Best Travel Rewards Credit Card 2024

Are you a frequent air traveler and want to make the most of your spending? A travel credit card might be just what you need to unlock a bundle of benefits. From earning points from everyday purchases to redeeming them for ticket booking, hotel, and unique experiences. In this blog post, we will explore the Best Travel Rewards Credit Card available, helping you choose the perfect card for your lifestyle and travel goals. 

What Is The Best Credit Card For Travel Rewards?

Before diving straight into the list of various options, let’s first clarify what makes a credit card a “travel reward” card. These cards offer points, miles, and other benefits especially intended to be used for travel-related activities and redemptions. You can earn bonus points on flight purchases, dining, groceries, or other categories depending on your card. Cardholders can then redeem the collected rewards for fares, hotel rooms, and rental cars or transfer them to airline and hotel loyalty programs. 

The best rewards credit card for travel is not limited to only cash-backs or earning points and miles. They offer perks that can benefit you when you take a future flight and help you travel in luxury without spending too much money. There are many options available in the market. Some of these cards are nearly standard, offering travel insurance, travel credits, and no foreign transaction fee. At the same time, more premium cards provide lounge access, credits for TSA PreCheck, and other expedited airport security programs.  

Let’s start discussing the top travel credit cards one by one and explore the benefits they offer. 

1. AmEx Gold Card

Compatible for: Amex is a good option for frequent flyers who often dine out as it offers generous reward rates. While being expensive and costing a $250 annual fee, it provides cardholders with premium rewards to balance out. You can check the official website to see rates and fee structure. 

Attractive Perks: Travelers will value this credit card for several reasons. For example, the cardholders are entitled to a $120 annual credit for dining, which is a $10 fee for every month at Grubhub, Goldbelly, The Cheesecake Factory, and other partnered restaurants. This also includes $120 in Uber Cash for rides within the United States and dining through Uber Eats. Simply add the card details on the payment page in the Uber app to enroll)

Rewards	Earn 4x points for every dollar at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. 3x points for booking flights directly with the airlines or through ameztravel.com. 1x points on the remaining purchases.
Welcome Bonus	Cardholders get 60,000 reward points once they make an eligible purchase with $6,000. This offer is valid only up to the first six months of the membership.
Annual Fee	$250
Introductory APR (Annual Percentage Rate)	Not Applicable
Regular APR	Pay Over Time APR
Balance Transfer Fee	Not Available
Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Credit Score	Excellent/ Good

Pros	Cons
Strong reward systemThe insurance plan for damaged, lost, or stolen baggage covers $1,250 for carry-ons and up to $500 for checked items. Terms and conditions apply.No fees are applicable on payments made outside the United States.	The card does not come with an introductory APR period. Expensive annual fee.

2. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Compatible for: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is famous mong flyers who always look forward to earning travel-related rewards. What makes this card stand out the most is its generous sign-up bonus for cardholders. 

Attractive Perks: The card is packed with ample benefits, including a $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, exempted foreign transaction fee, and insurance on the rental car, flight cancellations, interruptions, baggage loss, and delay. Not only that, but cardholders also get %10 points on every card anniversary.

Rewards	Get 5x points for every dollar spent on travel purchases with Chase Travel.3x points on selected restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries. Two times point on the other travel-related transactions and $50 annual credit.
Welcome Bonus	Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending at least $4,000 within three months of the membership.
Annual Fee	$95
Introductory APR (Annual Percentage Rate)	None
Regular APR	21,49% – 28.49%
Balance Transfer Fee	5%
Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Credit Score	Excellent/ Good

Pros	Cons
The worth of earned points increases by 25% when you redeem through Chase Travel. Transfer points at an equal ratio to renowned travel programs like IHG, Reward Clubs, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt. Offers travel protection against auto rental collision, baggage delay, and trip delay. No fees are applicable on payments made outside the United States.	No introductory 0% APR

3. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Compatible for: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Cards also have several benefits for the cardholders. You’ll appreciate its offerings since you’ll be getting a streamlined way of collecting rewards without the need to juggle bonus categories. 

Attractive Perks: Travelers booking international trips have the advantage of paying no foreign transaction fees. In addition, travelers get fee credit worth up to $100 to cover Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership. 

