Domestic travel has surged in popularity, making it crucial to maximize rewards and minimize expenses. Choosing the right credit card can significantly enhance your travel experience by offering valuable benefits like points, miles, statement credits, and travel insurance. This guide explores the best credit cards for domestic travel in 2024, helping you select the perfect card to suit your needs and travel style.
Comprehensive Credit Card Comparison Table
| Card Name | Key Benefits | Why It's Great for Domestic Travel |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), and select streaming services, 2x points on all other travel purchases, 1x points on all other purchases. Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | Excellent point earning on travel and dining, making it ideal for frequent domestic travelers. Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, or gift cards through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Travel and purchase protection features provide added security. |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | 2x miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. | Simple and straightforward rewards structure with double miles on all purchases. The Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit is a valuable perk for speeding through airport security. Miles can be redeemed for travel or statement credits. |
| American Express® Gold Card | 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x), 4x points at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1x point on all other eligible purchases. Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. | High earning potential on dining and groceries, which can offset travel expenses. Points can be transferred to Amex's travel partners or redeemed for travel through Amex Travel. Offers travel insurance and purchase protection benefits. |
| Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card | 2x points on travel and dining purchases, 1.5x points on all other purchases. Earn 60,000 online bonus points after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. Up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually. | Good all-around rewards card with bonus points on travel and dining. Airline incidental credit can help offset travel expenses. Preferred Rewards members can earn even more rewards. |
| United℠ Explorer Card | 2x miles on United purchases, restaurants, and hotel stays, 1x mile on all other purchases. Free first checked bag, priority boarding, and 25% back on United inflight purchases. | Ideal for frequent United Airlines flyers. Free checked bag and priority boarding can save time and money. Miles can be redeemed for United flights and partner airlines. |
| Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | 2x miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., 1x mile on all other purchases. Priority boarding, first checked bag free on Delta flights, and 20% back on inflight purchases. | Great for loyal Delta Air Lines customers. Free checked bag and priority boarding provide convenience. Miles can be redeemed for Delta flights and partner airlines. |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card | 2x points on Southwest Airlines purchases and hotel and car rental partner purchases, 1x point on all other purchases. Earn 85,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | Excellent for Southwest Airlines enthusiasts. Points can be redeemed for Southwest flights and other travel rewards. Helps you earn the Companion Pass faster. |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | 10x points at IHG Hotels & Resorts, 5x points on travel, gas stations, and restaurants, 3x points on all other purchases. Automatic Platinum Elite status, free night award each year after account anniversary. | Best for frequent IHG hotel guests. Generous rewards at IHG properties and valuable elite status benefits. Free night award can offset the annual fee. |
| Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | 12x points at Hilton hotels, 6x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations, 4x points on U.S. online retail purchases, 3x points on all other purchases. Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, free night reward after spending $15,000 in a calendar year. | Ideal for Hilton loyalists. High earning potential at Hilton properties and useful benefits like complimentary Gold status. Free night reward can provide significant value. |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card | 6x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 2x points on all other purchases. Free night award each year after account anniversary, Silver Elite status. | Designed for Marriott Bonvoy members. Free night award and Silver Elite status offer tangible benefits. Points can be redeemed for Marriott stays and experiences. |
| Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | 2% cash rewards on purchases. | Simple cash back rewards with no annual fee. Easy to understand and redeem rewards. A good option if you prefer cash back over travel-specific rewards. |
| Discover it® Miles | 1.5x miles on every purchase. Discover will automatically match all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match. | Simple rewards structure with a first-year miles match. No annual fee makes it a low-risk option. Miles can be redeemed for travel or cash back. |
Detailed Explanations of Key Benefits and Features
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card:
This card is a powerhouse for travel rewards. Earning 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services, and 2x points on all other travel makes it incredibly versatile. The sign-up bonus provides a significant boost to your points balance. The points can be redeemed for travel directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, transferred to partner airlines and hotels, or used for cash back, offering great flexibility.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card:
This card simplifies rewards with a flat 2x miles on every purchase. The generous sign-up bonus is easily attainable, and the $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck is a valuable perk for frequent travelers. Miles can be redeemed for travel purchases or statement credits.
