Are You Searching for the Ideal Travel Reward Cards? In order to locate the most desirable travel rewards cards, it’s essential to understand what to look out for when comparing cards’ annual fees against their benefits, such as frequent flyer miles, dining credit, consumer protection features and lounge access.
The best travel credit cards offer competitive rewards rates, versatile redemption options, and luxury benefits such as airport lounge access. Furthermore, their annual fees may even be offset with annual credits or bonus rewards.
1. Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
The Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students offers students looking to build credit with timely payments a solid option, with its generous sign-up bonus and no annual fee. Cardholders earn 1.5 points for every dollar spent, which they can redeem as statement credits toward flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises or rental cars – plus no blackout dates or restrictions in booking travel! It doesn’t even charge foreign transaction fees!
This card’s one-time bonus of 25,000 points can be redeemed for up to $250 in travel. Unfortunately, unlike some student card offerings, this one doesn’t feature rotating bonus categories or an introductory APR promotion, making it less competitive against similar student options.
2. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card is an excellent airline credit card option for frequent fliers who frequently fly on Alaska and its partners, offering a welcome bonus of 70,000 miles that could buy round-trip tickets or more and an annual companion fare starting at $122. Additionally, no foreign transaction fees apply and cardholders receive two United Club one-time passes annually and $100 towards TSA PreCheck/Global Entry applications every four years.
But this card doesn’t offer as many perks as cards with rewards across a wider array of aspects of travel, like hotel and dining rewards. For more versatility in your travel rewards, consider general travel credit cards such as Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
3. Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card offers an innovative way to accumulate rewards with its feature of selecting your own 3% bonus category each quarter, in addition to offering 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on up to $2,500 of combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter), as well as 1% on general spending.
This card comes without an annual fee and offers an attractive sign-up bonus: $200 online cash rewards when spending $1,000 within 90 days. However, it carries a foreign transaction fee and requires good to excellent credit as requirements.
Your cash back earnings can be redeemed for statement credits, direct deposits into a Bank of America checking or savings account, contributions to Merrill 529 college savings plans or as statement credits. Plus, being a Preferred Rewards member gives you an edge: 25%-75% more rewards value will be earned!
4. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards card has an affordable annual fee and provides some valuable travel perks, but falls short in offering some of its competitors’ yearly benefits and credits, including primary rental car coverage and up to $100 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees each account anniversary year.
However, it does offer you the ability to transfer earned miles across partner airline and hotel loyalty programs for potentially greater redemption value – plus it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for travelers who frequently shop abroad.
The card also comes with a 75,000 mile welcome offer when you spend $4,000 within three months, helping offset its $95 annual fee for years to come.
5. American Express Platinum Card
Although The Platinum Card comes with an annual fee, it also comes with travel-oriented benefits that may outweigh it, such as airport lounge access, airline fee credits and concierge assistance services. Keep in mind, however, that their value will depend on your spending habits before applying – be sure to consider them prior to making your decision!
To maximize its benefits, the Platinum Card requires frequent use to offset its annual fee (see rates & fees). That is especially true now that Amex has made changes to some travel and lifestyle credits – including cell phone protection and Saks Fifth Avenue credit – yet flyers who make the most of its perks will find The Platinum Card worth its cost tag.
