to pay down a balance if you opt to earn cash back. Choose an option that has an achievable spend threshold and that you’ll earn the currency most valuable to you.
  • 2 Annual fee The Bank of America credit cards on our list feature a variety of annual fee thresholds, including many with no annual fee, to fit your unique budget as well as your desire for premium perks.
  • 3 Bonus categories Many of the Bank of America credit cards we've listed feature enhanced earnings in various popular bonus categories to fit your spending habits and make the most of every dollar.

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What's your favorite Bank of America card — and why?

Katie Genter

  • Using Bank of America credit cards responsibly can help you build your credit score
  • Bank of America credit cards can earn cash back or various currencies on every dollar you spend
  • Some Bank of America credit cards offer valuable travel and purchase protections
  • Bank of America credit cards can hold more value if you are in the Preferred Rewards program
  • Credit cards can encourage overspending
  • Carrying a balance and using your Bank of America credit card irresponsibly can damage your credit score
  • It may be challenging to get full value from Bank of America credit cards if you don't have a Preferred Rewards membership

To apply for any of the Bank of America credit cards on this list, select the “Apply Now” button below each Bank of America card. 

The best way to activate your Bank of America card is online with your banking ID and passcode. You can begin your activation process for your Bank of America credit card here .

There is no best Bank of America credit card. Bank of America offers some solid options, but the best card is one that fits your spending habits and financial goals. 

If you regularly pay off your balance and have your account in good standing, Bank of America will increase your credit card limit naturally. But if you want to request a credit line increase online, you can begin by signing into your account. You will have to select your credit card account and then select “Request a credit line increase,” which is below Card Details in the Account Summary. 

Bank of America credit cards can be a solid option for any wallet. But if you are a Preferred Rewards member, you will be able to maximize the value of your Bank of America credit card. 

  • Best Credit Cards
  • Balance Transfer
  • No Annual Fee

On this page

  • Our top picks
  • Travel credit card details
  • How travel cards work

Types of travel cards

  • Pros and cons
  • How to make the most of a travel card
  • Alternatives to travel cards
  • Our methodology
  • Frequently asked questions

The Best Travel Credit Cards of June 2024

May 16, 2024

How we Choose

Whether you’re an occasional traveler looking to save on your next vacation or a frequent traveler looking for premium travel perks, there’s a travel rewards card for you. We’ll break down our top picks for the best travel rewards credit cards.

Best travel credit cards of June 2024

  • Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best welcome bonus
  • Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card : Best first travel card
  • Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card : Best for flat-rate rewards
  • Citi Strata Premier℠ Card : Best for occasional travelers
  • Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : Best for intro APR
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best for point value
  • Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card : Best for hotels
  • Chase Freedom Unlimited® : Best for pairing with Chase cards
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for luxury travel
  • American Express® Gold Card : Best for foodies
  • Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best for annual credits
  • Discover it® Miles : Best for no annual fee
  • Credit One Bank Wander® Card : Best for fair credit
  • Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card : Best for gas and transit
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card : Best for budget flyers
  • Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card : Best for travel credits
  • United Quest℠ Card : Best for United MileagePlus members

Additional Options:

  • Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Best hotel credit card
  • American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®: Best no-annual-fee airline card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Rewards rate

At a glance, overall rating, why we like this card.

This card has one of the highest sign-up bonuses you’ll find with a mid-level travel card. Plus, it offers generous rewards for your travel and dining purchases and additional benefits like a 25% boost in points value when you redeem your rewards through the Chase Travel℠ portal.

  • You'll find more benefits with this card than with other mid-level travel cards, including an anniversary boost and a hotel credit.
  • Instead of the typical 1-cent–per-point value you might find on rival travel cards, you can enjoy 25% more value when you book travel through Chase Travel℠.
  • Bonus categories are limited to travel and dining, so you have little flexibility in how you earn rewards.
  • The card lacks attractive travel perks like airport lounge access or security precheck credits.

Bottom Line

If you are hoping to fast-track your way to your next trip, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers ample opportunities to earn rewards, along with a generous sign-up bonus.

  • Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC

Rates & Fees

Capital one ventureone rewards credit card.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

This card is ideal as a first travel card because you don’t have to strategize to offset an annual fee every year, but can still enjoy terrific travel benefits. You can redeem for various travel purchases like hotels, rental cars and flights either through Capital One’s travel portal or other travel websites. Plus, you can transfer your rewards to partner loyalty programs — adding more flexibility in your travel.

  • No need to offset the cost of an annual fee
  • Low minimum spend for sign-up bonus
  • Lower rewards rate and less perks than cards with an annual fee
  • Reduced value of your miles when you use the rewards for non-travel redemption options, such as statement credits or gift cards

This card offers a straightforward earning structure and an attainable sign-up bonus, allowing cardholders to rack up miles while not worrying about an annual fee.

  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a great flat rate of 2X miles for all purchases and gives you ultimate flexibility for redemption, including for travel purchases booked outside of the Capital One portal non-travel rewards, such as gift cards (though you may get a lower value). You can also enjoy additional benefits, like an up to $100 credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, that can help offset the $95 annual fee.

  • Simple earning structure and flexible redemption options
  • Generous sign-up bonus
  • Lack of large domestic travel transfer partners
  • Low redemption value unless using select airlines

The Capital One Venture Card is a top-notch travel card that offers simplicity and valuable perks without the pricey annual fees associated with many premium cards in this category or skimping on rewards.

  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Thanks to its high rewards rate in a terrific mix of everyday spending categories — not just travel — this card makes it easy to earn points even if you don’t spend a ton on travel. It’s hard to find a card that offers such a high rewards rate in all three of groceries, dining and gas, so this card makes a great centerpiece for a travel rewards strategy.

  • Even if you only spend modestly on travel, this card’s annual fee should be easy to offset thanks to its everyday rewards and valuable annual hotel benefit.
  • You can pair this card with one or both of Citi’s no-annual-fee rewards cards and enjoy a terrific rewards rate on everything from travel and groceries to gas, dining and more based on your spending habits.
  • The annual hotel benefit, though valuable, isn’t the most flexible perk. If you spend less than $500 each year on a single hotel booking, you’ll miss out on the benefit entirely.
  • Competing travel cards offer higher rewards rates on general travel, higher point redemption values and more flexible, airfare-centric perks that may be a better fit for frequent flyers.

If you want to earn travel rewards but don’t actually spend much on travel, this may be the most lucrative standalone rewards card you can get.

  • Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
  • Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
  • Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
  • No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is a great choice for infrequent travelers who want ultimate flexibility when it comes to earning and redeeming rewards. Cardholders can redeem points for statement credit to pay toward travel expenses, like flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars or baggage fees. Additionally, you can redeem for dining purchases.

You can also take advantage of its sign-up bonus — 25,000 online bonus points if you spend $1,000 in your first 90 days, redeemable for a $250 statement toward travel and dining made on your credit card within the last 12 months, including on third-party sites like Expedia or Travelocity.

  • Ultraflexible redemption policy that can cover some purchases outside travel
  • Can redeem rewards as a statement credit months after the initial travel or dining purchase
  • Rewards rate for travel purchases not as lucrative as others in this category
  • Not the most valuable sign-up offer

Despite the fact that cardholders won’t be able to weigh spending toward a particular category to maximize their points, this card is a great fit for occasional travelers who still want to earn rewards but without having to pay an annual fee.

  • Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
  • Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
  • Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

For those looking for a premium credit card with generous travel perks and a top-tier sign-up bonus, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is considered to be one of the best options on the market. And with no blackout dates, expiration dates for points or point limits, the card offers major redemption flexibility.

The sign-up bonus is worth a whopping 75,000 points or $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠ after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months, so you are getting more than a cent per mile value. With the $300 annual credit for travel purchases, generous earning structure and impressive list of additional perks, seasoned travelers have plenty of opportunity to offset the steep $550 annual fee.

  • Wealth of travel perks and rewards categories
  • Increase your point value by 50% by redeeming them for travel through Chase Travel℠
  • Required spend of $300 on travel annually before travel category rewards rates apply
  • Lower rewards value for merchandise

While the price of admission for Chase’s premium travel card is steep, the bonuses and wealth of luxury travel perks will be worth it in the long run for experienced travelers.

  • Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Though it boasts a terrific rewards rate on hotel bookings and airfare, it’s flexible enough to offer great value even for occasional travelers. You can redeem points for both cash back and travel, earn bonus rewards on restaurants and score an especially easy-to-earn annual credit.

  • You can offset over half the card’s cost just by taking advantage of the $50 annual statement credit you’ll get with a $50 minimum airline purchase. That’s easy to earn even if you only fly once per year.
  • Wells Fargo now offers a decent list of airline and hotel partners, making the card easily the issuer’s most appealing option for occasional or semi-frequent travelers.
  • You’ll miss out on some of the more popular travel and airline credit card perks, like TSA PreCheck credits, free checked bags and priority boarding, which may be more valuable to frequent travelers than an annual statement credit.
  • While you can stack and pool points with the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, it only offers one lucrative category not already covered by the Autograph Journey: gas stations.

This is a solid mid-tier card for semi-frequent travelers looking for flexible redemption and a balance of everyday and travel-centric rewards.

  • Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.
  • Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.
  • $95 annual fee.
  • Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
  • Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
  • Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
  • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Its flat rate and bonus categories, especially for the first 12 months, make it a great companion for premium Chase cards. If you want to rack up as many Chase Ultimate Rewards points as possible and then use them toward your next trip, then this card can help you get there. Plus, its welcome offer can help boost rewards.

  • Its bonus earnings for the first 12 months boost your rewards and this card’s upfront value.
  • You can pool this card’s rewards with certain Chase travel cards to get more redemption and transfer flexibility.
  • Other cards have better travel benefits or welcome offers if you want as many rewards and perks as possible.
  • You won’t get the full potential of this card without pairing it with a premium Chase card, which comes with annual fees.

This card’s true potential lies in pairing it with certain Chase travel cards. Make sure you use it to pool your Ultimate Rewards points for more value when redeeming for travel.

  • Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express

See if you’re pre-approved for this card using our CardMatch tool .

This popular premium card from American Express comes fully-loaded with travel benefits, including luxury lounge access, Hilton Honors gold status (enrollment required), no foreign transaction fees and an impressive list of travel benefits that will help offset the $695 annual fee.

This card currently touts a generous welcome offer: You can earn 80,000 points if you spend $8,000 in your first six months of card membership, which we estimate to be worth around $800 when you book through AmexTravel (where points are worth around 1 cent each).

  • Extensive list of travel credits and premium perks
  • Ability to transfer points to a host of airline partners, including Delta Airlines
  • Limited amount of bonus categories
  • Expensive annual fee

For frequent travelers or those looking to make their dream vacation a reality, the Amex Platinum checks every box and provides generous travel credits to offset its high annual fee.

  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
  • Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.

American Express® Gold Card

American Express® Gold Card

The Amex Gold card offers an industry-leading 4X points at restaurants (including U.S. takeout and delivery) and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) as well as 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com.

It also features dining benefits, such as an up to $120 in yearly statement credits on select restaurants, including Grubhub and The Cheesecake Factory, and up to $120 in Uber cash annually. In addition to the foodie-friendly rewards rate, this card offers a valuable introductory offer and travel perks like baggage and car rental insurance when you book with your Gold card.

  • If you spend a lot on food and dining, its industry-leading rewards rate on restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases is hard to beat.
  • Like the Amex Green card, you can transfer points to multiple air travel partners, including Delta Airlines, and hotel partners, like Hilton Honors.
  • Its annual fee is pricier than what’s on some travel credit cards.
  • You must redeem travel rewards through amextravel.com.

The Amex Gold is one of the best cards on the market with its generous rewards rate and lucrative introductory offer. If food and travel account for a large portion of your spending, this card’s value more than covers the $250 annual fee.

  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
  • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Venture X is an instant top contender in the premium card market with its fully-loaded annual benefits that can be worth over $400. Yearly perks like bonus miles on your account anniversary (equal to $100 in travel) and a $300 travel credit when you book travel through Capital One Travel, can help cover the annual fee. Compared with other high-end travel rewards credit cards, the $395 annual fee is modest, and many travelers will come out well ahead.

  • You can enjoy a fairly simple rewards structure with unlimited 2X miles in all purchase categories, in addition to bonus rewards in Capital One travel categories.
  • The card offers statement credit for Global Entry and TSA Precheck, which adds to your overall savings.
  • The sign-up bonus is generous, but it requires a high spend.
  • While not unusual, you'll need excellent credit to be eligible for this premium card.

Travel rewards cards packed with this many features typically come with sky-high annual fees, but the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card delivers with luxury benefits and a more down-to-earth annual fee.

  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
  • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
  • Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
  • Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Discover it® Miles

Discover it® Miles

For a no-annual-fee card, Discover offers simplicity. You’ll be able to earn unlimited miles and have flexible redemption options like statement credits towards travel purchases or as cash deposits into your bank account. Plus, cardholders have a unique opportunity at the end of their first year when Discover will match every mile you earn.

  • Appealing welcome offer that can essentially double all the miles earned at the end of the first year
  • Competitive redemption value for cash back at 1 cent per mile
  • Rewards earning potential takes a significant hit after your first year
  • Can’t transfer miles to airline frequent-flyer programs

The Discover it® Miles card offers an impressive list of high-end travel perks and a generous first-year welcome offer for travel credit card newbies, but earning benefits drop off substantially after the first 12 months.

  • Unlimited Bonus: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
  • Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
  • No annual fee
  • Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
  • Terms and conditions apply.

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

This is one of the only travel cards accessible to people with fair credit. It also offers a high rewards rate on a great mix of travel spending, including gas, airfare, hotels, resorts and bookings made through travel agencies. This will be especially appealing if you prefer booking directly with airlines and hotels to maximize loyalty rewards and elite status.

  • People with fair-to-excellent credit can earn high rewards on eligible travel and everyday purchases like dining and gas.
  • Frequent travelers can earn generous rewards even while working toward elite status with airline and hotel loyalty programs.
  • It offers fewer perks compared to other mid-level travel cards with a similar annual fee and high variable APR.
  • Points aren’t transferable and remain fixed at a value of 1 cent each when redeemed for cash back, which could prove limiting for frequent travelers who know how to maximize points for greater value.

This could be a top pick for travelers who struggle to qualify for cards with more travel perks and transfer partners.

  • Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
  • Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
  • Earn 1x points on all other purchases
  • Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
  • With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
  • If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
  • See Rates & Fees

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

It offers one of the best rewards rates you can get on everyday travel – including airfare, hotels, gas stations and transit – without paying an annual fee. And since it also rewards dining (another key everyday spending category), it makes for a terrific standalone rewards card.

  • It has no annual fee and a high rewards rate for everyday spending categories.
  • It earns bonus rewards in common spending categories like gas stations and restaurants as well as in harder-to-find categories like phone plans, making it an especially versatile option.
  • Though the card earns bonus rewards in a great mix of everyday categories, it offers a lackluster rate on grocery purchases, which could limit its standalone value.
  • Unlike some competing no-annual-fee travel cards, the Autograph doesn’t let you transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs, limiting the potential value of your rewards.

This card could be a great fit for occasional travelers who want to earn rewards on everyday spending and have the flexibility to redeem for cash back.

  • Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
  • Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
  • Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
  • $0 annual fee.
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
  • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
  • Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus credit card is ideally suited for entry-level travelers. Even if you only fly occasionally with Southwest airlines, you can easily boost rewards and receive a generous welcome offer. The perks for this card rival those found in higher-tier cards, such as getting the first two checked bags for free and two EarlyBird Check-In® each year.

  • Can almost cover the annual fee with 3,000-point anniversary bonus
  • Valuable perks on a domestic airline with a reputation for being customer-friendly
  • Does not include certain perks often found with travel cards, such as priority boarding or a fast track to elite status
  • Lacks airline partners and international travel options

For those already integrated into the Southwest ecosystem, this card offers generous bonus opportunities and access to unique, customer-friendly perks for a reasonable annual fee.

  • Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • 3,000 anniversary points each year.
  • Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
  • Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
  • Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
  • 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
  • Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

This card from Bank of America offers great value for a $95 annual fee card, especially if you already bank with them. If you are a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you’ll be rewarded with an additional 25 percent to 75 percent redemption bonus on all your earnings.

In addition, this card offers some of the strongest travel insurance benefits you can get, up to a $100 annual statement credit that you can use for airline incidental expenses, an application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and a points program that rewards spending in a variety of categories.

  • The $100 annual statement credit you can use towards airline expenses and the application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry more than offset the $95 annual fee.
  • Preferred Rewards members receive some of the highest rewards rates among any travel or cash back credit cards.
  • If you’re not a Preferred Rewards member, the benefits of the card are not as robust compared to other cards with similar annual fees.
  • The $100 airline incidental credit only covers qualifying incidentals and not actual flight costs.

The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card combines the benefits of a cash back card and premium travel card and is an especially good value for those with existing Bank of America accounts.

  • Low $95 annual fee.
  • Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 - 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
  • Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
  • Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
  • Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
  • No foreign transaction fees.

United Quest℠ Card

United Quest℠ Card

If you like to regularly travel on United Airlines (or their partner airlines) then this card is worth a look. Not only do you earn enhanced bonus miles for United purchases, other travel and select everyday purchases, you also get an impressive amount of airline-specific perks. This includes anniversary credits and free first and second checked bags for you and one companion.

  • Impressive sign-up bonus and anniversary credits
  • Easy to earn miles with popular bonus categories like dining and select streaming purchases
  • High annual fee for infrequent United flyers
  • No airport lounge access

The United Quest Card is a terrific option for semi-frequent United travelers, but cardholders should plan to redeem United miles at least twice a year to take full advantage and offset the annual fee.

  • Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after qualifying purchases
  • Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
  • Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
  • Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and priority boarding
  • Up to a $125 United® purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year (terms apply)
  • Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)

The information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card, the American Express® Green Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Comparing the best travel credit cards of 2024

Editor’s picks: best travel credit card details, best welcome bonus: chase sapphire preferred® card.

  • Best features : This card packs in plenty of value that is rare for only $95 a year. It comes with a high sign-up bonus, generous rewards program and competitive redemption values.
  • Biggest drawbacks : You may need to look beyond the Chase Sapphire Preferred if you prefer luxury features like TSA PreCheck, priority boarding, travel credits and lounge access.
  • Alternatives: The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card  has a similar annual fee and a generous welcome offer too. Travelers who want to book travel outside of credit card portals and who spend a lot on gas and in-store grocery purchases may get better value out of the Strata Premier card.
  • Bottom line : A modest annual fee, impressive sign-up bonus and ultra-flexible rewards redemption give this card great short- and long-term value for travelers who don’t need a ton of luxury perks.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best first travel card: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

  • Best features : The VentureOne card is a basic travel card for beginners who want to earn flexible rewards but aren’t ready to commit to an annual fee ( See Rates and Fees ). VentureOne cardholders can earn bonus miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.25X miles on every other purchase. You can transfer these miles to numerous airline and hotel partners.
  • Biggest drawbacks : Other no-annual-fee travel cards offer better perks and higher rewards rates than the VentureOne’s 1.25X miles.
  • Alternatives : The Bilt Mastercard® is a unique no-annual-fee card that earns points on rent payments without the processing fees. But the card is also a great beginner travel card, offering bonus rewards on travel and dining (points are transferable too). Plus, if you wait until the first of the month, your patience will be rewarded with double points on all non-rent purchases for 24 hours (on up to 10,000 bonus points). That’s a whopping 6X points on dining, 4X points on travel and 2X points on all other non-rent purchases. You must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points.
  • Bottom line : Budget-friendly travelers can get a decent amount of value out of this starter travel card, but if transferring rewards to travel partners isn’t a priority for you, a flat-rate cash back card may be more lucrative.

