6 of the Top Credit Cards for Travel Rewards
Travelers across the United States are saving hundreds when booking their vacations using the top credit cards for travel rewards. These credit cards not only give cardholders discounts on transportation and lodging, they come with countless other benefits designed to make any travel plans more affordable.
Want to learn how you can save too? Keep reading to learn why travel credit cards are popular, and how reward card options can help you reach your next vacation destination.
The Best Travel Reward Cards of 2025
There are countless travel reward cards available these days. Start with this list of some of the top credit cards for travel rewards before packing your bags.
1. Best Overall: Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has been a travel reward favorite for multiple years. With a low annual fee of $95 and plenty of cash back options, this card is a keeper for luxurious trips as well as everyday purchases.
Cardholders earn 5x the points when booking their vacations through Chase Travel. They also get 3x the points on groceries, dining and streaming, as well as 2x the points on travel booked elsewhere. You can apply for this credit card here and take advantage of their 100,000-point introductory offer.
2. Best for Flights: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature
Alaska Airlines has a fantastic travel reward card for those of you who frequent this airline. Cardholders get $100 off Alaska Airlines’s lounge access, a complimentary companion fare annually and 20% of their inflight purchases back.
While the annual fee is $95, this card earns anywhere from 2-3 miles per dollar spent in specific categories. Plus, you’ll get priority boarding and an even greater reward bonus if you have an account through Bank of America. Apply for this card here and earn 60,000 bonus miles after completing its eligible purchases.
3. Gas Money Saver: Wells Fargo Autograph
With no annual fee and 3% cash back on all things travel and dining, the Wells Fargo Autograph Card is a well-rounded addition to your wallet. Gas purchases and public transit tickets count toward your 3% cash back, with all other purchases earning you 1% back.
With no foreign transaction fees and roadside assistance (as well as rental car protections), this credit card suits international excursions as well as your next U.S. road trip. Apply for it here and check out its low introductory APR as well as the 20,000 bonus points on offer.
4. International Choice: Citi Strata Premier
The Citi Strata Premier travel reward card shares a $95 annual fee with many other options on this list. However, it’s an ideal choice for U.S. cardholders hoping to travel abroad. There are multiple travel protection perks should you experience flight cancellations or lost luggage. Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees.
The Citi Strata Premier card offers 10x the points when booking through Citi, as well as 3x the points on any other travel purchases. It also has an annual $100 credit toward hotel stays over $500. Apply for it here and get 60,000 points once you’ve made your qualifying purchases.
5. Best for Dining: American Express Gold
While the American Express Gold card has the highest annual fee on this list ($325), it ends up paying for itself in many ways. This card has fantastic dining rewards, offering 4x the points worldwide, including groceries. It also has 3x the rewards on flights and 2x the rewards on hotels.
While you’ll need to book your travel through AmEx, the points add up quickly. This card also has multiple exclusive partnerships and offers for its cardmembers, such as Uber Cash, hotel credit and more. See if you qualify here; they’ve boosted their introductory reward offer to 100,000 points.
6. No Annual Fee: Capital One VentureOne Rewards
Capital One has multiple Venture cards, but the VentureOne offers cardholders plenty of perks with no annual fee. It has a fairly straightforward reward program, with 1.25 miles returned to you for every dollar spent, regardless of category. It also gives you 3 miles per dollar when booking travel through Capital One.
If you apply today, Capital One has a zero APR offer for the first 15 months as well as 20,000 miles back after spending $500. It’s the perfect way to start your next big trip!
Benefits of Travel Reward Cards
Consumers opt for travel reward credit cards for a number of reasons. Here are some of the most common perks and benefits to owning one, depending on the card’s specific terms:
- Discounts on travel. Travel reward cards offer a myriad of discounts and rewards surrounding all things travel-related.
- Redeem points for flights, hotels and more. Travel reward cards gear their cash back points toward flights, hotels, rental cars and dining.
- Low to no annual fees. While some travel credit cards have annual fees, many do not. Even cards with annual fees offer complimentary flight tickets or other discounts.
- Access to exclusive deals. Whether it be seasonal discounts, airport lounge exclusivity or free in-flight concessions, many travel reward cards offer deals available only to cardholders.
- Purchase protection while traveling. Regardless of your destination, travel credit cards have purchase protection specifically geared around traveling.
- Introductory offers make traveling easier. If you time it right, many travel reward cards have introductory APR or reward points offers.