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Travel on Point(s)

How to Choose between Using a Travel Portal, Transferring to Partners, or Cash Back

August 1, 2021
Brian Soares

Travel on Point(s) is an independent, advertising-supported website. This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites like Cardratings.com. This compensation does not impact how or where products appear on this site. Travel on Point(s) has not reviewed all available credit card offers on this site. Reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any partner entities.

Table of Contents

Three Ways to Use Points

Let's start with a summary of how we can use points for travel. There are generally 3 main ways to use your credit card points. We explain each of them briefly, below.

Convert them to cash back
Book travel through a credit card travel portal
Transfer to a travel partner

Converting Points to Cash Back

Each of the major banks allows you to redeem credit card points for statement credits. To book travel through this option, you would simply charge the booking to your credit card and use that card's points to cover the charge. This is rarely a good idea. The redemption rate is very low, usually at 1.0 cents per point (cpp). This means every 1,000 points will only cover $10 from your credit card statement. Say you want to book a hotel room with a $200 cash price. Through cash back at 1.0 cpp, you would need 20,000 points.

Booking through a Travel Portal

Travel portals work a little like converting points to cash back because points have a fixed value. For example, Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for either 1.25 cpp or 1.5 cpp through Chase's portal , depending on whether you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred (CSP) or Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR).

The biggest advantage for booking through a travel portal is that it is easy. You don't have to search for availability. You don't have to transfer to airline or hotel partners. It really is almost like converting points into cash.

But the disadvantages for travel portals are big. If your flight gets canceled by the airline, you won't be able to deal directly with the airline. The travel portal operator stands between you and the airline. This is similar to booking a flight or hotel through Kayak or Expedia. A problem that could have been resolved through one phone call to the airline becomes a game of telephone between you, the travel portal operator, and the airline. Members of our Facebook group have shared many horror stories about dealing with travel portals when travel plans get changed.

Transferring to Travel Partners

We've explained before how transferring to travel partners will almost always get you the most value out of your credit card points. The biggest hurdle for booking a flight or hotel with points or miles is availability. If there are no award seats or hotel rooms bookable with points available, then could be out of luck.

The biggest benefit of transferring to partners is that divorce your points from a fixed value. As shown above, cash back and travel portals assign a fixed value to your points (usually anywhere from 1.0 cpp to 1.5 cpp, depending on the method). But once transferred to a partner, your points can yield value independent of the cash price of the flight or hotel you book.

A Real-Life Example

Let's take a recent example of a Hyatt stay booked through points and see how each method would work. When Derrick and Sarah stayed at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa , the cash price for rooms was $868.40 (after all fees and taxes). Here is how each of the 3 options above would play out for this booking if we were to use Chase Ultimate Rewards (URs).

1) Converting points to cash back. By converting points to cash back, you could book direct through Hyatt and pay $868.40 cash and use 86,840 UR to get a statement credit. This would yield a value of 1.0 cpp. You would earn 1,737 URs if you charged this to your Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x for travel). This means your out of pocket UR points used would be 85,103. Non-elite Hyatt members earn 5x points per dollar on paid stays, so you would also earn at least 4,342 Hyatt points and would be eligible for member benefits.

2) Booking through the Chase portal. Points are worth 1.25 cents each (for Chase Sapphire Preferred holders) or 1.5 cents each (for Chase Sapphire Reserve holders). to cover the room's rate of $868.40, you would need 69,472 URs with a CSP or 57,894 URs with a CSR. Booking through the Chase portal is a third party booking, meaning you generally would not enjoy elite benefits or receive Hyatt points for your stay.

3) Transfer points to Hyatt. For this option, you would start by searching and confirming award availability on Hyatt's website for the dates you want. Once you find availability, you would transfer your Chase URs to Hyatt. Transfers are processed instantly. The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point is a Category 5 hotel, which requires 20,000 Hyatt points per night (or 17,000 during off-peak and 23,000 during peak). Since URs transfer to Hyatt at a 1:1 rate, you would only need 20,000 URs for a standard stay. And since you're booking directly through Hyatt, you would be eligible to enjoy elite benefits and earn elite night credit for your stay. On top of all that, Hyatt waives resort fees and taxes for award stays.

So which of these three options is best? Over 86,000 URs, over 69,000 URs, or 20,000 URs? No wonder transferring to travel partners yields incredible value .

In the example above, transferring URs to Hyatt is the clear winner. Meanwhile, the cash back option is the worst option by a longshot. Even though you would earn a few URs and Hyatt points by booking direct, the amount of URs needed to cover the statement credit is just too much to justify. By transferring to Hyatt, you could book 4 nights at this Hyatt Regency for every one night booked via cash back.

This is not to say that transferring to partners is always the best or only option. Award availability may not always be there. Also, different credit cards offer benefits that could make sense to book through their travel portal. For example, the American Express Platinum card offers an annual $200 credit for Fine Hotels & Resorts bookings .

Final Thoughts

Regardless of your travel plans, it's important to take a moment to crunch the numbers. This helps you avoid using 80,000 points for a hotel room that could have only cost you 20,000 points. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to using points, but thinking through your redemption is key to maximizing your points.

How do you decide on the best path to use your points? Do you have any questions about how to maximize your points for an upcoming trip? Join the discussion in our Facebook group !

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Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partners and How To Use Them [2024]

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Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Partners and How To Use Them [2024]

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Chase Ultimate Rewards points are perhaps the most valuable points out there. Thanks to their flexibility and transfer options, we regularly give Chase Ultimate Rewards one of the best valuations in our monthly valuations . There are plenty of great ways to earn Ultimate Rewards points and even more fun ways to redeem them for award flights and hotel stays.

In this post, we’ll show you all of Chase’s transfer partners, how to transfer Ultimate Rewards to these partners, and much more. After reading our guide, you’ll be ready to book an amazing getaway!

Chase Airline Transfer Partners

The Chase Ultimate Rewards program currently has 11 airline transfer partners — the latest program, Air Canada Aeroplan, was added in August 2021.

Points transfer to all these airlines at a 1:1 ratio, which is one of the reasons Ultimate Rewards points are so valuable.

Major Hub: Dublin (DUB)

Airline Alliance: None, but has airline partners

Aer Lingus is a part of the International Airlines Group (IAG), which also includes British Airways, Iberia, and Qatar Airlines, so you’ve got some flexibility when it comes to how you redeem your Aer Lingus AerClub Avios . That said, its award chart isn’t quite as valuable as many of the other Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners.

However, it does offer a couple of solid sweet spots for those looking to travel to The Emerald Isle. On off-peak dates, you can book a one-way ticket from the U.S. East Coast to Dublin for 13,000 Avios in economy or 50,000 Avios in business class.

Major Hubs: Calgary (YYC), Montréal (YUL), Toronto (YYZ), and Vancouver (YVR)

Airline Alliance: Star Alliance

Air Canada Aeroplan is easily one of the best Chase transfer partners for premium cabin award tickets thanks to its lucrative partner award chart .

For instance, you could fly one-way in business class to South America or most European destinations for 60,000 points. If you prefer to fly to Asia in business class, that would be 85,000 points so long as the distance covered is less than 11,000 miles.

Further, Aeroplan can be exceptional for award bookings because of its low taxes and fees on many partner tickets, and you can add a stopover on any itinerary for just 5,000 more points.

Major Hubs: Paris (CDG), Amsterdam (AMS)

Airline Alliance: SkyTeam

Another excellent option for economy and business class tickets between the U.S. and Europe is the Flying Blue program . Redemption rates are already quite reasonable, with solid award availability as well. You can often find one-way economy tickets to Europe for as low as 22,500 miles and one-way business class tickets for 56,500 miles.

While those rates are decent on their own, the Flying Blue program offers Promo Rewards each month that can drop the award ticket price for select routes by 25% to 50%, allowing you to get stellar value out of Flying Blue miles.

Major Hubs: London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW)

Airline Alliance: Oneworld

British Airways Executive Club gets a lot of flack in the points in miles community due to the large fuel surcharges for both economy and business class tickets between the U.S. and Europe. However, British Airways Avios can be incredibly useful for short-haul tickets that can often be relatively expensive.

For instance, U.S. domestic nonstop flights under 1,150 miles on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines cost just 9,000 Avios in each direction, along with low taxes of just $5.60. This can take you between destinations like New York and Miami, Chicago and Houston, or Seattle and Los Angeles.

Emirates Inaugural World's Shortest A380 First Class Window Suite Cherag Dubash

Major Hub: Dubai (DXB)

While Emirates Skywards offers some of the most sought-after award redemptions for business and first class on its signature A380, and more recently its game-changer first class on the 777 , the airline has also gone through a recent string of devaluations that have made this award more expensive through higher fuel surcharges .

Fortunately, one great sweet spot remains that allows you to fly Emirates’ fifth freedom routes between the U.S. and Athens or Milan, for 85,000 miles in first class one-way, or an incredible 90,000 miles round-trip in business class, with significantly lower taxes and fees.

Major Hub: Madrid (MAD)

Another entry into the Avios family is Iberia Plus . Unsurprisingly, its award program has a decent amount of overlap with the others, but its award pricing between the U.S. and Spain presents an incredibly sweet spot for award travelers.

It’s common to see many U.S. carriers charge 30,000 points to fly between the U.S. and Europe in economy class, but Iberia charges just 34,000 Avios to fly between the U.S. and Madrid in business class on off-peak dates — one of the cheapest ways to get across the pond in business class.

Major Hubs: New York (JFK), Boston (BOS)

JetBlue is a low-cost U.S. carrier that is known for its great inflight product both in economy and its Mint business class seats.

However, since its TrueBlue loyalty program ties award redemptions to the cash cost of the ticket, you’ll usually receive just 1.1 cents per point towards Mint redemptions , and 1.3 to 1.4 cents per point on economy tickets.

This can be a better deal than booking through the Chase Travel portal for Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders with a 1.25 cent per point redemption rate, but a poor choice for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders with a 1.5 cent per point redemption rate. That said, you can often get much more value out of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points using other transfer partners.

Singapore Suites First Class Morning Coffee and Champagne

Major Hub: Singapore (SIN)

While you might overlook Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer as an option for domestic travel, as a Star Alliance partner it offers great award pricing on domestic United flights, including 17,500 miles for flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii, and 27,500 miles for flights between the U.S. and Europe.

Singapore miles are also your only option if you want to book a highly sought-after ticket in Singapore Suites class between the U.S. and Singapore or its fifth freedom route between the U.S. and Frankfurt.

Major Hubs: Atlanta (ATL), Baltimore (BWI), Chicago (MDW), Dallas (DAL), Denver (DEN), Houston (HOU), Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), Oakland (OAK), Orlando (MCO), Phoenix (PHX)

Airline Alliance: None

Southwest is the world’s largest low-cost carrier with an award program in Rapid Rewards that’s similar to JetBlue in that it operates on fixed value redemptions, allowing you to usually get between 1.3 to 1.4 cents per point on your redemption that is tied to the cash cost of the ticket.

