Top Travel Credit Cards – August 2023

Top Travel Credit Cards - August 2023

The Best Travel Credit Cards: Find the Perfect Card for Your Adventures

Are you looking for the perfect travel credit card to accompany you on your adventures? Look no further! Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just starting to explore the world, there’s a travel credit card out there that’s perfect for you. From free flights to luxurious hotel stays, these cards offer a range of benefits and rewards that cater to all types of travelers.

The Best Travel Credit Cards

Let’s take a look at some of the top travel credit cards available today:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This is the best overall travel credit card, offering incredible rewards and benefits for travelers. With generous bonus points, flexible redemption options, and travel protections, it’s a must-have for any avid explorer.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee card that still earns valuable travel miles, this is the perfect option. With a decent welcome bonus and simple earning structure, it’s a great choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: As a beginner in the world of travel credit cards, this card is a fantastic choice. With a solid earning rate and access to transfer partners, it’s the ideal card for those just starting their travel rewards journey.
Citi Premier® Card: If you want to earn rewards on everyday spending, this card is for you. With impressive earning rates in various categories and the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners, it’s a fantastic option for frequent travelers.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students: Designed specifically for students, this no-annual-fee card offers great rewards and benefits. With a generous welcome bonus and a simple earning structure, it’s an excellent choice for young travelers.

These are just a few examples of the best travel credit cards available. The choice ultimately depends on your personal preferences and travel habits. However, these cards stand out for their generous rewards, flexible redemption options, and valuable travel benefits.

Why Transferable Points Matter

While airline and hotel co-branded credit cards can make sense for frequent travelers loyal to specific brands, the best travel credit cards are often ones that earn transferable points. These points provide more flexibility and options when it comes to redeeming your rewards. Instead of being tied to a single airline or hotel, transferable points allow you to book with a variety of travel partners. This means you can maximize your rewards earning and have more options when it comes to using your points.

Comparing Travel Credit Cards

With so many travel credit cards available, it can be challenging to choose the right one for you. To help you make an informed decision, let’s take a closer look at some of the top travel credit cards and their unique features:

Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is our top pick as the best travel credit card for most people. Although the Chase Sapphire Reserve card was previously our favorite, recent changes to its annual fee have made the Preferred card a more attractive option.

The Sapphire Preferred earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which are known for their ease of use and value. You can redeem them for travel directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal, where you can get more than 1 cent per point. Chase also offers a selection of transfer partners, making it great for US-based travelers.

The card has a $95 annual fee and earns bonus points on travel, dining, and select streaming services. It also offers fantastic travel protections and anniversary bonuses, making it a solid choice for any traveler.

Capital One VentureOne

If you’re hesitant to pay an annual fee for a travel credit card, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is the perfect solution. It offers many of the same benefits as its sibling, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, without the annual fee.

With a respectable welcome bonus and a simple earning structure, this card is ideal for those looking for a no-annual-fee travel card. It also offers a 0% introductory APR offer, making it a great choice for those who want to make big purchases over time.

Capital One Venture

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a fantastic “set it and forget it” card. With its straightforward earning structure and valuable benefits, it’s perfect for travelers who don’t want to worry about bonus categories.

This card allows you to use your miles to cover recent travel purchases at a rate of 1 cent per mile. You can also transfer your Capital One miles to a variety of airline and hotel partners, giving you even more options for redeeming your rewards.

Citi Premier Card

While the Citi Premier Card may not be as well-known as some other travel cards, it offers impressive rewards for everyday spending. With generous earning rates in a range of categories, it’s a great choice for those looking to maximize their rewards on daily expenses.

This card also allows you to transfer your ThankYou points to a variety of airline and hotel partners, giving you more options for booking award travel. With valuable welcome bonuses and additional perks, it’s definitely worth considering.

Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students

For students looking for a travel credit card, the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is a rare find. With a generous welcome bonus and an uncomplicated earning structure, it’s a great option for young travelers.

This card also offers a 0% introductory APR offer, making it ideal for students who want to make purchases over time. Plus, it has no foreign transaction fees, so it’s perfect for studying abroad or international travels.

Capital One Venture X

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium travel credit card with incredible benefits. Although it has an annual fee, its perks and rewards more than make up for it.

With a massive welcome bonus, annual travel credits, and access to exclusive hotel booking programs, this card is designed for luxury travelers. It also offers the ability to transfer rewards to a variety of airline and hotel partners, giving you even more options for redeeming your rewards.

Amex Gold

The American Express Gold Card is an excellent choice for foodies and frequent supermarket shoppers. With fantastic earning rates on dining and U.S. supermarket purchases, it’s perfect for those who love to eat out and cook at home.

