
Best Travel Credit Cards of April 2023
The best travel credit cards offer more than just great cash-back, points or miles incentives — they also come with a range of perks and upgrades that can take your next trip from basic to bougie without spending extra money.
To help you choose the best travel rewards card for your needs, CNBC Select analyzed over 35 popular travel cards using an average American’s annual spending budget and dug into each card’s perks and drawbacks to find the best of the best based on your consumer habits. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best cards.)
Some travel card features are nearly standard across the board: no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance and various travel credits. More premium cards take things up a notch by offering lounge access and credits for expedited airport security.
Where it gets interesting and confusing, is when you start to look beyond those features. Before you sign up for a new card, consider how you’ll use it and how you can best optimize the points so you’re getting the most out of the rewards program, especially if you’re paying a steep annual fee. It’s also important to make sure you can pay off your balance on time and in full each month because many of these cards also have high interest rates.
The good news: If you choose a card from this list, you could earn over $2,000 in rewards over the next five years based on our calculations
Best travel credit cards
Winner
American Express® Gold Card
On the American Express secure site
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Rewards
4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1X points on all other purchases
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Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
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Regular APR
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Balance transfer fee
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- Up to $120 dining credit annually ($10 a month) for purchases made with Grubhub, Goldbelly and other eligible restaurants (after a one-time enrollment)
- Up to $120 Uber Cash annually ($10 a month) for U.S. Uber Eats orders and U.S. Uber rides (card must be added to Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit)
- Strong rewards program with 4X points earned at restaurants and 3X points earned on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com
- Baggage insurance plan covers up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage that is damaged, lost or stolen
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
Cons
- No introductory APR period
- $250 annual fee
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $1,074
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,969
Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus
Who’s this for? The American Express® Gold Card is a smart choice for consumers who love travel and dining out due to its generous rewards rates. While the card comes with a $250 annual fee (see rates and fees), it offers a number of luxury rewards that help offset the cost.
Standout benefits: One big perk for travelers to take advantage of is the statement credits. Cardholders get up to $120 in annual dining credit to cover restaurant charges ($10 per month at Seamless, Grubhub and other participating restaurants; enrollment is required) and $100 in hotel credits when they book rooms through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel. There are also special travel perks, such as room upgrades at specific hotels and special travel discounts and amenities for those who enroll with The Travel Collection by Travel Leaders Group at no extra cost.
How to redeem rewards: American Express Membership Rewards® points value varies depending on how cardholders redeem them. You can use them in a variety of ways, from redeeming for gift cards and statement credits to booking travel through the Amex Travel Portal. To get a potentially bigger bang for your buck, transfer your Membership Rewards points to a variety of airline or hotel partners, including Delta SkyMiles, JetBlue TrueBlue, Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, Choice Privileges and more.
Learn more: American Express Gold Card review: An ideal rewards card for foodies and travelers
Runner-up
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One’s secure site
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Rewards
5X miles on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase
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Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
N/A for purchases and balance transfers
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Regular APR
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Balance transfer fee
0% at the regular transfer APR
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- 5X miles on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit up to $100 every 4 years
Cons
- No introductory APR
- There’s a $95 annual fee
Who’s this for? The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers no shortage of travel benefits. It’s especially valuable for those who want a straightforward way of earning rewards without having to juggle many bonus categories.
Standout benefits: Travelers going overseas can take advantage of no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders also get a credit of up to $100 to cover Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership and two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network. As an added plus, you can use your Venture Rewards card to get access to exclusive sporting and music events, plus premiere culinary experiences, including the New York City Wine and Food Festival and the iHeartRadio Music Festival.
How to redeem rewards: Miles can be redeemed for flights, hotels, rental cars and other parts of your trip through Capital One Travel, or you can use them to offset recent travel purchases at a fixed value of 1 cent per point. Alternatively, you can transfer them to any of Capital One’s hotel and airline partners including Accor Live Limitless, Air Canada Aeroplan, Etihad Guest and others to get even more value from your rewards.
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review: For frequent travelers in search of luxury benefits with a low annual fee
Editor’s choice
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One’s secure site
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Rewards
Unlimited 2X miles on all eligible purchases, and 5X miles on flights and 10X miles on hotels and rental cars when booked via Capital One Travel portal
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Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
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Regular APR
21.74% – 28.74% variable APR
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Balance transfer fee
0% at the regular transfer APR
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Foreign transaction fees
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Credit needed
Pros
- Large welcome bonus
- No foreign transaction fees
- Up to $100 statement credits for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
Cons
- High annual fee
- No introductory 0% APR period
Who’s this for? The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want a premium credit card at a lower price point than other high-end cards with similar benefits.
