Updated, August 10, 2020
By Matt Kepnes, founder NomadicMatt.com
Hey there! Looking for an awesome card to help you travel cheaper, better and longer? These are my go-to cards when it comes to collecting points and miles. Whether you’re looking for free flights, discounts, or free hotel stays, these cards have you covered. They offer lucrative signup/welcome bonuses, awesome perks, and are great for everyday purchases. They are a must for any traveler, so if you’re serious about free travel, get these cards — and I’ve partnered with my friends at CardRatings to bring them to you! – Nomadic Matt (Read more about Nomadic Matt below)
FEATURED OFFERS
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 50,000 points, worth up to $750, after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel (after earning your $300 travel credit) and on dining; 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
WELCOME OFFER
There's no traditional welcome offer, but you can take advantage of an intro 18 months no interest on balance transfers before a 13.99% – 23.99% (Variable) APR kicks in. Citi is a CardRatings advertiser
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2% cash back on every purchase in the form of 1% back when you buy and another 1% back when you pay.
Welcome Offer
Earn $200 cash back after $500 spent in the first three months.
Rewards Rate
Earn 5% cash back on up to $12,000 spent on grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) in your first year and 1.5% cash back on your other purchases.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 25 points total for every $1 spent at IHG hotels; 2 points per $1 spent at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants; and 1 point per $1 on your other purchases.
Welcome Offer
Earn 125,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you use your new card to make $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership, plus a Weekend Night Reward each calendar year you spend at least $15,000 with the card.
Rewards Rate
Earn 12X Hilton Honors points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio; earn 6X Hilton Honors points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations; and earn 3X Hilton Honors points for all other eligible purchases.
BEST CREDIT CARD OVERALL
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 50,000 points, worth up to $750, after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel (after earning your $300 travel credit) and on dining; 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
MATT'S TAKE
For folks new to the credit card rewards landscape, this card offers plenty of bang for your buck without a lot of strategy required. Your Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are transferable to a number of popular hotel and airline loyalty programs, which could allow you to receive significantly more value than the standard $.01 each. Even if you don't choose to transfer your points, when you redeem through the Ultimate Rewards® portal, points with this card are worth 50% more; that means your 50,000 bonus points are worth $750 when redeemed for travel.
BEST CREDIT CARDS FOR BEGINNERS
Welcome Offer
Earn $200 cash back after $500 spent in the first three months.
Rewards Rate
Earn 5% cash back on up to $12,000 spent on grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) in your first year and 1.5% cash back on your other purchases.
WELCOME OFFER
There's no traditional welcome offer, but you can take advantage of an intro 18 months no interest on balance transfers before a 13.99% – 23.99% (Variable) APR kicks in. Citi is a CardRatings advertiser
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2% cash back on every purchase in the form of 1% back when you buy and another 1% back when you pay.
BEST GENERAL TRAVEL REWARDS CARDS
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 50,000 points, worth up to $750, after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel (after earning your $300 travel credit) and on dining; 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 15,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2x ThankYou® Points at supermarkets and gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1 point per $1) and 1 point per $1 on everything else. Rewards are automatically rounded up to the nearest 10 points for every purchase.
WELCOME OFFER
There isn't a traditional welcome offer, but you can take advantage of an intro 0% APR on balance transfers (made within 45 days of account opening) for 15 billing cycles (then, 14.99% Variable)
REWARDS RATE
Earn one point per $1 spent on all your purchases. Points are worth 2% when redeemed for airfare, so 50,000 points are worth $1,000 in airfare.
BEST CASH BACK CARDS
WELCOME OFFER
There's no traditional welcome offer, but you can take advantage of an intro 18 months no interest on balance transfers before a 13.99% – 23.99% (Variable) APR kicks in. Citi is a CardRatings advertiser
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2% cash back on every purchase in the form of 1% back when you buy and another 1% back when you pay.
Welcome Offer
Earn $200 cash back after $500 spent in the first three months.