This card also offers valuable statement credits for dining and Uber, as well as other travel benefits. With its high rewards earning potential and luxurious perks, it’s a favorite among travelers who value fine dining and luxury experiences.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a premium travel credit card for those who want to maximize their rewards and enjoy luxurious perks. Although it has a higher annual fee, its benefits and rewards are worth every penny.

With its generous rewards earning and fantastic travel credits, this card is perfect for frequent travelers. It also offers airport lounge access, travel insurance, and a range of special privileges. If you’re serious about traveling in style, the Sapphire Reserve is the card for you.

Amex Platinum

The American Express Platinum Card is the ultimate luxury travel card. With its incredible benefits and statement credits, it’s perfect for those who want to travel in style.

From airport lounge access to hotel elite status, this card offers a range of high-end perks. It also earns valuable rewards on flights and everyday purchases. While it has a high annual fee, the benefits far outweigh the cost for those who value luxury travel experiences.

How to Choose the Best Travel Credit Card for You

Choosing the best travel credit card for your needs can seem overwhelming. To help you make the right decision, consider the following factors:

Consider your spending habits: Look for a card that earns bonus rewards on the categories you spend the most on, whether it’s dining, groceries, or travel.
Evaluate the welcome bonus: A generous welcome bonus can offer incredible value when redeemed for travel. Consider how easily you can meet the spending requirements to earn the bonus.
Assess the benefits: Look for travel protections, statement credits, airport lounge access, and other perks that align with your travel preferences and needs.
Understand the redemption options: Consider whether you prefer flexible redemption options, such as transferable points, or if you prefer a card with specific airline or hotel partnerships.
Factor in the annual fee: While some premium travel cards have high annual fees, the benefits and rewards can outweigh the cost. Evaluate whether the benefits you’ll receive justify the fee.

By carefully considering these factors, you’ll be able to find the best travel credit card that suits your travel style and maximizes your rewards.

Expert Advice on Choosing a Travel Credit Card

To help us identify the best travel credit cards, we consulted top credit card experts and a certified financial planner. Their insights and recommendations were instrumental in shaping our list of the top cards.

Sara Rathner, Travel and Credit Cards Expert at NerdWallet
Luis Rosa, Certified Financial Planner
Sarah Silbert, Senior Reviews Editor at Personal Finance Insider
Benét Wilson, Senior Editor at The Points Guy

According to these experts, a good travel credit card should offer generous ongoing rewards, easy redemptions, and valuable perks like airport lounge access and statement credits. They also emphasize the importance of considering your individual travel habits and goals when choosing a card.

Additional Top Travel Credit Cards to Consider

While our list features the very best travel credit cards, we understand that everyone has unique preferences and circumstances. Here are a few more cards worth considering:

Chase Freedom Flex℠: This no-annual-fee card offers up to 5x points on everyday purchases and comes with a solid welcome bonus offer.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: With strong bonus rewards on all purchases and a great welcome offer, this card is worth considering, especially when paired with an annual-fee Chase card.
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: This Wells Fargo card earns unlimited points on various spending categories and offers compelling benefits, although it lacks transfer partners.
Discover it® Miles: Discover’s travel miles-earning card offers a unique match of all the miles you earn in the first year, making it an attractive option for big spenders.
Bilt Mastercard®: This card offers rewards for paying rent and a useful range of airline and hotel transfer partners.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card: With attractive rewards on travel and dining, this card also comes with a Priority Pass membership and other valuable benefits.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card: This no-annual-fee card is a good choice for earning travel rewards, especially if you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards customer.

Although these cards didn’t make our final list, they still provide valuable rewards and benefits. Be sure to consider your specific needs and preferences when making your decision.

Choose Your Perfect Travel Credit Card

While it may require a bit of effort to redeem points or miles, the value you can receive is well worth it. By strategically using your rewards, you can book luxury hotels and first-class flights at a fraction of the cost.

In this guide, we’ve focused on the best travel credit cards that offer transferable points. These points provide more flexibility and value, allowing you to book travel with a wide range of partners. To help you understand the potential value of your points and miles, be sure to check out our guide to points and miles valuations.

When choosing a travel credit card, it’s important to trust experts who understand the landscape and can provide valuable advice. Our panel of experts consists of top credit card experts and a certified financial planner who are well-versed in the world of travel rewards.

Ultimately, the best travel credit card for you is one that aligns with your travel preferences, spending habits, and financial goals. Consider the benefits, rewards, and annual fees of each card, and think about how they fit into your overall travel strategy.

So start planning your next adventure with confidence, knowing that the perfect travel credit card is out there waiting for you. With the right card in hand, you’ll be able to unlock incredible rewards and unforgettable experiences as you explore the world. Happy travels!