Tis’ the season of merry travel! Exchanging gifts, eating treats, and spending time with loved ones is joyous and memorable. But getting to your destination can be challenging and stressful, especially if problems arise.
The right travel rewards credit card can reduce holiday travel stress with perks like airport lounge access, trip insurance, and baggage protection.
Fortunately, the solution to those issues may be in your wallet. Let’s take a look at the best credit card perks for holiday travel. That way, you’re prepared for the unexpected – and may even have more fun along the way.
What are the best credit card perks for holiday travel?
“Credit cards carry many great benefits that many cardholders don't even know exist. Many of these benefits are travel-related and could be quite helpful as you travel for the holidays,” said Lawrence Sprung, certified financial planner (CFP®) and founder of Mitlin Financial, Inc. As you go through your holiday travel planning, consider how the following account holder perks from travel rewards credit cards can enhance the festivities at each stage of the journey.
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What airport perks can your travel credit card unlock?
“Waiting around in the airport can be annoying, but many cards will allow you to gain access to lounges and clubs that provide relaxing environments along with food and beverages to make the wait a bit more enjoyable,” said Sprung.
In addition to airport lounge access and free checked bags, some cards offer:
TSA PreCheck® credit
Global Entry credit
CLEAR® credit
NEXUS credit
These services help you clear security faster, which can be crucial during peak travel season.
Which credit card perks improve your in-flight experience?
Your travel rewards credit card can make your in-flight experience better with priority boarding and preferred seating. You might also receive flight discounts or airline incidental fee credits.
These perks are especially useful when flying with family or carrying extra gifts.
Does your card include rental car insurance or upgrades?
Your card might offer rental car insurance, which protects you if the vehicle gets damaged or stolen. You might also receive complimentary premium status at select rental car companies, which can involve skipping the line at the rental counter and getting free vehicle upgrades. Be sure to check country-specific restrictions on rental car coverage.
How do travel credit cards enhance hotel stays?
Your credit card can make hotel stays more luxurious and relaxing. Some accounts offer experience credits when you book at select locations, which can be applied toward bonuses like room service or spa treatments. Being a cardholder might also qualify you for hotel elite status benefits, such as free breakfast, a room upgrade, or late checkout. These perks help stretch your travel budget and elevate the stay.
Which credit card perks help you save and earn rewards?
Your card can help you save money and earn rewards by offering perks such as:
No foreign transaction fees
Travel statement credits
Statement credits for dining, shopping, entertainment, and ride share rides
Points and miles (up to 10x when you book travel through your credit card issuer’s portal)
A generous welcome bonus for new accounts (It’s easy to meet the spending requirement during the holiday season!)
Note: Some benefit-rich credit cards come with high annual fees. You should do some quick math to ensure the value of the perks you receive outweighs the cost of being a cardholder.
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What credit card protections cover holiday travel disruptions?
“We have all experienced trip delays and cancellations. Many times, there are coverages for this embedded in the cards that you have purchased the travel [with],” Sprung said. Depending on the card you have, you may benefit from trip insurance (which covers delays, cancellations, and interruptions) and other safeguards, including:
Baggage delay protection
Lost luggage reimbursement
Travel accident insurance
Roadside assistance
Emergency evacuation and transportation
Travel and emergency assistance
Emergency medical and dental treatment reimbursement
Cell phone protection
Each of these programs has eligibility rules and coverage limits. “Make sure you understand all perk restrictions to avoid surprises, such as rental car coverage that doesn't apply in certain countries,” advised Noah Schwab, CFP® and owner of Stewardship Concepts Financial Services, LLC. Holiday travel is unpredictable—these protections help you avoid financial loss from common issues.
Credit card perks that match common holiday travel problems
If any of the below circumstances apply to you (or you worry that they could), it may be a good idea to check if your card offers the corresponding benefits.
These real scenarios show how credit card perks directly offset seasonal travel headaches.