Since you can often get much more value out of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points than this, we generally advise against transferring to Southwest. However, one sweet spot is for those who have the Southwest Companion Pass , as your redemption value doubles on tickets where your companion flies with you for free.

Major Hubs: Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), Washington DC (IAD)

In addition to being one of the most well-known Chase transfer partners for U.S. flyers, United MileagePlus also benefits from being able to book award travel on fellow Star Alliance airlines with low taxes and fees. In terms of booking tickets on its own metal, now that United has moved to dynamic pricing, getting outsized value using its currency isn’t quite as easy as it once was.

However, it does offer the incredibly valuable United Excursionist Perk , which allows you to tack on a free one-way flight on round-trip bookings for no added miles, so long as the flight is within the same region. For example, you could fly from the U.S. to Istanbul, Istanbul to London, and London back to the U.S., and your Istanbul to London leg (a 4-hour flight covering 1,500 miles) costs no added miles.

Major Hub: London Heathrow (LHR), Manchester (MAN)

The second largest carrier based out of the U.K., Virgin Atlantic doesn’t participate in an airline alliance but offers several great partnerships that award travelers can take advantage of.

One of which is booking Delta One business class awards between the U.S. and Europe for just 50,000 miles one-way, which is far less than what Delta would charge using its own miles to book these awards. You can also book ANA first class awards between the U.S. and Japan for as low as 55,000 miles one-way.

Chase Hotel Transfer Partners

Ultimate Rewards can also be transferred to 3 hotel rewards programs. Like Chase’s airline partners, all transfers to hotel partners occur at a 1:1 ratio.

Headquarters: Denham, England

Number of Properties: ~6,000

The IHG One Rewards program recently went through a revamp, but as a dynamically-priced program, it seldom makes sense to transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

For instance, we value IHG One Rewards points at 0.5 cents per point, so any redemptions above that level are generally considered to be a good value. Given that, it wouldn’t make sense to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which are worth a minimum of 1.25 cents per point through the Chase Travel portal, to a program where getting half of that value would be considered a good deal.

Headquarters: Bethesda, Maryland

Number of Properties: ~8,500

As with IHG, we seldom advise against transferring your hard-earned Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy where nights at top-tier hotels can cost upwards of 85,000 to 100,000 points per night. Not only is it fairly easy to get more value out of other Chase partners, but you’ll also find that you’d likely be better off booking a Marriott hotel through the Chase Travel portal than transferring to Marriott directly.

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois

Number of Properties: ~1,200

If you thought Hyatt would be similar to the other 2 hotel programs, think again. The World of Hyatt program is one of the best Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners and a darling in the points of miles community thanks to the value its award chart offers.

While the program recently went through a devaluation with the addition of peak pricing, even the most expensive award nights in the portfolio don’t exceed 45,000 points per night. This means you can book free nights at top-tier Hyatt hotels for roughly half of what programs like Marriott and Hilton often charge for similar hotels.

Hot Tip: Use our transfer partner tool to see how many points you’ll get when you transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards to partner airlines and hotels!

Earning Ultimate Rewards

With several Chase card options available, there are ample opportunities to earn Ultimate Rewards points that can help you book your next trip.

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
2x points on all other travel worldwide
$50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
Excellent travel and car rental insurance
10% annual bonus points
No foreign transaction fees
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
$95 annual fee
No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 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, 60,000 points are worth $750 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

Financial Snapshot

APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Chase Sapphire Reserve ®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel SM
3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit
Priority Pass airport lounge access
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
Rental car elite status with National and Avis
$550 annual fee
Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 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, 60,000 points are worth $900 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 ®
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
Chase Sapphire Reserve 100k Bonus Offer
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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
1.5% back on all other purchases
No annual fee
Earn big on travel purchased through Chase Travel
Everyday bonus on dining and drugstores
Straightforward cash-back on all other purchases
Ability to pool points
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.
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
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Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ sure does pack quite a punch — especially for a no-annual-fee card.

The Freedom Flex card is an incredible option for those looking for a well-rounded cash-back card, or a powerful point-earner when paired with a premium card in the Ultimate Rewards family.

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
Powerful cash-back earner: 5% back on quarterly categories and travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases
Excellent cell phone insurance
Mastercard World Elite benefits
3% foreign transaction fees in U.S. dollars
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards ® , our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% 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!
No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
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You can also shop through the Shop through Chase portal to earn extra Ultimate Rewards points when making purchases online. This is an easy way to boost your earnings on purchases you would make anyway.

Once you have some Ultimate Rewards points and are ready to transfer them to a partner to book your next big vacation, here are the simple steps to make the transfer process easy.

Step 1: After logging into the Ultimate Rewards site , select the appropriate card. If you want to transfer points, you will need to select a premium Ultimate Rewards card with an annual fee — these include the Chase Sapphire Reserve card , Chase Sapphire Preferred card , and the Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card . You can combine Ultimate Rewards points under your chosen card from others that don’t have annual fees.

Step 2: Select Transfer to Travel Partners under the Earn / Use drop-down menu.

Step 3: Choose your desired airline and select Transfer Points .

Chase Ultimate Rewards airline transfer partners

You can also select from Chase’s hotel partners using the same steps.

Chase Ultimate Rewards hotel transfer partners

Step 4: If you haven’t already added your frequent flyer number or hotel rewards number, you will be prompted to do so.

United MileagePlus Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner

Step 5: Once you have linked your airline or hotel account to your Ultimate Rewards account, choose how many points you would like to transfer. Transfers must be done in increments of 1,000.

Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer to United MileagePlus

Step 6: Confirm the number of points you’re transferring and complete to transfer.

Step 7: Head over to the appropriate airline or hotel program’s website to book your award flight or award stay.

Booking Travel With the Chase Travel Portal

Sometimes, making your flight or hotel booking through the Chase travel portal can make a lot of sense. With the Chase travel portal, the points needed for specific redemption are tied to the cash cost. So, if a flight or hotel stay is relatively inexpensive, to the point where the point cost ends up being less than going through a transfer partner, then the Chase travel portal is a perfect option.

If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, each Ultimate Rewards point is worth 1.5 cents when booking through the portal. If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred card or Ink Business Preferred card, each point is worth 1.25 cents when booking with the Chase travel portal.

Similar to the transfer process, you simply select Travel under the Earn / Use Points drop-down menu.

Check out an example of a travel portal booking below:

This round-trip economy class booking with Star Alliance airline United from San Francisco (SFO) to Honolulu (HNL) costs as few as 7,900 Ultimate Rewards points.

Let’s think about the booking discussed above. If you were to book this same itinerary by transferring the points to Chase partner United Airlines, it would cost 12,500 miles. In this case, booking through the portal would be a much better deal.

Bottom Line: To ensure you get the most out of your points, it’s important to check both the portal and transfer options when searching for flights.

The Chase travel portal allows you to book hotels at the same 1.5 cents per point for cardholders of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or 1.25 cents per point with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or Ink Business Preferred card.

You can also redeem your points for gift cards to merchants including Airbnb , Lowe’s, Home Depot , and Amazon . Additionally, you can redeem your points for statement credits. Unfortunately, these options are a very poor use of points in terms of value, and we do not recommend them!

Combining Ultimate Rewards from your different Chase accounts is a simple process. In the menu bar, you will see the points you have earned on your selected card. If you hover over the points available, you will see a drop-down menu of your cards and the available points from each.

Select Combine Points to consolidate your points under a single card. If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, keep your Ultimate Rewards points there since they’ll be worth a minimum of 1.5 cents each.

Hot Tip: You can also combine points with 1 other household member . This is a great way to pool points with your significant other for a great redemption.

Using your Ultimate Rewards points for travel is the best way to get the most value out of them. With multiple transfer partners and countless ways to redeem points for travel, it can be overwhelming!

We’ve compiled multiple lists of the best ways to use your Chase Ultimate Rewards for some incredible travel experiences. See below:

The Best Ways To Use Ultimate Rewards Points
The Best Ways To Use 10,000 (Or Fewer) Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
The Best Ways To Use 100,000 Ultimate Rewards Points

The Chase Ultimate Rewards program should be a staple in your points-earning strategy. If you are just starting your miles and points journey, we recommend earning Ultimate Rewards initially. Check out our Beginner’s Guide to get started on the right track.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are easy to earn, easy to redeem, and can get you excellent value when you use them properly. Before you know it, you’ll be taking a trip of a lifetime … and then doing it again!

The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What airlines can chase ultimate rewards points be used for.

There are multiple airline and hotel partners that you’re able to transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to. Refer to our table in this post for the most up-to-date transfer partners!

Can you transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to another person?

You can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards to another person as long as they are a member of your household.

Can you transfer points between Chase credit cards?

Yes, but only to another Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points belonging to you or 1 member of your household.

Can you transfer points from an airline to Chase Ultimate Rewards points?

You cannot transfer miles or points from an airline to Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You also cannot get back any Ultimate Rewards points that you have already transferred to an airline partner — all transfers are final.

Do Ultimate Rewards points expire?

Your Ultimate Rewards points will not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.

How much are Ultimate Rewards points worth?

Generally, your Ultimate Rewards points will be worth 1 cent toward cash-back, 1.25 to 1.5 cents through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal (depending on which card you hold), or 2+ cents for redemptions made through transfer partners.

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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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How To Earn 100k+ Chase Ultimate Rewards Points [In 90 Days]

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The top 11 credit cards with annual travel statement credits

Editor's Note

Travel rewards credit cards entice new cardholders with flashy welcome offers and waived annual fees during the first year. They can also help you beat rising travel costs due to inflation.

However, many premium rewards cards on the market also offer ongoing travel benefits. These perks include not only things such as airport lounge access and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursements but also annual statement credits toward travel purchases. These can be especially useful for things like stays at boutique hotels that aren't part of a major loyalty program or even when using ride-hailing apps to get from your hotel back to the airport.

Credit card travel credits can vary from a flat $300 per year for a wide variety of travel purchases — as you get with the Chase Sapphire Reserve — to up to $200 specifically for non-ticket airline incidentals on your selected carrier with T he Platinum Card® from American Express per calendar year (enrollment is required).

In this guide, we'll walk through which credit cards have annual travel credits and how flexible they are for hotels, flights and everything in between.

Overview of credit cards with annual travel credits

There are multiple credit cards with annual travel credits. These credits can help to offset portions of a trip where you must pay cash.

However, the rules for using these credits can vary by card. Let's take a look at the amount of credit you can receive on each card and its welcome bonus before digging into the details of what you can and can't use these credits for each year.

The information for the Premium Rewards Elite, Citi Prestige, Hilton Aspire, Ritz-Carlton and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

American Express® Gold Card

Annual travel credit: Up to $120 in Uber Cash each calendar year — up to $10 monthly delivered in the form of Uber Cash that can be used on U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats purchases, making the credits exceptionally versatile. Enrollment is required.

Current welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first six months of card membership (though some folks might be eligible for a higher targeted offer via the CardMatch tool ; offers are subject to change at any time).

