Best travel credit cards of February 2025
The right travel credit card can transform your travel aspirations into reality. By strategically using your card for everyday purchases, you can accumulate points or miles that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses.
When selecting a travel credit card, consider factors such as annual fees, rewards structure, and additional travel perks. It’s essential to choose a card that aligns with your travel goals and spending habits to reap the most benefits.
Our experts meticulously evaluate the top travel credit cards to identify the most rewarding options. We consider factors like rewards rates, fees, travel benefits, and ease of use to provide you with informed recommendations. Our list is continually updated to reflect changes in the credit card landscape, ensuring you have access to the most current information.
Whatever your wanderlust is dreaming of, we have a suggestion that can help you get there. Bon voyage!
OUR FEATURED CARD LIST
CardRatings’ top picks for the best travel credit cards
Elevate your travel experiences with the best travel credit cards of 2025. Our experts have thoroughly evaluated numerous options to identify the most rewarding travel credit cards. Compare key features, annual fees, and travel benefits to select the best card to align with your wanderlust.
Why we like it
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are transferable to many frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs, so you aren't tied down to a single brand with this card. Your points are worth 25% more when you redeem them through Chase Travel℠, making them even more valuable than they are at face value.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are transferable to many frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs, so you aren't tied down to a single brand with this card. Your points are worth 25% more when you redeem them through Chase Travel℠, making them even more valuable than they are at face value.
- Chase has a number of travel partners so there's a lot of flexibility in how you’re able to redeem your rewards.
- This card earns bonus points on all travel purchases, not just with a specific hotel or airline brand.
- The card does not charge foreign transaction fees, so it's great whether you’re traveling near or far!
- While the welcome bonus is impressive, it might be hard for some cardholders to reach the spend threshold required to earn it.
- This card charges an annual fee, so if you're just a causal spender you might find it difficult to offset this.
Why we like it
There's a ton of flexibility with this card when it comes to redeeming miles earned; plus, the annual fee is less than what you might expect to pay for a card with this kind of earning and redemption power. For example, you can fly any airline and stay at any hotel. Plus, you can transfer your miles to multiple leading travel loyalty programs.
There's a ton of flexibility with this card when it comes to redeeming miles earned; plus, the annual fee is less than what you might expect to pay for a card with this kind of earning and redemption power. For example, you can fly any airline and stay at any hotel. Plus, you can transfer your miles to multiple leading travel loyalty programs.
- From airfare to grocery purchases this card earns bonus miles on it all. This is a great option for anyone looking to rack up rewards fast.
- This card offers reimbursement for most travel purchases so you aren’t limited to traveling with a specific airline or hotel brand. From Airbnb stays, to car rentals, to National Park campsite bookings, your miles are good to cover almost any travel purchase– even out-of-the-box ones!
- You can transfer miles to numerous leading airline and hotel loyalty programs, offering even more flexibility with how you redeem your rewards.
- This card does not charge foreign transaction fees so it’s great to use domestically as well as internationally.
- This card charges an annual fee. If you’re a casual credit card spender you may find it difficult to offset this cost. If you're looking for a no-annual-fee alternative, you might want to consider the card_name instead. (See Rates and Fees)
- If you’re loyal to a particular airline or hotel you might benefit more with a card that earns extra rewards on purchases with that brand.
Why we like it
This card offers a whopping 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel. All other purchases, including all other travel purchases, earn 2X miles per dollar spent. Plus, the card comes with numerous travel benefits such as travel credits and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement, and many of the card's perks are also extended to authorized users, all for no added fee.
This card offers a whopping 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel. All other purchases, including all other travel purchases, earn 2X miles per dollar spent. Plus, the card comes with numerous travel benefits such as travel credits and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement, and many of the card's perks are also extended to authorized users, all for no added fee.
- Earning 10,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary is a nice incentive for maintaining card membership.
- Don't be alarmed by the annual fee. It's actually quite modest as far as premium credit cards go, and the card offers a ton of perks to help offset the cost.
- Lounge access and travel credits are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this card's perks!
- The annual fee is easy to offset if you'll utilize the card's numerous benefits, but if you don't travel often, you may find you have trouble offsetting the cost of the card.
- The annual travel credit is nice, but earning it means you'll need to do your travel bookings through the Capital One Travel portal. This may feel limiting for some cardholders.
Why we like it
This card offers up to $100 in airline incidental credits annually plus TSA PreCheck/Global Entry statement credits of up to $100 every four years making it a great choice for frequent fliers.
This card offers up to $100 in airline incidental credits annually plus TSA PreCheck/Global Entry statement credits of up to $100 every four years making it a great choice for frequent fliers.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards client, you can earn 25% to 75% more points on every purchase.
- Receive up to $100 in airline incidental credits annually.
- Cardholders receive up to a $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years.
- This card does not charge foreign transaction fees so feel free to bring it along on your next international trip.
- This card is designed with Bank of America customers in mind, so if this isn't currently your bank you may miss out on reward opportunities.
- It's manageable, but there is an annual fee to consider.
Why we like it
Take what you love about the Sapphire Preferred® Card and up it a notch. This is the luxury sibling of that card and, while the annual fee could come as a bit of a shock, when you consider what you get for the fee, we think it's worth it.
Take what you love about the Sapphire Preferred® Card and up it a notch. This is the luxury sibling of that card and, while the annual fee could come as a bit of a shock, when you consider what you get for the fee, we think it's worth it.
- Points are worth a whopping 50% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel.
- Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass Select.
- Cardholders receive up to a $120 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- This card offers some solid travel insurance protections such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, emergency evacuation and transportation coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and more.
- This card offers a lot of bang for its buck, but there’s no ignoring its sizable annual fee. If you don’t plan to use the card often enough to truly reap its benefits, this might not be the best option for you.
- There’s also an annual fee for each additional authorized user added to the account.
Why we like it
A card with this large of an annual fee as a top pick for a travel rewards card?! Astounding, but we believe for the right frequent traveler who enjoys comfort and the exclusive perks that come with this card, it’s worth it. Furthermore, there are a ton of opportunities to offset that fee just with included benefits and perks – not even considering the rewards. American Express is a CardRatings advertiser
A card with this large of an annual fee as a top pick for a travel rewards card?! Astounding, but we believe for the right frequent traveler who enjoys comfort and the exclusive perks that come with this card, it’s worth it. Furthermore, there are a ton of opportunities to offset that fee just with included benefits and perks – not even considering the rewards. American Express is a CardRatings advertiser
- Enjoy a $200 statement fee credit, up to $200 per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one qualifying pre-selected airline.
- Cardholders receive up to a $120 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- Enjoy access to the Global Lounge Collection, the only credit card airport lounge access program that includes proprietary lounge locations around the world.
- This card offers a few travel insurance protections such as car rental loss and damage insurance and baggage insurance plans.
- This card does not charge foreign transaction fees so it makes a great international travel companion.
- Enrollment may be required for select benefits.
- This card carries a hefty annual fee. It offers a lot of benefits to offset its cost, but if you don’t travel enough to utilize these benefits, the cost likely won’t be worth it.
- If you anticipate needing to carry a balance, you might want to consider another option. Unlike typical credit cards, this card allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all.
Why we like it
Put simply, the match. Earning what amounts to three miles per dollar spent during your first year makes this card even more lucrative than cards with sky-high annual fees. Plus, cardholders can enjoy 0% intro APR on new purchases for intro_apr_duration (then, RegAPR).
Put simply, the match. Earning what amounts to three miles per dollar spent during your first year makes this card even more lucrative than cards with sky-high annual fees. Plus, cardholders can enjoy 0% intro APR on new purchases for intro_apr_duration (then, RegAPR).
- The match bonus Discover offers is unique, and has the potential to reward you big time. If you plan your spending right, you have the potential to walk away with thousands of extra miles at the end of your first year as a cardholder.
- You can redeem your rewards for travel credit or cash back.
- No annual fees or foreign transaction fees.
- While the mile match bonus has potential to pay off big, it requires patience. If you’re looking to earn a welcome bonus that you can use almost immediately, this might not be the card for you.
- Because of the match bonus, you effectively earn three miles per dollar spent, but after your first year as a cardholder, the 1.5X earn rate might not seem as desirable.
Why we like it
This card offers a number of luxury perks without the through-the-roof annual fee of other luxury cards, with a high rewards rate earned on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, as well as on everyday purchases like at U.S. supermarkets and at restaurants.
This card offers a number of luxury perks without the through-the-roof annual fee of other luxury cards, with a high rewards rate earned on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, as well as on everyday purchases like at U.S. supermarkets and at restaurants.
- The rewards rate on restaurant purchases and at U.S. supermarkets is quite high, making it a solid option for anyone who spends heavily in those categories in addition to travel.
- This card does not charge foreign transaction fees so it’s a great option for trips abroad.
- Hotel Credit up to $100 - book through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel and get a $100 hotel credit when you stay at least two consecutive nights.
- Enrollment may be required for select benefits.
- Unlike typical credit cards, this card allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all.
- The AnnualFees annual fee isn’t horrendous; however, if you don’t travel often, it likely won’t be worth it.
Why we like it
Whether you drive, fly, dine out, or dine in, this card rewards you for it all. Plus, there's an annual hotel savings benefit so it's great for hotel stays as well. Citi is a CardRatings.com advertiser.
Whether you drive, fly, dine out, or dine in, this card rewards you for it all. Plus, there's an annual hotel savings benefit so it's great for hotel stays as well. Citi is a CardRatings.com advertiser.
- This card does not charge foreign transaction fees so it's a good one to use abroad.
- Transfer ThankYou® Points to participating airline loyalty programs to get flights fast. There is no fee, and the minimum transfer is only 1,000 points.
- Points can also be redeemed for gift cards including for department and home stores, restaurants, and more. Or, use ThankYou® Points to shop online at Amazon.com or BestBuy.com.
- Enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, through CitiTravel.com once per calendar year. This alone offsets the annual fee.
- This card does carry an annual fee, so that's something to consider if you were hoping for a no-annual-fee credit card.
- If you prefer the flexibility of cash-back rewards, you might want to consider another card.
Why we like it
This card offers premium rewards and travel perks without the premium price. Enjoy top-tier earnings on dining and travel, plus valuable travel credits you won't want to miss. Information related to this card has been collected independently by CardRatings and was neither reviewed nor provided by the card issuer.
This card offers premium rewards and travel perks without the premium price. Enjoy top-tier earnings on dining and travel, plus valuable travel credits you won't want to miss. Information related to this card has been collected independently by CardRatings and was neither reviewed nor provided by the card issuer.
- Cardholders can earn a bonus on dining rewards worldwide, making it a great choice for those who frequently travel abroad.
- Speaking of traveling abroad, this card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees so it’s great for international purchases.
- This card offers a CLEAR application credit which is nice for those looking to get through airport security more quickly (because aren't we all?).
- Don't overlook the annual fee. While it's manageable, it's still something you need to consider when deciding if this is the right travel card for you.
Why we like it
If simple travel rewards and avoiding an annual fee are your goals, this could be your card. Additionally, this card allows you to redeem rewards to cover your dining purchases, which means it offers a solution to the question of how to offset the expense of food when you travel.
If simple travel rewards and avoiding an annual fee are your goals, this could be your card. Additionally, this card allows you to redeem rewards to cover your dining purchases, which means it offers a solution to the question of how to offset the expense of food when you travel.
- No foreign transaction or annual fees.
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase, plus additional points depending on your tier if you're a Preferred Rewards client.
- Redeem your rewards to cover restaurant purchases, one of travel's biggest expenses and one you can't often use credit card rewards to offset.