Read our Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for flat-rate rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

  • Best features : For a reasonable annual fee, this popular Capital One credit card offers standout rewards with an easy rewards structure and versatile redemption options. You can transfer miles to over 15 loyalty programs or redeem for statement credit toward travel.
  • Biggest drawbacks : Capital One doesn’t have many domestic travel transfer partners. This can make it harder to maximize the value of your miles when booking domestic flights.
  • Alternatives : If you’re looking to earn at a flat-rate but aren’t too pleased with the Venture card’s $95 annual fee ( See Rates and Fees ), the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a suitable alternative. Although cardholders only earn 1.25X miles on all purchases, the card still comes with a sign-up bonus of 20,000 miles for spending $500 in the first three months. This is a smaller bonus and a lower rewards rate than the Venture card, but it’ll also be easier to obtain, making this an ideal option for modest spenders.
  • Bottom line : This card is a great option if you’re looking for an easy way to earn high travel rewards on all purchases. But if you’re after top-drawer travel perks, you may want to look elsewhere.

Read our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for occasional travelers: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

  • Best features: Along with its practical everyday bonus categories, this card stands out with its annual hotel benefit, which can offer enough value to offset the annual fee on its own.
  • Biggest drawbacks: Citi points don’t offer an especially high travel redemption value and the annual hotel benefit, while generous, carries a high spending requirement.
  • Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card may be a better option for frequent travelers thanks to its high rewards rate on general travel booked via Chase Travel, its more flexible annual hotel credit and its high base point redemption value (1.25 cents per point via Chase Travel).
  • Bottom line: This is one of the best travel cards out there if you’re more focused on everyday rewards than luxury perks.

Read our full   Citi Strata Premier℠ Card review  or or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for intro APR: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

  • Best features : This card will appeal to infrequent travelers who don’t typically book through travel portals. Instead, you can redeem your points for any travel and dining purchases made on your credit card within the last 12 months. And if you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn up to 25% to 75% more points on every purchase.
  • Biggest drawbacks : The best rewards are reserved for Bank of America customers with savings or investment accounts. If that’s not you, you can likely find another card that rewards your travel purchases at a higher rate.
  • Alternatives : The Capital One VentureOne also does not charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fee ( See Rates and Fees ), but even casual travelers can benefit from its valuable purchase and travel protections.
  • Bottom line : The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a solid choice for occasional travelers focused on earning some rewards and avoiding an annual fee.

Related : Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card worth it?

Read our Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for point value: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

  • Best features : This top-of-the-line card comes with a wealth of travel perks, including a sign-up bonus worth $1,125 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠ (75,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months). In addition to the $300 travel credit, you can try out services like Instacart+ and DashPass for free for one year.
  • Biggest drawbacks : Despite the annual credit and elevated bonus categories, the card’s $550 annual fee might be challenging to offset every year.
  • Alternatives : If you’re looking for a card with annual credits and luxury lounge access, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a wider network but carries a slightly higher annual fee of $695.
  • Bottom line : Frequent travelers who can take full advantage of the Sapphire Reserve card’s perks and bonus categories can also enjoy the card’s boosted value on travel redemptions.

Related : Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Ch ase Sapphire Reserve

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for pairing with Chase cards: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

  • Best features: Its 1.5% rate on general purchases makes it a great catch-all card as part of your overall travel rewards strategy. You can use this card with certain Chase cards to get more Chase Ultimate Rewards points, one of the most valuable credit card points.
  • Biggest drawbacks: It has a 3% foreign transaction fee, so if you were planning to use this card abroad on your travels, it can be more costly.
  • Alternative(s): The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of Chase’s premium travel cards, with solid earning rates on dining and travel. For a modest $95 annual fee, it comes with top-of-the-line travel benefits, increases points redemption value through the Chase travel portal and can transfer points to Chase travel partners.
  • Bottom line: If you already have a Chase travel card — or are planning to get one in the future — this card is a must-have for maximizing travel rewards.

Read our full Chase Freedom Unlimited® review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for luxury travel: The Platinum Card® from American Express

  • Best features : This premium card comes fully-loaded. You can enjoy luxury lounge access, elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy hotels (upon enrollment) and even travel consultants to help plan your trip. A laundry list of travel credits can also help offset the card’s annual fee.
  • Biggest drawbacks : The card only earns bonus rewards on flights and prepaid hotels. You might earn more with cards that offer bonus points or miles on both travel and everyday essentials. Plus, some of the credits – like the card’s luxury fitness credit or Walmart+ credit – don’t have broad appeal, making it harder to offset the high $695 annual fee.
  • Alternatives : Unlike the Platinum card, the American Express® Gold Card lets you earn high bonus rewards for purchases made in categories beyond travel, including restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases. It also comes with a lot of the same benefits as the Platinum card, such as car rental insurance, purchase protection and Hotel Collection benefits, all for a much smaller $250 annual fee.
  • Bottom line : If you can take advantage of its many perks, this card should tick all the right boxes for big spenders and frequent travelers looking for luxury travel perks, particularly complimentary airport lounge access.

Read our American Express Platinum Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for foodies: American Express® Gold Card

  • Best features : Traveling foodies, rejoice – this card offers an industry-leading 4X points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. You’ll also earn 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then one point per dollar) and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com. Trips with common carriers that are booked with your Gold card are covered for baggage insurance worth up to $1,250 for carry-on bags and $500 for checked bags.
  • Biggest drawbacks : The annual fee is $250, pricier than other travel rewards cards with mid-level travel perks. And unless food is a significant portion of your spending, the card’s rewards rate and food delivery credits may not be the best fit.
  • Alternatives : The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card  comes close to matching the Amex Gold with its rewards rates, but its annual fee is much lower (just $95).
  • Bottom line : If you’re a frequent traveler who makes dining out a staple of their vacations and staycations, you’ll get a lot of value with this card.

Read our American Express Gold Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for annual credits: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

  • Best features : Cardholders can take advantage of this card’s yearly credits to help offset its annual fee and enjoy additional perks like lounge access. And when you book through Capital One Travel, you’ll earn some of the highest rewards available for hotels, rental cars and flights.
  • Biggest drawbacks : You’ll have to book your travel through Capital One Travel instead of directly through an airline or hotel to get the best value out of this card.
  • Alternatives: The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best travel cards for lounge access and other luxury perks. Frequent travelers who can take advantage of all those perks can easily offset the card’s high annual fee.
  • Bottom line : The Venture X should appeal to both frequent travelers who want to earn more than just 1 mile per dollar on all non-travel purchases and luxury travelers who want to enjoy premium travel without paying the typical sky-high annual fees.

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for no annual fee: Discover it® Miles

  • Best features : The Discover it® Miles offers simplicity and flexibility without the annual fee. All purchases earn a fairly average 1.5X miles. But Discover sweetens the deal by matching all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. Instead of travel, you can also redeem rewards online with Amazon or when you pay with PayPal (though redemption value might be lower).
  • Alternatives : The  Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card  is another solid no-annual-fee travel card ( See Rates and Fees ). It not only offers a flat rate of 1.25X miles on every purchase, but also 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. That could make it easier for frequent travelers to earn rewards. It also has a number of travel and consumer protections that you won’t find with most entry-level travel cards, including the Discover it ®  Miles.
  • Bottom line : This card skips the annual fee and the generous first-year welcome offer is ideal for budget-friendly travelers or someone looking for their first travel credit card.

Read our  Discover it ®  Miles review  or jump back to this  card’s offer details .

Best for fair credit: Credit One Bank Wander® Card

  • Best features : Even people with fair credit can take advantage of the card’s bonus rewards in a variety of travel categories. Many travel cards only earn generous bonus rewards for airline or hotel purchases or for travel booked through the issuer’s travel portal. But the Wander card is more flexible, giving you more freedom to book travel the way you like.
  • Biggest drawbacks : There are no transfer partners, so your points are worth a maximum of 1 cent each. Plus, the card has fewer perks compared to other mid-level cards with a similar annual fee.
  • Alternatives : Your options are limited if you’re looking for another travel card open to people with fair credit. But many Capital One cards like the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® or the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card could help you rack up a lot of rewards that you can use to help cover the cost of travel. You can also take advantage of convenient and cost-saving features found in the Capital One Travel Portal.
  • Bottom line : This card is a solid pick for credit-builders who also want to earn travel rewards.

Read our Credit One Bank Wander® Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for gas and transit: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

  • Best features: This card’s mix of bonus categories should be a terrific fit if you’re looking for a low-cost way to earn rewards on both everyday travel and big trips. You’ll earn rewards at a great rate on everything from gas and transit to airfare and hotels, without worrying about maximizing point values or offsetting an annual fee.
  • Biggest drawbacks: Its list of perks is just okay, even for a no-annual-fee travel card. You’ll miss out not only on benefits like expedited security screening and lounge access, but also the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel loyalty programs.
  • Alternatives: Though it may earn rewards at a lower rate, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card could be a great alternative. Its streamlined, flat-rate rewards program is a great fit if you’re new to earning miles, and the card gives you the flexibility to transfer miles to Capital One airline and hotel partners, which could boost their redemption value.
  • Bottom line: The Autograph card is a great option if you want to earn rewards on everyday travel and need the flexibility to redeem for both travel and cash back.

Read our Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for budget flyers: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

  • Best features : This entry-level airline card has some of the same popular features as more expensive Southwest consumer travel cards, including a chance to earn the Southwest Companion Pass® – one of the most coveted perks in all of travel rewards. If you earn 135,000 points in a year, you can pick a companion to fly with you for free (except for taxes and fees) for up to two years on any Southwest flight that you purchase with cash or points.
  • Biggest drawbacks : Unlike some other airline cards, this no-frills card doesn’t earn bonus points in popular everyday categories like gas or grocery stores. Plus, the card’s anniversary bonus of 3,000 points is lower than the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card’s bonus.
  • Alternatives : The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card may be a better fit for budget travelers. It comes with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year (then $150) and a chance to earn bonus miles faster thanks to practical bonus categories including restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. It also has a number of convenient features like priority boarding and a chance to earn a $200 Delta flight credit. Plus, Delta and its partner network are much more extensive than Southwest.
  • Bottom line : The Rapid Rewards Plus card is a decent choice for occasional Southwest flyers looking for a cheap rewards travel card. But if you fly Southwest frequently and want to double your anniversary points while avoiding foreign transaction fees, consider upgrading to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and its higher annual fee of $99.

