Travel credit cards offer a multitude of benefits, from earning points and miles redeemable for flights and hotels to providing valuable travel insurance and perks. Choosing the right travel credit card can significantly enhance your travel experiences, save you money, and offer peace of mind while abroad. This guide will help you navigate the options and find the best travel credit card to suit your individual needs in 2024.
Comprehensive Travel Credit Card Comparison
| Credit Card | Key Features | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Earns: 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining, 2x on all other travel, 1x on everything else. Benefits: $50 annual hotel credit, travel and purchase protection, no foreign transaction fees, point transfer to airline and hotel partners. Bonus: Often offers a substantial sign-up bonus after meeting minimum spending requirements. | $95 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card | Earns: 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after earning your $300 Annual Travel Credit. 3x points on other travel and dining worldwide. 1x on everything else. Benefits: $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, travel and purchase protection, no foreign transaction fees, point transfer to airline and hotel partners. | $550 |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Earns: 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, 2x miles on all other purchases. Benefits: $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, Hertz President's Circle status, no foreign transaction fees, point transfer to airline and hotel partners. | $395 |
| American Express Platinum Card | Earns: 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, 5x points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com, 1x point on everything else. Benefits: Numerous travel credits (hotel, airline, digital entertainment), Priority Pass, Centurion Lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, hotel elite status, no foreign transaction fees. | $695 |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Earns: 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2x miles on all other purchases. Benefits: Two free visits annually to Capital One Lounges or Plaza Premium Lounges, no foreign transaction fees, point transfer to airline and hotel partners. | $95 |
| Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card | Earns: 2 points per $1 spent on travel and dining purchases, 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases. Benefits: $100 airline incidental statement credit, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, no foreign transaction fees. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can earn bonus points. | $95 |
| United℠ Explorer Card | Earns: 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays, 1x mile on all other purchases. Benefits: Free checked bag, priority boarding, 25% back on United in-flight purchases, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | Earns: 3x miles on Delta purchases, 1x mile on all other purchases. Benefits: Delta Sky Club access, Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) boosts, first checked bag free, priority boarding, no foreign transaction fees. | $650 |
| World of Hyatt Credit Card | Earns: 4x points at Hyatt hotels, 2x points on dining, airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting, and fitness club and gym memberships, 1x point on all other purchases. Benefits: Free night award each year, Discoverist status, no foreign transaction fees. | $95 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | Earns: 6x points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3x points at U.S. restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines, 2x points on all other eligible purchases. Benefits: Free night award each year, Platinum Elite status, $300 statement credit for eligible Marriott Bonvoy purchases, Priority Pass Select membership, no foreign transaction fees. | $650 |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | Earns: 10x points at IHG hotels, 2x points on gas, groceries, and restaurants, 1x point on all other purchases. Benefits: Free night award each year, Platinum Elite status, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, fourth night free on award stays, no foreign transaction fees. | $99 |
| American Express® Green Card | Earns: 3x points on travel and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery, and transit, including trains, taxis, rideshares, ferries, tolls, parking, and buses, 1x point on everything else. Benefits: $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit, no foreign transaction fees. | $150 |
Detailed Explanations
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card is an excellent entry-level travel card, offering a strong earning rate on travel and dining. The $50 annual hotel credit helps offset the annual fee, and the ability to transfer points to Chase's airline and hotel partners maximizes redemption value. It’s ideal for those who want a flexible and rewarding travel card without a high annual fee.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card: This premium card provides a host of benefits for frequent travelers. The $300 annual travel credit effectively reduces the annual fee, and the Priority Pass lounge access provides a comfortable travel experience. The increased earning rates, especially on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, make it a top choice for those who travel often.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: This card offers a compelling value proposition with a lower annual fee than some of its competitors. The $300 annual travel credit and Priority Pass lounge access are valuable perks. The 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel is a standout feature, and the Hertz President's Circle status provides enhanced car rental benefits.
American Express Platinum Card: This card is geared towards luxury travelers and offers a wide range of benefits. The numerous travel credits can offset the high annual fee if utilized effectively. Priority Pass and Centurion Lounge access provide a premium airport experience, and the hotel elite status unlocks valuable perks at participating hotels.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: This card is a simpler alternative to the Venture X, offering a solid earning rate and valuable perks. The fixed 2x miles on all purchases make it easy to earn rewards, and the ability to transfer miles to Capital One's travel partners provides redemption flexibility.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: This card offers a straightforward rewards structure and valuable benefits. The $100 airline incidental statement credit can help offset the annual fee, and the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit saves time and hassle at the airport. The enhanced rewards for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members can significantly boost earning potential.
United℠ Explorer Card: This card is ideal for frequent United Airlines flyers. The free checked bag and priority boarding can save time and money on each flight. The 25% back on United in-flight purchases is a nice perk for those who enjoy in-flight amenities.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This card is tailored for loyal Delta Air Lines customers. Delta Sky Club access provides a comfortable airport experience, and the Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) boosts can help achieve or maintain elite status. The first checked bag free and priority boarding are valuable benefits for Delta flyers.
World of Hyatt Credit Card: This card is perfect for those who frequently stay at Hyatt hotels. The free night award each year can easily offset the annual fee, and the Discoverist status provides enhanced benefits at Hyatt properties. The 4x points at Hyatt hotels accelerates earning potential for Hyatt loyalists.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This card offers a premium experience for Marriott Bonvoy members. The free night award each year and Platinum Elite status provide valuable benefits at Marriott properties. The $300 statement credit for eligible Marriott Bonvoy purchases helps offset the annual fee, and the Priority Pass Select membership offers lounge access.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card is designed for those who frequently stay at IHG hotels. The free night award each year can easily offset the annual fee, and the Platinum Elite status provides enhanced benefits at IHG properties. The fourth night free on award stays is a valuable perk for longer stays.
American Express® Green Card: This card is a versatile option for those who want to earn rewards on travel and dining without a high annual fee. The 3x points on travel and at restaurants worldwide is a strong earning rate, and the $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit provides expedited security screening at select airports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best travel credit card for beginners? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great starting point, offering a good balance of rewards and benefits with a reasonable annual fee.
Which travel credit card has the best lounge access? The American Express Platinum Card offers the most comprehensive lounge access, including Priority Pass and Centurion Lounges.
What is the best travel credit card for earning hotel points? The World of Hyatt Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card are excellent choices for earning hotel points, depending on your preferred hotel chain.
Which travel credit card has no foreign transaction fees? All the credit cards listed in this guide have no foreign transaction fees.
How do I maximize the value of my travel credit card rewards? Transferring points to airline and hotel partners often provides the best redemption value.
What is a sign-up bonus, and how do I get one? A sign-up bonus is a one-time reward offered to new cardholders after meeting a minimum spending requirement within a specified timeframe.
Do travel credit cards offer travel insurance? Many travel credit cards offer travel insurance benefits, such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, and rental car insurance. Check the card's terms and conditions for details.
What is the difference between miles and points? Miles are typically associated with airline loyalty programs, while points are associated with credit card rewards programs. Both can be redeemed for travel.
How does a travel credit work? A travel credit is a statement credit that is automatically applied to your account when you make eligible travel purchases.
What is Priority Pass? Priority Pass is a program that provides access to a network of airport lounges worldwide.
Conclusion
Choosing the best travel credit card depends on your individual spending habits, travel preferences, and loyalty to specific airlines or hotel chains. By carefully considering the earning rates, benefits, and annual fees, you can select a card that maximizes your rewards and enhances your travel experiences. Remember to always pay your balance on time and in full to avoid interest charges and maintain a good credit score.