- There’s no annual fee, which is great, but travel cards with annual fees do tend to offer more in the way of perks and features. If you're a regular traveler and can justify an annual fee, you stand to enjoy more perks and possibly earn more rewards.
- For a card with no annual fee, the rewards rate is fine. However, if you’re looking to take a trip fast using rewards, it might take a while to rack them up at a 1.5 points per dollar rate.
Why we like it
Shopping for an airline rewards card doesn't have to mean you only earn top rewards when you shop with that particular airline. This card offers you bonus rewards on some everyday purchases as well, in addition to rewarding you generously when you fly.
Shopping for an airline rewards card doesn't have to mean you only earn top rewards when you shop with that particular airline. This card offers you bonus rewards on some everyday purchases as well, in addition to rewarding you generously when you fly.
- 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.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 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.
- The bonus mile earning opportunities are somewhat limited. If you’re not loyal to American Airlines or don’t eat out often or have high gas expenses, you might be better off with a more general travel credit card.
- It’s offset the first year, but there is an annual fee to think about moving forward.
Why we like it
If you're brand-loyal, it often pays to pick up a card that supports that. In this case, the welcome offer and all the points you earn help you along the path to a coveted Southwest Companion Pass.
If you're brand-loyal, it often pays to pick up a card that supports that. In this case, the welcome offer and all the points you earn help you along the path to a coveted Southwest Companion Pass.
- Southwest rewards your loyalty with 3,000 bonus points each year on your account anniversary.
- As a cardholder, you can enjoy two EarlyBird Check-Ins each year.
- The card rewards you for more than just Southwest purchases. Enjoy bonus rewards in other popular categories such as select streaming purchases and local transit as well.
- Southwest's market is expanding, but it's limited to mostly domestic locations. If you travel frequently overseas, you may not fly Southwest often enough to offset the annual fee.
- This card doesn’t offer some of the benefits found on some other airline cards, such as access to airport lounges or discounted reward travel options.
Why we like it
For a no-annual-fee card, it does a solid job rewarding those loyal to the Hilton brand, plus rewards users generously for everyday purchases as well.
For a no-annual-fee card, it does a solid job rewarding those loyal to the Hilton brand, plus rewards users generously for everyday purchases as well.
- The earn rate is very solid for a card with no-annual-fee. Not only does this card generously reward you for stays within the Hilton portfolio, but it also offers bonus rewards on everyday purchases as well as on all "other" eligible purchases, which is rare for no-annual-fee cards.
- If you plan to travel internationally, this is a great card to travel with as it does not charge foreign transaction fees.
- If you frequently stay at Hilton hotels, earning 7X points on purchases charged directly with eligible properties is an easy way to rack up rewards fast.
- Spend $20,000 on eligible purchases 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 benefits.
- As is usually the case with brand-specific credit cards, you’ll reap the most benefit if you’re truly loyal to those brands. If you aren’t, you would likely be better off with a more general travel rewards card.
Why we like it
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are extremely flexible and valuable; it's nice to be able to earn them easily with a card designed for your small business needs. Plus, there are a number of travel perks offered with this card, including travel insurance which could really come in handy for business travel.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points are extremely flexible and valuable; it's nice to be able to earn them easily with a card designed for your small business needs. Plus, there are a number of travel perks offered with this card, including travel insurance which could really come in handy for business travel.
- For a card with such an affordable annual fee, it offers a really nice welcome bonus. Sure, the spend threshold to receive it is a bit high, but considering the fact that the bonus is worth $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel, it’s worth planning ahead to make sure you do what you need to do (within reason, of course) to earn it.
- This card is great for travel thanks to no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, auto rental collision damage waivers, and more.
- Pay your cell phone bill with your card and enjoy cell phone insurance for the primary cardholder and employee phones on the same account.
- The welcome bonus offered with this card is huge, but the spend threshold to receive it is a bit high. If your business doesn’t regularly spend much, or doesn’t have a large purchase on the horizon, this might not be the card for you.
- There is an annual fee, but at annual_fees, it’s quite modest for the amount of perks offered with this card.
