10 Best Credit Cards to Maximize Avios and Travel Rewards

Earning Structure:

• 3 Avios per $1 spent on Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, and Level purchases
• 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel
• 1 Avios per $1 spent on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 75,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 19.99%–28.49% variable
• Network: Visa Signature
• Other perks: Economy Companion Ticket after $30,000 in yearly spend, priority boarding on Aer Lingus flights to/from the U.S., Visa Signature travel and purchase protections

Key Benefits:

• Priority boarding on Aer Lingus flights (when available)
• Ability to pool Avios with household accounts
• Travel and purchase protection features
• No foreign transaction fees

Redemption Options:

Avios can be redeemed for flights on Aer Lingus or partners, seat upgrades, and transfers to other Avios-earning airlines. Aer Lingus awards often carry lower fees, and flights from Dublin or Shannon allow U.S. immigration preclearance.

Credit Requirements:

Good to excellent credit, typically a FICO score of 670 or higher, is recommended.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

Benefits are limited mainly to Aer Lingus and its transatlantic routes; no free checked bag.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It offers a straightforward earning structure and flexible redemption choices, making it easy for new rewards card users to understand and use.

Earning Structure:

• 3 Avios per $1 spent with British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus
• 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations booked directly
• 1 Avios per $1 spent on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 75,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Purchase APR: 19.99% to 28.49% variable
• Balance transfer APR: 19.99% to 28.49% variable
• Cash advance APR: 29.24% variable
• Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% variable
• Other fees: Balance transfer fee ($5 or 5%), cash advance fee ($10 or 5%), late payment fee up to $40
• Network: Visa Signature

Key Benefits:

• Earn Avios on every purchase with bonus rates for airline and hotel categories
• No foreign transaction fees for international spending
• Access to Visa Signature travel and purchase protections
• Partner booking flexibility within the Avios network

Redemption Options:

Avios can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, and partner airline bookings within the Avios network, often with low additional fees.

Credit Requirements:

Good to excellent credit is usually needed for approval.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The highest earning rates apply only to airline and hotel purchases, so everyday spending earns fewer Avios.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It offers a simple way to earn Avios directly and provides clear redemption options for flights and upgrades.

Earning Structure:

• 3 Avios per $1 spent on Iberia, British Airways, and Aer Lingus purchases
• 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel
• 1 Avios per $1 spent on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 75,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 19.99%–28.49% variable
• Network: Visa Signature
• Other perks: 10% discount on Iberia flights booked via Iberia.com/Chase10, $1,000 companion flight voucher after $30,000 annual spend, Visa Signature travel and purchase protections

Key Benefits:

• Earn Avios across multiple airline partners
• No foreign transaction fees for international purchases
• Companion voucher to save on a second ticket
• Travel protections for delays and lost baggage

Redemption Options:

Avios can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, rental cars, and experiences. Transfers between Avios partners expand redemption opportunities and flexibility.

Credit Requirements:

Good to excellent credit, generally a score of 670 or higher, is recommended.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

Limited travel perks compared to other airline cards, and the $1,000 voucher must be used for two tickets on the same flight.

Why it Works for Beginners:

The earning categories are simple, and Avios can be used across several airlines, making it easy to find value.

Earning Structure:

• 5x Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
• 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
• 1x point on other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months (welcome offers may vary, and eligibility rules apply).

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $695
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR for Pay Over Time feature: 20.24% to 29.24% variable
• Rewards type: Membership Rewards® points (transferable to Avios partners)
• Network: American Express

Key Benefits:

• Access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide
• Airline fee credits for incidental charges
• Hotel elite status with select partners
• Comprehensive travel protections

Redemption Options:

Membership Rewards® points can be transferred to Avios programs, redeemed for flights and hotels through Amex Travel, or used for other rewards.

Credit Requirements:

Good to excellent credit is generally needed for approval.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The card has a high annual fee and limited high-earning categories outside travel.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It offers straightforward Avios transfers and strong travel perks, making it easy for new travelers to earn and use points effectively.

Earning Structure:

• 5 points per $1 spent on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
• 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases in select business categories and on large purchases of $5,000 or more (up to a limit per year)
• 1 point per $1 spent on other eligible purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months of card membership.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $695
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR on purchases: 18.49% to 29.24% variable
• Rewards type: Membership Rewards® points (transferable to Avios partners)
• Network: American Express

Key Benefits:

• Access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide
• 35% points rebate on eligible flights booked through Amex Travel (up to a yearly cap)
• Premium hotel benefits through Fine Hotels + Resorts
• Expense management tools for businesses

Redemption Options:

Membership Rewards® points can be transferred to Avios programs, redeemed for travel via Amex Travel, or used for other rewards like gift cards and statement credits.

Credit Requirements:

Typically requires good to excellent credit for approval.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

High annual fee, and the best value comes from frequent travel and premium benefits usage.

Why it Works for Beginners:

Simple transfer options to Avios and strong earning rates on travel make it easy to start maximizing rewards.

