travel credit card strategy

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

6 Nerds Share Their 2022 Travel Rewards Strategies

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

NerdWallet’s travel experts harp on one concept over and over again: The smartest way to plan your trips, redeem points and miles, or select a new travel rewards credit card really depends on your individual travel goals.

Turning your travel rewards plans into a smart money move doesn’t have to entail opening 20-plus credit cards. If you need some inspiration for your credit card strategy this year, our Nerds share some of their own approaches for 2022. You’ll find what benefits they value most, which brands have earned their loyalty and what cards they’re using.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

1. Enjoy status and audit my annual fee credit cards

My travel rewards goal for 2022 is to start taking advantage of the perks provided by my Marriott Platinum status , including the free breakfast, suite upgrades and more. I also plan to travel more this year, so I have a lot of points to burn and places to visit that have been on my list for a while. I am running a bit low on Chase points, so I recently applied for the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card , and I’m working toward meeting the minimum spend on that.

I also plan to do an audit of all my travel credit cards with an annual fee and decide what I do and don’t need because some of the cards have duplicative perks (i.e. Priority Pass).

I also sadly lost my United Silver status last year because I didn’t fly enough, so now I need to think about how I will pack when I travel. I’m an overpacker, and one of the benefits that I enjoyed most as a United Silver elite was the ability to bring on a 70-pound bag free of charge on all tickets. One of the ways I’m considering offsetting bag fees is taking advantage of the $200 airline credit provided by the The Platinum Card® from American Express . Enrollment required. Terms apply.

– Elina Geller

2. Burn through piles of points and get my spouse on board

After two years of significantly reduced travel, I'm focused on two main travel rewards goals in 2022.

First, it's the year of the "the burn." Having stockpiled hundreds of thousands of points, it's time to use them all up for cheap travel to everything from high-end all-inclusive resorts to a quick weekend in Las Vegas . Points and miles generally only devalue over time so spending them now is wise.

Secondarily, earning hotel elite status is on the top of the list for me (and my wife) this year. I’m approaching lifetime Platinum with Marriott and despite the recent removal of the award chart , my future self will appreciate the lifetime status once it is locked in. That means I’ll need to once again re-qualify for Platinum, which requires 20 nights on top of the 30 credits I get from my Bonvoy credit cards .

In order to diversify in the family, we’ll be looking to get my wife approved for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card , which comes with Diamond status . She’ll use this as she travels for her job but it also gives us great flexibility when traveling for fun by holding upper-tier status with two large hotel brands. Terms apply.

– Kevin Berry

3. Re-qualify for elite status with American Airlines

I got a taste of luxury when I earned American Airlines elite status last year under reduced requirements, and I don’t want to let it go. This year is all about re-qualifying.

American Airlines recently overhauled its elite status program, so it’s been a bit tricky to figure out exactly what I need to do. Turns out, it’s not as easy as racking up AAdvantage miles with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® . My strategy this year is to use shopping portals, fly American Airlines or partners, and spend on my AAdvantage credit card until I reach the 30,000 Loyalty Points I need to earn Gold status once again.

Once that’s done, I’m back to earning and burning my Chase points. I’ve already redeemed them once this year using Chase’s Pay Yourself Back feature to offset an Airbnb I booked. It might not be the most valuable way to spend your points, but what can I say? Sometimes remote working doesn’t work if you and your partner are both taking conference calls from the same hotel room. I needed a door. And I got one with points.

– Meghan Coyle

4. Foot the group travel bill to collect beaucoup points

My travel rewards strategy is to pay for as much travel as I can — even if it’s not mine.

That’s all because I’m committed to traveling to three weddings this year (and possibly more). And most of those trips will involve big friend groups.

With all the headaches of planning a big group trip — like juggling multiple schedules, appeasing different tastes and making sure everyone’s budgets are accommodated — comes opportunity.

Luckily, I love planning travel (as I should, considering I’m a travel writer for NerdWallet), and I’m seizing two major opportunities: ensuring we save money on whatever we book, and collecting the credit card rewards by charging everything to my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and having them pay me back.

One of the weddings is out in the countryside, so we’ll need a rental car. While rental car prices are at record highs (up 35% since last year), I’ve booked a car that I’ll share with three other wedding guests, which means I only have to pay a quarter of the price but will collect 100% of the credit card rewards.

– Sally French

5. Go big with luxury travel

My travel rewards strategy involves a (literal) champagne problem: I need to book more luxury travel this year. I racked up roughly one gajillion points and miles during the pandemic and am now traveling less frequently (thanks a lot, fatherhood). So I need to find a way to spend those points on the few trips I am taking.

My cursor moves to “order by lowest price” by force of habit, so my budget-traveler brain will need a reset in order to execute this strategy. Don’t get me wrong: I love luxury travel. But it’s much harder for me to know whether I’m really getting a good deal on it compared with budget travel.

Here’s a hypothetical example: I could spend 10,000 IHG points on a hotel room that normally costs $100 and know that I’m getting a good deal because IHG points are usually worth about 0.8 cent each . But what about spending 70,000 Alaska miles on a business class flight that would usually cost $1,500? Sure, that’s a “good” value for Alaska miles (which are usually worth about 1.4 cents each ). But here’s the thing: I would never actually spend that much cash on a flight. So it still feels like a waste of miles.

My problem boils down to a psychological one: Can I get over my spendthrift tendencies and enjoy this opportunity to book high-end travel? We’ll see.

– Sam Kemmis

6. Redeem redeem redeem

Anyone else spend the tail end of 2019 confidently booking a major trip abroad for June 2020? I don’t have to tell you how that turned out.

There was a sliver of hope in early 2021 that things might inch back toward normal come June, but here we are in spring 2022 and I’m at long last counting down the days to a big summer getaway more than two years in the making.

The silver lining is that — after all the canceling of reservations and all the waiting — I was able to rebook my trip to Newfoundland, Canada, for significantly less cash than the first time around by taking advantage of one of the COVID era’s most buzzed about credit card sign-up bonuses last year: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and its 100,000-point welcome offer.

I used the points earned from that to cover all my Airbnb stays using the Chase Pay Yourself Back feature, getting me 25% more value out of each point. Then, I took what was left and coupled it with the change/cancellation credits I’d been holding onto to make a significant dent in airfare.

I rebooked a portion of my flights through Chase's travel portal this time around, meaning I was able to both redeem and earn points on that airfare — getting an elevated earn rate and adding a decent chunk of points to my stash for future travel expenses.

Would I prefer to have traveled as planned back in 2020? Sure. But global pandemic aside, I did get some solid redemptions out of the whole ordeal.

– Steve Miller

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

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

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 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.

60,000 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℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 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.

$300 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!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

• Search Search Please fill out this field.
• Credit Cards
• Credit Cards 101

How to Plan Your Travel Rewards Card Strategy

Find the right credit card combination to help fund future travel plans

How Travel Rewards Cards Work

Before you get started, how to design your travel rewards card strategy.

• Don’t Be Afraid to Adjust Your Rewards Strategy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Thomas Barwick / Getty Images

There are many different types of credit card rewards. Depending on your spending habits and preferences, you may be drawn to cards that offer cash back, points, or miles.

If you want to focus your efforts on earning travel rewards, you should create a credit card strategy to maximize the value you get for your spending patterns. Here's how to find the best approach for you.

Key Takeaways

• There are multiple types of travel rewards cards, such as general travel, hotel, and airline.
• When choosing a travel card for your rewards strategy, consider your travel habits: Are you loyal to one brand, or do you look for the cheapest rate no matter which hotel or airline it is?
• Opening new travel cards to accommodate your strategy may not be necessary if you already have cards that complement your spending.
• Plan and track your spending so you use the right card in the right situation, and so you can keep track of how many points or miles your cards are earning.

There are three main types of travel rewards cards : general travel, hotel, and airline. General travel credit cards typically offer points or miles you can redeem for various travel-related activities. In contrast, hotel and airline credit cards typically provide rewards best suited for booking award hotel stays or flights with the card's travel brand.

Most travel credit cards offer sign-up bonuses , which are sums of cash, points, or miles you can earn by spending a certain amount in the first few months of owning the card.

In addition to points or miles, hotel and airline cards offer perks specific to the brand, such as upgraded hotel status or free checked bags. Some general travel cards offer trip insurance protections and other perks such as reimbursed TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees, but the perks usually aren't specific to an airline or hotel chain.

Travel credit cards offer either a flat rewards rate on every purchase you make or a tiered rewards structure, giving you more rewards for purchases in certain categories.

Some general travel cards allow you to transfer your points directly to airline or hotel loyalty point programs. 

The prospect of earning a big sign-up bonus on your first travel credit card can be exciting. But before you open new cards and spend, it's important to take stock of a few things, including what you want from your credit cards and your spending habits.

Assess Your Priorities and Spending Habits

It's important to think about your travel habits as you formulate a rewards strategy. If you fly with one airline or stay at one hotel brand only, it may make sense to get a co-branded credit card with that airline or hotel chain.

Alternatively, if you aren’t loyal to a brand and you tend to book the cheapest option, a general travel card could be a better choice because they let you redeem your points for most travel purchases, no matter which brand you book with.

Also, think about which perks you want from your card. Some premium travel cards go the extra mile with complimentary airport lounge access, car rental discounts and benefits, travel-related statement credits, and other perks. But those cards typically charge steep annual fees. Weigh the benefits you can get from certain cards against their costs to determine which one offers you the most value.

Finally, think about your spending habits. For example, if you eat out a lot, a card with a high rewards rate on restaurant purchases may be a good fit. If you’re a rideshare driver, it would benefit you to have a card with a high rewards rate for gas purchases. You can also apply for multiple cards to take advantage of the varying rewards rates on each one, as a single card usually doesn’t offer maximum rewards in all the areas in which you spend the most.

Know Your Limits

Experienced travel-card users often have multiple travel credit cards to maximize the value they get every time they travel. But it's important to know your own limits before you start applying for more cards.

Think about how much you can afford in annual fees, how much time and effort you want to spend managing multiple accounts, and how easy it will be to keep up with multiple rewards categories.

If you find that you prefer keeping your annual fees to a minimum or you feel like you struggle to stay organized, you may prefer using just one or two cards.

One basic rule of thumb for earning travel rewards is to pay off your card balance every month. Otherwise, interest costs can eat up the value of any rewards you earn.

Once you've laid some ground rules and expectations, you'll need to develop an approach to travel rewards.

Choose Your Credit Card Combination

One of the best ways to maximize travel rewards is to use multiple credit cards. For example, you can choose a general travel credit card for the flexibility and also one or more airline and hotel credit cards that offer perks and extra points for the brand.

For example, if you’re a big American Airlines fan, you might get the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card, which provides:

• 2 miles per dollar spent with American Airlines
• 2 miles per dollar spent on gas
• 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants
• Free checked bag
• Priority boarding

Then, for all your other purchases, you could use the Capital One Venture Rewards card, which earns 2 points per dollar spent on everything.

Alternatively, you can combine two cards within the same general rewards program. One popular combination is the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Chase Freedom Unlimited. 

The Sapphire Reserve offers a lot of premium travel perks, a 50% bonus when you use points to book travel through Chase, and the ability to transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners. You’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel and dining, but just 1 point per dollar spent on everything else.

The Freedom Unlimited offers a flat rewards rate of 1.5 points per dollar but doesn't give you the travel redemption bonus, the opportunity to transfer points to partner programs, or the premium benefits. If you use the Chase Freedom Unlimited for its higher rewards-earning rate on all your non-travel and non-dining purchases, then transfer your points to your Chase Sapphire Reserve account, you can earn more points than if you were to have just the premium card.  

Shop around and compare the best travel credit cards to find the best credit card combination for you.

Open a New Card, If Needed

In some cases, you'll already have the cards you need to maximize your travel rewards. But if not, you may want to apply for a new card to fill a hole in your strategy or create a combination that works well for you.

Opening a new card is also a good way to take advantage of sign-up bonuses—many travel credit cards offer substantial incentives for new cardholders. However, it's important to be aware of your credit score before you apply. Most travel cards require good or excellent credit, which starts at a 670 credit score. 

Also, keep in mind that applying for multiple credit cards in a short period can hurt on your credit score. So, try to space out your applications to avoid trouble.

Plan and Track Your Spending

Once you start using more than one credit card, make sure you know when to use the right card to maximize your rewards. This is especially important if you have several cards that offer bonus rewards in different categories. 

You can keep track of bonus categories using a spreadsheet or a note on your phone. Some rewards enthusiasts even use a label maker to label each card with their bonus rewards categories.

Make sure to track your spending as well to ensure you're getting the best return on each purchase and to avoid overspending for the sake of earning rewards.

Don’t Be Afraid to Adjust Your Travel Rewards Strategy Later

No rewards credit card strategy is set in stone—you can always tweak yours as your travel and spending habits change. Just remember that applying for new credit cards all the time is generally a poor approach.

For example, as you travel more often, you may notice that you prefer a specific airline or hotel brand and choose to lean more into that rewards program. Or, you may decide you want more flexibility with certain general travel programs. The important thing is that you continue evaluating your strategy to make sure you're getting the best overall experience.

How do I optimize my travel rewards?

A few ways to optimize your travel rewards include using cards that maximize your spending in categories like restaurants and travel, implementing a two-card strategy where appropriate, and taking advantage of sign-up bonuses.

Is it better to redeem points for cash or travel?

Generally, your points are more valuable when you redeem them for travel instead of points. For example, credit card points are worth more than two cents each when you redeem them for certain airline and hotel awards, while most points redeemed for cash are worth 1 cent per point.

Citi. " Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard ."

Capital One. " Venture Rewards from Capital One ."

Chase. " Sapphire Reserve Travel Benefits ."

Chase. " Chase Freedom Unlimited Card ."

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

August 1, 2022

Our Credit Card Strategy For Travel Rewards

We started using credit cards for travel rewards last year and have booked a handful of trips on points. Here’s our personal credit card strategy, the cards we chose, and the trips we took! This post includes affiliate links, and any card offers mentioned may change in time. 

If you’re following along with this blog, you know we started opening credit cards with the intention of accumulating points to spend on travel at the beginning of 2021. I kept hearing about travel rewards on the financial podcasts I love, and I started – very slowly – to learn the ropes. I put my 1% cash back bank card in a drawer and have moved on to much more lucrative cards. 

If you’re brand new to travel rewards with credit card points, READ THIS POST FIRST: How To Travel Using Credit Card Points ! It has the 101 basics and how to get started. 

The “Perfect” Card Path

Some people will tell you that the “perfect” path depends on current offers, which is why it’s hard to nail down an ideal one. This is definitely true, but I also think you can determine a pretty good general path and insert any cards that have best current offers whenever you need to. 

The “perfect” path also depends on your travel goals, what cards you already have, and where you live. That said, most experts recommend starting with Chase points (read why in my first post ) and then branching out to other point “currencies” from there. 

Whether you have a business (loosely defined), and if you’re solo or a couple also affects the order you might choose. 

All of the above reasons are why I think examples of how real people have applied for cards and accumulated points are helpful! 

Stay Organized With Travel Freely

Once you get a few cards open, you’ll need a good card organizer. You can use a spreadsheet, but that requires a certain amount of responsibility to remember to update it. I use the Travel Freely card organizer to keep track of my cards, dates, fees, and points. The app also tells you when it’s time to get a new card and any current best offers going on. It’s an all-in-one card hub that I highly recommend!

Real Card Strategy Articles

The Travel Freely blog has written a few great articles on credit card strategy with actual examples of the order people have applied for cards. When I was getting started, I found these super helpful because we all need more real life examples, right?!

Check out the credit card strategy posts here: 

• Solo Beginner Credit Card Strategy (225,000 points)
• Beginner with Business Credit Card  Strategy (400,000 points)
• Couples Credit Card Strategy (600,000 points)

I found these articles so helpful to walk through the timeline and card order that I wanted to share our own credit card strategy and path with all of you. 

Beginners : If the thought of getting 10 cards in a year or two is overwhelming, just start with one! One great travel card is better than your 1% bank card. The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card are both great starter travel cards. 

Our Credit Card Strategy

Personal credit cards.

You will see our pace has been quite slow. We’ve basically gotten a new card when we’ve had a good reason to or there was a good promo or SUB (aka, sign-up bonus) going on. My whole attitude throughout has been “don’t rush,” and so while we technically could have gotten more points faster, our pace has seemed manageable. 

February 2021: Kath gets Chase Sapphire Preferred

SUB was 60k points plus $60 in free Peloton credits and a DoorDash pass for the year. Also new to 2022 is a $50 hotel credit. 