Read our Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for travel credits: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

  • Best features : Along with perks like an annual credit up to $100 for airline incidentals, which includes seat upgrades and airline lounge fees, this card offers a credit of up to $100 to cover the cost of a TSA Precheck or Global Entry application. That perk isn’t always included on travel cards at the $95-annual-fee level. You can also redeem for cash back as a deposit into Bank of America® checking or savings accounts or for gift cards and purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
  • Biggest drawbacks : Unlike many travel rewards cards with an annual fee, this card doesn’t let you transfer rewards to partner airline or hotel loyalty programs to squeeze more value out of your points. Plus, the card’s best rewards rates are reserved for people with large savings or investment accounts with Bank of America.
  • Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has greater flexibility for travelers who want to transfer their points to airline or hotel travel partners. It also comes with better redemption value if you book travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal and travel protections.
  • Bottom line : This card could be a good fit for heavy packers who can take advantage of the airline incidental fee credits or people who already have a Bank of America account. Those who are loyal to one airline or don’t bank with Bank of America may not find much value in this card.

Read our Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best for United MileagePlus members: United Quest℠ Card

  • Best features : Even semi-frequent United flyers can come out ahead with this mid-tier airline credit card, thanks to all the ways the card’s perks can offset its $250 annual fee. That includes multiple anniversary credits, priority boarding, checked baggage fee waivers and the up to $100 credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee.
  • Biggest drawbacks : Unlike other airline cards with a high annual fee, the United Quest doesn’t offer complimentary lounge access. Plus, the sign-up bonus has a high spend requirement: You’ll need to spend $4,000 in the first three months to earn the sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles plus   500 Premier Qualifying Points.
  • Alternatives : If the annual fee doesn’t fit your budget, the United℠ Explorer Card is worth a look since it has a $0 intro annual fee (then $95 annually), but still carries a generous sign-up bonus, priority boarding, purchase and travel protections and an up to $100 credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee.
  • Bottom line : The United Quest Card packs in a lot of perks and value, making it a solid pick for loyal United travelers looking for an enhanced travel experience.

Read our United Quest℠ Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details .

Best hotel credit card: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

  • Best features : This card offers great long-term value for frequent travelers who stay at the world’s largest hotel chain a few nights or more per year. You get plenty of chances to offset the $95 annual fee, including a free night every year after your account anniversary (up to 35,000 points) and a high rewards rate in the popular, practical bonus categories of travel, grocery, gas and dining purchases, as well as a flat rate of 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Biggest drawbacks : You can only use your rewards with Marriott hotels. So if you don’t frequent the brand, you’ll be better served by a different hotel credit card or a general-purpose travel rewards card, which offers greater flexibility in how you redeem your rewards.
  • Alternatives : If you’re not loyal to one hotel chain, the Chase Sapphire Preferred should give you more redemption options. It earns bonus points on travel, dining and select online grocery purchases – points that can be redeemed in a variety of ways, including for travel, or transferred to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners. And when you redeem for travel through the Chase Travel℠ portal, your points have 25% more value.
  • Bottom line : Travelers who stay at Marriott frequently enough to offset the $95 annual fee will appreciate this card. But depending on your spending habits and the hotel features that matter most to you, you may get greater value with another Marriott card .

Read our Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card review .

Best no annual fee airline card: American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card

  • Best features : This no-annual-fee airline card gives households a chance to earn miles on more than just travel. You’ll earn 2X miles not only on eligible American Airlines purchases, but also at grocery stores, which increases the card’s earning potential for the average consumer. The MileUp card also has a low spend threshold for its sign-up bonus: Spend just $500 in your first three months and you’ll earn 10,000 miles and a $50 statement credit.
  • Biggest drawbacks : This card lacks a number of cost-saving perks found with other airline cards, including a free first checked bag for you and additional passengers and a chance to earn travel credits for your spending. Depending on how often you fly and how many people you travel with, you could actually save more money with a travel card that charges an annual fee.
  • Alternatives : The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has a similar rewards rate and charges no annual fee for the first year, then $150 thereafter. That gives you time to test out perks you won’t find with the MileUp card, like priority boarding, a first checked bag free for you and eight additional passengers and a chance to earn a $200 flight credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year.
  • Bottom line : This card is worth a look if you’re loyal to American Airlines but only fly occasionally and are looking for a no-annual-fee credit card . But if you want the flexibility to fly with different carriers while still earning high rewards, you may get better value out of a general-purpose travel rewards card.

Read our American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp review .

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel rewards credit cards let you earn points or miles you can redeem for travel purchases. Some offer a flat rate on general purchases, but many offer bonus rewards for typical travel purchases or everyday spending categories, like restaurants, gas or even groceries.

Earning points or miles is usually as easy as swiping your card, and some cards provide limited-time offers and sign-up bonuses to add more incentives. The basics of points and miles cards are pretty much the same. You earn and accumulate rewards by making purchases with your card, and redeem for a discount on your next trip.

Your redemption options will vary by card. Most require that you redeem points or miles for travel purchases. (Some let you redeem for gift cards or cash back, but it might be at a lower value.) You can typically redeem points or miles by booking future trips through a designated portal, like Amextravel.com or Chase Ultimate Rewards, or transferring rewards to an issuer’s travel partners to book flights or hotel stays. Some allow you to redeem for a statement credit on travel purchases made within a certain time frame.

Your redemption options will vary by card. Typical options include:

  • Booking new travel
  • Transferring points or miles to a travel partner
  • Statement credit for past travel purchases

Redeeming for travel often yields the best value, while non-travel options like gift cards might have a lower redemption value. You can typically redeem points or miles by booking future trips through a designated portal, like Amextravel.com or Chase Ultimate Rewards, though some let you redeem directly with the airline or third-party travel agency.

General travel credit cards + –

General travel or general-purpose credit cards aren’t tied to or co-branded with a particular airline or hotel. They are best for any traveler who values flexibility in how they earn and redeem rewards.

Depending on the card, you can earn higher points not only on travel-related purchases, but also in popular categories like groceries, gas and dining. You can redeem the points you earn in many different ways, like statement credits and travel. A 1-cent-per-point value is typical, but points may be worth less when used for non-travel options or more if transferred to the right travel partner.

Transferring your points over to an airline or hotel loyalty program can help you strategize so you can get the most out of your points. However, average point values vary from program to program, so you’ll need to test out different routes and carriers to see how far your points can take you before you transfer points between loyalty programs.

Some of the most popular rewards programs for general travel credit cards include:

  • American Express Membership Rewards
  • Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • Capital One Travel
  • Citi ThankYou Points

Is a general travel credit card worth it?

Co-branded cards usually feature high-value airline or hotel perks. Examples like automatic hotel elite status, companion passes or free checked bags could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

But general travel cards give you more flexibility to choose how you travel and where you stay. Plus, plenty of general travel cards come loaded with valuable benefits not tied to specific airlines and hotels — especially if you’re willing to pay an annual fee.

Most general travel cards carry higher rewards rates compared to airline cards with similar annual fees, which gives you a chance to earn more rewards faster. And you’ll have a number of redemption options that make each of your points worth at least 1 cent, which is worth more than the rewards you’ll earn with most hotel rewards programs and some airline rewards programs.

Here’s a look at some of the top features your general travel card may offer:

  • Annual travel credits : Premium cards like the Capital One Venture X and Chase Sapphire Reserve reward cardmembers with annual travel credits worth hundreds of dollars, which you can use to offset previous travel costs or book new travel through the card’s travel portal.
  • Airport lounge access : A number of mid-level and premium travel cards offer discounted or complimentary airport lounge access for you and your guests. Users can enjoy amenities like complimentary food and drinks, showers or even spa treatments. Popular airport lounge networks include Priority Pass lounges and the exclusive American Express Global Lounge Collection.
  • Luxury hotel benefits : Your card issuer may offer Visa or Mastercard’s luxury hotel collection benefit. This perk can lead to room upgrades, free breakfast, food or beverage credits and late check-out. This is typically offered with credit cards with Visa Signature or Infinite benefits or cards with Mastercard World or World Elite benefits, though you’ll have to check with your card issuer to be certain.
  • Car rental elite status : With the right general travel rewards card, you can not only rent a car but also get discounts and status upgrades that let you skip the lines when renting and returning, as well as vehicle upgrades based on availability and other exclusive perks.

Airline travel credit cards + –

Airline credit cards are co-branded cards that carry the name of the card issuer and a particular airline. They’re a great fit for travelers who regularly fly with a particular airline and can take advantage of the perks found within its rewards program.

Some of the most popular airline rewards programs include:

  • Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
  • American Airlines Aadvantage
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards
  • Delta SkyMiles
  • United MileagePlus

Like general travel cards, airline rewards cards can earn rewards on a variety of purchases, but your redemption options are more limited. To get the best value, you’ll typically want to redeem your rewards for flights with the airline or one of its partners.

Is an airline credit card worth it?

They offer less flexibility and might have an annual fee, but airline cards can make your travel experience easier and save you a lot of money, even after you factor in the cost of an annual fee.

