Best vacation credit cards of May 2023
The right credit card could greatly reduce the cost of your next vacation. CardRatings editors reveal the best hotel credit cards, airline cards, and more.
Jennifer Doss
Last Updated:
20+ years
finding the best card for you
1,500+ cards
in our database
5,000+ cardholders
polled about their cards
243 reviews
from our experts
List of Winners
- CardName – Best for Flexibility
- CardName – Best for Point Redemption Value
- CardName – Best for Premium Travel Perks
- CardName – Best for Travel Credits
- CardName – Best for Gas Rewards
- CardName – Best for Hotel Rewards
- CardName – Best for Flight Discounts
- CardName – Best for Free Companion Travel
- CardName – Best for Global Entry, Nexus or TSA PreCheck
- CardName – Best for Dining Out
- CardName – Best for 0% Intro Purchase APR
- CardName – Best for Students
- CardName – Best for Entertainment Purchases
You probably don’t plan your vacation around your credit cards, but you likely pay for it with them. After all, vacations aren’t cheap, and if you don’t have a card that offers much in the rewards department, you’re paying more for your trip than you need to.
If you’re a consistent credit card user you have might have already earned yourself enough points to help you book your next trip. Airline miles and free hotel stays really come in handy when planning a vacation. If this isn’t the case though, when it comes to planning your next vacation, a rewards credit card could be your new best friend. Three points per dollar spent at the gas pump can really add up when you’re taking a cross-country road trip. So could four points per dollar spent on flights. Especially if you’re buying tickets for the whole family.
Knowing you’re earning some money back while enjoying a much-deserved trip only makes vacation that much sweeter. And who knows, you might even earn enough rewards off that one vacation alone that you can start thinking about where you’ll go next…
Or maybe you aren’t going anywhere this season… If that’s the case, you’re still presumably going to go out and have some fun (hopefully). Maybe you’ll dine out a lot, or drive out to the beach or to the swimming pool, or ski resort every chance you get. If your credit card is weak with its rewards, once again, you could be missing out.
Using a credit card on vacation is also much safer than carrying around loads of cash, or even using a debit card. The security benefits credit card companies offer these days are top notch, and purchases made with a credit card are much more secure. At the very least, even if it won’t be the main way you make purchases, it’s smart to have a credit card with you while on vacation (and arguably, at all times) just in case. If you lose your cash, it’s gone. If someone gets a hold of your debit card information and makes purchases, well, chances are, most of that money will be gone as well. Debit and credit cards are treated differently by consumer protection laws, and under federal law, your personal liability for fraudulent charges on a credit card can’t exceed $50 (or $0 depending on your credit card issuer). However, if a fraudster uses your debit card, you could be liable for $500 or more, depending on how quickly you report suspicious activity. And since many credit cards offer security and account alerts, automatically notifying you of any suspicious behavior, chances are, fraudsters won’t get far if they do happen to come across your credit card account information.
If you’re looking for the best credit cards for vacation, here are some ideas — and afterwards, we’ll regroup with a few credit card money saving strategies you’ll want to utilize, no matter which credit card you choose.
CardName discontinued Winner
The Bonus: 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.
Annual Fee: AnnualFees
Foreign Transaction Fee: foreign_fee
The Rewards: Earn an unlimited two miles on all purchases. Plus, earn 5X miles on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- Miles earned with this card can be redeemed to cover almost any travel purchase, so whether you want your miles to cover a car rental, hotel or Airbnb stay, or plane tickets, the world is your oyster.
- Venture Miles come with several flexible redemption options including the opportunity to transfer miles to the hotel and airline loyalty programs.
- The card comes with additional perks such as 24-hour travel assistance services and travel accident insurance.
CONS:
- If you spend a lot in specific categories, you might be able to earn more with a tiered or rotating-category rewards card.
- The card comes with a $95 annual fee that is easily offset by its valuable benefits.
Read our full CardName
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.0 | 81.9 |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 7.7 | 8.2 |
| Customer Service | 7.2 | 8.2 |
| Website/App Usability | 8.2 | 8.0 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 7.9 | 8.5 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 7.2 | 8.1 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
EDITOR'S NOTE
Like the sound of the Venture® card but not interested in paying an annual fee? Consider the CardName discontinued instead. This no-annual-fee card still earns rewards on every purchase (1.25X miles per dollar spent) and those rewards can be redeemed towards almost any travel purchase. Plus, there's a decent welcome bonus for a card with no annual fee. New cardholders can earn 20,000 bonus miles once spending $500 with the card in the first three months of membership.
