Best Credit Cards for Flights and Hotels with Great Rewards

If you're a frequent traveler, you know how expensive flights and hotels can be. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers 2X points on travel and dining purchases, which can be redeemed for flights and hotels.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a $95 annual fee, but it's worth it for the rewards. You can earn a 60,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.

Having a good credit card can make a big difference in your travel budget. With the right rewards and benefits, you can earn points or miles that can be redeemed for flights and hotels.

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Credit cards can be a great way to earn rewards, but understanding the basics is essential. A credit limit is the maximum amount you can charge on your card, and it's usually determined by your credit score and income.

Most credit cards have an interest rate, which is the percentage of the balance charged as interest if you don't pay it off in full each month. For example, if your credit card has an interest rate of 20% and you have a balance of $1,000, you'll be charged $200 in interest if you don't pay it off.

It's also important to know that credit cards often have fees, such as annual fees, late fees, and foreign transaction fees. For instance, some credit cards charge a $95 annual fee, while others may charge a 3% foreign transaction fee.

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Taking out a rewards credit card can actually help your credit score, not hurt it, if you use it responsibly. Making on-time payments consistently sends a signal to lenders that you're trustworthy and responsible.

Your credit score will see a temporary dip whenever you apply for a new card, so it's a good idea to weigh any near-term financial moves that depend on your credit score.

If annual fees aren't a concern, you can consider cards that cost north of $500 per year, but come packed with even more travel perks and benefits.

The most expensive card is the Amex Platinum, with a $695 annual fee. It's not for everyone, but it comes with unrivaled lounge access, instant hotel status, and up to $600 in travel credits each year.

Between Uber, hotels, and airlines, you can split the $600 in travel credits to suit your travel needs. This card has one of the best sets of perks in the travel rewards world.

With the Amex Platinum, you can expect to get offsetting statement credits that can help recoup all of that annual fee, and then some. This card is definitely worth considering if you're a frequent traveler.

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The Capital One Venture X offers automatic $300 credit towards travel booked through the Capital One Travel portal each year, which can make a big difference in your out-of-pocket cost.

You'll also get a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus in year two, worth a minimum of $100, making it a great option for frequent travelers.

The Venture X also comes with premium travel benefits like access to Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and Plaza Premium lounges, which can be a game-changer for those who value comfort and convenience.

Having automatic Hertz President's Circle elite status and a credit to cover Global Entry or TSA PreCheck can also save you money and hassle in the long run.

The American Express Platinum card, on the other hand, comes packed with even more travel perks and benefits, including unrivaled lounge access and instant hotel status, but it comes with a higher annual fee of $695.

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If you're looking for a credit card that rewards you for your travel spending, there are several options to consider. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers 5 miles per $1 spent on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, making it a great choice for those who frequently book travel accommodations.

For big-spending frequent travelers, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a top contender, offering 10 miles per $1 spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. This card also comes with a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, making it a great option for those who can take advantage of its perks.

If you're looking for a card with elite perks, the Capital One Venture X Rewards card is a great choice, offering unlimited 10x points per dollar on hotels and rental cars and 5x points on flights booked through Capital One Travel.

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If you're looking to apply for a new credit card but don't want to go over the 5/24 rule, there are some great options to consider.

The best credit cards under 5/24 can offer significant rewards and benefits.

Earn 4x points on all Southwest purchases, making it a great choice for frequent flyers.

Earn 2x points on all internet, cable, and phone spend, which can add up quickly.

Earn 2x points on rideshares, perfect for those who use services like Uber or Lyft.

Avios can be a good option, earning 3x points on all Southwest purchases.

You can also earn 1% back on all other purchases with Avios.

If you're looking for a travel credit card that offers a big initial bonus, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great option. It offers a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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The card also earns unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. This means you'll earn a decent amount of miles on your regular purchases, not just on travel-related expenses.

One of the standout features of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is its ability to earn miles on various purchases, including 5 miles per $1 spent on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Here's a breakdown of the card's benefits:

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is another option to consider, offering even more rewards and benefits.

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Co-branded travel credit cards are affiliated with a specific travel company, which means you'll need to be a regular customer to get the most value from your rewards.

These cards often have higher rewards rates than general-purpose travel cards, but the rewards are only redeemable for goods or services from the affiliated company.

If you're a frequent flyer with Delta, for example, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card might be a good choice, offering 50,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months.

General travel rewards credit cards, on the other hand, allow you to earn and redeem rewards at the same rate, regardless of which travel provider you use.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great example of a general-purpose travel card, offering 75,000 miles for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.

Here's a comparison of popular co-branded and general-purpose travel cards:

Choosing a credit card can be overwhelming, but it's essential to find the right one for your travel needs. To start, narrow down the options to cards you can qualify for, based on your credit score.

Your credit score plays a significant role in determining which credit cards you can apply for. If you have a good or excellent credit score of 700+, you'll have more options to choose from.

Consider your travel goals and where you want to use the card. If you plan to travel domestically, you might assign more weight to a card's bonus categories or its list of travel partners. On the other hand, if you plan to travel internationally, finding a card that waives foreign transaction fees is probably pretty low on your list of priorities.