Annual fee: $250 (see rates and fees ).

Other benefits: Amex Gold cardholders earn 4 points per dollar at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amex Travel and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases. This card earns Membership Rewards points, which you can transfer to a total of 21 airline and hotel partners . Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly (up to $120 annual dining credit) when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment is required.

Review: American Express Gold review

Official application link: American Express Gold Card with a 60,000-point welcome bonus after spending $6,000 in purchases within six months of card membership.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card

Annual travel credit: Up to $100 in statement credits for airline incidentals like checked bags, seat selection or upgrades each year.

Current sign-up bonus: Receive 60,000 bonus points after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Annual fee: $95.

Other benefits: The Bank of America Premium Rewards card has a solid rate of return. Cardholders earn 2 points per dollar on travel and dining and 1.5 points per dollar on everything else.

You can boost your earnings from 25% to 75%, depending on how much you have in deposits with Bank of America and Merrill through the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program . Points can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards and purchases through the Bank of America Travel Center or as a deposit to a Bank of America account at a rate of 1 cent apiece. The card waives foreign exchange fees and will reimburse cardholders for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee once every four years (up to $100).

Review: Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card review

Official application link: Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card with a 60,000-point welcome bonus after spending $4,000 in purchases within 90 days from account opening.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card

Annual travel credit: Up to $300 in statement credits for airline incidentals like checked bags, seat selection or upgrades each year.

Current sign-up bonus: Receive 75,000 bonus points after you make at least $5,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Annual fee: $550.

Other benefits: The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card mirrors the earning rates on the Premium Rewards card: 2 points per dollar on travel and dining and 1.5 points per dollar on everything else.

If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn an additional 25% to 75% bonus points on purchases, depending on how much you have in deposits with Bank of America and Merrill. Points can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards and purchases through the Bank of America Travel Center or as a deposit to a Bank of America account at a rate of 1 cent apiece. Cardholders also receive a 20% discount when paying for airfare with points through the Travel Center. Up to $100 in reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees is available once every four years.

Review: Another new premium travel card just hit the market — but is it any good?

Public application link: Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Credit Card with a 75,000-point welcome bonus after spending $5,000 in purchases within 90 days of account opening.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Annual travel credit: Up to $200 in statement credits on airline incidental fees charged by the carrier on one select airline each calendar year.

Current welcome offer: Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.

Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees ).

Other benefits: The Amex Business Platinum offers similar benefits as the personal version and some great additional ones .

The card offers more than $1,200 in annual credits to cardholders for business and travel expenses with companies like Dell, Adobe and Clear. Cardholders can earn 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Cardholders also receive a 35% rebate when redeeming points for airfare booked through Amex Travel (up to 1 million points per calendar year) on their selected qualifying airline or for business— or first class tickets on any airline. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Review: Amex Business Platinum review

Official application link: The Business Platinum Card from American Express with a 150,000-point welcome bonus after spending $20,000 in purchases within three months from account opening.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Annual travel credit: $300 in annual credits for flights, hotels, or rental cars booked through the Capital One Travel portal .

Current sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $395 (see rates and fees ).

Other benefits: The Capital One Venture X is a premium credit card that has garnered attention in the points and miles world. Cardholders earn 10 miles per dollar on hotel and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases. Capital One miles transfer to 18 airline and hotel loyalty programs, such as Air Canada Aeroplan , British Airways Executive Club and Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles .

Other benefits of the Venture X include unlimited access to Capital One and Priority Pass lounges , a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit, the ability to add four authorized users for free (and share those lounge benefits), 10,000 bonus miles as an anniversary bonus every year and more.

Review: Capital One Venture X review

Official application link: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card with a 75,000-mile welcome bonus after spending $4,000 in purchases within three months from account opening.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Annual travel credit: $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for a broad range of travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. This credit will apply automatically to the first $300 spent on travel, and purchases covered by this credit don't qualify for bonus points-earning rates. After exhausting the $300 travel credit, you can earn 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked with the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, 5 points per dollar on flights booked using the portal and 3 points per dollar on all non-portal travel purchases.

Current sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.

Other benefits: The Chase Sapphire Reserve is widely considered to be one of the best all-around travel rewards credit cards , thanks to its slate of chart-topping benefits. In addition to that annual travel statement credit, cardholders earn unlimited 3 points per dollar on travel and dining worldwide. Ultimate Rewards points transfer to 11 airline partners, including Southwest and Air Canada , and three hotel partners , including Hyatt , IHG , and Marriott . Points may also be redeemed directly through the Chase travel portal for 1.5 cents apiece . Cardholders can access Priority Pass lounges and be reimbursed up to $100 once every four years for a Nexus , Global Entry, or TSA PreCheck application fee.

Review: Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review

Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve with a 60,000-point welcome bonus after spending $4,000 in purchases within three months from account opening.

Citi Prestige® Card

Annual travel credit: Up to $250 worth of annual travel statement credits each calendar year toward travel purchases , including airline tickets, hotel stays, car rentals, commuter transportation, subways, taxis, train tickets, etc. This credit applies automatically.

Current sign-up bonus: The card is no longer available to new applicants.

Annual fee: $495.

Other benefits: If you're a Citi Prestige cardholder, you earn an incredible 5 points per dollar at restaurants, on air travel and with travel agencies. Cardholders earn 3 points per dollar at hotels and on cruise lines and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Citi ThankYou points transfer to 17 airline and hotel partner programs , including Air France-KLM Flying Blue , Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Wyndham Rewards .

Cardholders can enter Priority Pass lounges and receive the fourth night free on up to two hotel stays per year when booking through the Citi concierge or online at ThankYou.com. You won't pay foreign transaction fees with this card. You can receive Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement once every five years. Unfortunately, this card is no longer available to new applicants.

Review: Citi Prestige Card review

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Annual travel credit: Up to $250 in statement credits each year of card membership for eligible purchases at participating Hilton Resorts , plus up to $250 back each year for airline incidentals , such as checked bags and seat selection.

Current welcome offer: Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $4,000 in purchases on the card within the first three months of card membership.

Annual fee: $450 (see rates and fees ).

Other benefits: The Hilton Honors Aspire earns a whopping 14 points per dollar on Hilton purchases ; 7 points per dollar on flights booked through Amex Travel or directly with airlines, on car rentals and at U.S. restaurants; and 3 points per dollar on everything else. It comes with automatic top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status , an annual free weekend night award and Priority Pass Select lounge access. Cardholders also get up to $100 in credits for qualifying charges at participating Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts when booking two-night-minimum stays via hiltonhonorsaspirecard.com. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Review: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card review

Public application link: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card with a 150,000-point welcome bonus after spending $4,000 in purchases within three months of account opening.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Annual travel credit: Up to $200 back on airline incidental fees with your preferred airline each year. Unfortunately, airfare itself does not count per the terms. Cardholders can also score up to $200 in annual Uber Cash (for U.S. services).

Current welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 in the first six months (though some folks might be eligible for a higher targeted offer via the CardMatch tool ; offers are subject to change at any time).

Other benefits: The Amex Platinum Card has plenty of perks to justify its high annual fee. Earn 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with an airline or through American Express Travel and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). This card earns Membership Rewards points , which you can transfer to a total of 21 airline and hotel partners . There's also up to $200 in annual credits for certain hotel bookings , up to $200 in annual Uber credits, reimbursement for your annual Clear membership fee, plus a statement credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee once every 4.5 years. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

The card gets you into Centurion Lounges and offers Priority Pass lounge access , plus Delta Sky Club access when you're on a same-day Delta flight (limited to 10 annual visits from Feb. 1, 2025). At hotels, enjoy value-added benefits when booking stays through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts plus Gold status with Hilton Honors and Gold Elite status with Marriott . Through Amex's International Airline Program , cardholders can get discounts on premium economy, business- and first-class tickets on 25 airlines. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Review: The Platinum Card from American Express review

Official application link: The Platinum Card from American Express with an 80,000-point welcome bonus after spending $8,000 in purchases within six months from account opening.

Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card

Annual travel credit: Up to $300 in credits for airline lounge day passes or membership, airline seat upgrades, airline baggage fees, inflight Wi-Fi/entertainment or inflight meals. You will need to secure message Chase to manually request these credits.

Current welcome offer: Not available to new applicants, though you can change to this card from another of Chase's Marriott credit cards.

Annual fee: $450.

Other benefits: The Ritz-Carlton Card offers more to travelers than just the $300 in annual travel credits. This includes an annual free night award worth up to 50,000 points, a Priority Pass Select membership and Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy . Cardholders also can be reimbursed for their application fees for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and a $100 hotel credit toward dining, spa treatments or other hotel recreational activities on paid stays of two nights or longer at Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis properties.

Related: The secret to getting the discontinued Ritz-Carlton credit card — and 4 reasons you need it

U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

Annual travel credit: Up to $325 in statement credits per cardmember year for purchases made directly with airlines, hotels, car rental companies, taxis, limousines, passenger trains and cruise lines. It can also be applied to restaurant (both take-out and delivery), fast-food and bar purchases.

Current sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,500 within 90 days of account opening.

Annual fee: $400.

Other benefits: U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa cardholders earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotel bookings made through the Altitude Rewards Center, 3 points per dollar on travel and mobile wallet purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Cardholders can redeem points for 1.5 cents apiece on airfare, hotels and car rentals booked through the Altitude Rewards Center, as well as lower values for other purchases. If used mostly for travel, your rate of return is a considerable 4.5%. Cardholders enjoy a 12-month Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access, reimbursement for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four years and waived foreign transaction fees.

Review: U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card review

Public application link: U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card with a 50,000-point welcome bonus after spending $4,500 in purchases within 90 days of account opening.

Bottom line

Whether you prefer a travel rewards card that earns transferable points , a cobranded hotel card, or a card that earns fixed-value points , some phenomenal options offer annual travel statement credits. Picking one of them will ensure you continue to get value from your credit card long after you've earned its welcome bonus and paid its annual fee.

Travel credits are one of the most compelling reasons to continue carrying a specific credit card. You can use these credits for free flights, hotel nights and other travel purchases year after year, which can help you beat inflation and high travel costs.

Additional reporting by Danyal Ahmed, Ryan Smith, Stella Shon, Chris Dong, and Madison Blancaflor.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here . For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here . For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here . For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire card, click here .

Featured photo of Glacier National Park by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy.

Updated 12/06/23

Best credit cards for international travel

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Key takeaways

The top credit cards you’ll want to use abroad don’t charge foreign transaction fees and offer rewards on your spending.
We’ve highlighted six travel cards that appeal to different types of spenders, as well as tips on how to choose the best card for you.

Credit cards can be valuable tools when you use them close to home, but they should also be an essential part of your packing list any time you travel overseas . Not only do you normally need a credit card to put down a security deposit to rent a hotel room, but you’ll likely need a credit card to rent a car, too. And if you run out of cash while on a trip, a credit card lets you charge whatever you need and pay the balance when you return home.

