Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The best travel credit cards offer more than just valuable rewards. They can help you save on foreign transaction fees, travel insurance and other travel expenses. Premium cards go further with luxury benefits like lounge access, complimentary elite status and credits for expedited airport security.
To help you find the best fit, CNBC Select analyzed the best travel rewards cards for various needs and rounded up alternative cards to consider if your credit needs some work. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel credit cards.)
Best travel credit cards
- Best overall: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)
- Best for travel dining: American Express® Gold Card
- Best for low annual fee: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best for no annual fee: Citi Double Cash® Card
- Best for fair credit: Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® with Dining, Gas & Travel Rewards
- Best for authorized user perks: Citi Strata Eliteâ„ Card
- Best for lounge access: American Express Platinum Card®
- Best for luxury travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees)
- Best for bonus categories: Wells Fargo Autograph Journeyâ„ Card
- Best at gas stations: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
Best overall
Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a loyal following among travelers looking for a travel-centric rewards program and a robust suite of perks. The card's lower annual fee, combined with its travel perks and ability to earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, makes it our best overall pick.
Standout benefits:Â This card offers many helpful benefits, including up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase TravelSM, primary rental car insurance (except for New York state residents), trip cancellation and interruption insurance and baggage and trip delay insurance. You can also benefit from a 10% points bonus on each card anniversary (based on the previous year's spending) and no foreign transaction fees.
"The Sapphire Preferred helps me earn 5X points on travel portal bookings, and the Points Boost feature amps up the value of my rewards. I rarely pay for flights, as I pool all my Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) and Sapphire Preferred rewards, book airfare through Chase Travel℠and score up to 1.5X more value on select flight bookings."
– Claire Dickey, Credit Cards Editor, CNBC Select
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Long list of travel and shopping protections
- $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit
- Has an annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy beneï¬ts such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase TravelSM
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
$0
With over 4,700 branches, Chase has the largest branch network in the U.S. plus access to more than 15,000 ATMs.
$0
Bank from anywhere with access to more than 15,000 Chase ATMs, more than 4,700 Chase branches, the Chase Mobile® app and Chase.com.
Best for travel dining
Who's this for? The American Express® Gold Card is a smart choice for consumers who love traveling and dining out due to its generous rewards rates of 4X points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1X points) and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.
Standout benefits:Â You can easily get over $400 in value annually through the card's various dining and rideshare-focused statement credits. The points you earn can be transferred to a long list of airline and hotel partners.
The American Express Gold Card is great for earning valuable Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.
- You can earn $400+ in dining and rideshare credits every year (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Exceptionally rewarding for eligible restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Larger annual fee
- Credits are more complicated, you earn them monthly or semi-annually
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.  Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold:  Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That's up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Foreign transaction fee
None
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
3.30% APY as of 12/30/2025
Min balance to open = $0
1.00% APY as of 06/24/2024
Min balance to open = $0
Best for low annual fee
Who's this for? The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is especially valuable if you want a straightforward way of earning rewards without juggling bonus categories.
Standout benefits: Travelers overseas can take advantage of no foreign transaction fees and get a credit of up to $120 toward a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership. Capital One miles are another valuable currency, transferring to 20 airline and hotel loyalty programs.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a reasonable annual fee and earns flexible travel rewards, which makes it a great travel card for beginners or heavy travelers.
- Valuable welcome offer worth at least $1,000 in travel
- You can transfer miles to over 15 Capital One partners, including Emirates Skywards, Choice Privileges and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- No foreign transaction fees
- Lacks ongoing travel benefits such as statement credits or lounge access
- Limited bonus spending category that only applies to certain Capital One Travel bookings
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that's equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
$0Â at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
None
Best for no annual fee
Who's this for? The Citi Double Cash® Card is a great choice for anyone who wants to earn transferable rewards without paying an annual fee. Plus, you'll earn a healthy 2% back on every purchase (1% back when you buy and 1% when you pay).
Standout benefits: This card typically earns cash back as Citi ThankYou® Points and has access to a variety of Citi's transfer partners, including American Airlines. Although the transfer ratios are lower than what you get with other premium Citi credit cards, this is a rare benefit to have with a no-annual-fee credit card.
"I've had this card for years, and I've fallen in love with it even more now that it has access to all of the Citi ThankYou® transfer partners. It's the top card I recommend to friends and family when they want to maximize their rewards while keeping things simple with no annual fee."