Here’s a look at some of the top airline credit card benefits:

  • Free checked bags :   Avoid paying a fee for your first checked bag and a travel companion’s bag. Many airlines charge $30 to $35 per checked bag, per trip, so the savings can add up, especially if you’re traveling with a large family.
  • Fast track to elite airline status : Frequent flyers looking for an enhanced flying experience will have to spend thousands of dollars and spend a lot of time in the air to unlock the top-of-the-line perks that come with elite status. But the right airline credit card can cut down on the eligibility requirements and may even come with automatic elite status or welcome offers and additional credits that get you elite status faster.
  • Travel companion pass : Earning an airline companion pass takes some work, but if you qualify you can bring a passenger along on a future flight for free (though you’ll still have to pay taxes and fees). Some airlines even offer companion passes that let you bring a guest with you on any flight you book for a year or more.
  • Priority boarding : This perk helps you quickly board a plane and get your carry-on stowed away in an overhead bin before it fills up.
  • In-flight discounts : This perk helps you save on drinks, snacks and other extras purchased on your flight. You’ll typically enjoy a discount of 20% to 25% off.

How to choose an airline

It’s best to select a card co-branded with an airline that you will use frequently, which typically means choosing an airline that flies out of an airport close to where you live, or one that you use the most. Smaller hubs may have limited options, but you should check to make sure that the airline you want has routes at your preferred airport. For example, Southwest does not fly out of Newark Airport, so if Newark is your primary airport another co-branded airline card might be a better fit.

Hotel travel credit cards + –

Hotel credit cards are co-branded cards that earn points you can redeem for stays with a specific hotel chain. Some of the most popular hotel rewards programs include:

  • Marriott Bonvoy
  • Hilton Honors
  • IHG One Rewards Club
  • World of Hyatt

Is a hotel credit card worth it?

Like airline credit cards, hotel credit cards can pack in a lot of brand-specific perks to reward your loyalty. Some cards offer supersized rewards rates, typically for hotel-related purchases. These earning rates can make it easier to quickly rack up points for future visits.

On top of the high-earning potential, hotel travel cards may also come with some of the following benefits:

  • Free night : Many hotel cards automatically reward you with a free night at select properties every year on your anniversary. Others give you a chance to earn a free night after you spend a certain amount on the card.
  • Room upgrades : Your card could automatically qualify you for room upgrades when available, giving you more space or better views.
  • Elite hotel status : Some of the best hotel cards come with automatic elite status, making you eligible for exclusive perks, while others put you on a fast track to achieve higher levels of elite status.

How to choose a hotel

While you should pick an airline card based on frequency and availability, choosing a hotel card might come down to personal preference. You’ll find most hotel chains concentrated in mid-to large-size cities, so you can select a hotel group that works best for your needs. Hotel chains often include a price range from luxury to budget friendly. For example, Marriott includes both Fairfield Inn & Suites and the Ritz-Carlton in its suite of hotels. So, whether you splurge on one trip or save costs on another, you can still earn rewards.

However, if you happen to travel a lot to very remote cities, you might want to ensure that your preferred hotel chain has a location there.

Business travel credit cards + –

Business travel cards are a terrific option if you own a company or work as a freelancer and travel often for work. They can be co-branded or a general travel card.

Some of the more popular business cards include:

  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express review
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

Is a business travel card worth it?

Business travel cards offer a competitive rewards structure similar to other travel cards, but you can typically earn bonus rewards in business categories, like purchasing software and office supplies. Not only can business travel cards help keep your work and personal expenses separate, but they can also help you cut down on business costs.

You might see these benefits on a business travel card:

  • Bonus rewards on large purchases : Some cards will offer an elevated rewards rate for big purchases, so you can earn miles or points for big-ticket items.
  • No fee for employee cards : You can rack up even more points or miles when you add employees as authorized users at no additional cost. This action can also be a great way to track company spending.
  • Account management tools: To help manage your company budget, business travel cards might come with apps or programs that could ease record keeping, like the ability to upload receipts quickly or link to a spreadsheet.
  • Travel and hotel perks : Like other travel cards, you can often enjoy annual benefits, like a hotel reward night, lounge access or statement credits.

Co-branded travel cards versus general travel cards

The biggest difference between co-branded cards and general travel cards is flexibility. Co-branded cards are ideal for brand loyalists who prefer to commit to one particular airline or hotel group. They often come with perks that you might not find on general travel cards (like elite status or free checked bags), but how you earn and redeem rewards is limited to that specific brand.

For instance, you might feel locked in to book a pricier room with a co-branded hotel card even if there are more affordable options.

With general travel cards, you have more freedom to select flights or hotels that fit into your schedule and price range, but you might lose out on some perks. If you prefer flexibility, a general travel card might work better for you. If you enjoy more elite perks or are a fan of a particular brand, you might consider a co-branded card.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

  • Travel for less: Money-saving benefits, such as high travel reward rates, sign-up bonuses and travel credits, can help bring down the overall cost of travel.
  • Generous perks: The best travel cards feature perks like room or seat upgrades, free hotel stays, statement credits and lounge access that might enhance your overall travel experience.
  • Fast track to elite status: Elite status, which offers maximum program benefits for airlines or hotels, often takes time to earn. Some travel rewards cards help cut down on the qualification period, or they offer automatic elite status, which means you can start earning elite status benefits sooner.
  • Earn points as a loyalty member along with rewards : If you are a loyalty member, then you can earn loyalty points with that hotel or airline brand as well as travel reward points when you book with a travel credit card.
  • No foreign transaction fees : Most travel cards don’t charge a foreign transaction fee, which can help cut down costs when traveling abroad.
  • Complex rewards programs: Keeping up with the travel rewards card program rules can be confusing, especially when redeeming or transferring points to a travel partner. It takes careful planning and calculation to ensure you are maximizing the value for your rewards.
  • Limited redemption outside of travel: Travel cards typically provide the best value when redeeming for travel. While some cards offer redemptions for non-travel options, such as statement credits or gift cards, these are typically worth less.
  • High annual fees: Determining whether an annual fee is worth it can be difficult, and many of the best travel credit cards have yearly costs starting from $95 to $100. Premier travel cards could have annual fees in the $200 to $700 range.
  • Higher interest rates : Typically, travel cards carry a higher ongoing APR, so if you carry a balance every month, then a low-interest credit card or balance transfer card might be a better fit.
  • Typically best only for frequent flyers : Since most travel cards offer the most elevated bonus rates for travel, such as flights, hotels and car rentals, you won’t reap its maximum benefits unless you fly often.

Who should get a travel credit card

  • Frequent flyers . If you spend lots of time up in the air or staying at hotels, you can absolutely benefit from the rewards and perks that come with a travel credit card. But if you’re new to travel or only travel occasionally, look for no-annual-fee cards or ones with simple rewards categories. All globetrotters can appreciate the lack of foreign transaction fees many travel cards offer.
  • Brand loyalists . Fans of particular airlines and hotel chains can reap some serious rewards with their go-to brands. Loyal customers can rack up an incredible amount of hotel points or flight miles using a card like the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp or the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.
  • Luxury travelers . Vacationers looking for top-shelf travel perks may have to pay to carry their card, but The Platinum Card from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve offer benefits that can easily offset their annual fees. You’ll find high-end earnings rates on your purchases to back it up. Take advantage of exclusive add-ons, like access to airport lounges, free checked bags, specialty offers and more.
  • Road trippers . Some travel cards earn rewards on purchases at gas stations and hotel stays, which can be valuable if you’re on the road a lot. A hotel credit card like one in the Hilton Honors program or Marriott Bonvoy may be a great choice if you regularly take cross-country trips and stay at hotels.

Who should skip a travel credit card

  • Fans of low-maintenance credit cards. While flat-rate travel cards are available, travel cards with fixed bonus categories or a tiered rewards structure often have the best rewards rates. The card that’s most fitting for you will depend on your spending habits. If you aren’t ready or willing to strategize to get the most out of your travel card, a more straightforward rewards credit card may be a better fit.
  • Someone looking for flexibility . Cash back credit cards are usually more versatile and might work best for infrequent travelers or people with higher non-travel-related expenses. They can help you maximize your earnings on everyday categories like supermarkets, gas, transit, streaming services or online purchases. Mostly, redeeming can be far less complicated and far more flexible. Depending on the credit card, redemption options may include statement credit, direct deposit, check and travel.
  • Someone prone to overspending . The best travel rewards credit cards can help you save a lot of money but only if you avoid a balance. Since rewards cards typically come with higher interest rates, paying your balances in full can save you money and create the best value. If you can’t, you run the risk of losing more money to interest charges than you earn in rewards. You may even fall into credit card debt. If you aren’t able to pay your balances in full, consider a low-interest credit card .

Do you know how much your points or miles are worth?

Choosing a card based solely on the number of miles or points you stand to earn can be a costly mistake. Redemption values can vary, and points and miles do not always transfer on a 1-to-1 basis, meaning 1,000 “miles” earned do not always translate to 1,000 miles of travel.

For example, the Citi Strata Premier card has a sign-up bonus of 70,000 points after spending $4,000 in your first three months of account opening. With the Strata Premier card, most redemption options have a baseline value of 1 cent, so this offer can be worth at least $700. But based on Bankrate’s latest point valuations , we estimate that the right high-value transfer partner could boost your point value up to 1.9 cents on average. That could make your sign-up bonus worth an incredible $1,330.

Compare that to a card like the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, which offers a sign-up bonus of 140,000 points after spending $3,000 within the first three months. Since IHG Rewards are estimated to be worth 0.7 cents on average based on our points valuation, that comes out to a value of $980 dollars.

Understanding the true value of your rewards program can help you to maximize value and select the card that offers the best rewards for your spending habits.

How to calculate the value of your points and miles

To find the value of your points and miles, divide the cost of paying cash for the booking (such as the plane ticket or hotel room) by the number of points or miles required. Then compare this number to Bankrate’s points and miles valuation for the airline, hotel or credit card rewards program.

For example, if a flight on Southwest Airlines costs $800 out of pocket or 50,000 miles, the value is 1.6 cents per mile ($800 divided by 50,000 miles equals $0.016 or 1.6 cents). Since this is slightly higher than our estimated value of 1.5 cents per mile, you’re getting a good deal if you book this flight.

But if you redeem for a gift card instead and find a $25 card costs 10,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards miles, your value drops to 0.25 cents per mile ($25 divided by 10,000 miles equals $0.0025 or 0.25 cents). Since this is far below the 1.5-cent-per-point value you should look for, you’re better off using cash for this gift card and saving your points for a better deal.

How to compare travel credit cards

Deciding which travel credit card is best for you can be difficult. Many cards have similar redemption options, earn rewards in the same categories or cost more than you’re willing to pay for an annual fee. The right card for you will provide value with both perks and rewards rates that match your needs and align with purchases you already make.

To find the right one, you may find it helpful to compare several cards at once so you can see which one offers the best value for your personal finances and travel habits.

  • Are you an occasional or frequent traveler? Frequent travelers typically have an easier time taking advantage of the numerous perks found with a travel card. If you travel less frequently, then a cash back card may make more financial sense.
  • Are you loyal to a certain airline or hotel? If you’re a fan of a particular airline or hotel chain, you can enjoy specific benefits with that company’s co-branded travel card, like companion pass or annual hotel credits. A general-purpose card, however, gives you flexibility to choose any travel partner when traveling.
  • What travel perks and protections matter most to you? Higher rewards status with hotels or airlines, access to airport lounges or automatic elite status are a few examples of travel perks a card might offer. You can also have more peace of mind with any travel protections that a travel card might provide, like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost baggage insurance and 24/7 global assistance. Make sure to look for a card that has the features that matter most to you.
  • Do you have to change your spending habits to earn and redeem rewards?  Rather than tailoring your spending to match a card’s bonus categories, you might choose a card that already rewards your typical spending habits. Also, watch out for restrictions like spending limits, which can hinder your ability to earn maximum rewards. And when redeeming, make sure your card provides the best value. Some travel cards don’t provide the best value when redeeming for non-travel-related options, such as gift cards or statement credits.
  • Does the card have sign-up bonuses and annual fees?  A card’s welcome offer can boost your first year earnings. Look for the spend requirement to ensure you can meet it without overspending. Additionally, a card’s annual fee can be a significant factor. Cards with high annual fees often offer some of the best rewards and perks, but if you can’t offset the fee every year it might not be worth it.
  • How does the card’s international acceptance and foreign fees measure up?  For people who frequently travel internationally, this detail can be a game changer. A card without a foreign transaction fee can help budget your trip. But you also want to make certain that the card has broad international coverage. Some cards, like Discover, while working on their international network, might be riskier to carry abroad.

How to make the most out of your travel credit card

Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or extended trip, your rewards from a travel credit card can either enhance your experience or save you money. If you have your eye on Walt Disney World or a small family gathering, you can use these strategies now to experience an elevated trip in the future.

  • Score a welcome offer . To make the most of your purchases and capitalize on travel rewards, seek out a welcome offer with an affordable spend requirement. Some of the top sign-up offers could be large enough to help you score free travel.
  • Take advantage of the card’s bonus rewards categories . Find a travel rewards card that offers bonus points for purchases you already make to supercharge your earnings. For example, if your weekly work plans include lunch outside of the office, you could earn 3 points for every $1 spent at restaurants as a Citi Strata Premier cardholder, maximizing your earnings potential.
  • Consider a travel card that earns transferable points . Transferable points are points earned with one travel card that can be redeemed with another participating program. Based on Bankrate’s latest point valuations, the right high-value transfer partner could be the best way to maximize your rewards earnings.
  • Don’t forget your credit card benefits . Your travel credit card could have hidden credit card perks that make travel more enjoyable and save you money, such as complimentary breakfast at hotels or free checked bags. In just one trip, a family of four could easily offset a card’s annual fee through baggage fees alone. Other benefits, such as lost baggage coverage, not only reimburse you for clothing, toiletries or medication you had to purchase because of delayed or lost luggage, but provide additional peace of mind while traveling.
  • Consider a credit card combination . Pair your travel card with another credit card that earns high rewards in areas you spend the most to maximize value. You may even be able to combine cards within the same rewards program. Chase, American Express, Capital One and Citi all offer some of the best credit card combinations that can help you rack up transferable rewards.
  • Skip the foreign transaction fees . Make sure to take along a card that skips this common overseas charge, typically 3% charge anytime you use the card internationally. You can avoid this by choosing a travel credit card that waives foreign transaction fees, such as the Capital One and Discover credit cards.

Alternatives to Travel Credit Cards

If you don’t want to commit to a travel card, but still want to earn travel rewards, then you have options.

  • A cash back credit card lets you earn cash rewards, which you can often redeem for a statement credit to cover travel and other purchases.
  • A card with a 0% intro APR might work better for people planning a large purchase. It can help you budget for a trip, as long as you can pay off the balance before the intro offer period ends.
  • A no-annual-fee card that also carries no foreign transaction fees might suit infrequent travelers. With this type of card, you can still save on trips abroad without worrying about added fees or offsetting costs every year.

In the news: What is credit card travel insurance?

Travel insurance, or trip insurance, is a policy providing reimbursement or resources if something goes wrong during your trip. The coverage of the trip insurance varies depending on if it’s provided through a credit card or purchased as a separate policy.

Credit cards may provide a form of trip insurance when you use your card to pay for trip-related expenses. Credit card travel insurance can cover everything from trip cancellation and trip interruption, to lost luggage and car rental loss and damage insurance.

In some cases, the coverage provided by the credit card may be enough to cover your needs for a travel-related event. But confirm the benefits before you travel and make sure it offers the right coverage, for example, if you are traveling internationally or need a “cancel for any reason” policy.

How we picked the best travel cards

Research methodology : We analyzed 300 travel rewards credit cards to identify the best offers currently on the market. The major factors we considered include:

  • Rewards rate : Does the card offer a competitive rewards rate for the travel category? For general purpose travel cards, this rate is generally between 1.25X to 2X rewards. For co-branded hotel or airline credit cards, we looked for a rate between 3X and 10X points on brand purchases, plus a competitive rate in other bonus categories.
  • Welcome offer : Annual fee travel credit cards, in particular, may offer a welcome bonus valued between $500 to $900. We considered the value of the sign-up bonus, alongside the required spend to receive it.
  • Additional travel perks : We considered whether the card offers additional travel benefits beyond base rewards. For instance, for airline credit cards, we considered whether they offered priority boarding, a free checked bag or lounge access. For hotel credit cards, we considered whether they offered upgrade opportunities for Wi-Fi and free hotel stays with a card anniversary. For premium travel credit cards, we considered whether the card touted travel credits, travel insurance and other benefits that justified the high annual fee.
  • Rates and fees : Travel credit cards do tend to carry annual fees and higher APRs than low-interest credit cards. However, we considered how a card’s APRs compared to the current credit card industry average and whether any fees could be avoided or recouped by its travel rewards and benefits.

All criteria used : Rewards rates, rewards categories, sign-up bonus, point values, transfer partners, redemption options, redemption flexibility, annual fee, other rates and fees, travel credits, airport lounge access, travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, concierge service, other travel benefits, travel portal functionality, credit needed, customer service, events or other perks

More information on travel credit cards

For more information on all things travel cards, continue reading content from our credit card experts:

  • Cash back vs. points
  • Trip cancelation reimbursement by credit card
  • No foreign transaction fee credit cards

Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards

What is the difference between points and miles on a credit card + –.

When you’re shopping for a travel credit card, you’ll likely have two rewards currencies to choose from: points and miles.

Credit card points are the more flexible of the two options, usually allowing you to redeem your rewards for flights or hotel stays with a number of brands. Some cards allow you to redeem points for cash back, gift cards or merchandise, but often at a lower value than a travel redemption.

Credit card miles usually refer to frequent-flyer miles with a particular airline, such as Delta or United. If you have a miles-earning card, this usually means you can only redeem your miles for flights with one particular airline, though there are exceptions. These types of cards are also called co-branded cards and often come with additional perks like free checked bags.

What credit score do you need for a travel credit card? + –

Travel credit cards often feature higher rewards rates and numerous benefits, which typically means the odds of approval are higher for someone with a good or excellent credit score — usually around a 670 FICO score or higher.

But someone with bad or fair credit still has options. Although the credit card may not be labeled specifically as a travel rewards card, cards like the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card don’t require great credit and offer rewards in travel categories like hotels and rental cars.

Do travel points and miles expire? + –

Typically, rewards won’t expire for the life of the account. However, each card is different so it’s always best to read your card’s terms and conditions. For instance, some cards do have rewards that expire after a period of inactivity. In some cases, you could forfeit your rewards by missing a payment or canceling a card . Every card comes with its own set of rules, so always read the fine print.

How many miles do you need for a free flight? + –

The miles you’ll need for a free flight depend on the type of card you have, its rewards and redemption structure and whether it offers bonus value on travel redemptions.

For example, If you book through Amex, your points are worth 1 cent apiece on travel redemptions. That means if a flight costs $500, you’ll need 50,000 points to book. However, with Chase Ultimate Rewards, points are valued at 1.25 cents, so a $500 trip would need only 25,000 points.

What purchases are part of the travel category for travel credit cards? + –

How purchases are categorized depends on both the merchant and the issuer and may vary from card to card. Typically, bookings for airlines, hotel stays and rental cars will fall under travel. However, some cards, such as the Bank of America Travel Rewards card, broaden the category to include other types of purchases like timeshares, campgrounds and parking garages.

Check the issuer’s website or contact the issuer directly to get a complete list of what is considered travel for your specific card.

About the Author

Jeanine Skowronski

Jeanine Skowronski

Jeanine Skowronski is a credit card expert, analyst, and multimedia journalist with over 10 years of experience covering business and personal finance. She has previously served as the Head of Content at Policygenius, Executive Editor of Credit.com, Deputy Editor at American Banker, Staff Reporter at TheStreet and a columnist for Inc. Magazine.

About the Editor

Robert Thorpe

Robert Thorpe

Robert Thorpe is an editor for CreditCards.com

About the Reviewer

Stephanie Zito

Stephanie Zito

Stephanie Zito is a professional traveler, humanitarian and credit card points collector sharing savvy travel tips she has learned firsthand from more than 20 years of circling the globe as a backpacker, expat and premium traveler in more than 125 countries and all seven continents.

