How To Use Credit Card Points For Airline Tickets
| Card | Best for | Welcome Offer/Sign Up Bonus | Earning Rate | Annual Fee |
| Hunt Sapphire Preferred® Card | Best for total value | threescore,000 points |
| $95 |
| Capital 1 Venture Rewards Credit Carte | All-time for earning miles | 75,000 miles |
| $95 |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | Welcome bonus | Earn 100,000 points |
| $695 |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Best premium travel credit carte du jour | 75,000 miles |
| $395 |
| Majuscule One VentureOne Rewards Credit Menu | Best for no annual fee | 20,000 miles |
| $0 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card | Best midrange hotel carte | Earn 5 Free Nights (each night valued upward to 50,000 points) |
| $95 |
| Ink Business organization Preferred® Credit Card | Best for maximizing business purchases | 100,000 points |
| $95 |
| Citi Premier® Card | Best for rewards rate | 80,000 points |
| $95 |
| American Express® Gold Card | Best for dining at restaurants | lx,000 points |
| $250 |
| The Business organisation Platinum Card® from American Express | All-time for business travel | 120,000 points |
| $695 |
| Banking company of America® Travel Rewards credit card | Best for showtime travel card | 25,000 points |
| $0 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Bill of fare | All-time for airline rewards | 90,000 miles |
| $250 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Limited Card | Best for Delta business flyers | 100,000 miles |
| $250 |
| Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit bill of fare | Best for Alaska Airlines miles | Buy One Get One + twoscore,000 Bonus Miles |
| $75 |
Let's take a look at the details of each of these travel credit cards and offers, including their bonus values and some of the ways I've been able to put the credit carte benefits to use.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for earning miles
Why this is the all-time stand-alone travel credit card: With the Capital One Venture, you're earning 2 miles per dollar on every purchase. That makes information technology easy to rack upwards rewards without having to juggle dissimilar bonus categories or spending caps. And with flexible redemption options and a manageable almanac fee, this bill of fare is an first-class choice if you're looking to go along but one credit card in your wallet for all spending.
Electric current sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles subsequently you spend $four,000 on purchases within the kickoff 3 months of account opening. Since we value Capital One miles at 1.85 cents each, this offer is worth potentially $1,388.
Rewards rate: Earn two miles per dollar spent on every buy.
Travel benefits: You lot get an application-fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck of up to $100 every four years, a nice perk for a mid-tier card that just costs $95 a year.
Annual fee: $95.
Why information technology'southward worth information technology: The Capital One Venture Carte du jour allows you to redeem miles for a stock-still value or transfer the miles you lot earn to 15 total airline and three hotel transfer partners , including Avianca, Etihad, Turkish Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Capital One has recently added a new 1:one transfer tier for many partners, however there's also a less lucrative 2:1.v or ii:1 transfer tiers for some partners. Finally, it'southward the one carte The Points Guy himself, Brian Kelly, tin can't alive without .
Related : Capital One Venture Card review
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Official awarding link: Uppercase One Venture Rewards Credit Carte.
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Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Best full value
Why this is the best total value travel credit bill of fare: Nosotros've long suggested the Chase Sapphire Preferred as an excellent pick for those who are new to earning travel rewards because it lets y'all earn valuable, transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points with strong bonus categories and a reasonable annual fee.
Current sign-upwards bonus: Earn sixty,000 bonus points afterward y'all spend $iv,000 on purchases in the starting time three months from business relationship opening. TPG values this bonus at $1,200.
Rewards rate: 5 points per dollar on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3 miles per dollar on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out, three miles per dollar on select streaming services, 3 miles per dollar on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), ii points per dollar on all other travel, 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases
Travel benefits: When you redeem your points for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal , you go a 25% bonus that makes your points worth 1.25 cents each. The Sapphire Preferred also comes with an entire suite of travel protections, including trip delay insurance , trip counterfoil coverage , baggage delay and primary rental car insurance .
Annual fee: $95.
Why it's worth it: You'll earn a solid return (6% back and four% back respectively based on TPG valuations ) on dining and travel on summit of your generous sign-up bonus and you have access to some of the best travel protections offered by any travel rewards credit card.
Although yous won't get the same travel credits or lounge admission as you practice with the Chase Sapphire Reserve , this is the perfect starter travel credit card for anyone who can't justify a higher annual fee. Chase has also added new non-travel redemption options, giving you more flexibility for your points.
Related : Chase Sapphire Preferred review
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Official application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred Carte.
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The Platinum Card from American Express: Best for welcome offer
Why it's the best travel menu for welcome offer: The Amex Platinum's welcome offer is currently worth $2,000 according to TPG valuations , just that's only the beginning.
Electric current welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $half-dozen,000 on purchases on the card in the outset half-dozen months of card membership ( valued by TPG at $ii,000). Notwithstanding, be sure to check the CardMatch tool to see if you lot're targeted for a higher 125k-point welcome offer (offer subject to change at any time).
Rewards charge per unit: Earn five points per dollar on airfare purchased direct with the airlines or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 each calendar year) and 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel .
Travel benefits: Although Amex has recently increased the almanac fee to $695 (meet rates and fees ), the Amex Platinum is nevertheless the king of luxury travel benefits with a ton of annual statement credits that will still make the annual fee worth it. You'll get up to $200 in almanac hotel statement credits for Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with Amex Travel (two night minimum stay required), up to $200 in annual airline fee argument credits , up to $189 in Articulate membership credits each twelvemonth on your membership, up to $300 in annual Equinox credits ($25 statement credits each month), up to $200 in Uber greenbacks for U.South. services, up to $240 in annual digital amusement statement credits for select providers, upwards to $100 in argument credits at Saks Fifth Artery and upwardly to $100 statement credit for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee once every 4 years (up to $100) — and more . Plus, yous'll become unparalleled lounge access , automatic Aureate status with Hilton and Marriott, and extra perks with Avis Preferred, Hertz Aureate Plus Rewards and National Auto Rental Emerald Social club Executive. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees ).
Why it's worth it: It's not only the 100,000-bespeak welcome offer that lands this card on our list of the nearly valuable travel cards. As well the $i,400+ in credits each twelvemonth and various lounge access options, the Amex Platinum is a stellar premium travel card that tin provide amazing redemptions . Among the Membership Rewards program's travel partners is Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer , which is the but fashion to book the ultra-premium Singapore Suites using miles. However, continue in listen that premium-class service is pretty watered down right now cheers to the coronavirus pandemic, so it might be best to salve upwardly for later premium-cabin award flights.
Other card highlights include an amazing 5 points per dollar spent on airfare purchased directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (equal to a 10% return on these purchases) and the power to add three authorized users for a total of $175 ( run across rates and fees ).
Related : American Express Platinum review
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Official application link: The Platinum Carte from American Express.
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Upper-case letter 1 Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best premium travel credit card
Why this is the premium travel credit menu: At $395 per year, this premium card is cheaper than all of its competitors without sacrificing the breadth of valuable perks that come up on this bill of fare. Cardholders will go unlimited visits to Capital One's premium network of lounges and 1,300-plus Priority Pass lounges worldwide and bring up to two guests for no additional accuse.
Current sign-upward bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you lot spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Rewards rate: Earn x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital 1 Travel , 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital letter One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Travel benefits: Cardholders will receive upward to $300 back as statement credits every year toward travel bookings fabricated through the Capital Ane Travel portal. That credit alone — if maximized — cuts downwardly the almanac fee to $95. Other travel benefits include a x,000-mile anniversary bonus, worth $185 according to our valuations, reimbursement for your Global Entry or TSA Precheck application, travel and purchase protection and and then much more.
Almanac fee: $395.
Why information technology's worth it: For frequent travelers, the Capital One Venture Ten is a must-accept and is well worth the $395 annual fee. If you lot travel frequently with your significant other, family or friends, y'all can even add up to four authorized users for no additional price. This will grant them their own lounge access (and the ability to bring upwards to two guests for no fee) amid many other benefits, making this a huge cost-saver for those who travel in groups.
Related : Majuscule 1 Venture X Review
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Official application link: Majuscule One Venture Ten Rewards Credit Card .
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Capital One VentureOne Menu: All-time for no almanac fee
(Photo past Eric Heglas/The Points Guy)
Why it's the best travel carte for no annual fee : The no-annual-fee Majuscule One VentureOne Rewards Credit Bill of fare has the same decent redemption options as its older brother menu, the Capital Ane Venture Rewards Credit Card — but with a lower rewards rate and fewer perks. The miles earned on the card tin besides be transferred to airline and hotel partners and another benefits non unremarkably seen with a no-annual-fee card.
Current bonus : 20,000 bonus miles afterward spending $500 within the first iii months from account opening. This bonus is worth $370 co-ordinate to TPG's valuations.
Rewards rate : You'll get a apartment ane.25 miles per dollar on all purchases, which equates to a solid 2.31% return.
Travel benefits :
The VentureOne card comes with a fair corporeality of travel perks despite being a no-annual-fee bill of fare. Some of the perks include travel assistance services — 24/7 emergency and assistance resources when you're away from domicile — , concierge and auto rental insurance — use your MasterCard to rent an eligible vehicle and you may be covered for concrete damage to the vehicle. These VentureOne benefits are simply available to accounts approved for the World Elite Mastercard production and are subjected to the terms and conditions included in World Aristocracy Mastercard Guide to Benefits. On superlative of all of that, the VentureOne bill of fare is one of the only no-almanac-fee options that don't charge foreign transaction fees which means your adjacent international holiday will exist transaction fee-free.
Why it's worth it : The VentureOne carte is a strong carte to have in your armory and great if yous are budgeting due to its no annual fee. After all, there aren't many no-almanac-fee cards with the ability to transfer points and miles straight to travel partners, so it's a large bonus that this bill of fare offers that. The VentureOne also beats other no-annual-fee cards for perks such as purchase protection and no foreign transaction fees. Its earning scheme is practically identical to the $95-a-twelvemonth card, but with a slightly lower return on everyday spending — so if you think you lot'll spend $7,600 on everyday purchases per year — this carte is for you.
