Best Travel Credit Cards in 2024
When it comes to planning your next adventure, having the right travel credit card in your wallet can make all the difference. Whether you’re a frequent flyer, a road trip enthusiast, or someone who enjoys the occasional getaway, the best travel credit cards offer more than just points and miles. They provide valuable perks that can enhance your travel experience, save you money, and even make your journey more enjoyable.
So let’s see the five best travel credit cards, known for their rewards, benefits, and overall value.
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Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a standout option for travelers seeking a balance between robust rewards and affordability. This card offers its new card members 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months. Those 60,000 points are worth $750. The card has an appealing reward structure. You earn 5x total points on travel purchases through Chase Travel, 3x points on dining, and 2x points on other travel purchases.
You also get a Door dash pass subscription for 12 months, which’s around $120. On top of that, Door dash members get $10 off per month on non-door dash orders. If you use this card with Lyft, then you will get 5x points. This card also offers 3x points on online grocery and selected streaming services. And you get 1 point for every dollar on all other purchases.
The points on this card do not expire as long as your card is active with Chase, so you won’t be forced to spend to benefit from those reward points. On top of that, at the anniversary of your card holding, you will get a 10% bonus point on the total spending you have done in a year. For example, if you spend $50,000 in a year, then you will get 5000 bonus points at the end of the year.
If you are a member of a frequent travel program, then you can transfer these points in a 1:1 ratio to the partner program. You get travel insurance with this card and can get up to $10,000 reimbursed pre-paid if you prepaid for your trip. That includes travel expenses, passenger fares, tours, and hotels. There are other travel-related benefits; you can check the link in the description for more details.
The card has no foreign transaction fees. After applying, you get instant access to your card even before you get the physical one, and you can start using the card instantly with digital wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay.
The card has a $95 annual fee, but it offers impressive benefits worth more than the annual fee. This card is ideal for people who travel frequently and want to maximize their rewards without breaking the bank.
Citi Strata Premier Card
The Citi Premier Card is a versatile travel rewards card known for its generous earning potential and flexibility in redeeming points. This card offers 75,000 points after spending $4000 in the first three months. Those points are worth $750. If you book hotels and car rentals through Citi travel, then you get 10x points per dollar spent. On air travel, restaurants, supermarkets, and now they have added EV charging stations as well, on all of this you get 3x points per dollar spent. On all other purchases, you get 1 point per dollar spent.
With this card, once a year you get $100 off on a hotel stay that costs more than $500.
The card has no foreign transaction fees, and you also get travel protection for trip delays and lost or damaged luggage. You can also transfer the point to the partners to get more benefits.
This card also has an annual fee of $95, and despite the benefits it offers, the fee is miniscule.
The Citi Premier Card strikes a good balance between affordability and rewards potential. It’s an excellent choice for someone who wants to earn substantial rewards without committing to a high annual fee.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a top-tier travel rewards credit card known for its impressive range of benefits, making it a favorite among frequent travelers. This card’s primary selling point is its rewards program. With this card, you earn 5x points on flights, and after you spend the first $300 on travel purchases through Chase Travel in a year, you get 10x total points on hotels and car rentals.
If you spend $4000 in the first three months after getting this card, then you will get 60,000 points. Those points are worth $900.
You also get other up to $1000 benefits, such as Lyft Pink membership, which is $200 per year. Door dash membership is worth $120 per year. There are many other benefits; you can check the link in the description for more details.
The card has an annual fee of $550, but you get $300 in annual travel credit, which effectively reduces the card’s $550 annual fee to $250. The card also offers Priority Pass Select membership, granting access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, which is a significant perk for frequent flyers seeking comfort and convenience during their travels.
Additionally, cardholders benefit from a suite of travel protections, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, an auto rental collision damage waiver, and lost luggage reimbursement. These features provide peace of mind, making the card particularly valuable for those who travel often.
You can transfer your points at 1 to 1 value to the partner network for more benefits from the partner networks.
The card also offers an additional benefit on new purchases. Your new purchases will be covered for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year. On top of that, the card offers return protection up to $500 per item and a maximum $1,000 per year on eligible items that the store won’t take back within 90 days of purchase.
The card has no foreign transaction fees. But the biggest drawback of this card is the $550 annual fee. It is one of the highest, while the $300 travel credit does reduce this cost.
This card is for serious travelers who can take full advantage of its offerings, making it a strong contender in the premium travel card market.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
For students who travel frequently, the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is an excellent choice.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is offering a rewarding experience for travelers. With this card, you earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, making it an excellent option for those who want a simple rewards structure without the need to track spending categories. Additionally, the card offers 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, which can significantly boost your earnings if you frequently travel. The card has a limited-time offer, which gives you a $250 credit and 75,000 points if you spend $4000 in the first three months.
One of the main selling points of the Venture card is its flexibility in redemption. The miles on this card do not expire. So you are not forced to use them; these miles can be used to book travel directly through Capital One, transferred to more than 15 travel loyalty programs, or even used as a statement credit to cover travel purchases. This flexibility ensures that you get the most value out of your miles, whether you’re looking to book a luxury getaway or simply offset the cost of a flight.
The card offers no foreign transaction fees and no blackout dates. You receive up to a $100 statement credit when you use your Venture card to apply for Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check.
With this card, you get Hertz five-star status, which can normally be achieved by spending $2000 or completing 10 rentals. You get access to exclusive dining events and access to many entertainment VIP packages.
The card comes with a $95 annual fee, which, while not exorbitant, Compared to other travel cards, the Venture card benefits in its simplicity and flexibility. It’s an ideal choice for travelers who prefer a flat-rate rewards system and value the ability to redeem miles in various ways.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
For students who travel frequently, the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is an excellent choice.
The Capital One Venture X card has more benefits than the Capital One Venture Reward credit card. The Venture X card offers 75,000 miles on spending $4000 in the first 3 months.
If you make a booking through Capital One Travel, then you get 10x points on hotels and car rentals. You get 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
You get 2x miles on every other purchase you make. This makes it a versatile tool for those who value both consistency in earning rewards and the ability to supercharge their miles on travel-related expenses.
What truly sets the Venture X apart is its suite of travel perks that rivals even the most luxurious credit cards on the market. With a $300 annual travel credit, unlimited access to over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges worldwide, and exclusive benefits like complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status, which normally you get by spending $3000 or completing 15 rentals.
This card transforms every trip into a premium experience. You get a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus and up to $200 in statement credits for vacation rentals during your first year.
It has additional features such as price drop protection, ticket price match, and special features to cancel a ticket for any reason or freeze a ticket.
The card does come with a $395 annual fee; it’s important to consider how these benefits can offset this cost. For frequent travelers, the combination of lounge access, travel credits, and the high earning potential on travel bookings makes this fee justifiable. Moreover, with no foreign transaction fees, the Venture X ensures that your international purchases are as cost-effective as they are rewarding.
In comparison to other premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the American Express Platinum Card, the Venture X offers similar top-tier benefits but at a significantly lower annual fee. This makes it an attractive option for those looking to maximize their travel rewards without the burden of a higher fee. The card’s flexibility in how rewards can be redeemed further enhances its appeal.
Overall, the Capital One Venture X is a well-rounded, premium travel card that offers a blend of high rewards, luxurious perks, and practical benefits, all at a competitive price point.
Building Credit History
If you use a credit card responsibly, it will help build your credit history. It is crucial for future financial opportunities. If you use credit cards wisely, it has lots of benefits, and if you are reckless with your spending habits, then it is better for you to not get a credit card.
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