9 Best Travel Credit Cards of December 2023

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A travel credit card can be a valuable tool to help you save on travel expenses. If you use it strategically, you could snag free flights, hotel stays and more.

These cards earn points (or miles) for travel and other everyday purchases at a set rate for every dollar you spend, sometimes with bonus rewards of up to ten points (10x) per dollar when you use them to pay for your trips.

Some travel credit cards offer additional benefits like airport lounge access, baggage delay insurance and a TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry fee credit.

Read on for our list of the best travel credit cards, how they work and how to pick the best one for you.

Our Top Picks for Best Travel Credit Cards

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card - Best low-annual-fee travel credit card
• Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card - Best no-annual-fee credit travel card
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card - Best no-annual-fee travel credit card runner-up
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card - Best travel credit card for everyday spending
• Bilt World Elite Mastercard® - Best Travel Card for Paying Rent
• American Express® Gold Card - Best travel card for dining rewards
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® - Best premium travel credit card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card - Best low-cost premium travel credit card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express - Best travel card for perks and benefits
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express - Best travel card for businesses

Best Travel Credit Cards Reviews

Why we chose this card: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent option for frequent travelers who want to earn valuable rewards while paying a low annual fee.

The card features six reward categories that offer outstanding rewards on flights, hotels, tours, restaurants and more. Cardholders can earn:

• 5x points for travel bookings made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal

• 2x on all other travel purchases

• 3x on dining, including eligible delivery and takeout

• 3x on select streaming services

• 3x on online grocery purchases (excluding Target®, Walmart® and wholesale clubs)

• 1x on all other eligible purchases

You can redeem your points for statement credits, account deposits, gift cards and more. But you can get the most bang for your buck by redeeming them for travel purchases through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, which increases your point’s usual one-cent value by 25%.

You can also transfer your points to one of Chase's 14 travel partners at a 1:1 ratio (one Chase point equals one hotel point or airline mile). These include popular airlines and hotels like JetBlue, Southwest, United, Marriott and Hyatt.

In addition to its standard travel insurance benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card includes primary rental car coverage — a perk not many travel cards provide. This type of insurance covers theft or damages without first filing a claim with your auto insurer. You also get to skip paying for the rental car company's collision coverage.

Why we chose it: The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is the ideal card to take when you’re sightseeing or on nights out since it offers high rewards on dining, entertainment and more without charging any annual or foreign transaction fees.

With the Capital One SavorOne, cardholders can earn cash back at restaurants, tourist attractions, concerts, theme parks and more. The card's reward categories include:

• 10% back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases plus statement credits to cover the costs of an Uber One membership through November 14, 2024

• 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases

• 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)

• 3% back on dining, eligible streaming services, grocery stores (excluding Target® and Walmart®) and entertainment

• 1% back on all other eligible purchases

None of the listed categories have yearly caps, which means the card offers tremendous earning potential — especially for foodies who spend a lot dining out, on takeout or buying groceries.

Additionally, if you’re always ready for a great night out, Capital One Entertainment might prove quite useful. Its platform gives cardmembers access to a variety of events, like celebrity meet-and-greets and dinner reservations at acclaimed restaurants. You could even find tickets to sold-out events at discounted prices, all while receiving a stellar 8% cash-back rate.

Keep in mind that this card's travel bonus only applies to hotel and rental car bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal. This means that you won't get any cash back or points for flight reservations, which other travel credit cards do offer.

While some credit cards limit their rewards to U.S. locations, this card will give you 3% cash back on dining and entertainment at establishments worldwide — and without charging foreign transaction fees many competitors charge.

Why we chose it: The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has no annual or foreign transaction fees and earns high rewards for travel, dining, gas, streaming services and cell phone plan purchases.

Most travel credit cards only offer rewards when you book flights and hotels through the card issuer's travel portal. If you were to book your vacation through one-stop travel sites like Booking.com, you'd only earn the card's minimum bonus (which is usually one point per dollar).

