Best Credit Cards for Travel

“And then there is the most dangerous risk of all — the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.”
randy komisar

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Anyone who follows our page learns quickly that we are budget-conscious travelers. We pay for all our travel with our own personal funds, not from blog income, and have never received a complimentary or reduced-cost flight, hotel, or car rental because we have a travel blog. As a team, we split our costs down the middle. Since we travel on average three times a year internationally and locally more often, our costs must stay reasonable.

How do we make it happen, then? We do so by choosing credit cards geared toward travelers that provide excellent rewards and perks. With so many choices, picking the best credit card for travel can be overwhelming. How do you figure out which one is right for you? Which one is the best one for your travel goals? Are the fees acceptable, and how does it benefit me? Which stretches your travel expenses the farthest?

We have compiled the best travel credit cards to help you find the correct card. That said, every card on this will not fit everyone. That is because it depends on your travel style and goals. We prefer to spend reward points on hotels and flights, which is why we like the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card. We also have our travel brand travel cards (such as Hilton & United) for free companion fares, free checked luggage, room upgrades, ease of checking, elite status, and special offers.

First, to address common misconceptions

As a result of all our travels, we get frequent comments from our friends and readers that we want to address directly. This will clarify how we pay for travel and how our credit cards make that possible.

You must have won the lottery.

No, we did not win the lottery; you have to play it to win.

Your travel must be paid for by blog income.

Our travel blog’s income pays for its running. At this point, zero of our revenue goes toward travel. Maybe one day.

You must have a high credit card balance to do all that travel.

This is not the case at all. We strongly believe it is essential to be financially responsible by building personal savings and having no interest payments except for a mortgage. Paying massive credit card interest rates only wastes your income, thus adding stress. We pay our credit cards in full monthly and never pay any interest. Our only costs are the annual fees associated with our cards, if there are any.

How can you afford to travel so much?

It is a two-fold answer. First, we prioritize our spending to have more money for travel. Second, we maximize the use of credit card reward points for travel. As a result, we can dramatically reduce our travel costs.

Our best example is our two-week Croatia adventure. We stayed in only 4 or 5-star hotels for 15 nights, and each place included complimentary breakfast. Our total cost for hotels was $197. It was made possible using our Chase Sapphire Reserve reward points and Hilton Honors points. Even our rental car, due to our loyalty to a brand, resulted in a free car upgrade to a Mercedes-Benz. We wrote an article with many examples of some of our savings; check it out here.

We estimate we have received over $20,000 in free hotel stays in the last five years solely from reward points. That number doesn’t include flights and business class upgrades we purchased with miles and all the upgraded perks we get for free. Global Entry and Clear Me are covered by our travel credit card, and the number keeps growing.

Do you have to be rich to get that many reward points?

No, you don’t. Most of our points are garnered from our everyday purchases. We put everything on our card: gas, Costco, grocery, cable bills, medical bills, etc., as long as they do not charge us a fee for using our card. Then we pay it off at the end of the month. We have very few business expenses to put on a card, either. Of course, all our travel, dining out, and Amazon purchases go on our cards too.

* Anyone can benefit from this just from their daily expenses. Though we cannot emphasize enough that this is of little benefit if you are paying substantial interest rates every month.*

Credit cards don’t just give stuff away for free. There has to be a catch.

That is correct; they don’t. They do so because it makes business sense. Travel dollars are a huge part of what is charged to a credit card. Chase has reported one out of every four dollars charged goes toward travel.

Then how do they make money if you pay no interest? Every time you use your card, the bank keeps 2-5% of every dollar spent. U.S. domestic travel in 2019 was 2.3 billion person trips, resulting in $2.6 trillion in total travel-related output. As a result, travel supports 15.8 million American jobs, which translates to 1 in 10 non-farm jobs relying directly or indirectly on the travel industry.

The bank makes lots of money whether you pay interest or not. Interest is the icing on the cake.

