Rewards Credit Cards For Any Traveler

Travel is one of the best ways to spend our money. It is also one of the most expensive. Enter travel rewards credit cards. These are credit cards that earn you rewards on daily purchases to be used towards travel expenses such as flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. Having one or more of them at your disposal is a phenomenal way to significantly lower your cost of travel, and make the experience more enjoyable with endless perks.

Below are a handful of top credit cards in 2024 if you’re looking for cheaper travel in the new year.

*Disclaimer: Offers are accurate as of posting date, but may have expired. This content is not sponsored or endorsed by any of the brands listed.*

chase sapphire Preferred

Best all-around travel rewards card.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is considered by many to be the best all around card for travel rewards. Currently, this card is offering a 60,000 point bonus after $4,000 of spend within three months of account opening, with a $95 annual fee. The great thing about the Chase system is that their points go 25% further when booking through their Ultimate Rewards travel portal. This means your 60,000 point sign-up bonus can be worth $750 towards travel. Cardholders also earn 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and receive an annual $50 hotel credit.

Chase sapphire reserve

Best point redemption rates.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is another favorite, but this one is for those who prefer lounge access and premium perks. This card has a $550 annual fee for the same 60,000 point sign-on bonus, but it pays for itself. First, your miles with this card will go 50% further when booking through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, meaning your sign-on bonus can now be worth $900 towards travel. In addition to the same bonus point categories as the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you’ll receive a $300 annual travel credit each anniversary year, as well as access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. With a 1:1 point transfer to hotel and airline loyalty programs, this card can take you very far.

capital one venture

Earn miles quickly and easily.

The Capital One Venture card was my first travel rewards credit card, and it holds a special place in my heart. This card is great if you want to know you’re accumulating miles with every swipe. As of the time of this writing, the point bonus offer is 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on the card in the first three months of account opening. With only a $95 yearly fee, this is a great offer. This card gives you 2x miles per dollar spent on every purchase, every day. No more digging through your wallet to find the card that’s getting you extra points at the gas station in that particular month. The Venture card also includes reimbursement for Global Entry and TSA Precheck, as well as 5x miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars through the Capital One travel portal. Oh, and no international fees.

capital one venture x

Most affordable premium card.

This is a newer card that has lots of flexibility and comes at a lower price point than other premium cards. At a $395 annual fee, this card offers all the same perks as its older sibling, but with more frills. Venture X cardholders receive a $300 annual credit for bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal, as well as 10,000 bonus miles added to your account every year, starting on your first anniversary. Like all premium travel cards, you get unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to over 1,300 airport lounges. Between the $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 annual bonus points equaling $100 towards travel, your card’s annual fee is more than paid for.

bilt

Earn points paying rent, without the transaction fee.

This card is an absolute must-have for renters. The first of its kind, cardholders can use the Bilt mastercard to pay for their rent without that pesky 3% transaction fee, and earn points while doing it. Bilt offers 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and 1x points on all other categories including rent. On the first of each month, Bilt has special “rent day” perks, such as double points on all categories (excluding rent), and transfer bonuses to various partners. You could earn up to 100,000 points each year just from paying your rent, and use them with any of Bilt’s growing list of transfer partners. By the way, once you spend $10,000 or earn 50,000 points in one calendar year, you will reach Bilt Silver status and your points will start earning monthly interest.

american express platinum

For traveling luxuriously.

The Amex Platinum card is simply unmatched when it comes to perks and benefits. The current sign-on offer is 80,000 points after $8,000 in spend within 6 months of account opening. The annual fee is a steep $695, but you will see how it pays for itself, and then some. With this card, you receive access to over 1,400 airport lounges as well as over $1,400 worth of statement credits. These include a $200 annual hotel credit, a $240 digital entertainment credit (think Hulu, Disney+, The New York Times, etc.), $200 in Uber cash, $300 Equinox credit, $189 CLEAR credit, $100 Global Entry Credit, and more. You will also earn 5x points for flights and hotels, as well as complimentary elite status with both Hilton and Marriott.

ihg one rewards premier

Best hotel-specific card.

The IHG One Rewards Premier card is great for hotel-specific travelers. After just $3,000 of spend within 3 months of account opening, you will receive 140,000 bonus points, and only pay a $99 annual fee. Cardholders receive an anniversary free night at IHG properties, as well as a 5th night free for a consecutive four-night stay redeemed with points. You’ll earn 26x points on spend at IHG properties, 5x points on travel, gas stations, and restaurants, and 3x points for spend in all other categories. Card users also receive automatic Platinum Elite status and a $100 Global Entry/TSA Precheck credit.

british airways visa signature

Best for traveling US to Europe.

I wouldn’t typically recommend an airline-specific credit card, but this one sticks out to me for a few reasons. This card is great for a European-heavy traveler. You’ll earn 75,000 Avios after $5,000 of spend within the first three months of account opening. After that you’ll get 3x Avios on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia Air, 2x Avios on hotel spending, and 1x Avios on all other purchases. If traveling from the US, you’ll get 10% off British Airways flights when booking on their website. Every calendar year that you spend $30,000 in purchases, you’ll earn a Travel Together Ticket that is valid for two years. A good companion ticket is worth its weight in gold. All of this for only a $95 annual fee.

travel rewards make your money go further.

My favorite part of using travel rewards is their ability to stretch your vacation budget. By leveraging the rewards and features of travel credit cards, you can maximize your travel budget and unlock exciting opportunities.

Here are some great examples:

That hotel in the city center that would be soooooooo convenient, but is out of your budget? Maybe IHG points can offset the costs, or pay for it completely.

That road trip through Sicily you’ve been dying to take, but rental cars are just so expensive? Chase and Capital One offer $300 annual travel credits.

That vacation to England you want to take your spouse on to show them where your family came from? British Air has a free Travel Together Ticket.

That solo trip to Bordeaux you’ve been wanting to take? Bilt is a transfer partner of Air France.

Any questions? As a travel planner and itinerary designer, I can help you maximize your rewards points to get the most out of your vacations. Feel free to book a 1:1 consultation here or reach out about custom itineraries if you’re ready to take your vacation to the next level.