Rewards	Earn five miles per dollar spent on hotel and rental car bookings made with Capital One Travel. 2x mules of every dollar spent on other transactions.
Welcome Bonus	75,000 miles bonus once you cross the purchase limit of $4,000 within 3 three months of opening the account.
Annual Fee	$95
Introductory APR (Annual Percentage Rate)	Not Available
Regular APR	19.99% – 29.99%
Balance Transfer Fee	No fee on the Transfer APR.For others – 4%
Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Credit Score	Excellent/ Good

Pros	Cons
Credit for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry Fee up to $100 every four years.	No introductory 0% APR

4. Discover It Miles

Compatible for: This card membership is suitable for those individuals who seek generous purchase rewards and sign-up bonuses without having to pay an annual fee. 

Attractive Perks: The signup bonus that Discover provides is hardly available elsewhere. It provides mile-for-mole match offers on all miles earned during the first year, valid for new joiners only. This implies you accumulate up to 35,000 miles within the first annual year; the company will match you with 35,000 miles. This will be a total of 70,000 miles, meaning a $700 travel credit. In addition, there’s no foreign transaction fee. 

Rewards	The company automatically credits your account with 1.5 miles for every purchase you make.
Welcome Bonus	Unlimited bonus: All new members get to enjoy limitless Mile-for-Mile matches from Discover. The company provides you with unlimited matches at all the earned miles by the end of the year. In short, you can turn 35,000 miles to 70,000 miles. There is no minimum spending amount.
Annual Fee	$0
Introductory APR (Annual Percentage Rate)	$0 for the first
Regular APR	18.24% – 28.24% Variable
Balance Transfer Fee	Introductory balance transfer fee – 3%Future balance transfer fee – 5%Terms and conditions apply.
Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Credit Score	Excellent/ Good

Pros	Cons
Miles programOffer a welcome bonus to new joinersBlackout dates do not exist There is no limit on the miles you earnNo expiration date	No credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Spending on travel purchases does not result in additional rewardsNo access to airport lounges

5. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Compatible for: The Capital One Venture X Reward is a great option for frequent flyers who would value a premium credit card at a cheaper price. It offers benefits similar to those expensive credit cards. In addition, the company provides you with the feature of adding up to four authorized users without any extra cost.

Attractive Perks: As for benefits, the card provides great offers, such as Capital One Travel Credit worth $300 for making purchases towards Capital One Travel and a 10,000 bonus mile on every membership anniversary. Moreover, cardholders can receive statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Other perks include lounge access, phone insurance, and more. 

Rewards	Earn 2x unlimited miles on selected purchases.5x miles for every dollar spent on purchasing flight tickets. 10 Miles per dollar for expenses on hotel and rental car bookings via the Capital One Travel portal.
Welcome Bonus	Get you 75,000 miles bonus once you cross the purchase limit of $4,000 within 3 three months of opening the account.
Annual Fee	$395
Introductory APR (Annual Percentage Rate)	Not Available
Regular APR	19.99% – 29.99%
Balance Transfer Fee	$0 for Transfer APRFor others – 4%
Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Credit Score	Excellent

Pros	Cons
Huge sign-up bonus for newcomersNo fee on foreign transactions$100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee. Entry to 1,300+ airport lounges, including Capital One and the Partner Lounge Network. Valid for cardholders and two guests.	Expensive membershipNo introductory 0% APR

6. Bilt Mastercard

Compatible for: People renting home without Bilt Mastercard are missing generous reward points. It is the only card allowing passengers to collect travel points for rent payments without any fee. 

Attractive Perks: The BiltProtect has a feature that stops cardholders from using the entire credit limit and prevents the risk of delving into debt. Some other benefits are phone insurance, purchase assurance plus additional discounts on making purchases with partner brands, and access to Mastercard Luxury Hotels and Resorts. 

Rewards	Get Bilt points credited to your card when you make five purchases after each statement period. One point for every dollar spent on rent payments.3x points on dining expense1 point per dollar on other purchases
Welcome Bonus	No Sign-up Bonus
Annual Fee	None
Introductory APR (Annual Percentage Rate)	Not Applicable
Regular APR	Terms and conditions apply
Balance Transfer Fee	Intro fee of $5 or 3% of the transferred amount, or whoever is greater in amount.
Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Credit Score	Excellent/ Good

Pros	Cons
No annual membership feeGenerous rewards for spending on board categories. Pay rent without any transaction fee.Transfer points at a 1:1 rate to frequent traveler programs, such as United and World of Hyatt.	No sign-up bonus

7. The Platinum Card from American Express

Compatible for: Passengers who want to make their travel more comfortable can rely on the Platinum Card from AmEx. The cards provide you access to more airport lounges than any other card. Not only that, the card offers other benefits as well to match your lifestyle and travel goals. 