CardName discontinued Winner
The Bonus: Earn 60,000 points once spending $4,000 within the first three months of opening an account. Points are worth $600 when redeemed for cash, or $750 when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Annual Fee: AnnualFees
Foreign Transaction Fee: foreign_fee
The Rewards: Earn five points per $1 on travel purchased through the Ultimate Rewards portal, three points on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale club); two points on travel; and one point per $1 on your other purchases.
Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- The 60,000 bonus points new cardholders can earn (worth $750 in travel through Ultimate Rewards) can go a long way towards your next vacation.
- There are flexible redemption options including the opportunity to boost point values by 25% by redeeming for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.
- The rewards earning on dining and travel are solid making it a great card to use on plane tickets, hotel stays, car rentals, etc., as well as on dining purchases all year long.
CONS:
- Although the welcome offer is lucrative, cardholders need to spend $4,000 within three months to earn it which may be out of reach for some people. Before applying, consider whether or not reaching this threshold is a realistic goal.
- This card charges a AnnualFees annual fee, but it's numerous perks easily help to offset this.
Read our full CardName.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.6 | 75.9 |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 8.6 | 7.5 |
| Customer Service | 8.7 | 7.9 |
| Website/App Usability | 8.8 | 7.7 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 8.7 | 8.2 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 8.6 | 7.1 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
CardName discontinued Winner
The Bonus: You'll earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months; in this case, however, those points are worth up to $900 in travel since CardName cardholders receive 50% more value when redeeming points through Ultimate Rewards.
Annual fee: AnnualFees
Foreign Transaction Fee: foreign_fee
The Rewards: When you book through the Ultimate Rewards portal, you earn five points per $1 on air travel and 10 points per $1 on car rentals and hotels (all after earning your annual travel reimbursement). Earn three times the points on dining at restaurants and on other travel (again, that isn't eligible for the annual travel reimbursement; more on that below) and one point on everything else. Remember that Chase Ultimate Rewards points are transferable to multiple frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs, plus they're worth 50% more when redeemed through the Chase travel portal for cardholders.
Additional Features: Cardholders are eligible for up to $300 each account anniversary year in statement credit reimbursements to cover travel costs. Plus, you'll enjoy complimentary airport lounge access and a credit for your Global Entry application fee. Other perks include trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, emergency evacuation and transportation coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, auto rental collision damage waiver, and more.
Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- This card has some of the best travel benefits on the market including up to $300 in statement credits to cover travel purchases made each account anniversary year.
- The rewards earning rates with this card are quite good with three points earned per $1 spent on dining and on travel that isn't eligible for the annual $300 travel statement credit reimbursement and one point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, there is additional rewards earning possible for certain travel when you book through the Ultimate Rewards portal.
- With no foreign transaction fees, this card will be a welcome companion on your next international trip.
CONS:
- The annual fee is quite high.
- Not everyone will be able to use travel benefits and statement credits, so if you are not a frequent traveler this may not be the right card for you.
- The fee for authorized users is also a bit high at $75 per additional user.
Read our full CardName.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 83.2 | 83.2 |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 8.2 | 8.3 |
| Customer Service | 8.3 | 8.4 |
| Website/App Usability | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 8.7 | 8.6 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 8.4 | 8.2 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
CardName discontinued Winner
The Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles (worth $750 torwards travel) once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Additionally, enjoy 10,000 bonus miles every year, starting on your first account anniversary.
Annual Fee: AnnualFees
Foreign Transaction Fee: foreign_fee
The Rewards: Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X miles on all other purchases.
Additional Features: Receive up to $300 back as statement credits for bookings made through Capital One Travel; enjoy unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network; receive up to a $100 credit to cover your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee; and, when you pay your monthly wireless bill with your covered Capital One card, your cell phone is protected for the next calendar month.
PROS:
- This card offers free price drop protection, meaning, if you book a flight when Capital One recommends, and the price later drops, you'll get a partial refund. Plus, if you find a better price, Capital One will match it. Just let them know within 24 hours of booking, and they will refund you the difference.
- Take some stress out of your next vacation by breezing through security. This card offers up to $100 reimbursement for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
- Continue a stress-free airport experience with unlimited free visits to Capital One Lounges (plus bring two free guests per visit) and complimentary visits for you and your guests at Partner Lounge Network lounges.