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, however, gives you:

• 3x points on flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more (regardless of where you make your purchase)

• 3x points on transit, including subways, parkings, tolls, ridesharing services and more

• 3x points on dining, gas, select streaming services and cell phone plans

• 1X points on other eligible purchases

However, although the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers a solid cash-back rate on travel, its travel benefits are otherwise lackluster. For example, it doesn’t offer hotel and airline transfer partners or include insurance for travel accidents or lost luggages.

Still, the card does include rental car insurance and covers up to $50,000 for accidents or theft if you use it to book the rental car. The card also features a cell phone protection plan when you use it to pay your monthly bill. If your phone is damaged or stolen, you can be reimbursed up to $600 per claim (up to $1,200 per year).

If you're looking for unlimited rewards on travel and everyday spending, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is an excellent option. However, it may not be the best fit if you're looking for comprehensive travel insurance coverage and luxury benefits.

All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is an excellent card for everyday spending, offering a higher base reward than most travel credit cards.

Cards generally earn one mile (or point) per dollar on most purchases and have a higher rate for certain spending categories. However, if your routine expenses don’t align with these categories, you could miss out on potential rewards.

The Capital One Venture Rewards is ideal for those who want to get the most out of their spending without worrying about tracking bonus categories. Cardmembers can earn:

• 5x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One's travel portal

• 2x miles per dollar on all eligible purchases

You can redeem your miles on the Capital One travel portal at a value of one cent per mile. Additionally, you may transfer your miles to more than 15 airline and hotel partners. However, do keep in mind that Capital One doesn’t have any domestic travel partners, which can be a drawback if you mainly travel within the U.S.

Additionally, you may transfer your miles to more than 15 airline and hotel partners. In this case, the per-mile value depends on the airline or hotel you choose. Keep in mind that Capital One doesn’t have any domestic travel partners, which can be a drawback if you mainly travel within the U.S.

Other benefits include auto rental coverage, travel accident insurance and up to $100 to cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is great for earning miles daily. However, it may not be the best option if you’d rather have your rewards in the form of cash back. While the card allows you to redeem your miles as cash back, you’ll only get a value of 0.5 cents per mile.

Why we chose it: Paying your rent with a credit card isn't usually a good idea since you'll typically get charged a processing fee of around 2.5% to 2.9%. The card_name, however, waives this fee, so you can earn points on rent without having the fees outweigh the rewards you get.

You can use the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® to pay rent without worrying about surcharges. All you have to do is set up a Bilt Rent account through the Bilt app or website.

Once you sign up, you'll be assigned a unique routing and account number that you can use to pay rent through your usual payment portal. You can use Bilt Rent even if your landlord only accepts checks, and Bilt will send a check on your behalf.

With the Bilt World Elite Mastercard®, you'll earn:

• 1x points on rent payments (up to 100,000 points each calendar year)

Additionally, the card offers:

• 5x points on Lyft (when you link your Bilt and Lyft accounts, set Bilt as the active loyalty partner and pay with your card)
• 3x points on dining, including restaurants, bakeries, bars and fast-food restaurants
• 2x points on travel purchases (this includes airlines, hotels, motels, resorts, cruise lines, and car rental providers)
• 1x points on other purchases

On the first of every month, Bilt doubles these rewards rates, which means you'll earn 6x points on dining, 4x points on travel and 2x points on other purchases (up to 10,000 points per month). However, note that this bonus doesn't apply to rent rewards

On the con side, unlike many competitors, the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® doesn't offer a sign-up bonus, and you can't redeem your rewards for cash back or statement credits. Also, you must use the card at least five times per statement cycle in order to be awarded points.

All information about the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Money.com.

Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.

Why we chose it: The card_name is ideal for foodies, offering a high reward rate at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, takeout and food delivery. (Terms apply.)

With the American Express® Gold Card, you can earn:

• 4x points at restaurants worldwide

• 4x points on takeout and delivery in the U.S.

