Top Credit Card Picks from ShermansTravel
By Anne Roderique-Jones, Head of Content, ShermansTravel.com
As experts in the travel industry, we’ve learned a thing or two about saving money with a rewards credit card. But with hundreds of cards on the market, where do you even begin? We rounded up the very best credit cards from our partners that deliver on rewards, plenty of cash back, welcome bonuses and tons of other perks. Because there’s nothing better than being able to travel the world for free.
BEST OVERALL TRAVEL REWARDS CARDS
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 60,000 points, worth $750 in travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal, after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
REWARDS RATE
Earn 5 points per $1 on travel booked through the Ultimate Rewards® portal; 3 points on dining (including eligible takeout and delivery), on select streaming services, on online grocery store purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 2 points on travel; and 1 point per $1 on everything else
APPLY
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CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
REWARDS RATE
Earn 10 miles per $1 on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel; 5 miles per $1 on flights booked through the portal; and 2 miles per $1 on all other purchases
APPLY
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CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 60,000 points, worth up to $900, after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
REWARDS RATE
Book through the Ultimate Rewards portal to earn 5x points on flights and 10x points on car rentals and hotels (after your annual $300 travel reimbursement). Earn 3 points per $1 spent on other travel (after your travel credit) and on dining; 1 point per $1 on other purchases
APPLY
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CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within three months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
REWARDS RATE
Earn unlimited two miles per every dollar spent
APPLY
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CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership
REWARDS RATE
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year); 5X Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com; and 1X points on other eligible purchases
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership
REWARDS RATE
Earn 4x Membership Rewards® points at restaurants 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
APPLY
BEST AIRLINE & HOTEL CARDS
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
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
APPLY
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CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 75,000 bonus Avios when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3 Avios per $1 on British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and LEVEL purchases; earn 2 Avios per $1 on hotel accommodations purchased directly from hotels; and earn 1 Avios per $1 on other purchases
APPLY
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CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 60,000 points as well as a 30% off promo code to apply to the base fare of a one-way or round-trip flight (before taxes and fees) when you spend $3,000 in the first three months
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 points per $1 on Southwest purchases; local transit and commuting (including rideshares); and on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming. Earn 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases. Receive 3,000 bonus points each year after you cardholder anniversary
APPLY
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CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first three months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for every $1 spent participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2x points on other eligible purchases
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 140,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
REWARDS RATE
Earn up to 26 points total for every $1 spent at IHG hotels; 5 points per $1 spent on travel and at gas stations and restaurants; and 3 points per $1 on your other purchases
APPLY
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BEST CASH-BACK CARDS
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back.
REWARDS RATE
5% cash back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3% cash back at restaurants, including takeout and delivery; 3% at drugstores; 1.5% cash back on your other eligible purchases.
APPLY
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CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
You can take advantage of an intro 18 months no interest on balance transfers before a RegAPR 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.
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn $200 cash back after $500 spent in the first three months
REWARDS RATE
Earn 5% back on up to $1,500 spent in categories that rotate quarterly (activation required); 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3% back at restaurants (takeout and delivery included); 3% back at drugstores; and 1% back on all other eligible purchases
APPLY
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Information related to Chase Freedom FlexSM has been collected independently by CardRatings and was neither reviewed nor provided by the card issuer
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn a one-time $200 cash-back bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
APPLY
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CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 spent in each category per year, then 1%), and 1% back on other eligible purchases
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months.
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 other purchases.
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 4 points per $1 on dining, takeout and food delivery; earn 2 points per $1 at grocery stores (including grocery delivery), gas stations and on streaming services. Earn 1 point per $1 on other annual purchases.
APPLY
BEST BUSINESS CARDS FOR TRAVEL
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 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
APPLY
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CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 70,000 bonus Membership Rewards® points after spending $10,000 on eligible purchases 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.
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 120,000 bonus Membership Rewards® points after spending an $15,000 on eligible 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 with U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers, and shipping providers and on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to a cap), and earn 1 point per $1 on other eligible purchases
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. You can also take advantage of an introductory 0% APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening (then, RegAPR).
REWARDS RATE
Earn two Membership Rewards® points per $1 spent on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 spent per calendar year, then one point per $1.