Attractive Perks: Members will get to earn more than $1,500 in statement credits annually and get perks like elite hotel status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, along with other travel insurance and shopping protections. What makes it more worthwhile is that even if you get to enjoy half of the card’s offerings, it will make up for the annual fee. 

Rewards	Get 5x bonus points for booking flights directly with the airline or with AmEx Express Travel up to $500,00 per year.5x points for making hotel reservations using the AmEx Travel portal. One point for every dollar spent on other purchases.
Welcome Bonus	Earn 80,000 reward points after making purchases worth $8,000 in selected categories within the first six months of membership.
Annual Fee	$695
Introductory APR (Annual Percentage Rate)	Not Applicable
Regular APR	Pay Over Time APR
Balance Transfer Fee	Not Available
Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Credit Score	Excellent/ Good

Pros	Cons
Airline fee credit up to $200$200 Uber Cash$200 back on prepaid hotel purchases (Minimum two-night stay is required)Credit worth $240 on Digital Entertainment$155 Walmart+ Credit	Expensive membershipThe card offers no special offers on new purchases.

8. Chase Sapphire Reserve

Compatible for: The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is often discussed by frequent flyers for its luxurious benefits, such as travel insurance and a streamlined rewards program. While this card may cost you a little more than others, the statement credit will offset the cost with the provided benefits. 

Attractive Perks: The card offers credit worth $300 every year to cardholders, which you can use for airfare, hotel bookings, and even for parking and tolls. In addition, the company provides a $100 credit every four years to cover the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus fee, including access to Priority Pass Select airport lounges. Additional perks include hotel bookings with the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, trip cancellation/ interruption coverage, rental car, lost baggage, flight delays, and more. 

Rewards	Get 5x points on flight purchases.10x points on hotel and car rental bookings made via Chase Travel after spending at least $300. Earn 3x points per dollar on other travel and dining purchases. One point for every dollar spent on remaining purchases. Earn 10x points on Lyft rides.
Welcome Bonus	Get you 75,000 miles bonus once you cross the purchase limit of $4,000 within 3 three months of opening the account.
Annual Fee	$550
Introductory APR (Annual Percentage Rate)	Not Available
Regular APR	22.49% – 29.49%
Balance Transfer Fee	5% and minimum $5
Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Credit Score	Excellent

Pros	Cons
Annual travel credit worth $300.Fee coverage for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck is up to $100 every four years. Access to Priority Pass Select lounges in more than 500 cities. Points worth is increased by 50% when you redeem for travel via Chase Travel.	High annual fee.No Introductory APR.

9. Discover It Secured Credit Card

Compatible for: If you are looking for a way to construct your credit, Discover It Secured Credit Card can help you build a good score with their reward system. 

Attractive Perks: The card gives you cash back on every purchase you make using it, including a generous welcome bonus. Other benefits include no fees on foreign transactions. 

Rewards	Get 2% cash back for the payments made at Gas Stations and Restaurants up to $1000. Get 1% cashback on every other payment made using the card.
Welcome Bonus	The company will match the welcome bonus with all the cash back a cardholder earns during a year.
Annual Fee	No Fee
Introductory APR (Annual Percentage Rate)	Not Applicable on purchases
Regular APR	28.24% Variable
Balance Transfer Fee	Intro balance transfer fee – 3%Future balance transfer – 5%
Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Credit Score	New/ Rebuilding

Pros	Cons
Beneficial cashback system.Generous sign-up bonus.	There is a limit to cash-back earnings. You get 2% cash back on payments made at gas stations and restaurants up to $1000.

10. Credit One Bank Wander Card

Compatible for: The Credit One Bank Wander Card is a good option for you if you have about average credit score. It can give you the opportunity to score generous rewards on travel, dining, and gas purchases. 

Attractive Perks: Get amazing benefits like earning 10x points when you make eligible hotel reservations and rental car bookings with the card (5x for starting the booking procedure and 5x after completing the reservation). This card credits you with a 5x bonus on flight, dining, and gas purchases. It offers you regards in a variety of categories. Plus, it charges no fee on foreign transactions. 

Rewards	10x points on hotel reservations and rental car bookings using the card. 5x on flight purchases made with selected airlines.5x points on gas and dining expenses. 1x points on other expenses.
Welcome Bonus	No sign-up offer
Annual Fee	$95
Introductory APR (Annual Percentage Rate)	Not Applicable
Regular APR	29.74% Variable
Balance Transfer Fee	Not Available
Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Credit Score	Average to Excellent

Pros	Cons
Earn points on every travel-related purchase. Anyone with an average credit score can get the membership.	High APRIncludes no sign-up bonus for new joiners.

