Terms and conditions apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress. com for more information.
The most productive credit cards offer much more than valuable rewards. They can help you save on foreign transaction fees, insurance, and other expenses. Premium cards go a step further with luxury perks like lounge access, flexible elite status, and Expedited Airport Screening Credits.
To help you find the best solution, CNBC Select analyzed the best rewards card for various desires and rounded up the cards of choice to determine if your credit needs some work. (See our methodology for more data on how we decide which credit cards are the most productive. )
On the American Express secure site
On the secure American Express site
The Amex Gold card awards more than $400 in credits each year.
Good to Excellent670–850
See amortization APR over time
$325
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points
See rates and fees, apply. Read our review of the American Express® Gold Card.
The American Express Gold Card is great for earning valuable Membership Rewards® points on dining out and at U.S. supermarkets.
The highlights shown here are provided by the broadcaster and have been reviewed by the CNBC Select editorial team.
None
Who’s this for? The American Express® Gold Card is a smart choice for consumers who love traveling and dining out due to its generous rewards rates.
Standout benefits: You can get over $400 in value annually thanks to the card’s various dining and rideshare credits. The points you earn can be transferred to about two dozen airline and hotel partners.
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An American Express® Rewards Checking account has a 1.00% APY and no monthly maintenance fees. Plus, you’ll earn Membership Rewards points on eligible debit card purchases (one point for every $2 in eligible spending).
$0
$0
$0
1.00% as of 06/24/2024
More than 37,000 MoneyPass® ATMs
None
N/A
Yes
Conditions apply.
Click to see terms and conditions.
On Chase’s secure site
On Chase’s secure site
Points are worth 25% more when you redeem them for bookings through Chase TravelSM.
Good to Excellent670–850
20. 49% – 27. 49% variable in purchases and transfers
$95
Earn 60,000 bonus points
Conditions apply.
Read our information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.
The highlights presented here are provided through the issuer and have been reviewed by the CNBC Select editorial team.
Either $5 or 5% of the transfer amount, whichever is greater.
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.
Great benefits: This car offers many useful benefits, such as annual Chase Travel Hotel credits of up to $50, number one rental car insurance, cancellation and interruption insurance, and baggage and theft insurance. Array cardholders can also get a 10% issuance bonus on each car anniversary.
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When you open a Chase Total Checking® account, you can earn a $300 bonus after you make at least $500 in direct deposits within 90 days of account opening. You can also waive monthly maintenance fees with qualifying activities.
N/A
$0
$12 or $0 with any of the following, for each one-month period: Electronic deposits made into this account totaling $500 or more, such as invoices from payroll providers or government benefits providers, using (i) the ACH network, (ii) the genuine network. Installment Payment or the FedNowSM network, (iii) third-party facilities that provide bills to your debit card using the Visa® or Mastercard® network, OR a balance at the beginning of each day of $1,500 or more in that account, OR a average starting balance of $5,000 or more in any combination of this account and similar checking, savings, and other eligible Chase balances.
With more than 4,700 branches, Chase has the largest branch network in the United States and more than 15,000 ATMs.
None
$34
Yes
Terms apply.
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N. A. Member of the FDIC
Good to Excellent670–850
19.99% – 29.24% variable
$95
Earn 75,000 bonus miles
Terms apply. Read our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a reasonable annual fee and earns flexible travel rewards, which makes it a great travel card for beginners or heavy travelers.
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
None
Who is it for? The Capital One Venture Rewards credit card is especially useful if you need a simple way to earn rewards without having to juggle bonus categories.
Standout benefits: Travelers overseas can take advantage of no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders also get a credit of up to $120 to cover Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership.
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On the secure Discover site
On the secure Discover site
This exclusive welcome bonus matches the miles you earn during your first year, with no minimum spending requirements or income source limits.
Good to Excellent670–850
18. 24% – 27. 24% Variables
$0
Discover will be adjusted to all Miles earned at the end of your first year.
