You don’t have to fly to earn airline miles and hotel points. Signing-up for the right credit cards unlocks tremendous sign-up bonuses (up to 100,000 miles or more!) and opportunities to secure benefits like free checked baggage, hotel room upgrades and lounge access. There are hundreds of credit cards out there, but I have done a lot of the research for you — check out this list of the top travel credit cards on the market today.
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Premium Travel Rewards Credit Cards
The following credit cards don’t earn miles and points linked to a specific loyalty program — instead, you’ll earn points that can be transferred to a variety of different airline and hotel programs. These transferrable points currencies allow travelers to take advantage of some of the best value award flight and hotel room redemptions out there, and savvy award travelers have at least one of these cards in their wallet. Big sign-up bonuses offer a lot of flexibility in planning a vacation paid for with points and miles!
The Platinum Card® from American Express
DESPITE THE HIGH ANNUAL FEE, THIS CARD CAN PAY FOR ITSELF WITH STATEMENT CREDITS AND BENEFITS
Earn 80,000 bonus Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
$695 annual fee
Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership
5x points on flights booked directly with airlines
1x point per dollar on all other purchases
$240 digital entertainment credit ($20/month)
$200 airline fee credit
$200 hotel credit
$200 Uber Cash
Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit
$189 CLEAR® Plus credit
Travel Insurance benefits
No foreign transaction fees
American Express® Gold Card
Earn 60,000 bonus Membership Rewards® points when you spend $4,000 in 6 months. Terms apply.
$250 annual fee
4x points at restaurants and supermarkets
3x points on flights booked directly with airlines
1x point per dollar on all other purchases
$120 dining credit at select restaurants
$120 Uber Cash
Travel Insurance benefits
No foreign transaction fees
American Express® Green Card
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during your first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit. Terms Apply.
$150 annual fee
3x points on travel and transit purchases
3x points at restaurants
1x points per dollar on all other purchases
$100 annual LoungeBuddy credit
$189 CLEAR® Plus credit
Travel Insurance benefits
No foreign transaction fees
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within your first 3 months of card membership.
$95 annual fee
5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2x miles per dollar on all other purchases
2 free airport lounge visits per year
Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit
Travel Insurance benefits
No foreign transaction fees
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
BEST CARD FOR THOSE JUST STARTING OUT IN THE POINTS & MILES GAME
Earn 60,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $4,000 in 3 months.
$95 annual fee
5x points on Lyft rides (through March 2025)
5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
3x points on dining, including delivery
3x points on select streaming services
3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
2x points on all travel purchases
1x point per dollar on all other purchases
Travel Insurance benefits
No foreign transaction fees
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Earn 60,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within your first 3 months of card membership.
$550 annual fee
Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership
10x points on hotels & rental cars purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
5x points on flights purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
3x points on other travel purchases
3x points on dining, including delivery
1x point per dollar on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit
Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
Travel Insurance benefits
No foreign transaction fees
Citi Premier® Card
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou points when you spend $4,000 within your first 3 months.
$95 annual fee
3x points on air travel and other hotels
3x points at restaurants, gas stations and supermarkets
1x point per dollar on all other purchases
No foreign transaction fees
Citi Rewards+® Card
Earn 25,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5 ThankYou(R) Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel(SM) Portal through June 30, 2024.
No annual fee
2x points at supermarkets and gas stations
1x point per dollar on all other purchases
Best Airline Rewards Credit Cards
The following airline co-brand credit cards offer great sign-up bonuses that will leave you flush with frequent flyer miles, but many also offer great benefits like a complimentary checked baggage allowance (no more bag fees!), statement credits for TSA PreCheck, airport lounge access and more!
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite MasterCard
JOHN’S TOP PICK FOR BEST VALUE AIRLINE CREDIT CARD
Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
$0 annual fee for the first year, then $99
2x miles on American Airlines purchases
2x miles at restaurants & gas stations
1x mile per dollar on all other purchases
First checked bag free (domestic flights)
No foreign transaction fees
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite MasterCard®
Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
$450 annual fee
Admirals Club airport lounge membership
2x miles on American Airlines purchases
1x mile per dollar on all other purchases
First checked bag free (domestic flights)
Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit
No foreign transaction fees
American Airlines AAdvantage® Mile Up®
Earn 10,000 bonus miles and a $50 statement credit when you spend $500 in your first 3 months.