11. Choice Rewards World Mastercard

Compatible for: You can consider getting Choice Rewards World Mastercard if you appreciate an introductory APR. We have included this card in our list for its unique reward system and very low APR charged on balance transfers.

Attractive Perks: The card charges a very low APR rate, between 13.50% to 18.00%, which is lower than other competitors. However, you emphasize you cover all your payments on time every month. Other benefits include no foreign transaction fee.

Rewards	Earn 2x bonus points on groceries, gas, electronics, medical, household, and telecommunication bills. 1x point on other bills.
Welcome Bonus	Get 20,000 bonus points when you make purchases worth $3,000 within 60 days of opening the account.
Annual Fee	No annual fee.
Introductory APR (Annual Percentage Rate)	Not Available
Regular APR	13.50% to 18.00% variable
Balance Transfer Fee	None
Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Credit Score	Not Available

Pros	Cons
No yearly fee. Rewards for every purchase.No fee for a balance transfer.	The cardholder must transfer the balance within 90 days of opening the account.

12. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Card

Compatible for: The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Card has everything that a traveler can expect. It includes a generous welcome bonus, quite a reasonable yearly fee, and beneficial bonuses in all categories. 

Attractive Perks: The card helps you collect rewards quickly for travel spending. It gets you 5x bonus points on hotel reservations, 4x on airline purchases, and 3x points on dining and other expenses. Interestingly, the company lets you transfer points to airline and hotel travel partners, such as Choice Privileges, Aviance LifeMiles, British Airways Executive Club, and Air France/ KLM Flying Blue. 

Rewards	Earn 5x bonus points on hotel reservations. 4x points on airline purchases. 3x points on other travel-related expenses. 3x points on dining expenses. 1x point on other purchases.
Welcome Bonus	Get 60,000 bonus points when you spend at least $4,000 within three months of opening the account.
Annual Fee	$95
Introductory APR (Annual Percentage Rate)	Not Applicable
Regular APR	21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99% variable
Balance Transfer Fee	$5 or 3%
Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Credit Score	Excellent/ Good

Pros	Cons
Great reward system for hotel, airfare, and travel spending.Welcome bonusGet access to transfer partners.	There are very few transfer partners. Does not provide travel protection against trip delays, cancellations, primary rental cars, etc, in the U.S.

13. BoA Travel Rewards for Students Credit Card

Compatible for: This card is an optimal choice for students who are planning to continue their education abroad or students who often travel due to studies. The rewards programs help gather travel credit, which minimizes the overall cost of flying. 

Attractive Perks: The card levies no foreign transaction fees, making it an ideal purchase for college-going students. This card charges no interest for 15 billing cycles. A complete year without no interest dues is a good way to pay off new purchases. 

Rewards	Earn unlimited rewards for every dollar spent on every purchase you make with this card.
Welcome Bonus	Get 25,000 online bonus points when you make purchases worth $1,00 within the first 90 days of joining the membership. Cardholders can even redeem it for a $250 statement credit for travel and dining purchases.
Annual Fee	No annual fee
Introductory APR (Annual Percentage Rate)	Charges 0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles.
Regular APR	18.24% to 28.24%
Balance Transfer Fee	3%
Foreign Transaction Fee	None
Credit Score	Excellent/ Good

Pros	Cons
No yearly feeWorthwhile welcome bonus0% introductory APR for the first 15 billing cycles. No foreign transaction fees	Does not include benefits or incentives for students to build or maintain a positive credit history.

Maximizing Your Travel Rewards

While travel reward cards can offer exciting benefits, it is equally important to use them responsibly. Always pay your balance in full and on time to maintain a good credit score and avoid high-interest debts. Be mindful of annual fees and foreign transaction fees, and choose a card that aligns with your spending habits and meets your travel requirements. 

Consider following the points below to get the most out of your travel reward credit cards. 

• Use your card for everyday spending to gather points quickly.
• Pay your balance in full every month to avoid paying higher interest charges.
• Take full advantage of sign-up bonuses and limited-time offers.
• Combine points with airline and hotel loyalty programs for maximum value. 
• Regularly compare and re-evaluate your card’s benefits to ensure it aligns with your travel habits and needs. 

In Closing!

To choose the best travel credit card, you first have to identify your individual needs, preferences, and travel aspirations. By getting through the reward structure, redemption options, and benefits of each card, you can easily make an informed decision and upgrade your travel experience. Whether you choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Amex Gold Card, Capital One Venture, or other contender, only the right credit card can unlock the world of possibilities. So, the decision is yours!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):