Many will argue that it is unfair as it takes money from the business. Most businesses have that cost reflected in their prices, which is passed on to the consumer. We, the consumer, absorb the cost, for good and bad. Agree with it or not, that is how it works. We know people who avoid using credit cards for that reason, but traveling internationally will be an issue as we see more and more places becoming cashless.

Our approach

Gathering reward points via credit card use is the simplest method. We also stay loyal to travel brands that provide us with many perks we enjoy. (Check out our article on Brand Loyalty.) There are many other more elaborate ways to garner points for free travel. Websites like 10X Travelers provide tools that will help you maximize points. As busy as we are, we don’t have the time to dedicate to that, but it can save much more money.

Which credit cards are best used for travel?

Below are the Best Credit Cards for Travel we suggest for people who dream of traveling and wish to make it more affordable. It is essential to always read the fine print because you need to understand what you are signing up for.

**Cards with two stars are our top recommended cards. These are the ones we use ourselves or have friends with whom we have extensive experience.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Our Top Pick

**Chase Sapphire Reserve® is our favorite card, hands down. Joelle only had it initially, but Ryan got his own recently, as we love everything about it. There are so many perks, but the biggest seller is that when you use reward points through their travel portal, you get a 50% added value. Simply put, if you have 100,000 reward points worth $1000 and wish to use them for travel, they increase to $1,500 when booking through the travel portal. That is huge! The annual fee seems large, but after your $300 annual credit for travel (which offsets the annual fee significantly), airport lounge access, and a 50% reward bonus toward travel, it pays for itself on your first trip. The annual fee is waived for the military, like Ryan, an Army reservist. The service with this card is exceptional. Terms apply.

The annual fee is annual_fees

If you don’t travel often, it may be best to step down (see the next card).

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel^SM. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases that have been charged to your card on the anniversary date of opening your card.
Earn 5 times total points on flights and 10 times total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel^SM immediately after spending the first $300 annually on travel purchases.
Earn 3x points on other travel and dining and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
1:1 point transfer to some leading airlines and hotel loyalty programs.
Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™
Up to $100 application fee credit every four years for either Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance, and more.
No foreign transaction fees.

Learn More

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: A great starting point with Chase

**Consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card the “starter” version of the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. You don’t get as many perks, but if the high yearly fee of the above card scares you away, this card will be an excellent starting point. It’s great for those who travel less because it familiarizes you with Chase. This is the card Joelle started with, and it made the upgrade easy. On this card, your reward points increase by 25% when booking through the Chase portal. Terms Apply.

The annual fee is annual_fees

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
You get 25% more value when using points for travel. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 when you redeem them for airfare, hotels, cruises, experiences, and car rentals through Chase Travel^SM.
Enjoy benefits such as 5 times more points on travel purchased through Chase Travel^SM, 3 times on dining, and 2 times on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance, and more.
When you activate by December 31, 2024, you will receive complimentary access to DashPass, with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.

Learn More

The Platinum Card® from American Express

**This is Chase Sapphire Reserves’ top competition. The Platinum Card® from American Express is excellent, and people who have it rave about it. As a result, we felt we had to try it for ourselves, and Ryan got one. They pay your annual coverage for Clear. In our opinion, it does not live up to Chase Sapphire Reserve on two fronts; when using reward points for travel, your points are only worth .75. For example, you have $1000 worth of points, which translates to $750 toward travel. The fee is higher, and there is no annual travel credit. There have been airport lounges that take The Platinum Card® from American Express vs. CSR and vice versa, so we don’t find that a factor. It may be worth keeping, but that is under discussion. Only active duty military get the fee waived.

This card is geared only toward travelers, and this cost is not worth it otherwise.

You will earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases on your new card within the first six months of membership.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards points for every $1 spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (up to $500,000 spent on these purchases per calendar year); 5X points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com; and one point per $1 spent on eligible purchases elsewhere.
Cardholders receive complimentary access to the Global Lounge Collection of airport lounges. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
$200 Uber Cash: You can enjoy VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or food orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status are available to Basic Card Members only. Terms Apply.
Up to $85 for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership.
With 5X Membership Rewards points earned on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express travel; up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
No foreign transaction fees.