American Express® Gold Card:
This card shines in earning potential for dining and grocery spending. 4x points at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide can quickly accumulate points. The points can be transferred to Amex's travel partners (airlines and hotels) or redeemed for travel through Amex Travel. This card also comes with purchase protection and travel insurance, adding to its value.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card:
A solid all-around rewards card, it offers 2x points on travel and dining and 1.5x points on all other purchases. The airline incidental credit can help offset expenses like baggage fees or in-flight purchases. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn even higher rewards, making it especially attractive for existing Bank of America customers.
United℠ Explorer Card:
This card is tailored for United Airlines enthusiasts. 2x miles on United purchases, restaurants, and hotel stays allow you to quickly accumulate miles for award flights. The free checked bag and priority boarding benefits can save significant time and money on United flights.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card:
Similar to the United card, this is designed for Delta loyalists. 2x miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, coupled with priority boarding and a free checked bag, enhance the Delta flying experience. The card also provides 20% back on inflight purchases, making it a valuable choice for regular Delta flyers.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card:
If you frequently fly Southwest, this card is a great option. Earning 2x points on Southwest Airlines purchases and hotel and car rental partner purchases, you can quickly earn points towards free flights. It also helps you earn the coveted Companion Pass faster, allowing a companion to fly with you for free (excluding taxes and fees).
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card:
For those who frequently stay at IHG hotels (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, etc.), this card offers exceptional value. 10x points at IHG Hotels & Resorts, 5x points on travel, gas stations, and restaurants are incredibly rewarding. Automatic Platinum Elite status provides benefits like room upgrades and bonus points on stays. The free night award each year can easily offset the annual fee.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card:
This card is ideal for Hilton loyalists. 12x points at Hilton hotels, 6x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations is very generous. Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status provides benefits such as free breakfast and room upgrades (when available). The free night reward after spending $15,000 in a calendar year can be a significant bonus.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card:
Designed for Marriott Bonvoy members, this card offers 6x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. The free night award each year and Silver Elite status provide tangible benefits. Points can be redeemed for Marriott stays and experiences.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card:
This card stands out for its simplicity. Offering 2% cash rewards on purchases, it's a straightforward way to earn cash back without worrying about bonus categories or travel restrictions. There's no annual fee, making it a great choice for everyday spending.
Discover it® Miles:
This card offers a simple rewards structure of 1.5x miles on every purchase. The unique feature is that Discover will automatically match all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match. With no annual fee, it's a low-risk option for earning travel rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best credit card for domestic travel? The best card depends on your spending habits and travel preferences. Consider cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Venture Rewards, or American Express Gold for general travel rewards.
How do travel credit card rewards work? You earn points or miles for purchases, which can then be redeemed for travel, cash back, or other rewards, depending on the card's program.
What is a sign-up bonus? A sign-up bonus is a one-time reward offered for opening a new credit card and meeting a specified spending requirement within a certain timeframe.
What is an annual fee? An annual fee is a yearly charge for owning a credit card. Consider the benefits and rewards to determine if the annual fee is worth it.
Should I choose a card with travel insurance benefits? Travel insurance benefits can provide valuable protection against trip cancellations, lost luggage, and other unforeseen circumstances. Evaluate your needs to see if it's beneficial.
What is the difference between points and miles? Points are generally more flexible and can be redeemed for various rewards, while miles are usually tied to specific airline or hotel programs.
How important is a card's APR? APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is the interest rate you'll pay on balances you carry. Aim to pay your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.
What is Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are programs that allow expedited security screening at airports. Some credit cards offer a credit to cover the application fee.
How do I maximize my travel credit card rewards? Use the card for all eligible purchases, take advantage of bonus categories, and redeem rewards strategically to maximize their value.
What are transfer partners? Transfer partners are airline and hotel loyalty programs that allow you to transfer your credit card points to their program for award bookings.
Conclusion
Choosing the best credit card for domestic travel requires careful consideration of your spending habits, travel preferences, and desired rewards. By understanding the key features and benefits of each card, you can select the one that best aligns with your needs and helps you maximize your travel experiences. Ultimately, the goal is to choose a card that not only earns valuable rewards but also enhances your travel journey.