April 2021: Thomas gets Chase Sapphire Preferred

SUB was 80k points (wish I had waited!) plus the same as the above. 

August 2021: Kath gets Chase Freedom Flex

SUB was 20k points, BUT, they had a promo for 5x points on groceries for the first year, so we’ve put all groceries on that for a bonus of 60k points on a max of $12k in groceries. Total points = 80k plus more from flex categories. 

March 2022: Kath gets Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

This card had an incredible 100k point SUB AND a bonus $200 on a vacation rental AND $300 travel credit in the portal. These meant after the $395 annual fee I came out $100 ahead. Plus a free Priority Pass membership. 

June 2022: Thomas gets Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (the regular one)

SUB was 75k points. This card is basically just like the Venture X above but is slightly less premium. I might downgrade my X to this one when the annual fee is due, depending on what’s going on at the time. 

Total points from sign up bonuses = ~400,000 (plus more from spending!)

Business credit cards.

As previously mentioned, with two businesses you can more than double the points you’re eligible for! Thomas has a big spender business (they buy lots of lumber and building materials and supplies) and I have a small business (I’m buying Beautycounter samples, digital subscriptions, and internet hosting.)

A big spending business will obviously earn you more points just with spending, but remember it’s the sign-up bonuses that are the focus, so even a small business who can hit the minimums can make this work. 

Cards We Have

• Ink Business Preferred (Thomas)
• Ink Business Cash (both)
• Ink Business Unlimited (both, and Thomas got an extra bonus on this)
• You can see we have many more to come! 

Total points from sign up bonuses = ~500,000 (plus more from spending!)

Total points total = 1,000,000+.

Spending Points: The Trips We’ve Taken

The way we have spent our points was not the Very Best Way . I value simplicity and ease over squeezing every last redemption dollar out of my strategy, so there are times when I just booked travel within Chase and called it a day rather than researching and using Chase transfer partners. I’m OK with that decision because I know we can always earn more points! Thinking about the perfect transfer partner, especially with flights, stresses me out. So I just kept it simple and booked travel in Chase or Capital One. 

August 2021: Durham Hip + Modern Hotel

Thomas and I stayed for a night at the Unscripted Hotel. 

• Points: 17,000
• Value: $232

January 2022: Winter Getaway To Miami Beach

We stayed at the Nautilus by Arlo for three nights that I booked through Chase. (We used vouchers from cancelled 2020 flights to fly there so no points were spent on flights.)

• Points: 165,000
• Value: $2,071

March 2022: Staycation at the Swanky Quirk Hotel

Mazen and I stayed at the Quirk for the night. I transferred 15k points to Hyatt and booked it there. (Unfortunately The Quirk is no longer a Hyatt partner.) 

• Points: 15,000
• Value: $250

March 2022: Group Birthday Celebration at Primland Resort

This trip wasn’t booked with points, but noting here that we put it on the new Cap One Venture X card and I got a $200 credit for booking a “vacation rental.” I was pleased this counted for that!!

April 2022: Williamsburg Hotel

My mother-in-law and I had planned to stay together for one night for a wedding shower, but at the last minute I couldn’t go. She went without me! 

• Points: 19,000 
• Value: $242

June 2022: Family Fun Summer Trip to The Homestead

If you know a thing or two about travel rewards, you’re going to cringe at the redemption value here, but we booked this trip last minute as a treat for the boys, and it was worth every penny we didn’t actually spend! We knew going in this wasn’t a great value, but because we had the points, we just thought: use them now while we can! We also charged all of our food to our room, and I used the Cap One travel eraser to erase that charge with points, so there is even more value in this trip! 

• Points: 123,000
• Value: $1,543
• Used Chase Sapphire $50 hotel credit
• Used ~$400 worth of points to erase food

August 2022: New Orleans

Mazen and I have a trip to NOLA booked! I used points for one flight and used the $300 Cap One travel credit for the other. 

• Points: 37,000 + $300 credit
• Value: $750

December 2022: Celebrating our 40th Birthdays / 5 Year Wedding Anniversary

We cashed in a BUNCH of points and are going somewhere really fun and tropical just the two of us!! Any guesses!?

Future Trip: Disney

We can’t decide when we want to go to Disney and if we want to use points (which you can at the Swan or Dolphin hotels) or stay in a Disney resort. Read more on how to do Disney on points here ! We will definitely use points for the flights, and will probably go for the Southwest cards for that. 

Total Value: More than $10k! 

As you can see, the small amount of work to track cards has paid off for us in a major way!!

I think it’s also wise to remember that you don’t have to do this forever.  You can also be smarter than us and just use points on flights (the best value) and pay cash for hotels.

You also don’t have to book huge vacations to make this worth your while – a friend of mine has a son in travel soccer and has to book a lot of one-nighters at hotels for his tournaments. Since opening a few cards, she’s been able to book those hotels on points. Start small and learn the ins and outs and work your way up (or don’t!). 

Travel Rewards Course >

If you want the 101 info sent to your inbox, drop your email in the form below and you’ll get 4 days of emails by topic covering the basics of how to get started : )  

Reader Interactions

Denise says

August 1, 2022 at 10:01 am

I signed up for the Capital One card after traveling to France with my bestie this past spring. The Priority Pass alone is worth it! I’m just getting into travel rewards, and I appreciate the info along with the name of the app! I’m going to be traveling for four months and my boyfriend is going to fly to meet me at least twice, so this will definitely be a help!

Kath Younger says

August 1, 2022 at 2:03 pm

That is so great to hear! I went in some lounges when I flew across the ocean years ago and they were so nice.

August 1, 2022 at 3:24 pm

This is really good info. I have a rewards credit card, but should look into the ones in this post. Have fun on your New Orleans trip with Mazen. As a La native, don’t let the heat get you beat! Bring sunscreen and a water bottle.

August 1, 2022 at 3:56 pm

I think I’m going to melt!!!!

Jasmine says

August 1, 2022 at 5:07 pm

The only puzzle piece that seems to be missing is how many actual dollars you spent to earn these rewards. I don’t often use a credit card, but am wondering if I should start. But if basic every day spending doesn’t earn enough rewards, where has that left me? I’m hoping you can shed some light here.

August 2, 2022 at 7:12 am

This is a great question! You shouldn’t spend money you otherwise wouldn’t to earn these rewards. I’m not sure what the total of the minimum spends we spent was, but we put a lot of money on cards throughout the year, especially when you mix in businesses, so we could have added a handful of other cards wouldn’t spending more than we usually would : )

I also always offer to be the one to pay for things and have people venmo me back (a group ticket purchase for example). I offered to put our family beach trip on my card and my dad and sister both reimbursed me for their portions. So we’ve gotten extra spend those ways.

August 2, 2022 at 1:32 pm

Big travel rewards fan here! We are doing a big Asia trip in Feb 2023 and 3 of us are flying business class from NY to Japan, then to Singapore, then Maldives, … back to NY using points plus $200. Using accumulated Marriott points for hotels.

August 2, 2022 at 1:52 pm

That is amazing!!!! Maldives is on my bucket list for when the kids are much older : )

Amanda says

August 3, 2022 at 5:37 am

I always wonder if there’s any impact (positive or negative) to opening/having so many open credit cards? And then there seems to be mixed messages on the impact on your credit of closing credit card accounts that are no longer used. I get so confused!

August 3, 2022 at 7:07 am

Per the Choose FI podcast, your credit score takes a small dip at first but then May actually go up. And you aren’t supposed to close accounts you’re done with. Usually you can just “product change” the card to one without a fee and let it sit in a drawer. FWIW, my credit score is over 800 🙂

August 4, 2022 at 11:13 am

We have Hilton, delta, and platinum credit cards which we’ve had for over 15 years. My husband travels a ton for work and we’ve never paid for flights and hotels for trips since then. We charge basically everything in the cards. We mostly use the platinum card and pay it off in full every month. It took some getting used to just using credit cards. I love using the lounges in airports too and one of the cards gives us Uber and door dash credits. During the beginning of covid they even paid for our streaming on tv since we were not using the travel benefits. Our credit scores are above 800 too!

August 4, 2022 at 11:22 am

That’s awesome you haven’t paid for flights in so long!!

Meghan says

August 4, 2022 at 4:35 pm

So great that you are getting benefits from your time and research! I know myself though and just reading your strategy made my head spin. I’d rather just pay $10,000 than deal with all the hassle. Lol

August 4, 2022 at 5:46 pm

That’s what I used to say too 🙂

August 5, 2022 at 9:28 am

This might be your hobby now!

October 12, 2022 at 2:09 pm

My daughter figure skates and we have to travel to competitions since there aren’t very many nearby. This year we’ve driven to Colorado as a family, and just she and I flew to Chicago and Texas. I’d like to be able to use points for these trips starting next year. Have you seen that the card companies offer bigger bonuses at particular times of the year? I’d like to hold out for an amazing sign-up bonus.

October 12, 2022 at 2:31 pm

Sports travelers are perfect fits for travel rewards! The cards do have offers go up and down, but not a hugeeeee amount. For example, when I got the Chase Sapphire card it was 60k points that went up to 80k about 6 months later. But I’m glad I didn’t wait those 6 months just to get started. So I think just jumping in rather than waiting for the perfect timing will help you get the ball rolling.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of new posts by email.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Get my exclusive promos –>

Hi im kath..

I'm a Registered Dietitian, healthy eater, and mom of two from Charlottesville, Virginia. Here you’ll find a healthy mix of real-life meals made from whole ingredients balanced with the pleasures of life, including buttercream frosting and good wine. Plus a sprinkle of nutrition, home life, beauty, parenting, and travel. about | privacy policy | contact

• Oatmeal Recipes
• Salad Recipes
• Smoothie Recipes
• All Recipes
• Healthy Mindset
• My Wellness Program
• Charlottesville
• Digital Clutter Course

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..

• Copy Link copied

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

Illustration by Shutterstock

Afar partners with CreditCards.com and may receive a commission from card issuers. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Compensation may impact how an offer is presented. Our coverage is independent and objective and has not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are entirely those of the Afar editorial team.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

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.

Advertiser Disclosure

Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Bankrate.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and the likelihood of applicants' credit approval, also impact how and where products appear on this site. Bankrate.com does not include the entire universe of available financial or credit offers.

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

Best travel credit cards of May 2024

• • Credit card strategy
• • Credit card comparisons

Bankrate expert Garrett Yarbrough strives to make navigating credit cards and credit building smooth sailing for his readers. After regularly featuring his credit card, credit monitoring and identity theft analysis on NextAdvisor.com, he joined the CreditCards.com and Bankrate teams as a staff writer to develop product reviews and comprehensive credit card guides focused on cash back, credit scores and card offers.

• • Rewards credit cards
• • Travel credit cards

Nouri Zarrugh is a writer and editor for CreditCards.com and Bankrate,  focusing on product news, guides and reviews. His areas of expertise include credit card strategy, rewards programs, point valuation and credit scores, and his stories on building credit have been cited by Mic.com, LifeHacker, People.com and more. Through his thorough card reviews and product comparisons, Nouri strives to demystify personal finance topics and credit card terms and conditions to help readers save money and protect their credit score.

• • Credit cards
• • Personal finance

Stephanie Zito is a professional traveler, self-employed humanitarian consultant and collector of credit card points. She shares savvy travel tips that she’s learned firsthand circling the globe for more than 25 years. She’s a backpacker, expect and premium traveler who’s visited more than 130 countries and all seven continents. Her life motto is “See the world, change the world, have fun doing it!” and her mission is to inspire others along the journey.

The listings that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which Bankrate receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Here's an explanation for how we make money.

How we make money

You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey.

Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers.

We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money.

Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.

Travel credit cards help you earn valuable points and miles on your purchases. For maximum value, some cards earn rewards not only on travel, but also everyday purchases like dining, groceries and gas. You can redeem these rewards for free or discounted flights, hotel stays or to cover other travel-related expenses.

The best travel cards also come with additional features. Even no-annual-fee travel cards are likely to offer perks like sign-up bonuses, intro APR offers and travel insurance. But for top-of-the-line benefits like airport lounge access, elite status and travel credits, expect to pay an annual fee.

View card list

Table of contents

Why choose bankrate.

We helped over 150,000 users compare travel cards in 2023

We evaluated and compared over 40 travel rewards perks

Over 47 years of experience helping people make smart financial decisions

The Bankrate Promise

At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money  and  how we rate our cards  .

Bankrate's Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2024

• Best starter travel card:  Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Best for flat-rate rewards:  Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Best for luxury travel:  The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Best for foodies:  American Express® Gold Card
• Best for no annual fee:  Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card  ( See Rates & Fees )
• Best for intro APR: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
• Best for everyday spending: Citi Premier® Card
• Best for practical perks: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Best for companion tickets:  Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Best for pairing: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Best no-annual-fee hotel card:  Hilton Honors American Express Card
• Best luxury hotel card:  Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• Best for fair credit:  Credit One Bank Wander® Card
• Best for first-year value: Discover it® Miles
• Best for gas: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
• Best starter airline card: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
• Best for transfer partners: Bilt Mastercard®
• Best for expedited security screening: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
• Best for point values: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• What to know about travel credit cards
• Tips for choosing the best travel card

Travel credit card perks

How do credit card points and miles work.

• Expert advice on travel cards

How we assess the best travel credit cards

• Frequently asked questions
• Ask the experts

Credit range

A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

0 ? 'Showing ' + filterMatchedProductTiles + ' results' : ' '">

Sorry, no cards match these filters

You can still get a personalized list of cards that fit your credit profile in just a few minutes.

You might also consider these cards

Card categories

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.

Intro offer

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℠.

Offer valuation

We calculate this number by multiplying the card's intro offer by Bankrate's valuation of this issuer's rewards program , showing you how much your points or miles are worth in dollars.

Rewards rate

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.

Regular APR

• 5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
• 3x 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
• 2x 2x on all other travel purchases.
• 1x 1x on all other purchases.

What we love: This popular card comes loaded with features that can make it easy even for occasional travelers to offset the modest $95 annual fee without eating into hard-earned rewards. Plus, its rewards program is one of the best, giving you some of the most valuable travel redemptions — through both Chase and transfer partners — and Chase card pairing opportunities if you want to build your card portfolio eventually. Learn more: Why expert Margaret Weck loves using the Chase Sapphire Preferred Alternatives: The Citi Premier® Card not only has a comparable sign-up bonus and the same annual fee as the Sapphire Preferred, but also covers even more everyday categories, including  supermarkets and gas stations, potentially making it a better fit as a standalone rewards card. 

• You earn Ultimate Rewards points with this card — some of the most valuable and flexible rewards around, especially if you pair it with Chase’s cash back cards in the future.
• The card touts significant long-term benefits like anniversary bonus points and travel credits, as well as travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and a car rental collision damage waiver.
• Doesn’t offer airline- or hotel-specific perks like free checked bags, elite status or free night stays.
• The sign-up bonus is decent, but the card has previously offered higher, chart-topping bonus points.
• 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

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

New Venture cardholders can earn 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

2 Miles - 5 Miles

5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

• 5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2 Miles 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

What we love: It’s a great option for travelers looking for a straightforward rewards program and flexible redemption options. You'll earn unlimited miles on all eligible spending and can redeem not only for travel bookings, but also as a statement credit to cover travel purchases made in the past 90 days. Learn more: Why expert Jacqueline DeMarco loves the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a higher rewards rate in some everyday spending categories and potentially more valuable points. Chase points are worth 1.25 cents each if you redeem for travel through Chase, while Capital One miles are only worth 1 cent each when you redeem for travel. Plus, Chase rewards are more helpful for occasional travelers since you can redeem as cash back at 1-cent-per-point value.

• Carries solid perks given its low annual fee, including expedited airport purchase security and hotel experience credits, lost luggage reimbursement and more.
• Zero foreign transaction fees make this an excellent choice for international travelers.
• You can’t offset the annual fee with annual travel credits or bonuses alone as you can with some rival cards.
• The card’s sign-up bonus carries a high spending requirement, so it may be tough to earn if you don’t have large purchases on the horizon.
• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

• 5X Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• 5X Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

What we love: Luxury travelers and big spenders will appreciate the bevy of travel benefits, including annual statement credits worth around $1,700, elite hotel loyalty status and access to perhaps the most comprehensive airport lounge access available with a credit card. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Platinum Card® from American Express Alternatives: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a taste of luxury at a lower cost than many premium travel cards. You can unlock a generous rewards rate on both travel and general purchases, complimentary access to popular airport lounge memberships and valuable annual travel credits and anniversary miles.

• Comes with a generous welcome offer and a longer time period to earn it compared to most rewards cards.
• A robust line-up of airline and hotel partners and related perks make this card truly valuable for travelers.
• The $695 annual fee may not be worth it if you don’t spend much on travel frequently or can’t take full advantage of the card’s luxury — and often niche — perks.
• Redeeming and maximizing the card’s credit and benefits requires some legwork and can be a bit confusing.
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

American Express® Gold Card

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

• 4X Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4X Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• 3X Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

What we love: Few credit cards are more rewarding for traveling foodies than the American Express Gold Card. Both the food-related annual credits and the rewards rates at restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and on flights booked directly with airlines or via the Amex travel portal are some of the best on the market. In fact, the up to $240 in credits each year alone nearly make up for the annual fee. Learn more: Why the Amex Gold is worth the annual fee Alternatives: If the Amex Gold Card’s annual fee sounds high, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . It carries key travel perks, high travel and dining rewards rates, and a much lower annual fee.

• This card features one of the best rewards return rates available on dining, groceries and food deliveries.
• There is no preset spending limit, so you can enjoy extended purchasing power, and you also have the option to pay off purchases with Pay Over Time if necessary.
• Although the card touts a solid collection of travel perks, it doesn’t include popular premium card perks like airport lounge access or trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
• Only eligible airfare earns more than 1X points, while rival cards often earn similar (or higher) reward rates on hotel stays and other travel purchases as well.
• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel

1.25 Miles - 5 Miles

5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

• 1.25 Miles 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

What we love: This card offers some of the same advantages as the Capital One Venture, without the burden of an annual fee. It gives you the chance to earn flat-rate miles on your everyday spending and the option to transfer miles to over 15 loyalty program partners to even cover travel purchases outside Capital One — a unique level of redemption flexibility for a starter travel card. Learn more: Reasons to get the VentureOne Rewards Card Alternatives: A general-purpose flat-rate credit card that offers 2X points or 2 percent cash back on all purchases may bring more value if you don’t travel often and aren’t ready to upgrade to a travel rewards credit card with an annual fee. However, the Discover it® Miles earns a flat-rate 1.5X miles that can also be redeemed for cash back at 1-cent per mile, which is unusual for travel rewards.

• The welcome offer is generous for a no-annual-fee travel credit card.
• Booking hotel stays and rental cars through Capital One Travel nets you an impressive 5X miles.
• Unlike several no-annual-fee travel cards, redeeming for non-travel purchases waters down your rewards’ value.
• Capital One has no major U.S. carrier in its line-up of travel partners.
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
• Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• 1.5X Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.

What we love: This entry-level travel card keeps things simple for occasional travelers. It offers simple flat-rate rewards and lets you redeem for a broad mix of travel options not typically available on many travel cards, such as cash back toward purchases with travel agencies,  zoos, art galleries and more. It’s even more valuable if you’re a Bank of America customer and can qualify for a rewards boost through the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program. Learn more: Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card worth it? Alternatives: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is another great starter travel card, but, unlike many cards in this category, it lets you transfer your miles to airline and hotel partners, potentially for a higher redemption value.

• Its easy-to-earn sign-up bonus and intro APR offers give this card good short-term value.
• No annual fees or foreign transaction fees sweeten this offer.
• It only offers 1.5X points on purchases, and you can’t transfer points can’t to airline partners for more rewards value, so it may not be as lucrative as competing cards.
• The top tiers of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program may be out of reach for many cardholders.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Citi Premier® Card

Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening

Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases

• 3X Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
• 3X Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
• 1X Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases

What we love: This mid-level travel card packs a high rewards rate on both travel and everyday spending, making it a great standalone rewards option for everyday spenders who want to pay an easily justifiable annual fee. In fact, the card includes an annual hotel credit that can offset the card’s annual fee on its own. Learn more: Read why travel podcaster Julia Menez loves the Citi Premier Card Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card boasts fewer everyday bonus categories, but it may offer more valuable rewards, perks and travel protections. Chase points are worth 25 percent more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠.

• Offers some of the best rates for a variety of daily expenses like dining, groceries and gas, making the card a good option for less frequent travelers.
• Citi has a robust line-up of travel partners, making it a valuable partner alongside Citi’s cash back cards.
• Doesn’t carry some key perks that competing cards offer, like travel insurance or notable travel benefits beyond the annual hotel credit.
• Budget-conscious customers might balk at the annual fee, especially if they won’t get much use from the hotel credit.
• Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
• 60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel

2 Miles - 10 Miles

10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

• 10 Miles 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel

What we love: This is the perfect middleground for travelers who want the practical benefits from luxury travel cards without dealing with bloated features and an annual fee upwards of $500. It offers complimentary lounge access, high-earning bonus rewards categories, anniversary credits and bonus miles, which can easily make the card worth it for frequent travelers. Learn more: Capital One Venture X Benefits Guide Alternatives: If a higher annual fee is no issue, consider The Platinum Card® from American Express. It’s a top choice for frequent travelers thanks to its impressive welcome offer and luxury perks like annual travel credits, lounge access and hotel elite status. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® may be better if your luxury travel experience calls for racking up more rewards.

• Offers anniversary bonus miles and a chance to earn credits worth hundreds of dollars starting at your first account anniversary.
• Comes with complimentary lounge access at over 1,300 lounges for you and two guests per visit.
• To earn the anniversary credit, travel must be booked through the Capital One Travel portal. That’s not as flexible as some other cards, which offer credits that cover any travel purchases, regardless of how you book.
• Lacks some perks found on other premium travel cards like airline or hotel elite status, which can get you benefits like free checked bags or room upgrades.
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

• Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

• 3X Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• 2X Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
• 1X Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

What we love: The annual companion certificate on Main Cabin domestic flights (taxes and fees apply) comes with this card after the first year is valuable enough to justify the annual fee even if you’re just looking for great Delta perks to make travel smoother with a partner. Plus, the companion certificate is easier to obtain than other airline cards’ since it carries no spending requirement that must be met beyond the card’s annual fee. Alternatives: The American Express® Green Card could be a great alternative since it charges a lower $150 annual fee, lets you earn and redeem rewards on travel with any eligible airline (not just Delta) and offers credits for Loungebuddy lounge access and Clear Plus. You can even transfer points to Delta at a 1:1 ratio.

• Boasts several valuable travel perks, including priority boarding, a free first checked bag and specialized annual credits for select rideshare services and reservations with Delta Stays and Resy.
• Gets you closer to Medallion Status and discounts on in-flight purchases, complimentary upgrades, and more.
• Its rewards rate on non-travel purchases is lacking — a general-purpose travel card could potentially offer better rewards value and flexibility for rewards travel outside Delta.
• No longer offers complimentary Delta Sky Club lounge access as of this year, although airport lounge access is a staple perk for premium travel cards.
• Receive a Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Resy Credit: With the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Resy Credit, earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
• $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment Required.
• Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
• Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive $100 back for Global Entry or up to $85 back for TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
• $350 Annual Fee.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

Offer valuation is not available for this credit card.

Enjoy 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 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service 1.5% on all other purchases

• 5% Enjoy 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
• 3% 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
• 1.5% 1.5% on all other purchases

What we love: Not only does it earn 1.5 percent cash back on general spending, but it also has a bonus cash back rate for drugstores and dining at restaurants. And if you pair it with one or two premium Chase travel cards, you could pool your rewards for better travel redemption value.  Learn more: Why I love the Chase Freedom Unlimited Alternatives: If you want to take advantage of even more rewarding cash back categories and remain in the Chase family, consider the Chase Freedom Flex℠ .

• You can pool rewards with other Chase cards to maximize your earnings.
• The additional rewards rate offer can add even more cash back to your pocket for the first year.
• The welcome offer isn’t as competitive as other cards’ offers.
• Maximizing rewards with this and other Chase cards can get complicated for people who like simple rewards programs.
• 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.

Hilton Honors American Express Card

• Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.

• 7X Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• 5X Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• 3X Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.

What we love: This card earns rewards in a terrific mix of everyday bonus categories, so it should be easy to rack up Hilton points even if you don’t spend a ton on hotel bookings. Since it charges no annual fee and provides a few Hilton Honors benefits like Silver status, it’s also a great fit if you’re new to hotel cards and want a single no-annual-fee option instead of juggling multiple rewards cards. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Hilton Honors American Express Card Alternatives: The American Express® Green Card could be more flexible since it lets you earn and redeem rewards on a much wider variety of travel purchases, including airfare and bookings with several hotel brands, not just Hilton. You can transfer points to the Hilton Honors program as well, but the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card may be better if you prefer upgraded Hilton-specific rewards, loyalty status and other perks.

• Comes with automatic Silver Elite status, which includes a free fifth award night when you book at least four consecutive nights with points.
• Earns rewards in three of the average person’s biggest spending categories, making it a terrific standalone option for earning Hilton points.
• A higher-tier Hilton card would earn more on Hilton bookings and could be more lucrative for frequent guests, even with an annual fee.
• You can only redeem points with Hilton and its partners, which limits the rewards value you earn on the everyday categories compared to a general-purpose cards’ rewards.
• Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
• No Annual Fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

• Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines 2X points on all other eligible purchases

• 6X Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
• 3X 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines
• 2X 2X points on all other eligible purchases

What we love: Frequent Marriott guests looking for luxury card-level perks and elite status should be able to justify this premium card. Along with a terrific rewards rate on Marriott bookings and an annual free night award, you could enjoy generous annual credits for restaurant purchases and Marriott property stays, airport lounge access, elite night credits and more. Learn more: Best Marriott credit cards Alternatives: If you’re looking for top-tier travel perks but want the flexibility to earn and redeem rewards for stays at any hotel chain, consider an elite travel card from Chase or Amex, which can come with generous travel benefits, airport lounge access and the ability to transfer points to Marriott. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is another lucrative alternative.

• Outperforms other Marriott cards with its boosted rewards on travel-related categories and 21X points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, thanks to the automatic Platinum Elite status.
• It’s one of the only hotel cards that includes complimentary Priority Pass lounge access, top travel protections and credits for expedited airport security screening.
• Unlocking some of the card’s best perks — like Five Suite Night Awards — requires a $60,000 annual spend, which may be tough to reach even for frequent Marriott guests.
• Unless luxury perks are at the top of your wishlist, the annual fee may not be worth it and a lower-tier hotel card may offer more value overall.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• $650 Annual Fee.

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

Intro offer is not available for this Credit One Bank credit card.

Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas Earn 1x points on all other purchases

• 10X Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• 5X Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
• 1X Earn 1x points on all other purchases

What we love: The Credit One Bank Wander® Card is a solid option if you want to earn points on travel but have trouble qualifying for mainstream travel cards. Not only is this card accessible with only fair credit, but its rewards program boasts generously high rewards rates in key travel categories. Learn more: Best travel cards for people with bad or fair credit Alternatives: If you don’t mind putting down a refundable security deposit, consider a no-annual-fee secured card like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card *. It’s a unique secured card that lets you build credit while earning rewards in a category of your choice (with travel just one of many popular options) as well as grocery stores and wholesale clubs.

• It’s one of the only travel rewards cards available with a fair credit score, making it a decent option if you want to earn travel rewards as you work on your score.
• Provides 5X points in travel, dining and gas, plus 10X points on eligible hotel and rental car bookings through Credit One Bank — rare and impressive rates with only fair credit.
• Its annual fee is high compared to other cards you can get with a fair credit score , so it may not be the best fit if you prioritize building credit over earning rewards.
• Other travel cards may offer better perks, fewer redemption restrictions and more value, so it may be worth working on your score with a lower-cost card before committing to the costly annual fee.
• Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
• Earn 1x points on all other purchases
• Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
• With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
• Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
• If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
• See Rates & Fees

Discover it® Miles

• Unlimited Bonus: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers - only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.

Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

• 1.5X Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

What we love: In addition to the exceptionally valuable DiscoverMatch® , this card combines solid flat-rate rewards with consumer-friendly terms, like minimal fees and an equal value for both travel and cash back redemptions. Travelers who value simplicity will appreciate this card’s straightforward rewards and adaptability — even when you aren’t traveling. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Discover It® Miles Alternatives: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card carries a more straightforward and still easy-to-reach welcome bonus. The VentureOne card also gives you the option of transferring miles to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners, which could increase the redemption value of your rewards.

• All miles earned in your first year will be matched at the end of the year, which could make it one of the most valuable first-year offers for no annual fee.
• Miles don’t lose value when they’re redeemed for cash back, which gives it a leg up over many travel rewards programs for occasional travelers.
• You’ll miss out on pretty standard travel perks like travel insurance, and car rental damage protection.
• The rewards structure lacks flexibility; you won’t be able to transfer your miles or use them to book travel.
• Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
• No annual fee
• Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
• Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
• Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
• Terms and conditions apply.

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

• Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.

Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Earn 1X points on other purchases

• 3X Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans.
• 1X Earn 1X points on other purchases

What we love: The Wells Fargo Autograph card is a great option for occasional travelers and households on the go looking to earn rewards while avoiding an annual fee and reduced redemption value for cash rewards. It’s one of a few entry-level travel cards to offer high, year-round bonus rewards for gas, dining, transit and other key travel needs. Learn more: Is the Wells Fargo Autograph worth it? Alternatives: If you’re looking for ways to maximize the value of your rewards, you should consider a travel card that lets you transfer your points to airlines or hotels, like the Bilt Mastercard® or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

• While some issuers only reward travel purchases made directly with airlines or through issuer portals, this card lets you shop around for the best deal on third-party travel sites and still earn extra rewards.
• Carries decent perks such as rental car collision damage waiver coverage, roadside assistance and Visa Signature® Concierge benefits, like access to Visa’s Luxury Hotel Collection (terms apply).
• Unlike with traditional travel cards, you cannot transfer your points to airlines or hotels
• The travel perks and intro APR are weak compared to competing travel-oriented cards’ offers.
• Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
• $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

• Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

• 2X Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
• 2X Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• 2X Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• 2X Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
• 1X Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

What we love: This card’s anniversary bonus offers enough value to nearly offset the annual fee on its own, so it should be a terrific low-stakes option whether you’re new to airline cards or a regular Southwest flyer looking for a low-maintenance card. Plus, its sign-up bonus value is on par with the value you’ll get with much pricier airline and travel cards. Learn more: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus benefits guide Alternatives: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card could offer better value overall, despite its $149 annual fee. It carries an annual $75 Southwest travel credit and 7,500 bonus points each year on your account anniversary — more than enough value to justify the higher fee.

• You’ll automatically earn 3,000 Rapid Rewards points each year after your account anniversary, which could offset much of the card’s already-low annual fee.
• Delivers the same hefty sign-up bonus as higher-tier Southwest cards.
• Unlike several travel cards, it doesn’t carry rewards categories for popular everyday purchases like gas or dining.
• It may not be the best Southwest value for frequent flyers since it poses a 3 percent foreign transaction fee and doesn’t offer perks like upgraded boardings or elite status benefits.
• 3,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Bilt Mastercard®

Intro offer is not available for this Wells Fargo credit card.

1X Points - 3X Points

3x points on dining 2x points on travel 1x points on other purchases Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. When you make at least 5 posted transactions in a statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you'll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.

• 3X Points 3x points on dining
• 2X Points 2x points on travel
• 1X Points 1x points on other purchases
• 1X Points Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. When you make at least 5 posted transactions in a statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you'll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.

What we love: Not only is this card is a terrific choice for renters since it earns rewards and waives transaction fees when using it to pay rent, it’s also great for rewards strategists considering the extremely robust travel rewards program. You can earn rewards on travel and dining and your points carry a high value whether you redeem through the Bilt travel portal or one of the many airline and hotel transfer partners. Alternatives: If you like the Bilt card’s travel rewards program but don’t see yourself renting long term, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It earns generously on both travel and dining and also boasts high-value points and transfer partners. If the way you pay rent doesn’t incur credit card payment fees, a flat-rate card may also be worth weighing. 

• It’s the only card that helps you avoid the fees typically associated with paying rent with a credit card.
• Offers a solid collection of travel perks for a no-annual-fee card, including trip cancellation and interruption protection, trip delay reimbursement and other high-level travel protections.
• You can only use rewards to cover rent, toward a future home down payment or for travel and shopping. Cash back isn’t an option.
• There is no sign-up bonus. Most competing travel cards — even those with no annual fee — offer at least a $200 bonus.
• $0 Annual Fee.
• Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year.
• 2x points on travel.
• 3x points on dining.
• 1x points on other purchases.
• Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
• When renting at a Bilt Alliance property, you can choose to have your rent payments automatically reported by Bilt to the three major credit bureaus each month; Experian™, TransUnion™, and Equifax™.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

• Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases. Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

• 2X Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases.
• 1.5X Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

What we love: If you do your banking with Bank of America and qualify for Preferred Rewards status, this card could provide an exclusive 25 percent to 75 percent rewards rate boost. The  rewards rates — 2X points on dining and travel, with 1.5X points on all other purchases — could increase to an incredible 3.5X on travel and dining with an unrivaled flat 2.62X points rate. Learn more: Why expert Sara Coleman loves the Bank of America Premium Rewards Card Alternatives: The similarly-priced Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best alternatives thanks to its stellar travel protections, yearly bonus rewards and stronger rewards program. However, flat-rate cards like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card or the Discover it® Miles card could be lucrative if you don’t think the $95 annual fee is worth it.

