10 Best Cards for Travel Rewards and Perks

Earning Structure:

• 5x points on travel purchased through Chase
• 3x points on dining worldwide
• 2x points on other travel purchases
• 1x point on all other spending

Welcome Bonus:
Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 19.99%–28.24% Variable
• Other perks: $50 annual hotel credit (booked through Chase Travel℠), 10% anniversary points boost, comprehensive travel insurance, DoorDash DashPass with $10 monthly promo on non-restaurant orders

Key Benefits:

• Higher points redemption rates for travel
• Access to multiple travel partners for point transfers
• Built-in travel insurance and protections
• Waived DoorDash delivery fees on orders over $12

Redemption Options:
Points can be redeemed through Chase Travel℠ for travel, gift cards, or cash back, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.

Credit Requirements:
Requires good to excellent credit, typically a FICO score between 670 and 739.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
Must book through Chase Travel℠ for the highest travel rewards; no intro APR offer.

Why it Works for Beginners:
Its straightforward rewards and easy-to-use points system make it suitable for those new to travel credit cards.

Earning Structure:

• 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
• 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas, and EV charging stations
• 1x point on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
Earn 60,000 ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, redeemable for $600 in travel or gift cards via thankyou.com.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 20.24%–28.24% Variable
• Other perks: $100 annual hotel benefit on bookings of $500+ through CitiTravel.com, unlimited point earning with no expiration

Key Benefits:

• $100 annual hotel credit to reduce travel costs
• Access to CitiTravel with exclusive discounts
• Points transfer options to various airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Trip cancellation and travel protection

Redemption Options:
Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, or transferred to airline and hotel partners for more value.

Credit Requirements:
Requires good to excellent credit, typically a FICO score between 670 and 739.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
The highest earning rates apply only to CitiTravel.com bookings; the hotel credit requires a $500 minimum spend.

Why it Works for Beginners:
It has simple rewards categories and a modest annual fee, making it easy to earn and use points without complexity.

Earning Structure:

• 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, equal to $750 in travel.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $395
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 19.99%–29.24% Variable
• Other perks: $300 annual credit for Capital One Travel bookings, 10,000-mile anniversary bonus, $100 experience credit for Premier Collection stays, lounge access with Priority Pass™ and Capital One Lounges, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit

Key Benefits:

• High rewards rate on travel spending
• Complimentary airport lounge access
• Travel insurance and purchase protections
• Ability to add authorized users with perks

Redemption Options:
Miles can be redeemed for travel, used to cover past travel expenses, or transferred to over 15 airline and hotel partners.

Credit Requirements:
Requires excellent credit, generally a FICO score of 740 or higher.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
Bookings made outside Capital One Travel won’t earn bonus miles; cash redemptions yield lower value.

Why it Works for Beginners:
The clear rewards system and valuable perks make it easy for new cardholders to understand and use the benefits.

Earning Structure:

• 8x points on purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
• 3x points on dining worldwide
• 1x point on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
Earn 100,000 bonus points plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $795
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 20.24%–28.74% Variable
• Other perks: $300 annual travel credit, up to $300 dining credit with Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables, $500 hotel credit through The Edit, lounge access with Priority Pass™ and Sapphire Lounges, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck®/NEXUS credit, Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions (through 6/22/27).

Key Benefits:

• Primary rental car insurance
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit
• No foreign transaction fees

Redemption Options:
Points can be used through Chase Travel℠, redeemed for statement credits or gift cards, or transferred to over a dozen travel partners.

Credit Requirements:
Requires excellent credit, typically a FICO score of 740 or above.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
The high annual fee means the card suits those who frequently travel and can use its perks fully.

Why it Works for Beginners:
It offers simple point earning and valuable travel benefits, making it a solid option for those starting to focus on travel rewards.

Earning Structure:

• 5x Membership Rewards® Points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel

Welcome Bonus:
You may be eligible for up to 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months. Offer varies by applicant.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $695
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Other perks: $200 airline fee credit, $240 digital entertainment credit, $200 hotel credit (Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection), $200 Uber Cash, $199 CLEAR® Plus credit, Walmart+ membership credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit, Global Dining Access by Resy, Amex Global Lounge Collection access

Key Benefits:

• Access to Centurion® Lounges and partner lounges worldwide
• Up to $200 airline fee credit annually
• $200 annual Uber Cash credits
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit
• Premium travel insurance coverage

Redemption Options:
Points can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, gift cards, or transferred to many airline and hotel partners.

Credit Requirements:
Requires good to excellent credit for approval.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
The high annual fee and the need to maximize credits may not suit infrequent travelers.

Why it Works for Beginners:
It introduces travelers to premium travel perks and rewards, encouraging smart use of credits and points.

