The top travel credit cards for 2024

This series of articles on credit cards, points and miles, and travel budgeting is presented in collaboration with The Points Guy.

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Whether you're off to a mindfulness retreat in Sedona or a lakeside castle in the Dolomites, everyone enjoys a touch of luxury while traveling. Travel credit cards can effortlessly enhance your journey with perks that feel indulgent. From access to upscale lounges to business class seat upgrades or complimentary Global Entry, these cards offer a simple way to minimize travel expenses and travel in comfort.

With the ideal travel credit card, you can accumulate valuable rewards for every dollar spent. These rewards can be exchanged for complimentary flights, hotel accommodations, car rentals, and more. You can also benefit from exclusive discounts and promotions at partner merchants. Moreover, many travel cards provide useful perks like trip insurance to protect your investment in case of illness or other unforeseen events.

The market is flooded with travel credit cards catering to every kind of traveler. We're here to help you find the best option.

In curating our selection of the top travel credit cards, we prioritized a mix of enticing welcome bonuses and ongoing card benefits. Naturally, we also included cards that do not charge foreign transaction fees, as you don’t want to incur a 3% fee each time you use your card abroad.

Here are Dinogo Planet’s recommendations for the top travel credit cards.

How to select the best travel credit card for your needs

When determining the ideal travel credit card, several factors should be taken into account. Start by examining the rewards offered by the card, which may include cashback, airline miles, hotel points, or transferable rewards. Next, assess the annual fees and weigh them against the card's benefits. Generally, you can offset these fees with the rewards you earn, provided you utilize them. Finally, think about how frequently you'll be using your card and traveling, and choose one that aligns with your lifestyle.

Top travel credit cards for 2024

• Best entry-level card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• Best for travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• Best for dining rewards: American Express® Gold Card

• Best for airline miles: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

• Best for hotel benefits: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

• Best for travel insurance: The Platinum Card® from American Express*

• Best with no annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

• Best for business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Creating a travel budget with points and miles

Chase Sapphire Preferred: Ideal entry-level card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card stands out as the best entry-level travel card due to its flexible and user-friendly rewards program, making it easy for average cardholders to earn and redeem points. It offers a generous welcome bonus, ongoing rewards, and beneficial travel protection. The $50 annual hotel credit helps mitigate the reasonable $95 annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card excels at earning points on travel and everyday expenses. It offers added security while traveling with benefits such as complimentary rental car insurance, trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and baggage delay coverage. Rental car insurance even applies to vehicles rented internationally.

Welcome bonus: Receive 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months from account opening. This equates to $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

Rewards: Earn 5X points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠ (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Chase Travel℠ hotel credit); 3X points on dining, including eligible delivery and takeout; 3X points on online grocery purchases; 3X points on select streaming services; 2X points on other travel; and 1X on all other purchases.

Travel benefits: Enjoy an annual $50 Chase Travel℠ hotel credit, no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary rental car insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, and access to travel and emergency assistance services.

Required credit score: Good to Excellent.

Annual fee: $95

Advantages

• Generous bonuses for specific spending categories.

• Robust rewards program featuring high-value airline and hotel transfer partners.

• $50 travel credit each year.

• Strong travel protections, including primary rental car insurance overseas.

Disadvantages

• Follows Chase’s 5/24 rule. (Approval is not possible if you’ve opened five credit cards across any bank in the past 24 months.)

• The $50 annual hotel credit is applicable only to Chase Travel℠ bookings and does not earn bonus points.

Top choice for redeeming Ultimate Rewards

The Sapphire Preferred offers a 60,000-point welcome bonus, significantly lowering your travel costs. The simplest way to use your points is through the Chase Travel℠ portal, where they’re worth 1.25 cents each. You can book flights, hotels, cruises, rental cars, and activities using your points, and earn airline miles on flights by entering your frequent flyer number.

For the best value, transfer your points to one of 14 travel partners. This includes well-known airline and hotel loyalty programs like United Mileage Plus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and World of Hyatt. With 60,000 points from the Sapphire Preferred, you could secure up to 17 free nights at a Hyatt hotel or three round-trip economy flights to the UK. You can even indulge in a Delta One first-class ticket to Europe for as low as 47,500 points.

