The best credit cards for travel and shopping offer valuable rewards, perks and benefits to make travel more enjoyable. They often charge an annual fee that can be offset with a generous sign-up bonus or high rewards rate on eligible purchases.
Credit cards issued by airlines and hotels often come with benefits such as complimentary checked bags, expedited entry into elite status levels and access to airport lounges. General-purpose travel cards provide flexible rewards that can be applied toward airfare, hotels, rental cars or other purchases.
Choice Rewards World Mastercard
The Choice Rewards World Mastercard offers travelers many travel benefits with no annual fee and an impressive welcome offer that rewards new cardholders with 40,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within three months of opening an account. Furthermore, Mastercard World Elite features such as cellphone protection provide up to $800 coverage when paying your monthly phone bill with this card.
This card earns 5X points on stays at Choice Hotels properties and 3X points at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services. Furthermore, no annual or foreign transaction fees apply and its benefits include 10 elite nights credits per year as well as cell phone coverage and being able to redeem points for rewards flights through Choice Hotels’ partners.
Most travelers can benefit more from using a general travel rewards card that doesn’t limit its earnings to certain hotel brands, like Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card which offers a much larger earn rate and has no annual fee and low ongoing APRs for purchases and balance transfers.
Chase Freedom Flex
The Chase Freedom Flex is an excellent rewards card for rewards strategists looking to maximize rewards on travel, dining and drugstore purchases. As it requires no annual fee and features a generous welcome bonus and robust travel and purchase protections.
As part of Chase’s Ultimate Rewards family, this card enables you to earn up to 5% cash back on purchases in activated rotating categories like gas station and grocery store purchases (excluding Walmart(r) and Target(r) each quarter (then 1%). Plus, when redeeming for travel through Chase Travel Booking Portal you can pool points with premium Chase cards like Sapphire Preferred or Reserve to maximize value!
Both Chase Freedom Flex and Unlimited credit cards utilize Mastercard payment networks, making them widely accepted by merchants worldwide. Both cards also give you access to DashPass discounts when used for DoorDash deliveries, giving you even greater savings potential.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards card is an ideal travel credit card for travelers who prioritize simplicity. Cardholders earn 2 miles for every $1 spent – not as high as some no-annual-fee cash back cards, but still offering good value with its $95 annual fee. Miles earned can be redeemed against travel-related expenses or transferred to over 15 airline and hotel partners, plus you also gain access to two airport lounge passes each year as well as reimbursement of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees.
Welcome bonus of 75,000 miles is sure to draw travelers in, providing 75K after spending $4,000 within three months – though more discerning travellers might wish for premium travel cards with better earning rates, welcome bonuses and transfer partners.
American Express Platinum Card
When it comes to credit cards for travel and shopping, The Platinum Card is ideal for high spenders who prioritize luxury when travelling. This ultra-premium card provides first-class travel benefits as well as an extensive list of credits with an unparalleled rewards value that outshines many competing cards.
Its $695 annual fee may quickly be offset by its many benefits; if you travel frequently. But before making any decisions based on this formula, make sure to carefully consider both its cost-benefit analysis.
The Platinum Card provides premium airline and hotel benefits like a $200 credit for prepaid airline expenses, access to Global Lounge Collection membership and elite status in Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors loyalty programs, airfare/rental car insurance coverage, premium concierge service and consumer protections – including complimentary Uber credits and Equinox credits – making this card even more valuable when used correctly. Taking full advantage of its many benefits requires careful planning.
