Travel credit cards offer rewards such as points or miles that can be redeemed for flights, hotels or rental cars. Some cards even provide additional perks like complimentary elite status in airline or hotel loyalty programs as well as spending credits and travel insurance coverage.
Some credit cards may offer credits to cover the fee associated with Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or CLEAR membership. Plus, many offer rewards rates that can help offset this annual expense.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card provides highly flexible travel points that are easy to redeem, while providing exceptional travel perks, including an annual $300 credit toward travel purchases and airport lounge access. Furthermore, this card boasts an exceptional transfer rate for airline and hotel partners as well as various travel-related benefits such as Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit.
Although its $550 annual fee may seem steep, its benefits make this card an attractive choice for frequent travelers. Points redeemed through Ultimate Rewards portal for travel are worth 50% more than cash back redemptions; furthermore, synergies exist between various Ultimate Rewards-earning cards.
Citi Premier
Citi Premier stands out as a top travel card, boasting an attractive sign-up bonus and $100 annual hotel credit, without an annual fee and without incurring foreign transaction fees.
However, it does not offer all of the popular travel and purchase protections provided by many other competing cards – including trip cancellation insurance, primary rental car collision damage coverage and lost/delayed luggage protection.
Redeem your points with ease at the Citi ThankYou Travel Center to make up for any shortfalls in rewards categories such as airfare, hotels, restaurants and gas stations.
Capital One Venture Rewards
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card delivers on its promise with its generous sign-up bonus, above-average earning potential and straightforward redemption policy – it really stands out. Plus it includes an exceptional TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credit every four years when charged to your account!
Capital One Travel’s straightforward earnings of 2 miles per dollar spent, or 1.85 cents each as calculated by TPG valuations, on all purchases is appealing to travelers looking for convenience without needing to activate categories or calculate transfer values – plus it doesn’t impose an annual fee like other cards with more complex earning structures.
Wells Fargo Autograph
Wells Fargo Autograph provides three points per dollar spent at restaurants, travel, transit, gas stations, popular streaming services and phone plans, plus one point per dollar on other purchases. Plus it comes equipped with Visa Signature benefits such as secondary car rental insurance and cellphone protection – perfect for your everyday purchases.
Rewards categories for this card are wide ranging and should meet most spending habits. With its no annual fee reward credit card offering and generous welcome bonus and 0% APR offer, it makes an ideal no-fee rewards credit card option; however those looking for additional perks should consider alternatives such as Chase Sapphire Reserve or Discover it Miles instead.
Bank of America Travel Rewards
Bank of America Travel Rewards offers an attractive sign-up bonus with no annual fee, unlike co-branded cards which tie rewards directly to specific airlines and hotels. Instead, this general travel credit card earns points (also called miles) which can be redeemed for travel bookings through Bank of America Travel Center as well as converted into cash or gift card redemptions.
Redemptions often carry low values. According to Bankrate’s point valuations, 2,500 points would only be worth $25 in statement credits while gift card redemptions are valued at less than 1 cent per point – hence why some travelers opt for airline and hotel-specific credit cards.
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature
U.S. Bank’s Altitude card offers strong rewards and attractive travel perks that put it ahead of other cards in its class, including no foreign transaction fees and cell phone protection as well as an annual streaming credit of $30. It stands out by being both rewarding and practical for travel.
This card offers 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through Altitude Rewards Center, 4x points for gas/EV charging stations and its other perks – such as its generous introductory bonus offer and waived annual fee (the first year only) are all important considerations when planning road trips.