Holiday Scenario | Credit Card Perk |
Flight delay or cancellation due to inclement weather, such as snow or sleet | Trip cancellation and interruption insurance Trip delay insurance |
Travelling as a family | Airport lounge access that permits guests Free checked bags Preferred seating (so you can sit together) |
Travelling internationally | No foreign transaction fees |
Bringing gifts | Baggage delay protection Lost luggage reimbursement Free checked bags |
3 Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards For Holiday Travel
Here’s a look at three of the best credit cards for travel perks available today. You may already have one or more of them in your wallet. If not, there’s still time to apply.
Best No Annual Fee Option: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
Best for: everyday travel spending without annual fees
Standout perk: 3x on travel + streaming + rideshare
Why it made the list: This card combines wide category coverage (travel, dining, streaming) with zero annual fee, making it ideal for budget-conscious travelers who still want to earn meaningful rewards. It also includes essential protections like cell phone insurance and no foreign transaction fees.
Why I like it: You get a lot of benefits with this card – travel and otherwise – without paying an annual fee.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.
Rewards offered: 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.
Introductory APR:0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% variable APR thereafter.
Purchase APR: 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49%
Annual fee: $0
Notable perks: Cell phone protection, rental car coverage, travel and emergency assistance, Roadside Dispatch®, no foreign transaction fees, and hotel benefits at participating Visa Signature® Luxury Hotel Collection locations.
Best Welcome Bonus: American Express Platinum Card®
Best for: Frequent flyers who want maximum perks
Standout perk: Welcome bonus offer and robust airport and hotel benefits
Why it made the list: This card is designed for travelers who want top-tier perks like lounge access, luxury hotel status, and multiple annual credits. The high welcome bonus offsets the annual fee for frequent travelers who can maximize its many benefits.
Why I like it: You can earn a generous welcome bonus, rack up points fast when booking trips through American Express Travel®, and enjoy a robust suite of travel perks.
Welcome bonus: You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 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.
Rewards offered: 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.
Introductory APR: None
Purchase APR:See Pay Over Time APR
Annual fee: $895
Notable perks: Up to $600 hotel credit, $200 Uber Cash, up to $120 Uber One credit, up to $200 airline fee credit, up to $209 CLEAR® Plus credit, fee credit for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry, up to $400 Resy credit, up to $300 digital entertainment credit, up to $100 Saks credit, cell phone protection, car rental coverage, trip delay insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite Status, Hilton Honors™ Gold Status, premium status at Avis, Hertz, and National rental car companies, Global Lounge Collection access, and no foreign transaction fees!
Best Travel Credit Card Overall: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Best for: Travelers who value lounge access and versatile points
Standout perk: High multipliers on travel and dining, plus premium protections
Why it made the list: This card strikes a balance between a rich rewards program and high-end travel protections. It's ideal for those who travel frequently and want flexibility with point redemptions and consistent premium experiences.
Why I like it: You’ll enjoy a solid welcome bonus, a generous rewards structure, and many travel-related perks and protections.
Welcome bonus: Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards offered: Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases.
Introductory APR: None
Purchase APR: 19.74%-28.24%
Annual fee: {$795
Notable perks: Up to $300 annual travel credit, up to $500 credit for stays at participating The Edit℠ locations, complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, up to $300 dining credit, up to $300 StubHub credit, up to $120 in Lyft credits, Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® fee credit, IHG® One Rewards Platinum Elite status, car rental coverage, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, emergency evacuation and transportation, roadside assistance, travel accident insurance, travel and emergency assistance, and emergency medical and dental reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do travel credit card rewards programs work?
Travel credit card rewards programs help you earn points or miles when you use your card. Generally, you earn the highest amount of rewards for using the card to book travel via the card issuer’s portal.
Do credit cards cover delays due to weather?
Yes, many travel credit cards offer trip delay and cancellation insurance that applies when your flight is canceled or delayed due to weather.
What’s the difference between Global Entry and TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck is for expedited security within the U.S., while Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck and helps speed up re-entry into the U.S. from international trips.
Editorial disclosure:
This content is not provided by the issuers. Any opinions expressed are those of BestMoney alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuers.
The credit card offers and information presented on this page are current as of the published date. However, credit card terms, including APRs, fees, and promotional offers, are subject to change without notice. Some offers listed may no longer be available or may have expired. Please refer to the issuer's website for the most up-to-date terms and conditions.