• 4x points at supermarkets within the U.S. (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1X)

• 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amextravel.com

• 1x on other eligible purchases

• Terms apply

The American Express® Gold Card also offers statement credits worth up to $240 combined — almost enough to offset the card's $250 annual fee. These include:

• Up to $120 every year in dining credits ($10 per month) for select restaurants and food delivery services. The list includes Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and Shake Shack (Enrollment required)

• Automatically get $10 monthly in Uber Cash to use on Uber Eats or Uber rides in the U.S. (after you add the American Express® Gold Card to your account)

• Terms apply

Additionally, cardmembers receive up to $100 in credits for stays of two consecutive nights or more booked through American Express’ The Hotel Collection. It can be used for eligible purchases relating to dining, spa services and other activities. Cardholders also get 24/7 access to Global Assist Hotline representatives who can help coordinate lost passport replacement, translation services, missing luggage assistance and more. (Terms apply.)

However, note that the American Express® Gold Card offers fewer travel perks than some other premium cards — for instance, it doesn’t offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance or TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry fee credits.

Why we chose it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers a high reward rate on travel and dining and has additional benefits like comprehensive travel insurance and airport lounge access worldwide.

Most premium cards offer the same bonus rate for airfare, hotels and rental cars. The Chase Sapphire Reserve®, on the other hand, offers an increased rate for room reservations and auto rentals. It also gives points for all travel bookings, unlike other card issuers that limit their rewards to purchases made through their travel portals.

With this card you can earn:

• 10x points on hotels and rental cars booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually

• 10x through the Chase Dining program

• 5x points on air travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal

• 3x points for all other travel-related purchases after spending the first $300 on travel purchases

• 3x points on restaurants, including takeout and delivery

• 1x on all other eligible purchases

Another advantage of the Sapphire Reserve is that its points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal — that is, 1.5 cents per point instead of the usual one cent.

In addition to its generous rewards, the Sapphire Reserve has several notable perks. It provides statement credits to cover fees for expedited traveler programs Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or Nexus every four years, plus discounts or upgrades on select car rental companies, to name a few.

One of the card’s outstanding benefits is a $300 annual travel credit that can cover travel-related purchases like airfare, hotels, car rentals, rideshares, buses, trains, tolls and/or parking. Other cards that feature an annual travel credit are usually more restrictive, and you can often only use it on flights or hotels purchased through the card issuer's travel portal.

The Sapphire Reserve does have a $550 annual fee. But if you take advantage of the $300 annual credit and other perks, the benefits can definitely outweigh its cost.

Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card features premium benefits like annual travel credit and airport lounge access for a lower annual fee ($395) than other premium travel cards.

The Venture X includes perks like a Priority Pass Select membership, which provides access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. This type of perk is typically only offered by luxury cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or The Platinum Card® from American Express, both of which have much higher annual fees ($550 and $695, respectively).

Other benefits include 10,000 bonus miles on every account anniversary. The card bonus categories include:

• 10x miles per dollar on hotels & rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases

The Venture X features a $300 annual travel credit that can be used for airfare, hotel stays, rental car reservations and more. However, do note the credit only applies to Capital One Travel bookings. (Some competitors are more flexible and let you use the credits on any type of travel purchase, regardless of your preferred booking-platform.)

Although the card includes travel insurance, its coverage is limited compared to other premium travel cards. For example, the Venture X doesn't cover baggage delays, travel accidents or emergency evacuations and transportations. However, it does provide primary rental car insurance, which isn’t offered by other premium travel cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express.

All in all, the Venture X is a solid option that can easily compete with other premium travel cards, especially considering its more affordable annual fee. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, our main pick for the best premium travel card, might be a better fit if you'd prefer a card with more bonus categories, a less restrictive annual travel credit and a more comprehensive travel insurance policy.

Terms apply. Click here for rates and fees.

Why we chose this card: The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a list of premium benefits that no other travel card offers, including the widest network of airport lounges and room upgrades at Hilton and Marriott hotels. (Terms apply.)

This card includes complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges, including Priority Pass, which is the largest network of lounges worldwide (enrollment required). Other premium cards (like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®) also provide access to lounges through Priority Pass. However, the Platinum Card® from American Express includes additional lounge networks such as Delta SkyClub and Amex's own Centurion lounges. (Terms apply.)

