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Have you ever heard people talk about traveling the world for free with ‘points?’ Using a credit card is an important step in building a strong credit history and score, so why not earn travel rewards while paying for everyday purchases?
I’ve put together this easy-to-use guide to help you pick a travel rewards credit card that’s perfect for you—whether you’re running a business, saving up for your first big trip, or flying all around the world!
My Favorite Travel Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card has some of the best overall rewards for travelers. It’s what I recommend for first-time cardholders and frequent travelers who don't want to think too much about "points" strategy! With 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs, it's easy to redeem whenever and wherever you want.
My Review : Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card Review
Find your perfect match!
There are countless credit cards that offer some pretty awesome perks—but how do you know which one to pick? I've compiled all of my favorite travel reward credit cards here.
Check out my favorite cards and their benefits below or use the icons to jump to a specific category!
Best “First Timer” Travel Credit Cards
There are a LOT of travel reward credit cards to choose from, all offering different perks. So how do you decide? Well, for a first-time travel credit card, I suggest starting with a card that makes it easy to earn points, has zero foreign transaction fees so you can use it abroad, a low annual fee, and makes it super easy to redeem points whenever you want (and for whatever you want!). Both of these cards do just that! You won’t need any crazy strategies for these cards to pay off.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is what I consider an "easy to start" card—with simple mile transfers and low fees, it’s the perfect first-time credit card for travelers that want minimal confusion and maximum benefits.
Card Benefits
- 5X points per $1 spent on travel through Chase Rewards, 3x dining and takeout, 2x points on other travel purchases and 1X points on all other purchases.
- Get 5X points on Lyft rides through March 2022. Plus, perks with brands like DoorDash and Peleton too!
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs.
- When redeeming points for travel (airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises!) through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you get 25% more value.
Learn More about benefits and information on rates and fees here.
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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture travel credit card lets you earn miles on ANY purchase. There’s no limit on how many miles you can earn in a year or how you earn them, so it's perfect for those who just want to use one credit card for everything!
Card Benefits
- 2 Venture miles per $1 on every purchase, every day.
- Flexible redemption options for your miles—from vacation rentals, car rentals, and more
- Easily transfer Venture miles for a 2:1.5 ratio to most of Capital One's travel loyalty partners, and a 2:1 ratio for others.
Learn More about benefits and information on rates and fees here.
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Best Cards for International Frequent Travelers
These travel reward credit cards are the BEST when it comes to earning points, miles, and overall travel perks! Overall, the Capital One Venture card is best if you’re looking to rack up the miles, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve is best for travel credits and perks like lounge access.
American Express Gold Card
The Amex Gold Card is a good “all-around” card — especially if you are a foodie! Why is that? Well, you earn 4X Membership Rewards points at restaurants, including takeout and food delivery services…so you literally earn points for snacking. Now that’s something I can get behind!
Card Benefits
- Earn 4X points on restaurants, plus takeout, delivery, and US supermarkets; 3X points on flights.
- Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
- You can earn up to$120 Uber Cash and $120 Dining Credit at participating locations.
Learn More about benefits and perks here. See Rates and Fees here.
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Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card is the next step up for frequent travelers and those looking to step-up their rewards credit card. The annual fee is a lot more than the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, but the credits and perks you receive cover the cost, in my opinion!
Card Benefits
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards(R), 3X points on dining and 2X points on all other travel purchases, plus more.Also, 10X points on Lyft through March 2022.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement on travel expenses of airfare, hotels, rental cars and more.
- Free Priority Pass membership (worldwide airport lounge access), and other Premium Benefits, like Peleton, Lyft, and $120 in food delivery credits with DoorDash!
Learn More about benefits and information on rates and fees here.
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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture travel credit card lets you earn miles on ANY purchase. There’s no limit on how many miles you can earn in a year or how you earn them, so it's perfect for those who just want to use one credit card for everything!
Card Benefits
- 2 Venture miles per $1 spent on every purchase, every day.
- Flexible redemption options for your miles—fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime; no blackout dates.
- Easily transfer Venture miles for a 2:1.5 ratio to most of Capital One's travel loyalty partners, and a 2:1 ratio for others.
Learn More about benefits and information on rates and fees here.
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Best Travel Reward Cards for Businesses
If you run a business, odds are you have a dedicated business credit card to keep expenses seperate—why not make it a travel rewards card too? Benefit from your business expenses! If you’re a small business owner with a lot of expenses and you’re looking to maximize your earning potential and unlock some serious rewards, these just might be the cards for you!
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
This is the card I use for my small business! I love that my business expenses can help build up points for personal travel, and I can pool those points together with my other Chase travel credit cards to redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. It's a no brainer for me!
Card Benefits
- 3 points per $1 spent on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each year.
- 1 point per $1 on all other purchases, with no limit to the amount you can earn.
- You can also redeem for travel, cash back, gift cards, experiences, and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- If you're more interested in getting cash-back for your business, the Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card is a very popular option.
Learn More about benefits and information on rates and fees here.
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American Express® Business Gold Card
This is my favorite business card from American Express's offerings—it's midrange in terms of annual fee, has an attainable sign-up bonus, and makes it easy to earn! I do want to point out that Amex is not always accepted internationally, so keep that in mind if you are traveling abroad often.
Card Benefits
- 4X Membership Rewards® points on the two select categories where your business spent the most each month, and 1X on all other purchases.
- Book your flight with American Express Travel using Membership Rewards® Pay with Points and get 25% of those points back.
- Some trip delay insurance, luggage insurance, and car rental loss and damage insurances are included when you use your card to book.
Learn More about benefits here. See Rates and Fees here.
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Business Platinum Card® from American Express
This is the card is great for business owners with high spending, frequent travel, and enjoy status with Hilton and Marriot loyalty programs. This card comes with a lot of great travel perks for a business card! I do want to point out that Amex is not always accepted internationally, so keep that in mind if you are traveling abroad often.
Card Benefits
- 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent, and 5X points for airfare and prepaid hotels booked through amextravel.com
- You can earn 1.5X points for eligible purchases over $5,000, up to 1 million additional points per calendar year.
- Access to Amex's Global Lounge Collection, Priority Pass, and Centurion Lounges for yourself plus two guests.
- Book your flight with American Express Travel using Membership Rewards® Pay with Points and get 35% of those points back.
- Breeze through security with CLEAR(R) where available and get up to $179 back per year on your membership when you use your Card.
- Redeem points for the highest value by transferring them to one of 22 Amex partner airlines or hotels—however, this does require some research and strategy to pay off.
Learn More about benefits here. See Rates and Fees here.
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Best Credit Cards for Airline Loyalty
Are you a frequent flyer? If you prefer one airline strongly over others, or getting airline status makes you feel warm & fuzzy inside, then one of these travel credit cards might be for you!
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®
If you prefer flying with American Airlines, and fly with them semi-frequently, this card would be a good move! You get exclusive AA perks by being a cardholder, plus your points go farther when booking flights with American Airlines.
Card Benefits
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all purchases, and earn 2 miles per $1 spent at gas stations, restaurants and on eligible American Airlines purchases.
- Preferred boarding for cardholders, and first checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions on the same reservation.
Learn More about benefits and information on rates and fees here.
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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
If you are loyal to Southwest Airlines, or travel mostly domestically, this is your ideal travel credit card!
Card Benefits
- Earn a Companion Pass® through 2/28/2022 plus 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year. 2X points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases, and 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Receive 6,000 bonus points each year after your Cardmember anniversary.
- Your bags fly free, and no change fees or blackout dates.
Learn More about benefits and information on rates and fees here.
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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Credit Card from American Express
In my research, this card is the best for overall airline rewards—if you're looking to get status with an airline, and you spend a decent amount on travel, this is your best opportunity.
Card Benefits
- 3X miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases and on purchases made directly with hotels, and 1X mile on all other eligible purchases.
- 1.5X miles per $1 on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (that's an extra half mile per dollar), up to 50,000 additional miles per year.