No annual fee
2x miles on American Airlines purchases
2x miles at grocery stores
1x mile per dollar on all other purchases
Chase Aeroplan® Credit Card
Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
$95 annual fee
Complimentary Aeroplan 25K Status for this calendar year and the next
3x points on Air Canada purchases
3x points at grocery stores and restaurants (including delivery)
1x point per dollar on all other purchases
First checked bag free
Up to $100 Global Entry®, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
Travel Insurance benefits
No foreign transaction fees
British Airways Visa Signature® Card
Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
$95 annual fee
Complimentary Aeroplan 25K Status for this calendar year and the next
3x Avios on British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus flight purchases
2x Avios at hotels
1x Avios per dollar on all other purchases
Up to $600 statement credits on award flight taxes & fees
10% off British Airways flights starting in the U.S.
Lost & delayed luggage insurance
No foreign transaction fees
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you make $2,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in the first 6 months. Terms Apply.
$0 annual fee for the first year, then $99
2x miles on Delta purchases
2x miles at supermarkets & restaurants (plus takeout/delivery)
1x mile per dollar on all other purchases
15% discount on Skymiles award tickets
First checked bag free
No foreign transaction fees
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you make $3,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in the first 6 months. Terms Apply.
$250 annual fee
3x miles on Delta purchases
3x miles on purchases directly at hotels
2x miles at supermarkets & restaurants (plus takeout/delivery)
1x mile per dollar on all other purchases
15% discount on Skymiles award tickets
First checked bag free
No foreign transaction fees
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) after you make $5,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in the first 6 months. Terms Apply.
$550 annual fee
Delta Sky Club airport lounge membership
3x miles on Delta purchases
1x mile per dollar on all other purchases
15% discount on Skymiles award tickets
First checked bag free
No foreign transaction fees
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Earn 60,000 Rapid Rewards points and a 30% off promo code for travel via Southwest Airlines after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. 30% promo code discount is on base fare applied before taxes and fees and available for use until October 31, 2024 once all qualifications are met.
$69 annual fee
2x points on Southwest purchases
2x points on local transit, taxis and rideshare
2x points on internet, cable, phone, and select streaming
1x point per dollar on all other purchases
Lost & delayed luggage insurance
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Earn 60,000 Rapid Rewards points and a 30% off promo code for travel via Southwest Airlines after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. 30% promo code discount is on base fare applied before taxes and fees and available for use until October 31, 2024 once all qualifications are met.
$149 annual fee
3x points on Southwest purchases
2x points on local transit, taxis and rideshare
2x points on internet, cable, phone, and select streaming
1x point per dollar on all other purchases
$75 Southwest travel credit
Lost & delayed luggage insurance
No foreign transaction fees
United Gateway Card
Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases.
No annual fee
2x miles on United purchases
2x miles on gas, local transit and rideshare
1x mile per dollar on all other purchases
Travel Insurance benefits
No foreign transaction fees
United Explorer Card
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
$0 annual fee for the first year, then $95
2x miles on United purchases
2x miles on dining and hotels
1x mile per dollar on all other purchases
First checked bag free
2 United Club one-time passes per year
Up to $100 Global Entry®, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
Travel Insurance benefits
No foreign transaction fees
United Quest Card
Earn 70,000 bonus miles plus 500 Premier Qualifying Points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
$250 annual fee
3x miles on United purchases
2x miles on dining, all other travel and select streaming services
1x mile per dollar on all other purchases
$125 annual United purchase credit
First and second checked bags free
Up to $100 Global Entry®, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
Travel Insurance benefits
No foreign transaction fees
United Club Infinite Card
Earn 80,000 bonus miles plus 1,000 Premier Qualifying Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$525 annual fee
United Club airport lounge membership
4x miles on United purchases
2x miles on dining and all other travel
1x mile per dollar on all other purchases
First and second checked bags free
Up to $100 Global Entry®, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
Travel Insurance benefits
No foreign transaction fees
Top Hotel Rewards Credit Cards
The cost of hotel rooms is rising, and what better way to cut out that expense than with a huge supply of rewards points? The best hotel rewards credit cards below offer large sign-up bonuses, elite status (that may entitle you to lounge access, free breakfast and room upgrades), elevated points earning, travel insurance and other benefits that will help you elevate your travel experience.