Related: Capital I Venture vs. Upper-case letter One VentureOne
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Official application link: Capital One VentureOne .
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Ink Business Preferred Credit Card: Best for maximizing business purchases
Why it'south the all-time for maximizing business purchases: If you spend a lot on business travel or social media advertising, y'all'll exist able to earn significant points with the Ink Business Preferred carte du jour . The card earns three points per dollar on the kickoff $150,000 in combined travel, shipping, internet, cablevision, phone services, and advertizement purchases fabricated on social media sites and search engines each business relationship ceremony year.
Current welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after $xv,000 worth of spending in the first three months later on card opening.
Rewards rate: Earn iii points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select concern categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Travel benefits: You can also get great value out of Chase Ultimate Rewards points by transferring them to the 11 airline and 3 hotel loyalty programs , including United and Hyatt. Plus the bill of fare gives you 25% more than value for the points you earn when you redeem them for travel at a stock-still value in the Ultimate Rewards portal , a perk besides available on other Hunt credit cards .
Annual fee: $95.
Why it's worth it: TPG'south nearly recent point valuations peg the value of Chase Ultimate Rewards points at two cents apiece, and then you'll become a fantastic render of 6% on purchases in these categories. If you spend the full $150,000, you'll have habitation 450,000 Ultimate Rewards points (which are worth $ix,000 based on TPG'due south valuations).
Related : Chase Ink Business organisation Preferred Card review .
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Official application link: Ink Business organization Preferred .
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Citi Premier bill of fare: Best rewards rate
Why this is the best rewards charge per unit travel card: The 3 points per dollar earning rate applies to a handful of categories, ranging from everyday to select travel purchases. With the Citi Premier , you'll rapidly rack up ThankYou points toward your hereafter travel redemptions.
Current sign-up bonus: Earn lxxx,000 bonus points later spending $4,000 in the commencement three months of business relationship opening. TPG values this bonus at $i,440.
Rewards charge per unit: Earns 3 points per dollar on restaurants , supermarkets , gas stations , air travel and hotels; 1 point per dollar on everything else.
Travel benefits: In that location's a $ 100 almanac hotel savings do good on eligible reservations of $500 or more booked through thankyou.com.
Almanac fee: $95.
Why it'due south worth information technology: At TPG, nosotros recommend that you diversify your points-earning strategy. Citi ThankYou points are an first-class transferable point currency since you can transfer your Citi ThankYou points to 15-plus airline loyalty programs in every brotherhood to accomplish outsized value. Popular options include Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Singapore KrisFlyer .
Related : Citi Premier review
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Official application link: Citi Premier menu .
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American Express Gold Carte du jour: Best for dining at restaurants
(Photograph by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)
Why it'due south the all-time travel card for dining at restaurants: The Amex Gold earns 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants, with no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ), meaning you'll get an 8% return on purchases (based on TPG's valuations ). While a few other cards temporarily offer college render rates on dining, this is the best option for long-term spending, making information technology one of the best dining cards and best rewards cards .
Current welcome offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points later on you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first half dozen months of account card membership ( valued by TPG at $1,200). However, check the CardMatch tool to come across if yous're targeted for a college 75,000-point welcome offer (offer subject to change at any time).
Rewards charge per unit: Earn 4 points per dollar for dining at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 spent each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar); 3 points per dollar on flights booked direct with airlines or on amextravel.com; 1 indicate per dollar on everything else.
Benefits: You lot'll get up to $120 in dining credits each year when you pay with the Amex Gold card at participating dining partners, including Grubhub, The Cheesecake Manufacturing plant, Goldbelly,Wine.com, Milk Bar, and select Milk shake Shack locations. Enrollment required. Y'all'll also enjoy upwards to $120 in Uber Cash credits each year when you add your Gold card to your Uber business relationship, redeemable for Uber rides in the U.Due south. or on Uber Eats orders. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Annual fee: $250 (see rates and fees ).
Why it's worth it: The Amex Gold is a summit performer in two categories — dining and groceries. Yous're getting a great render on those purchases, plus additional perks such as the dining credit.
The card doesn't practice too bad in the travel sector, either, with 3 points per dollar on flights booked direct or via amextravel.com. The fact that y'all're raking in high-value points across several common spending categories is a major advantage.
The annual fee is $250, but that fee is easily showtime if you lot're using all the card's benefits. In fact, the Amex Golden is my near-used bill of fare right at present, with its iv points per dollar at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets on top of the dining credit. While Membership Rewards aren't a great value for greenbacks back, I'k saving up my points haul for flights later this year.
Related : American Limited Gilded review
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Official application link: American Express Gold Card .
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The Business Platinum Card from American Express: Best for business travel
Why it'south the best travel carte for business organisation travel: You lot're earning a solid return (x%) across select business organisation travel spending, plus receiving a stellar lineup of benefits that can assistance take your concern travels to the next level.
Electric current welcome bonus: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points later on you spend $xv,000 on eligible purchases with the Business concern Platinum Card inside the beginning three months of card membership.
Rewards charge per unit: v points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel ; ane.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more; on upward to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year; 1 point per dollar spent everywhere else.