The best credit cards for international trips also let you avoid added fees on international transactions and earn rewards for each dollar you spend . Some even offer robust travel protections that can shield you financially if your flight is delayed or your bags are lost or stolen.

If you’re planning a trip overseas this year, here are some of the best cards to consider.

The Platinum Card from American Express: Best for international travel overall

Why we picked it : The Platinum Card® from American Express makes it easy to earn American Express Membership Rewards points, which can be used for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, travel purchased through the American Express Travel portal or transfers to Amex airline and hotel partners. A $695 annual fee applies, but the first-year and ongoing benefits can more than make up for it.

As a welcome offer, you can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 within six months of account opening. You’ll also earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year); 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel; 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel; and 1X points on all other purchases.

You won’t pay foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad, and this card comes with the broadest airport lounge access of all travel cards. It also includes up to a $100 credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and up to a $189 credit for CLEAR® Plus Credit membership each year. Other credits that add more value to this card include a $200 airline incidental credit each year, $200 in Uber cash (doled out in monthly increments), a $200 hotel credit on eligible Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings made through Amex and more (two-night minimum stay required). You’ll also get access to a Global Assist hotline, which can help with emergency planning if you run into legal or medical issues when you travel.

Can transfer points to Amex airline and hotel partners
Access to the Global lounge collection (which includes Priority Pass and Centurion lounges )
Automatic Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status (enrollment required)
Excellent travel insurance , including trip delay insurance and trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Over $1,500 in credits
$695 annual fee
Some of the card’s credits can be difficult to use

Who should apply : If you travel frequently and are able to use enough card benefits to make up for the cost of the annual fee , the Amex Platinum is a must-have.

Who should skip : If you don’t want to pay such a high annual fee , or if you think you won’t use the Amex Platinum’s many travel perks and benefits , it would be better to go with a different card.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for flexible rewards

Why we picked it : The Chase Sapphire Reserve® lets you earn 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 within three months of account opening. You’ll also earn 10X points on hotel stays and car rentals through Chase Ultimate Rewards ; 10X points on Chase Dining purchases through Ultimate Rewards; 10X points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025); 5X points on air travel through Ultimate Rewards (after the $300 annual travel credit ) ; 3X points on general travel and restaurant purchases following your travel credit redemption ; and 1X points on all other purchases. Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in many ways , including cash back, gift cards, merchandise, travel through the Chase portal or 1:1 points transfers to travel partners.

This card comes with some of the best travel protections of any travel credit card. Some of these benefits include primary auto rental coverage, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay coverage, lost luggage reimbursement and emergency evacuation and transportation coverage. You’ll also get airport lounge access, up to a $100 credit for Global Entry, up to $85 for a TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS and a 50 percent points boost on travel redemptions through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Note that the Chase Sapphire Reserve does come with a hefty $550 annual fee .

$300 annual travel credit
Can transfer points to Chase airline and hotel partners
Up to a $100 credit for Global Entry, up to $85 for a TSA PreCheck or NEXUS
Airport lounge access
Excellent travel insurance
$550 annual fee
Fewer travel partners than Amex

Who should apply : If you travel frequently and you’re able to make up for the cost of the annual fee through the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s many benefits , this card could be a good fit for you.

Who should skip : If you don’t travel frequently, don’t want to pay an annual fee or can’t use enough card benefits to justify the cost of card membership, you may want to look into a travel card with a lower (or no) annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Preferred: Best for domestic and international travel

Why we picked it : The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers the same type of rewards as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, including the same exceptional transfer partners for both domestic and international travel. For example, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are the only credit card points that transfer directly to the Southwest Rapid Rewards program. You can also transfer your points to partners like United MilagePlus, Air France / Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy and the highly valuable World of Hyatt program, among other options.

You’ll pay a much lower fee of $95 with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, so you’ll give up some travel perks as a result. However, this card comes with a range of important travel benefits that can be useful for international trips, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, primary auto rental coverage, baggage delay coverage, trip delay protection and more.

At the moment, you can even earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. Since you get a 25 percent rewards boost when you redeem for travel through the Chase portal, the bonus alone is worth $750 in airfare, hotels and more. Also note that this card lets users earn 3X points on dining (including eligible delivery services), select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs); 5X points on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and Lyft Rides (Lyft offer through March 31st, 2025); 2X points on other travel; and 1X points on other purchases.

Lucrative welcome offer
$50 annual hotel credit benefit
10% anniversary points boost
Exceptional travel protections included
Lower annual fee of $95
No airport lounge access
No other premium travel benefits

Who should apply : Consider this card if you want to earn flexible rewards for travel but don’t want to pay the high annual fee of some premium travel credit cards.

Who should skip : Skip this card if you want luxury perks like airport lounge access.

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

Why we picked it : If you want to earn flexible rewards and enjoy travel perks without an overly expensive annual fee, you can also consider the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , which comes with a $95 annual fee. This card lets you earn 75,000 bonus miles — worth $750 in travel — after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. You’ll also earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2X miles on all other purchases.

We like the flat-rate rewards structure for this card because it keeps things simple. Other than earning more rewards on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One, having the chance to rack up a flat 2X miles on all your spending can help you boost your rewards haul quickly.

Rewards can be redeemed for statement credits to cover eligible travel purchases, travel through the Capital One portal or miles transfers to a handful of airline and hotel partners, among many other redemptions. This card also comes with benefits like no foreign transaction fees, and up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, travel accident insurance and extended warranty coverage. Cardholders also get two free complimentary visits to Capital One airport lounges ; these lounge visits can also be used in Capital One partner lounges, including 100+ Plaza Premium lounges.

Up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
Can transfer miles to Capital One travel partners
Two complimentary airport lounge visits per year
Fewer travel protections than the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which also comes with a $95 annual fee
Capital One transfer partners are typically considered less useful than Chase or Amex partners

Who should apply : If you’re interested in earning flexible rewards for any aspect of your international trip (including hotels, airfare, rental cars and trains) and want travel perks, no foreign transaction fees and a low annual fee, this card is hard to beat .

Who should skip : If you’re looking for more travel protections included, you may want to consider another low-annual-fee travel card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred .

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card: Best for no annual fee

Why we picked it : If you don’t want to pay an annual fee, consider the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card . This card comes with no foreign transaction fees, making it a great card for international travel. As a welcome offer, you can earn 25,000 points — worth $250 toward travel purchases — when you spend $1,000 within 90 days of account opening. You’ll also get a zero-interest offer on both purchases and balance transfers (note that balance transfers must be made within the first 60 days to qualify).

In terms of rewards, you’ll earn 1.5X points on all purchases , as well as 3X points on Bank of America Travel Center purchases. Plus, if you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25 percent to 75 percent more rewards on every purchase you make. Just be aware that, instead of using these rewards to book your travel, Bank of America travel rewards are issued as statement credits on travel or dining purchases.

No annual fee
Zero-interest offer on purchases and balance transfers
Visa Signature benefits like travel and emergency assistance, Visa Signature Concierge access and a lost luggage reimbursement
Potential for boosted rewards with Preferred Rewards membership
Limited redemption options
No option to transfer points to travel partners
No specific travel benefits

Who should apply : If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee card that earns flat cash back and doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, this card could be a good fit for you . Plus, if you’re a Preferred Rewards member with at least Platinum or Platinum Honors status, you could earn an additional points multiplier on all purchases.

Who should skip : If you’re not a Preferred Rewards member, you may want to look into flat-rate cash back cards that offer at least 2 percent cash back on all purchases. And if you’re looking for more travel perks — but don’t want to pay a several-hundred-dollar annual fee — you may want to consider one of the top travel credit cards with a lower annual fee , like the Capital One Venture.

Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students: Best for students

Why we picked it : If you’re a student who wants to build your credit over time, you should check out the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students . This card lets you earn valuable rewards without paying an annual fee or foreign transaction fees, and you’ll get access to your FICO credit score each month for free.

When it comes to rewards, you’ll earn an unlimited 1.5X points on all purchases. You’ll also earn 25,000 points when you spend $1,000 on your card within 90 days of account opening. When you’re ready to cash in your points , you can redeem them for a statement credit to pay for flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars, baggage fees and more at a rate of 1 cent per point. Other redemption methods include checks, direct deposits and gift cards, but these may not net as much value.

Free FICO score
A high, flat rewards rate on all purchases
Can earn 25 to 75 percent more rewards as a Preferred Rewards member
Very few travel or student benefits

Who should apply : Students who are looking to build positive credit habits and earn rewards without paying an annual fee, or students who are planning to study or travel abroad, would do well with this card.

Who should skip : If you’re looking for a card with a different rewards structure or benefits, you should take a look at some of the other top student credit cards on the market today. Many of them offer boosted rewards for bonus category purchases or student-focused benefits , plus no foreign transaction fees.

Compare the best cards for international travel

How to choose a card for international travel.

Choosing a card for international travel shouldn’t be too difficult since there are so many options available. However, these tips can help you wind up with the best card for your needs.

Earn the rewards you want the most . First off, it’s important to pick a travel credit card that offers the type of rewards you want to earn. If you can’t decide which type of travel rewards you want, consider flexible rewards credit cards that let you earn points you can use for gift cards, statement credits, travel and more.
Choose a card with no foreign transaction fees . You should definitely pick a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees . If you don’t pick up a card that waives foreign transaction fees, you’ll wind up paying an extra 3 percent on average for each purchase you make abroad.
Check for airport lounge access . This perk can be immensely helpful if you hate waiting for your flight at a crowded airport gate, or if you often have a long layover. Cards that offer airport lounge access typically charge higher fees, but the free food and drinks you’ll receive can more than make up for them.
Get a card that offers a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck . Finally, consider cards that let you get expedited security access with one of these programs. Both let you skip lines at airport security, which can easily save you hours of wait time over the course of a year.

The bottom line

Signing up for one of the top travel credit cards can make travel more convenient and affordable — both domestically and abroad — but it’s important to understand any travel card you’re interested in inside and out before you sign up. Make sure you know which cardholder perks you’ll receive, including perks that will benefit you when you travel internationally like no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, airport lounge access and more.

Best Travel Credit Cards of 2024

How to Maximize Travel Benefits With Multiple Credit Cards

Juggling multiple credit cards can majorly boost your points and miles balance. but before you sign up, consider these tips for minimizing your financial housekeeping..

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Savvy travelers have multiple credit cards—here’s how to do it wisely.

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Eye-catching introductory offers are designed to entice new credit card customers. However, for those already loyal to a solid credit card, the excitement of a points windfall is often countered by daunting questions like: Can I have more than one card? Will another card hurt my credit score? Can I get another welcome bonus through the same credit card company? How should I split charges among cards if I get a new one—and make sure I don’t miss payments?

Simply put: You can have multiple credit cards, maintain a high credit score, amass countless points through credit card bonuses, and never miss a payment. As someone who currently holds 16 credit cards and maintains a credit score over 800, I’m living proof it can be done. Why would I want so many cards? Well, besides stockpiling miles and points through welcome offers (and using them at max value for business-class flights and hotel suites), I have found each of these cards to possess enough travel perks or statement credits to keep me in the black on an annual basis. Yep, each one!