Standout benefits: This card is loaded with benefits, including an up to $100 statement credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, complimentary cell phone insurance, special perks on hotel stays book through the Premier Collection and access to Capital One Lounges as well as the extensive network of Priority Pass and Plaza Premium airport lounges worldwide. Every year, cardholders receive up to $300 back in statement credits each year for bookings made through Capital One Travel and a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary (worth at least $100 for travel).
*Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.
How to redeem rewards: As with the Venture Rewards Card, there are many ways to redeem your rewards, including transferring them to various airline and hotel partners.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X review: A premium travel credit card for everyone
Best welcome bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
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Rewards
$50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3X points on dining, 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases
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Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
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Regular APR
20.49% – 27.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers
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Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Transfer points to leading frequent travel programs at a 1:1 rate, including: IHG® Rewards Club, Marriott Bonvoy™ and World of Hyatt®
- Travel protections include: auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance and trip delay reimbursement
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- No introductory 0% APR
Who’s this for? The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a loyal following among travelers looking for a travel-centric rewards program and a robust suite of perks. What makes this card shine the most is its generous welcome bonus offer.
Standout benefits: This card comes with a number of helpful benefits, such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, no foreign transaction fees, primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and baggage and trip delay insurance. Sapphire Preferred card members can also benefit from a 10% points boost on each card anniversary and complimentary DashPass membership for a minimum of one year through Dec. 31, 2024.
How to redeem rewards: Chase has 14 airline and hotel partners cardholders can transfer their points to, such as United Airlines MileagePlus, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, Air Canada Aeroplan, World of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy. Otherwise, your points are worth 1.25 cents each through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® travel portal or 1 cent per point when redeemed for gift cards or cash back.
Learn more: Chase Sapphire Preferred review: A low-cost card with a generous welcome bonus perfect for travelers
Best for luxury travel
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
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Rewards
Earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025
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Welcome bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
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Regular APR
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Balance transfer fee
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- $300 annual travel credit for travel purchases
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit up to $100 every four years
- Priority Pass™ Select lounge access at 1,000+ VIP lounges in over 500 cities worldwide
- Points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Special benefits at The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
- Complimentary year of Lyft Pink membership
Cons
- High annual fee, but it can be offset by taking advantage of all the card’s perks
- No introductory APR
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $1,469
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $3,346
Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus
Who’s this for? The Chase Sapphire Reserve is enormously popular among frequent travelers for its luxe perks, including comprehensive travel protections, and a strong rewards program. While this card comes with a substantial annual fee of $550, the many statement credits help to offset the costs.
Standout benefits: To start, this card provides an annual $300 travel credit, which can cover everything from airfare and hotels to parking and tolls. Cardholders can also get a statement credit of up to $100 (every four years) to help cover Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fees as well as enroll in Priority Pass Select, which gives them access to more than 1,400 airport lounges worldwide with free amenities, such as Wi-Fi, snacks and beverages.
Other benefits include discounts and memberships with Instacart+, DoorDash, and GoPuff; elite-like benefits when booking hotels through The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection; trip interruption/cancellation coverage; primary rental car coverage; lost luggage reimbursement; and trip delay reimbursement. Cardmembers traveling internationally also don’t need to worry about foreign transaction fees.
How to redeem rewards: If you redeem points for cash and gift cards, each point is worth 1 cent. However, the value of points increases to 1.5 cents apiece when you redeem for travel on Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruise reservations when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards. This is a great way to maximize the value of your rewards and makes this card stand out from the pack. Of course, transferring your points to Chase’s airline and hotel partners is also an option.
Learn more: The Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with an annual $300 travel credit and perks from Lyft, DoorDash and Peloton—helping you offset the $550 fee
Best for lounge access
The Platinum Card® from American Express
On the American Express secure site
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Rewards
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 1X points on all other eligible purchases
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Welcome bonus
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
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Regular APR
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Balance transfer fee
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit Needed
Pros
- Up to $200 in annual airline fee credits
- Up to $200 in annual Uber savings
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, The New York Times, and other participating providers (enrollment required)
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
Cons
- $695 annual fee
- No special financing offers on new purchases
Who’s this for? The Platinum Card® from American Express is for road warriors who want to make their travels more comfortable. It grants access to more airport lounges than any other card on the market and is loaded with lots of other travel and lifestyle benefits that help justify its high annual fee; (see rates an fees).