– Jason Stauffer, Senior Credit Cards Reporter, CNBC Select
The Citi Double Cash® Card is one of the best no-annual-fee cash-back cards thanks to its straightforward rewards structure.
- Long intro-APR for balance transfers
- High flat-rate cash-back rewards structure
- No annual fee
- Has a foreign transaction fee
- Intro APR doesn't apply to purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Best for fair credit
Who's this for? The Credit One Bank Wander Card is ideal if you have fair or average credit and want to earn generous rewards on your travel, dining and gas purchases but without having to put down a security deposit.
Standout benefits: You'll earn a whopping 10% cash back rewards when you book eligible hotels and rental cars through the Credit One Bank travel site. This card also earns 5% cash back rewards on eligible dining, gas and travel purchases, so it's rewarding for a variety of travel spending.
Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® with Dining, Gas & Travel Rewards
Rewards
10% cash back rewards on eligible hotel and car rentals booked using the Credit One Bank travel partner, 5% cash back rewards on eligible dining, gas, & travel purchases. 1% cash back rewards on all other purchases, terms apply
Welcome bonus
No current offer
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
29.74%* Variable
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Fair to Good credit
See rates and fees. Terms apply.
Pros
- Great return on travel purchases
- Available to those with average credit
Cons
- High APR
- No welcome bonus
Best for authorized user perks
Who's this for? The Citi Strata Eliteâ„ Card is a strong option if you want airport lounge access that you can share with others for a reasonable fee.
Standout benefits:Â Authorized users receive a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. This grants you (and up to two guests) unlimited visits to 1,500+ airport lounges. It only costs $75 to add an authorized user, which is less than what many other premium credit cards charge.
The Citi Strata Eliteâ„ Card aims to brings premium restaurant rewards and travel benefits to users, including an annual hotel benefit of $300.
- High rewards rate on travel
- 6X on restaurants
- Can transfer points to American Airlines at a 1:1 rate
- Up to $200 annual splurge credit
- High annual fee
- Limited rewards categories
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
- Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com and 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
- Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNightsâ„ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time
- Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
- Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
Balance transfer fee
Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
Best for lounge access
Who's this for? The American Express Platinum Card® is for frequent travelers who want to make their trips more comfortable. It grants you access to an incredible number of airport lounges and is loaded with other travel and lifestyle benefits that help justify its high annual fee.
Standout benefits:Â You can earn more than $3,500 in value each year by taking advantage of credits for hotels, airline fees, CLEAR+ Membership, Uber, Resy, digital entertainment, Equinox, Lululemon, Saks, Oura Ring and Walmart+. You can also enroll to receive hotel elite status with Hilton Honors, The Leading Hotels of the World and Marriott Bonvoy.
The American Express Platinum Card® is a premium card loaded with annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and more. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Access to 1,550+ airport lounges, including Priority Passâ„¢ Select lounges (enrollment required) and Amex Centurion lounges
- Statement credit offers worth up to twice what the annual fee costs
- Elite status perks for hotels and rental cars (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High annual fee
- Many statement credit offers are complicated and are earned in increments or limited to specific purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.Â
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.Â
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.Â
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.Â
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.Â
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.Â
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
- $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.Â
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.Â
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.Â
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.Â
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.Â
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.Â
- $895 annual fee.Â
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Best for luxury travel
Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Reserve is enormously popular among frequent travelers for its luxe perks like complimentary lounge access, comprehensive travel protections including trip cancellation and interruption insurance of up to $20,000 per trip and a strong rewards program earning 4X on flights and hotels booked directly.
Standout benefits: This card provides over $2,000 in annual value from credits for travel, hotels, dining, DoorDash, Apple TV+, StubHub, Peloton and Lyft. Cardholders can also get a statement credit of up to $120 (every four years) to help cover Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fees. Further, enroll in Priority Pass™ Select and receive airport lounge access.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests.
- Up to $300 in annual travel credit each account anniversary year
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Top-tier travel and shopping protections
- High annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase TravelSM, including The EditSMÂ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater
Best for bonus categories
Who's this for? The Wells Fargo Autograph Journeyâ„ Card has almost everything you could want in a travel card: A great welcome offer, a reasonable annual fee, useful bonus spending categories and meaningful perks.
