I’ve lost track of how many times travel credit cards have saved me, but I do know this…I’ve owned more than 40 of them since I started blogging full-time. Over the years, I’ve figured out which ones are worth keeping and which ones are just hype. The right card has covered my flights to Europe, given me free hotel nights in Asia, and let me skip lines at airports I thought would never end. The wrong card? Dead weight in my wallet. If you’re traveling in 2025 and want to get the most out of every trip, these are the 8 travel credit cards I’d actually recommend.
The Best Travel Credit Cards Right Now: 8 Credit Cards for Traveling the World
Credit card companies used to be few and far between. You knew who the best of the best were because there were only a few brands to choose from. Today, however, there are more credit cards on the market than anyone could possibly count. Want to know which credit card is best for travel? Here are my picks for the best travel credit cards of 2025.
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve just got a massive overhaul in June 2025, and honestly, it’s pretty controversial. The annual fee jumped to $795 (up from $550), making it the priciest premium travel card on the market. But before you write it off, they added a ton of new benefits that might actually make it worth it.
The current sign-up bonus is absolutely insane – 100,000 bonus points plus a $500 Chase Travel credit after spending $5,000 in the first three months. I’ve never seen a Chase bonus this good. Based on current point values, that’s potentially worth over $2,000 in travel.
Here’s what’s new: You get up to $500 annually for stays at The Edit by Chase Travel (their curated luxury hotel collection), $300 in annual dining credits at exclusive restaurants, $300 for StubHub concert tickets, plus $250 in Apple subscriptions. The Points Boost feature now lets you get up to 2 cents per point value on select flights and hotels, though they killed the old guaranteed 1.5x redemption rate.
The earning structure changed too. You still get 3x on dining and travel, but now it’s 8x points on Chase Travel purchases and 4x on flights and hotels booked directly with airlines and hotels. They also added complimentary IHG Platinum Elite status and Priority Pass lounge access remains unchanged.
Is it worth the $795 fee? If you can actually use all those credits, Chase claims it offers over $2,700 in annual value. But honestly, it’s become more of a coupon book than a straightforward travel card. I’d only recommend it if you’re already spending big on travel and dining.
2. Bank of America Travel Rewards
Bank of America Travel Rewards is still one of the best no-annual-fee travel cards out there, and thankfully they didn’t mess with a good thing. The current welcome bonus is 25,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days – that’s worth $250 toward travel purchases.
You earn a flat 1.5 points per dollar on everything, which sounds boring but is actually pretty solid for a no-fee card. The sweet spot is if you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member – you can earn up to 75% more points on every purchase. So instead of 1.5x, you could be earning 2.6x points per dollar, which beats most premium cards.
What I love about this card is the simplicity. No foreign transaction fees, points don’t expire, and you can redeem them for travel with any airline or hotel – no blackout dates or restrictions. They also still offer that rare 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, which is almost unheard of on travel cards.
The downsides? No premium travel perks like lounge access or elite status. But honestly, for a free card that lets you earn travel rewards without jumping through hoops, it’s tough to beat. If you’re just starting out with travel cards or want something simple, this is a great choice.
3. Amex Business Platinum
The Amex Business Platinum is where things get interesting in 2025. The annual fee is $695, and American Express just announced major changes coming later this year (though they haven’t revealed all the details yet). Right now, there’s a targeted offer for 250,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 in three months – that’s potentially worth over $5,000 in travel.
Current benefits are pretty incredible: You get 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, plus 1.5x points on purchases of $5,000 or more. The American Express Global Lounge Collection gives you access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, including Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta.
For business owners, this card is actually a goldmine of useful credits. You get up to $200 annually in Dell credits, statement credits for wireless services, and a bunch of business software credits. Plus Hilton Gold and Marriott Gold elite status are automatically included.
The best part? Amex business cards don’t show up on your personal credit report, so they won’t affect your credit utilization. But with those major changes coming, I’d probably wait to see what they announce before applying – unless you can snag that 250,000-point targeted offer.
4. Chase Ink Business Premier
Chase Ink Business Premier is Chase’s premium business cash-back card with a $195 annual fee. The welcome bonus is solid: $1,000 cash back after spending $10,000 in the first three months. That’s a pretty high spending requirement, but if you can hit it, the bonus more than covers the annual fee for five years.
The earning structure is simple but effective: 2.5% cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more, 2% on everything else, and 5% on travel booked through Chase Travel. What makes this card interesting is the Flex for Business feature – you can split larger purchases into installment payments with interest, which gives you more cash flow flexibility.
You also get solid travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, rental car coverage, and roadside assistance. The cell phone protection benefit covers up to $1,000 per claim when you pay your wireless bill with the card.
The downside is you earn cash back, not transferable points like the Ink Business Preferred. But if you want predictable cash back without worrying about point values or transfer partners, this card delivers. Plus, business expenses are tax-deductible anyway, so the annual fee basically costs you nothing.
- Read also: My Favorite Travel Hacks for Flying
5. Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express
The Delta SkyMiles Gold remains one of the most practical airline cards, especially with the current offer: 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first six months. The annual fee is $0 for the first year, then $150.
What makes this card worth it are the practical benefits that save money on every Delta flight. You get a free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation – that alone saves $60-70 per roundtrip flight. Priority boarding is also clutch for getting overhead bin space.
You earn 2x miles on Delta purchases, dining worldwide, and U.S. supermarket purchases. The TakeOff 15 benefit gives you 15% off award flights when redeeming miles, which helps counter Delta’s sometimes inflated award prices. If you spend $10,000 annually, you get a $200 Delta flight credit.
The card also includes 20% back on in-flight purchases and no foreign transaction fees. One underrated benefit is the $100 credit for Delta Stays hotel bookings.
Honestly, if you fly Delta even twice a year and check bags, this card pays for itself. The free checked bag benefit alone is worth $120-140 annually. Just don’t expect premium perks like Sky Club access – you’ll need the higher-tier Delta cards for that.
6. Capital One Venture X
Capital One Venture X is quietly one of the best premium travel cards, with a $395 annual fee that’s way more reasonable than Chase’s new pricing. The welcome bonus varies, but I’ve seen offers up to 100,000 miles after meeting spending requirements.
You earn 2x miles on everything, 5x on flights and 10x on hotels when booking through Capital One Travel. What’s cool is the 10,000 anniversary bonus miles (worth $100+ in travel) plus an annual $300 travel credit that actually works on almost any travel purchase – not just specific merchants.
The Capital One lounges are really nice (though there are only a few locations), and you get Priority Pass access too. They also offer some unique travel protections like price drop protection – if the price of your flight drops after booking, they’ll give you $50 in travel credit.
One thing I love is how flexible the miles are. You can transfer to partners like Turkish Airlines and Wyndham, or just use them at 1 cent each for any travel purchase. No blackout dates, no restrictions.
The card also comes with TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit and some solid travel insurance. For $395, you’re getting premium benefits without the premium price tag that other cards are pushing nowadays.
7. US Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature
The US Bank Altitude Connect is perfect for road trip enthusiasts and people who don’t fly much. With no annual fee, it’s offering 50,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months (though bonuses vary).
The earning structure is unique: 4x points on gas stations and EV charging (up to $5,000 annually), 5x on hotels and car rentals, 2x on dining and groceries, and 2x on streaming services. For a no-fee card, those are excellent rates.
What’s smart about this card is it recognizes that not everyone travels by plane. If you prefer road trips, camping, or domestic travel, you’ll actually earn more with this card than most airline-focused cards. The points never expire, and you can redeem them for travel at 1 cent each.
The mobile wallet protection and roadside assistance are nice touches for road travelers. Plus, no foreign transaction fees if you do venture abroad.
This card won’t get you lounge access or elite status, but if you want solid travel rewards without an annual fee and prefer land-based travel, it’s perfect. I’d definitely consider pairing it with an airline card for the best of both worlds.
8. Chase World of Hyatt
The Chase World of Hyatt card is a hotel-focused card that’s actually gotten better over time. The current bonus is 60,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months, plus you automatically get World of Hyatt Discoverist status.
You earn 4x points on Hyatt purchases, 2x on dining and airlines, and 1x on everything else. The real value comes from the free night award you get each year (worth up to 40,000 points) plus another free night when you spend $15,000 annually.
Discoverist status gets you late checkout, room upgrades when available, premium internet, and bonus points on stays. If you stay at Hyatt properties regularly, the status perks alone justify the $95 annual fee.
The points transfer 1:1 to World of Hyatt, and Hyatt has some incredible redemption opportunities – especially at luxury properties and all-inclusive resorts. I’ve gotten insane value booking Park Hyatt and Grand Hyatt properties with points.
One downside is Hyatt’s smaller footprint compared to Marriott or Hilton. But their properties are generally higher quality, and the point values are more stable. If you’re loyal to Hyatt or stay at premium hotels, this card delivers serious value.
The card also includes cell phone protection and no foreign transaction fees. For hotel loyalists, it’s a no-brainer despite the limited hotel network.
Pro Tips From Experience using Travel Credit Cards
After owning 40+ travel credit cards, I’ve had some incredible wins and a few cards that looked amazing on paper but turned out to be duds. Here are a few hard-earned lessons that might save you some headaches.