Travel benefits: The Amex Business Platinum comes with a lot of the aforementioned benefits as the personal version, including up to $200 in annual airline fee argument credits , up to $100 in statement credits for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee one time every 4 years, up to $189 in annual Clear membership statement credit, unparalleled lounge admission and automated Aureate status with Hilton and Marriott . Y'all'll also go a 35% airline bonus when y'all use Pay with Points for all or function of a flying with your selected qualifying airline (up to one 1000000 points per agenda year) when you book on Amex Travel. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Almanac fee: $695 (run across rates and fees ).
Why it's worth it: The Amex Business organization Platinum is unmatched when information technology comes to travel and business perks. In addition to the long list of travel-specific benefits, cardholders besides get up to $400 in argument credits each calendar year for any U.S. Dell engineering science purchases, upwardly to $360 in Indeed almanac argument credits, up to $150 in Adobe annual statement credits and up to $120 in wireless telephone argument credits (enrollment required). If you travel for business organisation frequently, this card could help you upgrade your feel while in the air and on the ground. And the current welcome bonus is just the icing on the cake.
This card is a Membership Rewards card, which means the points you earn tin exist used with Amex's many transfer partners to help yous get the near out of your hard-earned rewards.
Related : Amex Business organization Platinum card review
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Official awarding link: The Business organization Platinum Carte du jour from American Express .
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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Carte: Best midrange hotel carte du jour
(Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)
Why it's the best mid-tier hotel travel credit card: In that location are more than seven,000 Marriott backdrop effectually the world — plus, this carte du jour offers some substantial perks for casual travelers.
Electric current sign-up bonus: Earn five Free Nights (each night valued up to fifty,000 points) afterward you spend $five,000 in the first three months from account opening.
Rewards charge per unit: Earn upward to 17 Bonvoy points per dollar spent at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3 points per dollar on the start $6,000 spent in combined purchases each twelvemonth on gas stations, grocery stores and dining, and 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Travel benefits: Yous'll earn xv aristocracy-night credits every year, good enough for Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status . Past spending $35,000 or more than on your carte du jour each account anniversary year, you'll authorize for Marriott Bonvoy Gold Aristocracy status. Plus, y'all'll receive a free honour dark good for stays costing up to 35,000 points , which can soon be topped-off with upwards to 15,000 boosted points for pricier stays, every year after your account anniversary.
Annual fee: $95.
Why it'south worth it: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless offers a gratis dark certificate that tin be worth way more than than the $95 annual fee, not to mention the aristocracy nighttime credits and big sign-upwards bonus.
Related : Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card review
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Official application link: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card .
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Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card
(Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)
Why it's the best credit card for earning miles: The Bank of America Travel Rewards operates similarly to the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . You're earning apartment-charge per unit rewards across all spending, and then you lot can use those rewards every bit a argument credit to erase eligible travel purchases.
Current bonus: 25,000 points after you spend $1,000 in purchases in the commencement 90 days of account opening — which tin be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
Rewards rate: one.5 points per dollar on all purchases.
Annual fee: $0.
Why information technology'southward worth it: It's perfect for low-upkeep beginner travelers who want a bill of fare with no annual fee and a elementary way to earn and redeem points.
Related: Bank of America Travel Rewards credit bill of fare review
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Official awarding link: Depository financial institution of America Travel Rewards credit carte .
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Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card: Best for airline rewards
(Photo past Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)
Why it's the best travel credit menu for airline rewards: When it comes to cobranded airline cards , information technology doesn't go much meliorate than Delta'south lineup of cards . The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex is a slap-up card for travelers hoping to striking Medallion elite status with the airline while racking up miles beyond a broad range of purchases.
Current welcome offering: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer ends viii/3/2022.
Rewards charge per unit: Earn three miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases and hotel stays; 2 miles per dollar on restaurants and U.South. supermarkets; and 1 mile per dollar on other eligible purchases.
Travel benefits : The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card offers a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit (up to $100), an annual companion certificate for a domestic master motel circular-trip ticket each year, elite-like perks such equally a complimentary checked purse and priority boarding on Delta flights, and a manner to striking Medallion status faster: Earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after $25,000 in eligible purchases and another 10,000 MQMs after spending $l,000 in a calendar year. You can as well get a Medallion Qualification Dollar waiver — just merely if you spend $25,000 in a calendar yr.
Annual fee: $250 (see rates and fees ).
Why information technology's worth it: The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex offers enhanced bonus categories (including increased three miles per dollar earning on Delta) and a host of travel benefits. The card'southward annual fee is $250, and then make certain you will get at least that much in value from the carte du jour each twelvemonth. This card is all-time suited for regular travelers who are loyal to Delta and want a niggling help earning Medallion status with the airline.
Related : Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex Carte du jour review
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Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Carte du jour .
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Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for travel credits
Why it's the all-time credit carte du jour for travel credits: The Hunt Sapphire Reserve comes with an annual $300 travel credit. But rather than limiting that credit to airline incidental fees as competing cards exercise, you can use information technology to offset several travel expenses such every bit airfare, hotels, rental cars, transit and more. You're besides getting an up-to-$100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit in one case every four years.
Current sign-upwards bonus: Earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after y'all spend $iv,000 on purchases in the starting time three months of account opening ( valued past TPG at $1,200).
Rewards rate: Earn 10 points per dollar on hotels, auto rentals and Chase Dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, five points per dollar on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, three points per dollar on all other travel and dining and one signal per dollar on everything else.
Travel benefits: When you're traveling, you'll get Priority Laissez passer lounge access and some of the most extensive protections available on any credit card (including trip cancellation/pause insurance , chief rental car coverage, trip delay insurance , emergency medical and more than). The 50% redemption bonus when you utilise your points to pay for travel through the Hunt portal is as well a dainty perk.
Annual fee: $550.
Why it's worth it: The Hunt Sapphire Reserve offers a stellar option of perks on height of solid earning rates. And if you have this card, the Ultimate Rewards points you earn on other Chase credit cards can exist transferred over and redeemed at the one.v-cent rate. Y'all could become even more than value by transferring your rewards to Chase's 11 airline and three hotel partners , including Hyatt and United .
Yous likewise become an impressive 3 points per dollar on all other travel (later on the $300 travel credit is wearied) and dining purchases , which equates to a six% return, based on TPG valuations. This credit card is a prime example of benefits more than than making upwardly for a steep annual fee.
Related : Chase Sapphire Reserve review
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Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve .
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Alaska Airlines Visa® Signature credit carte du jour: Best for Alaska Airlines miles
Why information technology'due south the best travel credit carte for Alaska Airlines miles: Alaska Airlines miles are among the most valuable airline miles y'all tin can earn today, in part because of Alaska's mix of airline partners and distance-based accolade nautical chart.
Current bonus: Buy ane ticket, get one for but the taxes and fees ($0 fare plus taxes and fees from $22) and receive twoscore,000 bonus miles after spending $three,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your business relationship.
Rewards rate: Earn three miles per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases; one mile per dollar on everything else.
Travel benefits: Go a gratuitous checked purse on Alaska flights for you and upwardly to six guests on your reservation; receive an annual Companion Fare on your account ceremony; enjoy fifty% off Alaska Lounge 24-hour interval passes and xx% back on all inflight purchases.
Almanac fee: $75.
Why it's worth it : Whether you alive on the Due west Coast or not, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature is a good cobranded airline bill of fare to consider adding to your wallet. The Seattle-based airline is more often than not limited to North American routes (with some international destinations through partners), but that will modify at present that the airline has joined Oneworld. American Airlines and Alaska Airlines are as well renewing (and strengthening) their partnership . Both developments will assist Alaska Airlines add new ways for customers to employ the Mileage Plan program every bit the airline establishes a global footprint.
Related : Maximizing the Alaska Airlines Visa Companion Fare
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Official awarding link: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card
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Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card: Best for Delta business flyers
Why it'southward the all-time for Delta business organisation flyers: The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business organisation offers a suite of airline and travel perks that are ideal for Delta loyalists.
Current welcome offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $four,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first three months of Card Membership. Offering Ends 8/iii/2022.
Rewards rate: 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else.
Travel benefits: Get your first bag checked free on Delta flights, priority boarding and xx% off inflight purchases.
Annual fee: $250 (encounter rates and fees ).
Why information technology's worth it: There's an annual companion document each year upon card renewal for main-motel, round-trip travel.
Related: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Carte review
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Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card
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Hilton Honors American Limited Aspire: Best for premium hotel perks
(Photograph by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)
Why information technology'southward the best premium hotel travel credit card: Hilton is i of the top hotel brands in the world, and the Hilton Honors Aspire Amex offers a packed lineup of dandy benefits for hotel customers.
Electric current welcome offer: Earn 150,000 bonus points after using your new card to make $4,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.
Rewards rate: Earn fourteen points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases; vii points per dollar on U.S. restaurants, eligible airfare and eligible car rentals; and 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Travel benefits: With this carte, you get some bang-up perks: complimentary Hilton Diamond condition , up to two free weekend reward nights (one each year and ane later you lot spend $60,000 on eligible purchases in the agenda year), upwards to $250 in Hilton resort argument credits, up to $250 in annual airline fee credits, upward to $100 in Hilton on-property credit at certain hotels and a Priority Pass membership . Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Annual fee: $450 (see rates and fees ).
Why information technology'southward worth it: Hilton's premium card, the Hilton Honors American Limited Aspire , offers a terrific haul of points and an array of perks. In add-on to some stellar benefits, information technology provides an excellent 14 points per dollar bonus category on spending at eligible Hilton properties — equivalent to an 8.four% return based on TPG's point valuations — among solid returns in other spending categories.
Related : Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Credit Card review
The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently past The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Best for American Airlines flyers
(Photograph by John Gribben for The Points Guy)
Why it'south the best travel credit menu for American Airlines flyers: If y'all fly American Airlines often, it can be handy to have a cobranded credit card from the airline. The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select offers a nice mix of benefits and earning opportunities for a manageable $99 almanac fee, making it bang-up for AA flyers who aren't looking for lounge access or an abundance of luxury perks.
Current bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,500 in the first iii months of business relationship opening.