*See rates and fees, terms apply.
Read our Discover it® Miles review.
Discover it® Miles are a rewarding credit card for purchases, especially considering there is no annual fee.
The highlights shown here are provided by the broadcaster and have been reviewed by the CNBC Select editorial team.
3% introductory balance transfer payment and up to 5% payment on long-term balance transfers (see terms)*
Who is it for? Discover it® miles are ideal if you’re looking for a generous rewards program and welcome bonus without paying an annual fee.
Standout benefits: Discover has 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. Plus, the card has no foreign transaction fees.
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If you want to do all your banking in one place, the Discover® Cashback Debit Checking account offers a debit card that earns 1.00% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month. You can also earn a generous return on your cash with a Discover® Online Savings Account.
$0
$0
None
1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases per month. Visit the online page for more main points by clicking “More Information”.
More than 60,000 Allpoint® and MoneyPass® ATMs
None
$0
Yes
Terms apply.
3.75% APY
None
None
Up to 6 free withdrawals or transfers consistent with the cycle
None
None
Yeah
Yes, if have a Discover® checking account
Terms apply.
Read our Discover® Online Savings Account review.
10X points on eligible hotel and car rentals booked using the Credit One Bank travel partner; 5X points on eligible travel including flights, dining, and gas purchases; 1X points on all other purchases
No offers
$95
N/A
29. 24%* Variables
N/A
None
Just to prove
See rates and fees. Terms apply.
Who’s this for? The Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® Card is ideal if you have fair or average credit and want to earn generous rewards on your travel, dining and gas purchases.
Big Benefits: You’ll earn 10x emissions when you book eligible hotels and rental cars through the Credit One Bank site (5x when you e-book and 5x when you e-book). This card also earns 5x emissions on flights, restaurants, and fuel purchases, rewarding you for a wide variety of spending. Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees.
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You can load up to 4 legal users into your account free of charge and they can get their own lounge club at Priority Pass airport (registration required).
Excellent740–850
19. 99% – 29. 24% variable APR
$395
Earn 75,000 bonus miles
Conditions apply. Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium credit card with a myriad of benefits and a lower annual fee than other high-end cards with similar features.
The highlights presented here are provided by the broadcaster and have been reviewed by the CNBC Select editorial team.
$0 Transfer APR, 4% of the transferred balance amount on record in your account with a promotional APR that Capital One may be offering you.
Who’s this for? The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice if you want a premium credit card at a lower price than other high-end cards with similar benefits. Plus, up to four authorized users can be added for free.
Big perks: This card is packed with perks, as it adds $300 Capital One Travel credits on purchases made through Capital One Travel and a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary (worth at least $100 for the trip). Cardholders also get up to $120 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credits, free mobile phone insurance, access to Capital One airport lounges and spouse lounges, and more. Terms, situations, and exclusions apply. See your Guide to Benefits for more details.
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Use the card five times a day to earn emissions: Earn 1x emissions on rental bills with no transaction fees, up to 100,000 emissions each calendar year, 3x emissions on dining, 2x emissions on travel, and 1x emissions on other purchases.
None
None
N/A
See Terms
Up to 5% on each and every balance transfer, with a minimum of $5.
None
Excellent/Good
View rates/fees and rewards/benefits; Terms and apply.
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 transaction fees.
Standout benefits: Bilt makes it easy for even beginners to get maximum value from their points by integrating award search engines point.me and Awayz into its app. The BiltProtect feature also protects you from using up your entire credit limit or risk going into debt by charging your rent every month.
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On the secure American Express site
On the secure American Express site
The Amex Platinum Card provides supplies for Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Lufthansa Lounges, Escape Lounges, and more. (Registration required)
Good to Excellent670–850
View amortization APR over time
$695
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® issues after you spend $8,000 on purchases with your new card during the first six months of card membership.
