A travel rewards credit card serves as an excellent financial tool designed to help you maximize savings on your travel expenses. By spending wisely and strategically, you can accumulate points that translate into free flights, complimentary hotel stays, and various travel-related perks.
These credit cards earn points (or miles) for travel and other everyday purchases at a standard rate for every dollar spent, often featuring significant bonus rewards of up to ten points (10x) per dollar when utilized for travel expenses. This makes them an optimal choice for frequent travelers looking to enhance their travel experiences.
Many of these travel credit cards come with additional benefits, including access to airport lounges, baggage delay insurance, and credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry applications. These features further enhance the value of the card and provide peace of mind while traveling.
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- Points are valued at 25% more when redeemed for travel purchases through Chase.
- Receive a point bonus on every account anniversary.
- Includes primary rental car insurance coverage.
- Earn 3x points per $1 on dining, including eligible delivery and takeout, select streaming services, and grocery purchases.
- $95 annual fee.
- Does not provide a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit.
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- Trip cancellations/interruptions, travel delays, travel accidents, baggage and primary rental car insurance coverage.
Why we recommend it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is an exceptional choice for frequent travelers aiming to earn valuable rewards while managing a reasonable annual fee.
This card offers six reward categories with impressive returns on flights, hotels, excursions, dining, and more. Cardholders can accumulate:
- 5x points for travel bookings made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.
- 2x points on all other travel purchases.
- 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery and takeout.
- 3x points on select streaming services.
- 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs).
- 1x on all other purchases.
Points can be redeemed for statement credits or account deposits, but using the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal provides a better value. Generally, Chase points are valued at one cent each; however, with the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, they increase to 1.25 cents when redeemed for travel through the portal.
Additionally, you can transfer your points to any of Chase’s 14 travel partners at a 1:1 ratio (one Chase point equals one hotel point or airline mile). This includes well-known airlines and hotels like JetBlue, Southwest, United, Marriott, and Hyatt, greatly enhancing your travel options.
Another advantage is the ability to combine points from multiple Chase cards under your Chase Sapphire Preferred® account (as long as they earn Ultimate Rewards points). For instance, if you own the Chase Freedom Unlimited, you can transfer its points to your Chase Sapphire Preferred® account. This will elevate their standard one-cent-per-dollar value to 1.25 cents for bookings made through the Ultimate Rewards® program.
In addition to its standard travel insurance coverage, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® offers primary rental car insurance — a benefit not commonly found among travel cards. This insurance covers theft or damages without needing to file a claim with your auto insurer, allowing you to bypass paying for the rental company’s collision coverage.
- Unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, grocery stores, and select streaming services.
- No annual or foreign transaction fees.
- Includes travel accident insurance.
- 5% cash-back rate for travel does not apply to flights.
Why we recommend it: The Capital One SavorOne is perfect for sightseeing or enjoying nights out as it provides high rewards on dining, entertainment, and more, without imposing any annual or foreign transaction fees.
With the Capital One SavorOne, cardholders can earn cash back at restaurants, tourist attractions, concerts, theme parks, and more. The card’s reward categories include:
- 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases (plus statement credit to cover the costs of an Uber One membership) through November 14, 2024.
- 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- 3% cash back on dining, eligible streaming services, grocery stores, and entertainment.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
None of the listed categories have annual caps, meaning the card offers significant earning potential — especially for food enthusiasts who frequently dine out, order takeout, or shop for groceries.
Those constantly seeking new activities may find Capital One Entertainment quite beneficial. This ticketing platform provides cardholders access to numerous events, including celebrity meet-and-greets and dinner reservations at acclaimed restaurants. You might discover tickets to sold-out events at discounted prices while earning an impressive 8% cash-back rate.
Keep in mind that this card’s travel bonus only applies to hotel and rental car bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal. This means you won’t receive any cash back or points for flight reservations, which other travel credit cards typically offer.
However, it’s worth noting that the card’s 3% cash-back rate on dining and entertainment is valid at establishments worldwide. (Some credit cards restrict their bonuses to U.S. locations.) Dining and tourist attraction purchases can quickly accumulate while traveling, allowing you to use this card freely as it does not charge foreign transaction fees.
- Earn 3x points on restaurants, travel, and gas.
- Earn 3x when paying your monthly streaming services and mobile phone bills.
- Includes mobile phone protection plan.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- No airline or hotel transfer partners.
- Doesn’t include travel insurance.
- Netflix, Hulu, and HBO are not eligible for streaming bonus.
Why we recommend it: The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card incurs no annual or foreign transaction fees and earns robust rewards for travel, dining, gas, streaming services, and mobile phone plan purchases.
Travel credit cards typically offer rewards only when you book flights and hotels through the card issuer’s travel portal. If you booked your trip through one-stop travel sites like Booking.com, you would only earn the card’s minimal bonus (usually one point per dollar).
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, however, provides you with:
- 3x points on flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more (regardless of where you make your purchase).
- 3x points on transit, including subways, parking, tolls, ride-sharing services, and more.
- 3x points on dining, gas, select streaming services, and mobile phone plans.
Although the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers strong travel earnings, its travel benefits are limited. It lacks hotel and airline transfer partners and does not provide luxury perks like airport lounge access or TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee credits. (Keep in mind that these perks are usually only included with premium travel cards that have high annual fees.)
The card does include rental car insurance. You’re covered up to $50,000 for damages or theft if you use it to book the rental car. The card also features a mobile phone protection plan when you use it to pay your monthly bill. If your phone is damaged or stolen, you can be reimbursed up to $600 per claim (up to $1,200 per year).
If you’re looking for unlimited rewards on travel and everyday spending, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a solid choice. However, it may not be the best fit if you’re seeking comprehensive travel insurance coverage and luxury benefits.
Courtesy of American Express
- Earns 4x points on restaurants worldwide, takeout, and food delivery within the U.S.
- $120 annual dining credit ($10 monthly in statement credits) at select restaurants.
- $120 annual Uber Cash ($10 monthly) for food delivery orders and rides in the U.S.
- Earn 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x).
- High annual fee ($250).
- Includes few travel perks and insurance policies compared to other cards.
Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.
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- Baggage and secondary car rental insurance*
Why we recommend it: The American Express Gold Card® is tailored for those who appreciate dining out. It earns 4x points at restaurants worldwide and on takeout and food delivery within the U.S. (Terms apply.)
The card also earns 4x points (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x) at supermarkets in the U.S., 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amextravel.com, and one point on all other eligible purchases.
The American Express® Gold Card offers two statement credits worth a combined $240 — nearly enough to offset the card’s $250 annual fee. You can receive up to $120 annually in dining credits ($10 monthly) at select restaurants and food delivery services. The list includes Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and Shake Shack. Additionally, each month you can automatically receive $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides within the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year (enrollment is required).
Cardmembers receive up to $100 in credits for stays of two nights or more booked through American Express’ The Hotel Collection, which can be used for eligible dining, spa, and other activities. Cardholders also gain 24/7 access to Global Assist Hotline representatives who can help coordinate lost passport replacement, translation services, missing baggage assistance, and more.
However, note that the American Express® Gold Card offers fewer travel perks than other premium cards — for example, it doesn’t provide travel cancellation and interruption insurance or TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credits.
