Planning a vacation is exciting, but figuring out the best way to pay for it can be a challenge. Choosing the right credit card can significantly reduce your travel expenses by earning rewards, providing travel insurance, and waiving foreign transaction fees. This guide explores the best credit cards for vacation travel in 2024, focusing on maximizing your rewards and minimizing costs.
Top Credit Cards for Vacation Travel: A Detailed Comparison
| Credit Card | Key Benefits | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | High reward rate on travel and dining, points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, travel and purchase protection, no foreign transaction fees. | $95 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card | Premium travel rewards, points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge access, comprehensive travel insurance, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, no foreign transaction fees. | $550 |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Generous rewards on all purchases, $300 annual travel credit, 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, airport lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, no foreign transaction fees. | $395 |
| American Express® Gold Card | High reward rate on dining and groceries, statement credits for select dining partners, travel and purchase protection, no foreign transaction fees. | $250 |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Simple and straightforward rewards on all purchases, miles can be redeemed for travel statement credits or transferred to partner programs, no foreign transaction fees. | $95 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card | Elevated Marriott Bonvoy point earning, Free Night Award annually, automatic Silver Elite status, path to higher elite status, no foreign transaction fees. | $95 |
| Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | High Hilton Honors point earning, complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 in a calendar year, no foreign transaction fees. | $150 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | Exclusive Delta SkyMiles benefits, complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and Amex Centurion Lounges (when flying Delta), Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) boost, first checked bag free, priority boarding, no foreign transaction fees. | $650 |
| United℠ Explorer Card | United Airlines benefits, free checked bag, priority boarding, 25% back on in-flight purchases, two United Club passes per year, no foreign transaction fees. | $0 intro APR for the first year, then $95 |
| Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card | Flexible rewards program, points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, or gift cards, travel and purchase protection, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, no foreign transaction fees. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members earn even more. | $95 |
| Wells Fargo Autograph Card | No annual fee with solid rewards on popular travel categories, 3x points on dining, travel, gas, transit, streaming services, and phone plans, cell phone protection. | $0 |
| Citi Premier® Card | Versatile rewards program, bonus categories include restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels, points can be transferred to partner loyalty programs. | $95 |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | High IHG One Rewards point earning, Anniversary Free Night, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, automatic Platinum Elite status. | $99 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card | Southwest Airlines benefits, bonus points each cardmember anniversary, upgraded boardings, 25% back on in-flight purchases, no foreign transaction fees. | $149 |
Detailed Explanations of Key Benefits
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card is an excellent entry point into the travel rewards world. The high reward rate on travel and dining allows you to accumulate points quickly. The fact that your points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards provides a significant boost to their value. Additionally, the card offers valuable travel and purchase protection, and the absence of foreign transaction fees makes it ideal for international travel.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card: This premium travel card offers unparalleled benefits. The premium travel rewards are enhanced by the fact that points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. The $300 annual travel credit effectively lowers the annual fee. Airport lounge access provides a comfortable travel experience. Comprehensive travel insurance and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit offer peace of mind and convenience. Like the Sapphire Preferred, it also has no foreign transaction fees.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: This card provides generous rewards on all purchases, making it a versatile option. The $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary help offset the annual fee. Airport lounge access adds to the travel perks. The inclusion of a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit further enhances its value. The no foreign transaction fees policy is essential for international travel.
American Express® Gold Card: This card shines in the dining and grocery categories. The high reward rate on dining and groceries makes it ideal for everyday spending. Statement credits for select dining partners offer additional savings. It also comes with travel and purchase protection. The no foreign transaction fees policy is a key benefit for international travelers.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: This card offers a simple and straightforward rewards on all purchases structure. Miles can be redeemed for travel statement credits or transferred to partner programs, providing flexibility. The no foreign transaction fees policy is a standard benefit for travel cards.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card is geared towards Marriott loyalists. The elevated Marriott Bonvoy point earning accelerates your rewards accumulation. The Free Night Award annually provides a valuable perk. Automatic Silver Elite status and a path to higher elite status enhance your Marriott experience. The no foreign transaction fees policy is a welcome addition.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This card is designed for Hilton enthusiasts. The high Hilton Honors point earning is a major draw. Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status provides valuable benefits during stays. The Free Night Reward after spending a certain amount adds to the card's value. It also has no foreign transaction fees.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This card offers exclusive benefits for Delta flyers. The complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and Amex Centurion Lounges (when flying Delta) enhances the travel experience. Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) boost your status earning. First checked bag free and priority boarding provide convenience. The no foreign transaction fees policy is standard for travel cards.
United℠ Explorer Card: This card is tailored for United Airlines travelers. The free checked bag and priority boarding are valuable benefits. 25% back on in-flight purchases offers additional savings. Two United Club passes per year provide lounge access. Like the others, it has no foreign transaction fees.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: This card offers a flexible rewards program, allowing you to redeem points for travel, cash back, or gift cards. Travel and purchase protection provide peace of mind. The Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit saves time and hassle. The no foreign transaction fees policy is essential. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members earn even more, making it a potentially lucrative option.
Wells Fargo Autograph Card: This card stands out with its no annual fee and solid rewards on popular travel categories. Earning 3x points on dining, travel, gas, transit, streaming services, and phone plans makes it a versatile choice. Cell phone protection is a valuable added benefit.
Citi Premier® Card: This card boasts a versatile rewards program with bonus categories including restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels. The ability to transfer points to partner loyalty programs adds flexibility.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card is ideal for those loyal to the IHG hotel group. High IHG One Rewards point earning is a major benefit. The Anniversary Free Night provides significant value. Automatic Platinum Elite status enhances your stays. It also includes Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card offers benefits specifically for Southwest Airlines customers. Bonus points each cardmember anniversary, upgraded boardings, and 25% back on in-flight purchases are valuable perks. The no foreign transaction fees policy is a must for international travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best credit card for international travel? The best card depends on your spending habits and travel preferences. Cards with no foreign transaction fees and travel rewards are generally recommended.
What are foreign transaction fees? Foreign transaction fees are charges applied by your credit card issuer for transactions made outside of the United States. They typically range from 1% to 3% of the transaction amount.
How do travel rewards credit cards work? Travel rewards credit cards earn points or miles on purchases, which can then be redeemed for travel-related expenses like flights and hotels.
What is a travel credit? A travel credit is a statement credit offered by some travel credit cards that can be used to offset travel expenses.
Should I get a travel credit card with an annual fee? This depends on whether the benefits and rewards outweigh the cost of the annual fee. Calculate your potential earnings and savings to determine if it's worthwhile.
What is airport lounge access? Some premium travel credit cards offer access to airport lounges, providing a comfortable space to relax before or between flights.
What is Global Entry/TSA PreCheck? Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are programs that expedite airport security screening for pre-approved travelers. Some credit cards offer a statement credit to cover the application fee.
Conclusion
Choosing the best credit card for vacation travel involves considering your spending habits, travel preferences, and desired benefits. By carefully evaluating the rewards programs, annual fees, and travel perks, you can select a card that maximizes your savings and enhances your travel experience. Ultimately, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card stand out as excellent overall choices due to their balance of rewards, benefits, and reasonable annual fees.