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Many Americans fly each year for work, fun, or visiting loved ones. Almost half have flown domestically or internationally recently. If you're among them, getting a travel rewards credit card is a smart move. Collecting frequent flyer miles is a popular hobby, and savvy travelers use these cards to help pay for trips. Here's what you need to know about travel rewards credit cards to help fund their vacations. Here is what you need to know about travel reward credit cards, including some of the top options available.
Travel Rewards Credit Cards
A travel credit card helps you earn rewards that you can use toward travel, such as airfare, rental cars, and hotel stays. Many cards also offer additional travel perks, including free checked baggage, priority boarding, and buddy passes. Some cards are branded by specific airlines or hotel chains, while others are offered by a financial institution and offer more flexible travel rewards. Generally, airline and hotel credit cards are designed to enhance your travel experience by providing benefits such as points and miles that can be redeemed for travel bookings and upgrades.
Credit Card Points vs. Frequent Flyer Miles
Most airline-issued credit cards award points or miles that can only be redeemed for travel with that specific airline. For instance, the JetBlue Plus Card offers miles that can be redeemed for flights on JetBlue or partner airlines. There are often various ways to redeem airline miles, but you are limited to the rules stipulated by the airline.
On the other hand, travel rewards credit cards issued by a financial institution can be used with any participating airline, hotel chain, or travel provider. In addition, these cards typically offer a fixed number of points per purchase, known as fixed value-per-mile cards. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card awards points can be redeemed with one of their 13 travel partners.
Here are some of the features of the best travel rewards credit cards.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Special Offer
- 60K points
- Annual Fee
- $95
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of the most in-demand travel rewards cards. The card comes with some excellent sign-on bonuses and offers three points on all dining and travel-related purchases.
- Variable APR: 20.99%-27.99%
- Airport lounge access
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Max. Miles
- Unlimited
- Annual Fee
- $95
While the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is not linked to a specific airline, it offers a flexible rewards structure frequent fliers should consider. New cardholders earn 60,000 bonus miles once you spend $3,000 in the first three months from account opening.
- Variable APR: 19.99-29.24%
- Receive up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- No foreign transaction fees
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
- Points
- 5X
- Annual Fee
- $550
As a premium offering, the Sapphire Reserve card rewards cardholders with 3x points on travel and dining purchases. It includes added perks such as a significant annual travel credit and complimentary access to airport lounges. See website for details.
- Variable APR: 21.49-28.49%
- $300 annual travel credit
- Receive up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
World of Hyatt® Visa Card
- Special Offer
- 60K points
- Annual Fee
- $95
While the World of Hyatt Credit Card is considered a niche card by some, it offers some excellent benefits if you regularly stay in Hyatt hotels. See website for details.
- Variable APR: 21.24%-28.24%
- Earn points toward free nights
- No foreign transaction fees
Discover it® Miles
- Miles
- 1.5%
- Annual Fee
- $0
The Discover it Miles card is a popular travel rewards card offered by Discover-- and it is the best option for consumers looking for the best travel credit card with no annual fee. See website for details.
- Variable APR: 17.74%-27.74%
- Turn miles in to cash
- Credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