See rates and fees, apply. Read our review of the Amex Platinum card.
The American Express Platinum Card® is a premium card with annual credits, entertainment benefits, expanded access to the airport lounge, elite prestige benefits, and more. (Registration is required for some of the benefits mentioned)
The highlights shown here are provided by the broadcaster and have been reviewed by the CNBC Select editorial team.
N/A
None
Who is it for? The Platinum Card® from American Express is for people who need to make their trips more comfortable. It gives you access to more airport lounges than any other card on the market and is packed with other lifestyle benefits that justify its maximum annual payment (see rates and payments).
Great benefits: Cardholders have enough opportunities to collect more than $1,500 in account credits each year and enjoy ongoing benefits like automatic hotel elite prestige with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy (registration required) and miscellaneous and purchase protections of food. Even if you only get part of the benefits of this card, it is worth paying the annual fee (see rates and payments).
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On the safe Chase site
On the safe Chase site
Points are worth 50% more when you redeem them for bookings through Chase Travel℠.
Excellent740–850
21.49% – 28.49% variable
$550
Earn 60,000 bonus points
Conditions apply.
Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® review.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee.
The highlights shown here are provided through the issuer and have been reviewed by the CNBC Select editorial team.
Either $5 or 5% of the balance transfer amount, whichever is greater.
Who is it for? Chase Sapphire Reserve is incredibly popular among everyday travelers for its luxury benefits, comprehensive travel protections, and physically powerful rewards program. Although this card comes with a very high annual payment of $550, the assistance of numerous credits offsets the costs.
Great benefits: This card provides $300 annual travel credits, covering everything from airfare and hotels to parking and tolls. Cardholders can also earn credits of up to $120 (every 4 years) toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® assistance, or the NEXUS app. rates, as well as enrolling in Priority Pass™ Select to access airport lounges. Other benefits include generous travel and grocery shopping.
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Get unlimited 5X emissions in hotels, 4X emissions in airlines; 3 times more problems in others and restaurants, and 1 times more problems in other purchases
Earn 60,000 bonus issues when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, or $600 towards your next trip.
$95
N/A
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR
3% intro per days from account opening, then up to 5%, minimum $5
None
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees. Terms apply
Who is it for? The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ card includes almost everything you could ever need on a card: a wonderful welcome offer, a moderate annual fee, helpful bonus spending categories, and meaningful benefits.
Great benefits: The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card will help you earn temporary rewards for your spending. You can transfer Wells Fargo issues to partner airlines and hotels, adding Choice Privileges, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Executive Club, and Air France/KLM Flying Blue. .
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Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases
Earn 20,000 bonus issues when you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, equivalent to a $200 cash redemption.
$0 annual fee
0% introductory APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases
19. 24%, 24. 24% or 29. 24% variable APR
Up to 5%, min. : $5
None
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees, apply.
Who is it addressed to? The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is ideal for hikers, earning top rewards at gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations, among other travel-related spending categories.
Standout benefits: The Wells Fargo Autograph offers a promotional intro APR, no foreign transaction fees, cell phone coverage, roadside assistance, travel and emergency assistance and rental car damage and theft coverage (secondary).
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A travel credit card can have out-of-this-world perks and benefits, but it won’t do much good if you can’t qualify. These cards might not provide frequent travelers the most rewards but can be a good fit if you’re looking to raise your credit score or know you’ll carry a balance from month to month.
On the secure Discover site
On Discover’s secure site
The Discover it® secured credit card requires a low minimum deposit of $200.
Limited to FairNone – 670
27. 24% variables
$0
Discover will match all the money you earned
*See rates and fees, terms apply.
Read our Discover it® secured credit card review.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is one of the features to earn rewards while building your credit.
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
3% introductory balance transfer payment and up to 5% payment on long-term balance transfers (see terms)*
The Discover it secured credit card is ideal for anyone who has no credit or poor credit because you don’t want a credit score applied. Instead, you’ll have to make a refundable deposit starting at $200 to open the card. Any amount you deposit becomes your credit limit.
