Choosing the right travel credit card can really improve your vacations. The correct card gets you rewards and benefits that make travel easier and more enjoyable. In this article we will talk about things to think about when picking a card. It also recommends the best cards in different categories.
Criteria for Selection
We looked at these factors when selecting the top travel cards:
- Reward rates on common purchases
- Size of welcome bonuses
- Annual fees
- Travel protections and insurance
- Airport lounge access
- Elite status with hotels or airlines
- Ease of earning and using rewards
The best cards earn you lots of points or miles without charging too much in fees. Good cards also make travel less stressful with trip delay coverage, lost luggage reimbursement and primary rental car insurance. The right card should match your habits and needs.
1. Best Overall Travel Credit Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express is the top choice for best total travel card. It offers the most airport lounge access available and very good rewards on flights and hotels.
New cardholders can earn up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points. You get 5x points when booking flights directly with the airline or through AmexTravel.com, up to $500,000 per calendar year. At $695 the annual fee is very high. But the card’s lounge access, statement credits and elite status benefits offer more total value.
Pros
- Access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally
- Up to $200 in annual airline fee credits
- Up to $200 in Uber Cash credits per year
- Automatic Gold elite status with Hilton and Marriott
Cons
- $695 annual fee
- Credits don’t cover airfare purchases
2. Best Beginner Travel Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

For people new to travel rewards cards the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a fantastic option. The $95 annual fee is reasonable. And the welcome bonus alone makes it worth getting.
You will earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase and 3x points on dining, select streaming services and online grocery purchases. Points transfer to airline and hotel partners or can be redeemed for 25% more value when booking travel through Chase.
Pros
- 60,000 point welcome bonus
- Only a $95 annual fee
- Trip delay, cancellation and baggage protections
Cons
- No airport lounge access
- $95 fee for authorized users
3. Best for Dining Rewards
American Express® Gold Card

Food lovers should grab the American Express Gold Card. It offers a stellar 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery. It also provides 4x points on every dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets on the first $25,000 in spending each year.
Perks include up to $10 per month in Uber Cash credits for U.S. rides and it totals up to $120 per year. You also get up to $120 per year in dining credits at GrubHub, Seamless the Cheesecake Factory and Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
Pros
- Up to $250 per year in dining and Uber credits
- No foreign transaction fees
- 4x points on worldwide dining
Cons
- $250 annual fee
- No complimentary hotel elite status
4. Best for Flexible Travel Redemptions
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Card makes redeeming your miles straightforward. Each mile = one cent that applies as a statement credit towards any travel purchase. Want a flight to Aruba? Use your Venture miles to cover the cost.
You will earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. All other purchases get 2x miles. New cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus miles by spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
Pros
- 75,000 mile signup bonus
- 2x miles on all purchases
- Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre Check
Cons
- No airport lounge access
- High APR for cash advances
5. Best Premium Travel Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

If you are a frequent traveler you should consider applying for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Card. It charges a $395 annual fee but offers luxury benefits like airport lounge access and travel credits.
You will earn 10x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Flights earn 5x miles. All additional purchases get 2x miles. New cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus miles by spending $4,000 within 3 months.
Cardholders receive up to a $300 annual statement credit towards bookings with Capital One Travel. There’s also access to 1,300+ Priority Pass airport lounges worldwide.
Pros
- 10x miles on Capital One Travel hotel & car bookings
- Lounge access included
- Up to $300 in annual travel credits
Cons
- High $395 annual fee
- No bonus rewards except through Capital One Travel
Comparison Overview
The Platinum Card from Amex gives you up to 175,000 bonus points. The $695 yearly fee gets you into many airport lounges and some status with hotels.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card hands out 60,000 points at first. This $95 card gives 5x points for travel bought via Chase. It also covers expenses if your trip gets delayed.
Do you want dining rewards? The American Express Gold Card serves up to 100,000 initial points and $250 in Uber and dining credits annually. It earns 4x on global restaurants and U.S. supermarket purchases with a $250 annual fee.
Capital One Venture Rewards offers 75,000 flyer miles for signing up. This $95 card turns each purchase into air miles at double the normal rate, leading to free travel quickly.
The Venture X version from Capital One nets 75,000 miles too, for a $395 fee. Top features are 10x miles at Capital One hotels and rental vehicles. You also get airport VIP lounge visits and a $300 annual discount on travel plans.
Picking the Best Card for Your Travel Needs
First, think about where you spend the most when traveling. Do you dine out frequently or stay at hotels more often?
Also consider your usual travel providers. Some cards offer higher rewards with specific airlines, hotel chains or online travel agencies.
To maximize benefits, put all your normal travel spending on a single rewards card. Pay it off each month to avoid interest charges. Use the points you earn to book upcoming trips and save money.
Matching the right card to your habits will get you the most value. Don’t pay high annual fees for lounge access if you won’t use it. But if you travel constantly, premium card perks can be worth it.
Conclusion
Picking the best travel credit card involves comparing welcome bonuses, annual fees and ongoing reward rates. Make sure to choose a card that fits your habits and budget. Remember the value of additional benefits and protections.
Use the card strategically and pay it off every month to get the most from your rewards. Enjoy earning points and miles as you travel more for less money thanks to the right travel credit card!
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