Best Travel Credit Cards of October 2022

Travel spending is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, according to the U.S. Travel Association, a travel industry nonprofit, and about six in 10 Americans are planning to take at least one trip this summer. 

But travel is expensive — especially as prices continue to rise on everything from groceries to gas — meaning every dollar can count when you book your next vacation. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or only take one trip each year, a travel credit card can help you save when you book and on the purchases you make while you’re away.

Many travel credit cards offer rewards not only on your flights and hotels, but also in non-travel categories like dining, groceries, gas stations, rideshare services, and more. Now more than ever, you can earn rewards on everyday purchases to use toward your next trip. 

The annual fees that often come with travel credit cards make it even more important to ensure you get your money’s worth on your regular purchases. A travel card with great everyday value can go a long way to offset high annual fees. And for frequent travelers, the premium benefits and credits these cards offer when you do travel go a long way to offset costs. 

We believe the best travel credit cards offer a combination of flexible rewards on everyday spending alongside valuable travel benefits and redemptions. Here are NextAdvisor’s picks for the best travel credit cards right now:

Best Travel Credit Cards

Other Travel Cards Worth Considering

While these cards don’t make our above list of best travel credit cards, they are great options for certain types of travelers or those looking for specific features and benefits.

Best Travel Credit Cards Summary

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Good for: Earning Miles on Every Purchase

Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase you make, regardless of category. You can earn 75,000 bonus miles, if you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. This card’s annual fee is $95.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Good for: Intro Bonus

Earn 3x points on dining and 2x points travel. Score 60,000 bonus points (worth $750 in travel redemptions through Chase Ultimate Rewards) after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. You can also get a 25% boosted points value for travel redemptions through Chase Ultimate Rewards. This card charges a $95 annual fee. 

American Express Gold Card

Good for: Earning Now and Redeeming Later

Earn 4x points on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in U.S. supermarket purchases per calendar year, then 1x), 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amextravel.com, and 1x points on other purchases. Get annual dining, hotel, and Uber Cash credits, plus earn a 60,000-point welcome bonus after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. You’ll pay a $250 annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Good for: Maximum Redemption Value

Earn 5X points on air travel when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually), 3X points on dining, 3x on other travel and 1x points on all other purchases, among other benefits. Earn 80,000 bonus points (worth $1,200 in travel redemptions through Chase Ultimate Rewards) after spending $4,000 within the first three months. Redeem points for travel through Chase at a 50% boosted value. Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with a $550 annual fee. 

The Platinum Card from American Express

Good for: Luxury Benefits

Earn 5x points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel (up to $500,000 in purchases annually) and on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel, and 1x points on other purchases. Earn a 100,000-point welcome bonus after spending $6,000 within the first six months, and enjoy premium benefits like hotel elite status; up to a $200 annual airline fee credit; credits toward shopping, hotel stays, and Uber rides; airport lounge access; and more. This card charges a $695 annual fee.

Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card

Good for: Airline Miles

Earn 3x miles on purchases made with Delta and directly with hotels, 2x miles on purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases. Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your first six months. You’ll also enjoy flight benefits like first checked bag free, an annual companion certificate, and more. Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex charges a $250 annual fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card

Good for: Hotel Rewards

Earn up to 17x points on purchases with participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 2x points on all other purchases. Earn 3 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases. You’ll get additional Marriott benefits including an annual Free Night Award each cardmember anniversary, Silver Elite Status, and 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year. This card has a $95 annual fee. 

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Good for: Business Travelers

Earn 2x miles on every purchase. You’ll also get a 50,000-mile bonus after spending $4,500 within the first three months of account opening. This card charges $95 annually, but the fee is waived your first year.

Travel Credit Cards Also Worth Considering Summary

The State of Travel 

As the summer travel season approaches, here’s everything you need to know before you book an upcoming vacation:

Ongoing Pandemic Restrictions 

COVID-19 pandemic restrictions still vary by country. While the United States and Europe have removed many restrictions, such as mask mandates on air travel, many countries still have more strict rules for travelers. And if you’re traveling internationally, you’ll still need proof of a negative COVID test one day prior to return to the United States. Before any upcoming trip, check the U.S. State Department’s country-specific COVID-19 information page for the latest advisories. 

Inflation Impacts Travel Costs 

Inflation continues to drive up costs on everyday purchases, and travel is no exception. The latest consumer price index rose to 8.3% in April. As a result, you’ll likely see increased prices on airline tickets and hotel stays this summer. Domestic airfare alone is up 40%, according to the latest Hopper Consumer Airfare Index Report, with the average round trip ticket costing $330. Prices are expected to continue to rise over the next few months. 

One way to save is by using travel credits, rewards, and other credit card perks to offset increased prices. so long as you’re using your credit card responsibly and don’t spend more than you can afford to pay off. A great welcome offer, like the limited-time Chase Sapphire Preferred bonus, can also help you earn more points upfront, after meeting a specific spending threshold. 

Supply Chain Shortages 

Staff and supply chain shortages are a major factor in rising inflation, and also impacts everything from your grocery list to rental cars for both business and leisure travel. In practice, this could mean there may be more cases in which you book a rental car online, but there’s no availability when you arrive to pick up your car. If you know you’re going to need a rental car, it’s best to book your car as soon as possible to better your chances. 

How Travel Credit Cards Work

Travel credit cards work like most rewards credit cards — you can earn rewards on your spending to apply to future purchases. Travel credit cards earn points or miles on purchases you make with the card which you can redeem within an issuer’s rewards program. Travel is typically the most valuable rewards option, though you may be able to redeem for other options, like statement credits, cash, gift cards, or purchases with partners. 

Travel redemption options for travel credit cards vary, but often include flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. Some rewards programs allow you to transfer your points and miles to airline or hotel partner loyalty programs, where you may be able to increase the value of your original points depending on how and when you book. 

How to Choose a Travel Credit Card

General Travel Credit Cards

What You Get With a General Travel Credit Card

General travel credit cards earn points or miles in select categories, which may be travel-focused (flight, hotels, car rentals) or more broad (dining, groceries, gas). These cards typically offer flexible redemptions for your points and miles toward future travel bookings and are ideal for travelers who don’t always fly with the same airline or stay with the same hotel brand.

Choosing a General Travel Credit Card

To choose the right general travel card for you, consider how the card’s rewards categories align with your spending — both while traveling and your everyday purchases — as well as how any added benefits may help you maximize value. Then look into the redemption options available. Is your preferred loyalty program among the transfer partners? How much are your points or miles worth when you redeem for travel? What other options are there besides travel that you might consider? 

And remember, though premium benefits can offset the cost, these cards often carry high annual fees. Approach your options with a realistic view based on previous travel spending or future trips you’re already planning. If you choose a card based on your ideal annual travel budget or benefits that sound nice but aren’t actually suited to your spending, the card may end up costing you more than it’s worth.

Airline Credit Cards

What You Get With an Airline Credit Card

Unlike general travel credit cards, airline cards earn miles toward a single airline’s rewards program, like Delta SkyMiles from Delta Air Lines or AAdvantage from American Airlines. These cards may earn rewards on non-airline categories (like dining or groceries) but your redemptions are limited to purchases with a specific airline. Benefits are also typically airline-specific, and may include free checked bags, upgrades, priority boarding, and more. 

Choosing an Airline Credit Card

You’re going to want to choose a credit card with an airline that you fly with almost exclusively.
It won’t make sense to get an airline credit card if you frequently fly with different airlines, or don’t fly very frequently at all. 

It may make sense to choose a card with an airline that has frequent flights, or has a hub at, your local airport. 

Hotel Credit Cards 

What You Get With Hotel Credit Cards 

Similar to airline cards, you should only open a hotel-specific travel credit card if you have a strong preference for one hotel chain, such as Marriott or Hilton, and you travel to locations where that chain is an option. You’ll earn rewards within the hotel’s rewards program and, though you may earn bonus points on non-travel purchases, redemptions are typically limited to bookings and other hotel purchases. These cards also generally offer added benefits for brand loyalists, like elite status, annual free night credits, complimentary services during stays, and more.

Choosing a Hotel Credit Cards

Like an airline credit card, you’ll want to choose a hotel card with a chain that you stay at almost exclusively. Your rewards will be limited to that one chain, so make sure you stay there enough to justify the credit card.

How to Compare Travel Credit Cards

Rewards and benefits are important, but they’re not the only factors that should go into your decision when choosing a travel credit card. Here are some card details you should consider — and compare with your individual card needs and spending habits — before you apply:

Annual Fee

A no annual fee travel card can be a great deal, but those with an annual fee offer some of the most valuable travel rewards and benefits. Before applying for a new travel credit card, evaluate how well your spending aligns with a card’s benefits and whether you’ll gain enough value from those benefits to offset the cost of the annual fee. 

Rewards Rate

Travel credit cards often offer great rewards on your travel spending, but you should look beyond points earned on flights and hotels. Many of the best travel cards also offer rewards on everyday spending, like dining, groceries, and rideshare services, so you can maximize your most frequent purchases. 

Sign-up Bonus

A great sign-up bonus shouldn’t be the most important factor in choosing a travel credit card, but it can add hundreds of dollars in rewards value. Look for a sign-up bonus that’s attainable (they often require a minimum spend within a limited time) and high-value. These offers are especially helpful if you can plan ahead and give yourself time to score the sign-up bonus before you’re ready to book, so you can use your bonus points or miles toward your trip.

