Are you looking for the best way to travel on a budget? Want to head on a vacation without spending anything at all? While there are plenty of ways to search for cheap airfare and hotel rooms, the biggest savings actually come from travel rewards credit cards.
Travel rewards credit cards offer impressive travel rewards. From rewards points that can be used for free airfare and hotel stays to discounted vacation packages to perks like lounge access and free checked bags, these credit cards offer it all.
And if you choose the right travel rewards credit card, you can reap some serious benefits. If you’re looking for a new credit card with travel perks, make sure to consider these top choices.
1. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards credit card is one of the most straightforward travel rewards cards available. If you aren’t a frequent traveler, but want to earn rewards that you can use for free or deeply discounted vacations, you’ll love this credit card.
The Capital One Venture Rewards card includes the following benefits and travel rewards¹:
- Earn 2 points (or airline miles) per dollar spent on every purchase.
- Earn 10 points (or airline miles) per dollar spent on every hotel purchase.
- New cardholders earn a 50,000-mile bonus for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
- $0 annual fee for the first year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- $100 credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
- Can transfer reward miles to over 10 airlines.
- 24 hour travel assistance line.
2. BankAmericard Travel Rewards Credit Card
Offered by Bank of America, the BankAmericard Travel Rewards credit card is another straightforward travel rewards card that gives cardholders rewards points that can be turned into free vacations. But, instead of limiting you to just airline miles, the BankAmericard Travel Rewards card offers true points – and those can be used towards all kinds of travel expenses or purchases.
The BankAmericard Travel Rewards card includes the following perks and benefits²:
- New cardholders get a bonus of 25,000 points for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.
- Earn 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases.
- Rewards points never expire, and reward earnings are unlimited.
- $0 annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 0% APR for the first 12 months (or billing cycles).
3. Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card
If you frequently choose to fly Delta when you travel, you’ll love the Gold Delta SkyMiles credit card. Designed for frequent Delta customers, this card lets you earn SkyMiles on every purchase and comes with airport perks too. And the more frequently you use this credit card while traveling, the faster you’ll earn rewards.
The Gold Delta SkyMiles credit card comes with the following benefits and rewards³:
- $0 annual fee for the first year.
- New cardholders get 50 percent back in statement credits for all Delta purchases made in the first 3 months.
- Earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000.
- First checked bag is free on Delta.
- Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases.
- Earn 1 mile per dollar spent on eligible purchases.
- Main Cabin Priority Boarding on Delta flights.
- No foreign transaction fees.
4. Platinum Card from American Express
Those looking for more prestigious travel perks and rewards will want to add the Platinum Card from American Express to their wallets. Considered one of the top credit cards for premium travel rewards, this card offers more points, bigger rewards, and a fantastic points transfer program to a number of airlines’ frequent flier programs.
The Platinum Card from American Express includes these rewards and travel perks⁴:
- Earn Membership Rewards Points on qualified or eligible purchases.
- Earn 5 times the Membership Rewards Points on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel.
- Earn 5 times the Membership Rewards Points on hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Option to upgrade airline seats or hotel rooms with reward points.
- Access to more than 1,000 lounges at more than 500 airports around the world.
- Uber VIP status and $15 in Uber Cash each month.
- Upgraded status at certain hotel chains.
5. Chase Sapphire Preferred
Considered the gold standard of travel rewards credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers fantastic benefits and perks for anyone who travels at least once per year. With an impressive new cardholder bonus and rewards points earned quickly on every purchase, you can easily turn your credit card spending into a free flight – or perhaps even a 100 percent free vacation, if you earn enough in rewards.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card comes with the following benefits⁵:
- Earn 2 points per dollar on all travel and dining purchases.
- New cardholder bonus of 60,000 points for spending $4,000 in 3 months.
- Annual fee of $95.
- Get 25 percent more value out of your rewards points if you use them on the Chase travel portal.
- 1:1 point transfer to multiple airlines and hotels.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 24/7 access to customer travel specialists.
Find the Best Travel Rewards Credit Card for Your Wallet
With a travel rewards credit card, there are so many ways you could potentially save on travel. You could earn free flights, rack up rewards points to use on hotels or vacation packages, or even enjoy little perks like priority airline boarding and lounge access.
And today, there are many travel rewards credit cards available. Nearly all of them have incredible new cardholder offers and bonuses – so it’s a great time to take advantage and sign up for a new card. But, before you decide on a card, make sure to search for the latest offers. You might find a new cardholder bonus that could pay for your next vacation!
Search online to see what travel rewards credit cards are offering right now. Remember to compare details like reward point earnings, travel benefits, and annual fees to choose the best option for your wallet.