Standout benefits: Cardholders can enjoy a long list of benefits, including:
- Worldwide airport lounge access, including Delta SkyClubs and Amex Centurion Lounges
- Up to $200 annual hotel credit
- Up to $200 annual airline fee credit
- Up to $300 annual Equinox credit
- Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit
- Up to $189 credit to enroll in CLEAR®
- Up to $240 annual digital entertainment credit
- Up to $155 annual Walmart+ credit
- Up to $200 annual Uber credit
- Up to $100 fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- Automatic hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
- Access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program, providing benefits such as room upgrades, late check-out, early check-in, complimentary breakfast for two and a $100 hotel credit (based on availability)
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Cell phone protection
- Terms apply.
How to redeem rewards: Membership Rewards points are best used when transferred to one of Amex’s various airline and hotel partners. You can also redeem them for statement credits, gift cards and when checking out at retailers like Amazon, though you’ll usually get a lower value for your points.
Learn more: American Express Platinum Card review: The travel card with luxury perks
Best for no annual fee
Discover it® Miles
On Discover’s secure site
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Rewards
Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase – with no annual fee.
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Welcome bonus
Discover will match all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases
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Regular APR
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Balance transfer fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- Miles program
- Generous welcome bonus
- No blackout dates
- No limit to the amount of miles you can earn and miles never expire
Cons
- No Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit offerings
- Travel spending does not receive additional rewards
- No airport lounge access
Who’s this for? The Discover it Miles card comes with a generous rewards program — all for zero annual fee — that makes it a standout among travel cards.
Standout benefits: Discover offers a welcome bonus that’s hard to beat: It will do a mile-for-mile match of all miles earned the first year (for new card members in their first year only). If you rack up 35,000 miles within the first 12 months, Discover will match you with 35,000 miles. That’s a total of 70,000 miles or $700 toward travel. (Based on our calculations, the average card user will earn around 32,777 miles in the first year.) Plus, the card has no foreign transaction fees.
How to redeem rewards: With this card, there are no blackout dates when you pay for travel purchases using your card. And, you can easily redeem miles as a statement credit for travel, restaurant or gas station purchases, as well as a deposit to your bank account. The best part is, miles earned never expire even if your account is closed. (Discover credits your account with your rewards balance if your account is closed.)
Don’t miss: What credit score do you need to get a Discover it Card?
Best for paying rent
Bilt Mastercard®
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Rewards
Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period – up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee (up to 50,000 points each calendar year), 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and 1x points on other purchases.
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Welcome bonus
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Annual fee
-
Intro APR
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Regular APR
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Balance transfer fee
Introductory fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that, up to 5% for each balance transfer ($5 minimum).
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- No annual fee
- Solid rewards on broad spending categories
- Ability to pay your rent with no fees
- Transfer points to leading frequent traveler programs at a 1:1 rate, including American Airlines, United and World of Hyatt®
Cons
- No welcome offer
- No introductory 0% APR
Who’s this for? If you rent your home and don’t have the Bilt Mastercard®, you’re leaving points on the table. The Bilt Mastercard is the only card that lets you earn travel rewards on rent payments with no fees.
Standout benefits: Bilt makes it easy for even beginners to get maximum value from their points through a unique partnership with the award search engine point.me. With the BiltProtect feature, it also protects cardholders from using up their entire credit limit or risk going into debt by charging their rent every month. Other benefits include cell phone insurance; Purchase Assurance Plus, which covers your purchases for 90 days; exclusive discounts with brands like Lyft, DoorDash and ShopRunner; and access to the Mastercard Luxury Hotels & Resorts portfolio, which offers amenities like upgrades, free breakfast and property credits.
How to redeem rewards: Bilt Rewards points can be redeemed for travel either by transferring them to airline and hotel partners or by booking through the Bilt Travel Portal at a fixed rate of 1.25 cents per point. Other redemption options include using them to shop online, book fitness classes, pay rent and even make a down payment on a home.