Foreign Transaction Fees

If you plan to take your travel credit card along on any international trips, you’ll want to avoid foreign transaction fees. These fees range from 1%-3% of each transaction you make in another country or in a foreign currency, and can quickly add up when you spend internationally.

International Acceptance

If you travel internationally, it’s important to choose an issuer that’s widely accepted in the countries you plan to visit. Visa and Mastercard are the most common networks you’ll find accepted worldwide, while you might struggle to find merchants that accept American Express and Discover in some countries (though even those networks are increasingly more widely accepted).

Travel Protections

Travel protections aren’t the most flashy travel credit card feature, but they can be among the most valuable. Look for protections like auto rental collision waiver, travel accident and delay insurance, roadside assistance, lost luggage and delayed baggage coverage, and more.

Perks 

Added perks offered by travel credit cards are often unmatched by any other cards on the market. Benefits vary widely by issuer, individual card, and price range, but can go a long way in maximizing your card’s value and adding convenience to your travel plans. Some examples of these perks include annual credits, partner discounts, memberships, and more.

APR

Generally, any travel credit card is going to charge a high APR on any balance you carry. That’s why it’s important to only charge purchases you know you’ll be able to pay off in full when your statement balance is due. Otherwise, any rewards or benefits the card offers will be quickly wiped out by interest charges.

Should You Get a Travel Credit Card?

How to Make the Most of Your Travel Credit Card

• Take time to research how your spending aligns with a card’s rewards categories
• Understand the ins and outs of how you earn and redeem rewards
• Take advantage of all the benefits and perks your card has to offer
• You may get the most value by booking directly through the rewards program or — depending on when and where you book —  by transferring points to a travel partner

Travel Credit Cards vs Cash Back Credit Cards

Travel rewards credit cards and cash back credit cards can both add value to your everyday spending. They differ in how you earn and redeem the most rewards, and in the added benefits you’ll get as a cardholder. 

Usually, you’ll earn a certain amount of points or miles per dollar spent with a travel credit card. Most card issuers let you redeem your points at a value of at least 1 cent per point. However, you may be able to boost that value for certain redemptions, like booking travel through the issuer’s portal or transferring to travel partners. Travel credit cards are more likely than cash back cards to carry an annual fee, but usually come with travel credits and perks to offset the cost for frequent travelers. 

Cash back credit cards are more geared toward everyday spending, and offer a percentage back on each purchase. They typically don’t have an annual fee, so you can start getting value from your card right away. Most commonly, you’ll redeem cash back rewards for a statement credit on your account. You won’t get as many travel-related perks with these cards, but some do come with annual credits or travel and purchase protection benefits.

If you’re not a frequent traveler, you may benefit from a cash back card that still offers rewards and perks that you can use on vacation and for everyday use. You’ll have more flexibility to redeem your rewards for a statement credit, to apply to other purchases without losing value. But if you’re a frequent traveler and value free flights and hotel stays, a travel credit card can help upgrade your travel experiences and save money on your vacations. 

Co-Branded vs General Travel Credit Cards

If you’re loyal to one airline or hotel, you may choose a co-branded credit card to get more perks with the brand you use the most. You’ll earn the most rewards when you make purchases with that specific hotel or airline, and may get other benefits like elite status, upgrades, and more.

For instance, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card offers 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar for eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. You’ll also earn points on other purchases, like 3 points at restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2 points on all other eligible purchases, but get the most rewards on Marriott spending. You’ll also get the best value from your points when you redeem them for nights and purchases at a Marriott resort or hotel. 

With general travel credit cards, you’ll still earn the most rewards on travel purchases. But you’re not limited to a single hotel or airline brand. You’ll earn rewards on more general travel spending — such as flights booked directly with airlines or travel booked through the issuer’s rewards portal — and you’ll have more flexibility in your redemption options. Instead of getting the most value by redeeming your rewards towards one brand, you’ll get more out of redeeming your points using your credit card issuer’s travel portal or transferring to travel partners to get the best deal and maximize your rewards. 

If you’re focused on getting the best deal for your trips, you may choose a travel card to have more options and flexibility. But if you often book with the same airline or enjoy hotel-specific perks, you’ll get more of those benefits with a co-branded credit card.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Methodology

To determine the best travel rewards cards, we evaluate travel rewards cards currently available from major card issuers with an eye for those most valuable to a broad range of cardholders. We prioritize cards with flexible rewards in both travel and everyday categories, as well as added benefits that help offset annual fees. Each card must charge no foreign transaction fees and offer travel and purchase protections to make our list. Other details considered for our final picks include specific rewards categories, added benefits and perks, welcome offer, redemption value, rewards program, and how well the card serves its stated purpose.

*All information about the Capital One Spark Miles for Business and Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by NextAdvisor and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of the American Express Gold Card, click here

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card from American Express, click here

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card, click here

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.