The annual fee is annual_fees

See Rates and Fees; terms apply.

Learn More

American Express® Gold Card

This card is an excellent choice for travelers as they have generous reward points when dining out. When purchasing a flight, it gives 3x points. There is an annual up to $120 Uber Cash benefit, in $10 monthly credits, which you can use on U.S. rides or Uber Eats. (The Gold Card needs to be added to the Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit.) Membership Rewards® points can be transferred to any of their 16 travel partners. We have not owned this card, but friends who do like it, but they are not big travelers. The annual fee seems relatively high for what you get.

The annual fee is annual_fees

See Rates and Fees; terms apply

You will earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first six months of Card Membership.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com.
$120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar, and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

We do not have this card, but friends who have it have a lot of experience with Capital One, and they love it. They note much improvement in recent years with the addition of transfer partners. As a result, they have a loyal following. The annual fee is worth a try to see how the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card works for you. Terms Apply.

The annual fee is annual_fees

75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 within the first 3 months.
2x miles on every dollar spent.
5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Transfer miles to any of their 15+ travel partners.
Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
No foreign transaction fees.

Learn More

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card marks Capital One’s entrance to the premium travel rewards card market – and it doesn’t disappoint from what we have heard. With an excellent welcome offer, solid ongoing rewards, a lower-than-typical annual fee for this level of card, and an array of valuable additional perks, this card is worth considering. Comparatively, the fee is high considering what you get compared with CSR. Terms Apply.

The annual fee is annual_fees

75,000 bonus miles are available when you spend $4,000 in the first three months of card membership. These miles can be redeemed for a statement credit to cover travel worth $750. You can also transfer the miles to several hotel and airline loyalty programs for possibly more value.
Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and unlimited two-times miles on all other purchases.
Up to $100 statement credit for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
$300 credit annually for travel booked through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 in travel) each year after your account anniversary, and it’s easy to see how you can almost completely offset that annual fee before you even discuss the day-to-day rewards earning.
The list of loyalty program partners is also growing, so you can explore whether that redemption path offers good value for you as well.
No foreign transaction fees.

Learn More

Planning a big trip but not sure where to go. Check out our Country Travel Guides

Airline and Hotel Cards

As noted above, we stay loyal to travel brands—specifically Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and Hilton. We were using these brands long before we got their credit cards. We were drawn to sign up because of the bonuses. For those who are loyal to Marriott, Southwest Airlines, Delta Airlines, Hyatt, and IHG, they have great cards as well. Regarding airlines and hotels, you should get the card for the airline and/or hotel you’re loyal to because they come with free checked bags, preferred boarding, room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and a few other perks. We don’t often use them for our everyday spending since the value per dollar spent with Chase or American Express is much more beneficial.

As a rule, we only sign up when it is a great bonus offer and then hold on to the cards for the perks. Most fees are under $99 a year. Remember that a bonus with these cards is only once a lifetime, so wait for the best offers.

Below are the airline and hotel cards that are part of our Best Credit Cards for Travel

United℠ Explorer Card

**Alaska is our go-to domestic airline, and we prefer United Airlines for international travel. Having the United Explorer Card makes sense if you are loyal to an airline. The card offers 50,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months, 2x points on United purchases, 2x points on dining, 2x points on direct hotel bookings, free first checked bag, and of course, priority boarding. No foreign transaction fees. Terms Apply.

annual_fees card_name

Hilton Honors American Express Card

**This is our preferred hotel chain, and we love Hilton. This card earns generous rewards for stays at Hilton properties, plus cardholders will also receive generous rewards for purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on all other eligible purchases. Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months of Card Membership.

$0 Annual fee

See Rates and Fees; terms apply.