Chase Sapphire review: a detailed exploration of this traveler-favorite card

Chase Sapphire Reserve: Ideal for maximizing rewards on travel purchases

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is perfect for those looking to maximize rewards on travel purchases. You earn 3 points for every dollar spent on all travel expenses, no matter how you book. However, if you book through Chase Travel℠, you earn 5 points per dollar on flights. Keep in mind that the first $300 in travel purchases doesn’t qualify for the 5X bonus because it’s eligible for the $300 statement credit.

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months of opening your account. This translates to $900 for travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

Rewards: Earn 5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when booked through Chase Travel℠ after the initial $300 in travel spending. Additionally, earn 3x points on other travel and dining, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Travel benefits: Enjoy up to $300 in annual travel statement credits for airfare, hotels, and rental cars; gain 50% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel℠—for example, 60,000 points equate to $900 in travel. Includes Priority Pass Select membership, a credit for Global Entry, TSA Precheck, or NEXUS application fees every four years; plus, travel protections such as cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, primary rental car insurance (up to $75,000 in the U.S. and abroad), and lost luggage reimbursement.

Credit score: Good to Excellent.

Annual fee: $550 (with an additional $75 for each authorized user).

Pros

• Excellent rewards for travel-related purchases.

• The $300 annual travel credit helps to offset the steep annual fee.

• Points hold a value of 1.5 cents each when redeemed for Chase Travel℠ bookings.

Cons

• Approval is contingent upon the Chase 5/24 rule. (If you’ve opened five credit cards from any bank in the last 24 months, you won’t be approved.)

• Includes a $75 fee for each authorized user, which is not common among many travel cards.

Top choice for redeeming Ultimate Rewards

The simplest method to redeem the Sapphire Reserve’s 75,000-point welcome bonus is via the Chase Travel℠ portal. Here, your points hold a value of 1.5 cents each, making the bonus worth $900. This option is ideal if you prefer a hassle-free redemption without concerns about blackout dates or availability.

To get even more value from your points, consider transferring them to partners like World of Hyatt.

Leading travel credit cards for hotel stays

American Express Gold Card: Top choice for dining

The American Express Gold Card comes with a host of benefits, making it perfect for travelers. It earns 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar after that) and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1 point thereafter). Additionally, it offers 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly or through Amex Travel, and 1 point on all other purchases.

Cardholders enjoy up to a $10 monthly statement credit for Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys, with enrollment required. You'll also receive up to $10 in monthly Uber Cash for rides or Uber Eats orders, making the Amex Gold Card perfect for dining expenditures. (Ensure your eligible Amex Gold Card is set as a payment method in your Uber account. This benefit is only available in the U.S.) Plus, a $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each year for dining at U.S. Resy restaurants, offering up to $50 in credits every six months, with enrollment required.

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months. Additionally, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases globally within the first 6 months, up to $100 back. This limited-time offer ends on 11/6/24.

Rewards: Earn 4X points at restaurants; 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 annually, then 1X); 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel; 1X point per dollar on all other purchases.

Travel benefits: Enjoy up to $10 in monthly Uber Cash (usable for rides or Uber Eats); $100 Resy Credit: Receive up to $100 in statement credits annually for dining at U.S. Resy restaurants or for other eligible Resy purchases, with up to $50 available every six months. Enrollment is required. Additionally, earn up to $10 monthly dining credits at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys, also requiring enrollment. The $84 Dunkin' Credit allows you to receive up to $7 in monthly statement credits after enrollment when you use the American Express® Gold Card at Dunkin' locations. Other benefits include secondary rental car coverage*, baggage insurance*, Global Assist hotline, and access to travel perks through The Hotel Collection. See rates and fees.

Credit score: Good to Excellent.

Annual fee: $325. See rates and fees.

Pros

• Annual value of up to $400 with the Gold Card

• Additional savings opportunities on travel and everyday purchases via Amex Offers.

• Offers important travel protections.

Cons

• The current welcome bonus is not the highest available.

• This card follows American Express’s once-per-lifetime policy for welcome bonuses (you can earn the bonus only once unless you receive targeted offers).

Best way to redeem American Express Membership Rewards

With 60,000 Membership Rewards points, you can secure a substantial amount of travel. For instance, you can transfer 50,000 points to Avianca Lifemiles for a round-trip business-class flight within the U.S. If you're seeking an excellent international redemption, transferring 50,000 miles to Etihad Airways can allow you to book an American Airlines flight to Japan.