Rewards Rate
Earn 5% cash back on up to $12,000 spent on grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) in your first year and 1.5% cash back on your other purchases.
Rewards Rate
Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas purchases (up to $7,000 spent annually); 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel; 2% on Costco and Costco.com purchases and 1% on everything else.
Welcome Offer
Receive one year of Amazon Prime Student after your first purchase with your new card ($59 value).
Rewards Rate
Earn 1% cash back on all your purchases.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 15,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2x ThankYou® Points at supermarkets and gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1 point per $1) and 1 point per $1 on everything else. Rewards are automatically rounded up to the nearest 10 points for every purchase.
BEST AIRLINE CREDIT CARDS
ANNUAL FEE
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants, on hotel stays, on purchases with United, and on eligible delivery services including GrubHub, Caviar, Seamless and DoorDash; earn 1 mile per $1 on everything else.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Welcome Offer
Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Rewards Rate
Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases and Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partner purchases and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Receive 6,000 bonus points each year after your card member anniversary.
Welcome Offer
Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Rewards Rate
Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases and Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partner purchases and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Receive 3,000 bonus points each year after you cardholder anniversary.
Welcome Offer
Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
Rewards Rate
Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases and Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partner purchases and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Receive 7,500 bonus points each year after you cardholder anniversary.
ANNUAL FEE
$99, waived for first 12 months
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and on purchases with telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations. Earn 1 mile per $1 on other purchases.
ANNUAL FEE
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99
WELCOME OFFER
New card members can earn 40,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases made directly with Delta as well as on eligible U.S. purchases for advertising in select media, on eligible U.S. shipping purchases and on eligible dining at restaurants. Earn 1 mile for every eligible $1 spent on all other purchases.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 45,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $3,000 in the first three months. Also, earn a $100 statement credit after making your first Delta purchase on your card in the first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 miles on every dollar spend on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent on purchases made directly with hotels; earn 1.5 miles per dollar on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (that's an extra half point per dollar), up to 50,000 additional miles per year; and 1 mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 45,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1 mile for every eligible $1 spent on all other purchases.
MATT'S TAKE
For the exceptionally brand-loyal, branded credit cards offer perks and features that you will no doubt appreciate. However, if you find yourself shopping around for the cheapest price and best times rather than going for an airline-specific ticket no matter what, a general travel rewards credit card could be a better, more beneficial card for you. If you plan to frequently fly with one specific airline though, it's probably worth having a co-branded credit card. Not only do they provide extra perks for members, but they also come with all the benefits standard on other cards such as $0 liability for unauthorized charges which is especially important while traveling.
BEST HOTEL CREDIT CARDS
WELCOME OFFER
For a limited time, earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 6X points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2X points everywhere else.
WELCOME OFFER
For a limited time, earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3x points for every $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2x points on other travel purchases such as airfare, taxis, trains and more.
Welcome Offer
Earn 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of card membership.
Rewards Rate
Earn 6x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels; 4x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, on wireless phone services purchased directly from U.S. providers, and on U.S. shipping purchases; 2x points on other eligible purchases.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn up to 50,000 bonus points. Spend $3,000 in the first 3 months to earn 25,000 points; then earn another 25,000 points after spending a total of $6,000 in the first 6 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 9 points for every $1 spent at Hyatt and 2 points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly with airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club/gym memberships. Earn 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 25 points total for every $1 spent at IHG hotels; 2 points per $1 spent at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants; and 1 point per $1 on your other purchases.
Welcome Offer
Earn 125,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you use your new card to make $2,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card membership, plus a Weekend Night Reward each calendar year you spend at least $15,000 with the card.
Rewards Rate
Earn 12X Hilton Honors points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio; earn 6X Hilton Honors points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations; and earn 3X Hilton Honors points for all other eligible purchases.
Welcome Offer
Earn 75,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three months of card membership.
