Best Credit Card for Travel in 2025
If you’re a frequent flyer, a spontaneous adventurer, or simply someone who loves to explore new destinations, having the best credit card for travel can save you thousands of dollars every year.
From earning miles and points to enjoying airport lounges and avoiding foreign transaction fees, a good travel credit card can significantly enhance your travel experience.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top travel credit cards in 2025, what features to look for, and how to choose the right one based on your travel habits.
Why You Need a Travel Credit Card
Before diving into specific cards, it’s important to understand why a travel credit card is different from a regular card:
- Earn rewards on travel spending: Flights, hotels, rental cars, and even dining.
- Redeem points/miles: For airfare, hotel stays, statement credits, or even cash back.
- Travel protections: Trip cancellation insurance, rental car insurance, lost baggage coverage, and more.
- No foreign transaction fees: Save money when making purchases abroad.
- Luxury travel perks: Lounge access, TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credits, hotel upgrades, and concierge services.
Top Travel Credit Cards of 2025
Here are some of the best travel credit cards currently available, based on features, rewards, and user satisfaction.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Sign-up Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in 3 months
- Rewards: 2x points on travel and dining, 1x on all other purchases
- Benefits: Travel protection, primary car rental insurance, no foreign transaction fees
- Why it’s great: Offers solid travel rewards without a high annual fee. Points are worth 25% more when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
2. The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Annual Fee: $695
- Welcome Offer: 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in 6 months
- Rewards: 5x points on flights booked through Amex Travel, 1x on other purchases
- Benefits: Access to over 1,300 airport lounges, $200 airline fee credit, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
- Why it’s great: Best-in-class luxury travel perks for frequent flyers who want comfort and exclusivity.
3. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Sign-up Bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in 3 months
- Rewards: 2x miles on all purchases
- Benefits: Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, no foreign transaction fees, flexible redemption options
- Why it’s great: Flat-rate rewards make it simple and flexible — ideal for beginners.
4. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Annual Fee: $550
- Sign-up Bonus: 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in 3 months
- Rewards: 3x on travel (after $300 annual travel credit), 10x on hotels and car rentals through Chase
- Benefits: Priority Pass lounge access, trip protection, no foreign transaction fees
- Why it’s great: Offers premium benefits and one of the best travel protections on the market.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Credit Card for Travel
Picking the best travel credit card depends on your lifestyle and travel goals. Here are key factors to consider:
1. Your Travel Habits
Do you fly frequently? Stay in hotels? Travel internationally? Choose a card that rewards you in your most common travel areas.
2. Rewards Program
Some cards earn miles, others earn points or cash back. Look for flexible rewards programs that allow transfers to travel partners.
3. Annual Fees
High-fee cards often come with luxury perks. Make sure the value you get (like lounge access, credits, or bonuses) outweighs the cost.
4. Sign-up Bonuses
Many travel cards offer huge bonuses for new members. If you plan on spending the required amount within the first few months, this can be a great jump-start on free travel.
5. Redemption Options
Check how and where you can redeem your points. Some cards offer better value when redeemed through their travel portals or transfer partners.
6. Travel Perks
Look for extras like airport lounge access, baggage insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and hotel status upgrades.
How to Maximize Travel Rewards
Getting the right card is just the first step. Here are ways to make the most of your travel credit card:
- Use your card for travel and dining: Many cards offer higher rewards for these categories.
- Pay your balance in full: Avoid interest to ensure the rewards are worth it.
- Transfer points strategically: Some rewards programs let you transfer to airlines or hotels for more value.
- Take advantage of perks: Don’t forget to use your annual credits, free night stays, or lounge passes.
- Combine with loyalty programs: Use your card in conjunction with airline and hotel programs for double rewards.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overlooking fees: Make sure benefits justify the annual cost.
- Not meeting the sign-up bonus requirement: Missing this can cost you hundreds of dollars in value.
- Redeeming points for poor value: Booking travel or transferring to partners often provides better return than using points for cash back.
- Carrying a balance: Travel rewards aren’t worth it if you’re paying high interest.
Final Thoughts: Which Card Is Best for You?
If you’re a casual traveler looking for great value, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® is a fantastic starting point. For luxury travelers, the Amex Platinum offers unmatched perks. And if you want simplicity and flexibility, Capital One Venture is hard to beat.
