Your credit card can be an incredible ally – and it can save you significantly every time you plan a vacation or book travel. But in order to save the most money, you need to make sure you’re carrying the right credit cards in your wallet.
Many credit cards for travel let you earn miles, points, or dollars every day that you can use to score free airfare, hotels, and so much more. But the best of the bunch come with even more perks. Here are the best credit cards with travel rewards you won’t want to miss out on.
The Platinum Card by American Express
American Express offers one of the best total value credit cards when it comes to travel rewards. The Platinum Card by American Express has long been a popular choice for travelers – but its main drawback has always been its hefty annual fee.
The Platinum Card offers truly luxurious perks for those who want to save on travel but still enjoy its luxuries. With this card, you’ll get access to the American Express Centurion Lounges at any airport that offers them. You can also access other lounges, like Delta Sky Clubs, while you fly.
There’s also protection that comes with the Platinum Card. Every purchase is backed by American Express’s notoriously excellent payment protection. And in addition to this, you’ll also earn points on nearly any activity, and you can transfer those points to airlines to score discounts on tickets – or even book for free.
With added bonuses like a 60,000 point bonus for new cardholders, a $200 airline credit, a $200 Uber credit, and $250 in lounge access credits, the annual $450 fee is a small price to pay.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
A card designed specifically for travel rewards is always a smart choice if you want to save money, and the Capital One Venture Rewards card is one of the very best.
A straightforward card, the Venture Rewards card makes it easy to earn airline miles. You’ll score two miles for every dollar you spend, and you can earn a bonus of 75,000 miles by spending $5,000 in your first three months after opening the card. You can use those miles to book flights through the Capital One rewards portal – but you can also get more bang for your buck by taking advantage of the newly added “transfer” option, which lets you use your miles directly with select airlines.
Additionally, there’s another perk beyond airline tickets: you can save big on hotels. Capital One is partnered with Hotels.com, and when you use the Venture Rewards card to book a hotel on that website, you’ll earn 10 miles for every dollar. If you’re also a member of the Hotels.com loyalty program, you’ll earn cash back on top of those 10 miles per dollar, reaping nearly 20 percent back on every stay you book.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Considered the absolute best credit card for those seeking travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers unparalleled offers for its cardholders. It offers some of the highest point earnings and the biggest selection of rewards, and you can score savings on every aspect of traveling.
One of the biggest benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve is its signup bonus. New cardholders get 50,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first three months after opening an account. That bonus alone gives you $750 in airline rewards – meaning you’ll get one, or perhaps even two, flights for free.
And earning points is easy. You’ll earn one point per dollar spent on all purchases, and you’ll get 3 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases. This means you’ll even earn points on the vacations you book for incredible deals, making it the perfect vacation companion.
You can use the points you earn with the Chase Sapphire Reserve on more than airfare. Your points can be turned into hotel bookings, car rentals, and even cruises, giving you great flexibility in how you use your rewards. On top of this, you’ll also get an annual $300 travel credit that can be used as reimbursement for any travel expenses you paid out of pocket.
Score the Best Travel Deals With a Travel Rewards Credit Card
These are just a few of the amazing credit cards with travel rewards. There are plenty more available – and offers are always changing, with credit card companies offering new cards, new enticing bonus offers, and new ways to earn free rewards.
In order to find the right travel rewards credit card for you, it’s important to do your homework. Search online for the latest credit card offers and check out – and compare – the types of rewards they offer. Consider your spending habits and find a card that’ll let you earn as many points as possible for your favorite purchases.
And remember, offers change fast. That’s why it’s a smart idea to always search for the latest options and make sure your card is truly the best available for travel rewards. The right card could get you vacationing for free – and who doesn’t want that?