The card awards cardholders gold status in the Marriott and Hilton loyalty programs (enrollment required), which makes you eligible for perks like room upgrades, free breakfast and late checkouts. (You would typically need to stay at least 25 nights in Marriott and 28 nights in Hilton locations per year before achieving gold status with each company.)

Platinum cardmembers also get elite status in three car rental programs: Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive. This status gives you perks such as skipping the line, car upgrades and/or discounts.

In addition to travel benefits, the card includes several statement credits such as:

• $200 back each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings made through American Express Travel and paid with your Platinum Card® (Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum two-night stay)

• Up to $200 per year when incidental fees, such as checked bags, are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® (with one selected qualifying airline)

• $12.95 monthly for a Walmart+ membership when you use your card to pay for membership (excluding any Plus Ups) (enrollment required)

• Up to $240 annually ($20 back in statement credits each month) on eligible purchases paid with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal (enrollment required)

• Up to $200 — $15 per month and $20 in December — for eligible food delivery or rides with Uber in the U.S. (must add the card to your Uber account)

• $100 for Global Entry and $85 for TSA PreCheck® (every 4 and 4.5 years, respectively)

• $189 for a Clear® PLUS (once per year) (subject to auto-renewal)

• Terms apply

When it comes to its bonus categories, the card offers:

• 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year)

• 5x points on prepaid hotels booked on the American Express travel portal

• One point per $1 on all other eligible purchases

• Terms apply

The Platinum Card® from American Express does have a hefty $695 annual fee. However, for people who travel often and will take advantage of its annual credits and travel perks, it might almost pay for itself.

Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.

Why we chose it: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express features an extensive list of benefits that make it an ideal travel and business credit card.

The card grants cardmembers access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, comprehensive travel insurance and extra amenities at hundreds of hotels, like daily breakfast and free internet access. Additionally, it features a credit of up to $200 to cover baggage fees, in-flight refreshments and more and up to $100 for Global Entry or $85 for TSA PreCheck® every four or 4.5 years respectively. (Terms apply.) (Enrollment required.)

The card also offers yearly statement credits for business-related purchases that include:

• Up to $400 per year ($200 between January and June and $200 between July and December) for U.S. purchases at Dell

• Up to $360 per year (up to $90 back per quarter) for purchases with Indeed

• Up to $150 per year for eligible annual prepaid business subscriptions for Adobe Creative Cloud for teams or Acrobat Pro DC with E-Sign (Adobe Creative Cloud InCopy App is not eligible)

• Up to $120 ($10 monthly) for purchases made directly from U.S. wireless telephone providers

• Enrollment is required for the benefits listed above

When it comes to rewards, you’ll earn points on the following bonus categories:

• 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com

• 1.5x points (up to $2 million per year) at U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, software and cloud system providers and shipping providers

• 1.5x points (up to $2 million per year) on purchases of $5,000 or more, regardless of the category

• Terms apply

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express does have one of the steepest annual fees ($695) among travel credit cards, but its extensive list of benefits makes it a no-brainer for business owners who travel frequently.

Other travel credit cards we considered

We picked the best credit cards for travel based on their reward rates, travel insurance, additional benefits and overall value for most travelers. The following cards were close runner-ups:

Chase Freedom Flex®

The Chase Freedom Flex® offers several benefits that aren’t common among no-annual-fee cards. It provides coverage for rental cars as well as trip cancellations and interruptions. It also includes cell phone protection for theft or damages when you pay your phone's bill using the card.

While it’s technically a cash-back card, the Chase Freedom Flex® still earns points that you can use for travel purchases through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. The card also offers high rewards on some travel purchases. Cardmembers can earn:

• 5% back on bookings made through Chase Ultimate Rewards®

• 5% back on up to $1,500 spent per quarter in rotating categories

• 3% back on dining at restaurants (including eligible delivery services and takeout)

• 3% back on drugstore purchase

• 1% back on all other eligible purchases.

However, note that the card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee so it’s best to use it while traveling within the U.S., not in international locations.