Membership Rewards are highly valuable; your points can significantly enhance your travel experiences based on your aspirations.

Review of the American Express Gold Card: A 'gold' standard with remarkable benefits

The Platinum Card from American Express: Ideal for comprehensive travel insurance

The American Express Platinum Card is a top-tier travel rewards card that delivers an exceptional array of benefits. From lucrative travel rewards and complimentary airport lounge access to exclusive discounts and unique experiences, the Amex Platinum Card is ideal for frequent travelers eager to maximize their journeys. Among its luxury travel perks, it stands out for its travel insurance coverage.

The Amex Platinum Card provides extensive travel insurance benefits, making it a compelling option for regular travelers. Its comprehensive coverage includes trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay insurance, secondary rental car coverage*, access to the Premium Global Assist Hotline, and baggage insurance. With the Amex Platinum Card, you can travel with peace of mind against unforeseen events.

Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 within six months of opening your account.

Rewards: Earn 5 points for every dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year); 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotel bookings through Amex Travel; and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Travel benefits: Up to $1,500 in annual credits for travel, dining, and entertainment; Hilton and Marriott Gold elite status; elite status with Avis, Hertz, and National rental car services; access to Amex’s Lounge Network; trip delay insurance; trip cancellation and interruption insurance; and no foreign transaction fees.

Required credit score: Excellent.

Annual fee: $695. Refer to rates and fees.

Advantages

• Extensive travel credits that can help offset the annual fee (if utilized).

• Accrues valuable Membership Rewards points.

• Outstanding travel protection benefits.

Disadvantages

• Steep annual fee.

• Bonus categories are restricted to Amex Travel and direct bookings only.

• The current welcome bonus is not the highest available, and the card is governed by Amex's once-per-lifetime rule. (You can earn a card’s welcome bonus only once unless you're targeted for special offers.)

Optimal redemption option for American Express Membership Rewards

To make the most of your Amex Platinum’s 80,000-point welcome bonus, consider redeeming for travel. You can use points for travel bookings at 0.7 cents each or transfer them for greater value. American Express Membership Rewards partners with 17 airlines and three hotels. With 80,000 points, you could book up to four round-trip economy tickets to the UK with Virgin Atlantic points. Alternatively, transfer your points to the Flying Blue program for a one-way flight to Europe, leaving enough for an economy return.

One of the most effective uses of your points is to secure an 80,000-mile round-trip business class ticket to Europe via All Nippon Airways (ANA). Additionally, ANA offers 75,000-mile round-trip flights to Japan, fully covered by the Amex Platinum Card’s welcome bonus.

Top credit cards for airport lounge access

Capital One Venture X Credit Card: Ideal for earning airline miles

It might seem unusual to suggest the Capital One Venture X Card as a top choice for airline miles, but it comes with many advantages. The card allows you to earn up to 10 miles per $1 on travel purchases and offers an attractive 75,000-mile welcome bonus. You can also convert rewards to airline miles at a 1:1 ratio or better. Capital One partners with 15 airlines and three hotels for miles transfers, with most being international carriers, providing greater value compared to domestic programs.

The Venture X card also grants an annual bonus of 10,000 miles. You can redeem these miles through the mentioned transfer partners or apply them towards travel expenses at 1 cent per mile. The benefit of this approach is that you can simultaneously earn miles through the airline’s loyalty program, allowing you to stack rewards effectively.

Welcome bonus: Receive 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of your account.

Rewards: Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5X miles on flights booked through the same platform; 2X miles on all other purchases.

Travel benefits: $300 annual credit for travel booked via Capital One Travel; up to $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years; 10,000 bonus miles each card anniversary; access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass Select membership; a complimentary PRIOR subscription, 6-month Cultivist membership; $300 towards Gravity Haus social club membership; cell phone protection (up to $800); Hertz President’s Circle status; access to Premier Collection hotels for exclusive discounts and perks; primary rental car coverage; trip cancellation and interruption insurance; trip delay reimbursement; travel accident insurance; lost luggage reimbursement; travel and emergency assistance services.

Credit score: Excellent.

Annual fee: $395.

Pros

• Attractive welcome bonus.

• Competitive annual fee in comparison to other premium travel cards.

• Strong earning potential along with ongoing benefits.