Not every flashy perk is worth it. I’ve signed up for cards that dangled big welcome bonuses or luxury perks, only to realize the points were hard to redeem or the perks didn’t fit the way I travel. For example, I had a hotel card with a free-night certificate that was so restrictive I never got real value out of it. Now, I focus on cards with flexible points I can transfer to multiple airlines or hotels.
My biggest win: One of my proudest redemptions was using a sign-up bonus from a premium travel card to book two round-trip flights to Europe in business class. Those tickets would have cost over $8,000 cash, but I only paid about $150 in fees. Wins like that are why I see travel cards as tools, not just pieces of plastic.
Knowing when to cancel or keep. In the first year, the sign-up bonus usually makes a card a no-brainer. The real question comes after that. I ask myself: Am I using the perks enough to offset the fee? If the card gives me lounge access, annual travel credits, or benefits I’d pay for anyway, I’ll keep it. If not, I cancel it and move on to the next opportunity. It’s all about staying strategic and not letting annual fees pile up without giving me value in return.
👉 The bottom line: travel credit cards can be game-changing if you treat them like part of a long-term strategy. Get the ones that actually fit your travel style, and don’t be afraid to cut the ones that don’t.
🔄 How to Maximize Points & Miles with Travel Rewards Cards
Earning points is easy. Maximizing them is where the real magic happens. I’ve wasted points in the past on low-value redemptions, but once I learned how to play the game, I started getting outsized value that turned ordinary trips into unforgettable experiences. Here’s what’s worked best for me:
Time your sign-up bonuses with big purchases. I always plan card applications around upcoming expenses. When I bought a new camera for my blog, I opened a card with a big bonus requirement. That one purchase alone unlocked a free round-trip to Europe.
Use transfer partners for maximum value. This is where I’ve found the biggest wins. Instead of cashing out points for gift cards or flights directly, I transfer them to airline or hotel partners. Once, I transferred points to United and booked a business-class seat to Asia that would’ve cost $4,500 cash — all for the same points a domestic economy ticket would have cost if I redeemed poorly.
Stack points with portals. I use airline and credit card shopping portals whenever I make online purchases. Booking hotels, ordering gear, even buying holiday gifts — all of it racks up extra points on top of the card’s base rewards. It’s a little extra effort, but it adds up fast.
Avoid low-value redemptions. One of my early mistakes was cashing out points for gift cards or statement credits. The value per point was terrible. Now, I stick to flights and hotels, where I consistently get 2–5x more value.
FAQs about the best travel credit cards
Here are the most popular questions I get asked about travel credit cards in 2025.
What is the best travel credit card for beginners?
When I was just getting started, I went with a simple card that had a low annual fee and straightforward rewards. It made it easy to learn the ropes without feeling overwhelmed by too many perks or restrictions. I usually recommend beginners start with a card that earns flexible points, since you can use them on flights, hotels, or even cash back.
Are annual fees really worth it on travel credit cards?
I used to avoid cards with high annual fees, but once I actually did the math, I realized I was saving way more than I spent. For example, one of my premium cards gave me free lounge access, a $300 travel credit, and TSA PreCheck reimbursement. I easily came out ahead. For me, if the perks outweigh the cost, the fee is worth paying.
- Read also: How to Get Business Class Flights for Cheap
- You may also like: My Affordable First Class Guide
How many travel credit cards should I have?
I’ve personally owned over 40 different travel credit cards, but you definitely don’t need that many. These days, I keep a small rotation of 3–5 cards that each serve a different purpose: one for flights, one for hotels, one for everyday spend, and maybe a backup for no foreign transaction fees. It’s all about finding the right balance for your travel style.
What’s the difference between airline cards, hotel cards, and flexible rewards cards?
From my experience, airline cards are great if you’re loyal to one carrier…I’ve used them for free checked bags and priority boarding. Hotel cards can be valuable if you stay in the same chain often, since they usually come with free nights and elite status. Flexible rewards cards are my favorite because I can move points wherever I need them…flights, hotels, or even car rentals.
Do travel credit cards cover travel insurance?
Yes, many of them do. I’ve had claims covered for trip delays and lost luggage thanks to my cards. But here’s the thing…coverage varies a lot by card. Some only offer basic protection, while others include trip cancellation, rental car coverage, and even emergency evacuation. I always read the fine print before relying on it. Feel free to read my guide on travel insurance versus credit cards in 2025.
What credit score do you need to get a good travel credit card?
When I first started applying, I had to build my credit before I could qualify for the top-tier cards. In general, you’ll want a good to excellent score (usually 700+). If your score isn’t there yet, I’d recommend starting with a no-fee travel card or a cashback card to build credit before moving up.
- You may also like: My Guide on How to Find Cheap Airline Tickets