Based on my personal experience as a credit card collector—plus my professional experience as a credit card expert—here are some strategic tips for successfully getting and keeping multiple credit cards.

Be honest with yourself before signing up for multiple credit cards

It’s up to you to decide if you can handle a credit limit and not carry a large balance. A big step to mastering a multiple card strategy is the ability to pay on time and in full. That requires willpower. It’s also important to decide if you have the time or will to understand your credit cards and know when (or when not) to use each card. Furthermore, your credit history, credit score, and income are typically strong indicators of application approval, so make sure all of those are in good standing before going on the multi-card route.

What to know before you apply

Before hitting send on the application, you’ll want to be somewhat confident that 1) you’ll get approved and 2) you are eligible for the welcome bonus. For the former, there are rules—both official and unofficial—to be aware of before applying (all of which are floating around the internet). Timing is key. For any Chase-backed card, for example, you’re unlikely to get approved, no matter how high your credit score, if you’ve opened or closed five credit cards in the last 24 months with any card issuer. Though nowhere in writing, Chase’s unofficial 5/24 rule has been verified by countless data points and sometimes includes the opening and closing of accounts as an additional cardholder. If you’re planning on getting more than one card through Capital One, also time your applications correctly: You can only get approved for one card every six months, either personal or business.

You should also be aware of credit card limits among card issuers. Namely, you cannot have more than two personal cards with Capital One at any given time while AmEx generally has a limit of five credit cards. (Note: Chase has no official limit despite the strict 5/24 rule.)

In terms of welcome offers, there can be limitations, too. With American Express, for example, most welcome offers disclose a lifetime language that limits cardholders to one welcome bonus per lifetime per card product. However, getting the introductory offer from The Platinum Card® from American Express , for example, doesn’t preclude you from getting the bonus on the American Express® Gold Card or the Green Card, just the Platinum again (if you had it previously). On the other hand, you can get the bonus for a Chase Sapphire card more than once—but there must be 48 months between the two. That said, you can’t get the bonus for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card if you have an open Chase Sapphire Reserve® or vice versa.

All this fine print may sound discouraging, but if you haven’t sent out a half-dozen applications in the past year, already landed welcome bonuses for most major cards, and haven’t maxed out your card limits among card issuers, you should be in the clear to apply.

Your credit score will take a small hit for an application’s hard pull. However, if approved, a new line of credit increases your overall credit on your credit report and if paid in full each month, this will lead to a higher credit score as a smaller percentage of your overall credit will be in use.

Add important dates to your calendar

While getting approved is one hurdle, integrating your card into the fold is the next. Once approved, note the terms of the welcome offer, which typically require hitting a certain spend threshold within a specified period (e.g., earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months of card membership). You wouldn’t want to miss the bonus by letting your card sit in the mailbox and not using it until it’s too late.

Once you are in possession of your new card, add it to any financial software you may use that keeps track of your bills (I use the free version of Empower while many friends used Quicken Simplifi ). I personally go a step further and mark the welcome bonus end date on my calendar as well as the date for the annual fee. If you are getting a card with a zero percent introductory rate for, say, 15 months, mark that down, too, so you can pay everything off in full once that rate ends.

Another smart move is to request your payment due date be around the same time for every card you hold. You can usually do this online through the credit card website or by calling the number on the back of your card.

Manage your cards wisely

Once you’ve gotten used to your new card—and achieved your welcome bonus—ask yourself what’s next? It’s difficult to manage charges across myriad cards so this is truly where strategy comes into play. This is when it’s time to give your card a purpose, which often depends on the earnings structure by spend category and other benefits of the card. For example, you may want to use an AmEx Gold Card at restaurants since it earns four points per dollar spent worldwide but use the Platinum Card from American Express for airfare to get five points per dollar spent. Yet, it’s a good idea to consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve for trips depending on your level of risk aversion. Despite three points per dollar spent on flights (versus Platinum’s five), it does provide the best implicit travel insurance when charging travel to the card.

After hitting a certain number of cards, don’t feel obligated to use each one. In fact, keep it as simple as possible (within a complex credit card strategy, that is). Among my 16 cards, I actively use just 4 (aka my core 4). The others I keep (tucked away in a box in my drawer) and gladly pay the annual fee for the benefits and may use only when necessary to attain such benefits. Though I rarely use it, I love and keep my IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card . It costs $99 per year, but gives me a free annual night certificate (which I typically redeem for a value over $200) plus upper-rung Platinum status at IHG hotels (which I get to use multiple times per year). This makes it a cost-beneficial winner in my playbook. I scored 150,000 bonus points with the intro offer some years back and have enjoyed my free night certificate every year since.

It’s important to note that some card issuers may consider credit cards dormant or inactive after 12 months of no activity. In the case of my IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, paying the annual fee keeps the card active. For my cards with no annual fee, however, I must add a calendar reminder to make at least one purchase a year to avoid dormancy. Once considered dormant, a credit card issuer may cancel the card, which could negatively impact your credit score.

For high-fee cards, you’ll also want to be sure to maximize the perks of your cards. After all, you’ll emerge in the black with these cards if you maximize the statement credits and other benefits. I love to brag about how I get back thousands in credits on my Platinum Card from American Express , which is in my core four.

But my new obsession is the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card , thanks to a refresh in early 2024. Now, despite a $650 annual fee (see rates and fees ), I am on my way to getting more than twice that in return thanks to credits and benefits galore. I am already earning $120 in rideshare credits annually (allotted in up to $10 back monthly increments after purchases) and $240 in Resy credits annually (allotted as up to $20 back in monthly statement credits after purchases), and I have used my $200 Delta Stays annual statement credit on a stay at a hotel in Doha booked via delta.com. I am now deciding how best to use my Companion Certificate on a first-class flight to Hawai‘i this fall, which could amount to over $1,500 in savings. In total, I estimate to get nearly $2,000 in benefits from this card, and I haven’t even accounted for the card’s free checked bags or Delta Sky Club access. It’s definitely a keeper long term and a wise addition to my credit card portfolio.

While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they are subject to change at any time and might have changed or may no longer be available.

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14 Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

ALSO CONSIDER: Best credit cards of 2024 || Best rewards credit cards || Best airline credit cards || Best hotel credit cards

A travel rewards credit card brings your next trip a little closer every time you use it. Each purchase earns points or miles that you can redeem for travel expenses. If you're loyal to a specific airline or hotel chain, consider getting one of that company's branded credit cards. Otherwise, check out the general-purpose travel cards on this page, which give you flexible rewards that you can use without the restrictions and blackout dates of branded cards.

Some of our selections for the best travel credit cards can be applied for through NerdWallet, and some cannot. Below, you'll find application links for the credit cards from our partners that are available through NerdWallet, followed by the full list of our picks.

250+ credit cards reviewed and rated by our team of experts

80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance

100+ categories of best credit card selections ( See our top picks )

Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics ( Methodology )

NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity .

Show summary

NerdWallet's Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : Best for Flexibility + point transfers + big sign-up bonus

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

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Best for Travel portal benefits

Chase Freedom Unlimited® : Best for Cash back for travel bookings

Chase Freedom Flex℠ : Best for Cash back for travel bookings

American Express® Gold Card : Best for Big rewards on everyday spending

The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best for Luxury travel perks

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card : Best for Business travelers — bonus rewards + big sign-up offer

Citi Premier® Card : Best for Triple points on multiple categories

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card : Best for Flat-rate rewards + no annual fee, and for balance transfers

Chase Sapphire Reserve® : Best for Bonus travel rewards + high-end perks

World of Hyatt Credit Card : Best for Hotel credit card

Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card : Best for Travel rewards for rent payments + no annual fee

United℠ Explorer Card : Best for Airline card

Best Travel Credit Cards From Our Partners

Find the right credit card for you..

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

Flexibility + point transfers + big sign-up bonus

Flat-rate travel rewards, travel portal benefits, cash back for travel bookings, big rewards on everyday spending, luxury travel perks, business travelers — bonus rewards + big sign-up offer, triple points on multiple categories, flat-rate rewards + no annual fee, and for balance transfers, bonus travel rewards + high-end perks, hotel credit card, travel rewards for rent payments + no annual fee, airline card, full list of editorial picks: best travel credit cards.

Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Our pick for: Flat-rate rewards

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is probably the best-known general-purpose travel credit card, thanks to its ubiquitous advertising. You earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases. Miles can be redeemed at a value of 1 cent apiece for any travel purchase, without the blackout dates and other restrictions of branded hotel and airline cards. The card offers a great sign-up bonus and other worthwhile perks ( see rates and fees ). Read our review.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Our pick for: Flat-rate rewards + no annual fee, and for balance transfers

One of the best no-annual-fee travel cards available, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card gives you a solid rewards rate on every purchase, with points that can be redeemed for any travel purchase, without the restrictions of branded airline and hotel cards. Bank of America® has an expansive definition of "travel," too, giving you additional flexibility in how you use your rewards. Read our review.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Our pick for: Bonus travel rewards + high-end perks

The high annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® gives many potential applicants pause, but frequent travelers should be able to wring enough value out of this card to more than make up for the cost. Cardholders get bonus rewards (up to 10X) on dining and travel, a fat bonus offer, annual travel credits, airport lounge access, and a 50% boost in point value when redeeming points for travel booked through Chase. Points can also be transferred to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. Read our review.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Our pick for: Flexibility + point transfers + big sign-up bonus

For a reasonable annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns bonus rewards (up to 5X) on travel, dining, select streaming services, and select online grocery purchases. Points are worth 25% more when you redeem them for travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. The sign-up bonus is stellar, too. Read our review.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Our pick for: Bonus rewards + no annual fee

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers so much value, it's hard to believe there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards in a host of common spending categories — restaurants, gas stations, transit, travel, streaming and more. Read our review.

Citi Premier® Card

Our pick for: Triple points in multiple categories

The Citi Premier® Card earns bonus points on airfare, hotels, supermarkets, dining and gas stations. There's a solid sign-up bonus as well. Read our review.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

Our pick for: Road trips

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is one of the most generous cards on the market if you're taking to the skies or the road, thanks to the quadruple points it earns on travel and purchases at gas stations and EV charging stations. It's also a solid card for everyday expenses like groceries, dining and streaming, and it comes with ongoing credits that can offset its annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $95 . Read our review .