Rewards charge per unit: Earn 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases, restaurants and gas stations.
Travel benefits: You'll get preferred boarding, a costless checked bag on domestic itineraries for y'all and up to four travel companions, a 25% discount on eligible inflight purchases and a $125 American Airlines flight discount when yous spend more than $20,000 in a agenda twelvemonth and renew your card.
Annual fee: $99 (waived for the first year).
Why it'south worth it : For a depression almanac fee, American Airlines customers can relish elite-like benefits without breaking the depository financial institution or needing to hitting an elite status tier. You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on three unlike bonus categories and a few nice benefits to help make the flight experience more enjoyable. Plus, the card is currently offering a welcome bonus that TPG values at $885. If you know how to maximize your AAdvantage redemptions , that bonus could potentially be worth even more than.
The information for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select Carte du jour has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the carte du jour issuer.
Related : What credit score do you demand to get the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard?
Research methodology for the all-time travel credit cards
I reviewed numerous travel credit carte offers and spent countless hours studying the pros and cons of each offer. I assigned value to these credit cards based on the post-obit criteria:
- Sign-upwardly bonus/welcome offering value — The first thing I look at for each carte is the value of each sign-upwards bonus. Although you shouldn't choose a credit carte du jour based solely on that metric, y'all can utilise bonus values as a tiebreaker of sorts between similar cards or as a way to prioritize which carte du jour to get get-go.
- Earning rate — Bonus value is important, simply so is the long-term value each card offers. I looked at the rewards rates to see which cards would reward cardholders for the long term.
- Travel credits — The all-time travel credit cards often offering an assortment of travel credits for cardholders. Some cards, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve, offer broadly defined travel credits. Others, such as the Amex Platinum, provide shopping and airline fee credits. Several offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit.
- Travel benefits — In addition to travel credits, top travel credit cards ofttimes come with benefits like complimentary elite condition or lounge admission. I took these into consideration also.
- Rewards program — Not all credit card rewards programs are created equal. Each programme has its own valuation, which you can written report here. The value of each currency is vitally of import when rating travel credit cards and their promotional offers.
- Strange transaction fees — This is a huge cistron when choosing a credit carte du jour. If yous programme to use your travel credit card abroad or on websites hosted away, you lot want to ensure you don't have a foreign transaction fee biting into your earnings.
- Travel insurance coverage — Last, I look at what travel protections each card offers. These benefits are often disregarded but tin save travelers hundreds or even thousands of dollars when things go amiss during trips.
How practice I use a travel credit card?
Travel credit cards offer rewards on different purchases that can help yous book flights, hotels and more for fiddling to no out-of-pocket expenses. Some cards also provide valuable perks and benefits that upgrade the overall travel experience — from Global Entry awarding fee credits to lounge access to free elite condition . If you accept the correct card (or cards) in your wallet, the sky is the limit on where your travels can take you lot — literally.
Are y'all new to the travel rewards carte game? Bank check out our beginner'due south guide to all things points and miles . You'll larn about top loyalty programs, how to maximize your credit card strategy to reach your travel goals and so much more.
Related: The complete history of credit cards, from antiquity to today
Dissimilar types of travel credit cards
The reason to hold whatsoever travel rewards credit card is to earn rewards, only at that place are unlike types of travel credits:
Transferable-rewards credit cards
Transfer your American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book a seat in Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350 business form. (Photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy)
These cards earn rewards that tin be redeemed through a card's rewards programme straight or by transferring them to a travel partner . Many of our best travel credit cards autumn under this category because they are the most valuable type of points you can earn. Transferable rewards give you lot the flexibility to redeem your rewards in a way that volition be virtually benign to you. Examples of meridian transferable rewards cards are the Hunt Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum.
Some pop transfer rewards programs
- Guide to Amex Membership Rewards
- Guide to Capital Ane miles
- Guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Guide to Citi ThankYou Rewards
Related: A guide to earning transferable points and why they're then valuable
Airline credit cards
Airline cobranded cards earn a specific type of airline miles. These cards likewise generally come with perks specific to that airline. For example, an airline card may offer gratuitous checked bags , a certain number of elite-qualifying miles to help y'all accomplish status, priority boarding privileges, inflight discounts and more.
Related: All-time airline credit cards
Hotel credit cards
Hotel cobranded cards work like airline cards. You'll earn rewards that are redeemable for a particular hotel plan, such every bit Hilton or Marriott. Hotel cards come with their own benefits, such as complimentary elite status or free award-night stays. One of my favorite things nearly hotel cards is that you can stack your earnings on hotel stays with the hotel's program.
(Photo courtesy of the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay)
For instance, if y'all accept the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card , you'll earn 6 points per dollar spent at participating Marriott properties on top of the ten base points you get as a fellow member of the Bonvoy program and up to 1 point from Marriott with guaranteed Silverish Aristocracy Status. That means you're actually earning 17 points per dollar spent on Marriott stays when yous employ your hotel card to pay for your booking.
