5 Best Credit Cards for Travel Rewards in 2025

You’ve probably heard from your friend’s sister’s cousin’s roommate that they used a travel credit card to basically travel the world for “free” and get all sorts of perks at the same time! It sounds amazing and maybe even too good to be true. So is it something that you could do too?

Imagine getting this view for almost free!

The answer is yes! Travel credit cards can be a great option for frequent travelers. You’ll be earning points and rewards on purchases you would have made anyway. It’s a great way to game the system and potentially earn even more travel opportunities and perks.

However, a credit card is a major financial decision, and jumping in too soon or with the wrong card could mean you end up with more fees and headaches than anything else. Save yourself a headache and read on to learn how the best travel credit cards work, if a travel credit card is right for you, and which option fits your needs the best!

Should I get a travel credit card?

Travel credit cards can be a great option for frequent travelers looking to earn points and game the system. However, carrying an actual balance on a travel credit card isn’t usually the best idea. It all depends on your needs and how you might use the card.

For example, almost all the best travel rewards credit cards offer a sign-up bonus, meaning extra points that you can earn by hitting a minimum spending limit. It’s basically free money that you earn by spending your own money.

Buuuut...sometimes the minimum spending limit can be out of your budget, meaning you might not earn the points, or worse, overstretch your finances to reach it.

There are also tons of awesome travel perks tied to some cards! Some of the most common are trip cancellation insurance, auto rental insurance, emergency services, and access to airport lounges.

Buuuut...the cards with the most travel perks often have a higher annual fee.

There are definitely a lot of pros to the best travel credit cards! You’ll earn rewards while you are traveling for future trips that you might want to take. Most cards will help you save on foreign transaction fees, and you can spend strategically to maximize your earning potential.

Most of these cards have no foreign transaction fees and come with TSA precheck, a lifesaver for those who hate airport security lines.

All of that said, there are some great alternatives to a travel credit card including a cashback or rewards card instead. Like all financial decisions, you should take the time to research and decide which option is right for you.

READ MORE: Traveling on a Student Budget? You Need This Budget Planner

Which travel credit card is best for me?

We get it—the sheer volume of travel credit card choices can be overwhelming.

So, which card is right for you? When choosing a travel credit card, there are a few main important categories to consider.

1. Type of travel credit card

Some travel credit cards apply to all types of travel, while others specialize. There are hotel travel credit cards and airline travel credit cards. Make sure you choose the right one for your style of travel, whether you need serious flight savings or more of a general all-purpose card.

2. Perks/rewards you’ll actually use

Many credit cards can sound enticing with their luxury perks. But travel credit cards that include access to an exclusive airport lounge might not be best for you if you don’t fly frequently! Make sure the perks and rewards are something you will truly benefit from. The perks can make or break a credit card, so do your research!

3. High earning rate

Different cards have different reward rates. Some only earn 1x the points, while others earn up to 4x the points in certain categories. It’s important to secure a high earning rate in a category you will actually use. This type of strategic planning and spending will have you racking up points in no time.

4. Sign up bonus

Again, many of the best credit cards for traveling can differ a lot in this category, so it’s important to know how much the sign-up bonus and minimum spending requirement are, and to pick one that’s right for you and your budget. (Psst! You can also plan around a large purchase that you need to make anyway to earn those sign up bonus points! Like a laptop, phone, wireless headphones, etc...)

5 best travel rewards credit cards

Hey frequent adventurer! These are for you.

1. Bank of America Travel Rewards

The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is a winner simply because it has no annual fee. You won’t be stuck paying just to have a credit card in the first place! The lack of an annual fee does come at a cost, with a slightly lower reward rate and sign-up bonus than some of the other best credit cards for traveling on our list.

But if the sign-up bonus isn’t important to you, this card is a great option! The simplicity of the 1.5x reward rate on all purchases means you won’t have to juggle categories and points. This card is an easy and cheap way to jump into the travel credit card scene!

Quick and dirty information:

• Annual fee: $0
• Sign up bonus: 25,000 points
• Rewards rates: 1.5x

2. American Express Gold Card

For groceries (in the US), dining (internationally), and flights, you can earn not two, not three, but four times the points when you use the American Express Gold Card. That’s a heck of a lot of points! It’s worth noting that this card doesn’t come with many travel perks.

TSA precheck isn’t included in the deal, an unusual perk to be missing on one of the best travel rewards credit cards. However, if that’s not a dealbreaker for you, this is one of the best credit cards for traveling because of all the points you’ll score! You’ll be trading in your points to jet off to the destination of your choosing in no time.

Quick and dirty information:

• Annual fee: $250
• Sign up bonus: 60,000 points
• Rewards rates: 1x - 4x

3. Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is another great option for avid travelers. With this card, you can earn up to 3x the reward points on categories such as dining and travel. You’ll earn 3x the points no matter if you’re fine dining on escargot in Paris or grabbing street tacos in Puerto Vallarta. The cons of this card are definitely the annual fee, which is over five hundred dollars!

However, the card also comes with a $300 travel credit that can be used for flights, hotels, rental cars, etc. Other travel perks include food delivery credits through DoorDash, access to high-quality airport lounges, rental car insurance, emergency medical insurance, and even trip cancellation insurance. These crazy travel perks easily make up for the annual cost! For a more luxury-focused card for serious travelers, definitely give this credit card a try.

Quick and dirty information:

• Annual fee: $550
• Sign up bonus: 60,000 points
• Rewards rates: 1x - 3x

4. Capital One: Venture Rewards

Capital One Venture Rewards card is one of the best credit cards for travel rewards. The rewards rate is especially nice on this card: 2x on all purchases, no matter the category! This makes it perfect for all of your spending needs. That means you can even earn points while you’re grocery shopping (and not just when you book hotels and flights).

The sign-up bonus isn’t too steep, at just 3,000 minimum to earn the 60,000 points. This card is a great catch-all: simple, straightforward, and with amazing rewards to boot!

Quick and dirty information:

• Annual fee: $95
• Sign up bonus: 60,000 points
• Rewards rates: 2x

5. Discover It Miles

The Discover It Miles Card is unique in one important way: there’s no sign-up bonus! Instead, Discover will match all the miles/points you earn at the end of your first year. There’s no minimum spending that you have to meet to earn the bonus points. You can spend as little (or as much!) as you like and still earn points at the end of your first year.

The 1.5x reward rate applies to all purchases, with no restrictions, so chances are you’ll be earning plenty of points. And then, Discover will match all those points and basically double your earnings! This sweet deal makes Discover It Miles one of the best credit cards for travel.

Quick and dirty information:

• Annual fee: $0
• Sign up bonus: Matches your first-year miles
• Rewards rates: 1.5x

3 best travel credit cards for beginners

Are you new to the world of travel credit cards?

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred

For such a small annual fee, this card offers the full package of travel benefits, including trip cancellation insurance, auto rental insurance, baggage insurance, and even travel emergency services. That’s a lot of perks for such a small price. As if that wasn’t enough, this card also offers an incredible sign-up bonus of 100,000 points (nearly double what most other cards offer!).

The sign-up bonus alone makes this card a great starter card: You’ll earn the most bang for your buck in no time. Because the annual fee isn’t too high, this card is a great package deal for beginners wanting to try out one of the best credit cards for travel rewards.

Quick and dirty information:

• Annual fee: $95
• Sign up bonus: 100,000 points
• Rewards rates: 1x - 2x

2. Delta Skymiles Gold American Express

The sign-up bonus on this card is a little less than others, but it also has a lower minimum spending requirement. That means no big spending to get the big rewards, perfect for beginners who might have reservations about spending so much on a credit card to earn the bonus points. Plus, with this card, you’ll earn 2x the points on dining and groceries, and then redeem them for a Delta flight to wherever your heart desires.

This also comes with serious Delta perks such as a free checked back (goodbye baggage fees!), access to the exclusive Sky Club, early boarding privileges, and even a flight credit! And because there’s no annual fee for the first year, it’s a low commitment, high reward situation, making it one of the best travel credit cards for beginners.

Quick and dirty information:

• Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $99
• Sign up bonus: 40,000 points
• Rewards rates: 1x - 2x

3. Citi Premier

Citi Premier is a great card for beginners because of the rewards rates categories. You can earn 3x points on dining, travel, groceries, and even gas! If you’re not ready for international travel yet or just want to road trip around the country, the gas points alone will make a huge difference.

Be aware that this card doesn’t come with many travel perks (no trip cancellation insurance, etc). However, the low annual fee and sheer earning potential from gas points make this one of the best travel credit cards for beginners.

Quick and dirty information:

• Annual fee: $95
• Sign up bonus: 80,000 points
• Rewards rates: 1x - 3x

What is the best credit card for a student to use while studying abroad?

If you’re a student who needs a reliable credit card while abroad, these are for you.

Studying abroad is a blast and having a credit card can make it even easier! If you’re staying in one place for most of your study abroad, you’ll definitely want to maximize the all-around rewards rate.

Studying abroad will include buying groceries, gas, and dining out more than flights or hotels, so make sure the rewards rate on these categories is high! You might not need travel benefits such as airport lounges, so a card with auto insurance, etc., might be more suited for your needs.

With that in mind, the Capital One: Venture Rewards card (#4 on our list!) is a fantastic option for students while studying abroad. It’s simple, has great rewards, and has a low annual fee. With this card, you’ll get the most out of your rewards with less hassle for you.

A travel credit card is your passport’s best friend!

With a ton of research and planning, having a travel credit card can be great! You can rack up points on categories like normal grocery purchases to earn your next trip for (almost) free! Plus, you’ll have rewards and perks that make traveling that much easier and affordable (hello, relaxing in luxury airport lounges!).

No matter the type of traveler (or spender) you are, having one of the best credit cards for travel can definitely maximize your travel opportunities and help you get the most out of your traveling adventures!