Rewards Rate
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Honors portfolio of brands; 5X bonus points on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations; and 3X bonus points for all other purchases.
Welcome Offer
Earn 125,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months of account membership.
Rewards Rate
Earn 12X bonus points on eligible purchases made directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio, 6X bonus points on select business and travel purchases and at U.S. gas stations and U.S. restaurants, and 3X bonus points for all other purchases.
Welcome Offer
Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you make $4,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of membership. Also enjoy a free Weekend Night Reward within your first year and each year after you renew.
Rewards Rate
Earn 12X bonus points on eligible purchases made directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio, 6X bonus points on select business and travel purchases and at U.S. gas stations and U.S. restaurants, and 3X bonus points for all other purchases.
MATT'S TAKE
Like with airline credit cards, hotel credit cards can be a good fit for the truly brand-loyal, but since general travel rewards cards offer options that allow you to transfer rewards to loyalty programs or redeem rewards with flexibility for any hotel, depending on what type of traveler you are, a co-branded card might not always be right for you. If you are loyal to Hilton or Marriott though, it's tough to beat these cards. A Hilton Honors credit card is the easiest way to boost your points balance; the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card automatically provides you with gold elite status which provides you with a plethora of perks, including an 80% bonus on base points earned with the card. Same with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card— this card gets you automatic elite silver silver status, and puts you on a path to gold status.
BEST BUSINESS CREDIT CARDS
WELCOME OFFER
You can earn up to $100 in the form of statement credits at each of the following merchants: Dell Technologies, DocuSign or FedEx after you make an eligible purchase on your new card within the first three months of card membership. Plus, take advantage of an intro 0% interest on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months (then, 13.24% - 19.24% Variable)
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 spent per calendar year, then 1%.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 35,000 bonus Membership Rewards® points after spending $5,000 in the first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month, and 1X on other purchases. Four points apply to the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these 2 categories each calendar year.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 75,000 bonus Membership Rewards® points after spending an $15,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of card membership.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 5x the Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels through amextravel.com. Earn an extra half-point (1.5 points) per $1 on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more and earn 1 point per $1 on everything else.
BEST BALANCE TRANSFER CREDIT CARDS
WELCOME OFFER
Take advantage of an intro 18 months 0% interest on balance transfers (all transfers must be completed within the first 4 months) and 18 months no interest on purchases (then, 14.74% - 24.74% Variable).
WELCOME OFFER
Introductory 15 months 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases (then, 13.49% - 23.49% (Variable)). Earn 15,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2x ThankYou® Points at supermarkets and gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1 point per $1) and 1 point per $1 on everything else. Rewards are automatically rounded up to the nearest 10 points for every purchase.
WELCOME OFFER
There's no traditional welcome offer, but you can take advantage of an intro 18 months no interest on balance transfers before a 13.99% – 23.99% (Variable) APR kicks in. Citi is a CardRatings advertiser
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2% cash back on every purchase in the form of 1% back when you buy and another 1% back when you pay.
Get to know Nomadic Matt: Matthew Kepnes runs the award winning budget travel site, Nomadic Matt. He took his first trip to Costa Rica in 2004 and fell in love with the freedom and possibility travel had to offer. After a trip to Thailand in 2005, Matt decided to quit his job, finish his MBA and head off into the world.
His original trip was supposed to last a year.
His writings and advice have been featured in The New York Times, CNN, The Guardian, Lifehacker, Budget Travel, BBC, Time, Wall Street Journal, and countless other publications. You can find him on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram with the handle @nomadicmatt.
To see the rates and fees for the American Express cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: See Rates and Fees; Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: See Rates and Fees; American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card: See Rates and Fees; The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: See Rates and Fees; Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: See Rates and Fees; Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card: See Rates and FeesHilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: See Rates and Fees; The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: See Rates and Fees; Hilton Honors American Express Card: See Rates and Fees; Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: See Rates and Fees; American Express® Business Gold Card: See Rates and Fees