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants, gas stations, office supply stores, local transit and commuting, and on United purchases. Earn 1 mile per $1 on everything else
APPLY
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CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months
REWARDS RATE
Earn 4 points per $1 on Southwest purchases; 3 points per $1 with Rapid Rewards® hotel and car partners; 2 points per $1 on social media and search engine advertising as well as on internet, cable and phone services; and 1 point per $1 on other purchases
APPLY
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CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership.
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.
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 75,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after making $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first three months
REWARDS RATE
Earn 6x points on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels; 4x points at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, on wireless phone services purchased directly from U.S. providers, and on U.S. shipping purchases; 2x points on all other eligible purchases
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
For a limited time, earn 150,000 bonus points and a free night reward after spending $4,000 on your new card in the first three months (offer ends 7/19/23)
REWARDS RATE
Earn 12X bonus points on eligible purchases made directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio; 6X points at U.S. gas stations, on U.S. purchases for shipping, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel, on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants; and 3X points per $1 on all other eligible purchases
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first three 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
APPLY
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BEST AIRPORT LOUNGE ACCESS CARDS
CREDIT CARD
LOUNGE DETAILS
Complimentary access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection® of more than 1,300 lounges worldwide. Access for guests varies by lounge network and enrollment may be required
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership.
REWARDS RATE
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year); 5X Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com; and 1X points on other eligible purchases
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
LOUNGE DETAILS
Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
REWARDS RATE
Earn 10 miles per $1 on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel; 5 miles per $1 on flights booked through the portal; and 2 miles per $1 on all other purchases
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
LOUNGE DETAILS
Complimentary access to Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations and to the worldwide network of Priority Pass Select lounges after a one-time enrollment
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 60,000 points, worth up to $900, after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
REWARDS RATE
Book through the Ultimate Rewards® portal to earn 5x points on flights and 10x points on car rentals and hotels (after your annual $300 travel reimbursement). Earn 3 points per $1 spent on other travel (after your travel credit) and on dining; 1 point per $1 on other purchases
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
LOUNGE DETAILS
Complimentary United Club membership. Authorized users do not receive their own membership and must be accompanied by the primary cardholder and qualify under the then-current guest access policies
WELCOME OFFER
Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
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
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
LOUNGE DETAILS
Receive 10 complimentary Priority Pass Select lounge visits each year after enrollment
WELCOME OFFER
For a limited time, earn 150,000 bonus points and a free night reward after spending $4,000 on your new card in the first three months (offer ends 7/19/23).
REWARDS RATE
Earn 12X bonus points on eligible purchases made directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio; 6X points at U.S. gas stations, on U.S. purchases for shipping, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel, on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants; and 3X points per $1 on all other eligible purchases
APPLY
BEST BUSINESS CARDS FOR CASH BACK
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn a $750 cash-back bonus after you spend $6,000 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.
APPLY
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CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn $750 cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
REWARDS RATE
Earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. Combine this card with CardName to make your points worth more.
APPLY
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CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on your card in the first 3 months. You can also take advantage of an intro 0% interest on purchases for 12 months from account opening (then, RegAPR)
REWARDS RATE
Earn 2% cash back on the first $50,000 spent on eligible purchases per calendar year, then 1% after that.
APPLY
CREDIT CARD
ANNUAL FEE
AnnualFees
WELCOME OFFER
Earn $500 bonus cash back when you spend $4,500 in the first three months of account opening
REWARDS RATE
Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase
APPLY
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To see the rates and fees for the American Express cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: CardName: See Rates and Fees; CardName: See Rates and Fees; CardName: See Rates and Fees; CardName: See Rates and Fees; CardName: See Rates and Fees; CardName: See Rates and Fees; CardName: See Rates and Fees; CardName: See Rates and Fees; CardName: See Rates and Fees; CardName: See Rates and Fees; CardName: See Rates and Fees; CardName: See Rates and Fees
Disclaimer: The information in this article is believed to be accurate as of the date it was written. Please keep in mind that credit card offers change frequently. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this article. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. See the online credit card application for full terms and conditions on offers and rewards. Please verify all terms and conditions of any credit card prior to applying.
This content is not provided by any company mentioned in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any such company. CardRatings.com does not review every company or every offer available on the market.