Related: Best hotel credit cards
Stock-still-value credit cards
Fixed-value cards earn points or miles that are always redeemed for the aforementioned value. For example, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card earns points worth 1 cent each. These cards are nifty for beginners who haven't quite gotten the hang of maximizing transferable points or coincidental travelers who don't want to worry virtually transfer partners or dynamic pricing.
As more hotels and airlines move to a dynamic pricing model where honor pricing shifts dramatically, fixed-value rewards programs are becoming more popular.
Related: Comparing the all-time fixed-value point credit cards
Pros and cons of travel credit cards
The American Limited Centurion Lounge at JFK Airdrome. (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)
Travel credit cards are a great way to earn rewards that let yous to travel the globe for less money — or practically for free — simply past using a credit carte du jour to purchase the aforementioned items you'd otherwise purchase with greenbacks or a debit card. With sure travel credit cards, y'all tin too get perks to utilise while traveling — everything from aerodrome lounge access and hotel elite status to gratis airline companion certificates and discounts or credits on your travel purchases. Those who are well-versed in award charts and redemption options for travel rewards cards can often get more value from points than from cash dorsum.
However, there are a few drawbacks to travel rewards cards. Because travel credit cards are focused on earning and redeeming for travel expenses, your redemption options are slightly express when it comes to maximizing value. For example, you can redeem your Amex Membership Rewards points as a statement credit — through Amazon, for gift cards and more — just y'all're generally only getting the best value when you transfer your points to partners.
But when information technology comes to transfer partners, the value yous're getting can also modify drastically depending on the partner and redemption you lot book. More airlines and hotels are switching to dynamic pricing models, which means the value y'all go from your points and miles tin vary drastically.
Still, the advantages of travel rewards cards almost always outweigh the drawbacks for frequent travelers. Y'all can't beat the potential redemptions, travel benefits and sign-upwardly bonuses that height travel credit cards offer. Plus, many of these cards provide temporary perks that extend their value beyond just travel, at to the lowest degree in the curt-term.
How to compare travel credit cards
With so many travel credit cards on the marketplace, it's essential to ask yourself which credit carte benefits best come across your travel goals. Are you hoping to apply your sign-upwards bonus for a specific redemption? Are you looking for a card that gives y'all luxury travel perks? Are you hoping to hit aristocracy status with a specific hotel make or airline? Are you a casual traveler or a frequent flyer? Which spending categories will be most beneficial to you lot?
(Photo by Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)
For example, if you lot want a carte du jour to assist you hit elite condition with Delta while giving y'all elite-like perks, you should strongly consider getting a Delta credit card, such as the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card . Multiple Amex Delta cobranded cards give you perks such as earning Medallion Qualification Miles when yous hit sure spending thresholds and offer free checked bags and priority boarding.
Related: Delta now makes it even easier to earn elite status — only is it worth it?
On the other hand, if yous just fly occasionally and aren't exclusively loyal to ane airline, you might be better off with a flexible travel credit bill of fare, like the Hunt Sapphire Preferred . While it doesn't offer perks on any one airline, it earns points that tin can be transferred to various airlines (and hotels). And if yous're typically a road warrior who flies every week, you'll want to think virtually a premium travel card that offers lots of travel perks, such every bit the Amex Platinum , with airport lounge access and hotel elite status. Other aspects to consider are below.
Rewards rates
You should consider each card'due south advantage rates — how many points or miles you receive per dollar spent. Full general travel cards offer flat-charge per unit rewards while cobranded cards will likely offer a base charge per unit then a higher percentage in certain categories like hotels and airline tickets. Remember to expect at the categories to which those reward rates apply and find a card that matches your spending patterns.
Almanac fee
Almost travel credit cards take an annual fee — the higher the fee, the better the perks and some premium cards can charge upward of $695. Consider the value of the rewards and perks you'll become to make sure they'll brand up for the fee. If you merely travel a few times a twelvemonth, a loftier-cease card like the Amex Platinum probably isn't worth it.
Aristocracy status
Some travel cards offering automatic aristocracy condition with various brands when yous sign up and tin can as well advance the journey to elite airline condition by converting points to air miles. If you are loyal to a particular hotel brand, status with that brand will be valuable. You'll be entitled to room upgrades, resort credits, early check-in, late checkout and more. If you're non loyal, it won't. The same goes for aristocracy status with an airline — you'll get lounge admission, upgrades, increased baggage assart, etc. When comparison the perks of various cards like elite status, be realistic well-nigh which ones you will and won't use.
Foreign transaction fees
Since one of the points of a travel credit card is that it is advantageous for people who travel a lot, a decent one should not charge a foreign transaction fee. If it does, obviously the lower the amend. Sure issuers like Detect and Capital One don't charge strange transaction fees on any of their cards. Others charge them on some cards but not all.
Things to consider before applying:
- 7 things to sympathise almost credit before applying for cards .
- half dozen things to do to improve your credit score .
- Debunking credit card myths: Does applying for a bill of fare permanently affect my credit score?
As always, head to TPG's cards hub to meet the best credit cards currently available.
Oftentimes asked questions nearly travel credit cards
How much is a point or mile worth on a travel credit card?