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Our pick for: Travel portal benefits

Capital One's premium travel credit card can deliver terrific benefits — provided you're willing to do your travel spending through the issuer's online booking portal. That's where you'll earn the highest rewards rates plus credits that can make back the bulk of your annual fee ( see rates and fees ). Read our review.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Our pick for: Cash back for travel bookings

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® was already a fine card when it offered 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Now it's even better, with bonus rewards on travel booked through Chase, as well as at restaurants and drugstores. On top of all that, new cardholders get a 0% introductory APR period and the opportunity to earn a sweet bonus. Read our review.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers bonus cash back in quarterly categories that you activate, as well as on travel booked through Chase, at restaurants and at drugstores. Category activation can be a hassle, but if your spending matches the categories — and for a lot of people, it will — you can rack up hundreds of dollars a year. There's a fantastic bonus offer for new cardholders and an intro APR offer, too. Read our review.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Our pick for: Luxury travel perks

The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a hefty annual fee, but travelers who like to go in style (and aren't afraid to pay for comfort) can more than get their money's worth. Enjoy extensive airport lounge access, hundreds of dollars a year in travel and shopping credits, hotel benefits and more. That's not even getting into the high rewards rate on eligible travel purchases and the rich welcome offer for new cardholders. Read our review.

American Express® Gold Card

Our pick for: Big rewards on everyday spending

The American Express® Gold Card can earn you a pile of points from everyday spending, with generous rewards at U.S. supermarkets, at restaurants and on certain flights booked through amextravel.com. Other benefits include hundreds of dollars a year in available dining and travel credits and a solid welcome offer for new cardholders. There's an annual fee, though, and a pretty substantial one, so it's not for smaller spenders. Read our review.

Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card

Our pick for: Rewards on rent payments

The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card stands out by offering credit card rewards on rent payments without incurring an additional transaction fee. The ability to earn rewards on what for many people is their single biggest monthly expense makes this card worth a look for any renter. You also get bonus points on dining and travel when you make at least five transactions on the card each statement period, and redemption options include point transfers to partner hotel and loyalty programs. Read our review.

PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card

Our pick for: Credit union rewards

With premium perks for a $95 annual fee (which can be waived in some cases), jet-setters will get a lot of value from the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card . It also offers a generous rewards rate on travel purchases and a decent flat rate on everything else. Plus, you’ll get travel credits and a Priority Pass membership that offers airport lounge access for $32 per visit. Read our review.

United℠ Explorer Card

Our pick for: United Airlines + best domestic airline card

The United℠ Explorer Card earns bonus rewards not only on spending with United Airlines but also at restaurants and on eligible hotel stays. And the perks are outstanding for a basic airline card — a free checked bag, priority boarding, lounge passes and more. Read our review.

» Not a United frequent flyer? See our best airline cards for other options

World of Hyatt Credit Card

Our pick for: Hotel credit card

Hyatt isn't as big as its competitors, but World of Hyatt Credit Card is worth a look for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road. You can earn a lot of points even on non-Hyatt spending, and those points have a high value compared with rival programs. There's a great sign-up bonus, free nights, automatic elite status and more. Read our review.

» Not a Hyatt customer? See our best hotel cards for other options.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Our pick for: Small business — bonus categories + big sign-up offer

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card starts you off with one of the biggest sign-up bonuses of any credit card anywhere: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠. You also get bonus rewards on travel expenses and common business spending categories, like advertising, shipping and internet, cable and phone service. Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. Learn more and apply .

Are you in Canada?

See NerdWallet's best travel cards for Canada.

OTHER RESOURCES

How travel rewards work.

Modern-day adventurers and once-a-year vacationers alike love the idea of earning rewards toward their next big trip. According to a NerdWallet study , 68% of American adults say they have a credit card that earns travel rewards.

With a travel rewards credit card, you earn points or miles every time you use the card, but you can often earn more points per dollar in select categories. Some top travel credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , offer bonus points on any travel spending, while the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card grants bonus points when you use the card at Marriott hotels, grocery stores, restaurants or gas stations.

Not all points and miles earned on travel rewards credit cards are the same:

General-purpose travel credit cards — including the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , the American Express® Gold Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card — give you rewards that can be used like cash to pay for travel or that can be exchanged for points in airline or hotel loyalty programs. With their flexible rewards, general-purpose options are usually the best travel credit cards for those who don't stick to a single airline or hotel chain.

Airline- and hotel-specific cards — such as the United℠ Explorer Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Card — give points and miles that can be used only with the brand on the card. (Although it's possible in some cases to transfer hotel points to airlines, we recommend against it because you get a poor value.) These so-called co-branded cards are usually the best travel credit cards for those who always fly one particular airline or stay with one hotel group.

How do we value points and miles? With the rewards earned on general travel cards, it's simple: They have a fixed value, usually between 1 and 1.5 cents per point, and you can spend them like cash. With airline miles and hotel points, finding the true value is more difficult. How much value you get depends on how you redeem them.

To better understand what miles are worth, NerdWallet researched the cash prices and reward-redemption values for hundreds of flights. Our results:

Keep in mind that the airline values are based on main cabin economy tickets and exclude premium cabin redemptions. See our valuations page for business class valuations and details about our methodology.

Our valuations are different from many others you may find. That’s because we looked at the average value of a point based on reasonable price searches that anyone can perform, not a maximized value that only travel rewards experts can expect to reach.

You should therefore use these values as a baseline for your own redemptions. If you can redeem your points for the values listed on our valuations page, you are doing well. Of course, if you are able to get higher value out of your miles, that’s even better.

HOW TO CHOOSE A TRAVEL CREDIT CARD

There are scores of travel rewards cards to choose from. The best travel credit card for you has as much to do with you as with the card. How often you travel, how much flexibility you want, how much you value airline or hotel perks — these are all things to take into account when deciding on a travel card. Our article on how to choose a travel credit card recommends that you prioritize:

Rewards you will actually use (points and miles are only as good as your ability to redeem them for travel).

A high earning rate (how much value you get in rewards for every dollar spent on the card).

A sign-up bonus (a windfall of points for meeting a spending requirement in your first few months).

Even with these goals in mind, there are all kinds of considerations that will influence your decision on a travel rewards credit card.

Travel cards are for travelers

Travel cards vs. cash-back cards.

The very first question to ask yourself when choosing a travel credit card is: Should I get a travel card at all? Travel credit cards are best for frequent travelers, who are more likely to get enough value from rewards and perks to make up for the annual fees that the best travel credit cards charge. (Some travel cards charge no annual fee, but they tend to offer lesser rewards than full-fee cards.) A NerdWallet study found that those who travel only occasionally — say, once a year — will probably get greater overall rewards from cash-back credit cards , most of which charge no annual fee, than from a travel card.

Flexibility and perks: A trade-off

Co-branded cards vs. general travel cards.

Travel credit cards fall into two basic categories: co-branded cards and general travel cards.

Co-branded cards carry the name of an airline or hotel group, such as the United℠ Explorer Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card . The rewards you earn are redeemable only with that particular brand, which can limit your flexibility, sometimes sharply. For example, if your credit card's co-branded airline partner doesn't have any award seats available on the flight you want on the day you want, you're out of luck. On the other hand, co-branded cards commonly offer airline- or hotel-specific perks that general travel cards can't match.

General travel cards aren't tied to a specific airline or hotel, so they offer much greater flexibility. Well-known general travel cards include the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . Rewards on general travel cards come as points (sometimes called "miles" but they're really points) that you can redeem for any travel expense. You're not locked into using a single airline or hotel, but you also won't enjoy the perks of a co-branded card.

Evaluating general travel credit cards

What you get with a general travel card.

The credit cards featured at the top of this page are general travel cards. They're issued by a bank (such as Chase or Capital One), carry only that bank's name, and aren't tied to any single airline or hotel group. With these cards, you earn points on every purchase — usually 1 to 2 points per dollar spent, sometimes with additional points in certain categories.

Issuers of general travel cards typically entice new applicants with big sign-up bonuses (also known as "welcome offers") — tens of thousands of miles that you can earn by spending a certain amount of money on the card in your first few months.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best credit card sign-up offers

What do you do with those points? Depending on the card, you may have several ways to redeem them:

Booking travel. With this option, your points pay for travel booked through the issuer's website, using a utility similar to Orbitz or Expedia. For example, if points were worth 1 cent apiece when redeemed this way, you could book a $400 flight on the issuer's portal and pay for it with 40,000 points

Statement credit. This lets you essentially erase travel purchases by using your points for credit on your statement. You make travel arrangements however you want (directly with an airline or hotel, through a travel agency, etc.) and charge it to your card. Once the charge shows up on your account, you apply the necessary points and eliminate the cost.

Transferring to partners. The card issuer may allow you to transfer your points to loyalty programs for airlines or hotel chains, turning your general card into something like a co-branded card (although you don't get the perks of a co-brand).

Cash back, gift cards or merchandise. If you don't plan to travel, you can burn off your rewards with these options, although you'll often get a lower value per point.

Airline and hotel cards sharply limit your choice, but they make up for it with perks that only they can offer, like free checked bags or room upgrades. General travel cards, on the other hand, offer maximum flexibility but can't provide the same kinds of perks, because the banks that issue them don't operate the airlines or hotels. Still, there are some noteworthy perks on general travel cards, including:

Travel credit. This is automatic reimbursement for travel-related spending. Some top travel credit cards offer hundreds of dollars a year in travel credit.

Trusted traveler reimbursement. More and more travel credit cards are covering the application fee for TSA Precheck and Global Entry, programs that allow you to move through airport security and customs more quickly.

Airport lounge access. Hundreds of lounges worldwide operate separately from airlines under such networks as Priority Pass and Airspace, and several general travel cards offer access to these lounges.

Points programs

Every major card issuer has at least one travel card with a points program. American Express calls its program Membership Rewards, while Chase has Ultimate Rewards® and Citi pays in ThankYou points. Wells Fargo has Wells Fargo Rewards, and U.S. Bank has FlexPerks. Bank of America® travel cards offer points without a fancy name. Travel cards from Capital One, Barclays and Discover all call their points "miles."

These programs differ in how much their points are worth and how you can use them. Some offer the full range of redemption options, including transfers to loyalty programs. Others let you use them only to book travel or get statement credit.

» MORE: Travel loyalty program reviews

Evaluating airline credit cards

What you get with an airline credit card.

Airline credit cards earn "miles" with each purchase. You typically get 1 mile per dollar spent, with a higher rate (2 or more miles per dollar) on purchases with the airline itself. (Some airline cards have also begun offering extra miles for purchases in additional categories, such as restaurants or car rental agencies.) These miles go into the same frequent-flyer account as the ones you earn by flying the airline, and you can redeem them for free flights with the airline or its alliance partners.

Co-branded airline cards typically offer sign-up bonuses (or welcome offers). But what really sets them apart are the perks they give you. With some cards, for example, the checked-bag benefit alone can make up for the annual fee after a single roundtrip by a couple. Common perks of airline cards include:

Free checked bags. This commonly applies to the first checked bag for you and at least one companion on your reservation. Some cards extend this perk to more people, and higher-end cards (with higher annual fees) may even let you check two bags apiece for free.

Priority boarding. Holders of co-branded airline credit cards often get to board the plane early — after the airline's elite-status frequent flyers but before the general population. This gives you time to settle in and gives you a leg up on claiming that coveted overhead bin space.

In-flight discounts or freebies. You might get, say, 25% off the cost of food and beverages during the flight, or free Wi-Fi.