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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card

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Credit Card

75,000 online bonus points offer — a $750 value

Plus, get up to $550 in combined Airline Incidental, TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry, and Lifestyle Statement Credits

Card Details

75,000 bonus points offer.

75,000 online bonus points — a $750 value — after you make at least $5,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening

Get up to $550 in automatic statement credits

Receive up to $300 annually in Airline Incidental Statement Credits for qualifying purchases such as seat upgrades, baggage fees, airline lounge fees and in-flight services

Receive up to $150 annually for lifestyle conveniences including video streaming services, food delivery, fitness subscriptions and rideshare services

Receive up to $100 in statement credits for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ® application fees, every four years

Earn unlimited points with flexible rewards

Earn unlimited 2 points for every dollar spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases. There's no limit to the points you can earn, and points don't expire as long as the account remains open.

You choose how you want to be rewarded. Redeem your points for travel, cash back, a statement credit, distinctive experiences or gift cards.

Airfare savings, travel and lifestyle perks

Save 20% on domestic or international airfare for any class when you pay with points

Enjoy free unlimited access to airport lounges and experiences worldwide with up to 4 complimentary Priority Pass™ Select Memberships

Complimentary 24/7 Full-Service Concierge to book your travel, dinner reservations, event tickets and more

Earn even more rewards

Bank of America Preferred Rewards ® members earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase.

That means you could earn 2.5 to 3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 to 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.

Learn more about Preferred Rewards Premium Rewards

Interest Rates & Fees Summary †

Introductory apr, standard apr.

21.24% - 29.24%

Balance Transfer Fee

of each transaction †

† Please see Terms and Conditions for rate, fee and other cost information, as well as an explanation of payment allocation. All terms may be subject to change.

Note: minimum payments are applied to lower-interest balances first. Additional payments are applied to higher-interest balances first.

75,000 bonus points after you make at least $5,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening

Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases

Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases

Bank of America Preferred Rewards ® members earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase . That means you could earn up to 2.5 to 3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 to 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.

No limit to the points you can earn and points don't expire as long as the account remains open

Use our rewards calculator to see where your points can take you…

You choose how you want to be rewarded . Redeem your points for travel, cash back, a statement credit, distinctive experiences or gift cards.

Travel : Get 20% savings on airfare paid for with points through the Bank of America Travel Center or the Concierge. Or use points to book car rental and hotel accommodations.

Cash back : Redeem your points for cash back as a deposit into Bank of America ® checking or savings accounts, for credit to eligible Merrill ® accounts including 529 accounts or as a statement credit to your credit card.

Concierge : Redeem points for travel, experiences, event tickets and more through our full-service Concierge.

Gift Cards : Choose brand-name gift cards from top retailers and restaurants.

See how many points you can earn

Tell us how much you spend every, earn unlimited 2 points.

for every $1 spent on travel & dining purchases

Earn unlimited 1.5 points

for every $1 spent on all other purchases

Your 1 year of spending

You choose how you want to be rewarded

Redeem your points for travel, cash back, a statement credit, distinctive experiences or gift cards.

Customer bonus

Gold Tier Preferred Rewards Bonus

Platinum Tier Preferred Rewards Bonus

Platinum Honors Tier and Higher Preferred Rewards Bonus

Learn more about Preferred Rewards

Preferred Rewards makes your credit card even better

Note: This calculator is for illustrative purposes only. It is not intended to be printed or distributed. Your actual rewards earned will depend upon your individual purchases.

25% Customer bonus

25% Gold Tier Preferred Rewards Bonus

50% Platinum Tier Preferred Rewards Bonus

75% Platinum Honors Tier and Higher Preferred Rewards Bonus

Premium Rewards Elite Benefits

Full service concierge.

Open the door to unique experiences, find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with complimentary 24/7 Premium Rewards ® Elite Visa Infinite ® Concierge service.

Airport Lounge Access

Enjoy free unlimited access to airport lounges and experiences worldwide with your complimentary Priority Pass™ Select Memberships.

Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection

Enjoy benefits at premium hotels, including late checkouts, free breakfast daily for two, automatic upgrades and more. (some benefits based on availability)

Visa Infinite Car Rental Benefits

Get VIP amenities, complimentary status upgrades and discounts with Avis ® , Hertz ® and National ® .

Travel Protections

Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delay, lost luggage reimbursement, roadside assistance, and emergency evacuation and transportation. Learn more

Security & Features

Stay protected, contactless chip technology, balance connect ® for overdraft protection, paperless statement option, digital wallet technology, online & mobile banking, account alerts, fico ® score.

Now, when you opt-in you can access your FICO ® Score updated monthly for free, within your Mobile Banking app or in Online Banking. FICO ® Score Program . The FICO ® Score Program is for educational purposes and for your non-commercial, personal use. This benefit is available only for primary cardholders with an open and active consumer credit card account who have a FICO ® Score available. The feature is accessible through Online Banking, the Mobile website, and the Mobile Banking app for iPhone and Android devices. FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries. Data connection required. Wireless carrier fees may apply." data-footnote="ADDITIONAL_BENEFITS_FOOTNOTE_07" aria-label="Footnote 5"> Footnote [5] Learn More   about Free FICO Credit Score opens in a new window

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Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.

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Key takeaways

  • The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card offers a variety of travel benefits and protections, including trip delay reimbursement and emergency assistance services.
  • The card also offers purchase protections and extended warranties that could give you peace of mind while shopping.
  • Bank of America customers with a Preferred Rewards membership can maximize the card’s potential and earn 25 percent to 75 percent more in rewards points.

Although the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card isn’t as popular as other travel credit cards at this level, there are plenty of reasons to consider it. Not only does it offer 2X points on travel and dining purchases, but cardholders also earn a flat rate of 1.5X points on all non-bonus spending. Those who apply and are approved can also earn a generous welcome offer, 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 90 days, and an array of Bank of America Premium Rewards card benefits — which can make the offer an even better deal.

If you’re curious about which perks you’ll get with the Bank of America Premium Rewards card and how everything works, read on to learn more.

Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card travel benefits

While the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card doesn’t let you transfer your points to airline and hotel partners like some other travel credit cards do, you can redeem your rewards for cash back in the form of a statement credit , a deposit into an eligible Bank of America or Merrill account, gift cards or travel through the Bank of America Travel Center.

You also get a handful of helpful travel perks just for being a cardholder.

No foreign transaction fees

Up to $100 in statement credits for airline incidentals, up to $100 in statement credits for global entry or tsa precheck, bank of america premium rewards card travel protections.

The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card also comes with a number of travel insurance benefits and protections, including the following:

Trip delay reimbursement

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, travel and emergency assistance services, emergency evacuation and transportation coverage, secondary auto rental coverage, roadside dispatch, bank of america premium rewards card purchase protections.

The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card offers quite a few purchase protections that will automatically apply to eligible purchases you charge to your card.

Purchase protection

Return protection, extended warranties, maximizing the bank of america premium rewards card.

Since the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card bases the rewards you earn on your spending, maximizing its benefits involves using it for all of your purchases and bills. You should aim to use it for dining and travel purchases specifically, since you can earn an elevated rate of 2X points for each dollar spent. From there, using it for other purchases you need to make can help you rack up 1.5X points per dollar spent on a regular basis.

Also note that Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn 25 percent to 75 percent more rewards for using this card or other qualifying Bank of America rewards cards. Ultimately, this means eligible cardholders with the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card could earn 2.5X to 3.5X points for every dollar spent on travel and dining purchases and 1.87X to 2.62X points for every dollar spent elsewhere.

This free program is for Bank of America customers who have an active, eligible Bank of America account and a three-month combined average daily balance of $20,000 or more in eligible Bank of America or Merrill accounts. Bank of America will automatically enroll you in the program once these requirements are met.

When it comes to using the Bank of America Premium Rewards card benefits shared in this guide, remember that you’ll need to pay with your credit card to qualify. If you pay with another credit card, you won’t be eligible for purchase protections or travel insurance benefits on those transactions.

The bottom line

The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card isn’t as well known as some other travel cards, but there’s much more to it than meets the eye. In addition to its generous earning rate and welcome offer, cardholders will get quite a few perks along the way.

Even so, it never hurts to compare this card to the benefits offered by other top travel credit cards . With some basic research, you can find a travel credit card that checks off the boxes you care about the most.

Information about the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card was updated on November 8, 2023.

bank of america travel rewards guide to benefits

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Exploring The City: Your Guide To Bus Travel In Miami

  • Last updated May 28, 2024
  • Difficulty Intemediate

Kamilla Henke

  • Category Travel

what is the bus travel like in miami

Miami, known for its vibrant culture and stunning beaches, is a city that begs to be explored. And what better way to navigate its sprawling streets than by bus? Exploring the city by bus offers not only convenience and affordability, but also a unique perspective on Miami's diverse neighborhoods and hidden gems. Whether you're a local looking to uncover new corners of your city or a visitor eager to experience the Miami lifestyle, this guide to bus travel in Miami will help you make the most of your journey. From navigating the bus routes to discovering the best stops for dining, shopping, and sightseeing, buckle up and get ready to embark on a bus adventure through the vibrant streets of Miami.

What You'll Learn

Cost and payment options for bus travel in miami, bus routes and frequency in miami, amenities and facilities on miami buses, tips for navigating bus travel in miami.

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Have you ever wondered how you can get around Miami without breaking the bank? The Miami-Dade Transit system has got you covered! With an extensive bus network, it's easy to travel around the city at an affordable cost. In this blog post, we'll be discussing the cost and payment options for bus travel in Miami, so you can navigate the city stress-free.