Seven months from account opening, Discover will automatically review your credit card account to see if they can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
The card has no annual payment and has a generous rewards design for a secured credit card: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, Discover will adjust to the cash back you earn during the first year, with no minimum spending requirements or adjustment limits. The cashback does not expire, and you can redeem your rewards at any time for credits, gift cards, products, and more.
There are also no foreign transaction fees, so you may not be penalized if you use it abroad.
More information: Discover the secured credit card
Get double emissions on groceries, gasoline, electronics, medical products, household goods and telecommunications, and double emissions on all purchases.
Earn 20,000 issues when you spend $3,000 in the first 60 days of account opening
$0
None
13. 50% – 18. 00% variables
None
None
N/A
Conditions apply.
The total rewards come with the issues earned with the welcome bonus.
While we suggest paying off your credit card debt, if you’re in debt, the Choice Rewards World Mastercard offers one of the lowest interest rates you’ll find on a credit card.
It also has no foreign transaction fees, a huge plus when traveling abroad. As a World Mastercard, it comes with purchase protection, Mastercard ID Theft Protection and 24-hour worldwide assistance for lost or stolen cards. It has an array of travel protections as well, including insurance for trip cancellations, travel accidents, baggage delays, lost luggage and rental cars (secondary).
Membership to First Tech Federal Credit Union is required to apply, 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.
The card gets twice as many dollar-consistent emissions on purchases such as groceries, gas, electronics, family items, and telecommunications. Rewards can be redeemed at a consistent rate for cashback, travel, merchandise, gift cards, and additional services.
Learn more: First Tech Credit Union Choice Rewards World Mastercard®
1. 5 unlimited emissions per dollar spent on all purchases
25,000 online bonus issues after you spend at least $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening, redeemable for $250 credits toward eligible travel and dining purchases.
$0
0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days after opening your account
18. 24% – 28. 24% variable
3% of each transaction intro balance transfer fee for the first 60 days from account opening, then 4%
None
Good/Excellent
Terms apply.
Total rewards come with the emissions earned with the welcome bonus.
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students is a great choice for students who plan on studying abroad or traveling during breaks. The rewards program is geared toward travel, and cardholders earn 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases.
In addition to having no annual fee, the Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students card charges no foreign transaction fees, which is helpful for academics who read or travel abroad. This card also comes with a special financing offer that is longer than average. . A full year without interest is a great way to pay off your new purchases in time, without incurring interest rates, we suggest you pay off your balance on time and in full each month.
Rewards can be redeemed as credits toward travel and meal expenses, an easy way to reduce the cost of spring break or buying a plane ticket home. You can redeem rewards at any time and for any amount.
You must be 18 years of age or older and enrolled in school (college, vocational, or industrial) to be eligible for this card.
Learn more: Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students
*For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
*Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
**For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
Find the best credit card for you through our credit card marketplace offers or get personalized offers through CardMatch™.
Rewards:
Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® issues after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card during the first 6 months of card membership.
Annual club dues: $325 (see fees and rates)
Notable benefits:
The American Express Gold Card provides over $400 in annual statement credits. To start, you’ll get up to $120 in annual dining credit (up to $10 in statement credits per month at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys; enrollment is required) and up to $120 in Uber Cash (up to $10 statement credits monthly) to put toward rides in the U.S. and dining via Uber Eats (you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. The Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States). Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
Best of all, you can earn up to $100 in Resy credits each calendar year (up to $50 semi-annual cash back; registration required) and up to $84 in Dunkin’ credits each year (up to $7 per month). credits after registering and paying with the American Express® Gold Card at Dunkin’ locations in the United States).
Qualifying purchases are eligible for the following insurance coverages*:
*Eligibility and obtaining advantages range of points through card. Terms, situations, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress. com/get Advantagesguide for more details.