Earning Structure:

• 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles on flights 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 from account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $395
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Regular APR: 19.99% to 29.24% variable
• Network: Visa Infinite
• Other perks: $300 annual credit for Capital One Travel bookings, 10,000 bonus miles each anniversary, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, Premier Collection benefits, access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide

Key Benefits:

• High earning rates on travel booked through Capital One Travel
• Transfer miles to 15+ travel partners, including Avios programs
• Annual travel credit and anniversary bonus miles
• Comprehensive lounge access

Redemption Options:

Miles can be redeemed for travel purchases, transferred to airline and hotel partners, or used for gift cards.

Credit Requirements:

Excellent credit, typically a score of 740 or higher, is recommended.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

Not ideal for those who do not travel often, as benefits are heavily travel-focused.

Why it Works for Beginners:

Simple earning structure and flexible transfer options make it easy to start collecting Avios and other travel rewards.

Earning Structure:

• 4x points on restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 per year)
• 4x points on groceries at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year)
• 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com
• 2x points on prepaid hotels and eligible travel booked through AmexTravel.com

Welcome Bonus:

As high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months (welcome offers may vary and eligibility rules apply).

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $325
• APR: 20.24%–29.24% variable
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Rewards type: Membership Rewards® points (transferable to Avios partners)
• Network: American Express

Key Benefits:

• Ability to transfer points to multiple Avios programs
• Strong rewards on food and travel purchases
• Access to Amex Offers for extra savings
• No foreign transaction fees

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed for travel through Amex Travel, transferred to Avios partners, used for statement credits, applied at checkout with select partners, or redeemed for gift cards.

Credit Requirements:

Good to excellent credit is generally required for approval.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

Best value comes from specific categories; general purchases earn a lower rate.

Why it Works for Beginners:

Simple earning categories and flexible transfer options make it easy to start collecting Avios.

Earning Structure:

• 4x points on the top 2 eligible spending categories each billing cycle
• 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com
• 1x point on all other eligible purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $375
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR on purchases: 18.49% to 29.24% variable
• Rewards type: Membership Rewards® points (transferable to Avios partners)
• Network: American Express

Key Benefits:

• High earning potential in top spending categories
• Travel protections and purchase coverage
• Access to Amex Offers for discounts and bonus points
• Employee cards available with customizable limits

Redemption Options:

Points can be transferred to Avios partners, redeemed for travel through Amex Travel, or used for statement credits, gift cards, and other rewards.

Credit Requirements:

Typically requires good to excellent credit.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

High spending requirement for the welcome bonus may not suit smaller businesses.

Why it Works for Beginners:

Its automatic category selection makes it simple to earn strong rewards without manual tracking.

Earning Structure:

• 10 points per $1 on hotel, car rental, and attraction bookings through the Citi Travel® site
• 3 points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases
• 3 points per $1 at restaurants
• 3 points per $1 at supermarkets
• 3 points per $1 at gas and EV charging stations
• 1 point per $1 on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

New cardholders can earn a large ThankYou® Points bonus after meeting a minimum spend within the first few months.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $95
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: 20.24%–28.24% variable
• Points transfer to British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways, and Aer Lingus Avios programs
• Access to Citi travel booking portal
• Points never expire as long as the account is open

Key Benefits:

• Wide range of airline and hotel transfer partners
• Strong earning rates in everyday categories
• Flexible redemption options beyond Avios
• Useful for both domestic and international trips

Redemption Options:

Cardholders can redeem points for Avios transfers, flights, hotels, gift cards, or through Citi’s travel portal.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants generally need good to excellent credit.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

Some bonus categories may overlap with other cards, so careful planning is needed to maximize rewards.

Why it Works for Beginners:

Its broad earning categories and simple 1:1 Avios transfer make it easy for new travelers to start collecting points.

Earning Structure:

• 6 Avios per $1 on restaurant purchases (limited-time multiplier through year-end)
• 5 Avios per $1 on Qatar Airways purchases
• 2 Avios per $1 on all other purchases
• 2 Qpoints for every $1,500 spent

Welcome Bonus:

Earn up to 80,000 Avios: 40,000 after the first transaction and an additional 40,000 plus 150 Qpoints after spending $5,000 in the first 90 days.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $499
• APR: 20.24% to 27.24% variable
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Network: Visa Infinite
• Other perks: Privilege Club Gold status for first year, up to $600 business/first class and $300 economy award fee reimbursement, 150 Qpoints toward Platinum status, Visa Infinite travel and purchase protections

Key Benefits:

• Tier status earning through Qpoints
• No foreign transaction fees
• Access to Visa Infinite travel and purchase protections
• Enhanced rewards on Qatar Airways purchases

Redemption Options:

Avios can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, and partner airline travel through the oneworld alliance.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants typically need good to excellent credit to qualify.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The high annual fee may not be worth it for those who do not fly Qatar Airways often.

Why it Works for Beginners:

The straightforward earning structure and large welcome bonus make it easy for new travelers to start building Avios quickly.