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points + a Free Night Reward after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer expires 7/19/2023. Terms apply.
No annual fee
Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status
7x points on purchases at Hilton hotels & resorts
5x points at restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations in the U.S.
3x points per dollar on all other purchases
Car rental loss & damage insurance
No foreign transaction fees
Hilton Honors Surpass® Card
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
$95 annual fee
Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status
12x points on purchases at Hilton hotels & resorts
6x points at restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations in the U.S.
3x points per dollar on all other purchases
Car rental loss & damage insurance
No foreign transaction fees
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
$450 annual fee
Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status
Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership
14x points on purchases at Hilton hotels & resorts
7x points on flights booked directly with airlines and car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies
7x points at restaurants in the U.S.
3x points per dollar on all other purchases
Annual free night reward
$250 resort credit
$250 airline fee credit
Travel Insurance benefits
No foreign transaction fees
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Earn 30,000 bonus World of Hyatt points when you spend $3,000 within 3 months. Then get an additional 1 bonus point per dollar on your first $15,000 in spend in categories that don’t otherwise earn bonus points within 6 months.
$95 annual fee
Complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status
4x points on purchases at Hyatt hotels & resorts
2x points on flights purchased directly from the airline
2x points on local transit and commuting, including taxis, mass transit, tolls and ride-share
2x points at restaurants and gym memberships
1x points per dollar on all other purchases
Free night each year after cardmember anniversary
No foreign transaction fees
IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card
Earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of card membership.
No annual fee
Complimentary IHG Rewards Silver Elite status
5x points on purchases at IHG hotels & resorts
3x points at restaurants and gas stations
3x points on utilities, cable, internet, phone, and select streaming services
2x points per dollar on all other purchases
Unlock 4th night free on rewards redemptions
No foreign transaction fees
IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
$99 annual fee
Complimentary IHG Rewards Platinum Elite status
10x points on purchases at IHG hotels & resorts
5x points on all other travel & hotel purchases
5x points at restaurants (including delivery) and gas stations
3x points per dollar on all other purchases
Unlock 4th night free on rewards redemptions
Free night each year after cardmember anniversary
$50 United® TravelBank Cash each calendar year
Up to $100 Global Entry®, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
Travel Insurance benefits
No foreign transaction fees
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase
Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
No annual fee
3x points on purchases at Marriott hotels & resorts
2x points on other travel purchases
1x point per dollar on all other purchases
No foreign transaction fees
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase
Earn 3 Free Nights after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
$95 annual fee
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status
6x points on purchases at Marriott hotels & resorts
3x points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on gas stations, grocery stores, and dining
2x points per dollar on all other purchases
1 Free Night Award each year after card account anniversary
No foreign transaction fees
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
MOST ATTRACTIVE MARRIOTT CARD — GOLD STATUS MEMBERS RECEIVE GUARANTEED LATE CHECK-OUT OF 2PM.
Earn 85,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $4,000 in your first 3 months of card membership. Terms apply.
$250 annual fee
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
6x points on purchases at Marriott hotels & resorts
4x points on the first $15,000 spent in combined purchases each year at restaurants and supermarkets
2x points per dollar on all other purchases
Earn 1,000 bonus points per paid Marriott stay
No foreign transaction fees
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points when you spend $5,000 in your first 3 months of card membership. Terms apply.
$650 annual fee
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership
6x points on purchases at Marriott hotels & resorts
3x points on flights booked directly with airlines
3x points at restaurants
2x points per dollar on all other purchases
$300 dining credit ($25 per month)
1 Free Night Award each year after card account anniversary
Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit
No foreign transaction fees