CONS:
- The rewards offering is great, but to really get the most value out of earning rewards, you'll need to book your trips through Capital One Travel. If you prefer to book travel on third-party sites, like Expedia, you may not find this card as rewarding.
- The annual fee for this card isn't too daunting for a premium credit card, but still, you should consider if you'll utilize the card's perks enough to offset the annual fee before you make any final decisions.
Read our full CardName.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.9 | Did not survey |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 7.1 | n/a |
| Customer Service | 7.4 | n/a |
| Website/App Usability | 7.4 | n/a |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 6.9 | n/a |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 7.2 | n/a |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
CardName discontinued Winner
The Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. Points are worth $600 in gift cards or travel rewards when redeemed through thankyou.com. Plus, for a limited time, earn 10 points per $1 on hotels, car rentals and attractions (excluding air travel) booked via the Citi Travel portal through June 30, 2024.
Annual Fee: AnnualFees
Foreign Transaction Fee: foreign_fee
The Rewards: Earn an unlimited three points per $1 spent on hotels, air travel and gas purchases, as well as restaurants and supermarkets, and one point per $1 spent on everything else.
Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- The welcome bonus alone can go a long ways towards your next vacation.
- There is no foreign transaction fees, making this a great card for international travel.
- This card earns bonus rewards on popular everyday categories, making it a good go-to card option.
CONS:
- There is an annual fee to consider when applying for this card.
- As this isn't strictly an airline card, the benefits are somewhat limited when it comes to flying.
See our full CardName.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 84.5 | 76.7 |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 8.3 | 7.6 |
| Customer Service | 8.5 | 7.7 |
| Website/App Usability | 8.5 | 7.8 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 8.6 | 7.8 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 8.5 | 7.8 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
CardName discontinued Winner
The Bonus: Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors bonus points and a Free Night Reward after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership.
The Annual Fee: AnnualFees
Foreign Transaction Fee: foreign_fee
The Rewards: 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. Earn 5X points for each dollar of eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X points for other eligible purchases on your card.
Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- As the entry level Hilton Honors credit card, this card does not charge an annual fee.
- Cardholders receive complimentary Silver Status and get Gold Status if they spend $20,000 in a year.
- Spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
- Enrollment required for select perks.
CONS:
- The earning potential with the Hilton Honors American Express Card is lower than what you could get with other Hilton cards.
- There are less options in the Hilton portfolio than you might find with another brand such as Marriott Bonvoy.
Read our full CardName.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 79.9 | 79.6 |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 8.0 | 7.9 |
| Customer Service | 8.0 | 8.1 |
| Website/App Usability | 8.2 | 8.0 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 7.6 | 7.8 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
CardName discontinued Winner
The Bonus: Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after you spend $2,500 on your card in the first three months of account opening.
Annual Fee: AnnualFees
Foreign Transaction Fee: foreign_fee
The Rewards: Earn two AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent at gas stations, restaurants and on eligible American Airlines purchases.
Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- Earn a $125 American Airlines flight discount after you spend $20,000 or more in purchases during your card membership year and renew your card.
- There are no foreign transaction fees and your first checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation.
- Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights and receive 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights.
CONS:
- Although the annual fee is waived the first 12 months, you’ll still want to be sure you get enough from the rewards and card benefits to cover it afterward.
- Double miles earned on purchases at gas stations, restaurants and American Airlines is nice, but if most of your spending is in other categories or you frequently travel with other airlines, you’ll likely want to consider a more general travel rewards card.
Read our full CardName.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 82.9 | 73.7 |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 8.2 | 7.2 |
| Customer Service | 8.5 | 7.5 |
| Website/App Usability | 8.7 | 7.8 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 8.3 | 7.5 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 8.1 | 7.2 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
CardName discontinued Winner
The Bonus: 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.
Annual Fee: AnnualFees
Foreign Transaction Fee: foreign_fee
The Rewards: Earn three points per $1 on Southwest purchases as well as two points per $1 on local transit and commuting (including rideshares) and on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming and one point per $1 on other eligible purchases.
Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- Companion Pass is the gold standard of rewards air travel and all the points you earn with this card – including the signup bonus – count toward helping you earn it.
- Enjoy a $75 Southwest travel credit each year as well as up to four upgrade boardings, when available.
- Receive 7,500 bonus points each year after your account anniversary.
CONS:
- The AnnualFees annual fee is slightly higher than other airline rewards credit cards that offer similar benefits.