• The $95 annual fee is relatively affordable for this card category thanks to the up to $100 in yearly airline incidental statement credits.
• You can smooth out your travel experience with great benefits like credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and comprehensive travel insurance.
• Attaining the highest rewards rate is not an easy feat, since you’ll need to hold significant funds in Bank of America accounts.
• This card does not offer a few popular premium travel perks like lounge access.
• Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87-2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
• Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
• Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Low $95 annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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℠.

Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠. Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

• 10x Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
• 5x Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠.
• 3x Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
• 1x Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

What we love: Rewards-savvy travelers will be hard-pressed to find a card with better rewards potential than the Sapphire Reserve. Points are worth 50 percent more through Chase Travel, and potentially more with the right transfer partner. It’s a stellar partner for Chase’s cash back cards and stacks on even more value with enough perks to recoup the annual fee without relying on hard-earned rewards. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Alternatives: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers some of the same key perks as the Sapphire Reserve at a much lower cost. Along with a generous rewards rate on both Capital One Travel and general purchases, the card boasts valuable, practical benefits like competitive airport lounge access , up to $300 in annual Capital One Travel credits and 10,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary.

• You can kickstart your rewards bank with one of the most valuable sign-up bonuses on the market.
• Its top-tier benefits include up to $300 in annual travel statement credits, Priority Pass airport lounge access, exhaustive travel protections and stand-out partner perks.
• The card’s cost could be a deterrent for some new cardholders, especially if they plan on encountering adding multiple authorized users.
• You won’t get as many luxury hotel and airport lounge perks with this card as you would with some of its rivals.
• 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

Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit  AmericanExpress.com/benefitsguide  for more details. Underwritten by Amex assurance company.

The information about the American Express® Green Card and Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuers.

Compare Bankrate's best travel credit cards of 2024

What are travel credit cards.

Travel credit cards allow cardholders to earn points or miles on a variety of purchases (typically travel-related), which are redeemable for travel bookings, statement credits, gift cards and more.

The best travel credit cards do more than help you foot the bill for your next flight — travel cards also offer perks to upgrade your entire travel experience. Trip insurance , annual travel credits, concierge services and lounge access are all common benefits. Airline and hotel co-branded credit cards sometimes offer specific discounts and perks for loyalty program members.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

Although a well-chosen travel card can pay huge dividends, it might not be the right move for every traveler. Before you apply, take time to weigh the benefits versus the drawbacks of travel credit cards .

Tips on choosing the best travel credit card for you

The right travel credit card for you will carry features and benefits that give you the best value. To help you narrow down your choices, here are the steps to choosing the best travel card.

How to choose a travel credit card

1. know how you prefer to travel.

Knowing whether your travel expenses lean toward airfare, hotel stays or a mix of other travel will help you decide whether you should get an airline card, hotel card or general-purpose travel card. A co-branded airline or hotel credit card may be a good fit if you mostly travel with a certain brand and want exclusive privileges to enhance your experience. A general-purpose travel card is better if you prefer to keep your travel options open.

2. Prioritize redemption value

You may have to pick between simplicity and maximum value when comparing cards and rewards programs. Many travel cards offer a standard point or mile redemption value of 1 cent when you redeem toward travel through the issuer portal, but some cards can get you a higher redemption value when you transfer rewards to airline or hotel partners. However, it's common for many travel reward programs to reduce the redemption value toward non-travel options or limit these redemption options altogether. If you prefer simplicity over maximizing rewards, you may want to consider cards that allow you to redeem points or miles at an equal 1-cent value toward general travel purchase credits, cash back or other non-travel options.

3. Match your card to your spending habits

Take a look at your typical spending and find which travel categories and non-travel categories you spend the most in to help you choose a card that offers a high rewards rate for your regular spending. Just make sure you factor in rewards spending caps.

4. Note what's worth the extra money

High rewards rates and valuable travel perks are the biggest reasons to get a travel card, but many of the best cards carry a high annual fee. You could stick with a no-annual-fee travel card (or at least one with around a $99 fee) if you're mainly focused on earning rewards, but you may have to pay up to $500 or more for luxurious perks like airport lounge access, comprehensive travel insurance and hundreds of dollars in annual travel credits .

5. Look toward your next trip abroad

If you travel overseas, check to see if the card you're considering charges a foreign transaction fee. And since some credit cards aren't as widely accepted as others, you'll also want to make sure your credit card will work when traveling overseas . For example, merchants may not accept Discover and American Express cards as widely as Visa and Mastercard. If a trip is coming up in the next three to six months, keep an eye out for the big sign-up bonuses travel cards are known for. As a rule of thumb, the higher the annual fee, the higher the sign-up bonus should be.

Co-branded travel cards vs. general travel cards

Experts typically divide travel credit cards into two categories: co-branded travel cards and general travel cards. Co-branded cards are linked to a particular airline or hotel, while general travel cards offer more flexible reward opportunities. Here’s why and when you might want one or the other.

• Co-branded cards
• General travel cards

Co-branded travel cards tend to offer higher rewards rates on eligible travel purchases in exchange for limiting your reward redemption options to just one airline or hotel program . These cards may also feature more specific perks associated with the respective hotel or airline, such as free award nights, complimentary airline elite status or priority boarding — which general-purpose travel cards don’t often carry).

However, you won’t be able to use your rewards with a wide variety of different hotels and airlines like general-purpose cards allow. Plus, despite co-branded travel cards’ typically higher rewards rates, many brand-specific rewards tend to be worth less than the potential value of general-purpose cards’ points and miles.

When to get a co-branded travel card : When you often fly or stay with a specific airline or hotel and want to maximize your benefits with that brand.

General travel cards earn rewards on various travel categories and aren’t limited to a particular airline or hotel. Such cards may lack some of the dedicated perks you’ll find on a co-branded travel card, such as in-flight discounts, but make up for it with rewards flexibility and broader perks like general travel credits, expedited security screening and wider airport lounge access. 

The top travel cards even let you transfer your points or miles to airline and hotel loyalty programs, often at a 1:1 rate. Redeeming with some airlines and hotels can even make your rewards more valuable than they would be if you redeemed with the card issuer.

When to get a general travel card : When you have no preferred airline or hotel and want the additional flexibility a general travel card offers. 

Who should get a travel credit card?

A travel credit card is almost always worth it for frequent travelers or anyone who wants to earn rewards toward their next vacation.

If you can save up airline miles, rack up points for free nights at hotels or get discounted travel through your credit card issuer, you’re on your way to significant travel savings. However, the right travel card for you will depend on your travel habits.

Frequent travelers

Naturally, the ideal candidate for a travel card is someone who travels a lot or plans to book several flights and hotel stays per year. However, in some cases, you don’t have to be a frequent traveler to reap the benefits of a travel rewards card. A number of cards offer good rewards rates on general purchases.

Travel beginners

If you’re new to travel rewards, a good place to start is with a travel card that makes it easy to earn and redeem points, without requiring you to navigate a complex rewards program or worry about tiered rewards rates or varying point redemption values. 

Brand loyalists

If you tend to book travel with the same brands frequently or already belong to an airline or hotel loyalty program, a co-branded travel card can offer terrific value.  Airline- and hotel-specific rewards cards often earn a top rate on bookings with the brand as well as exclusive perks like lounge access and automatic elite status. 

Business travelers

Some of the most valuable travel credit cards are business cards . Whether you're a freelancer on the go or the CEO of a Fortune 500, the right travel credit card can help you earn high rewards rates on everyday business purchases. 

International travelers

If you frequently travel abroad, a card with no foreign transaction fees is a great way to help you avoid extra costs on overseas purchases. Plus, if you hate waiting in line at airport security or customs, a lot of travel cards offer statement credits to reimburse you for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.

Luxury travelers

Luxury travel cards often charge a pretty penny but also offer a ton of value via perks like lounge access and annual travel credits. These perks not only make travel more comfortable, but also often carry enough value to offset the card’s cost on their own.

Still unsure if a travel credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool where you can get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

Here’s how a Bankrate editor chose his travel card

Here’s how a bankrate editor chose his travel card.

With all of this advice in mind, let’s see how a credit card expert made their pick. Here’s Bankrate editor Nouri Zarrugh on how he chose his travel card:

When it comes to earning rewards, I’ve always stuck with cash back cards, preferring the simplicity of knowing exactly how much my rewards are worth and the ease of redeeming for statement credits. Recently, though, I decided I wanted to travel a bit more frequently, and I figured a new travel rewards card could be a great tool to help me earn free trips. When choosing the right card for me, a few major points of consideration stood out: Cost: I didn’t feel like I traveled enough to justify a huge annual fee. Simplicity : I wanted to stick with a single, streamlined travel card and not worry about juggling multiple rewards programs or rewards rates. Perks : While I didn’t need anything too fancy, I thought it might be nice to have a perk like TSA Precheck included, since I hate waiting in long airport security lines. To my surprise, the card that stood out most was the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Though it carried an intimidating annual fee of $395 ( See Rates & Fees ), I found this cost was more than worth it once I dug into the details. In fact, its benefits were so valuable, I barely needed to worry about offsetting the cost.  Two of its annual perks — a $300 Capital One travel credit and 10,000 bonus miles every year on my account anniversary — are valuable enough to offset the fee on their own. This means as long as I take one flight a year, I can basically break even on the card. Any rewards or perks I get beyond that feel like pure upside. It’s a huge bonus, then, that the card also includes practical benefits like Priority Pass lounge access and a credit of up to $100 toward the cost of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. While I’ve never frequented airport lounges, I see these privileges as essentially free considering the value of the annual travel credit and bonus miles. So, I figure, why not take advantage?  For me, the Venture X strikes the perfect balance: A flat rewards rate that makes it easy to earn miles on everything I buy; flexible redemption through Capital One or via transfer to airlines and hotels, and practical perks I know I’ll use when I travel. I never imagined I’d have a $395 travel card in my wallet, but for me, it’s at worst a coupon for a flight every year, which can nudge me to take that next trip. — Nouri Zarrugh, Editor, Bankrate

Travel benefits may differ from card to card, but some of the most popular travel cards available often feature a few key perks. 

Travel insurance

Travel cards may offer various travel insurances , such as trip delay protection, trip cancellation insurance, lost baggage insurance or car rental insurance. These benefits aren’t worth anything until you need them, but you’ll be glad you have them when your flight is canceled or your luggage gets lost.

Travel credits

Credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry are a popular and common benefit on many travel cards. You can typically use this credit once every four years, which roughly corresponds to how long a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership lasts. Some cards may also provide an annual credit toward Clear Plus — another expedited security membership. Higher-end travel cards often offer annual statement credits toward travel purchases, and many of these credits nearly offset these cards’ annual fees. 

In-flight perks

Co-branded airline cards typically offer some airport and in-flight benefits on top of their reward-earning capabilities. These can include discounts on in-flight purchases (usually 25 percent back on refreshments and WiFi), free checked bags, flight seating upgrades or priority boarding. 

Free hotel award nights

Co-branded hotel cards may include free hotel award nights annually as part of their benefits. Some cards also add an extra complimentary awards night to your stay if you’ve booked a certain number of consecutive nights. These nights are typically capped at a certain value (sometimes based on the card or your elite status), and may be valuable enough to make up for some cards’ annual fees.

Airport lounge access

One of the most popular (and valuable) travel benefits featured on high-end and luxury travel cards is complimentary access to airport lounges. The lounges you gain access to depend on the card, though co-branded cards will often grant access to the lounge corresponding to the card’s airline. The Amex Platinum card currently offers the best airport lounge access .

If you want to add a credit card to your portfolio for your travel needs, knowing what cards are popular and why people like them can help steer your decision. We regularly stay abreast of these conversations online and noticed two travel cards come up regularly: the Chase Sapphire Reserve and The Platinum Card from American Express .

These cards shine because they offer some of the best rates on travel purchases and the most comprehensive set of benefits and perks . Despite their annual fees, what you get in return can far outweigh your costs. And the conversation around these two cards isn’t new: Is the effort of maximizing their perks worth it?

What people say about travel credit cards perks

The Sapphire Reserve is often referred to as the gold standard in travel benefits and protections, and the value of its trip insurance is a big part of that. A member of the Rick Steves Forum remarks on the value of the insurance: “It has pretty extensive coverage wherever I travel … my entire trip is covered as long as I charged any portion of the trip to my card.” This feature is unique to the Sapphire Reserve and sets it apart from other premium cards, which require you to charge your entire trip purchase to the card to have active coverage.

But using trip insurance isn’t always a simple process. As a user in the r/CreditCards forum on Reddit cautions: “Credit card travel insurance in general is very specific on what it covers, and people tend to overestimate just how useful the coverage actually is,” they write. “These are named peril policies, so unless you see your exact situation as a covered hazard the policies won't pay out.”

The Platinum Card from American Express gets a lot of buzz for reasons similar to the Sapphire Reserve. The card gives so many benefits, credits and additional perks that it’s often called a coupon book for luxury travel. But for many people, the value comes down to whether they’re willing to do the work to maximize its features. Another r/CreditCards member says they use the card’s Hilton and Marriott status boosters, rental car company loyalty program automatic status features, Centurion lounge access, hotel and airline incidental credits, membership credits and more. Using all these features helps them offset the annual fee.

While some people love maximizing the card’s features to extract  as much value as possible, others, like this Redditor, think it’s too much work:

“The only benefit the Platinum card really adds is Centurion and Delta Sky lounge access but only to the [cardholder] … I believe the Platinum is worth [it] at least the first year for the [sign-up] bonus but then it doesn't get much use after that. Trust me the credits are really annoying to use.” — r/CreditCards user

These two premium cards stand out from the rest because they offer the most comprehensive features available to suit your travel needs and protect you from any issues that arise. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is an exceptional option to protect you from travel issues, but make sure you know the fine print. While the Amex Platinum may not be as ideal for travel protections, the credits offered more than offset its annual fee if you can put in the effort to fully maximize them.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned cardholder, your travel card should always work in your favor by offering the features and benefits you’ll actually use and that make your travels more enjoyable. But whether you’re willing to put in the effort to maximize a card’s value is something you’ll need to decide for yourself.

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Be sure to check the issuer's website/terms and conditions for all up to date content. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

Credit card points and miles are two of the key types of credit card rewards , along with cash back. You’ll earn points and miles by making purchases with your credit card, but you can typically redeem these rewards for travel, gift cards and more — not just statement credits.

Points and miles tend to be more flexible than cash back, but since their value depends on how you redeem them — and, in the case of travel redemptions, where you’re going, when you book, your fare class and more — it may take a bit more effort to make the most of them.

What are your points and miles worth?

Since many airlines and hotels use dynamic pricing models that continually optimize airfare and room prices, it can be hard to know exactly how much your rewards are worth without doing a little math.

Luckily, you don’t need to be a travel hacker to get a sense of this idea. Before you redeem, you can check your reward redemption value by dividing the cost of a plane or hotel booking in cash by its cost in points or miles. This calculation will result in the cash value of your points or miles.

You can also compare this value to Bankrate’s latest points and miles valuations to determine if you’re getting a good deal on your redemptions. Bankrate collected data on hundreds of bookings across dozens of airline, hotel and credit card rewards programs and estimated how much each program’s rewards are worth on average .

• Airline rewards values
• Hotel rewards values
• Credit card program rewards values

The table below shows Bankrate’s estimated reward redemption value for a variety of popular airline loyalty programs. You’ll notice how widely the value varies between airlines, with some offering close to 3 cents per point in average redemption value and others struggling to meet a 1-cent-per-point value.

Keep in mind, however, that these values are averages based on a variety of fare classes, destinations, booking periods and more. For example, while Bankrate estimates Delta SkyMiles carry an average redemption value of around 1.2 cents per mile, they could be worth more or less depending on the details of your booking. 

*Based on weighted average of median point/mile values across economy and first/business class fares.

Like airline miles, hotel points fluctuate in value. The table below shows Bankrate’s estimated point values for some of the most popular hotel brands. 

