Best Travel Credit Cards

Travel credit cards are worth it for people who travel multiple times per year and who spend enough for the cards' rewards and supplemental benefits to outweigh any annual fees. People who travel less frequently may also find travel credit cards with no annual fee to be worth it. In addition, it's worth noting that a travel credit card could be one of multiple cards in your wallet. It's not necessary to choose between travel rewards and cash back, for example.

Travel Credit Cards That May Be Worth It

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Discover it® Miles
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

7 Tips for How to Decide if a Travel Credit Card Is Worth It

1. Compare expected rewards earnings to the cost of the card.

For a travel credit card to be worth it, the card's rewards and benefits should outweigh its fees.

2. Compare the value to other credit card offers.

The travel credit card's net value – rewards and benefits, minus fees – should be higher than what other comparable cards offer. A credit card is not truly worth it if getting that card means bypassing a better deal.

3. Take annual fees into account, but don't rule them out.

Nearly all of the best travel credit cards charge an annual fee. But there are plenty of benefits that reduce the impact of such a fee. For example, an initial bonus is one factor that can easily make a travel credit card worth getting. The best travel rewards cards offer sizeable bonuses when you meet minimum spending requirements in the first year. Top initial bonus offers cover the cost of their card's annual fee for several years.

4. Make sure the redemption options suit you.

Typically, you can redeem a travel card's rewards for travel-focused purchases such as airfare or hotel stays, as well as other options like gift cards, merchandise or cash. The value of those rewards varies by card. But in most cases, you'll get the highest value when you redeem for travel.

5. Consider co-branded travel cards if you have a favorite airline or hotel chain.

People who frequent a specific hotel or airline may get the most value from co-branded travel cards that offer enhanced rewards for loyal customers. Common perks on such cards include free checked bags, seat or room upgrades and lounge access.

However, you'll lose flexibility when earning and redeeming rewards, relative to a general travel card. Co-branded travel cards tend to give the best rewards at their affiliated airline or hotel, and your rewards are usually tied to that company's loyalty program.

6. Make sure there's no foreign fee if you're spending internationally.

The travel credit cards that are most worth it for international travelers and shoppers are ones that come with no foreign transaction fee. Foreign transaction fees can be as costly as 3% of each purchase made with a foreign merchant. But luckily, most travel cards don't have this fee.

7. Check your credit score before applying.

It's important to check your credit score before submitting an application for any travel credit card. The best travel credit cards tend to require at least good credit (a score of 700+), and some even require excellent credit (a score of 750+).

Choosing between cash back rewards and travel rewards ultimately comes down to your spending preferences, the perks that specific cards offer, and how you plan to redeem rewards earnings. In general, people looking for flexible redemption options and rewards with clear values that can't be changed by the card's issuer should choose cash back rewards. But frequent travelers who enjoy perks such as free flights, airport lounge access, and hotel room upgrades have the chance to earn more total value from travel rewards.

With travel rewards credit cards, the number of points or miles you'll need to redeem for a free flight or hotel night, for instance, varies from issuer to issuer and card to card. Points/miles can also lose their value any time the card's issuer decides to raise the number needed to get a certain dollar amount in redemption value. Cash back rewards, on the other hand, are easy to understand and will retain their value because they're already expressed in terms of dollars and cents.

All told, cash back rewards are the better way to go for most people. However, there are a number of variables to consider on both sides. Not everyone always needs to choose between cash back and travel rewards, either. Having both a cash back credit card and a travel rewards card in your wallet can make sense in some situations.

Cash Back vs. Travel Rewards Credit Cards

When choosing between cash back and travel rewards, it's important to be realistic in how you're going to use the card. And whichever type of rewards you pick, make sure to pay your bill in full each month, or else you could end up spending more in fees and interest than the rewards are worth.

Bottom Line: Cash Back vs. Travel Rewards

• You should get a cash back credit card if you want to earn everyday rewards and enjoy straightforward, flexible redemption options.
• You should get a travel rewards credit card if you travel multiple times per year and are confident you'll earn enough in rewards to cover the cost of the annual fee – without overspending.
• You should have both if you can manage more than one account responsibly and want the best collection of earning rates for your biggest spending categories. Just make sure you pay your balances in full each month.

As long as you use your credit cards responsibly, you have the potential to reap lucrative rewards on your everyday purchases. Just be sure to actually put those rewards to use. Rewards that go unredeemed defeat the purpose getting the card in the first place.

The best travel credit card for students is the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students. Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students offers a $0 annual fee, a 0% foreign transaction fee, and rewards of 3 points / $1 spent at the Bank of America Travel Center (1.5 points / $1 on other purchases). It also has an initial bonus of 25,000 points for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.

Best Travel Credit Card for Students

• Best Overall: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
• Best for No Credit: Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
• Best for 0% APR: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
• Best for International Students: Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students

In general, the best travel credit cards for students have no annual fees, no foreign transaction fees, and attractive rewards. They also accept college students and graduate students with limited or no credit history. For more options worth considering, check out WalletHub's complete list of the best credit cards for college students. 