- Of airline travel cards, this one offers pretty standard rewards and benefits, especially for the annual fee. If your spending varies or you often fly with other airlines, you might find a general travel rewards credit card to be more valuable.
Read our full CardName.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 79.1 | 78.4 |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 7.8 | 7.8 |
| Customer Service | 8.4 | 7.7 |
| Website/App Usability | 8.1 | 8.0 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 7.9 | 8.2 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 7.7 | 7.9 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
CardName discontinued Winner
The Bonus: Earn 50,000 after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
Annual Fee: AnnualFees
Foreign Transaction Fee: foreign_fee
The Rewards: Earn two miles per $1 spent at restaurants, on hotel accommodations and on purchases from United, and one mile per $1 spent on everything else.
Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- Not many cards at this annual fee price point offer a trusted traveler program application fee reimbursement, which really makes this card stand out.
- This card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees so it's great for international travel.
- Other travel benefits include 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and WiFi onboard United-operated flights, first bag free and many others, which are all worth way more than the annual fee.
CONS:
- There are a lot of perks to help offset it, but an annual fee is always something to consider.
- You'll benefit most if United Airlines is actually a preference of yours. If you don't use United Airlines often, you'll likely miss out on the numerous perks this card has to offer.
Read our full CardName.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 75.5 | 72.6 |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 7.7 | 7.3 |
| Customer Service | 7.7 | 7.4 |
| Website/App Usability | 7.6 | 7.2 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 7.9 | 7.4 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 7.0 | 6.9 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
CardName discontinued Winner
The Bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first six months.
Annual Fee: AnnualFees
Foreign Transaction Fee: foreign_fee
The Rewards: Earn four points per dollar spent at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.; four points at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per year in purchases (then one point); three points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com; and one point on other eligible purchases.
Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- This is a great card for vacation since it earns bonus rewards on both food and travel. So whether you're dining out on vacation or you're shopping at a U.S. supermarket to stock up your Airbnb, you'll earn rewards on it all.
- Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with your card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. That is an annual savings of up to $120 (enrollment required).
- Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- With The Hotel Collection, you get a $100 hotel credit on qualifying charges, plus a room upgrade upon arrival, when available, when you book a stay of at least two consecutive nights.
- This is a good card for international travel as it does not charge fees on foreign transactions.
CONS:
- This card has an annual fee of AnnualFees which can be expensive if you aren’t earning enough rewards to offset it.
- Unlike typical credit cards, this card allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all.
Read our full CardName
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 83.4 | 80.9 |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 8.4 | 8.0 |
| Customer Service | 8.4 | 8.3 |
| Website/App Usability | 8.3 | 8.1 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 8.4 | 8.2 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 8.2 | 8.0 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
EDITOR'S NOTE
If airline rewards don't mean much to you, you might consider the CardName or the no-annual-fee CardName instead. Both of these cards offer bonus cash back on restaurant purchases, as well as entertainment and grocery store purchases, and have a much more manageable (or none at all for SavorOne) annual fee. Or, see our full list of the best credit cards for dining out for more great options.
CardName discontinued Winner
PROS:
- Because this card matches all of the miles earned the first year for new cardholders, you essentially earn three miles per $1 spent on all your purchases your first year.
- Depending on how often you use the card in the first year, you have the potential to earn a ton of bonus miles. For example, if you earn 35,000 miles, you get 70,000 miles. That's $700 towards travel!
- There’s no annual fee, which is somewhat unusual when it comes to solid travel rewards cards. The benefit of this is you won’t have to make sure you meet certain requirements to cover the annual fee often charged by other cards.
CONS:
- The flat rewards rate of 1.5 miles per $1 spent on all purchases is convenient, but it’s also a fairly low rate. If you spend a lot in specific categories you may be better off with a tiered or rotating category rewards card.
- Because of the non-traditional offer to match your spending the first year, you won’t earn your bonus until the end of the year. This might not matter much for some, but if you want the rewards immediately for upcoming travel, this card may not be the best option.
Read our full CardName.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 81.1 | 79.2 |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| Customer Service | 8.4 | 8.0 |
| Website/App Usability | 8.4 | 7.9 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 8.2 | 8.1 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 7.8 | 8.1 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
CardName discontinued Winner
PROS:
- Matching cash back for new cardholders is what sets Discover cards apart. The card will match, dollar for dollar, all the cash back you've earned during the first year you have the card. This is a great way to earn some serious rewards.