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Rewards:
Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus issues after $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. This is $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.
Annual Fee: $95
Notable benefits:
The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers travelers many important protections, including primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and baggage and trip delay insurance. Travelers can also rack up rewards faster thanks to a 10% points boost on each card anniversary. That means if you spend $50,000 on purchases, you’ll get a 5,000-point bonus (worth $75 in travel booked through Chase).
Cardholders can take advantage of a variety of credits for express purchases. The card grants up to $50 in annual Chase Travel Hotel credit. You’ll also get a free DashPass club and reduced service fees for at least one year if you activate it before December 31, 2027.
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Rewards:
Welcome Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles by spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee: $95
Notable benefits:
Capital One Venture Rewards cardholders earn credits of up to $120 toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership. Other benefits include access to extended warranty protection*, support services*, acquisition insurance*, MasterRental insurance*, Master RoadAssist®* and cancellation/interruption coverage. journey*.
*Benefit available to accounts approved for the World Elite Mastercard product, subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions in the World Elite Mastercard Guide to Benefits. See Account Terms or Application Terms for more details. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.
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Rewards:
Welcome Bonus: Discover will adjust the miles you earn during the first year, with no minimum spend or limits on how much you can earn with the adjustment.
Annual fee: $0
Notable perks:
The appeal of the Discover it® Miles is its simplicity of not having to worry about paying an annual fee or paying foreign transaction fees. The card also has a valuable promotional intro APR offer.
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Rewards:
Welcome Bonus: None
Annual fee: $95
Notable benefits:
The Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® Card is special because it will allow you to earn rewards while building your credit score and does not require a security deposit. There are no foreign transaction fees when you use this card abroad. Eligible purchases are also covered through this card’s built-in anti-swipe insurance.
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Rewards:
Welcome Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after opening the account.
Annual Fee: $395
Notable perks:
In addition to $300 in annual Capital One travel credits and 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, Capital One Venture cardholders get up to $100 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credits, free cell phone insurance, and unlimited access to Capital One lounges, as well as the extensive network of Priority Pass and Plaza Premium airport lounges around the world. You can load up to 4 legal users for free and all additional cardholders also get access to the airport lounge.
Terms and exclusions apply. See your Guide to Benefits for more details.
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Rewards:
Use the card five times a day to obtain issues at the following rates:
Welcome bonus: None
Annual fee: $0 (see and rates)
Notable perks:
With the BiltProtect feature, Bilt Mastercard cardholders avoid using up their entire credit limit or risk going into debt by charging their rental card each month. Other benefits include access to the Mastercard Luxury Hotels portfolio
For a card with no annual fee, Bilt Mastercard offers an unexpected amount of in-app food purchases and insurance benefits, including:
* Please review the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card Guide to Benefits for details.
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Rewards:
Welcome Bonus: Earn 80,000 issues after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases during the first six months of card membership.
Annual fee: $695 (see and rates)
Notable benefits:
The American Express Platinum Card has a maximum annual fee, but it also offers many benefits, including:
* Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
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Rewards:
*After the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus issues after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Annual fee: $550
Notable perks:
Chase Sapphire Reserve® card members get up to $300 in annual credits, which covers more than part of the card’s annual payment. Additional benefits include up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS payment credit (every 4 years), elite-style benefits when booking hotels through The Luxury Hotel
Cardholders also have a wide variety of limited-time benefits and credits, including:
Some of the simplest benefits are the top-notch travel and acquisition protections of this car, such as acquisition protection, extended warranty protection, return protection, number one rental car collision coverage, vacation retention protection, vacation interruption/cancellation insurance, luggage storage. Extra protection, travel insurance against destination turns, emergency medical and dental insurance, and more. Cardholders traveling abroad also don’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees.