Airport lounge access. High-end cards often include a membership to the airline's airport lounges, where you can get away from the frenzy in the terminal and enjoy a complimentary snack. Some less-expensive airline cards give you only limited or discounted lounge access; others give you none at all.

Companion fares. This perk lets you bring someone with you for a lower cost when you buy a ticket at full price.

A boost toward elite status. Miles earned with a credit card, as opposed to those earned from actually flying on the airline, usually do not count toward earning elite status in an airline's frequent-flyer program. However, carrying an airline's high-end card might automatically qualify you for a higher tier within the program.

The biggest U.S. airlines — American, United and Delta — offer an array of credit cards. Each airline has a no-annual-fee card that earns miles on purchases but provides little in the way of perks (no free bags or priority boarding). Each has a high-end card with an annual fee in the neighborhood of $450 that offers lounge access and sumptuous perks. And each has a "middle-class" card with a fee of around $100 and solid ongoing perks. Southwest offers three credit cards with varying fees; smaller carriers may just have a single card.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best airline credit cards

Choosing an airline

Which airline card you get depends in large part on what airline you fly, and that's heavily influenced by where you live. Alaska Airlines, for example, has an outstanding credit card, but the airline's routes are concentrated primarily on the West Coast. So it's not a great option for those who live in, say, Buffalo, New York, or Montgomery, Alabama.

If your local airport is dominated by a single airline, then you're probably flying that carrier most (or all) of the time by default. Delta, for example, is the 800-pound gorilla at Minneapolis-St. Paul and Salt Lake City. United has the bulk of the traffic at Newark and Washington Dulles. American calls the shots at Charlotte and Dallas-Fort Worth. That airline's credit card may be your only realistic option. If you're in a large or midsize market with frequent service from multiple airlines, you have more choice.

» MORE: How to choose an airline credit card

Evaluating hotel credit cards

What you get with a hotel card.

Hotel credit cards earn points with each purchase. As with airline cards, you typically get more points per dollar for purchases from the co-brand partner, and some cards also give bonus points in additional categories. (Hotel cards tend to give you a greater number of points overall than airline cards, but each individual point is generally worth less than a typical airline mile.) Similar to the airline model, the points you earn with the card go into the same loyalty account as the points you earn from actually staying at a hotel. You redeem your points for free stays.

Hotel cards usually offer a sign-up bonus, but like airline cards, they really make their bones with the ongoing perks. Common perks on hotel cards include:

Free nights. Several cards offer this perk, which can make up for the card's annual fee. You may get a free night automatically every year, or you may unlock it by spending a certain amount within a year. In the latter case, it comes on top of the points you earn for your spending.

Upgrades and freebies. Cardholders may qualify for automatic room upgrades when available, or free or discounted amenities such as meals or spa packages.

Early check-in/late check-out. No one likes having to cool their heels in the hotel lobby waiting for 3 o'clock to check in. And no one likes have to vacate their room by 11 a.m. when their flight doesn't leave till evening.

Accelerated elite status. Some hotel cards automatically bump you up a level in their loyalty program just for being a cardholder.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best hotel credit cards

Choosing a hotel group

If you decide to go the hotel-card route, you'll need to decide which hotel group gets your business. Hotels aren't as market-concentrated as airlines, so if your travels take you mostly to metropolitan areas, you'll have a decent amount of choice. Keep in mind that even though there are dozens of nationally recognizable hotel brands, ranging from budget inns to luxury resorts, many of them are just units in a larger hotel company, and that company's card can unlock benefits across the group.

Marriott, for example, includes not only its namesake properties but nearly 30 other brands, including Courtyard, Fairfield, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton and Westin. The Hilton family includes DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn and Waldorf-Astoria. InterContinental includes Holiday Inn, Candlewood, Staybridge and Crowne Plaza. Wyndham and Choice have more than 15 mid-tier and budget-oriented brands between them.

HOW TO COMPARE TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS

No travel rewards credit card is going to have everything you want. You're going to be disappointed if you expect to find a high rewards rate, a generous sign-up bonus, top-notch perks and no annual fee. Each card delivers value through a different combination of features; it's up to you to compare cards based on the following features and choose the best travel credit card for your needs and preferences.

Most of the best travel cards charge an annual fee. Fees in the range of $90 to $100 are standard for travel cards. Premium cards with extensive perks will have fees of $450 or more. Weigh the value of the rewards and perks you'll get to make sure they'll make up for the fee.

Can you find good cards without an annual fee? Absolutely! There are no-fee options on our list of the best travel credit cards, and we've rounded up more here . Just be aware that if you go with a no-fee travel card, you'll earn rewards at a lower rate, your sign-up bonus will be smaller, and you won't get as many (if any) perks.

Rewards rate

Rewards can be thought of in terms of "earn rate" and "burn rate".

The earn rate is how many points or miles you receive per dollar spent. Some general travel cards offer flat-rate rewards, meaning you get the same rate on all purchases, all the time — 2 miles per dollar, for example, or 1.5 points per dollar. Others, including most co-branded cards, offer a base rate of maybe 1 point per dollar and then pay a higher rate in certain categories, such as airline tickets, hotel stays, general travel expenses or restaurant meals.

The burn rate is the value you get for those points or miles when you redeem them. The industry average is about 1 cent per point or mile. Some cards, particularly hotel cards, have lower value per point on the "burn" side but give you more points per dollar on the earning side.

When comparing rewards rates, don't just look at the numbers. Look at the categories to which those numbers apply, and find a card that matches your spending patterns. Getting 5 points per dollar seems great — but if those 5X points come only on purchases at, say, office supply stores, and you don't spend money on office supplies, then you're getting lousy value.

Sign-up bonus

Travel cards tend to have the biggest sign-up bonuses — tens of thousands of points that you earn by hitting a certain amount of spending. But there's more to consider when comparing sign-up bonuses than just how many points or miles you earn. You must also take into account how much you have to spend to earn the bonus. While cash-back credit cards often require just $500 to $1,000 in spending over three months to unlock a bonus, travel cards commonly have thresholds of $3,000 to $5,000.

Never spend money you don't have just to earn a sign-up bonus. Carrying $3,000 in debt for a year in order to earn a $500 bonus doesn't make economic sense — the interest you'll pay could easily wipe out the value of the bonus.

Finally, keep in mind that the biggest bonuses will come on cards with annual fees.

Foreign transaction fees

A good travel card will not charge a foreign transaction fee. These fees are surcharges on purchases made outside the U.S. The industry standard is about 3%, which is enough to wipe out most if not all of the rewards you earn on a purchase. If you never leave the U.S., then this isn't much of a concern, but anyone who travels abroad should bring a no-foreign-transaction-fee card with them.

Some issuers don't charge foreign transaction fees on any of their cards. Others charge them on some cards but not all.

International acceptance

Not all travel credit cards are great companions for international travel. While Visa and Mastercard are good pretty much worldwide, you may encounter limited acceptance for American Express and, especially, Discover, depending on the destination. This doesn't mean world travelers should dismiss AmEx and Discover. Just know that if you take one of these cards with you overseas, you'd be smart to bring along a backup in case you run into acceptance problems. (Having a backup card is good advice within the U.S., too, really.)

Travel protections

Consider which travel protections — car rental insurance , trip cancellation coverage , lost baggage protection — are important to you.

"Rewards" are what you get for using a credit card — the points earned with each transaction and the bonuses you unlock with your spending. "Perks" are goodies that you get just for carrying the card. There's a very close correlation between the annual fee on a card and the perks you get for carrying it. Cards with no annual fee are all about rewards and go very light on perks. Premium cards with annual fees of $450 or more are laden with perks (although sometimes their rewards aren't too special). Midtier cards (in the $100 range) tend to have solid rewards and a handful of high-value perks.

Assuming you take advantage of them, the perks often make up for the annual fee on a card quite easily. This is especially true with co-branded cards. Free checked bags can pay for an airline card several times over, and a free night is usually worth more than the fee on a hotel card. When comparing the perks of various cards, be realistic about which ones you will and won't use. Sure, that card may entitle you to a free spa package the next time you're at a five-star hotel, but how often do you stay at five-star hotels?

SHOULD YOU GET A TRAVEL CARD? PROS AND CONS

Pros: why it's worth getting a travel card.

The sign-up bonus gives you a big head-start on travel. Bonuses on the best travel credit cards typically run $500 or more — enough for a roundtrip ticket in many instances.

Perks make travel less expensive and more relaxing. You won't have to worry about cramming a week's worth of clothes into a carry-on if your travel credit card gives you a free checked bag (or automatically reimburses you for the bag fee). Hate the crush of travelers in the terminal? Escape to the airport lounge. Renting a car? Use a travel card that provides primary rental car insurance.

Rewards get you closer to your next trip with every purchase. Spending money on the mundane activities of daily life has a silver lining when you know that every $1,000 you spend will knock $10 or $20 off the cost of that future beach vacation or trip home to see Mom and Dad.

No foreign transaction fee can mean big savings. Take just any old credit card with you on vacation outside the U.S., and $1,000 worth of purchases can cost you $30 off the top due to the foreign transaction surcharge. Good travel cards don't charge this fee.

"Double dipping" gives you more points on travel purchases. Buy a plane ticket or book a hotel room, and you'll earn loyalty points or miles regardless of how you pay. Use the right credit card, though, and you'll earn even more points and miles on top of those.

Strategic redemption can multiply your value. With cash-back credit cards, 1 cent is worth 1 cent, and that's just how it goes. The points and miles on many travel credit cards have variable value based on how you redeem them — booking travel with them vs. transferring them to a partner, booking domestic vs. international flights and economy vs. business class, staying at budget hotels vs. high-end resorts, and so on.

Cons: Why a travel card might not be for you

The best cards charge annual fees. In many cases, the value you get from a credit card more than makes up for the annual fee. But some people are dead set against paying a fee under any circumstances. If that's you, your options in travel cards will be sharply limited, and you won't get the perks that provide a big portion of the value on many cards.

Sign-up bonus spending requirements can be steep. A bonus worth $500, $600 or $700 is attractive, but only if you can afford to earn it with spending you were going to do anyway. If you have to amass thousands of dollars in debt and then pay interest on it, it's not worth it.

Travel cards aren't ideal for infrequent travelers. In the first year with a travel card, you're probably going to come out ahead: You can earn a big sign-up bonus, and several popular cards waive the first year's annual fee, too. In subsequent years, though, you'll break even on that fee only if you use the card enough to make up for it (with the rewards you earn and redeem and the perks you use). Infrequent travelers are more likely to get more total rewards from a cash-back card with no annual fee.

Cash back is simpler and more flexible. Some travel cards allow you to redeem your rewards only for travel. Others give you poor value unless you redeem for travel. Still others have complicated redemption options, making it hard to get the most out of your rewards. With cash-back credit cards, you can use your rewards on anything, you know exactly how much your rewards are worth, and redemption is usually simple.