As you can see, hotel points tend to be worth less than airline and credit card rewards on average, often carrying less than 1 cent per point in redemption value. That said, hotel loyalty programs sometimes offer more favorable exchange rates when you transfer rewards from a credit card rewards program. For example, you may be able to turn 1,000 credit card points into 2,000 hotel points (a 2:1 transfer ratio). 

*Based on median point values across budget, mid-tier and luxury hotel bookings.

Unlike hotel and airline rewards programs, credit card reward programs typically earn points or miles that offer a consistent redemption value when you use them with the issuer. Though the redemption value of your rewards may vary based on how you redeem, each redemption method should offer a consistent baseline value. 

Some credit card rewards programs may also allow you to transfer your points or miles to airline and hotel loyalty programs, which could boost their value considerably. For each major credit card rewards program, we estimate a baseline redemption value (assuming you book for travel with the issuer) and a Bankrate’s Value, which averages the program’s best-value transfer partners.

*Based on an average of the issuer’s five highest-value transfer partners (if available).

When to use rewards vs. cash

To demonstrate when it’s best to use your reward miles versus paying in cash, we set up this example:

We estimate American Airlines AAdvantage miles are worth 1.0 cents. If you book a seat in the main cabin on a one-way flight from Boston to Miami, and it costs either $139 or 21,500 miles, your miles are only worth $0.006 ($139 / 21,500 miles = $0.006). Since your miles for this flight are worth less than 1.0 cents, you may want to save your miles and pay cash for this flight.

But if you book a first-class seat on the same flight for $433 or 31,500 miles, your miles are now worth $0.013 ($433 / 31,500 = $0.013). Since 1.3 cents is higher than our latest valuation, you’re coming out ahead if you use your miles to pay for this flight.

Bankrate experts share their advice on using travel credit cards

It’s important to know how to maximize your rewards and perks. Otherwise, a travel card could end up being a money pit. Here are a few pointers from our experts for making the most of your travel card: 

Combine cards to maximize rewards

Knowing how much you spend in different categories and which merchants are eligible for rewards will help you earn more and build an optimized stack of rewards cards. A flat-rate card is often a great starting point to earn the same rate on every purchase you make. As you build out a rewards strategy, you can incorporate a card with bonus categories to earn even more in your highest spending areas.

Expert Insight:

“For a long time, I’ve used a combination of Chase credit cards known as the Chase trifecta for all my family’s spending…. [I] don’t typically use my Sapphire Reserve for everyday spending and bills. Since it only offers 1X points on non-bonus category spending, I use my Freedom Unlimited to make sure I earn a minimum of 1.5 percent cash back on everything I buy.” “I use each card strategically to earn as much in rewards as possible, then I pool them in my Sapphire Reserve account to redeem them for airfare, excursions, hotels and more.” — Holly D. Johnson — Award-winning personal finance writer and Bankrate contributor: Why I love the Chase Sapphire Reserve

Maximize your rewards value with transfer partners and issuer travel

Save your rewards for the most valuable redemption options. Travel points and miles often lose value toward non-travel options like cash back, so you’ll want to redeem your rewards for travel through the issuer portal for at least 1 cent per point or mile. However, transferring your rewards to the right airline or hotel partner program is usually worth the extra effort since it could net you even more value.

Expert Insight

“When I redeem my points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, the most I can get is 1.25 cents apiece, which is pretty good. However, if I transfer them to a partner airline’s loyalty program, I will often get much more. For example, I can transfer my points to United Airlines MileagePlus and use them to pay for flights. When I do, I generally get a value of 2 or more cents per point — in line with Bankrate estimates that Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth around 2 cents apiece on average when used with the right transfer partner.” — Margaret Wack — Personal finance expert and Bankrate contributor: Why I love the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Make the most of your travel perks

Travel benefits are one of the main reasons to get a travel card, and are often key to making up a card’s annual fee. Be sure to read the fine print to make sure you can take full advantage of these offers . For example, one card’s travel credit may apply to any travel purchase, including airfare, while another card’s may only cover costs like baggage fees or in-flight purchases. 

“This is the year to take inventory of your credit cards and make sure they’re serving you well. If you’re paying an annual fee, look for a card with recurring benefits. Whether it’s annual award nights, waived luggage fees or elite status benefits, these perks can offset your annual fee and make your travels more pleasant … Despite putting minimal spending on my Hilton Honors Amex Aspire card, I keep renewing it every year. That’s because the card provides automatic Hilton Diamond elite status, which can easily offset the $550 annual fee. Recurring card benefits like [these] can save you a lot on travel and are worth considering when shopping for a new credit card.” — Ariana Arghandewal — Travel rewards expert and Bankrate contributor: Five benefits you need from a travel credit card

Plan for the sign-up bonus

The best travel cards come with generous welcome offers, but these bonuses may require a high spend in a short timeframe. That’s why it’s important to consider whether the spending requirement fits with your typical spending habits or whether you need to plan purchases to meet the requirement. Just be sure not to overextend yourself or take on debt you can’t pay back just to earn a bonus — interest and fees can easily eat through any value you’d get.

“Keep in mind that credit card sign-up offers change often. So if you’re interested in a particular card but not blown away by its current offer (there are some for 100,000 points or more that aren’t always worth the trouble), it could be worth your while to wait for a better one.” — Ariana Arghandewal — Travel rewards expert and Bankrate contributor: 6 ways to get bigger credit card bonuses

Look out for limited-time offers, partner perks and other benefits

Keeping an eye out for limited-time offers like extraordinarily high sign-up bonuses, perks with partner services (like rideshares or delivery services) and other reward-earning opportunities is a great way to squeeze the most value from your travel card. Issuers sometimes provide shopping and travel portals and card-linked reward programs for select purchases (like for pre-paid dining or participating merchant spending), which can help you bank extra rewards.

“Keep an eye on your email inbox and rewards portal for any limited-time promotions your issuer may be offering. Many American Express cards feature Amex Offers, which lets you access perks like statement credits for spending a certain amount on specific hotels and other retailers.  Other cards, like the Capital One Venture X, also have occasional promotional offers, such as a credit for 5 percent back on VRBO rentals.” — Lori Zaino — Travel expert and Bankrate contributor: How to maximize credit cards for cheaper accommodations this holiday season

Track your spending and rewards each account statement

Track your favorite stores’ and services’ merchant category codes (MCCs) to fine-tune your spending habits for maximum rewards. If you notice your expenses changing, this practice may also help you notice whether you need to change which rewards cards you carry.

“The first step to optimizing your spending is to take the time to collect the MCCs of stores you frequently shop at. During the process, you might find that some stores in the same chain may have different MCCs, depending on their primary inventory. Even different counters or sections in the same department store may carry different MCCs. You can use this to your advantage if you know one location near you will provide a better cash back rate than the other. These “loopholes” can provide great opportunities to reap cash back on purchases that typically wouldn’t earn rewards.” — Garrett Yarbrough — Writer and credit cards expert at Bankrate: Merchant category codes: How to earn more cash back

Our data: What credit score do you need for the best travel cards?

It’s no secret that your credit score heavily influences which cards you’re likely to get approval for. But how good does your credit need to be to get the best credit cards for travel? We analyzed our data of Bankrate readers who applied for credit cards on our pages in 2023 and compared the approval rates of readers’ different credit tiers.

We found that, on average, 61.9 percent of users with excellent credit were approved for travel cards on our site. Then, an average of 39.5 percent and 19.5 percent of users with good and fair credit, respectively, got approval for travel credit cards they applied to.

If you have fair or bad credit, you still have options for travel credit cards. For example, the Credit One Bank Wander Card caters to people with fair credit — 57 percent of people with fair credit who applied on our site in 2023 were approved for this card , according to our data.

Obviously, the better your credit, the more likely you are to get the card you apply for , but other factors can affect your application. Issuers may also consider your income, recent credit applications, homeownership status and monthly rental or mortgage payment. Keep these other factors in mind with your credit score when you apply for credit cards.

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email , find us on Facebook , or Tweet us @Bankrate .

When evaluating the best travel cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards in popular categories to scoring a large sign-up bonus or high-value perks. Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points. 

We analyzed over 150 of the most popular cards and scored each based on its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup of the best travel cards.

Here are some of the key factors that we considered:

Great rewards value

The primary criteria for a rewards-earning card’s rating is its rewards value. This includes the card’s average rewards rate, estimated annual rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value and reward redemption value.

To estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings, we first calculate its average rewards rate based on how much it earns in different bonus categories and how closely its categories align with the average person’s spending habits. In other words, we assess whether the card earns rewards at a high rate in the most popular spending categories. 

We use consumer spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to get a reliable third-party measure of people’s spending habits. The most recent BLS data estimates average total spending in 2022 was $72,967 per consumer. We then narrow our focus to which purchases are likely to be put on a credit card and earn rewards, subtracting expenditures like housing, vehicle purchases and education. This gives us a total “chargeable” annual spend of around $25,500.  

This includes the following spending by category:

• Groceries: $5,700
• Dining out: $3,600
• Entertainment: $2,400
• Gas: $3,100
• Apparel and services: $1,900

Using this data, we assign a weighting to each of a card’s bonus categories. For example, a card’s grocery rewards rate receives a 22 percent weighting based on how much of the average person’s budget is spent on groceries.

We also estimate the redemption value of points or miles from various issuer, airline and hotel rewards programs.

This weighting and rewards valuation allows us to estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings — how many points or miles you’d earn with a given card if your spending was about average and you used the card for all of your purchases — as well as what those points are worth. We also use point valuations to determine a card’s sign-up bonus value

With these calculations complete, we assign each card a score based on how its average rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value, rewards rate and redemption value stack up against other rewards cards.

The better these values, the higher its score will be, making it more worthy of inclusion in our list and increasing its potential ranking.

Reasonable rates and fees

We also score cards based on how much it costs to keep them in your wallet or carry a balance. 

To start, each card is scored based on whether it offers an intro APR and how its ongoing APR compares to the rates available on other rewards cards. However, the latter rating only has a slight influence on the card’s score and whether the card is included in our list, since rewards card users generally try to avoid carrying a balance.

More important to both a card’s score and its inclusion in our list is how its annual fee influences its overall value. We consider a card’s annual fee in two ways — how it ranks relative to the fees you’ll find on other cards in the category and how it impacts a card’s overall rewards value. 

Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value. However, if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score and a spot in our list even if it carries a high annual fee. After all, the highest rewards rates and most valuable perks are often found on cards with annual fees. 

With this in mind, we rate a card based primarily on how its ongoing rewards value and ongoing perk value (such as annual credits or bonuses) stack up against those of other cards in the category when you subtract annual fees.

That said, we strive to include as many no-annual-fee options in our list as possible since many people would rather not worry about offsetting fees, even if a card carries impressive rewards and perks.

Redemption flexibility

Rewards cards may make it easy to earn a lot of points, miles or cash back, but how easy is it to use those rewards? After all, if it takes a ton of effort to redeem rewards or you can only redeem rewards in a couple of ways, a card may be more trouble than it’s worth. 

As such, we rate each card’s flexibility based on the restrictions it imposes on earning and redeeming rewards. We factor this rating into a card’s overall score and consider it when deciding on a card’s inclusion in our list. 

Flexibility factors include whether a card only allows you to earn a high rewards rate on only a small amount of spending or requires you to meet a certain earning threshold before you can redeem rewards. We also examine whether your points are worth less when you opt for some redemption options over others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to travel partners.

Valuable perks

We also score each card’s set of features – its perks and benefits — against five tiers of features to provide a rating. 

We break down these tiers as follows:

• Tier 1 includes fewer features than even standard credit cards (for example, an ultra-streamlined card that offers basic utility and next to nothing in the way of ancillary benefits). 
• Tier 2 includes the benefits you’d expect on standard Visa or Mastercard credit cards, such as free access to your credit score, car rental insurance and $0 liability for fraudulent charges. 
• Tier 3 includes “prime card” or better-than-average card features like cellphone insurance, lost luggage insurance, concierge services and purchase protection. 
• Tier 4 includes luxury features such as airport lounge access, elite status with an airline or hotel and credits for expedited security screening membership programs. 
• Tier 5 includes the sort of exemplary benefits you’ll find on top-tier luxury cards, such as high-value travel credits, cardholder memberships and other unique and valuable perks.

In evaluating the best cards, we tend to favor cards that offer at least Tier 3 benefits, unless they include other unique features that could make up for less-impressive perks.

More information on travel credit cards

Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards, are travel credit cards worth it.

Travel cards can be well worth it since they often have exclusive travel perks like credits for airfare, hotel stays, expedited airport security services and more, as well as complimentary airport lounge access and airline or hotel privileges. However, many of the best travel credit cards come with annual fees. It’s important to at least offset the cost of these cards by taking advantage of the various travel perks and features included on the card. 

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

It’s possible to get a travel credit card with bad or fair credit, but most travel rewards cards are geared toward people with good or excellent credit (a FICO score of at least 670, or a VantageScore of at least 661).

Do travel miles or points expire?

Even though many major credit cards earn rewards that don’t expire, you may lose your points and miles if your account closes or isn’t in good standing. However, some co-branded cards’ rewards may expire if you don’t earn or redeem rewards within a certain timeframe (typically 12 to 36 months after the rewards are earned).

Check out our guide to credit card rewards expiration for a thorough breakdown of several popular issuers’ policies.

Are points or miles better on a credit card?

Whether points or miles offer better value will depend on the specific rewards program and how you redeem rewards. One airline loyalty program may earn miles that offer less than 1 cent each in average redemption value while another program’s points may offer close to 3 cents each on average. Similarly, a hotel card’s points may be worth less than half of a credit card issuer’s rewards points. Some programs offer points with only average baseline redemption value but high value when transferred to a partner airline or hotel. 

Ask the experts: Is it a good idea to have multiple travel credit cards?

Thomas Nitzsche

Stephanie Zito

Erica Sandberg

Financial Educator, Debt and Credit

Whether you should have multiple travel credit cards depends on several factors, including your brand affinity, frequency of travel and ability to pay off your cards in full each month. As a credit counselor, I see many people carrying credit card debt at high interest rates while continuing to make charges to the account for the sake of earning rewards. They lose far more than they earn each month. Having more than one travel credit card could make sense for you if you’re able to maximize your earnings by strategizing spending across each card. Just take into account annual fees and actual interest paid.

Contributor, Personal Finance

If you’re up for managing multiple cards and their benefits, then there are definitely big reward payouts to be had. But if the thought of multiple cards is overwhelming, it’s also a good strategy to have one or two more flexible cards and focus on maximizing your earnings and redemptions until it becomes second nature.

Contributor, Credit Cards

Definitely! I currently have two travel credit cards. In addition to the Chase card that I use for my United Airlines purchases, I have the Capital One Venture card for all other airlines. I earn a solid amount of miles on everything I buy with it, so it's an easy go-to for non-travel related expenses.

Article sources

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.

Global entry: Trusted traveler enrollment program . U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Accessed on Feb. 21, 2024

Discover International acceptance . Discover. Accessed on Feb. 21, 2024.

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.

Find your odds with no impact to your credit score

Apply for a credit card with confidence.

Apply for a credit card with confidence. When you find your odds, you get:

A personalized list of cards ranked by likelihood of approval

Special card offers from top issuers in our network

No credit hits. Enjoy a safe and seamless experience that won’t affect your credit score

Tell us your name to get started

This lets us verify your credit profile

Your personal information and data are protected with 256-bit encryption.

Your personal information is secure

We use your info to run a soft credit pull which won’t impact your credit score

Here’s how we protect your safety and privacy. That means:

We only use your info to run a soft credit pull, which won’t impact your credit score

We’ll never send mail to your home

All of your personal information is protected with 256-bit encryption

What’s your mailing address?

This helps us verify your credit profile.

Why we're asking

Your financial information, like annual income and employment status, helps us better understand your credit profile and provide more accurate approval odds.

Your financial information, like annual income and employment status, helps us better understand your credit profile.

Having a clearer picture of your credit profile will help us ensure that your approval odds are as accurate as possible.

What’s your employment status?

What's your estimated annual income?

Your answer should account for all personal income, including salary, part-time pay, retirement, investments and rental properties. You do not need to include alimony, child support, or separate maintenance income unless you want to have it considerd as a basis for repaying a loan. Increase non-taxbile income or benefits included by 25%.

Knowing your rent or mortgage payments helps us calculate your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) which is your monthly debt payments divided by your pre-tax monthly income.

Why does DTI matter? Your DTI gives us a clearer picture of your credit profile, which allows us to evaluate which cards you’re likely to get approved for more accurately.

