Experienced travelers already know that you can get discounts on hotel rooms, air travel, and lots of bonuses. However, this all depends on the credit card you use.
While credit cards have some perks intended for travel, you need to know which one is right for your specific situation to get the best rewards. [1] Here’s our pick for the 5 best credit cards for travelers.
1. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is straightforward and simple and doesn’t have blackout dates, or limits on purchases done with rewards miles. [1] You also don’t have to go through a special website or use a particular program to book hotels and buy airline tickets, and you get twice the miles for every purchase.
Additional Benefits:
– No annual or foreign transaction fees
– No need to use a specific booking app or website
– Miles are unlimited and never expire
– Get 50,000 points for $3,000 of purchases in the first 90 days
2. BankAmericard Travel Rewards Credit Card
Instead of giving you airline miles, this travel card gives you reward points for other travel expenses. [3] For example, baggage fees, cruise discounts, and hotel deals.
Additional Benefits:
– 0% APR in the first 12 months
– Get 20,000 points for spending $1,000 or more in the first 3 months
– Limitless 1.5% points for all purchases
– Points can never expire
– Existing BoA accounts earn extra points
– No blackout dates
3. Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card
Casual travelers should consider this card from delta as you can get free baggage checks, priority boarding, as well as earn SkyMiles. Every Delta purchase nets you two miles and you get a 20% in-flight discount. [4]
Other Benefits:
– Sign-up bonus of 35,000 SkyMiles and $50 credit
– You can earn one point per spent dollar
– 8 travel companions and cardholder get the first bag checked for free
4. Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express lets you transfer points to other programs at a rate of 1:1, and you earn five times as much points purchasing airline tickets from your airline or the AmexTravel website. [5]
Other Benefits:
– No limit Wi-Fi access
– No fees for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
– 200$ credit to spend on in-flight purchases and checked bags
– Airport lounge access (Delta Sky Club, The Centurion, Priority Pass)
5. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Those who tend to only travel once or twice each year will do well to sign up for a Chase Sapphire Reserve card. [6] New customers get 50,000 reward points ($750) to be used for dining and travel purchases. Moreover, you can transfer points to other airlines.
Other Benefits:
– Access to Priority Pass Lounges
– $300 per year credit and travel insurance
– No fee for TSA Precheck or Global Entry
– $450 annual fee, waived if traveling more than twice per year
How to Find the Best Credit Cards for Travel?
The right travel credit card can save you a lot of money and let you enjoy quite a few perks and benefits. However, every traveler is different, so you should find a card that meets your needs. The best way to do so is to search online.
[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnnyjet/2018/03/31/best-credit-cards-for-travel-miles/#6b15e88a397e
[2] https://www.nerdwallet.com/card-details/card-name/Capital-One-Venture-Rewards
[3] https://www.nerdwallet.com/card-details/card-name/BankAmericard-Travel-Rewards
[4] https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card/delta-skymiles/
[5] https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/platinum/
[6] https://creditcards.chase.com/rewards-credit-cards/chase-sapphire-reserve