Best for low interest
Choice Rewards World Mastercard®
On First Tech Federal Credit Union’s secure site
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Rewards
Earn 2X points on groceries, gas, electronics, medical, household goods and telecommunications, 1X points on all other purchases
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Welcome bonus
Earn 20,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first 60 days from account opening
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Annual fee
-
Intro APR
0% for the first 12 billing cycles on balance transfers made within the first 90 days of account opening
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Regular APR
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Balance transfer fee
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- No annual fee
- Good rewards program for everyday purchases
- Good intro APR offer
- No balance transfer fee
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
Cons
- Balance must be transferred within 90 days of account opening date
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $344
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $1,720
Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus
Who’s this for? If you’re looking for a card that also offers an introductory APR, you should consider the Choice Rewards World Mastercard® from First Tech Federal Credit Union. It made our list of the top travel cards for its unique rewards program and relatively low variable APR of 12.75% – 18.00%.
Standout benefits: In addition to offering 0% APR during the first 12 billing cycles on balance transfers, the 12.75% – 18.00% variable APR rate is significantly lower than many other competitor cards (though we recommend that you pay off your card in full and on time each month). There are also no foreign transaction fees, which is a huge plus when traveling abroad.
Membership to First Tech Federal Credit Union is required, but anyone can join through affiliation with select organizations or employers, a relationship with a current member, working or living in Lane County, Oregon, attending Cogswell Poly Technical College or by joining the Community History Museum (CHM) or Financial Fitness Association (FFA). First Tech pays the membership fee for the CHM and FFA on your behalf.
How to redeem rewards: Rewards can be redeemed at a fixed rate toward cash-back, travel, merchandise, gift cards and experiences.
Best for students
Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students credit card
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Rewards
Unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases
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Welcome bonus
25,000 bonus points after you spend at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening, which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward qualifying travel purchases
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
0% APR for the first 18 billing cycles on purchases
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Regular APR
18.24% to 28.24% variable
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Balance transfer fee
Either $10 or 3%, whichever is greater
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- No annual fee
- Points can be redeemed for flexible travel expenses, including flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars or baggage fees
- No limit or expiration on points
- Strong welcome bonus of 25,000 points if you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days
- Intro 0% APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
- You don’t have to be a U.S. citizen to apply for this card
Cons
- Promotional 0% APR does not apply to balance transfers
- No student-centric benefits or incentives to practice responsible credit behavior
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $466
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $1,528
Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus
Standout benefits: There are no foreign transaction fees, making it an ideal card for students studying abroad. This card also comes with a longer-than-average special financing offer of no interest for 18 billing cycles (then 18.24% to 28.24% variable APR). A full year of no interest is a great way for you to pay off new purchases over time, without incurring interest charges, though we recommend you pay off your balance on time and in full each month.
You must be 18 or older and enrolled in school (college, vocational or trade school) to qualify for this card.
How to redeem rewards: Cardholders can redeem rewards as a statement credit to cover the cost of travel and dining purchases — a simple way to reduce the cost of taking a spring break vacation or buying a plane ticket home. You can redeem rewards at any time and at any amount.
Don’t miss: The best college student credit cards
FAQs
Should you get a travel credit card?
If you travel often and pay for purchases with cash or debit, you’re missing out on rewards and perks that can make travel more affordable. It can be in your best interest to get a credit card that awards high rewards rates on airfare, hotels, rideshares and other common travel expenses.
Using one of the travel cards mentioned above can earn you more than $2,000 in rewards over five years, which can help you offset the cost of past travel expenses or an upcoming vacation.
Who should apply for this type of card?
If you’re interested in submitting a travel credit card application, keep in mind that card issuers usually require you to have good credit or excellent credit (scores above 670). Therefore, it’s key to check your credit score before applying for a travel card.
Once you know your credit score and can check if you prequalify for a travel card, choose the best card for your needs and apply.
How to choose a travel credit card
There is a variety of travel credit cards available, from general to airline- and hotel-specific, and all the choices can make it hard to settle on one. In order to choose the best card for your needs, you should consider several factors. Here are some tips on how to choose a credit card.
Consider whether you’re willing to pay an annual fee. Some travel cards have steep annual fees over $500, which can be worthwhile, but not for everyone. Make sure you do the math to see if an annual fee travel card is for you.
Another key factor to consider is the type of travel you do most. If you travel within the U.S., then it doesn’t really matter if a card charges foreign transaction fees. But if you’re off to Mexico or Spain, then it’s important to have a no foreign transaction fee card.
Rewards should also play a part in your decision. Do some research to determine which card offers a rewards program more geared toward your spending habits. If you dine out a lot when you travel, consider the American Express Gold Card with 4X points on dining at restaurants. But if you want a competitive rewards rate on all sorts of purchases, the Discover it Miles has no annual fee and unlimited 1.5X miles on every dollar of every purchase.