Earning Structure:

• 5x points on hotels
• 4x points on airlines
• 3x points on other travel and restaurants
• 1x point on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months—worth $600 toward travel.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.24% Variable
• Other perks: $50 annual statement credit with $50+ airline spend, travel protections including trip cancellation and auto rental coverage, $1,000 cell phone protection (subject to $25 deductible), 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge

Key Benefits:

• High rewards rates on travel and dining
• Travel protection benefits included
• Multiple transfer partners for points
• Points don’t expire as long as the account is open

Redemption Options:
Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, cash back, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.

Credit Requirements:
Requires good to excellent credit, typically a score between 670 and 739.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
The $95 annual fee may not suit infrequent travelers. Rewards are best used by those who regularly spend on travel and dining.

Why it Works for Beginners:
The simple earning categories and flexible redemption options make it easy for new travel card users to start earning rewards quickly.

Earning Structure:

• 4x points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year)
• 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year)
• 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
• 2x points on prepaid hotels and eligible purchases through AmexTravel.com
• 1x point on all other eligible purchases

Welcome Bonus:
You may be eligible for up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $325
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Other perks: $120 Uber Cash, $84 Dunkin’ credit, $100 Resy dining credit, $120 Dining Credit for select merchants, $100 credit on The Hotel Collection bookings (2-night minimum), choice of regular or rose gold card design

Key Benefits:

• Monthly dining credits at select restaurants and food delivery services
• Travel protections like baggage insurance and trip delay coverage
• Points that can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners
• Purchase protection and return guarantees

Redemption Options:
Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, statement credits, or transferred to travel partners for greater value.

Credit Requirements:
Requires good to excellent credit for approval.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
Credits are distributed monthly, requiring regular tracking; limited balance-carrying flexibility and high APR for Pay Over Time.

Why it Works for Beginners:
It offers clear, valuable rewards on popular spending categories with easy-to-use points and benefits, making it suitable for those new to travel rewards cards.

Earning Structure:

• 3x miles on United purchases
• 2x miles on dining, select streaming services, and all other travel
• 1x mile on other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
Earn 100,000 bonus miles and 3,000 PQP after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $350
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 20.49%–28.99% Variable
• Other perks: $200 annual United® travel credit, 10,000-mile award flight discount each anniversary, Economy Plus® upgrades after $40,000 annual spend, up to 18,000 Premier qualifying points annually, 1,000 bonus PQP each year starting 2026

Key Benefits:

• Bonus miles on United and travel-related expenses
• Travel credits that help reduce overall costs
• Enhanced boarding and baggage perks
• Potential for seat upgrades and elite status help

Redemption Options:
Miles can be redeemed for United award flights and upgrades with United and partner airlines.

Credit Requirements:
Requires good to excellent credit, typically between 670 and 739.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
General purchases only earn 1 mile per dollar; benefits mainly favor United flyers.

Why it Works for Beginners:
It provides clear, valuable rewards and travel perks without the complexity of luxury cards, making it easier for new travelers to use and benefit.

Earning Structure:

• Up to 9 points total on Hyatt stays (4 bonus points per $1 from the card, up to 5 base points per $1 from Hyatt membership)
• 2x points at restaurants, on airline tickets bought directly from airlines, local transit and commuting, and fitness club and gym memberships
• 1x point on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
Earn 2 free night stays after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, plus 25,000 bonus points after spending $12,000 in the first 6 months.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 19.99%–28.49% Variable
• Other perks: 1 free night at a Category 1–4 Hyatt each year, Discoverist status, 5 tier-qualifying nights annually, extra free night with $15,000 annual spend, 2 additional tier nights per $5,000 spent

Key Benefits:

• Complimentary elite status with World of Hyatt
• Free night award each year on the card anniversary
• Points can be transferred to Hyatt’s loyalty program for hotel stays
• Elite nights earned through card spending help reach higher status

Redemption Options:
Points can be redeemed for free nights, upgrades, and experiences exclusively within the World of Hyatt program.

Credit Requirements:
Requires good to excellent credit, typically a score between 670 and 739.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
Best value is limited to Hyatt properties; no intro APR and a limited hotel footprint.

Why it Works for Beginners:
It offers an easy way to earn points and enjoy hotel benefits without a high fee or complex rewards structure.

Earning Structure:

• 8x points on Chase Travel℠ purchases (airfare, hotels, car rentals, cruises, tours)
• 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
• 3x points on social media and search engine advertising
• 1x point on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:
Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $30,000 in the first 6 months.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $795
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 18.49%–26.49% Variable
• Other perks: $300 annual travel credit, lounge access via Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club and Priority Pass™ Select (2 guest passes per visit), free employee cards, over $1,200 in annual partner credits

Key Benefits:

• Comprehensive travel protections
• Strong earning rates in key business and travel categories
• Easy-to-use travel credits
• Priority Pass and other lounge memberships included

Redemption Options:
Points can be redeemed through Chase Travel℠ for bookings, cash back, gift cards, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.

Credit Requirements:
Requires excellent credit, typically a FICO score of 740 or higher.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:
Some direct travel earns only 1x; employee cards can’t be upgraded for benefits.

Why it Works for Beginners:
It offers clear rewards and useful credits that help new business owners offset travel and operational costs.