Standout benefits:Â The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card helps you quickly rack up rewards on travel spending. You can transfer Wells Fargo points to airline and hotel travel partners, including Choice Privileges, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Executive Club and Air France/KLM Flying Blue.
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journeyâ„ Card offers generous rewards on travel and dining purchases, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.
- Excellent rewards rate for hotel, airfare and travel
- Strong welcome bonus
- Access to all of the Wells Fargo transfer partners including Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) and Virgin Red
- Easy-to-use airline credit; Built-in cell phone protection
- Fewer transfer partners than comparable programs
- No intro APR offer
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Select Learn More to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that's $600 toward your next trip.
- Earn unlimited 5X points with hotels, 4X points with airlines, 3X points on restaurants and other travel, and 1X points on other purchases.
- $95 annual fee.
- Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.Â
- Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.Â
- Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
Balance Transfer Fee
3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%, min: $5
Foreign transaction fee
None
Best for gas stations
Who's this for? The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is great for road trippers as it earns elevated rewards at gas stations and EV charging stations, among other travel-related spending categories.
Standout benefits: The Wells Fargo Autograph offers a generous intro APR on purchases, no foreign transaction fees, cell phone coverage (subject to a $25 deductible), roadside assistance, travel and emergency assistance and rental car damage and theft coverage (secondary in the U.S.).
The Wells Fargo Autograph® Card offers generous bonus spending categories and lets you transfer points to airline and hotel partners, which is rare for a credit card with no annual fee.
- Access to all of the Wells Fargo transfer partners including Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) and Virgin Red
- No annual fee
- Excellent bonus spending categories
- Intro-APR for purchases
- No travel credits or other valuable travel perks
- Lacks key travel protections such as trip delay reimbursement and trip cancellation/interruption coverage
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
- Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
- $0 annual fee.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% variable APR thereafter.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
Balance transfer fee
3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%, min: $5
Foreign transaction fee
None
Compare credit repair options
A travel credit card can have out-of-this-world perks and benefits, but it won't do much good if you can't qualify. These cards might not provide frequent travelers the most rewards but can be a good fit if you're looking to raise your credit score or know you'll carry a balance from month to month.
Best travel credit cards comparison
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | American Express® Gold Card | Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Citi Double Cash® Card | Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® with Dining, Gas & Travel Rewards | Citi Strata Elite℠Card | American Express Platinum Card® | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠Card | Wells Fargo Autograph® Card | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit score requirement | Good to excellent | Good to excellent | Good to excellent | Good to excellent | Fair to good | Good to Excellent | Good to excellent | Excellent | Good to excellent | Good to excellent |
| Annual fee | $95 | $325* | $95 | $0 | $95 | $595 | $895** | $795 | $95 | $0 |
| Rewards | Flexible travel rewards | Flexible travel rewards | Flexible travel rewards | Cash back rewards | Non-transferrable points | Flexible travel rewards | Flexible travel rewards | Flexible travel rewards | Flexible travel rewards | Flexible travel rewards |
| Standout benefits | $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit; 10% anniversary points boost; Travel and purchase protections | Dining credits, *Uber credits (enrollment required) | Up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®; Travel and purchase protections* | Can transfer rewards directly to American Airlines | Available for lower credit scores, travel accident insurance | Travel credits, airport lounge access, hotel benefits | Travel credits, Uber credits*, shopping credits*, airport lounge access, elite hotel status | Travel credit, airport lounge access, trusted traveler programs credit | $50 annual airline statement credit (with $50 minimum airline purchase); Travel protections; Cell phone insurance (subject to a $25 deductible) | Beginning APR offer; Access to transfer partners; Cell phone insurance (subject to a $25 deductible) |
*For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
**For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, click here.
Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.
Compare travel insurance companies
How do travel credit cards work?
Travel credit cards help you turn your credit card purchases into rewards you can redeem for travel. The type of rewards you earn, the cost of keeping the card and the card benefits depend on the type of travel card. There are three main types of travel credit cards: airline cards, hotel cards and flexible travel rewards cards.
Airline credit cards
Co-branded hotel airline credit cards earn frequent flyer miles with that specific airline loyalty program. For example, if you have a Delta card, you'll earn Delta SkyMiles and if you have a Southwest card, you'll earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points. These miles and points can be redeemed for flights with that airline and its partners. There may be other redemption options, such as rental cars or hotels, but you'll normally get the most value when you use your miles for flights.