- This card doesn't charge an annual fee, or a foreign transaction fee, making it a great option for international travel.
CONS:
- The $1,000 combined quarterly spending cap on the 2% cash back category of dining and gas could be limiting.
- While their reach is growing, Discover cards are still not as widely accepted as Visa and Mastercard cards. This is especially true outside of the United States.
Read our full CardName.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 80.9 | 80.8 |
| Features Satisfaction | 8.0 | 7.9 |
| Customer Service | 8.3 | 8.0 |
| Website/App Usability | 8.3 | 8.0 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 8.6 | 8.5 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 7.7 | 8.3 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
CardName discontinued Winner
The Bonus: It isn't a traditional bonus, but you can enjoy a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening and 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and made within the first four months (then, RegAPR).
Annual Fee: AnnualFees
Balance Transfer Fee: BalanceTransferFees
Foreign Transaction Fee: foreign_fee
The Rewards: This isn't a traditional rewards card, but the intro 0% APR periods are a huge reward in and of themselves.
Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- While a credit card can be helpful in planning a vacation, it can also be dangerous if you aren't careful. It won't be much fun to take a nice vacation, only to spend months after trying to recover from it financially. This is where a 0% intro APR period could come in handy. This card gives you some extra time to pay off balances interest free. Just be sure to pay them off before the intro period ends as regular RegAPR APR will then apply.
- This card doesn't charge an annual fee which is always a nice perk.
- Citi Entertainment can help you feel like you're on vacation even if you can't go anywhere. Staycation anyone?
CONS:
- This card doesn't come with a traditional ongoing rewards program.
- If you choose to take advantage of the balance transfer offer, be aware that there is a balance transfer fee to consider: BalanceTransferFees
- You'll also want to be aware of the foreign transaction fees if planning to travel overseas.
Read our full CardName.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.6 | 73.0 |
| Features Satisfaction | 7.4 | 7.2 |
| Customer Service | 7.8 | 7.3 |
| Website/App Usability | 7.9 | 7.4 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 8.2 | 7.8 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 7.6 | 7.2 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
The CardName and the CardName are two cards that are hard to beat when it comes to planning a vacation. Here's why:
The Capital One Venture card earns two miles on every purchase made, so whether you're paying for groceries or plane tickets, you're earning rewards. Plus, these rewards can be redeemed for almost any travel purchase. Whether you're staying in a hotel or an Airbnb your miles are good for this. They can even be used for more unique options such as campsite reservations or guided tours. This card offers so much flexibility in how you redeem your rewards. Simply make a travel purchase, and then use your miles to erase that purchase from your statement. It's a simple as that. Plus, there's even an option to transfer miles to a number of hotel and airline loyalty programs.
With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, travel and dining purchases earn bonus rewards, and all other non-bonus spend earns one point per dollar spent. So you'll earn most on your vacation purchases, but what's great about this card is that points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Plus, if you have other Chase-Ultimate-Rewards-earning cards, such as CardName or CardName, you can pool those points under your Chase Sapphire Preferred account so that they are worth 25% more in travel as well. This is a great strategy as it allows you to quickly rack up points with ease, making your next vacation that much closer. There's an opportunity to transfer points to leading travel partners with this card as well. Information related to Chase Freedom FlexSM has been collected independently by CardRatings and was neither reviewed nor provided by the card issuer
When it comes to vacations though, everyone's plans will look different. That's why what's best for one traveler might not be best for another. If you strictly stay in Hilton hotels when you travel, the flexibility of the Venture card might not mean much to you. You'd likely be better off with a Hilton-loyalty card such as the CardName discontinued instead. Say you never fly... well, then an airline-loyalty card probably won't be the best fit. Or possibly you only travel once a year and only plan to use your card on your trip. You probably don't want a card with an annual fee then. You get the idea. When it comes to shopping for the best vacation credit card, consider your spending and lifestyle habits to help you determine which card will truly be best for your unique needs.
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AIRLINE CREDIT CARDS
Family vacationers and solo wanderlusters alike can benefit from the numerous rewards that airline credit cards offer. If you're loyal to a particular airline, there's no faster way to rack up points with that airline than to use a co-branded credit card to pay for your flights, and then to fly on that airline, of course. What's great about these cards though is that the rewards earning doesn't stop there. The best airline credit cards earn points on all purchases, so you aren't limited to just earning when you travel. By using an airline credit card for your vacation purchases, as well as everyday purchases, you're sure to rack up points in a hurry to use towards your upcoming, or even a future, vacation.