Travel credit cards work just like any other rewards credit card, though they tend to reward cardholders more for making travel-related purchases than anything else. The points or miles that travel credit cards provide are also usually worth more when redeemed for travel, compared to other redemption methods. Plus, travel credit cards commonly offer features such as travel insurance, no foreign transaction fee, airport lounge access, and reimbursement for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fees.

Travel rewards credit cards offer rewards in one of two currencies: miles or points. There isn't much of a difference between the two, but miles are more frequently used in the context of airline rewards, while points are often associated with hotels. On that note, co-branded travel cards tend to give higher rewards rates and special perks with specific airline and hotel brands, while non-cobranded travel cards don't favor any particular brand but give good rewards on travel purchases in general.

How Travel Credit Cards Work

They often reward you more for travel.

Travel purchases are usually going to be a lot more profitable rewards-wise than other types of purchases. For example, Chase Sapphire Preferred gives 5 points per $1 spent on travel purchased through Chase, 2 points per $1 on all other travel purchases, 3 points per $1 on dining and online grocery purchases, 3 points per $1 on select streaming services, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. But this isn't true for every card. Capital One Venture, for instance, gives 2 miles / $1 spent on all purchases.

Travel redemption is usually the best value.

In most cases, you don't have to spend your rewards on travel, but the credit cards companies give big incentives for you to do so. Take Chase Sapphire Preferred, for example. You get 25% more value from your points when you redeem them for travel.

No foreign transaction fees.

Very few travel cards will charge you extra for using your card abroad or with foreign merchants online. But you should check your cardholder agreement just to be sure.

There may be booking restrictions.

Some travel cards, like Capital One Venture, pride themselves on rewarding you equally for any type of travel, no matter where you book it. But other cards, especially airline or hotel cards, may only give travel-specific rewards rates if you book directly through the issuer.

You may need at least good credit.

Travel rewards cards are typically available only to people with good or excellent credit. You should shoot for a credit score of 700+ for cards that require good credit and 750+ for excellent credit.

You'll often get travel insurance & other perks.

Travel insurance is a big plus. Some cards will cover you for trip cancellation, delays or accidents. Many travel credit cards still offer rental car insurance, too, though many regular credit cards have dropped that benefit. Certain cards, generally those with annual fees, also give you a yearly credit toward airline or travel purchases. You may even get other perks like free airport lounge access and the ability to transfer your points or miles to hotel and airline loyalty programs.

So if you travel frequently, getting a travel credit card is a good idea. After all, you might as well get rewarded for trips you'd go on anyway.

One of the best travel credit cards for beginners is the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card; this is not a travel credit card per se but it rewards cardholders with cash back. It is also one of the best rewards credit cards for people with even limited credit. With Capital One QuicksilverOne you get 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

Being a beginner when it comes to travel rewards credit cards doesn't always mean you're new to credit, though. A good travel credit card for beginners with established credit scores who are just new to travel rewards is the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card. It's a great introduction to travel rewards because the rewards program isn't complicated, and all purchases get 1.25 miles per $1 spent. The signup bonus of 20,000 miles for spending $500 in the first 3 months isn't too shabby, either. Plus, there are $0 foreign fees, and the $0 annual fee is a good option for people testing the waters with a travel card.

There are lots of different travel credit cards, however, and the best choice for one person may not be a great choice for another. The best first travel card for you depends on your credit standing and what you're looking for in terms of rewards and fees. But whether you're new to credit or just new to travel credit cards, one of these cards should ease you into the world of rewards for your adventures.

Here are some of the best beginner travel credit cards:

• Best for Limited Credit History: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best for Good Credit: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Best Signup Bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Best for Students: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
• Best for No Annual Fee: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

It's worth noting that the best travel credit cards overall require at least good credit, and some require excellent credit. If you have bad credit or you're not sure what your credit score is, it's a good idea to check your credit score before you choose a travel credit card for the first time.

International credit cards have $0 foreign transaction fees and can be used in more than 200 countries and territories internationally. Using an international credit card abroad can also help travelers save 7% to 10% on foreign currency conversion. Plus, the best credit cards for international travel have great rewards, travel insurance and other helpful perks (some cards are from WalletHub’s partners). Fortunately, there are lots of great options available right now.

The best credit card for international travel is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Capital One Venture is a $0 foreign transaction fee credit card with excellent travel perks, starting with a bonus of 60,000 miles (worth $600 in travel) for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. The Venture card also rewards users with 2 miles per $1 spent on all purchases. And unlike the rewards offered by many other international travel credit cards, Venture miles can be redeemed for statement credits to pay for any travel-related purchases – everything from airfare to Uber rides.

In a sense, any Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover card qualifies as an international credit card because you’ll be able to use it in most countries outside the U.S. But not all credit cards that work internationally are equally equipped to save you money and aggravation abroad, due to differences in rewards, card acceptance and more. Keep that in mind as you compare offers in search of the best credit card for international travel for your needs.