Learn More

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

Though it is a brand-specific card, you’ll earn the most points when you use it with those brands. Earn 6X points at every hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 4X at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and U.S. Supermarkets (up to $15,000) in combined purchases at restaurants and supermarkets, then 2X points on all other eligible purchases.

The annual fee is annual_fees

See Rates and Fees; terms apply.

Learn More

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

**If you’re brand loyal, it often pays to pick up a card that supports that. In this case, the welcome offer earns you 50,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after opening the card. Rack up two points per $1 on local transit and commuting (including rideshares), internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming, and one point per $1 on other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.

The annual fee is annual_fees Learn More

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months. Also, Earn two miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and two miles per dollar spent at restaurants (plus delivery and takeout in the U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets. The first checked bag is free on Delta flights. Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $150. After using your card, you will receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases. No Foreign Transaction Fees.

The annual fee is annual_fees

See Rates and Fees; terms apply.

Learn More

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card

We are not affiliated with Bank of America but are big fans of their credit card, so we are adding them to this list. Here is the Bank of America direct site.

**Alaska had rolled out a refreshed version, so cardholders have even more opportunities to rack up miles toward reward flights. Get 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s famous companion fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after qualifying purchases. Flexibility with no blackout dates on Alaska Airlines flights when booking with miles or a companion fare. Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases, and 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, local transit, rideshare, cable, and select streaming services purchases. The first checked bag is free when purchasing airfare with the card. You also get priority boarding and 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases when using the card to pay.

The airline is regularly rated as one of the best ways to fly in the United States. It ranked second overall in the J.D. Power 2022 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, and its Mileage Plan loyalty program was named the No. 1 airline rewards program by U.S. News & World Report. It is our favorite airline, and Joelle is approaching 1 million miles flown on them. As a result, we think we can speak to their quality. Terms & Conditions apply.

Final thoughts

Lots of research and experience back our Best Credit Cards for Travel suggestions. What works for you, though, may differ from what works for us. For those lucky enough not to worry about cost, the perks here still come with many benefits. But for those of us who do worry about cost but also want grand adventures, reward points can make that happen. If you are financially responsible, pay your balance in full each month; there are only benefits and no risks. Before you know it, you are booking your first free hotel stay or flight and on the road to making your travel dreams a reality.

Happy Travels!

Editorial Disclosure: “Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. This page does not include all card companies or all available card offers.”

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit HERE.
For rates and fees of American Express® Gold Card, please visit HERE.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card please visit HERE.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card please visit HERE.
For rates and fees of the Delta Skymiles Gold American Express Card, please visit HERE.

Our Top Recommended Travel Products and Resources

Squaremouth.com

Our favorite travel insurance site!

If you book a trip, don’t forget to get travel insurance within 14 days of your first booking. We could not be stronger advocates of being well-insured. Not just for the little stuff but the big things like medical emergencies. We never leave home without it. Over the years, we have used many sites but have now found our go-to place. Squaremouth.com does a fantastic job; it has a user-friendly interface, uses top-rated and reputable insurance carriers, and most policies cover COVID-19 medical issues and cancellations. They also mediate on your behalf if you have problems with your policy.

To empower you as a consumer, we suggest you read our blog post on the importance of travel insurance and how to get the best coverage from top-rated companies for an affordable price.

MedjetAssist

Medical transport back home from anywhere in the world

They are the premier global air medical transport. One caveat to travel insurance is that medical evacuation usually gets you to the closest facility to care for you. Medjet gets you back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice once you are stable enough to fly. They cover COVID-related transport as well.

Medjet carries its own policies. These policies are only for transport and do not cover other aspects of travel insurance. They have individual trip policies starting at $99 and annual policies for around $300. Most of their policies limit the age to 74 and younger. Prices are not based on age below that.

To learn more about how Medical Evacuation membership with Medjet Assist works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.

