Travel Reward Credit Cards
Disclaimer: I’ve partnered with CardRatings to help recommend my favorite travel credit card products. American Girl Meets World and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers if you choose to apply through these links. As always, my recommendations, opinions, and reviews are mine alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
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Navigating credit cards can seem stressful, but it’s all about your approach. They can be incredibly rewarding if managed wisely. It’s crucial to understand your financial standing before diving into them. Although I’m not offering financial guidance, I believe in utilizing credit cards regularly, provided you have the funds to clear them promptly. This strategy allows you to enjoy the perks while bolstering your credit score—a win-win scenario.
My Favorite Travel Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is ideal for beginners due to its straightforward rewards structure and valuable benefits. With generous sign-up bonuses and points that can be transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs, it offers flexibility in redeeming points for travel. Additionally, its low annual fee, travel protections, and no foreign transaction fees make it an accessible and cost-effective option for those starting to explore the world of travel rewards.
Best for Luxury Travel
If you’re interested in luxury travel parks, the American Express Platinum Card is ideal for you. It offers a range of benefits that cater to those seeking a high-end travel experience.
American Express: The Platinum Card
While the annual fee of $695 may seem steep, it’s important to consider that the advantages far surpass any drawbacks. If you have the opportunity to obtain this card, I can assure you that its benefits are truly valuable.
- Travel Credits: Enjoy annual travel credits that can be used towards airline fees, Uber rides, and more.
- Airport Lounge Access: Access over 1,300 airport lounges globally, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, and Delta Sky Club when flying Delta.
- Hotel Status and Benefits: Receive complimentary Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, along with benefits like room upgrades and late check-out.
- Fine Hotels & Resorts: Access exclusive benefits such as room upgrades, breakfast, and late check-out at participating luxury hotels worldwide.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Fee Credit: Get a statement credit for the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- Amex Offers: Access special offers and discounts on purchases with select merchants through the Amex Offers program.
Best for flat-rate rewards
The Capital One Venture X is a great card for flat-rate rewards because it offers unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, providing consistent and straightforward value for various spending categories.
Capital One Venture X
This card comes with a modest annual fee of $95, yet it offers numerous benefits that make it worth considering for inclusion in your wallet.
- Welcome Bonus: Earn a generous welcome bonus of 75,000 after spending $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
- Reward Points/Miles: Earn 2-5x Venture miles for every dollar spent on all purchases, with no caps or restrictions on earning potential.
- Travel Credits: Receive an annual travel credit to use toward travel expenses such as airline tickets, hotel stays, or rental cars.
- Airport Lounge Access: Enjoy complimentary access to select airport lounges worldwide, providing a comfortable and relaxing environment during your travels.
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Fee Credit: Get reimbursed for the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, making your airport experience smoother and faster.
- Travel Protections: Benefit from travel insurance coverage, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, and rental car insurance, providing peace of mind during your journeys.
Best for Big rewards on everyday spending
The American Express Gold Card is ideal for earning substantial rewards on your everyday purchases. Not only does it offer substantial points on groceries, dining, and other routine purchases, but it also provides additional perks such as travel benefits, access to exclusive events, and comprehensive purchase protection
American Express: Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card is an excellent choice for maximizing rewards on your everyday spending. With its combination of high rewards and valuable extras, the American Express Gold Card stands out as a top option for those looking to get the most out of their daily expenditures. With its combination of high rewards and valuable extras, the American Express Gold Card stands out as a top option for those looking to get the most out of their daily expenditures.
- Rewards Program: Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points). Additionally, earn 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- Dining Credits: Receive up to $120 in annual dining credits ($10 monthly) at participating partners such as Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and select Shake Shack locations.
- Hotel Benefits: Enjoy benefits such as a $100 hotel credit and room upgrades when available with The Hotel Collection at over 600 properties when you book at least a two-night stay through American Express Travel.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use your card abroad without worrying about foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for international travel.
- Uber Cash Benefit: Earn up to $120 in annual Uber Cash ($10 monthly) that can be used on UberEats orders or Uber rides in the U.S.
- Baggage Insurance Plan: Receive coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage when traveling on a Common Carrier, such as airlines, trains, ships, or buses, when the entire fare is charged to the Gold Card.
Best for cash-back for travel bookings
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card is excellent for cashback on travel bookings because it offers a competitive 1.5% cash back on all purchases, which can be boosted to 5% when booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. This makes it a versatile choice for travelers who want to maximize their rewards on travel-related expenses.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Additionally, the rewards can be transferred to other Chase cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, enhancing their value when redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, where points can be worth up to 1.25 or 1.5 cents each. This flexibility and potential for increased value make the Chase Freedom Unlimited a strategic choice for frequent travelers looking to get the most out of their cashback and travel rewards.
- Cash Back on Every Purchase: Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn.
- 5% Cash Back on Travel: Earn 5% cash back on travel purchases made through Chase Ultimate Rewards, offering significant savings on your travel expenses.
- 3% Cash Back on Dining and Drugstores: Earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, and on purchases at drugstores.
- Welcome Bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 0% Intro APR: Enjoy a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, after which a variable APR of 20.24% to 28.99% applies.
- No Annual Fee: Benefit from all these features and rewards with no annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice for everyday spending.