All information about the Chase Freedom Flex® has been collected independently by Money.com.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is an easy-to-use card suited for travel reward beginners or for those who are already Bank of America customers. It earns a flat 1.5x points on all purchases, but some cardholders can earn up to 75% more points if they are Preferred Rewards members. However, the card doesn't offer additional bonus categories, hotel and airline point transfer partners, travel insurance or extended warranty and purchase protection.

All information about Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has been collected independently by Money.com

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One VentureOne Credit Card earns a consistent 1.25x miles per dollar on every purchase and 5x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

You can use your miles to book travel through the Capital One Travel portal or transfer your points to one of Capital One's 16 travel partners, which include international airlines such as Avianca and British Airways. The card also includes travel accident and rental car insurance to some cardholders, depending on their credit score.

However, the card's list of bonus categories is lacking compared to some other no-annual-fee credit cards, and Capital One doesn't have any domestic airline travel partners.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of the few no-annual-fee credit cards that includes trip cancellation/interruption and rental car insurance. Its reward categories are also appealing, giving you:

• 5% back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, including hotels and rental cars

• 3% back on dining purchases, including eligible delivery and takeout

• 3% back at drugstores

• Unlimited 1.5% back on all other eligible purchases

However, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® charges a 3% fee on foreign transactions, which kept it off our main list.

Discover it® Miles

The Discover it® Miles is a no-frills card that earns 1.5x miles on all purchases. Its welcome bonus is easily one of the best: Discover matches every mile you've earned at the end of your first membership year — without any spending requirements. However, it has fewer bonus categories than other no-annual-fee cards, and doesn't have any travel transfer partners. Additionally, Discover cards aren’t as widely accepted internationally as Visa Signature and World Mastercard, for example.

All information about the Discover it® Miles has been collected independently by Money.com.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card

The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card has a simple earning structure, offering 2x points on travel and dining and 1.5x points on all other purchases.

The card includes some travel perks — for example, it gives up to $100 for incidental airline fees, which can cover the cost of seat upgrades, baggage fees, in-flight purchases and airport lounges. You also get another statement credit of up to $100 every four years to cover Global Entry or TSA Precheck® fees. Additionally, the card provides insurance for trip delays, interruptions and cancellations, lost luggage and baggage delays.

However, note that other similarly priced cards ($95 per year) feature more bonus categories and a higher travel-purchases rate (up to 5x points) if you're willing to book through the card's travel portal.

All information about the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card has been collected independently by Money.com.

Travel Credit Cards Guide

The best credit cards for travel do more than offer high reward rates on flights and hotel stays. They also provide rewards for everyday spending and perks such as travel insurance, airport lounge access and annual statement credits.

Bear in mind, however, that premium travel credit cards often also feature high annual fees. And their rewards are often worth the most when redeemed through a card issuer's travel portal.

Here's a rundown of how these cards work:

What is a travel credit card?

Travel credit cards (or travel rewards credit cards) typically provide generous rewards for travel purchases and let cardmembers redeem points (or miles) for travel bookings. They may also let you redeem points for statement credits, cash back, gift cards and more.

Besides travel, these cards usually also offer other bonus reward categories, such dining, gas and drugstores. Many also include additional benefits, like airport lounge access, hotel discounts, travel accident insurance, no foreign transaction fees and more.

Bonus categories, redemption options and benefits vary widely across card issuers. However, you can generally expect cards with higher annual fees to offer more perks. For example, premium cards with annual fees over $400 often feature hundreds of dollars in statement credits (money credited to your card’s outstanding balance) to cover travel or food purchases.

How do travel credit cards work?

Like other reward cards, travel credit cards give you a certain number of points (or miles) per dollar on eligible purchases. However, what makes these cards different from others is their high reward rate for travel-related purchases.

Travel credit cards often offer around 5x points or more for airfare, hotel rooms, rental cars and more. Some cards may also count parking, bus fares, taxis, tolls and ferries as travel purchases.

Besides travel, you'll typically get bonus points on specific spending categories, like 3x per dollar on dining, groceries, drugstores or streaming services. All other eligible purchases get at least one point (1x) per dollar.

You can then redeem your points for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises and more. Card issuers also usually let you redeem your points for non-travel options like statement credits, cash back or gift cards.