Below, you can see which cards best meet the needs of international travelers and shoppers of all types, as selected by WalletHub’s editors from 1,500+ offers.

Best Credit Cards for International Travel of 2021

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The best travel credit card signup bonus is 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, offered by the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. The card also earns 5 points per $1 spent on travel purchased through Chase, 2 points per $1 on all other travel purchases, 3 points per $1 on dining and online grocery purchases, 3 points per $1 on select streaming services, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. You can easily redeem your points using the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal.

Chase Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee. And as with all of the best travel credit cards, Chase Sapphire Preferred features a $0 foreign transaction fee.

Best Travel Credit Card Signup Bonuses

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Points are worth more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. $95 annual fee. Chase Sapphire Preferred requires a credit score of 700, at a minimum. That means you need good credit or better to get approved.
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: 60,000 miles for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. Rewards are worth more when redeemed for travel. $95 annual fee. Capital One Venture requires a credit score of 700, at a minimum. That means you need good credit or better to get approved.
• Citi Premier® Card: 80,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. $95 annual fee. Citi Premier requires a credit score of 700, at a minimum. That means you need good credit or better to get approved.
• IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card: 150,000 points for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. Points are worth more when redeemed for IHG Rewards Club hotel reservations. Annual fee of $0 intro 1st yr, $89 after. IHG Premier requires a credit score of 700, at a minimum. That means you need good credit or better to get approved.
• United Explorer Credit Card: 40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months. Points are worth more when redeemed for airline miles. Annual fee of $0 intro 1st yr, $95 after. United Explorer Credit Card requires a credit score of 700, at a minimum. That means you need good credit or better to get approved.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card: 50,000 points for spending $3,000 in the first 90 days. Points benefit from a flat redemption rate and multiple redemption methods. $95 annual fee. Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card requires a credit score of 750, at a minimum. That means you need excellent credit to get approved.

In general, the best travel cards are those that reward you extra for every travel purchase and have no foreign transaction fees. Add on huge signup bonuses, and there's even more reason to apply if you have the good-to-excellent credit needed for approval. The best travel credit card signup bonuses are generally tied to credit cards with annual fees. But the bonuses you'll get are worth several times more.

The best credit card for travel with fair credit is the Upgrade Visa® Card with Cash Rewards because it gives unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases (after you pay the bill). The Upgrade Credit Card also comes with a $0 annual fee and a 0% foreign transaction fee.

Best Credit Cards for Travel with Fair Credit

• Best Overall: Upgrade Visa® Card with Cash Rewards
• Best for No Annual Fee: Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card
• Best for Newcomers: Capital One Platinum Credit Card
• Best for Cash Back Rewards: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

When you have fair credit, it's difficult to qualify for most travel rewards credit cards, as they tend to require at least a good credit score. But with responsible use, you can build your credit to the point where you'll have high approval odds for better travel rewards cards. Start by paying your bill on time each month, keeping your spending low and applying for only one credit card at a time. You can track your progress for free on WalletHub and get customized tips.

The best credit cards for military families can save users up to $600 per year, based on the average person’s spending habits. That is because the best military credit cards offer great rewards, 0% introductory interest rates, and fees as low as $0 per year. They also provide military benefits, such as reduced rates and waived fees for active-duty personnel, beyond what’s required by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

Best Military Credit Cards

Below, you can find an overview of the best credit cards for the military community, as chosen by our editors. That’s followed by an issuer-by-issuer breakdown of special credit card programs and promotions available to military families.

This content is not provided or commissioned by any issuer. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of an issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by an issuer. Please keep in mind that while some offers may come from WalletHub advertising partners, sponsorship status played no role in card selection.

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How many miles you need for a free flight depends on the dollar cost of the flight. On average, a one-way domestic flight will cost between 6,000 miles and 20,000 miles, depending on the airline. A one-way international coach flight will cost 35,000-50,000 miles.

Airline miles and points are generally worth around 1 cent each, but their value can vary. For instance, when redeeming Southwest points for a free flight, each point is worth 1-1.5 cents, depending on the route and date of the flight. United miles are worth between 1 and 2.5 cents each.

How Many Miles You Need for Free Flight by Major Airline:

• American Airlines: 7,500+ miles needed for a free one-way domestic flight.
• United Airlines: 10,000+ miles needed for a free one-way domestic flight.
• Southwest Airlines: 2,372+ miles needed for a free one-way flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles (cheapest option).
• Frontier Airlines: 10,000+ miles needed for a free one-way domestic flight.
• JetBlue Airlines: 3,400+ miles needed for a free one-way flight from Long Beach, CA to Las Vegas (cheapest option).

Getting an airline credit card can help you earn miles and free flights faster than a frequent flyer program alone, especially with large signup bonuses. The Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, for example, comes with a signup bonus of 50,000 miles for spending $2,500 in the first three months. Since the $99 annual fee is waived the first year, you can get those bonus miles and redeem for free flights before having to pay any annual fee.