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Rewards:
Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 issues after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Annual fee: $95
Notable benefits:
Each year, Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card members earn $50 credits with a minimum $50 airline purchase. This credit covers more than a portion of this card’s annual payment and applies to purchases like airline tickets, baggage payments, and more.
You can also save money and increase your peace of mind by taking advantage of this card’s many insurance benefits. Cardholders receive these coverages:
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Rewards:
Welcome bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months.
Annual Fee: $0
Notable benefits:
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card provides access to the Visa Signature® concierge and the Visa Signature® collection of luxury hotels for elite-style benefits on hotel reservations, including room upgrades upon arrival (if available), $25 credit for food and drinks in the hotel. goods and loose breakfast. The card has no foreign transaction fees and offers a few other benefits that may be convenient when you travel, including:
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There is a wide variety of credit cards, from general to more specific to airlines and hotels, and all possible options can make choosing one difficult. Here are some tips for choosing the credit card that best suits your needs.
Determine if you’re willing to pay an annual payment. Some cards have a hefty annual payment of more than $500, which can be great, but not for everyone. Do the math to see if an annual payment card is right 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 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 usually dine out 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 aspect by aspect to see if a card offers higher rates. The Chase Sapphire Reserve, for example, provides free lounge access, while the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card gives cardholders a payment credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Before you sign up for a travel credit card, consider how to use it and how to most productively maximize your rewards program, especially if you pay a high annual fee. It’s also vital to make sure you can pay off your balance on time and in full each month, as many of those cards have high interest rates.
Travel credit cards help you turn your credit card purchases into rewards you can redeem for Array. How you can use rewards and how many rewards you earn varies by card.
The type of rewards you earn, the fee for maintaining the card, and the benefits of the card depend on the type of card. There are 3 main types of credit cards: airline cards, hotel cards, and Bendy rewards cards.
Co-branded hotel airline credit cards earn frequent flyer miles with that specific airline loyalty program. For example, if you have a Delta card, you’ll earn Delta SkyMiles and if you have a Southwest card, you’ll earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points. These miles and points can be redeemed for flights with that airline and its partners. There may be other redemption options, such as rental cars or hotels, but you’ll normally get the most value when you use your miles for flights.
Airline cards can save you money in other ways. Depending on the card, you can enjoy benefits like loose checked baggage, priority boarding and check-in. Many airline cards also allow you to earn elite prestige, and you can even earn elite prestige. prestige without flying. Most mid-tier airline cards have an annual payment of $150 or less. However, there are premium airline cards that charge much more and offer luxury benefits, such as access to airport lounges.
A hotel credit card is a smart choice for earning free nights and elite prestige with your favorite hotel chain. These cards earn hotel issues with that hotel chain, and you can use those issues to electronically reserve rooms at any hotel under that loyalty program.
Hotel cards sometimes come with automatic elite prestige and can earn you additional elite night credits toward your spending or give you other spending opportunities to upgrade to higher-tier prestige. Luxury hotel cards may even offer credits and free nights each year you stay with the card.
If you want to keep your travel functions open and incredibly unwavering for an airline or hotel, then a travel credit card that allows for flexible rewards makes sense. These cards range from travel cards with no annual payment to premium credit cards with top-tier benefits.
What makes this type of travel card so special is the redemption features it has. You can periodically redeem the emissions or miles you earn for one cent per point for things like credits, gift cards, or travel. However, depending on the rewards program, those aren’t always the best ways to use purchases, and some redemptions are less valuable, such as using Amazon purchases.
Overall, the most productive way to make the most of your flexible rewards is to move them into spousal loyalty programs. Each Bendy rewards program has other spouses and, using the most productive offers presented through its card, can multiply the price of its issues by booking premium cabin award flights to overseas destinations.
Travel credit card rewards systems are based on one undeniable principle: make purchases with your card and earn rewards you can use for travel. How you can use those rewards and how many miles or points you earn with the card and rewards program.
