Want to learn more about how to save money on travel with credit card points and airline miles, but don’t know where to begin? We got you! Credit card points are a big part of how we were able to pay for flights on our trip to every country, and with the right strategy can also help you save a significant amount on travel. So to start, we’ve compiled a list of our top recommended best credit cards for travelers.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Every traveler should have a Chase Sapphire card. It includes great traveler insurance (such as rental car coverage). It also has a reasonable annual fee compared to the sign-up offer. But the best part is the ease of transfer to airline and hotel partners! Chase has excellent transfer partners, and we love using their points for our travels.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Sign-up Offer: Earn 75,000 Chase points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening (LIMITED TIME OFFER!)
- Additional Point Earnings: 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries, 2x points on travel
- Benefits Include: Great travel insurance, easily transfer points to airline and hotel loyalty programs, no foreign transaction fee
Click here to learn more about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card.
American Express® Gold Card
If you love food, this might be your new go-to card! It has great points earning potential and credits on dining and groceries.
- Annual Fee: $250 (see rates and fees)
- Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 American Express membership rewards points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months from account opening
- Additional Point Earnings: 4x points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x thereafter
- Benefits Include: Annually up to $120 Uber Cash and up to $120 dining statement credit when using your card at places such as Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, and select Shake Shack locations
Click here to learn more about the American Express® Gold Card. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
If you want airport lounge access, this is the least expensive option. But the most exciting part is that cardholders receive a $300 annual travel credit and a generous 10,000 mile anniversary gift – essentially offsetting the annual fee. It also includes perks such as a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit and 2 miles earned for every dollar spent.
- Annual Fee: $395 (offset with a $300 annual travel credit)
- Sign-up Offer: Earn 75,000 Capital One miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
- Additional Point Earnings: 10x miles on hotels & rental cars and 5x on flights booked through Capital One Travel, 2x miles on all other purchases
- Benefits Include: Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, lounge access to Capital One, Plaza Premium, and Priority Pass lounges worldwide (learn more here)
Click here to learn more about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Business credit cards offer some of the best sign up offers and earnings potentials, and the best part is you DO NOT need to have a formal business entity to apply for them. This is our personal go-to for everyday business purchases! We love it because it has a $0 annual fee with a strong sign-up offer of Chase points, which can easily transfer to many airline and hotel partners. It is a great starter business card because of the no annual fee with potential for high earnings. It earns 1.5x points on everything, which is great for purchases that are not part of a bonus category on another card. Note that this does have a fee for international transactions (see our other favorite business cards here).
- Annual Fee: $0!!
- Sign-up Offer: Earn $750 cash back in Chase points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
- Additional Point Earnings: 1.5x points for every $1 spent
- Benefits Include: No annual fee!
Click here to learn more about the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® card.
Which of these credit cards is best for you? Learn more here!
Those are our top recommended best credit cards for travelers, but you can learn about other travel credit cards here and click below for more of our specific recommendations!
- Best Credit Cards with Airport Lounge Access
- Best Credit Cards for Hotel Points & Airline Miles
- Best Credit Cards for Businesses
The Daily Drop newsletter is another great resource to stay up to date on the latest credit card offers.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included on this website.