Airline cards can save you money in other ways. Depending on the card, you may receive perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding and priority check-in. Many airline cards also give you a path to earning elite status, and sometimes you can even earn elite status without flying.
Hotel credit cards
A hotel credit card is a good option to earn free nights and elite status with your preferred hotel chain. These cards earn hotel points with that hotel chain and you can use those points to book rooms at any hotel under that loyalty program's umbrella.
Hotel cards often come with automatic elite status and may earn bonus elite night credit for spending or give you other opportunities to spend your way to top-tier status. Luxury hotel cards may even offer statement credits and free nights every year you keep the card.
Flexible travel rewards credit cards
If you like to keep your travel options open and aren't extremely loyal to one airline or hotel, then a travel credit card that earns flexible rewards makes sense. These cards run the gamut from no-annual-fee travel cards to premium credit cards with top-tier benefits.
What makes this type of travel card so special is the redemption options. This type of card typically allows you to redeem the points or miles you earn for a fixed rate (normally one cent per point or mile) for things such as statement credits, gift cards or travel, but in general, the best way to make the most of your flexible travel rewards is to transfer them to partner travel loyalty programs.
Each flexible travel rewards program has different partners, and by utilizing the best deals that your card offers, you can multiply the value of your points by booking premium cabin award flights to international destinations.
How to choose a travel credit card
There are a variety of travel credit cards available, from general to airline- and hotel-specific, and all the choices can make it hard to settle on one. Here are some tips on how to choose the best credit card for your needs.
Consider annual fees
Consider whether you're willing to pay an annual fee. Some travel cards have steep annual fees of over $800, which can be worthwhile, but not for everyone. Do the math to see if an annual fee travel card is for you.
Choose the right rewards program
Rewards should also play a part in your decision. Do some research to determine which card offers a rewards program more geared toward your spending habits. If you usually dine out when you travel, consider the American Express Gold Card with 4X points on dining at restaurants on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Before you sign up for a travel credit card, consider how you'll use it and how you can best optimize its rewards program, especially if you're paying a steep annual fee. It's also important to make sure you can pay off your balance on time and in full each month because many of these cards have high interest rates.
How do travel credit card rewards programs work?
Travel credit card rewards programs operate on a simple premise — make purchases with your card and earn rewards you can use for travel. How you can use these rewards and how many miles or points you earn depends on the card and rewards program.
Most credit card rewards programs offer a range of rewards cards to suit different needs. You can even have more than one credit card part of the same travel rewards program. These cards generally fall into four broad categories: business credit cards, no-annual-fee credit cards, mid-tier credit cards and premium credit cards.
Business travel credit cards
Travel credit cards for businesses are available to anyone with a qualifying business venture, such as a side hustle, independent contractor gig or full-time business. These cards offer higher returns where business owners are more likely to spend the most, including office supply stores, advertising and shipping. They may also feature benefits such as discounts or statement credits for business services such as QuickBooks or FreshBooks.
No-annual-fee travel credit cards
If you're new to credit card travel rewards, a card with no annual fee is a great way to earn rewards. These cards have fewer benefits than travel cards with annual fees but can still provide value. There are even no-annual-fee travel cards that allow you to transfer points, such as the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card and Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.
Mid-tier travel credit cards
Mid-tier travel credit cards are the most popular and usually have annual fees of $150 or less, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. You'll typically have a mix of good reward rates, valuable welcome bonuses and solid ongoing benefits. At this level of card, you're more likely to receive travel and purchase protections.
Premium travel credit cards
In recent times we've seen travel credit card rewards programs offer more premium credit cards with annual fees north of $800. A premium card tends to be loaded with statement credits and luxury perks, such as airport lounge access. The travel insurance available with a premium card is usually more valuable and may reimburse up to a higher limit or have large coverage limits. You'll also usually earn more rewards for spending, although, for certain categories, lower-tier cards can sometimes be more lucrative.
How to redeem travel rewards
The options for using your travel rewards vary depending on the rewards. However, you're typically able to redeem points or miles for:
- Gift cards
- Statement credits or other forms of cash back
- Directly for travel, such as hotels, rental cars, cruises and flights
- Transfers to partner travel programs, including airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Merchandise
Redeeming your rewards is straightforward, you'll need to log in to your account and you can complete most redemptions from there. The big thing to understand when you're using your rewards is that what you redeem them for changes how much value you receive and the value of each redemption varies by program. You'll usually receive a maximum of one cent per point for gift cards and cash back redemptions, and using points for merchandise or Amazon purchases typically yields the lowest value.