Expedia .com

Hotels, home rentals, BNBs, flights, and other transportation & tours

Expedia is a US-based company whose mission is to power global travel for everyone and everywhere. Whether planning a family vacation, booking for business, or organizing the trip of a lifetime, they are a fantastic resource. Wanderers Compass focuses on independent travel, and using sites like Expedia makes that possible. Every aspect of travel you need, from airfare, accommodations, rental car, and cruises to activities to do at your destination, can be booked on Expedia.

Booking.com

Hotels, Home rentals, BNBs, Flights, and other Transportation & Tours

Booking.com connects millions of travelers to memorable experiences, various transportation options, and incredible places to stay – from homes to hotels and much more. It is one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces for established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes.

We always check Expedia and Booking.com to verify prices. At times, one is sold out of rooms while another at the same place has rooms. We also often find some European hotels, especially smaller ones, on Booking.com but not on Expedia. It could be they are a Europe-based company. Try both before booking accommodations.

Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO)

Are you traveling with a family or having an extended stay at your destination?

With over 2 million bookable vacation rentals, VRBO connects homeowners with families and vacationers looking for something more than a hotel for their trip. The VRBO community offers families or groups various rental property types such as condos, cabins, lake rentals, beach houses, etc.

VRBO is now under the Expedia group’s ownership, which many were worried about, but it hasn’t panned out to be a concern. It is a massive network with access to all lodging forms should issues arise. Joelle has used VRBO for many years with her family and has had no problems with it.

Viator

As the leading marketplace for travel experiences, Viator believes that making memories is what travel is all about. And with 300,000+ experiences to explore—everything from simple tours to extreme adventures (and all the niche, interesting stuff in between)—making memories that will last a lifetime has never been easier.

With industry-leading flexibility and last-minute availability, it’s never too late to make any day extraordinary. This one site has it all and has experiences throughout the world. We use them often during our travels, especially for food tours. We especially take the time to read the reviews provided.

Amazon.com

An excellent source for travel essentials and guides

We now have our own Amazon Storefront with all our favorite travel accessories and gear in one place. Check out our travel store at the link below.

Wanderers Compass Amazon Storefront

Amazon is one of the most comprehensive online shopping sources in the world. Teams worldwide provide lower prices, better selection, and rapid delivery on behalf of customers. They offer a vast inventory, and their 1.7 million small and medium businesses worldwide selling on Amazon.com offer extensive options to customers.

We buy most of our travel books, accessories, and luggage from Amazon. We have ordered up to two days before travel and get what we need.

HYDAWAY

This is not your ordinary drinkware company. The HYDAWAY difference is what their products do when you’re not using them. Practical and portable, HYDAWAY doesn’t take up unnecessary space in your already-packed life or pile up in landfills. We all know that trying to pack light while being environmentally conscious can be difficult. Having the right items can make a world of difference. HYDAWAY provides that.

We have used their collapsible water bottle, carrying case for the water bottle, and collapsible insulated drink tumbler. They are all lightweight and durable. A conservation-focused product you can be proud to buy.

Use our Promo Code. WANCOM15, at checkout for 15% off your Hydaway order

Welcome Pick-ups
(Airport and sightseeing service)

A global leader in ground transportation for travelers. They help hundreds of companies worldwide enhance their services and boost their revenue with our 5-star ride experiences and hassle-free automation.

Founded in 2015 in Athens, Greece, Welcome Pick-ups goes above and beyond the standard transfer service as the first company to deliver a holistic, in-destination travel experience. From the moment a traveler arrives at a new destination until they return home, Welcome accommodates all their travel needs (transfers, travel products, things to do, information) as the easiest, friendliest, and most personalized solution.

PhotoAiD

Do you feel like you are wasting time visiting an on-site photographer only to be embarrassed by the photo? Would you like control of the final product? Get the perfect VISA or passport photo online with PhotoAID.

When traveling, you often need to apply for official documents such as a passport, ID, and different kinds of licenses or cards. Those applications require a picture that must meet specific conditions to be accepted, depending on the country. Now, it is possible to take this picture at home without the help of a professional photographer. PhotoAiD allows you to take the perfect biometric photo you approve without leaving home.

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