- Cardholders get Priority Boarding, discounted in-flight purchases, and can check your first bag free on Delta flights booked with your card.
Learn More about benefits here. See Rates and Fees here.
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Best Credit Cards for Hotel Stays
Who doesn’t love free hotel stays? While you can redeem most points from travel reward credit cards for accommodation, you won’t get status with specific hotel chains that way. If you stay in hotels frequently, prefer a certain hotel brand over others, or want to get status, one of these co-branded hotel credit cards might be for you!
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card
This card is the best of the 'mid-range' hotel rewards card, in my opinion! For the low annual fee, you get some great perks and can use your point on over 7,000 Marriott properties worldwide. Plus, you get automatic silver status with Marriott!
Card Benefits
- Earn up to 17X Bonvoy points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2X Bonvoy points on everything else.
- 1 Free Night Award every year after your account anniversary, valid for a one-night hotel stay at a property with a redemption value up to 35,000 points.
- 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year, and free in-room Premium WiFi at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
Learn More about benefits and information on rates and fees here.
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IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
This card is the best for those who frequent IHG hotels—which includes InterContinental Hotels, Kimpton Hotels, and more.
Card Benefits
- Earn up to 25X points per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel. 2X points per $1 on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.
- 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Enjoy a Reward Night at one of IHG®’s eligible Hotels & Resorts each year.
- Automatic Platinum Elite Status as long as you remain an IHG® Rewards Club Premier Cardmember.
Learn More about benefits and information on rates and fees here.
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Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card
Another reason I like the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card is that it makes it easy to earn points and redeem for hotel stays—and you're not tied to a specific hotel brand! It's flexible, which is key when I travel.
Card Benefits
- 3X points on travel, dining, and takeout. 10X points on Lyft through March 2022.
- Receive a $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement on travel expenses of airfare, hotels, rental cars and more.
- Free Priority Pass membership (worldwide airport lounge access), and other Premium Benefits, like Peleton, Lyft, and $120 in food delivery credits with DoorDash!
Learn More about benefits and information on rates and fees here.
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Best Cards for Getting Cash Back
Cash-back cards are a great way to maximize your rewards and benefit from expenses you have to pay for anyway! Maybe saving points for a future trip doesn’t sound right for you at the moment, or maybe with everything going on, you’re not comfortable traveling for a while— a cash-back credit card might be the perfect alternative.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
This card is a great option for those who want an easy-to-use cash-back card! And it's especially awesome for those who already have a Chase travel credit card and want the option for cash-back, but would also like the possibility of redeeming their points! Plus there's no annual fee.
Card Benefits
- Earn 5% Cash Back on grocery store purchases (not including Target(R) or Walmart(R) purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
- Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on all other purchases.
- Earn 5% on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards(R), 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- Redeem your points through Chase Ultimate Rewards® for travel and more (doesn't just have to be cash-back!), if you already have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.
- And there are lots of other perks, like DoorDash and Lyft!
Learn More about benefits and information on rates and fees here.
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Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
This is a great beginner cash-back card — it's easy to use and redeem!
Card Benefits
- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), and 2% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores.
- 1% Cash Back on everything else!
Learn More about benefits and information on rates and fees here.
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Best Credit Card for Flexible Rewards
Who doesn’t like a little flexibility? If you don’t like to be confined into one category of spending, consider a card that lets you earn points on every purchase and redeem them for just about anything!
Chase Freedom Unlimited
This card is one of the most flexible reward credit cards out there because if you already have a Chase travel reward card, you can transfer your points to your Ultimate Rewards account and redeem them for everything from travel to gift cards, and more. Plus there's no annual fee!
Card Benefits
- 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining at restaurants and drugstores, and an unlimited 1.5% on all other purchases.
- Redeem your points through Chase Ultimate Rewards® for travel and more (doesn't just have to be cash-back!), if you already have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.
- And there are lots of other perks, like DoorDash and Lyft!
Learn More about benefits and information on rates and fees here.
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