With dozens of travel credit cards[1] available, there’s truly something for every kind of traveler. The key is finding a card that matches your spending habits and helps you get closer to your travel goals — whether that’s a weekend getaway or a dream vacation.
Here’s what to look for when choosing the best travel credit card for you.
Key features to look for in a travel credit card
The best travel credit card for you depends on how you spend and travel. As you compare options, keep an eye out for:
- Card type: Decide between a cobranded card (tied to one airline or hotel) and a general travel card with flexible rewards.
- Welcome bonus: A strong introductory offer can deliver significant up-front value if you can meet the spending requirement.
- Bonus categories: Look for cards that reward your everyday purchases[2], like dining, travel and groceries.
- Annual fee versus benefits: Make sure the perks outweigh the cost of carrying the card.
- Travel perks: Benefits like lounge access[3], free checked bags[4] and elite status can enhance your trips and save money.
Each of these elements plays a role in how much value you’ll get — and whether the card truly fits your lifestyle.
Related: How (and why) you should earn transferable credit card points[5]
Cobranded vs. general: Which travel card should you pick?
First, consider the type of travel card[6] you want and the rewards you wish to earn.
There are two main categories: cobranded travel credit cards and general travel rewards credit cards.
Cobranded travel credit cards are linked with a particular airline or hotel and often come with brand-specific perks.
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For airline cards[9], this might include free checked bags, priority boarding or inflight discounts. Hotel cards[10] may offer annual free night certificates, property credits or automatic elite status. These cards work best if you’re loyal to one brand, like Delta Air Lines[11], United Airlines or Marriott[12].
General travel rewards credit cards[13] aren’t tied to a single program. Instead, they earn points or miles you can use across multiple airlines and hotel brands, or redeem for travel through the issuer’s portal, statement credits or gift cards.
General travel credit cards are typically preferable for those who want flexibility in their rewards without being tied to a specific airline or hotel brand.
Related: My 4 top travel credit cards — and how they elevate my trips[14]
Why welcome offers matter
A welcome bonus[15] is a one-time bonus, usually in the form of points, miles or cash back, that you earn after spending a certain amount on your new credit card within a specified time frame.
It can quickly supercharge your points or miles balance and help offset a card’s annual fee. When evaluating offers, think about:
- Bonus size: A welcome bonus of 60,000 to 100,000 points (or more) can offer significant value — often worth hundreds of dollars in travel.
- Spending requirement: Be sure you can meet the minimum spending requirement to earn the bonus without stretching your budget or making unnecessary purchases.
- Offer timing: Some cards run elevated offers throughout the year, and timing your application can maximize value.
To stay in the know on the latest welcome offers, sign up for one (or all!) of TPG’s newsletters[16], and check out our running list of the best current welcome bonuses[17].
Related: The best time to apply for American Express cards based on offer history[18]
Match bonus categories with your lifestyle
The right travel credit card should reward you for the purchases you already make, so to get the most value, look closely at how a card earns points or miles and whether those bonus categories align with your lifestyle.
- Dining and groceries: Many travel cards offer elevated rewards at restaurants and supermarkets[19], making them great options for foodies or families.
- Travel purchases: Airline and hotel cards typically offer bonus points for spending with their specific brand, while general travel cards often reward broader categories like flights, hotels and even ride-hailing services[20].
- Everyday expenses: Some cards go beyond travel and dining by offering bonus points on gas[21], streaming services[22], online shopping or transit, ideal if you’re looking for year-round earning potential.
By choosing a card that matches your regular spending, you’ll maximize your rewards and earn rewards faster without changing your habits.
Weigh the annual fee against the benefits
Travel credit card annual fees can range from $0 to nearly $800, and whether a card is “worth it” depends on how much value you can realistically get from its perks.
Here’s a good way to think about it: Figure out the card’s true cost by subtracting the value of perks or statement credits[23] you’ll actually use from the annual fee. This gives you the card’s effective annual cost and a clearer picture of what you’re really paying.
Let’s look at two examples:
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Annual fee: $795
Key perks and credits:
- $300 annual travel credit
- Up to $300 annually with StubHub and Viagogo through Dec. 31, 2027
- Up to $250 annually in complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions through June 22, 2027 (one-time activation per service through chase.com or the Chase Mobile app is required)
- Up to $120 for Global Entry[24], TSA PreCheck[25] or Nexus[26] every four years
- 8 points per dollar spent on all Chase Travel℠ purchases, 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked direct, 3 points per dollar spent on dining worldwide
Your effective annual fee for the Chase Sapphire Reserve[27] when using these statement credits comes out to $0. You’re actually $85 in the green.
Now factor in the value of Priority Pass,[28] travel protections, other statement credits and high earning potential. If you take advantage of these, the card can easily provide more value than you pay in.
To learn more, see our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve[29].
The Platinum Card from American Express
Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees[30])
Key perks and credits:
- Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by one airline you select*
- Up to $200 in Uber Cash per calendar year, valid on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. (split into monthly up-to-$15 credits plus an up-to-$20 bonus in December); Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the Amex Platinum as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card
- Up to $240 per calendar year in annual digital entertainment credit, up to $20 in monthly statement credits when you pay for eligible purchases with the Amex Platinum at eligible partners*
- Up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year to cover your Clear Plus annual membership[31]* (subject to auto-renewal)
- Earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent after)
*Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
Your effective annual fee for the Amex Platinum[32] when using these statement credits is also $0. In this case, you’re $144 in the green.
Add in lounge access[33] and the elevated earning rate on flights and hotels booked with Amex Travel, and the overall value can far exceed the cost.
To learn more, see our full review of the Amex Platinum card[34].
Popular travel cards to consider
Remember, a travel card is only worth the annual fee if you’ll actually use the perks. If the value outweighs the cost — or comes close — it’s likely worth it. But if the benefits feel forced, you’re probably better off with a lower-fee option.
Related: The complete guide to credit card annual fees[35]
Bottom line
The best travel credit card isn’t always the one with the flashiest perks — it’s the one that fits your lifestyle.
Whether you’re looking for luxury lounge access or simple points on groceries and flights, make sure the card you choose matches your spending and helps you get closer to your travel goals without paying for benefits you won’t use.
Related: The credit cards that help fuel my luxury travel[36]
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here[37].
References
- ^ travel credit cards (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ everyday purchases (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ lounge access (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ free checked bags (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ How (and why) you should earn transferable credit card points (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ travel card (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ Terms of Use (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ Privacy Policy (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ airline cards (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ Hotel cards (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ Delta Air Lines (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ Marriott (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ General travel rewards credit cards (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ My 4 top travel credit cards — and how they elevate my trips (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ welcome bonus (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ sign up for one (or all!) of TPG’s newsletters (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ best current welcome bonuses (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ The best time to apply for American Express cards based on offer history (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ supermarkets (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ ride-hailing services (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ gas (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ streaming services (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ statement credits (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ Global Entry (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ TSA PreCheck (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ Nexus (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ Chase Sapphire Reserve (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ Priority Pass, (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ see our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ rates and fees (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ Clear Plus annual membership (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ Amex Platinum (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ lounge access (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ see our full review of the Amex Platinum card (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ The complete guide to credit card annual fees (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ The credit cards that help fuel my luxury travel (thepointsguy.com)
- ^ here (thepointsguy.com)