Cons

• The $300 annual travel credit applies only to Capital One Travel bookings.

• The Capital One lounge network is limited, and the Priority Pass membership does not include restaurant access.

Best option to redeem Capital One miles

With 75,000 Capital One miles, you can redeem up to $750 for flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. To get the most value, consider transferring your miles to one of Capital One's 18 travel partners.

A top transfer choice is the Miles&Smiles program of Turkish Airlines. They only require 15,000 miles for a round-trip economy ticket to Hawaii on United—significantly less than United's typical rates. With 75,000 Capital One miles, you could secure up to five of these flights, providing far more value than just $750. Additionally, you can use your miles for international business class tickets, starting at 45,000 miles each way.

Top credit cards for adventure seekers

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Premier for hotel benefits

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is a top-tier travel card designed for hotel perks. It provides a variety of travel benefits, including elite Hilton Diamond status and $500 in annual credits for airlines and resorts. As a Hilton Diamond member, you enjoy exclusive perks such as daily food and beverage credits, room upgrades based on availability, access to executive lounges, early check-in, late checkout, and a 100% bonus on points earned from paid stays.

Cardholders can also accumulate impressive rewards on travel expenditures and receive an annual free night. Additionally, those who spend $60,000 in a calendar year can earn a second free night. These ongoing rewards make it easy to earn free nights, effectively offsetting the card’s $450 annual fee.

Welcome bonus: 180,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of membership.

Rewards: Earn 14X points on Hilton purchases; 7X points for flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel; 7X on rental cars booked directly; 7X on dining at U.S. restaurants; and 3X points on all other purchases.

Travel benefits: Complimentary Hilton Diamond status; Priority Pass Select membership; $250 annual statement credit for Hilton resorts; a free weekend night reward each year; $250 airline fee credit annually; secondary rental car coverage* (certain international locations excluded); baggage insurance plan*.

Credit score: Good to Excellent.

Annual fee: $450.

Pros

• Substantial welcome bonus.

• Offers significant hotel and airline perks that can help offset the annual fee.

• The only hotel credit card that provides top-tier elite status.

Cons

• Standard free night awards can require as many as 150,000 points each.

• High annual fee.

• Redemption options are limited outside the Hilton brand.

Best option to redeem Hilton Honors Points

While Hilton no longer provides a published award chart, standard free nights typically range from 5,000 to 150,000 points per night. With the 150,000-point welcome bonus from the Hilton Aspire Card, you could stay for up to 10 nights at a property like the Hilton Garden Inn Konya or enjoy one night at the luxurious Waldorf Astoria Maldives. As a Hilton Diamond member, you’ll benefit from a free fifth night when booking award stays, maximizing your points' value.

If standard rooms aren’t available, you can still book premium rooms and suites at a higher points cost. This can be advantageous when cash rates are steep and you wish to save with points. Additionally, the annual free weekend night can be combined with other awards for an extended stay, valid at most Hilton locations with a few exceptions.

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Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: Ideal for no annual fee

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a fantastic option for those seeking a travel credit card without an annual fee. It provides above-average rewards on travel-related expenses such as travel, gas, dining, and transit. Additionally, the card includes valuable travel protections, featuring primary rental car insurance for international rentals. Notably, it offers cell phone protection for devices lost or damaged during your travels, setting it apart from many other travel rewards cards.

Although the welcome bonus is relatively modest at 20,000 points (equivalent to $200), the card features a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months. Overall, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card delivers remarkable value for a card with no annual fee.

Welcome bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points by spending $1,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Rewards: Receive 3X points on travel, gas, dining, transit, and popular streaming services; 1X points on all other purchases.

Travel benefits: Secondary rental car insurance in the U.S.; primary coverage for rentals abroad; assistance with travel and emergencies; emergency cash disbursement and card replacement; cell phone protection (up to $600 annually).

Credit score: Good to Excellent.

Annual fee: $0.

Pros

• 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months.

• Strong earning potential in popular travel categories.

• Manageable spending requirement to qualify for the welcome bonus.

• Primary rental car insurance overseas and secondary coverage in the U.S.

Cons

• Modest welcome bonus.

• Points cannot be transferred to airline or hotel loyalty programs.

• Limited travel protections beyond rental car insurance.