These travel credit cards are also a great way to make the most out of your flight experience. Co-branded airline cards offer cardholders things like free checked bags and in-flight discounts–saving you money; priority boarding–saving you time; and seat upgrades and complimentary lounge access–saving you from discomfort. All invaluable perks for frequent flyers.
HOTEL CREDIT CARDS
Whether you're looking for a swanky Manhattan hotel room for a romantic getaway or a tropical resort with a massive pool to let the kids burn off energy, hotel credit cards are a smart way to make the most of your vacation budget. These co-branded travel cards offer cardholders access to things like free night stays, room upgrades, resort credits to be used on experiences such as resort dining or visits to the spa, complimentary breakfast and more.
If you're loyal to a particular hotel brand, these travel credit cards can save you a ton of money for future travel. That's because branded hotel credit cards often earn really competitive rates per dollar spent at that particular hotel chain. For example, the CardName earns up to 17 Bonvoy points per dollar spent at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Beyond that, each dollar spent on the card earns 3X total points on up to $6,000 in combined purchases at gas stations, restaurants and grocery stores each year and two points on your other purchases. That means the more you use your card to pay for your hotel stays and everyday purchases, the more points you have to help offset the cost of your trip. Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Program.
Hotel credit cards are also a great way to gain access to elite status programs, which are usually reserved for the most loyal hotel guests. Access to these programs can gain you even more hotel benefits such as additional bonus points earned on stays, executive lounge access, priority late checkout, 48-hour guaranteed room availability, and welcome gifts.
GAS CREDIT CARDS
Own a RV or just prefer to drive to get to your vacation destination? Don't leave home without your gas credit card. Gas cards are a great travel credit card to have on hand for road-trip vacations as they earn rewards on every dollar spent at the gas pump. If you're spending a lot on gas, the rewards can really add up and help to offset the cost of your trip. Plus, these cards often earn on other purchases too, so the rewards don't stop there.
Take the CardName for example. Not only does it earn unlimited three points on gas purchases, but it earns unlimited three points on hotels and air travel, and at restaurants and supermarkets as well. So say if for your next vacation you fly to San Francisco, stay a few nights in a hotel, dine out on Fisherman's Wharf, and then rent a campervan, stock up on groceries at the supermarket, and road trip to Yosemite, you'll earn rewards on it all!
NO FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE CREDIT CARDS
If you regularly vacation abroad a no foreign transaction fee credit card can really save you a bundle. Travel credit cards with no foreign transaction fees can save you, on average, 3% of the total cost of your trip– that is, the total cost you spend in a foreign currency.
People oftentimes misunderstand how this works, thinking that if they are using a U.S. credit card, they are paying in U.S. currency. When you use a credit card abroad though, each time you swipe your card, that amount is automatically converted into the local currency. To cover the costs associated with this, many credit card issuers charge a foreign transaction fee. If you're only spending a couple hundred dollars here and there in a foreign currency, you might not mind this much; however, if you're taking a big vacation in another country this can really add up.
For example, let's say you take a two-week vacation to Spain. You most likely won't have to worry about your plane tickets facing a foreign transaction fee (unless you're taking a local airline to travel around Europe once you get there), but your hotel, meals, entertainment, and everything else purchased in Spain is subject to a foreign transaction fee charge. So say while abroad you spend $6,000 on your credit card. If that card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, you're looking at $180 extra in fees. You could eat a lot of tapas for that amount.
Instead, if you use a no foreign transaction fee credit card, that's money in your pocket. That may sound too good to be true, but these cards really aren't difficult to come by. Many of the best travel credit cards offer this as a perk, so if this is an area that's important to you, just be sure to check the fine print before you apply. You'll be glad that you did next international vacation you take!
FLEXIBLE TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS
Perhaps each vacation you take is unique. You fly one trip staying in a hotel; drive the next staying in an Airbnb. Flexible travel credit cards are the perfect option for those travelers who, well, want to remain flexible. If you aren't loyal to a particular hotel or airline, these travel credit cards are great because they'll earn you rewards on all travel purchases; not just on travel purchases made with a particular brand. Rewards earned with these cards can also often be transferred to a number of travel partners, adding to their flexibility.
As stated above, the CardName is a favorite for flexibility as it earns rewards on all purchases– not just on travel purchases. And those rewards can be redeemed on all travel expenses– not just on travel expenses with a certain hotel or airline. Train tickets, campsite bookings, guided excursions, cruises, and more can all be redeemed with Capital One miles.
Another favorite is the aforementioned CardName, particularly because points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel. That's a perk that can really help to stretch your vacation budget. Take the signup bonus alone, for example. New cardholders who spend $4,000 within the first three months of opening an account can earn 60,000 bonus points – that's worth $750 when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal! On an ongoing basis, cardholders earn five points per $1 on purchases through the Chase portal; three points on dining, select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); two points on other travel purchases; and one point per $1 on your other purchases – and yes, those rewards are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel, too.
SECURITY BENEFITS
For starters, as we already mentioned above, the peace and mind that credit card use while on vacation can bring is huge. Of course there is always the risk of losing your credit card while on vacation, but at least if this happens, it can be replaced, oftentimes within 24-48 hours, even if you're traveling internationally. And if someone steals your card and makes fraudulent charges, you've covered. On the other hand though, if you lose cash, that money is gone. You could always withdraw more from an ATM or at the bank, but still, you're spending more money on your vacation than you planned to, and that's never any fun.
Credit card issuers these days make credit card security a huge priority. Oftentimes you can set up account alerts so you'll get automatic security updates - via text, email, or phone - and you can choose to sign up for personalized emails or texts to stay on top of account information. You'll oftentimes see issuers offering $0 fraud liability as well if your card is ever lost or stolen. No one wants to pay for a purchase they didn't make, and thanks to top-notch credit card security, with most credit cards, you won't have to.
REWARDS AND BONUSES
Welcome bonuses are an easy way to make your credit card work to your advantage. If you want to cash in on travel rewards credit card perks, it'll help to follow these tips:
- If you apply for a credit card with a large welcome bonus, be sure to meet the qualifying spend threshold before the promotional deadline. A large bonus can go a long way when it comes to planning a vacation. Depending on the size of the bonus, your travel location, and your travel dates, you may even be able to cash in on free hotel stays or airfare. Just be sure to plan your application date accordingly and don't expect to book plane tickets for your trip in July with your bonus if you don't apply for the card until June.
- Funnel all the personal expenses you can on your rewards credit card leading up to your trip (and all year long if feasible). As long as you're paying your credit card bill off each month, this can be a great way to seriously rack up some rewards points which you can use towards your next vacation. If you can't pay off your bill every month though, ease up. Rewards points will only technically benefit you if you didn't go into debt to earn them.
- Build loyalty with travel industry brands that offer generous redemption options, elite status upgrades, and comprehensive destination lists. The more you travel within these brands, the more rewards you'll earn to use towards future trips.
- Research all the benefits your credit card offers. Did you know that some credit cards offer car rental insurance? How about insurance for lost baggage, or reimbursement for delayed or canceled trips? Some credit cards even offer travel accident insurance and roadside assistance services, as well as statement credits for things like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck applications. Knowing these details could save you a lot of money when it comes to your vacation.
If you've got excellent credit, you can usually find significant welcome bonus offers for new credit card customers. The biggest deals usually come from airline credit cards issued by major national banks. Many of these partnerships offer enough frequent flier miles or rewards points to cover one or two round trip domestic tickets.
On the other hand, if you've got enough time to play a longer game, you can turn your everyday purchases or reimbursed business expenses into discounted airfares and hotel nights. Hotel chain credit cards multiply rewards points for purchases at participating properties, speeding you toward exclusive status along the way. With many hotels adopting flexible, market-based redemption programs, picking an off-season date or a less central property for your vacation can stretch your rewards balance even further.
When searching for the best credit card that fits your needs for your vacation, remember that credit card companies don't set up rewards points programs just to be generous. Annual fees and finance charges on travel rewards cards tend to come in significantly higher than similar "no frills" credit cards. Squeezing maximum value from your rewards card means redeeming far more in value than the cost of your annual fee. Likewise, paying your bill in full at the close of each statement cycle can prevent high APRs from diminishing your card's rebate credits. Map out a sample reward itinerary to see just how much you'll need to spend if you want to fly, dine or lodge using your rewards.
In other words, getting the most of out of the best credit cards for vacation takes about as much work as you're doing to plan your vacation itself. That's the bad news. The good news is that by planning both, and really looking over the details, it should pay off. Your memories may be priceless, but that doesn't mean you have to pay a fortune for them.