Your travel goals can impact which card is right for you. For example, if you plan to fly business class to Europe, a card with a big welcome offer bonus might be most helpful.

To make the most of your credit card, compare the expected net value (rewards minus fees) of your remaining choices. This will help you determine which card offers the best value for your money.

Here's a quick rundown of what to consider when choosing a credit card:

By considering these factors, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect credit card for your travel needs.

When choosing a travel rewards card, it's essential to consider the annual fee. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has an annual fee of $95, while the Discover it Miles card has no annual fee.

If you're looking for a card with a low annual fee, the Discover it Miles card is a great option. It offers 1.5 miles per dollar spent, with no annual fee.

The Regions Prestige Visa Signature Credit Card also has no annual fee, making it a good choice for those who want to avoid extra costs. It offers 1-3 points per dollar spent.

If you're willing to pay an annual fee, the Citi Strata Premier Card offers a high rewards rate of 1-10 points per dollar spent. It has an annual fee of $95.

To help you compare these cards, here's a list of their annual fees and rewards rates:

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card has the highest annual fee at $550, but it offers a high rewards rate of 1-10 points per dollar spent.

The Chase credit card offers up to 60,000 Bonus Points, with 30,000 points earned after spending $3,000 in the first three months and an additional 30,000 points earned by spending $15,000 in the first six months.

You can earn bonus points on various purchases, including 4X bonus points on Hyatt stays, 2X points on restaurant, airline, and local transit purchases, and 1 point on everything else. The Capital One Venture Card earns unlimited 2x miles on every purchase.

Some travel credit cards come with annual fees under $100, such as the Chase card for $95 and the Capital One Venture Card for $95. These cards often offer benefits like increased point-earning in certain categories, travel protections, and travel credits.

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The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card offers 3 Free Night Awards, each valued up to 50,000 points. You can earn these awards after spending $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

To earn these awards, you'll need to meet the spending requirement within the specified timeframe. The free night awards can be redeemed at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program.

The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express card also offers 3 Free Night Awards, with a redemption level up to 50,000 points. You'll need to spend $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership to earn these awards.

This card is a great option for die-hard Marriott loyalists, offering a handful of benefits for a reasonable annual fee. The free night awards can be a significant perk, especially if you're able to redeem them at high-end properties within the Marriott Bonvoy program.

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Credit cards can be overwhelming, but understanding the basics can help you make informed decisions. A travel credit card can be a great option if you travel frequently, as they often offer higher rewards rates for travel-related purchases.

Some travel credit cards are co-branded with a specific airline or hotel chain, while others are general travel cards that don't limit your rewards to a single company. For example, the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card is co-branded with Southwest Airlines, while the Capital One Venture card is a general travel card.

Travel credit cards typically offer higher rewards rates for travel-related purchases, such as flights, hotels, and rental cars. In fact, some cards offer up to 3x points per dollar spent on these types of purchases. The Alaska Airlines Visa Business Card, for instance, earns unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases.

Many travel credit cards also offer benefits like travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees, airport lounge access, and reimbursement for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fees. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card, for example, offers travel insurance and no foreign transaction fees.

If you're looking for a travel credit card with a low annual fee, there are options available. The Capital One Venture card, for instance, has an annual fee of $95, which is relatively low compared to other travel credit cards. This card also earns unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, making it easy to rack up rewards quickly.

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Here are some key things to know about travel credit cards:

Overall, travel credit cards can be a great option for frequent travelers, offering higher rewards rates and benefits that can help make your travel more enjoyable and cost-effective.

The Hilton Honors Card offers 12X points for eligible purchases charged directly with a Hilton hotel or resort, making it a great option for those who frequently stay with Hilton.

You can earn 50,000 points on the JetBlue Plus Card after making $1,000 in purchases within 90 days of opening an account and paying the annual fee.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers 10 miles per $1 spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 5 miles per $1 spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through the same platform.

The Alaska Airlines Visa Business Card earns unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, making it a good choice for frequent flyers.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards card also offers a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, which can be a significant savings for travelers.

The Hyatt Hotels credit card is a great option for those who frequently stay at Hyatt properties. It offers an initial bonus of 30,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months of membership, with ongoing rewards of 1-4 points per $1 spent on purchases.

Cardholders can earn 4 points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels, 2 points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets, transit, and gym memberships, and 2 points per $1 on all other purchases in the first 6 months on up to $15,000 spent. After that, they earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

One of the standout features of this card is the annual free night on the anniversary of your membership, plus complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status. Cardholders also receive 4 tier qualifying night credits towards status after opening the account and each year after that for as long as the account is open.

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Additionally, cardholders can earn up to an additional 30,000 bonus points by earning 2 points total per $1 spent in the first six months of membership on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point.

Here's a breakdown of the rewards structure:

The card has an annual fee of $95 and a high regular APR, so it's essential to pay your bill in full each month to avoid interest.

The Bank of America credit card offers a great rewards program. You can earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

One of the benefits of this card is that your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. This means you can keep earning and redeeming points without worrying about them expiring.

To get started, you can earn 25,000 online bonus points after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. This bonus can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.

Here are the key benefits of the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card: