Updated, December 9, 2019
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 60,000 points, worth up $750, after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 points per $1 spent on travel and on dining; 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases in your first 3 months.
Rewards Rate
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel; 5X Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com; and 1X points on all other purchases.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases-with no limit to the amount you can earn.
Welcome Offer
Earn $150 cash back after $500 spent in the first three months.
Rewards Rate
Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
Credit Card
American Express is a CardRatings advertiser.
Welcome Offer
Earn a $250 bonus statement credit after you spend $1,000 in the first three months of account membership.
Rewards Rate
Earn 6% back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets annually and 6% back on select U.S. streaming services; unlimited 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit purchases, and 1% back on everything else.
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 up to 100,000 bonus miles. Earn 50,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months; earn another 50,000 miles after you spend $25,000 total in the first 6 months of account opening.
Rewards Rate
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants, gas stations, office supply stores and on United purchases. Earn 1 mile per $1 on everything else.
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 60,000 points, worth up $750, after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 points per $1 spent on travel and on dining; 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn a $150 cash-back bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
ANNUAL FEE
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 50,000 miles, worth $500 in travel, after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn unlimited two miles per every dollar spent.
Welcome Offer
Earn $150 cash back after $500 spent in the first three months.
Rewards Rate
Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
MATT'S TAKE
To make the most out of your spending, consider combining the two Chase cards to earn top rewards in categories beyond travel and dining. Use Chase Freedom Unlimited® to earn 1.5% back on everything that doesn't earn more with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Then transfer all your points to your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card where your points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
If, however, you're just looking for a single no-annual-fee card with a simple earning structure, and you do plan to travel abroad, you'd be better off with the Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card as it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, a rarity among cash-back cards.
BEST GENERAL TRAVEL REWARDS CARDS
ANNUAL FEE
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 50,000 miles, worth $500 in travel, after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn unlimited two miles per every dollar spent.
Welcome Offer
Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months.
Rewards Rate
Earn 4x Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide as well as at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 spent each year, then 1x). Earn 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com.
BEST CASH BACK CARD
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 15.49% – 25.49% (Variable) APR kicks in.
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 a $250 bonus statement credit after you spend $1,000 in the first three months of account membership.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 6% back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets annually and 6% back on select U.S. streaming services; unlimited 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit purchases, and 1% back on everything else.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn a $150 cash-back bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn a $500 cash-back bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 5% back on the first $25,000 in combined spending at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined spending at gas stations and restaurants each account year. Earn 1% back on everything else.
ANNUAL FEE
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
WELCOME OFFER
For a limited time, earn up to $2,000 bonus cash back. Earn $500 when you spend $5,000 in the first three months and earn another $1,500 when you spend $50,000 in the first six months of account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2% cash back on all your purchases.
BEST AIRLINE CREDIT CARDS
ANNUAL FEE
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you use your new card to make $1,000 in purchases within your first three months. You can also earn a $50 statement credit when you make a Delta purchase on your new card in the same time frame.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta. Earn one mile for every eligible dollar 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.
ANNUAL FEE
$195 Annual Fee ($250 if application is received on or after 1/30/2020)
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 75,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion ® Qualification Miles after you use your new card to make $3,000 in purchases within your first three months. Offer ends 10/30/2019. Plus, earn a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase in the same time frame.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1 mile for every eligible $1 spent on all other purchases.
ANNUAL FEE
$450 Annual Fee ($550 if application is received on or after 1/30/2020)
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 75,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion ® Qualification Miles after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within your first three months. Offer ends 10/30/2019.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1 mile for every eligible $1 spent on all other purchases.
Welcome Offer
Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles. Earn 50,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months; earn another 50,000 miles after you spend $25,000 total in the first 6 months of account opening.
Rewards Rate
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants, gas stations, office supply stores and on United purchases. Earn 1 mile per $1 on everything else.
ANNUAL FEE
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you use your new card to make $1,000 in purchases within your first three months and earn a $50 statement credit when you use your new card to make a Delta purchase in the same time frame.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1 mile for every eligible $1 spent on all other purchases.
ANNUAL FEE
$195 ($250 if application is received on or after 1/30/2020)
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 35,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles after you use your new card to make $1,000 in purchases within your first three months. Plus, earn a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase on your new card within the first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 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 limited liability for fraudulent charges which is especially important while traveling.
BEST HOTEL CREDIT CARDS
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 75,000 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
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.
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 CARD
WELCOME OFFER
Earn a $500 cash-back bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 5% back on the first $25,000 in combined spending at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 in combined spending at gas stations and restaurants each account year. Earn 1% back on everything else.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases-with no limit to the amount you can earn.
WELCOME OFFER
Earn up to 75,000 points – earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $10,000 and earn another 25,000 points after spending an additional $10,000 on purchases all 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 purchases of $5,000 or more and earn 1 point per $1 on everything else.
ANNUAL FEE
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
WELCOME OFFER
For a limited time, earn up to $2,000 bonus cash back. Earn $500 when you spend $5,000 in the first three months and earn another $1,500 when you spend $50,000 in the first six months of account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2% cash back on all your purchases.
MATT'S TAKE
While bonus offers alone shouldn't be the reason you apply for a credit card, when the limited time bonus is worth up to $2,000 in cash back, you simply can't ignore it.
ANNUAL FEE
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
WELCOME OFFER
For a limited time, earn up to 200,000 bonus miles. Earn 50,000 miles after you spend $5,000 in the first three months and earn another 150,000 miles after you spend $50,000 in the first six months from account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all your purchases and 5 miles per $1 spend on hotels and car rentals through the Capital One portal.
Welcome Offer
Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles. Earn 50,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months; earn another 50,000 miles after you spend $25,000 total in the first 6 months of account opening.
Rewards Rate
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants, gas stations, office supply stores and on United purchases. Earn 1 mile per $1 on everything else.
ANNUAL FEE
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you use your new card to make $1,000 in purchases within your first three months and receive a $50 statement credit when you use you card to make a Delta purchase in the first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1 mile for every eligible $1 spent on all other purchases.
ANNUAL FEE
$195 ($250 if application is received on or after 1/30/2020)
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 35,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles after you use your new card to make $1,000 in purchases within your first three months. Plus, earn a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase on your new card within the first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1 mile for every eligible $1 spent on all other purchases.
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: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: See Rates and Fees; Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express: See Rates and Fees; Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express: See Rates and Fees; Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express: See Rates and Fees; Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express: See Rates and Fees; Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express: See Rates and Fees; Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: See Rates and Fees; American Express® Gold Card: See Rates and Fees; The Platinum Card® from American Express: See Rates and Fees; The Business Platinum® Card from American Express: See Rates and Fees