If the program offers transferrable points, this is often the best way to get the most bang for your buck, especially when you take advantage of airline partners. By transferring points to the right airline partner, you can book International business- and first-class flights. These flights can cost thousands of dollars and provide well over two cents per point in value.
What are the best uses for travel cards?
The best way to use your travel card is to utilize its benefits while understanding its cost. Take note of any annual fees, foreign transaction fees and the APR associated with your account. Also, consider the rewards you'll earn and other perks, such as annual statement credits.
Once you're familiar with what your card offers, you can maximize the perks. That may include setting reminders to use the annual $300 travel credit provided by the Chase Sapphire Reserve or submitting a Global Entry application with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to take advantage of the up to $120 credit. Other cards have credits that you can earn monthly or semi-annually and will require you to stay on top of them to maximize the perks.
When redeeming the rewards you earn with travel cards, you'll normally have several options. Certain travel cards offer cash back type redemptions, which may offer okay value. However, you'll typically get the most of your travel points and miles when you use them for travel.
Even if you're not using points to book travel, paying for your travel with a travel credit card is also a good idea. You'll generally earn bonus rewards for travel purchases such as hotels and flights. On top of that, many travel cards also provide protections at no additional cost, such as trip delay reimbursement or rental car insurance.
Pros and cons of a travel credit card
- High-value rewards: Travel rewards typically have a higher potential value than straight cash back or other types of rewards
- Luxury perks: Airport lounge access, automatic elite status and statement credits can save you money and unlock access to all sorts of travel comforts
- Large welcome bonuses: Many travel credit cards feature exceptionally valuable welcome bonus offers
- Complicated redemptions: To get the most value from your travel rewards you may have to navigate multiple loyalty programs and deal with confusing restrictions
- Costly: Many of the best travel credit cards have higher annual fees
- Harder to get: To qualify for the best travel credit cards, you typically need a higher credit score
FAQs
Should you get a travel credit card?
If you travel often and pay for purchases with cash or a debit card, you're missing out on rewards and perks that can make travel more affordable. It can be in your best interest to get a travel credit card that awards high rewards rates on airfare, hotels, rideshares and other common travel expenses.
Who should apply for a travel card?
If you're interested in submitting a travel credit card application, keep in mind that card issuers usually require you to have good credit or excellent credit (scores above 670). Therefore, it's key to check your credit score before applying for a travel card.
Once you know your credit score and can check if you prequalify for a travel card, choose the best card for your needs and apply.
What's the difference between points and miles?
Unlike cash back cards, travel credit cards generally earn points or miles. Traditionally, the term points referred to flexible rewards that could be redeemed directly through a bank's portal while the term miles has been associated with rewards earned through an airline's frequent flyer program. However, nowadays, points and miles are used interchangeably as there are flexible credit card rewards called miles and more restrictive airline rewards referred to as points.
How do I compare credit cards for travel?
If you're having trouble narrowing down the best travel card for you, it can be helpful to compare credit cards. First list the benefits you're looking for and any deal breakers, such as an annual fee. Then consider cards that have those benefits.
What travel credits are easier to redeem?
Travel credits that aren't tied to a specific brand and that apply to a wide range of purchases are easier to redeem. A good example of this is the annual travel credit of up to $300 that you get with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® because it's automatically applied to eligible purchases with no enrollment required.
Can you earn travel rewards for business travel?
You can earn rewards for business travel. With business flights or hotel stays, the points you earn are normally deposited into your personal rewards account. However, if you use a business or corporate credit card, the business owner or account administrator usually has control over any rewards that are earned.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card list is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel credit cards.
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Our methodology
To determine which cards offer the best value for travel, CNBC Select analyzed over 250 major credit cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions that are widely available in the U.S. Â
We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards (e.g., cash back, points and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cash back).Â
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We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools. Â
When choosing the best travel credit cards, we focused on cards with travel-centered rewards programs and benefits. This includes flexible travel programs that allow you to redeem for travel and transfer rewards to travel programs. We also paid special attention to cards with travel perks, such as travel insurance, elite status benefits or airport lounge access.
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For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, click here.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
