There are dozens of travel credit cards available, and every type of traveler has something real. The key is to find a card that matches your spending habits and help you get closer to your travel goals – whether it’s a weekend getaway or a dreamy vacation.
What you can look for when choosing the best travel credit card.
Key Features Looking for in Travel Credit Cards
The best travel credit card depends on what you spend and how you travel. When comparing options, please note:
- Card type: Decide between a common card (bound with an airline or hotel) and a universal travel card with flexible rewards.
- Welcome bonus: If you can meet your spending requirements, a strong introductory offer can provide great upfront value.
- Reward category: Find cards that reward you with your daily purchases, such as dining, travel and groceries.
- Annual Fees and Income: Ensure that the allowance is greater than the cost of carrying a card.
- Travel allowance: Benefits like lounge access, free check bags, and elite identity can enhance your trip and save money.
Each of these elements plays a role in the value you get and whether the card is truly suitable for your lifestyle.
Related: How (why) you should earn transferable credit card points
Co-brands and Universal: Which travel card should you choose?
First, consider the type of travel card you want and the rewards you want to earn.
There are two main categories: Co-Travel Credit Card and General Travel Reward Credit Card.
A common travel credit card is associated with a specific airline or hotel and often comes with a specific brand privilege.
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For airline cards, this may include free check bags, priority boarding or on-flight discounts. Hotel cards can provide annual free night certificates, property credits or automatic elite identity. These cards work best if you are loyal to a brand like Delta, United, or Marriott.
General travel reward credit cards are not bound to a single program. Instead, they can earn points or miles that you can use on multiple airlines and hotel brands, or redeemed through the issuer’s portal, declaring a credit or gift card trip.
Travel credit cards are usually preferable for those who want flexibility in the reward without being tied to a specific airline or hotel brand.
Related: My 4 Top Travel Credit Cards – And How They Improve My Travel
Why welcome quotes are important
Welcome bonuses are one-time bonuses, usually in the form of points, miles, or cashback, the bonus you earn after spending a certain amount on your new credit card in a specified time frame.
It can quickly enhance your points or mile balance and help offset the card’s annual fee. When evaluating an offer, consider:
- Reward size: Welcome bonuses of 60,000 to 100,000 points (or more) can provide significant value – usually worth hundreds of dollars for travel.
- Expenditure Requirements: Make sure you can meet minimum spending requirements to earn bonuses without extending your budget or making unnecessary purchases.
- Time provided: Some cards run at a high price throughout the year, and your app can maximize value.
To stay knowledgeable in the latest welcome offers, sign up for a (or all!) TPG newsletter and check out our running list of the best current welcome bonuses.
Related: The best time to apply for a US Express Card based on Quotation History
Match your lifestyle bonus category
The correct travel credit card should reward you with the purchases you have made, so to get the most value, carefully check how your card earns or miles and whether these bonus categories are consistent with your lifestyle.
- Catering and groceries: Many travel cards offer high rewards in restaurants and supermarkets, making it an excellent choice for foodies or families.
- Travel Purchase: Airlines and hotel cards often offer reward points for their specific brand spending, while general travel cards often reward a wider range of categories such as flights, hotels and even rides.
- Daily expenses: Some cards go beyond travel and dining by offering reward points for gasoline, streaming services, online shopping or shipping, and are ideal if you are looking for year-round income potential.
By choosing a card that matches your regular spending, you will maximize rewards and earn rewards faster without changing habits.
Weigh annual fees and benefits
The annual travel credit card fee ranges from $0 to nearly $800, and whether it is “worthy” depends on the value you actually get from its allowance.
Here is a great way to think about it: determine the real cost of the card by subtracting the privileges used in the annual fee you actually use or explaining the value of the points. This gives you a valid annual fee for the card and a clearer picture of what you really pay for.
Let’s look at two examples:
Chatong Sapphire Reserve
Annual Fee: $795
Key Privileges and Points:
- $300 Annual Travel Credit
- Until December 31, 2027
- Up to $250 per year on free Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions until June 22, 2027 (requires one activation via the Chase.com or the Chase Mobile app)
- Global admission fee is up to $120, TSA Precheck or Nexus every four years
- Spend 8 points per dollar, spend on all chase trips ℠ Purchase, spend 4 points per dollar on flights, hotels booked directly, spend 3 points per dollar on global dining
Your valid annual fee Chatong Sapphire Reserve Use these statements to have a credit limit of $0. Actually, your green is $85.
Now consider priority access, travel protection, other claims of credit and high income potential value. If you take advantage of these, the card can easily provide more value than you pay for.
To learn more, see our full review of Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Platinum card for American Express
Annual Fee: $695 (see rates and fees)
Key Privileges and Points:
- A statement credit of up to $200 for an airline you choose.
- Uber cash of up to $200 per calendar year, valid on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. (divided into a maximum of $15 per month plus a maximum of $20 bonus in December); Uber cash is deposited to just one Uber account when you add Amex Platinum as a payment method and redeem it with any Amex card
- Digital entertainment credits up to $240 per year, and when you purchase a qualifying purchase at the Amex Platinum of a qualifying partner, you have a monthly statement credit limit of up to $20.
- Declaration credits per calendar year up to $199
- Earn 5 points on flights booked directly with an airline or American ExpressTravel® (up to $500,000 per year for purchases annually).
*Admission is required to obtain selected benefits; terms and conditions apply.
Your valid annual fee Amex Platinum When using these statements, the credit is also $0. In this case, your green is $144.
Plus access to the lounge and bookings at Amex Travel have high revenue rates, with a total value far exceeding the cost.
For more information, see our full review of Amex Platinum Card.
Popular travel cards to consider
Remember that if you actually use these allowances, only one travel card is worth the annual fee. If the value exceeds the cost or the nearest cost, it is likely to be worth it. However, if the benefits are forced, you may choose the low price option.
Related: Complete guide to credit cards annual fee
Bottom line
The best travel credit cards aren’t always the ones with the most gorgeous privileges, but the ones that suit your lifestyle.
Whether you are looking for access to a luxury lounge or simple points on groceries and flights, make sure the card you choose matches your spending and helps you get closer to your travel goals without paying for benefits you won’t use.
Related: Credit cards that help fuel my luxury travel
For Amex Platinum rates and fees, click here.