Let's start with the basics – the cost of bus travel in Miami. The standard fare for a one-way bus trip is $2.25. This fare allows you to transfer between buses within a 3-hour period, so you can easily reach your destination without incurring additional costs. If you plan to use the bus frequently, it might be more cost-effective to purchase a 7-Day Unlimited Pass for $30. This pass grants you unlimited rides on the bus for a whole week, saving you money in the long run.

Now that you know the fares, let's move on to payment options. When boarding the bus, you can pay with exact change in cash or use an EASY Card or EASY Ticket. The EASY Card is a reloadable smart card that allows you to pay for bus fares, as well as other transportation services in Miami. You can purchase an EASY Card at various sales outlets, including transit stations and online. If you prefer a one-time use option, the EASY Ticket is your best bet. It's a paper-based ticket that can be bought at transit stations or select sales outlets.

To make your bus travel even more convenient, you can also use the Miami-Dade Transit Tracker app. This app provides real-time bus arrival information so you can plan your trip and minimize wait times. It's available for both iPhone and Android users, and it's completely free to download.

Now that we've covered the cost and payment options, let's talk about some additional features that make bus travel in Miami convenient. All buses are equipped with bike racks, which allow you to bring your bike along for the ride. This is especially useful if you want to combine bus travel with cycling to reach your final destination. Additionally, all buses are wheelchair accessible, ensuring that everyone can use public transportation in Miami.

If you're planning to explore Miami as a group, the Miami-Dade Transit system offers discounted fares for students, seniors, and persons with disabilities. These reduced fares make it easier for group travelers to experience all that Miami has to offer without breaking the bank.

As you can see, bus travel in Miami is not only affordable but also convenient and accessible. By knowing the cost and payment options, as well as utilizing the Miami-Dade Transit Tracker app, you can navigate the city with ease. So hop on a bus and start exploring the vibrant streets of Miami today!

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If you are planning to travel around Miami on a budget or simply want to explore the city like a local, taking the bus is an excellent option. Miami's bus system, operated by Miami-Dade Transit, is comprehensive and covers a vast network of routes throughout the city and its surrounding areas. In this article, we will take a closer look at the bus routes and frequency in Miami, providing you with all the information you need to navigate the city's public transportation system.

Miami-Dade Transit operates a wide range of bus routes that serve different neighborhoods, business districts, and popular attractions. The routes are numbered, and most buses display the numbers prominently on their exteriors, making it easy to identify which bus to take. Some major bus routes include the 3, 8, 11, 38, and 120, among others. These routes connect various parts of the city and allow travelers to reach popular destinations like Miami Beach, Downtown Miami, Coral Gables, and the Airport.

One of the key advantages of Miami's bus system is its frequency. Most bus routes in Miami operate seven days a week, making it convenient for both locals and tourists to travel around the city every day of the week. During weekdays, buses usually run from around 5:30 am until midnight, with frequency ranging from every 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the route. Some main routes may have even higher frequencies, ensuring that you don't have to wait too long for the next bus.

On weekends and holidays, bus frequency may be slightly reduced, with buses running from around 6:00 am until midnight. However, even during these times, the buses still operate at regular intervals, allowing you to plan your trips accordingly. It is worth noting that the exact frequency and operating hours may vary depending on the specific route, so it is always a good idea to check the official Miami-Dade Transit website or use a transit app for the most up-to-date information.

When it comes to the bus stops, Miami has a well-established network of stops conveniently located throughout the city. You can find bus stops at major intersections, near popular destinations, and at designated bus terminals. Most bus stops are equipped with benches, shelters, and signage displaying the routes that serve them. This makes it easy to locate the closest bus stop and wait for your bus comfortably.

To make your bus travel experience even more convenient, Miami-Dade Transit offers various payment options. You can pay the fare with cash, but having exact change is highly recommended, as drivers do not provide change. An alternative option is to use the EASY Card, which is a reloadable smart card that allows you to add money and tap it on the farebox when boarding the bus. Additionally, you can also use the EASY Pay mobile app, which allows you to pay your fare using your smartphone.

When boarding the bus, it is important to remember to signal the driver that you want to board. Simply stand at the bus stop, raise your arm to signal the approaching bus, and wait for the driver to stop. Once you are on board, find an available seat or hold on to one of the handrails or poles if the bus is crowded. Make sure to keep your belongings secure and be considerate of other passengers. When your stop approaches, simply pull the cord or press the button to notify the driver, and the bus will stop at the next available stop.

Overall, the bus travel experience in Miami is convenient, reliable, and affordable. With a comprehensive network of routes, frequent service, and easy payment options, exploring the city by bus is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and discover everything Miami has to offer. So, next time you are in Miami, consider hopping on a bus and embark on a memorable journey around the city.

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Miami buses are a popular mode of transportation for both locals and tourists. These buses are known for their convenience and affordability, allowing people to easily navigate the city without having to worry about finding parking or dealing with heavy traffic. In addition to being a convenient mode of transportation, Miami buses also offer a range of amenities and facilities to make the journey more comfortable and enjoyable for passengers.

One of the most notable amenities on Miami buses is air conditioning. Miami's climate can often be hot and humid, making air conditioning a necessity for a comfortable ride. The buses are equipped with well-functioning air conditioning systems, ensuring a cool and refreshing atmosphere inside the vehicle.

Another amenity that passengers can enjoy on Miami buses is comfortable seating. The buses are equipped with cushioned seats that are designed to provide as much comfort as possible during the journey. This is particularly beneficial for longer trips, as passengers can sit back and relax in comfortable seating.

Miami buses also offer spacious interiors, providing ample room for passengers to move around in. The buses are designed to accommodate a large number of passengers, ensuring that there is enough space for everyone to stand or sit comfortably. This is especially important during peak hours when buses tend to be more crowded.

To ensure the safety and convenience of passengers, Miami buses are equipped with modern technology and facilities. Each bus is equipped with GPS tracking systems, allowing passengers to track the real-time location of the bus. This makes it easier for passengers to plan their journey and know exactly when the bus will arrive at their desired stop.

Additionally, Miami buses are equipped with CCTV cameras, providing a secure environment for passengers. These cameras help to deter any potential criminal activities and also provide evidence in case of any incidents or disputes.

Another notable facility on Miami buses is the availability of wheelchair ramps and designated seating for passengers with disabilities. These buses are designed to be wheelchair accessible, allowing passengers with mobility issues to easily board and travel on the bus. The designated seating provides a comfortable and safe space for passengers with disabilities.

To meet the entertainment needs of passengers, Miami buses are also equipped with audio systems. Passengers can enjoy music or listen to announcements during their journey through the buses' audio systems. This adds a touch of entertainment to the traveling experience, making the journey more enjoyable for passengers.

Overall, Miami buses offer a range of amenities and facilities that make the bus travel experience more comfortable, safe, and enjoyable. From air conditioning and comfortable seating to spacious interiors and modern technology, these buses are designed to meet the needs of passengers. Whether you are a local resident or a tourist exploring Miami, you can rely on Miami buses to provide a convenient and comfortable mode of transportation.

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Miami is a vibrant and bustling city, known for its beautiful beaches, exciting nightlife, and diverse cultural scene. While there are many transportation options available, one of the most affordable and convenient ways to get around Miami is by bus. If you're new to bus travel in Miami, here are some tips to help you navigate the system with ease:

  • Familiarize Yourself with the Routes: Before you hop on a bus, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the routes. Miami-Dade Transit operates a vast network of buses that cover the entire Miami-Dade County. You can easily find route maps and schedules on their website or mobile app. Identify the bus routes that connect your starting and ending points, and check the schedules to plan your journey.
  • Use the Transit App: The Transit App is a handy tool that provides real-time information about bus arrivals, schedules, and route maps. It's available for both iOS and Android devices and can help you navigate the bus system efficiently. The app also includes features such as trip planning, service alerts, and nearby bus stops, making it a useful tool for both locals and visitors.
  • Paying the Fare: In Miami, you will need to pay the fare in exact change or use a reloadable transit card called the EASY Card. The fare for a single ride is $2.25, and transfers are valid for three hours. If you plan to use the bus frequently, consider purchasing a 1-Day or 7-Day EASY Card, which allows unlimited rides during the specified time period. You can purchase these cards at various locations, including transit stations, select retail outlets, and online.
  • Be Mindful of Rush Hour: Like any major city, Miami experiences heavy traffic during rush hour. If possible, try to avoid traveling during peak times, as buses may be more crowded, and there may be delays. Plan your trips accordingly, especially if you need to be somewhere at a specific time.
  • Know Your Bus Stop: Bus stops in Miami are easily identifiable by their bright yellow signs. Make sure to arrive at the bus stop a few minutes before the scheduled arrival time to avoid missing your bus. Some bus stops have shelters and seating, while others may only have a pole or a bench. Keep an eye out for your bus number and destination displayed on the front of the bus to ensure you board the correct one.
  • Signal Your Stop: When you're nearing your destination, make sure to signal the bus driver that you want to disembark. You can do this by pulling the cord or pressing the button located near the windows. The driver will then stop at the next designated bus stop, allowing you to exit safely.
  • Plan for Delays: While Miami-Dade Transit strives to operate buses on time, delays can sometimes occur due to traffic or other unforeseen circumstances. It's always a good idea to factor in some extra time into your travel plans, especially if you have time-sensitive commitments.

By following these tips, navigating bus travel in Miami will be a breeze. Remember to plan your routes in advance, use helpful apps, and be prepared with the correct fare or transit card. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Miami as you explore the city's many attractions using the bus system.

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Frequently asked questions.

The bus travel in Miami is operated by Miami-Dade Transit and offers an extensive network of routes covering the entire city.

The comfort level of the buses in Miami can vary depending on the route and time of day. Some buses are equipped with air conditioning and comfortable seating, while others may be more basic.

Bus services in Miami operate on different frequencies depending on the route and time of day. Some popular routes have buses running every 15 minutes during peak hours, while others may have less frequent service.

Yes, Miami-Dade Transit has a contactless payment system called EASY Card or EASY Ticket that can be used on buses. These cards can be loaded with value and tapped on the card reader when boarding the bus.

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