Monthly rent or mortgage payment

Put $0 if you currently don’t have a rent or mortgage payment.

Almost done!

We need the last four digits of your social security number to run a soft credit pull.

We need the last four digits of your Social Security number to run a soft credit pull. This helps us locate your profile and identify cards that you may qualify for. Your information is protected by 256-bit encryption.

A soft credit pull will not affect your credit score.

Enter the last 4 digits of your Social Security number

Last step! Once you enter your email and agree to terms:

Your approval odds will be calculated

A personalized list of cards ranked by order of approval will appear

Your odds will display on each card tile

Enter your email address

Enter your email address to activate your approval odds and get updates about future card offers.

By clicking “Agree and See Results” you acknowledge receipt of our Privacy Notice , Privacy Policy and agree to our Terms of Use . By agreeing, you are giving your written instruction to Bankrate and our lending partners (together, “Us”) to obtain a soft pull of your credit report to determine whether you may be eligible ...show more for certain targeted offers, including pre-qualified and pre-approved offers (your "CardMatch offers"), as well as display what we estimate your approval odds to be for participating offers (“Approval Odds”). You instruct Us to do this each time you return to our sites to view product offerings and up to once per month so you can be provided up-to-date results.

You understand that this is not an application for credit and CardMatch offers and Approval Odds do not guarantee you will be approved for a partner offer. To apply for a product you will need to submit an application directly with that provider. Seeing your results won't hurt your credit score. Applying for a product may impact your score. See partner for complete product terms. Show less

We’re sending you to the issuer’s site to complete your application.

Just a second... We’re matching you with personalized offers

Hold tight, we’re loading your personalized results page, sorry, we couldn't access your approval odds..

This often happens when the information that's provided is incorrect. Please try entering your full information again to view your approval odds.

Check your approval odds before you apply

Answer a few questions and see if you’re likely to be approved in less than a minute—with no impact to your credit score.

Check your approval odds on similar cards before you apply

Before you apply...

See which cards you’re likely to be approved for

In less than 60 seconds, answer some questions and we’ll estimate your odds of approval on eligible cards. You get:

A personalized list of cards ranked by likelihood of approval.

Access to special card offers from top issuers in our network.

No credit hits. Enjoy a safe and seamless experience that won’t affect your credit score.

But don’t worry! You can check out other cards that are a better fit.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

The College Investor

Student Loans, Investing, Building Wealth

The Best Credit Cards To Maximize Travel Rewards

• X (Twitter)

There are thousands of financial products and services out there, and we believe in helping you understand which is best for you, how it works, and will it actually help you achieve your financial goals. We're proud of our content and guidance, and the information we provide is objective, independent, and free.

But we do have to make money to pay our team and keep this website running! Our partners compensate us. TheCollegeInvestor.com has an advertising relationship with some or all of the offers included on this page, which may impact how, where, and in what order products and services may appear. The College Investor does not include all companies or offers available in the marketplace. And our partners can never pay us to guarantee favorable reviews (or even pay for a review of their product to begin with).

For more information and a complete list of our advertising partners, please check out our full Advertising Disclosure . TheCollegeInvestor.com strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. The information in our reviews could be different from what you find when visiting a financial institution, service provider or a specific product's website. All products and services are presented without warranty.

Travel is something that many people would like to do, but many people don’t because it’s just so darn expensive! If you’re a frequent reader of this site, one of your main goals may be FIRE , so you may think that something as expensive as travel would derail this goal.

The truth is that there are some tricks that you could use to greatly minimize travel costs. Some tricks are more involved than others, but just about anyone could save money on travel.

Credit cards may seem like a dirty phrase to say when you’re trying to stay within your budget, but they could be extremely lucrative if you use them wisely. Many of the travel credit cards available offer a slew of benefits that could save you money on your future trip. As mentioned, some card benefits are pretty straightforward to use, while others provide immense value with a little bit of work.

Let’s review some credit cards that could help you have your cake and eat it too! Here is our list of the best credit cards to maximize travel rewards so you can take that vacation you've always wanted.

Note: The credit card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which The College Investor receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). The College Investor does not include all credit card companies or all credit card offers available in the marketplace.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

A true gem of a credit card in the travel world is the Chase Sapphire Reserve . Don’t let the $550 annual fee scare you. The benefits it offers more than offset the annual fee if used right. The card offers a 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points signup bonus after spending $4,000 within the first three months of card ownership and does not have any foreign transaction fees. It offers a $300 annual statement credit that automatically kicks in to cover charges coded as travel, such as hotels and airfare.

Compare cards here >>

The card earns 3 points per dollar on dining and travel and 1 point per dollar everywhere else (note: The 3x on travel doesn’t kick in until after using the full travel credit). It also offers up to a $100 statement credit every four years towards Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fees. On top of that, for being a cardholder you could enjoy Priority Pass lounges worldwide for you and your travel companions.

This card is the best of both worlds! You could enjoy the $300 travel credit, similar to what the Barclaycard Arrival Plus card, but you get the credit annually as opposed to just a one time bonus. The Ultimate Rewards points earned can also be transferred to travel partners for some amazing value! 

After meeting the minimum spending requirements for this card you’d have at least 54,000 Ultimate Rewards points. With the signup bonus alone, you could transfer the points to Korean Airlines and fly TWO people roundtrip from the US to Hawaii on Delta Airlines! Now we’re talking! If you’d rather use your points for hotels, you could transfer 45,000 Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt and spend 3 nights at the Andaz Papagayo Resort in Costa Rica. You have several possibilities with this card which is great. The more options the better.

Annual Fee:  $550 Rewards: 3X on travel and dining. 1X on all other purchases. Signup Rewards : 60k points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Get 50% more value when redeeming points through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Additional Features: $300 travel credit per year, $100 statement credit towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every 4 years. Credit Level: Excellent

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Still one of the most popular travel rewards cards available. It does carry a fee but offers a number of features and rewards. One such feature is the ability to transfer airline miles and hotel points at a 1:1 ratio.

Compare cards here >> . Annual Fee:  $95 (fee is no longer waived in the first year) Rewards: 5x on travel (purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®), 3x on dining, and 1x on all other purchases. Signup Rewards : 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Get 25% more value when redeeming points through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Additional Feature: 1:1 point transfer, no foreign transaction fee, travel and purchase coverage. Credit Level: Good to Excellent

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

This Venture card is not to be confused with the VentureOne card. The Venture card offers more rewards and perks than the VentureOne card. Check out the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

Annual Fee: $95 Rewards: 2X miles per dollar on every purchase. Signup Rewards: 75k miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Additional Feature: Receive up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre fee. Credit Level: Excellent. Excellent credit is stated as, "I've never declared bankruptcy or defaulted on a loan; I haven't been more than 60 days late on any credit card, medical bill, or loan in the last year; I've had a loan or credit card for 3 years or more with a credit limit above $5,000.”

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

You can think of the VentureOne card as the little brother or sister to the Venture card. It does not have an annual fee but also doesn’t have as many features and rewards. One thing it has that the Venture card doesn’t is a generous 0% APR promotional offer. Annual Fee: $0. Rewards: Earn 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day. Signup Rewards: 40,000 miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. Credit Level: Good to Excellent

While many absolutely abhor credit cards due to the trouble one may get into with them, if you use them like your debit card you won’t have any problems with taking on debt . 

There are many perks and benefits to using travel credit cards that can drastically reduce your overall costs on your trip. Working towards being financially independent and retiring early doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the journey while getting there. You can travel while working towards your goal without getting off course. So pack your bags because you’re closer to your next trip than you think!

What's your favorite travel rewards credit card?

Clint is the managing editor of The College Investor. He has previously worked at other major personal finance publications. He is an expert in personal finance, and loves to review thoroughly and vet products and services.

Editor: Robert Farrington Reviewed by: Richelle Hawley

The College Investor is an independent, advertising-supported financial media publisher, focusing on news, product reviews, and comparisons.

• Press & Media
• Editorial Guidelines
• How We Make Money

• American AAdvantage
• United MileagePlus
• Delta SkyMiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Southwest Rapid Rewards
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Alaska Mileage Plan
• Marriott Bonvoy
• Hilton Honors
• IHG One Rewards
• World of Hyatt
• Accor Live Limitless
• Radisson Rewards
• Amex Membership Rewards
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Citi ThankYou Rewards
• Capital One Rewards
• Brex Rewards
• Bank Rewards Cards
• Airline Cards
• Hotel Cards
• Business Cards
• Cashback Cards
• 0% APR & Balance Transfer Cards
• Best Cards for Everyday Spending
• Best Cards for Dining
• Best Cards for Groceries
• Best Cards for Gas
• Best Cards for Travel
• Best Cards for Purchase Protection
• Best Cards for Elite Status
• Best Cards for Lounge Access
• How a Signup Bonus Works
• Types of Card Benefits
• Credit Card Application Rules
• Managing Your Credit Score
• Meeting Spending Requirements
• Buy Points and Miles Promotions
• Types of Reward Points
• Airline Partners & Alliances
• Which Flights Are Bookable With Miles
• Finding Award Availability
• Miles Needed for a Free Flight
• Track Your Points
• Mile Transfer Times
• Merchant Lookup Tool
• Reverse Merchant Lookup
• Credit Card Spend Analysis
• Transaction Analyzer
• Travel Trends
• Advertiser Disclosure

How To Create a Travel Rewards Credit Card Strategy for Families

AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. Terms Apply to the offers listed on this page. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers .

Offers for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card are not available through this site. All information has been independently collected by AwardWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Some offers may have expired. Please see our card marketplace for available offers.

All information about Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by AwardWallet

$200 hotel credit offered with The Platinum Card ® from American Express applies to prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings made via Amex Travel. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.

The world of points and miles can seem daunting even if you’re just one or two travelers traveling together. Imagine the hurdles that families have to face when trying to figure out how to plan for family travel that involves four or more people. 

Thankfully, with proper planning and taking advantage of things like pooling points, families can enjoy the benefits of travel with points and miles too. Here’s how to create a travel rewards credit card strategy for families.

Overview of Travel Rewards Credit Card Strategy for Families

Due to simple mathematics, families need a lot more points than a solo traveler to make the same trip happen. While it's great that you can redeem 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage ® miles to fly in Qatar Airways Qsuite from the U.S. to South Africa, a family of four would need 300,000 miles. And that's just one way.

When it comes to hotel rooms, depending on the size of your family, you may need to book two rooms. And if you've got finer tastes, paying twice as much per night for two rooms can add up quickly at a Waldorf Astoria or Ritz-Carlton.

Earning and redeeming credit card travel rewards is the not-so-well-kept secret to turning your everyday spending into points that you can redeem for travel. Even if you don't earn enough to pay for an entire trip with points and miles, they're sure to alleviate some of the financial stressors of family vacations.

Related: Start Here for Collecting Points and Miles for Free Travel

The secret to a travel rewards credit card strategy for families is to work in two-player mode — when each adult in the family earns rewards in their own name and accounts — and take advantage of things like companion passes , transfer bonuses , and credit card sign-up bonuses .

Family Airline Credit Card Strategy

Airfare is often the largest expense for a family vacation, so let's start there.

It's important to choose an airline, loyalty program, and airline alliance that's most convenient for you and where you live. For example, the largest airport near my home is San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which is a hub of United Airlines . Other popular hub cities for major airlines include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) for Delta Air Lines and Miami International Airport (MIA) for American Airlines . Southwest Airlines doesn't have traditional hubs at all.

Some airports are great for multiple airlines. SFO isn't an American Airlines hub, but it has a strong presence at that airport, making it another great option for flight redemptions.

In addition to choosing an airline to be loyal to, look at the other airlines within the same airline alliance. Do these airlines fly to destinations on your list? If they do, you can redeem miles with these airlines, as well.

Choose the one airline that you'll fly with most of the time — or at least that you plan on redeeming miles with — and start to earn miles within that program. Only one person needs to carry an airline credit card to earn the benefits listed in the table below. However, if miles are all you're after, it makes sense to earn sign-up bonuses when you can.

Best airline credit card perk for families

The best airline credit card perk for families, when available, is easily a companion pass . The Southwest Companion Pass is probably the most well-known, but Aer Lingus, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Lufthansa all have companion fares or passes that you can earn in various ways.

Companion certificates offered by Delta and American are both tied to credit cards. Depending on which co-branded Delta card you hold, you'll get a companion certificate each year that you renew your card membership and pay the card's annual fee. With American, you can earn up to two companion certificates when you spend between $20,000 and $30,000 on select credit cards. Alaska Airlines also offers a companion fare to its cardholders, available automatically to business cardholders, though those with Alaska's personal credit card need to spend $6,000 on purchases to earn the companion fare.

No matter which airline you choose, a companion pass will go a long way to helping your family save money and points on flights.

Family Hotel Credit Card Strategy

Hotel loyalty programs continue to evolve, whether that be by offering more properties or expanding on or removing certain elite perks. Either way, no two loyalty programs are exactly alike.

The most popular hotel loyalty programs are Hilton Honors , IHG One Rewards , Marriott Bonvoy , and World of Hyatt . Additional programs include Accor Live Limitless (ALL) , Choice Privileges , Radisson Rewards , and Wyndham Rewards .

Most people have a preference for which hotel chain they like to stay at. Marriott has the largest footprint globally, but, unfortunately, often requires a lot of points to redeem a free night . World of Hyatt has fewer properties but is a fan favorite, thanks to great redemption rates. And Hilton offers generous sign-up bonuses on its co-branded credit cards but sometimes requires a ton of points for a free night as well.

Additional programs may catch your attention if they have properties at your intended destination. Families should no doubt choose a hotel credit card offered by their favorite loyalty program — one that offers perks that are valuable to them. Perks can include automatic elite status — like the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® Card — annual or monthly credits, and free night certificates .

Similar to airline credit cards, families won't need each adult to have the same card or a card that offers the same perks. Even if you've booked multiple rooms to accommodate your family, each room under your loyalty number will qualify for the same perks. That means only one parent will need to pursue elite status with a particular rewards program, so all of your family's stays should be booked in that person's name to attain status faster and enjoy the benefits it offers.

Related:  How to Get Hotel Elite Status for Free (or Almost Free)

Best hotel credit card perks

The best hotel credit card perk might be, hands-down, elite status . That's because elite status is traditionally only earned by staying at a particular hotel brand so many times a year — such as 50 or 60 nights. But with a credit card, you earn just by being a cardholder and paying an annual fee.

Elite status perks vary by brand and status level, but you can expect things like space-available room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and more rewards earned on each (paid) stay, helping you earn points faster toward your next free stay.

Related: All Hotel Elite Status Match & Fast Track Opportunities

A card that comes with annual travel credits like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card can also help families to save money when paying cash for their hotel stay. This card grants a $100 on-property credit when staying two nights or more at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis hotels, as well as up to $25 in monthly dining credits . Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.

Family Transferrable Points Strategy

A credit card that earns transferrable points is a must-have for any rewards traveler — but it's especially important in a credit card strategy for families. While airline and hotel credit cards offer select perks like a free checked bag or space-available room upgrades, transferrable points are easier to earn and go even further, thanks to valuable airline and hotel transfer partners.

And because transferrable points are so valuable, it almost always makes sense that two players would have a card that earns the same points. For example, one might hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® and the other the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card , both of which earn Ultimate Rewards points . Chase doesn't allow one person to hold both of these cards , but two players could take advantage of the sign-up bonuses of each and can combine their points together for redemptions.

Non-premium travel credit cards

The most popular credit cards that earn transferrable currency each have a premium counterpart. The non-premium credit cards that offer transferrable points are as follows:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card
• American Express ® Gold Card
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Citi Premier ® Card

These cards have various transfer partners, such as Virgin Atlantic , World of Hyatt , and Southwest Airlines , as well as a lower annual fee than their premium counterparts. They're also great starter cards, because you can transfer points to partners for maximum value or use them to book travel directly through their respective travel portals.

Related: Practical Airline Award Sweet Spots for Families

Premium travel credit cards

On the other hand, you've got the premium versions of the credit cards listed above. Depending on the card, you'll gain access to exclusive hotel collections and resorts, lounge access , annual credits toward travel , elite status with other travel brands, and much more.

The trade-off is definitely a higher annual fee. For the cards listed below, the annual fee can range from $395 to $695.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve ®
• The Platinum Card ® from American Express
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Below is a table comparing the benefits of premium credit cards that offer transferrable rewards.

A Note on Annual Fees

Annual fees can be a hindrance for some when deciding which credit card to get. But the perks offered by many travel rewards cards far exceed the dollar amount paid in the annual fee — both literally and metaphorically.