Most credit card rewards systems offer a variety of rewards cards to meet other needs. You may even have more than one credit card that’s part of the same rewards program. These cards are sometimes divided into 4 main categories: commercial credit cards, no annual fee cards, mid-tier credit cards, and premium credit cards.
Business travel credit cards are available to anyone with an eligible business, such as a secondary entrepreneur, independent contractor, or full-time business. These cards will offer superior returns where business owners are more likely to spend more. adding stores, advertising, and workplace shipping. They may also offer benefits such as discounts or credits for business services. You’ll also be able to streamline your bookkeeping, and you’ll occasionally be able to sync your card with popular tax software like QuickBooks. o Fresh books.
If you’re new to the world of credit card rewards, a no-payment card is a wonderful way to earn rewards. These cards offer fewer benefits than cards with an annual payment, but they can still offer value. There are even cards with no annual payment that allow you to move issues, such as the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ card and the Capital One VentureOne Rewards credit card. With a no-annual card, you may be able to upgrade to a card with more benefits and keep the issues you earned with the old card.
Mid-tier credit cards are the most popular and usually come with an annual payment of $150 or less, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card and the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card. You’ll usually enjoy a mix of smart praise rates. valuable welcome bonuses and counterfeit ongoing benefits. At this card level, you’re more likely to have and acquire protections.
Several travel credit card rewards systems will offer premium credit cards with annual fees over $400. A premium card tends to be loaded with credits and luxury perks, like airport lounge access. The travel insurance available with a premium card is often more valuable and may reimburse up to a higher limit or have higher policy limits. Infrequently, you’ll also earn more rewards for your spending, although for some categories, lower-tier cards can rarely be more lucrative.
The options for using your travel rewards vary depending on the rewards. However, you’re typically able to redeem points or miles for:
Redeeming your rewards is simple: you’ll need to log into your account and you can make the most of redeeming from there. The good thing to keep in mind when using your rewards is that the reason you redeem them changes the price you get and the price of each redemption varies by program. You’ll generally earn a maximum of one cent per point for gift cards and cash back redemptions. Using problems for product purchases or on Amazon regularly generates the lowest price. which is less than a cent consistent with the point.
If the program offers transferable emissions, it is the most productive way to get the most out of your investment, especially if you benefit from airline partners. By moving your emissions to the right partner airline, you can book flights abroad on business. and first class. These thefts can cost thousands of dollars and generate more than two cents per point of value.
The best way to use your travel card is to utilize its benefits while understanding its cost. Take note of any annual fees, foreign transaction fees and the APR associated with your account. Also, consider the rewards you’ll earn and other perks, such as annual statement credits.
Once you’re familiar with what your card offers, you can maximize the perks. 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. Other cards have credits that you can earn monthly or semi-annually and will require you to stay on top of them to maximize the perks.
When redeeming the rewards you earn with travel cards, you’ll normally have several options. Certain travel cards offer cash-back type redemptions, which may offer okay value. However, you’ll typically get the most of your travel points and miles when you use them for travel.
Even if you don’t use trouble booking your vacation electronically, paying for it with a credit card is also a good idea. You’ll usually get extra rewards for purchases like hotels and flights. Most sensibly, many cards will also be offering protections at no extra cost, such as reimbursement for vacation delays or insurance for a rental car.
Travel credit cards for everyone. If you’re traveling infrequently, you deserve to consider other credit card options, such as rewards cards for meals, groceries, or gas. Some cards offer up to 6% off those categories, allowing foodies, meal preppers and travelers to take advantage of them.
Beyond the rewards, you may get perks 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. When used responsibly, those cards allow you to get out of debt without high interest charges.
On Citi’s secure site
On Citi’s secure site
Receive a 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and for 12 months on purchases.
Good to Excellent670–850
18.24% – 28.99% variable
$0
None
View and rates. Conditions apply. Read our review of the Citi Simplicity® card.