Every point or mile from an airline, hotel or banking concern is worth a unlike amount, and so you tin't presume that a l,000-betoken bonus on one card is equivalent to a 50,000-point bonus on another. That's why The Points Guy maintains a guide to point and mile valuations , which explains how much each type of point and mile is worth. You lot can use those valuations to decide how much a sign-up bonus or bonus category is worth.
For case, Amex Membership Rewards are worth two cents each based on TPG's valuations, which means the 100,000-point bonus on the Amex Platinum is worth $2,000. That's considering 100,000 10 .02 = $two,000. And since that bill of fare earns v points per dollar on airfare, you can also decide that each dollar y'all spend on airfare will become you lot 10 cents back in points considering 5 points x two cents = 10 cents.
Is an almanac fee worth information technology?
Many of the top travel rewards credit cards come with hefty almanac fees. Simply cardholders who maximize the perks and rewards structures on these cards will nigh always come out net-positive by the cease of the year.
For example, although the Amex Platinum comes with a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees ), you're getting up to $500 in annual credits, unrivaled lounge access, a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credit, elite status with Hilton and Marriott and more in return. If you're using your credits every year and regularly visiting lounges, that annual fee is already paying for itself fifty-fifty earlier factoring in any rewards you earn with the card.
Related: Best premium credit cards
Should I go a cash-back or travel credit card?
Ideally, yous should have both types of cards in your wallet. Travel credit cards are great when you want to redeem points and miles for travel purchases, but you aren't getting a neat redemption value when you redeem for almost annihilation else. On the other hand, cash-back cards can be used to offset the cost of expenses your points and miles won't comprehend.
Related: The best cash-dorsum credit cards for 2022
Let's say you lot are taking a trip to London in the fall. With the points earned through your Amex Platinum , you transfer points to partners for your award flights and hotel stays. However, those aren't the only expenses that go into a trip. Points and miles won't cover expenses like ground transportation, eating out or tourist attractions while you're there. Simply yous can utilize greenbacks-back rewards to first those costs.
For example, if you apply a card similar the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card for your dining and amusement spending, you tin apply the cash back y'all've saved up previously equally a statement credit to cover those purchases even while earning iv% dorsum.
The information for the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Bill of fare has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this folio accept not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you wonder which type of bill of fare would be best as your showtime travel credit card , consider what type of rewards you will find more than valuable. Cardholders who just programme to travel every once in a while may go more than value out of a cash-back card that they can apply to offset the price of other expenses. Even so, if you hope to use the rewards from your card to book award flights and hotels, a travel credit card is the style to become.
Are there different considerations for choosing a card for international travel?
Not all travel credit cards are best for spending outside of the U.S. Some tack on fees for purchases that are not made within the U.S. or on a U.Southward. site. Others may non be widely accepted overseas. Plus, some cards offering more benefits that help you on your international adventures.
Here are a few of the things to look out for when choosing a carte for international travel:
- Strange transaction fees — Some cards charge a fee (typically three% to 5% of each transaction) when you lot use your bill of fare outside of the U.S. (including sites that are considered international and not U.S.-based). That fee volition wipe out whatever rewards you lot may earn, so make sure to have a carte that charges no strange transaction fees .
- TSA PreCheck/Global Entry — TSA PreCheck and Global Entry can make security lines become faster and reentry into the U.South. smoother. Luckily, plenty of meridian travel credit cards come with a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credit typically worth $100 every four years.
- Insurance benefits — Now more than ever, travel insurance is an important consideration when opening a new credit card. No i wants to think about the worst-example scenario happening on vacation, simply it's better to be prepared with a card that offers some course of travel protection.
- Earning abroad — Some cards limit your bonus categories to U.South. merchants. If yous plan to utilise a credit card abroad, brand sure it volition earn rewards on purchases no affair where you are.
What credit score is needed for a travel credit card?
The best travel credit cards typically crave a good to excellent credit score. If you take no credit history, rather than a negative one, you lot may have to spend some fourth dimension building your credit score with "beginner" cards earlier applying for a travel credit card. If your credit scores are in the 670 to 739 range, your credit is considered good, while scores above that will put y'all in the very good to excellent range.
Other factors are also considered when card issuers review your application, including income and monthly expenditure. Individual cards may also give a ballpark credit score y'all will need and you tin can as well utilise our CardMatch tool which will recommend the best cards for you.
Bottom line
Travel credit cards are smashing at helping yous come across your holiday goals. They can salvage you thousands of dollars on airfare and hotel costs. Whether you're a beginner who wants a card to offset the cost of your beginning big international trip or a road warrior looking to upgrade your travel experiences, there is a travel credit card out at that place for you.
Information technology all comes down to choosing a carte that will help y'all maximize your spending. Adding ane of these cards to your wallet now could assist you save up rewards for a fantastic redemption in the future.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, please click hither .
For rates and fees of the Amex Business organisation Platinum Card delight click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire Carte, please click here .
For rates and fees of the Delta Platinum Amex, please click here .
For rates and fees of the Amex Aureate Card, please click here .
Additional reporting by Hayley Coyle.
Featured photo by AnnaTamila/Shutterstock.
Updated half dozen/28/22
How To Use Credit Card Points For Airline Tickets,
Source: https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/travel/
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