The short answer: it depends. There's a not-so advised way to pay for a vacation with a credit card. There is also a very strategic smart way to pay for a vacation with a credit card.
The not-so advised approach: You know that you don't have the money for a vacation, but you throw caution to the wind, anyway, and you max out your credit card and go on a vacation in the summe. By the end of the year, you're still struggling to pay off the vacation.
The strategic smart way: You do have money for your vacation, and what's more, you've put some savings aside because you have a cash-back rewards credit card - and every time you saved money on purchases earlier in the year, you made sure some of that savings went into a bank account. What's more, you bought your airline tickets or hotel rooms or what have you through your credit card's travel portal, and because of that, you saved even more money.
Now, we don't begrudge the vacationers who maxed out their credit cards to go on a vacation. The memories are priceless, and if you needed a vacation, well, you needed one. This is where intro 0% APR offers could come in handy. If you need some extra time to pay off vacation expenses, or need to transfer a balance, be sure to utilize these offers as they'll give you some extra time to pay off balances interest fee.
Obviously though, it's better if you can use your credit cards to help you save money on the vacation, rather than utilizing credit cards to make a vacation more expensive, due to interest charges.
For instance, if you have a travel rewards credit card that offers you airline miles for the money you spend, you could collect enough in airfare to fly somewhere for "free." We say "free" since, as we know, nothing is free, and you had to spend a lot to get those tickets. But, still, it is very possible to use your credit cards so that paying for a vacation is strategically worked into your budget and cash flow - so that paying for it isn't too crazy of an undertaking.
Another thing to remember - you're more safeguarded when you pay for things like flights and hotels with a credit card than a debit card. If you have a dispute later with a merchant you did business with in some far-flung land or maybe on a cross country road trip, it's generally easier to get your money back when you pay for the item with a credit card.
Also, many credit cards offer perks such as lost luggage reimbursement, travel accident insurance and travel emergency assistance services, and so using your credit card to pay for your vacation could pay off for you in ways you haven't considered.
Deciding whether to carry cash or your credit card on vacation can be a tricky decision, and there are benefits and drawbacks to both. In the case of cash, it's a convenient way to shop while you're on vacation since some places only accept cash, and if you're heading to a foreign country, it's easy to exchange. However, no matter where you go, carrying large sums of cash is not advisable for safety reasons, as well as the possibility that your wallet may get lost and your money is then gone for good.
With a credit card, you generally have more security if your card is lost or stolen, however, it's important to keep in mind that credit card fraud sometimes happens too, and the risks can be greater while on vacation. If this happens with a credit card though you won't be responsible for those charges, whereas if your cash is stolen it's gone for good.
Another consideration when using a credit card is that you could rack up certain fees, like ATM fees or foreign purchase fees, so you should think about whether or not you have enough rewards on your account to offset those charges, or better yet, consider using a no foreign transaction fee credit card to avoid some of these charges in the first place.
That said, credit cards can be convenient to use on vacation in some places, as well as easier and safer to carry around.
One final advantage to using your credit card on vacation is that with the right card, you could be earning new rewards to use towards a future vacation. Or, with a card like the CardName, you could later redeem rewards to offset some of your vacation costs.
Considering the pros and cons of both cash and credit cards, your best bet is likely to carry both a credit card and limited cash (remember, if you have a debit card, you can always withdraw more cash as needed) on vacation and use them when they seem most appropriate.
Survey Methodology: CardRatings commissioned Op4G in September and October 2022 to conduct surveys among 1,554 cardholders nationwide. CardRatings website analytics from Jan. 1, 2022-Aug. 31, 2022 were used to determine a selection of the most popular cards and additional cards were included to add survey breadth. Responses to each of nine questions were given on a scale of 1-10 and respondents’ scores were then averaged under broad topics. To determine the overall score, responses from questions 1-8 were summed and the answer to “How likely are you to recommend this card to a friend, coworker or family member?” was double weighted. “Current Scores” reflect scores from the most recent survey (2022); “Past Scores” reflect scores from the 2021 survey.
Ranking Methodology: CardRatings experts review the fine print, details, perks, rewards and features of hundreds of cards and compare them side-by-side with similar cards. A card that makes an excellent balance transfer card may not make a great cash-back rewards card even though it offers those rewards. While the Best of the Year list is announced annually, that list – and all other “best of” lists on CardRatings – are regularly reviewed and updated as issuers change the terms and features of each card often.
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