You can compare card benefits side by side to see if one card rates better than another. The Chase Sapphire Reserve, for example, offers complimentary lounge access, while the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers cardholders a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.
How to compare travel credit cards
If you’re having trouble narrowing down the best travel card for you, it can be helpful to compare credit cards. You should first list the benefits you’re looking for and any deal breakers, such as an annual fee. Then consider cards that have those benefits.
For instance, if you want both travel and dining rewards, the Amex Gold Card is a better choice than the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card since the rewards rate is 4X versus 2X.
But if you don’t want to pay a high annual fee, the Venture Card is only $95 compared to the $250 you’ll pay for a Gold Card. (See rates and fees.)
Making the most of your card
In order to make the most of your travel card, you should familiarize yourself with the various credit card benefits and fees. Take note of any annual fees, foreign transaction fees and the APR associated with your account. Also consider the rewards rates and added perks, such as annual statement credits.
Once you’re familiar with the terms of your card, you can start optimizing them. That may include setting reminders to use the annual $300 travel credit provided by the Chase Sapphire Reserve or submitting a Global Entry application with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to take advantage of the up to $100 credit.
If you have multiple credit cards, you might want to have a plan for the best time to use each card. Let’s say you have the Discover it Miles and American Express Gold Card. Use the Amex Gold Card for dining expenses at restaurants to earn 4X points, then use the Discover card for all your other purchases to earn unlimited 1.5X miles.
Other types of credit cards to consider
Travel credit cards aren’t for everyone. If you travel infrequently, you should consider alternative credit card options, such as cards with dining, grocery or gas rewards. There are cards that can provide up to 6% back in those categories, allowing foodies, meal-preppers and commuters to benefit.
Beyond rewards, you might benefit from a card that offers a 0% APR period. Some cards offer no interest for a year or more on new purchases and balance transfers, such as the Citi Simplicity® Card. The card has 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from the date of first transfer, plus 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening (after, 18.74% – 29.49% variable APR; balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening.) There is an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% or $5, whichever is greater for transfers completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5). When used responsibly, these cards can help you get out of debt without high interest charges.
Our methodology
To determine which cards will put the most money back in your pocket, CNBC Select evaluated over 35 popular travel credit cards offered by major banks, financial companies and credit unions that allow anyone to join. We compared each card on a range of features, including travel rewards (points and miles), annual fee, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR, one-time perks, annual perks, redemption rates, as well as factors such as required credit and customer reviews when available.
CNBC Select teamed up with location intelligence firm Esri. The company’s data development team provided the most up-to-date and comprehensive consumer spending data based on the 2019 Consumer Expenditure Surveys from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can read more about their methodology here.
Esri’s data team created a sample annual budget of approximately $22,126 in retail spending. The budget includes six main categories: groceries ($5,174), gas ($2,218), dining out ($3,675), travel ($2,244), utilities ($4,862) and general purchases ($3,953). General purchases include items such as housekeeping supplies, clothing, personal care products, prescription drugs and vitamins, and other vehicle expenses.
We then estimated how much the average consumer would redeem over the course of a year, two years and five years, assuming they would attempt to maximize their rewards potential by earning all welcome bonuses offered and using the card for all applicable purchases. All rewards total estimations are net the annual fee and assume that you are paying your credit card balance on time and in full each month so as not to incur interest charges.
It’s important to note the value of a point or mile varies from card to card and based on how you redeem them. When we calculated the estimated returns, we assumed that cardholders are redeeming points/miles for a typical maximum value of 1 cent per point or mile. (Extreme optimizers might be able to achieve more value.)
Our final picks are weighted heavily toward the highest five-year returns, since it’s generally wise to hold onto a credit card for years. This method also avoids giving an unfair advantage to cards with large welcome bonuses.
While the five-year estimates we’ve included are derived from a budget similar to the average American’s spending, you may earn a higher or lower return depending on your travel habits.
The editor’s choice card is independently chosen by CNBC Select’s editorial team. While it may not have ranked as the number-one card in any given category, it consistently ranks highly across multiple categories and we believe offers some of the best value overall for a stand-alone card. Its rewards, welcome bonus, APR, fees, ease-of-use and ongoing benefits were all taken into consideration.
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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 Discover it® Miles, click here.
Information about the Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students, Citi Simplicity® Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.