Rewards cards tend to charge higher interest rates. If you regularly carry a balance from month to month, a travel credit card — or any rewards credit card — probably isn't your best choice. The interest you pay is eating up the value of your rewards. You're better off with a low-interest card that reduces the cost of carrying debt.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TRAVEL CARD

Maximize your rewards with the following tips:

Plan your credit card application around a big purchase to earn the sign-up bonus.

Seize every opportunity to pick up the tab, especially if your travel credit card pays bonus rewards on dining; your friends can pay you back while you collect rewards.

Redeem rewards for travel instead of gift cards, merchandise or (in most cases) cash back to get the best value.

Join the loyalty program associated with a co-branded card — a frequent-flyer or frequent-guest program.

Shop for essentials in your card’s online bonus mall or through its exclusive offers, if available, to get extra rewards.

OTHER CARDS TO CONSIDER

It’s worth considering whether a travel credit card is even right for you in the first place. A NerdWallet study found that cash-back credit cards often earn more money — even for many travelers.

If you carry a balance from month to month, the higher interest rates typically charged by rewards cards can cancel out any rewards earned. If you have a good credit score, you're better off with a low-interest credit card that can save you money on interest.

A good travel credit card shouldn't charge foreign transaction fees, but there are good non-travel cards that also don't charge them. See our best cards with no foreign transaction fee .

If you value transparency and flexibility in your rewards, you can't go wrong with a cash-back card — and you can still use the rewards for travel, if you want.

Finally, if you're still not sure what's right for you, take a look at our best rewards credit cards for options beyond travel and cash back.

NerdWallet's Sam Kemmis contributed to this article.

To view rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card , see this page . To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express , see this page .

Last updated on April 30 , 2024

Methodology

NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best travel rewards credit cards based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of travelers. Factors in our evaluation include each card's annual fee, foreign transaction fees, rewards earnings rates, ease of use, redemption options, domestic and international acceptance, promotional APR period, bonus offers, and cardholder perks such as automatic statement credits and airport lounge access. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.

Frequently asked questions

Travel credit cards earn points (sometimes called miles) each time you buy something. The standard earning rate is 1 to 2 points per dollar spent, and many cards give you extra points for certain purchases, particularly travel expenses. The value of a point depends on the card that earned it and how you redeem it, but a good rule of thumb is to assume each point is worth an average of about 1 cent.

Your points accumulate in a rewards account, where you can use them to pay for travel. Most cards let you book travel directly using a portal similar to those at online travel agencies or on airline and hotel websites, but instead of paying cash, you pay with your points. Depending on the card, you may also have the option of booking travel any way you want, paying for it with the card and then cashing in your points for a credit against those expenses.

Points and miles are just different names for the same thing: the currency used in a travel rewards program. Some travel credit cards call them points, some call them miles.

Airline frequent flyer programs have long used the term “miles” to refer to the rewards you earn for flying. That’s because at one time, you really did earn rewards according to how many miles you flew — the longer the flight, the more miles you earned. Nowadays, most domestic airlines give out “miles” based on how much you spend, not how far you fly, so they’re really just points. (There are a few exceptions, though, notably Alaska Airlines.)

Especially when it comes to redeeming your rewards, there’s no difference between points and miles. The number of points or miles you need is based mostly on the cost of what you’re redeeming them for. It takes more than 500 miles (value about: $5) to get a free 500-mile flight!

The value of a point or mile depends on the card you earned it with and how you redeem it. A common rule of thumb is to assume that each point or mile is worth an average of 1 cent, although you can certainly get a much higher (or lower) redemption value. See our travel loyalty roundup page for NerdWallet’s current valuations for airline miles and hotel points.

Travel credit cards fall into two main categories: co-branded and general-purpose.

• Co-branded travel cards carry the name of an airline or hotel chain. The rewards you earn on the card can typically be redeemed only with that brand (or maybe its partners). Co-branded cards limit your flexibility, but because they are issued in partnership with an airline or hotel, they can give you special perks, like free checked bags or room upgrades.

• General-purpose travel cards are issued by a credit card company and are not directly tied to any particular airline or hotel. They earn points in the issuer's own program, such as American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards® or Citi ThankYou. These points are a lot more flexible, as you can use them to pay for a range of travel expenses, including flights on any airline or stays at any hotel. However, they don’t offer the airline- or hotel-specific perks of co-branded cards.

Travel cards — like rewards cards in general — typically require good to excellent credit for approval. Good credit is generally defined as a credit score of 690 or better. However, credit scores alone do not guarantee approval. Every issuer has its own criteria for evaluating applications.

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The Master List of Credit Card Transfer Partners (2024)
Enter the world of credit card transfer partners. That's the beauty of points from banks like Chase, American Express, Citi, Capital One, Wells Fargo - or even earning points on rent from Bilt Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy hotel points, too. With seven transferrable programs that allow you to send points to 50-plus partner airlines, even we ...
Credit Card Transfer Partners, Programs: What to Know
4. Citi transfer partners. 5. Marriott partners. Earning credit card points and miles can be a way to protect yourself against devaluations from hotel or airline rewards programs. If you have ...
Credit card transfer partners: Guide to transferring points and miles
There are a few important notes to highlight regarding these transfer partners: Many transfers are instantaneous, though you should check out our guides to transfer times for American Express, Bilt, Capital One, Chase and Citi for more details.; Avios can be transferred between British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, Finnair Plus and Qatar Airways Privilege Club ...
Full List of Amex Transfer Partners
Step 2: Select Transfer Points under Redeem. Image Credit: American Express. Step 3: Choose your desired airline or hotel transfer partner and select Transfer Points. If you haven't already, you will need to link your frequent flyer account to your Membership Rewards account.
Citi Transfer Partners: A Complete Guide
Citi's transfer partners are largely other hotel and airline loyalty programs, which allow you to convert your ThankYou points to their own currency. Much like any other currency exchange ...
Chase Transfer Partners 2024: What to Know
The IHG loyalty program is good, but it's generally a weak Chase transfer partner. NerdWallet values IHG points at 0.8 cent each. But since Chase points transfer to IHG One Rewards at the same 1:1 ...
How to Choose between Using a Travel Portal, Transferring to Partners
Book travel through a credit card travel portal; Transfer to a travel partner; Converting Points to Cash Back. Each of the major banks allows you to redeem credit card points for statement credits. To book travel through this option, you would simply charge the booking to your credit card and use that card's points to cover the charge.
Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners 2024 complete guide
Transferring Ultimate Rewards to travel partners is often the most valuable way to redeem your hard-earned points. With 14 different transfer partners, you have plenty of options, since you can keep your Chase points in your Ultimate Rewards account until you can transfer them. Related: The best Chase credit cards
How To Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points To Travel Partners
Once you click on the option to transfer points, you'll be taken to a list of all Chase travel partners. Each partner has a button on the right-hand side of the page to initiate a transfer. Once ...
Complete Guide To Citi ThankYou Points Transfer Partners
Transfer partners and rates for cards without annual fees are as follows: Choice Privileges Rewards: 1,000:1,500. JetBlue TrueBlue: 1,000:800. Wyndham Rewards: 1,000:800. Premium cards points ...
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A travel credit card offers points or miles for the purchases you make with the card that you can redeem for future travel. Travel credit cards come in all shapes and sizes, from co-branded hotel ...
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Travel lovers now have another great credit card option with the launch of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card * in March 2024. This new card earns 5 points per dollar on hotels, 4 ...
Full List of Chase Transfer Partners
Image Credit: Chase. Bottom Line: To ensure you get the most out of your points, it's important to check both the portal and transfer options when searching for flights. Airbnb Home Depot. Hot Tip: combine points with 1 other household member. The Best Ways To Use Ultimate Rewards Points.
10 Best Travel Credit Cards
Earn a 60,000 points welcome offer after you spend $6,000 within your first 6 months following your account opening. Travel and dining credits. Earn up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations, after enrollment.
The top 11 credit cards with annual travel statement credits
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card. Up to $100 in annual statement credit for airline incidental fees. 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first 90 days from account opening. $95. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card. Up to $300 in annual statement credit for airline incidental fees.
What to Know About Travel Rewards Credit Cards Before Your Honeymoon
Airline credit cards: These cards are issued by a specific airline and earn miles with it. For example, a Delta Air Lines credit card earns miles you can use to fly with Delta.; Hotel credit cards ...
What is a Statement Credit on Travel Cards?
In short, a statement credit is a credit that your card issuer will apply to your account balance. Some travel credit cards offer statement credit benefits for specific types of purchases you've ...
TRAVEL PARTNER EXCHANGE UK LIMITED
/ TRAVEL PARTNER EXCHANGE UK LIMITED; TRAVEL PARTNER EXCHANGE UK LIMITED. ... Financial Statements. ... Get a D&B credit report on this company . Get a D&B credit report on this company . Stay on top of your Business Credit File. Get full access to view your D&B business credit file now for just $39/month!
Best Credit Cards For International Travel
10X points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025) 5X points on air travel through Ultimate Rewards (after earning your $300 travel credit) 3X points on general travel and restaurant purchases ...
12 Best Travel Credit Cards For Beginners (April 2024)
You also get travel accident insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, extended warranties, instant card lock, and no foreign transaction fee. Capital One Eno provides you with automatic account alerts and access to virtual card numbers. 4. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.
What is TRAVELPLUS.COM on my credit or debit card statement?
TRAVELPLUS.COM is the billing descriptor that appears on your credit/debit card statement when you are billed by TravelPlus.com for your introductory trial and monthly membership cost. If you have any questions about the bill you're receiving, please call us at 800-254-5597 or use the form below. We'll be happy to answer your questions and help ...
How Travelers Can Make the Most of Multiple Credit Cards
For any Chase-backed card, for example, you're unlikely to get approved, no matter how high your credit score, if you've opened or closed five credit cards in the last 24 months with any card issuer. Though nowhere in writing, Chase's unofficial 5/24 rule has been verified by countless data points and sometimes includes the opening and ...
Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024
NerdWallet's Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024. Earn $100 in rewards when you get a NerdWallet+ eligible credit cardJoin NerdWallet+ and pay your first credit card bill on time to start racking ...
Travel Partner Exchange UK Limited
Key Data. Travel Partner Exchange UK Limited is an active company incorporated on 8 June 2021 with the registered office located in London, City of London. Travel Partner Exchange UK Limited has been running for 2 years. There are currently 3 active directors according to the latest confirmation statement submitted on 7th June 2023.

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The top 11 credit cards with annual travel statement credits

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The Platinum Card from American Express: Best for international travel overall

Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for flexible rewards

Chase Sapphire Preferred: Best for domestic and international travel

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

Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card: Best for no annual fee

Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students: Best for students

Compare the best cards for international travel

The bottom line

How to Maximize Travel Benefits With Multiple Credit Cards

Be honest with yourself before signing up for multiple credit cards

What to know before you apply

Add important dates to your calendar

Manage your cards wisely

14 Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

NerdWallet's Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

Best Travel Credit Cards From Our Partners

Flexibility + point transfers + big sign-up bonus

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Citi Premier® Card

U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Platinum Card® from American Express

American Express® Gold Card