How much are credit card points worth?

In most cases, credit card points are worth one cent each. However, some issuers increase their value if you redeem them for travel. For example, points earned with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card have a 1.25-cent value when you book flights through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.

But point values may also decrease depending on how you choose to redeem them. For example, some cards let cardholders use points when shopping through Amazon or Paypal. While this might sound convenient, this option may bring down the value of points to around 0.8 cents.

How to use credit card points for travel

Travel credit cards have rewards programs through which members earn and redeem their points for travel, cash back, gift cards and more. Well-known point programs include Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards® and Citi ThankYou® Rewards.

Once you're ready to redeem your points, head to your travel card's reward program portal. The process may differ across credit card issuers, but you'll usually be able to access it through your online account on the website or app.

Most reward programs will let you book flights and hotel rooms. Some will also allow you to redeem your points for car rentals, cruises, tourist attractions and more.

Sometimes, you'll have the option to transfer your points to airline or hotel loyalty programs. Not all reward programs allow this, but if they do, it's usually at a 1:1 ratio — meaning 1,000 credit card points are worth 1,000 points in the travel partner program.

Note that, if you're missing some points to cover your trip, you'll often have the chance to pay the remainder with cash.

Difference between points and miles

Travel credit cards usually earn rewards as points. But some card issuers, like Capital One, call their rewards "miles" instead of "points" — even though they can be redeemed the same way as points.

Cards that earn miles are often (but not always) tied to a specific airline. Additionally, bear in mind that the term "mile" doesn't refer to miles traveled with the airline. One airline mile is usually the equivalent of one reward point, which you can redeem for free flights, seat upgrades and more.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

Types of travel credit cards

Here’s a rundown of the differences between the three main types of travel credit cards:

Airline credit cards

Airline credit cards are ideal for people who fly with the same airline regularly. These cards earn miles that you can use with one specific airline, and their rewards (called frequent flyer miles) are redeemable for airfare. Some of the best airline travel credit cards include benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding and discounts on in-flight purchases.

Hotel credit cards

Hotel credit cards are similar to airline cards. Points earned can only be used with one particular hotel chain.

For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns points for Hilton's loyalty program. Points can be redeemed for free nights in the company’s properties, including Hilton Garden Inn and Waldorf Astoria hotels. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, on the other hand, includes room upgrades and late checkouts on select locations.

Other benefits may include discount rates, late checkouts or free in-room Wi-Fi.

Hotel credit cards may also offer complimentary breakfasts, room upgrades, late checkouts and bonus points for purchases made during your stay.

General travel credit card

General travel credit cards are much more flexible and convenient than airline or hotel cards. Since they aren't affiliated with a single airline or hotel chain, general travel card points can be redeemed for a wide variety of travel-related expenses.

These cards allow cardholders to book flights, hotel stays, rental cars and more from different companies using your card issuer's online travel portal. Other ways to use card points include statement credits, cash back or gift cards. Some issuers also let you transfer points to airline and hotel partners.

These cards may offer handy perks for frequent travelers, like airport lounge access. They can also cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership, which allows you to skip the long lines at airport security or customs.

How to choose a travel credit card

Picking the best travel rewards card boils down to how often you travel, which cardmember perks you'd benefit the most from and the categories you spend the most on.

Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing the best card for you:

• Do you travel often? A travel rewards credit card offers high reward rates on most travel-related spending, and you’ll get the most bang for your buck when you use their points on flights, hotels and car rentals. If you don't take trips often but want to pile up rewards, a cash-back credit card might be a better fit.

• Assess your everyday spending. Many travel cards have additional bonus categories other than travel, like dining, supermarkets, streaming services and drugstores. Consider your day-to-day spending habits and pick a card with bonus categories that fit your lifestyle.

• Consider the card's annual fees. There are several no-annual-fee travel cards available, but they usually have few bonus categories and benefits. The best travel credit cards charge annual fees of at least $90 and can go as high as $700. However, these are often best for those that travel enough to take advantage of their benefits.