Why we like it
Road-weary business travelers deserve to be taken care of as much as possible while they crisscross the country (or world). This card does that for you. It also offers healthy rewards, which means you can put a little something back toward your business' bottom line by way of a reward flight here and there.
Road-weary business travelers deserve to be taken care of as much as possible while they crisscross the country (or world). This card does that for you. It also offers healthy rewards, which means you can put a little something back toward your business' bottom line by way of a reward flight here and there.
- Get 50% more Membership Rewards points. That’s an extra half point per dollar on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more (up to a cap) and on eligible purchases in select business categories.
- Enjoy a 35% airline bonus. Use Membership Rewards Pay with Points for all or part of a flight with your selected qualifying airline, and you can get 35% of those points back, up to 1 million bonus points per calendar year when you book on amextravel.com.
- This card gives you access to airport lounges across the globe, a perk road-weary business travelers will appreciate. Enrollment required for select benefits
- No foreign transaction fees.
- There are a lot of benefits to help offset it, but the annual fee is substantial. If you don’t expect to use the card enough to offset this fee, you might be better off with a lower-annual-fee card.
- The welcome bonus for new cardholders is a great offer, but the spending threshold may be out of reach for some users.
Why we like it
Royal Caribbean travels all around the world, so it's a great cruise line no matter which destination you're interested in. This card allows you to earn bonus MyCruise points on qualifying cruise purchases, plus rewards on everyday spend, so it's good for more than just your cruise purchases. Information related to this card has been collected independently by CardRatings and was neither reviewed nor provided by the card issuer.
Royal Caribbean travels all around the world, so it's a great cruise line no matter which destination you're interested in. This card allows you to earn bonus MyCruise points on qualifying cruise purchases, plus rewards on everyday spend, so it's good for more than just your cruise purchases. Information related to this card has been collected independently by CardRatings and was neither reviewed nor provided by the card issuer.
- Bonus rewards are earned not only on eligible Royal Caribbean purchases, but on their sister brands, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea, as well.
- This card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, which is a great perk considering many cruises head to international destinations.
- Redeem your points toward cruise upgrades & discounts, cruise vacations, onboard credits to use anyway you'd like – specialty restaurants, shore excursions, in the shops or at the spa.
- If Royal Caribbean or one of its sister brands are not your cruise line of choice, you might want to consider a more flexible travel rewards card.
Compare the best travel credit cards by perks and features
Want to see how our picks for the best travel credit cards stack up against each other? Our comparison tool makes it easy to compare up to three cards at a time. Simply select the cards you’re interested in and we’ll automatically display their key perks and features side-by-side. With a quick glance, you can easily identify the card that best suits your needs and preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
How do travel credit cards work?
Travel credit cards earn rewards on purchases made with the card, particularly on travel purchases. There are four main types of travel credit cards, each featuring their own type of rewards. These include:
- Transferable points
- Fixed value/cash value
- Airline rewards
- Hotel rewards
Which type of card is right for you will depend on your spending habits and how you prefer to earn and use travel rewards. Learn more about how travel credit cards work.
How to choose a travel credit card
Travel credit cards can be alluring, but you have to understand how to make them work for you in order to maximize their benefits. Here are some things to keep in mind when you're comparing travel cards and looking for the one that's right for you:
- Know your credit score and history
- Assess your travel goals
- Be honest about your spending habits
- Consider the fees
- Look at the extra perks and features
Once you've considered these things you'll be in a better position to start comparing options. The right card for you may not be right for the next person, so taking into account your spending habits, lifestyle, and card expectations can help set you up for a successful travel credit card experience. Learn more about how to choose a travel credit card .
Who should get a travel credit card?
What credit score do I need to qualify for the best travel credit cards?
Are there any travel credit cards with no annual fee?
Are travel credit cards worth it?
Yes, travel credit cards can definitely be worth it, especially for frequent travelers. They offer a variety of benefits that can enhance travel experiences and save cardholders money.
Meet the editorial team
Rating 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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