The Citi Simplicity® Card may not earn rewards, but it can still save you money due to its amazing intro-APR offers.
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There is an introductory balance transfer payment of 3% of the transfer (minimum $5) made within the first four months of account opening. After that, your payment will be 5% of the move (minimum $5).
3%
If you travel and pay for your purchases with cash or a debit card, you’re missing out on rewards and benefits that can make traveling more affordable. It would possibly be in your most productive interest to get a travel credit card that offers the best rates on rewards on airfare, hotels, rideshares, and other non-unusual travel expenses.
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 to see if you’re prequalified for a card, choose the card that best suits your desires and apply for it.
Unlike cash-back cards, travel credit cards generally earn points or miles. Traditionally, the term points referred to flexible rewards that could be redeemed directly through a bank’s portal or transferred to a partner airline or hotel loyalty program. Meanwhile, the term miles has been associated with rewards earned through an airline’s frequent flyer program. However, nowadays, points and miles are used interchangeably as there are flexible credit card rewards called miles and more restrictive airline rewards referred to as points.
If you’re struggling to find the most productive card for you, it may be worth comparing credit cards. First, list the benefits you’re looking for and the deciding factors, such as annual fees. Then, think about the cards that are offering those benefits.
Travel credits that are linked to an express logo and apply to a wide variety of purchases are less difficult to use. A clever example of this is the annual travel credits of up to $300 you get with Chase Sapphire Reserve® because it’s automatically deployed on qualifying purchases without the need to sign up.
You can earn rewards for your business trips. With business flights or hotel stays, the emissions you earn are usually deposited into your private rewards account. However, if you use a business or corporate credit card, the business owner or account manager will generally keep any rewards earned.
At CNBC Select, our goal is to provide our readers with high-quality journalism and comprehensive customer recommendations so they can make informed decisions with their money. Each credit card review is based on rigorous reports written by our team of trained and experienced writers. wisdom of credit card products. While CNBC Select obtains engagement from our partner partners on many offers and links, we create all of our content without involvement from our sales team or outside third parties, and we are proud of our journalism expertise. criteria and ethics. Check out our method to learn more about how we decide on the most productive credit cards.
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To find out which cards offer the most productive price for travel, CNBC Select analyzed more than 250 primary credit cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions and widely available in the United States.
We compare each card on a variety of features, adding rewards (e. g. cash back, emissions and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and popular APR and balance movement fees and foreign transaction fees. We’ve also thought about other benefits (e. g. existing or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e. g. acquisition protection, $0 liability protection and insurance), the application, when it can be obtained (e. g. , is there credit? application or credit score required), and how simple it is to redeem points (e. g. , are the rewards tied to an express brand; are they transferable? , to how many/what partners, can redeem them for direct money back). We’ve also thought about the CNBC Select audience’s knowledge of where to get it, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
For cards that offer a rewards program, we analyzed customer spending forecasts from location intelligence company Esri to where U. S. customers are spending to the extent that customers in the U. S. are eligible for the rewards program. Consumers in the U. S. spend the most money, such as on meals and travel. We use this to determine which bonus categories are most useful to customers. The price of a point or mile varies depending on the price for which they can be redeemed, we also think about things like transferskill and the ability to redeem them for cashback.
When choosing the best travel credit cards, we focused on cards with travel-centered rewards programs and benefits. This includes flexible travel programs that allow you to redeem for travel and transfer rewards to travel programs. We also paid special attention to cards with travel perks, such as travel insurance, elite status benefits or airport lounge access.
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For rates and the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For fares and the American Express Platinum Card®, click here.
For rates and fees of the Discover it® Miles, click here.
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Information about Bank of America® Student Travel Rewards was independently collected through Select and reviewed or provided through the card issuer prior to publication.
For Capital One products indexed on this page, some of the above benefits would likely be provided through Visa® or Mastercard® and would possibly vary by product. See applicable Benefit Guide for details, as situations and exclusions apply.
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