For example, the Amex Platinum is one of those cards that everyone seems to want, but the $695 annual fee ( Rates & Fees ) understandably stops most people in their tracks. However, benefits to this particular card include a $200 hotel credit , $200 airline fee credit , $200 in Uber Cash , and $240 digital entertainment credit . These annual benefits vary in form (most are statement credits, while the Uber Cash goes straight to your Uber account) are worth more than the card's annual fee if you can get full value from them. The card has other valuable benefits that, when used, can make the annual fee more than worth it. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.

So don't be afraid of annual fees on credits. They can make all the difference in the quality of your family vacation because of the perks that the cards they're attached to exclusively offer. Just make sure to do the math, based on your family's situation and travel goals.

Final Thoughts

Credit card strategies for families are complex, to say the least. Luckily, there are many ways to piece one together so families can earn the points they need to make their vacations possible. Hopefully, the information above will make it a bit easier to decide on a credit card strategy for your family.

Related: How to Plan a Long-Term Credit Card Strategy

For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The Platinum Card ® from American Express ( Rates & Fees )

The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Leave a Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail Notify me of followup posts via e-mail

Top Travel Experts Share The Best Credit Card Points Strategies For 2024

In the midst of winter’s coldest of cold snaps , the urge to embark on worldly travels is at an all-time high… according to us and all our friends .

In this economy though? Maybe not so much. Not that the phrase “this economy” holds much meaning as people always seem to be stressed about the economy and considering that much of capitalism has become about wealth extraction, high levels of consumer confidence might never come back. Meaning we all just have to make our way as best we can.

Earlier this week, fellow Uproxx writer Jessica Toomer explained “ Loud Budgeting ,” a TikTok personal finance trend that’s perfect for this cultural moment — “as we recover from the financial shellshock of sky-high inflation rates, insurance premiums, housing costs, and avocado prices.” The idea is to encourage people to reject the pressures of consumerism and develop healthy, outspoken boundaries around money and budgeting.

And what — if approached correctly — goes hand-in-hand with budgeting and making your dollars stretch as far as possible? Strategic credit card spending. From combining points cards with cashback cards, adding authorized users, using shopping portals, and more, we tapped travel experts to reveal their best credit card and airline point strategies for the year ahead so you can maximize those dollars in your wallet and freely act on your wanderlust.

Kyle + Kenz Parks ( @adventure_parks ): Combine A Points Card With A Cashback Card

Combining a points card and a cashback card can help you rack up the points. Several banks allow you to combine “cashback points” with points from a travel card in the same household. For example, if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you can move “cashback points” from the no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Unlimited to the Preferred to redeem for travel.

This even works with business cards like the Ink Cash! Other combinations that unlock this perk include Capital One Venture/Capital One Savor and Citi Premier/Citi Double Cash.

Adam Hill ( @adamhillyeah ): Get Airline Status & Use Shopping Portals

Let’s first get back to the basics here when talking about strategy. For anyone starting out in this hobby or if you are just trying to get a card that earns points you can use for travel, you are going to want to start smaller and then begin to graduate to more cards, some with higher annual fees. Don’t be intimidated by large annual fees as you can offset the cost with the perks of the cards.

Most people will tell you to “always go after Chase cards first” as you cannot have opened five lines of credit in less than 24 months, thereby maxing out on Chase card sign-up bonuses first. While this isn’t a bad strategy for a beginner, I suggest finding a card that DOES have a decent sign-up and one that you can begin learning the ins and outs of using it and the platform that supports it. Citi Premier continues to fly under the radar but has multiple spend categories it earns 3x back on and you can further pair it with the Citi Double Cash card.

BILT Rewards is a newer card that you can pay rent with and is in my opinion the best no-annual-fee card out there.

My own strategy for this upcoming year, I am currently waiting to go after some Chase business cards as they have some extremely lucrative spending bonuses and at the moment a high sign-up bonus. I’m also going to be going for airline status by using shopping portals as well as hotel stays on upcoming travel I have planned. My goal is to comfortably hit over 800,000 points accrued this year. I might even go for one million to be honest.

I went from just having a no-annual-fee Chase Freedom card in 2010 and earning a fraction of the amount I earn today, all because I did some reading and Google searching back in 2015 after redeeming all of my hard-earned points for a horrible price. The point is, you need to start somewhere and mistakes will happen, but you can always learn and earn more points.

Allison Tackette ( @luckytictac ): Use Welcome Offers & Maximize Your Spend

Welcome offers are the fastest way to boost your points balances. But when you aren’t working on one, make sure you are maximizing your spend. Use the card that gives you the biggest return on that purchase.

You should be earning more than 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases. Ideally 2X.

Angel Trinh ( @pennywisetraveler ): Use A Credit Card With Flexible Spending Points & Use Different Ones Depending On Purchase

If you are new to travel hacking, start with a credit card that would get you flexible points. For example, with a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card you have an option to transfer out your points to Hyatt Hotels and United Airlines, you are not tied to a hotel or airline credit card, so you are not stuck with points only with hotels or certain airlines.

Use a credit card that has a spending category for that specific purchase. For example, I use my American Express Gold card to get 4x points at U.S. supermarkets and 4x points at dining. I would not use my Amex Platinum card because I would only get 1x at supermarkets and 1x at dining.

Spencer Howard ( @straighttothepoints ): Focus On Earning Transferrable Points

Sign up for business and first class flight alerts here .

Focus on earning transferable points such as Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and/or Citi ThankYou Points. Each of these programs can transfer points to a bunch of airline and hotel partners, giving you many options.

While it can be tempting to get your hometown airline’s credit card, you’ll be locked into using their program to book which leaves you with little flexibility.

Thomas Lonergan ( @travelliketommy ): Earn Transferrable Points, Build Up Your Credit With Foundational Card, Add Authorized Users & More

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Thomas Lonergan (@travelliketommy)

There are A LOT of strategies to start implementing if you’re new at credit card and point hacking.

• Focus on earning TRANSFERABLE POINTS. This means no cash-back cards, no airline cards, no hotel cards!
• Build your foundational card line up first! Meaning you use this all the time to build up credit and one that has a decent points earning on all purchases.
• Spend smarter, travel better- use your cards strategically to maximize your points earning! You shouldn’t be using the same card to buy dinner as you could for booking travel.
• Apply for cards with a purpose & strategy! With every purchase, think about how you’re going to use the points and want you want to do.
• Keep your credit in tip-top shape! – pay your bills on time and in full! Never incur interest.
• Don’t forget about player 2! Adding someone as an authorized user on your credit cards is a power move.
• Do not redeem your points for statement credits, cash back, gift cards! Ever!!!
• Transfer your points out to partners to maximize their value.

Vivian Tu ( @your.richbff ): Don’t Be A Points Hoarder & Use Them When You Can

Order “RICH AF: The Winning Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life” here .

I used to have a horrible habit of being a points hoarder. I used to wait until I had hundreds of thousands of credit card points and then I would burn all of them at once to take a big trip. This is actually a bad strategy for several reasons. The thing to know about reward travel is that it’s going to be advantageous to take at different times of the year for different trips. It’s not going to be the best use of your points to try to burn them all on honeymoon because you never know if you’ve secured that holiday flight home for a better exchange rate. You need to look at reward travel more continuously instead of trying to save up for very big moments and burn them up all at once.

On top of that, you’ve probably noticed that a lot of airlines, hotels, and even credit cards are devaluing those rewards and programs. It does feel more often than not that it’s a “lose it or use it” mentality. You could have 100,000 points to use today and in a couple of months or years from now they could be worth less. It doesn’t make sense to be saving points forever; use them when you can. It’s a great way to keep more dollars in your pocket and by doing so, you’re able to put those dollars saved to use in a high-yield savings account or invest in your future.

Angelo Minella ( @paidwithpoints ): Transfer Points To Airline Points During Bonus Periods

Transferring points to airline miles is almost always a good idea. Transferring points to airlines that are on a bonus is an even better idea. Be sure to take advantage of airline promos to maximize your points even further!

Jess Bohorquez ( @pointsbyj ): Use Free Search Aggregator Tools For Point Redemptions

If you’re redeeming credit card points, don’t search every individual airline or hotel! Instead, use free search aggregator tools that work like Google Flights, but for points redemptions. A few of my favorite options:

Flight Search PointsYeah.com Roame.travel Hotel Search StayWithPoints.com MaxMyPoint.com

The more flexibility you have with your travel, the greater your chances of finding an amazing deal. Aim to be as flexible as you can with: dates, destination, and duration.

Victor Cheng ( @travelhackvic ): Make The Most Out Of Every Single Credit Card Point

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Victor C. / Travel Tips & Points and Miles (@travelhackvic)

The strategy I use is to make the most out of every single credit card point. There are different types of transferable points and I tend to use them differently. I almost always save Chase points for Hyatt hotels since you tend to get the most out of your points by doing so. I will use my Amex points mainly on different airlines since it has a wide variety of partners. I will use my Capital One and Citi one on airlines like Turkish first since Turkish is only a partner with Capital One and Citi. Knowing your credit card points transfer partners and being strategic about your points can stretch your points a long way. And remember to always compare the miles it costs for different booking partners so you don’t overpay on any flight. Happy booking.

10 credit card tips to help you avoid disaster when traveling abroad

Y our international flights are booked, your fancy hotels are reserved, and your itinerary is jammed with insomnia-inducing bucket list adventures. All that’s left to do is pack, yeah?

Actually, no. Before you leave home, doing some quick financial housekeeping is wise. If you don’t have a solid credit card strategy, you could pay hundreds of dollars in fees, forfeit easy savings on purchases you planned to make anyway, and even find that your card is nonfunctional at checkout. Here are ten ways to make traveling internationally with a credit card easy.

10 ways to make traveling internationally with a credit card easy

It’s worth exerting a bit of effort to abide by these tips before your trip to avoid a potential hassle during your vacation.

1. Choose a card designed for travel

If you’re planning an overseas trip, you should open a proper travel credit card . It’s not a gimmick—you can achieve a lot of value from the benefits of a credit card specifically constructed with travelers in mind.

For example, many non-travel credit cards will charge a fee when you make a purchase that is processed outside the U.S. During your international trip, you could pay up to 3% in foreign transaction fees for all spending . But most travel credit cards waive these fees.

Depending on how much you spend abroad, waived foreign transaction fees could amount to hundreds of dollars in savings.

2. Tell the card issuer your travel plans

“See if you need to put a travel notification on your account,” says Jen Ruiz, founder at Jen on a Jet Plane. “Many travel credit cards don’t require it but others may. Your debit card definitely will if you intend to withdraw cash.”

Taking this precaution can save you a lot of headaches. If you don’t keep your credit card issuers in the loop when you plan to travel, transactions could be declined as a fraud prevention measure when you try to use your card. Understandably, a charge on your card 7,000 miles from your home can raise a red flag with your issuer. 

Most major banks allow you to file a travel notice online. You can input the countries you plan to visit, allowing you to swipe your card along your travels worry-free.

Some credit cards will proactively note your travel plans if you use them to purchase your travel. For example, if you use your card to buy a plane ticket to Paris, you may get a message from your card issuer letting you know that your card has been approved for use in France.

3. Research applicable fees

Depending on your destination, you could be in for unexpected fees whenever you swipe your credit card. For example, when you swipe a credit card at checkout, the merchant accepting payment must cough up a “processing fee” to the credit card issuer. To the merchant, this fee is often well worth the convenience it brings for its patrons. But sometimes, the merchant will tack that fee onto your final bill.

It’s worth researching to see if the area you’re visiting is in the habit of putting the processing fee in your lap—and if so, you may decide to bring along some extra cash to save money.

4. Avoid dynamic currency conversion (DCC)

If you’ve ever been abroad, you may have been asked a strange question at checkout immediately after inserting your credit card into the point of sale: Would you like to pay in local currency or U.S. currency?

It’s understandable to want to view your payment in U.S. dollars—simply to better comprehend exactly how much you’re spending. But get this: If you choose to convert your bill into U.S. dollars, you’ll be subject to what is often an egregiously unfavorable exchange rate. This could result in an upcharge of more than 3%. You may even be charged additional fees for the conversion.

Also, realize that requesting a bill to be charged in your home currency doesn’t circumvent foreign transaction fees. You may still be liable for those on top of the exchange rate.

5. Bring a backup card

For a myriad of reasons, you should bring along more than one card on your international fling. For example:

• You may lose your primary credit card.
• The card’s payment network, such as American Express and Discover, may not be widely accepted where you’re going (we’ll discuss this more shortly).
• Fraud or other complications may make your card temporarily useless.

To be extra precautious, Jen suggests to “[k]eep one credit card separate from the rest as a backup. Don’t keep all your cards and money in one place.” Your second card could be a debit card or a prepaid card—but we recommend grabbing another credit card, as it comes with benefits and protections such as $0 liability for unauthorized charges.

6. Set up a PIN (if applicable)

Ever heard of the term “chip and PIN” when referring to a credit card?

Nearly all credit cards nowadays tout an EMV chip. But surprisingly few credit cards in the U.S. are “chip and PIN,” which allow you to complete payment by entering a four-digit number at the point of sale. Instead, most U.S. credit cards are “chip and signature,” which only requires a quick scribble.

In a handful of scenarios, particularly around Europe, you’ll need a true chip and PIN credit card to complete your transaction. For example, an unattended kiosk may prompt you for your PIN after you insert your credit card into the reader. If you don’t have a PIN, you won’t be able to complete your transaction.

Having a chip and PIN card could be the difference between filling up your gas tank and finding yourself stranded without a viable payment method. It’s worth calling your credit card issuer to see if you can set up a PIN on the card you plan to take.

7. Find out how to get cash

We scream endlessly that the hefty fees and high APR of cash advances make them a bad deal . They should only be used in case of emergency. It’s better to plan ahead and take a debit card that will allow you to make withdrawals abroad.

But emergencies happen, and you may find yourself in a circumstance that warrants a cash advance from your credit card. You’ll need to enter a PIN to receive cash, so contact your credit card issuer if you don’t know the preset PIN. You should also have the option to select a personalized number.

8. Write down the customer service number for your card

In most cases, your credit card’s customer service number is on the back of your card. If it’s not there, be sure to jot it down and keep it in a safe place just in case something goes awry with your payment method.

Additionally, if you’ve got a fancy card that comes with an increased level of customer service, note the number that directly connects you with your white glove hotline. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a dedicated concierge service with a number different from Amex’s regular customer service number.

It’s easy enough to find these details by navigating the automated phone labyrinth or simply googling, but it doesn’t hurt to have it immediately available.

9. Check your card benefits for travel perks

Travel credit cards can do more than just waive foreign transaction fees and extract cash from ATMs; they can revolutionize the quality of your travel. Depending on the credit card you’ve got, you could benefit from:

• Airport lounge access. There are multiple lounge networks comprising thousands of lounges worldwide, many offering free food and alcohol. With the right credit card, you can access most of these lounges for free as often as you want (with an active boarding pass).
• Trusted traveler programs. Many credit cards provide credit toward the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees. Membership to either of these programs means you (usually) won’t have to remove your shoes and belt at airport security.
• Travel insurance. When you use your qualifying travel rewards credit card to reserve your travel, you’ll receive travel insurance benefits like trip delay protection, travel accident insurance, primary rental car insurance, and more.
• Elite status perks. Many credit cards confer elite status benefits for specific airline and hotel brands. Holding one such card may be enough to influence which hotel brands you stay with—or which airlines you fly.
• Statement credits. The top travel credit cards offer annual credits to offset common travel purchases, such as airfare, hotel stays, rental cars, and baggage fees.

10. Choose a widely accepted payment network

A payment network is a platform that credit card issuers use to process your credit card transactions. Common payment networks in the U.S. include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

Outside the U.S., however, don’t be so confident that your payment network will be as ubiquitous. Visa and Mastercard tend to have virtually universal acceptance. American Express and Discover are a different story—though they are still accepted in many countries.

Top credit cards for international travel

If you’re looking for the best travel credit cards to complement your globetrotting lifestyle, you’ve got a slew of high-powered options to choose from. You need to ask yourself one question as you decide: Do the travel benefits outweigh the annual fee?

For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card charges a $95 annual fee. Beyond waived foreign transaction fees, the card’s main draw is its travel coverages. The card’s trip delay insurance, baggage delay insurance, and primary rental car insurance alone can save you many hundreds of dollars during your trip. But if you don’t value trip delay insurance, the card isn’t worth it for you.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card charges a $395 annual fee. But it comes with up to $300 back annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel l and 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary. That’s an easy $400 in free travel each year, which more than offsets the card’s annual fee.