• General travel card vs co-branded cards. General travel cards have more flexible redemption options, allowing you to redeem your rewards for bookings with multiple travel companies. On the other hand, co-branded cards are often tied to a specific airline or hotel, which can limit your options. However, they do provide valuable perks like free checked bags, in-flight discounts and hotel upgrades.

• Compare extra travel perks. Some cards offer extras like annual statement credits for flights and hotels or upgrades when renting cars. Take the time to compare each card's roster of add-ons and pick one that will best suit your travel plans.

• Compare insurance policies. Some cards offer insurance policies that cover travel accidents, rental cars, trip cancellations and more. They also include purchase protection and extended warranties for items bought using the card. These policies can vary widely based on the issuer and the card's annual-fee tier.

• Beware foreign transaction fees. Most travel credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees. Some cash-back cards may offer outstanding rewards for travel purchases but charge around 3% fees on purchases outside the U.S.

• A welcome bonus shouldn't be the end-all, be-all perk. A 100,000-point welcome bonus can be enticing. However, it shouldn't be your deciding factor, especially if you'll end up paying a high annual fee without getting your money's worth.

How get the most out of your travel credit card

To get the most out of your travel credit card, you need to use it as often and strategically as possible. This way, you can earn points or miles with each purchase, which you can then redeem for free or discounted flights, hotels and more.

Use your travel card to pay most of your purchases and bills and then pay your card off in full each month. This will help you earn points while avoiding interest charges and high credit card debt, which can impact your credit score.

Here are some other tips to maximize your rewards and benefits:

• Consider adding an authorized user to your account. They’ll earn points with every purchase they make, and those will get added to your overall total. However, make sure to pick someone who will use the card responsibly since you'll be legally liable if they ever fail to pay their monthly bills.

• Redeem your rewards for travel through the card issuer's website. This redemption option usually offers the highest value compared to gift cards or merchandise, for example.

• If your card offers travel protections (like travel accident or luggage insurance), use it to pay for your passenger fares. This way, you could be reimbursed in the event of an accident or lost luggage, for example.

• Use your airline or hotel card to sign up for the company's frequent flyer or frequent guest loyalty program. You'll often earn extra points or miles when you're a member and use your co-branded card to pay for flights, hotel stays and more.

• If your travel card lets you combine points from multiple cards under one account, take advantage of the feature. For example, if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred®, you can transfer points to it from other cards (if they also earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points). This way, you can accumulate extra points and increase their value to 1.25 cents apiece if you make travel reservations through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.

How We Chose the Best Travel Credit Cards

We ranked the best credit cards for travel based on their annual fees, benefits, reward rates and redemption flexibility.

Fees: We compared interest rates and foreign, cash advance and balance transfer fees for more than 50 credit cards. We also considered their annual fee, looking for those that offered the most for the money.

Ongoing benefits: Intro APR and bonus offers are attractive, but they can only get you so far. We focused on cards with year-round benefits such as travel insurance or cell phone protection plans.

Reward rates: We preferred cards that allow you to earn extra points from travel expenses, as well as those that provide significant bonus rewards in popular spending categories, like dining, supermarkets or streaming services.

Redemption flexibility: Our picks don’t limit your redemption options to just travel. Some let you use your points for Amazon purchases, for example. We also preferred issuers that allowed cardholders to transfer their points to airline and hotel partners.

Summary of Money’s Best Travel Credit Cards of December 2023

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card - Best low-annual-fee travel credit card
• Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card - Best no-annual-fee credit travel card
• Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card - Best no-annual-fee travel credit card runner-up
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card - Best travel credit card for everyday spending
• Bilt World Elite Mastercard® - Best Travel Card for Paying Rent
• American Express® Gold Card - Best travel card for dining rewards
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® - Best premium travel credit card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card - Best low-cost premium travel credit card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express - Best travel card for perks and benefits
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express - Best travel card for businesses

Money.com has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Money.com and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

To see rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card, visit this link. Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link. Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, visit this link. Terms apply.

* Insurance disclosures for American Express Cards on this page:

Trip Delay Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Baggage Insurance Plan: 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.

Global Assist Hotline: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, 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.

Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance: 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. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. 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. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

*** Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. 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. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.