Best option to redeem Wells Fargo points

Redeeming points with the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a breeze. Cardholders can easily redeem points for travel at a rate of 1 cent each by logging into their account. Points can also be used for statement credits, gift cards, or for booking travel directly through Wells Fargo's platform. This straightforward process is perfect for those who prefer not to navigate the complexities of different loyalty programs. Simply book your desired flights and hotels without concerns about blackout dates, then use your points to cover those expenses.

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Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Best for business

Chase's Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is an outstanding option for small business owners looking to maximize rewards and enjoy excellent benefits. With a substantial sign-up bonus, 3 points per dollar on certain business categories, and access to a top-tier rewards program, this card simplifies earning rewards whether you're traveling or making everyday business purchases.

Additionally, this card provides a range of travel protection benefits including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, primary rental car coverage, and cell phone protection. With these features, the Ink Business Preferred® is perfect for business owners seeking a dependable travel credit card with valuable rewards and benefits.

Welcome bonus: Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. This translates to $900 in cash back or $1,125 towards travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

Rewards: Earn 3 points per $1 spent on the first $150,000 in select business categories each account anniversary year; earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

Travel benefits: Includes trip cancellation and interruption insurance; primary rental car insurance (which covers up to the full value of the vehicle) and cell phone protection (up to $1,000 per claim).

Credit score: Good to Excellent.

Annual fee: $95.

Pros

• Generous welcome bonus offered.

• Cardholders enjoy extensive travel and purchase protections.

• Free cards for authorized users, making it great for employees.

Cons

• Significant spending requirement to qualify for the welcome bonus.

• Subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule (you'll be denied if you've opened five credit cards at any bank within the last 24 months).

How to redeem rewards

The Chase Ink Business Preferred® card offers valuable Ultimate Rewards points, which come with excellent redemption options. Cardholders can redeem points via the Chase Travel Portal for 1.25 cents each. The 90,000 bonus points can yield $900 cash back or $1,125 towards travel when used through Chase Travel℠, making it an attractive option with a $95 annual fee.

To maximize the bonus value, you can transfer points to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners. With 90,000 points, you could enjoy over a dozen free nights at a Hyatt hotel or indulge in an ultra-luxury all-inclusive stay at Ventana Big Sur for up to two nights. The potential is virtually limitless.

Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners: How to get the best value

Who should consider a travel card?

A travel card is perfect for individuals who travel frequently. It provides a secure method for making payments while on the go. These cards are crafted to facilitate spending on travel-related expenses, offering enhanced rewards for such purchases. Additionally, they come with valuable features like mobile payment options, travel insurance, and access to airport lounges. Many travel cards also waive foreign transaction fees, which can be a substantial savings compared to the typical 3% fee. For those who travel often, a travel card can simplify the experience significantly.

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Tips for selecting the best travel credit card

When choosing a travel credit card, it’s essential to evaluate the welcome bonus, annual fee, and the perks and rewards it offers. The best travel credit cards typically feature a robust welcome bonus and generate high rewards in key spending categories.

Although some travel cards come with hefty annual fees, these can be justified by the perks included. For instance, many premium credit cards provide travel statement credits that can completely offset the fee. Additionally, many cards offer access to airport lounges, a valuable benefit in today’s crowded airports. It's wise to seek a card that features either of these benefits, along with zero foreign transaction fees on international purchases.

Another crucial aspect to think about when picking a travel credit card is the rewards program. If you frequently fly with a specific airline, consider a co-branded airline credit card for enhanced benefits that can elevate your travel experience and help you earn elite status more quickly.

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Travel credit cards Frequently Asked Questions

What is the top travel credit card?

The top travel credit card is based on your personal needs and preferences. Some of the most sought-after travel credit cards are the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Capital One Venture X, and American Express Platinum Card.

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Which travel credit card offers the highest points on travel purchases?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred and American Express Platinum Card provide the highest points for travel booked via their travel portals. Meanwhile, the Sapphire Reserve Card excels in earning points on general travel, offering 3 points for every dollar spent.

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Is obtaining a travel credit card worthwhile?

The value of getting a travel credit card hinges on your spending patterns and travel aspirations. These cards often provide some of the most generous welcome bonuses and excellent rewards for everyday purchases. If accumulating travel points along with extra benefits is your aim, a travel credit card could be a great fit.

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* Eligibility and benefit levels differ by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more information. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Editorial note: The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinions of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any of these entities.