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Best Travel Credit Cards of December 2023
Travel. Earn. Explore.
Begin your journey with a travel credit card, where every purchase leads to exclusive perks. Find your travel credit card and start exploring today.
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3x points on travel, groceries, restaurants, hotels, and gas stations, and 1x points on everything else
Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
Intro APR: N/A
See Rates & Fees
Pros
- No fee on foreign transactions
- Flexible reward points that don’t expire
Cons
- Doesn’t offer as many points per purchase as similar cards
- Doesn’t include travel protections
- Earn 3x points on supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, air travel, and gas stations, and 1x points on all other purchases
- Transfer points to participating airline loyalty programs, including TrueBlue®, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Redeem points for gift cards, travel rewards, or shopping online at select retailers
- Get $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more each calendar year
- No fees on foreign transactions
- No limit on points and points never expire
5 points per $1 for travel bought via Chase Ultimate Rewards
3 points per $1 on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
3X points on dining at restaurants
$50 in annual hotel credits for stays purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
On each card anniversary, earn bonus points equal to 10% of the previous year’s total purchases
Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months after account opening
Intro APR: N/A
Pros
- High reward points on several spending categories
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- No premium benefits like airport lounge access
- No introductory APR
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening
- 5 points per $1 for travel bought via Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3 points per $1 on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
- $50 in annual hotel credits for stays purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- On each card anniversary, earn bonus points equal to 10% of the previous year’s total purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
$300 annual credit for travel purchases
10X points on hotels and rental cars plus 5X points on flights
3X points on dining at restaurants
Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months after account opening
Intro APR: N/A
Pros
- $300 annual travel credit
- Up to 10X points for travel purchases
Cons
- Steep $550 annual fee
- Welcome bonus requires $4,000 spent in three months
- Introductory offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months after account opening
- $300 annual credit for travel purchases
- 10X points on hotels and rental cars plus 5X points on flights
- 3X points on dining at restaurants
- Free TSA PreCheck or NEXUS enrollment
- Free Priority Pass enrollment for access to 1,300+ VIP lounges
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Earn 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Intro APR: N/A
Pros
- $300 annual travel credit
- Offers access to 1,300+ global travel lounges
Cons
- Requires excellent credit
- Pricey annual fee
- Earn 75,000 miles (worth $750 for travel redemption) when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months
- Get a $300 annual travel credit when you book through Capital One Travel
- Earn 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 for travel redemption) each year on your card anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights when you book through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all purchases
- Free access to more than 1,300+ lounges around the world for you and two guests
5X Membership Rewards Points for flights (up to $500,000 in spending per calendar year) booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel
5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
Welcome Bonus: 80,000 Membership Rewards Points when you spend $8,000 in the first 6 months
Intro APR: N/A
Terms Apply, See Rates & Fees
Pros
- Numerous travel perks including lounge access
- No blackout dates for travel awards
Cons
- Travel must be redeemed through American Express Travel
- High $695 annual fee
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points when you spend $8,000 in the first 6 months
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights (up to $500,000 in spending per calendar year) and on hotels prepaid/booked through American Express Travel
- Up to $200 statement credit for Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card (two-night minimum stay requirement)
- Up to $200 annual statement credit for airline fees when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card, and up to $200 Uber Cash for Uber and Uber Eats
- Annual $155 Walmart+ credit and up to $240 digital entertainment credit (credit given in statement credits) for streaming and news services
- Terms Apply and Enrollment required for select benefits
4X Membership Rewards® points on restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (up to your first $25,000 in annual spending, then 1x)
3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
Welcome Bonus: 60,000 Membership Rewards Points when you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months
Intro APR: N/A
Terms Apply, See Rates & Fees
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Membership Rewards Points can be transferred to many airlines
Cons
- $250 annual fee
- Does not offer bonus points for all travel expenses
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards Points when you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards Points on restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to your first $25,000 in annual spending, then 1x)
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards Points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
- Earn up to $120 in Uber Cash for Uber and Uber Eats and up to $120 Dining Credit which can cover up to $10 in statements credit monthly at Grubhub
- Choose your card color, gold, or rose gold
- Terms Apply and Enrollment required for select benefits
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase and 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Welcome Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Intro APR: N/A
Pros
- Unlimited two miles per dollar on every purchase
- Includes two free lounge visits per year
Cons
- No annual statement credits
- Doesn’t offer bonuses for flight purchases
- Earn 75,000 miles (worth $750 for travel redemption) when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account
- Miles can be transferred to more than 15 airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Get 2 free visits per year to Capital One or Plaza Premium lounges around the world
- Earn 5X miles when you book hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel
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Everything You Need to Know About Applying for a Travel Credit Card Online
Navigating the world of the best travel credit cards can seem daunting, but with a bit of know-how, you can quickly secure the best credit card for travel. Applying online has made the process more convenient than ever. Simply research, compare features and benefits, and then hit that "apply now" button, all from the comfort of your home.
How to Choose the Right Travel Card for You
Choosing the best travel card isn't just about picking the first offer you see. It requires understanding your travel habits and spending patterns.
Frequent Flyers: If you're always in the air, the best credit card for airline miles might be your best bet. Airline credit cards often come with mile bonuses and special airport privileges.
General Travelers: Not loyal to a particular airline? The best travel rewards credit card offers flexibility, allowing you to redeem points for a broader range of travel expenses.
Budget Travelers: If you want the most bang for your buck, compare the best travel cards based on their annual fees, foreign transaction fees, and rewards structure.
Remember, the best travel credit cards cater to individual needs. Consider your priorities and use them as a guide to find your match.
Travel Credit Cards 101
Before diving into the vast ocean of the best credit cards for travel, it's essential to understand the basics.
Rewards Structure: Travel credit cards usually offer points or miles for every dollar spent. Some might give bonus points for specific categories, like dining or gas.
Sign-up Bonuses: One allure of the best travel cards is the attractive sign-up bonuses. This often means meeting a certain spending threshold in the first few months.
Redemption: it's not just about earning points; how you can redeem them matters too. Some allow for hotel bookings, while others are strictly airline-centric.
FAQs
Which is the best travel credit card?
The answer varies based on individual needs. Some might find airline credit cards best for frequent flying, while others might prioritize flexible redemption options.
Are there any downsides to travel credit cards?
While they come with great rewards, some travel credit cards might have higher annual fees or specific spending requirements. Always read the terms before applying.
Can I use my travel credit card for everyday purchases?
Absolutely! The best credit cards for travel often encourage everyday spending to help you accumulate points or miles faster.
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just starting, there's a travel credit card out there for you. Dive in, compare, and embark on your next adventure with confidence.
