Credit Cards for Traveling: Top Picks and Best Practices

Choosing the right credit card for traveling can be overwhelming, but don't worry, I've got you covered. Look for cards that offer no foreign transaction fees, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which saves you up to 3% on international purchases.

If you're a frequent traveler, consider cards that offer travel credits or rewards, such as the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, which gives you $0 foreign transaction fees and 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all purchases.

Some credit cards also offer airport lounge access, which can be a game-changer for long layovers. The Citi Premier Card, for example, offers 3x points on travel, including gas stations, and includes a $100 credit for airport lounge access.

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The Discover it Miles credit card offers an attractive rewards program for travelers. You'll earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every purchase, which can add up quickly.

One of the standout features of this card is the Miles match at the end of your first year. You'll automatically earn double the Miles you've collected, which can be redeemed for travel purchases or cash. This can be a significant bonus, turning 35,000 Miles into 70,000 Miles, worth $700.

There's no limit to how many Miles you can earn, and they have the same value regardless of how you redeem them. This flexibility makes it easy to plan your travel rewards.

If you're loyal to a particular hotel chain or airline, a co-branded travel rewards card might be the way to go. These cards offer brand-specific rewards that let you earn more points for purchases made with the brand.

For example, the Autograph Journeyservice mark℠ Card offers 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, and 3X points on other travel and restaurants. This card also comes with a $50 annual statement credit when you make a minimum $50 airline purchase.

Building a collection of travel credit cards can help you earn rewards faster, but be mindful of the annual fees, like the $95 annual fee for the Autograph Journeyservice mark℠ Card.

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The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is a solid option for those looking to earn rewards on their purchases. You can earn unlimited 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases.

One of the benefits of this card is that it has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Your points also don't expire as long as your account remains open.

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If you're willing to put in some effort, you can earn a significant bonus. Bank of America offers 25,000 online bonus points after you make 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. To put this into perspective, that's a nice chunk of change that can help offset the cost of a trip.

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

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is a great option for Costco members who want to earn cash back on their purchases. It has no annual fee, which is a major perk.

You can earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter. This can add up quickly, especially if you use gas frequently.

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

Keep in mind that this card is designed exclusively for Costco members, so you'll need to be a member to apply.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases.

Some cards offer flexible opportunities for redemptions, while others have blackout dates for redeeming miles. For example, the Discover it Miles Travel Credit Card offers unlimited 1.5x miles on travel purchases and everyday purchases.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles, equal to $750 in travel, after spending $4,000 on purchases within 3 months.

If you're carrying a balance each month, it's essential to check your travel card's APR and calculate whether the rewards you might earn would be worth more than any fees you might pay.

The Autograph Journey Service Card offers 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, and 3X points on other travel and restaurants, with a $50 annual statement credit with minimum $50 airline purchase.

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Here are some key things to consider when choosing a travel rewards credit card:

The One Key Card offers flexible rewards for Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, with 3% OneKeyCash on Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, and 3% at gas stations, grocery stores, and on dining.

The United Quest Card offers 3x miles on United purchases and a limited-time offer of 70,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP.

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The Disney Premier Visa Card is a great option for Disney fans who want to earn rewards on their purchases. It offers a $300 statement credit after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.

The card has a $49 annual fee, which is relatively low compared to other rewards cards. You can earn 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or ESPNPlus.com.

Earning 5% back on Disney purchases is a great perk, especially if you're a frequent subscriber to these services. You can also earn 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most Disney U.S. locations.

Here's a breakdown of the rewards structure:

There are no limits to the number of Rewards Dollars you can earn, making this card a great choice for frequent Disney shoppers.

There are two main types of travel credit cards to consider: the first kind is typically better suited for frequent travelers who can maximize the rewards, while the second kind is more geared towards travelers who want flexibility and rewards on everyday purchases.

The first kind of travel credit card often comes with a higher annual fee but offers rewards that can be redeemed for travel, such as flights, hotels, and car rentals.

You'll need to weigh the benefits of the rewards against the cost of the annual fee to decide if it's worth it for your travel style.

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Co-branded credit cards are a great option if you're loyal to a specific airline or hotel chain. For example, you might earn more points paying for your hotel reservation when you use the hotel's co-branded credit card than you would with everyday purchases.

These cards often involve partnerships between card issuers and companies, such as airlines and hotels. This means you can earn rewards that are specific to the brand you're loyal to.

You might be limited to hotel-specific options when redeeming your credit card points, like room upgrades or other perks.

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The Choice Privileges Select Mastercard is a solid option for those who frequently stay at Choice Hotels properties. You can earn 10X points on stays at participating Choice Hotels properties, plus on Choice Privileges point purchases.

To get the most out of this card, it's essential to understand the earning potential. You'll earn 10X points on stays at participating Choice Hotels properties, plus on Choice Privileges point purchases, which is a significant advantage for frequent travelers.

One of the standout features of the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard is the generous bonus points offer. Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – enough to redeem for up to 7 reward nights at select Choice Hotels properties.

If you're considering this card, it's crucial to weigh the value against the fees. The annual fee is not specified in the article, but you'll want to factor that into your decision-making process.

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Here's a quick summary of the key benefits: