When you can’t use points or miles to pay for travel, earning rewards on your travel spending is the next best thing. Whether you’re booking a rental car, cruise, or tour, the right credit card can help you rack up points or miles, earn bill points, and unlock valuable travel benefits.
Most “best travel credit cards” lists focus primarily on flights and hotels, and for good reason, as these purchases typically make up the majority of travel spending. But what about everything else? Transfers to and from the airport, train tickets, city transport, cruises and third-party bookings can add up, and they deserve attention.
Here are the best credit cards for general travel purchases (not just flights and hotels).
Related: How to choose the right travel credit card for you
The best credit cards for travel spending
American Express Green Card information is independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
annual fee: $95.
why we like it: The $95 annual Chase Sapphire Preferred is an attractive option for travelers looking to earn great rewards on a variety of trips and everyday purchases.
This card earns:
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- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on travel booked with Chase Travel℠
- Earn 3 points for every USD1 spent on dining
- Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on select streaming services
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on online groceries (excluding Target®, Walmart® and Wholesale Club)
- Earn 2 points for every US$1 spent on other travel purchases
Use this card to earn up to 1.75 cents per point when you book with Chase Travel (see Rewards Program Agreement for complete details). Still, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are extremely valuable when transferred to partners like Air Canada Aeroplan and World of Hyatt.
The card also offers $50 in points per year on hotel stays booked through Chase Travel and 10% back in points per year based on your card purchases. The 10% rebate is calculated based on earning 1 point per $1 spent throughout the year (excluding category-specific bonus points).
Finally, Sapphire Preferred also offers major car insurance when you rent a car (which is a huge benefit if you don’t want to rely on your car insurance to protect yourself and raise your premiums in the event of an accident), along with other travel protections like trip delay coverage and trip cancellation coverage.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
American Express Green Card
annual fee: $150.
why we like it: Amex Green is a mid-range card that’s great for travel shopping. You’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel, transportation and restaurant dining around the world (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else.
The card’s travel rewards categories include a wide range of purchases, such as transportation and short-term vacation rental sites, in addition to traditional airfare and hotel purchases.
The card also offers up to $209 in annual Clear Plus membership points (automatically renews after you sign up and pay for your Clear Plus membership), and there are no foreign transaction fees. Registration required.
Learn more: American Express Green Card
Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card
annual fee: $395.
why we like it: The Atmos Rewards Summit Card stands out for its best-in-class rewards on purchases abroad, a rare perk among premium travel cards.
Cardholders earn:
- Earn 3 points per $1 on Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on eligible dining purchases
- Earn 3 points for every US$1 spent on foreign transactions
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
This last category is where this card really shines. Most cards exclude international spending from rewards categories, but the Atmos Rewards Summit card rewards travelers for everyday purchases abroad. If you frequently dine, shop or book travel overseas, this card offers excellent value and simplicity – and there are no foreign transaction fees.
Apply here: Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card
Citi Strata Premier Card
annual fee: $95.
why we like it: With an annual fee of $95, Citi’s mid-tier Premier card is a bargain in your card collection. Earn 10 points per $1 spent on multiple travel purchases (such as hotels, car rentals and attractions) (excluding air travel) booked through the Citi Travel portal.
The card also offers 3 points per $1 spent in fixed categories, including air travel, other hotels, gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, restaurants and supermarkets.
Once you earn Citi Thank You Rewards points with this card, you can transfer the points to Citi’s travel partners, which are not as strong as competitors but have some advantages, such as Avianca LifeMiles as an airline partner.
Apply here: Citi Strata Premier Card
Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card
annual fee: $95.
why we like it: At first glance, Bank of America’s entry into the travel rewards market might not seem all that exciting. The Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card earns a respectable 2 points per $1 spent on travel and dining and 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases, but the card has no transfer partners.
Instead, you can redeem your points for statement credits, bank deposits, gift cards or book travel directly for 1 cent per point.
However, the card’s true value comes when you combine it with the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program. Depending on the number of assets you hold with Bank of America and Merrill Lynch (including checking accounts, savings, retirement funds, investment portfolios and more), you’ll earn one of three status levels in the Preferred Rewards program, which means you can earn at a higher rate with the Premium Rewards card.
Whether at Platinum Honors or Diamond Honors levels, the usual 2 points earned per dollar spent on travel becomes 3.5 points, and the card’s daily earn rate becomes 2.625 points instead of 1.5 points. With these rewards in mind, the Premium Rewards Credit Card is definitely one to consider when traveling and shopping.
Additionally, you’ll receive up to $100 in TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credits every four years and up to $100 in annual Airline Incidental Statement credits on eligible purchases.
Apply here: Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Entrepreneurship Rewards Credit Card
annual fee: $95.
why we like it: Ease of use is what the Capital One Risk Rewards Credit Card is all about. Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on every purchase, including all general travel expenses. Additionally, you can earn 5 points for every $1 spent when booking hotels, vacation rentals and car rentals through the Capital One Travel portal.
Capital One Venture also allows you to redeem Capital One miles at a fixed value or transfer the miles you earn to its 15+ airline and hotel transfer partners, including Avianca, Etihad Airways and Turkish Airlines. Most Capital One partners transfer points at a 1:1 ratio.
Learn more: Capital One Entrepreneurship Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Ventures X Rewards Credit Card
annual fee: $395.
why we like it: Capital One’s Premium Travel Rewards Card is an exciting card. The Capital One Venture
In addition, Venture X cardholders receive free access to Capital One lounges and Priority Pass memberships. The card also offers travel protection such as trip cancellation and interruption coverage, trip delay reimbursement and rental car coverage.
Venture
Learn more: Capital One Ventures X Rewards Credit Card
bottom line
Not every travel expense fits neatly into the “flights and hotels” box, and that’s where these cards shine. From taking trains and cruises to dining abroad and driving back to your hotel, the right travel credit card can help you earn valuable rewards every step of the way.
So when you can’t use points or miles to pay for your next adventure, make sure you’re using the right card in your wallet to earn points or miles.
For the Capital One products listed on this page, some offers may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. Please see the appropriate benefits guide for details as terms and exclusions apply.
Related: 7 Best Travel Credit Cards for Getting Started