In other words, this card is an easy win if you regularly spend at least $400 on travel each year. You can then enjoy the card’s complimentary access to 1,500+ lounges through Priority Pass, elite travel insurance, and application reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry without the guilt of an imposing annual fee weighing on your conscience.

The takeaway

There are quite a number of credit card-related details to consider before your international trip. Taking a few precautionary measures, such as opening a travel-centric credit card, setting a PIN, and bringing along more than one card can go a long way toward making your trip a smooth one.

Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date but are subject to change at any time at the issuer’s discretion. Before applying, please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

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

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

Compare Credit Cards

• Best Credit Cards
• Best Travel Credit Cards
• Best Cash Back Credit Cards
• Easiest Credit Cards to Get
• Best Grocery Credit Cards
• American Express Platinum Review
• Capital One Venture X Review
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Review
• Amex Gold vs. Platinum 2024: Which Is Best for You?
• Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Platinum 2024: Which Is Best for You?
• First Credit Card Guide
• Guide to Credit Score Ranges
• What Is a Good APR for a Credit Card?
• How Many Credit Cards Should I Have?
• How To Choose A Credit Card

Savings Accounts

• Best High-Yield Savings Accounts
• 7% Interest Savings Account Rates
• Best Health Savings Accounts
• Current Savings Account Rates
• All Savings Articles

Checking Accounts

• Best High-Yield Checking Accounts
• Best Business Checking Accounts
• Best No-Fee Checking Accounts
• How To Write a Check
• All Checking Articles
• Best CD Rates
• Best Jumbo CD Rates
• Best IRA CD Rates
• Current CD Rates
• All CD Articles
• Best Online Banks
• Best Bank Account Bonuses
• Average Money Market Account Rates
• Capital One Bank Review
• All Banking Articles

Personal Loans

• Best Personal Loans
• Easiest Personal Loans to Get
• Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit
• Tax Refund Loans
• All Personal Loans Articles

Student Loans

• Best Student Loan Rates
• Best International Student Loans
• Best Private Student Loans
• Best Refinance Student Loans
• All Student Loans Articles

Business Loans

• Best Online Business Loans
• Best Startup Business Loans
• Best Business Loans for Veterans
• Best Business Lines of Credit
• All Business Loans Articles
• Best Antivirus Software
• Best Free Antivirus Software
• Fastest VPNs

Website Builders

• Best Website Builders
• Best Free Blog Sites
• Best Web Design Services
• Best Cloud Hosting Services
• Best LLC Services
• Best States to Form an LLC
• How To Set Up an LLC
• How Much Does It Cost To Start an LLC?

Compare Investments

• Best Stocks
• Best Investment Apps
• Best Dividend Stocks
• Best Cryptocurrency

Learn About Investments

• How To Invest $1000: 7 Steps to Grow Your Money
• Roth IRA Contribution Limits
• 401(k) Contribution Limits
• Stock Market Basics
• Investment Strategies For Beginners
• Best Mortgage Lenders
• What is a Mortgage?
• How to Get a Mortgage
• First-Time Homebuyers Guide
• All Mortgage Articles

Home Services

• Best Home Warranty Companies
• Best Home Security Systems
• Best Internet Providers
• Best Internet Speed Tests
• All Home Services Articles
• Best Tax Software
• Best Tax Software for Small Businesses
• Best Free Tax Software
• When Is The Last Day To File Taxes?
• All Taxes Articles
• Best Auto Loan Refinance Lenders
• Best Car Warranty Companies
• Best Used Car Warranty Companies
• Best Extended Car Warranties
• All Auto Articles

Credit Cards

Small Business

MORE FROM VAULT

Best Card to Pair with the Amex Gold: 4 Options to Consider

Melanie Lockert

Credit & Credit Cards Expert

Melanie Lockert is a freelance writer with nearly a decade of experience in the personal finance space. She is the founder of the blog and author of the book “Dear Debt” and paid off $81,000 in student loans. She has an M.A. from New York University and is an LA native based in Brooklyn, NY.

Robert Thorpe

Senior Editor

Robert is a senior editor at Newsweek, specializing in a range of personal finance topics, including credit cards, loans and banking. Prior to Newsweek, he worked at Bankrate as the lead editor for small business loans and as a credit cards writer and editor. He has also written and edited for CreditCards.com, The Points Guy and The Motley Fool Ascent.

Updated April 23, 2024 at 2:29 pm

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

The American Express® Gold Card is one of the best travel credit cards , with high earning potential on dining and travel. Earning 4X points at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, cardholders who spend in these categories can rack up rewards easily.

While the card can be a good standalone option, travelers who want to maximize their spending and rewards strategies can pair another credit card with the Amex Gold. Find out the best credit card to pair with Amex Gold and other solid alternatives.

Understanding the value of cash back is simple, but valuing airline miles or points redeemable for travel requires digging a bit deeper. At Newsweek, we’ve developed a common language to talk about the value of points and miles: our valuations.

Our valuations translate points into dollars and cents in a way that reflects reality. They are based on actual data across a balance of accessible redemption options, not just the aspirational first and business class redemptions that require a PhD in miles and points to book. The upshot is that our valuations help you understand the actual value you can easily get from your miles and points.

Vault’s Viewpoint

• The Amex Gold card is ideal for restaurants worldwide, U.S. supermarkets, and flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, but not other everyday expenses.
• Getting another credit card that offers higher earning potential in other categories can optimize your rewards strategy.
• The best credit card to pair with Amex Gold is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

Amex Gold and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

While the Amex Gold has generous rewards for restaurants worldwide, U.S. supermarkets and flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, all other eligible purchases only earn 1X points. One of the best credit cards to pair with Amex Gold is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card for several reasons.

Complementary Rewards

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card fills the gaps that Amex Gold has and offers a minimum of unlimited 2X miles on all purchases. On top of the flat rate rewards , you can also earn 5X miles when you book hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel.

So a good strategy would be to use the Amex Gold for restaurants worldwide, U.S. supermarkets and flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card for all other everyday purchases as well as hotels and rental cars that are booked through Capital One Travel. For travel lovers, this can cover all your bases and ensure you’re optimizing your rewards and spending.

Lower Annual Fee

The Amex Gold card has an elevated annual fee clocking in at $250. While it’s not the most expensive travel rewards card on the market, it’s a step above many other mid-tier rewards cards.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card annual fee is more than 50% lower than the Amex Gold at $95, making it easier to stomach. Pairing a card with a higher annual fee with another that has a lower annual fee can balance out your strategy and ensure you’re not spending a good chunk of change on annual fees.

Extra Travel Perks

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card comes with two major travel perks that the Amex Gold doesn’t offer as part of its suite of benefits:

• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit. You can get up to a $100 credit on either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. To qualify, you must use your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card when paying either application fee and be in good standing with your account. You’ll get a statement credit, which you’re eligible for every four years.
• Travel Accident Insurance. Having both of these cards can round out your travel protections so you cover your bases. If you use your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to purchase your fare, you could have insurance kick in for a covered loss at no cost when you use your card to purchase your fare. These benefits go well with Gold benefits like the baggage insurance plan*.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

After spending $4,000 in first 3 months from account opening

Why Would You Want To Pair One Card With Another?

If you have a rewards-rich card like the Amex Gold, you might wonder why you’d want to pair it with another card. You might think getting another card is a distraction, but in reality, it’s a way to diversify your rewards. There are many potential benefits when you take advantage of each card.

Different Rewards Programs

The Amex Gold card offers users Membership Rewards Points, while the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns you miles. Having two different rewards programs can be advantageous as each card has a different reward structure and redemption value. When it’s time to take advantage of your rewards, you might find that one is more valuable than the other. Having both can help you assess the redemption value and decide which is most effective.

Pool Together Rewards With a Transfer Partner

Since the Amex Gold and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Cards are from two different credit card issuers, you get different rewards and can’t pool them together. But both Amex Gold and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card have transfer partners that overlap. For example, the following are transfer partners for both Amex and Capital One:

• Emirate Skywards
• Etihad Guest
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Singapore KrisFlyer

That means you can pool your points and miles together by transferring them to one of those eligible partners. Doing so can increase your rewards, which can help you book award travel faster. For frequent fliers on airlines associated with these rewards programs, this strategy can be particularly effective.

Fill the Gaps

All rewards credit cards have unique benefits, but also limitations. To optimize your rewards strategy, it can be a good idea to mix and match different credit cards. In this case, Amex Gold should be your go-to card for restaurants worldwide (plus on takeout and delivery in the U.S.), U.S. supermarkets, and flight purchases that are booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

But everything else, like subscriptions, utilities , gas, insurance, etc., should be on the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. If you only had the Amex Gold, you’d earn only 1X points. But when using the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you’ll earn 2X miles. Having more than one card paired with another ensures you’re maximizing your rewards and being strategic with your spending.

Other Cards To Consider

While the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card may be the best credit card to pair with Amex Gold, there are other compelling options to consider.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is popular with travel lovers and rewards enthusiasts—and for good reason. The card has a significantly lower annual fee of $95 than its premium counterpart, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® at $550.

The card has an attractive welcome bonus and offers up to a $50 hotel credit each year in the form of statement credit for stays booked using the Chase Travel portal. Somewhat similar to the Amex Gold, you’ll earn 3X points on dining (including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out) and on online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).

While you can earn 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com with the Amex Gold, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card offers 5X points on travel purchased using Chase Travel and 2X points on all other travel purchases. This is a great complement as Chase has an expansive definition of travel purchases including:

• Car rental agencies
• Discount travel sites
• Campgrounds
• Toll bridges and highways
• Parking lots and garages

Your Amex Gold would be ideal for purchasing flights (booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com) and your Chase Sapphire Preferred® for all other eligible travel-related purchases. When you get a Chase Sapphire Preferred® card you start earning Chase Ultimate Rewards. Your rewards are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel using Chase Travel, elevating the point value to 1.25 cents instead of 1 cent.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

If you want another American Express card, the best credit card to pair with Amex Gold is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express . While the card doesn’t earn you Membership Rewards like Amex Gold, you earn cash back through Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. This can help offset costs and lower your credit card balance. The card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Despite having two different reward types, this is a great pairing with the Amex Gold as it has significant earning potential in many categories that fall under everyday spending. For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns you 6% cash back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit, and 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations. For everything else you only earn 1% cash back. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

The Blue Cash Preferred Card has a higher redemption value for statement credits at one cent each for every Reward Dollar compared to the Amex Gold’s Membership Rewards which are worth 0.6 cents when used this way. Your best bet is to use your Amex Gold in categories like travel which have a higher redemption value while earning cash back as a statement credit with the Blue Cash Preferred Card.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

If you want to pair your Amex Gold with a premium card that can earn you more Membership Rewards and unlock more travel perks, The Platinum Card® from American Express is your go-to option. The card has a high spending minimum requirement to earn the welcome bonus but a high value earned that matches the spending. Though the annual fee is $695 ( see rates and fees ), there are numerous credits to take advantage of that help offset this cost including:

• Up to $200 hotel credit back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when charged to your card (two-night stay required on The Hotel Collection)
• Up to $240 digital entertainment credit (up to $20 in statement credits each month) on eligible purchases made directly from one or more of the participating providers
• $155 Walmart+ credit to cover the cost of $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (plus tax) back in statement credit after you pay each month with your card
• Up to $200 Uber Cash that’s use it or lose it savings for eligible Uber Eats and rides in the U.S. annually, made up of $15 issued monthly and a bonus $20 in December
• Up to $200 airline fee credit in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged to your card by one selected qualifying airline
• Up to $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit back in statement credits each calendar year when you use your card to pay for membership
• Up to $300 Equinox credit in statement credits annually for cardholders who use their card to pay for an eligible membership
• $100 fee statement credit for Global Entry every four years when you pay with your card or $85 fee statement credit for TSA PreCheck application fee every four and a half years

Some credits may require enrollment and there are terms that apply. If you can take advantage of these benefits, the annual fee isn’t so bad. Through The Platinum Card® from American Express, you earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1X), 5X points on eligible prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel, and 1X points on all other eligible purchases.

This is a great companion with the Amex Gold because you can earn more Membership Rewards. Plus, the card has high earning potential for eligible flights and hotel stays through American Express Travel and provides premium benefits the Gold card doesn’t. The Platinum Card® benefits include lounge access at over 1,400 airport lounges through The Global Lounge Collection. Through the card, you’re also eligible for Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status and Hilton Honors Gold Status which can help elevate your hotel experience and get added perks.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Will applying for an amex gold card affect my credit score.

If you’re interested in applying for the American Express® Gold Card, you can go to the website and check your approval for the card with zero impact on your credit. You can submit an application, which will lead to a hard inquiry that can cause a temporary drop in your score.

Is It Hard To Get Approved for the Amex Gold Card?

As a rewards credit card, it can be more difficult to get approved for the American Express® Gold Card. Typically, you’re recommended to have at least good to excellent credit to qualify and sufficient income.

Does the Amex Gold Card Have Foreign Transaction Fees?

If you’re traveling abroad, there’s no need to worry as the Amex Gold card doesn’t have any foreign transaction fees ( see rates and fees ). So that’s one less cost to think about when planning for international travel.

Related Articles

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. We may earn a commission from partner links on Newsweek, but commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.

New year, new approach: How to choose your best credit card strategy for 2024

Editor's Note

January is a time for making plans for the next 12 months. And while health and wellness usually get all the attention this time of year, you're almost certainly also taking a closer look at your finances. You may be setting up a budget and planning to invest or open a new savings account.

But as you make these financial plans, don't forget to take some time to think about your 2024 credit card strategy as well.

Not sure where to start? Here's what we recommend to start your year on the right foot.

Identify your goals

As with most things, identifying a goal helps determine the best credit card strategy for you. If you haven't already, consider your priorities for 2024. Some questions to ask include:

• Are you taking a big trip you want to pay for with a certain type of miles?
• Are you looking ahead at a major expense this year and want a card with an introductory 0% annual percentage rate offer?
• Is the cost of living still pinching your wallet, and you want to focus on earning cash-back rewards ?
• Do you want to improve your credit score ?

Identifying your goals will guide you as you make decisions about which of your cards you want to use more often, which you want to shelve or downgrade, and which new ones you want to apply for.

Rearrange your wallet

With your 2024 goals in mind, take inventory of your cards and adjust what's in your wallet ( physical and digital ) accordingly.

For example, I spent the past few months working to meet minimum spending requirements to earn the welcome bonuses on some new cards, so I used those cards for all my purchases. Now, however, I'm between new cards, so I'm focusing on maximizing the bonus categories for the cards I already have.

If you're in a similar situation, take a moment to look at your current cards. If any of them have rotating categories, like the Chase Freedom Flex , note what the first-quarter categories are and check that you've activated them. Also, determine which, if any, of your cards earn bonus points for categories like dining , travel and grocery spending. You'll also want to figure out which of your cards has the best earning structure for other everyday purchases .

When you've determined which cards fall into these categories, you can make a plan for which card to use for different purchases. You might end up designating your Freedom Flex for grocery purchases this quarter, for instance, your American Express® Gold Card for dining out and your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card for all other purchases.

When making your plan, remember that some rewards will be more beneficial than others for your specific goals. If you want to focus on earning American Express Membership Rewards points, for example, you might choose to instead use your Gold card for grocery spending. Earning 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point), it nets slightly fewer points than the Flex earns this quarter, but you'll earn points that more directly support your goals.

Keep, banish, downgrade

As you consider your card collection in light of your 2024 goals, think about whether it's worth paying the annual fee for each of your cards when they are due this year or if you want to downgrade any of them.

Additionally, suppose you notice any major benefits overlap between your cards, such as multiple cards that earn bonus points for streaming . In that case, you may banish one or more to the sock drawer and focus on using just one this year to streamline your earnings.

Plan your next card

Finally, pay attention to gaps in your current card strategy to help you choose your next credit card . This could be as simple as noting the type of miles you're running low on and deciding you want your next card to be one that earns those miles. It could also be a decision to wait a bit to open any more cards if your credit score has taken a hit from too many inquiries recently.

Regardless of your goals, it's helpful to know what type of cards you want to get this year. Then, when a good bonus offer comes along, you know if it's worth it for you to jump on or if you're better off going after something else.

Bottom line

As you make your 2024 plans and resolutions, remember to take some time to adjust your credit card strategy for the year. No matter what your goals are this year, the right cards can make it even easier to achieve them.

Further reading:

• Credit cards 101
• How to use your points and miles better in 2024
• How credit cards can help you stick to your New Year's resolutions
• How to build your credit card portfolio
• How to create a credit card strategy without annual fees