The best travel credit cards include a number of the very best travel reward rates out there on every occasion you use one. The points you earn may be used toward a future (or sometimes past) travel purchase. And if you spend money on certain eligible purchases,
You will reap even more rewards points and begin working your way toward extra bonus miles and elite status. A travel rewards card also comes in handy for travel perks like first-class upgrades. For the frequent traveler, priority boarding, free TSA Precheck and Global Entry, and exclusive hotel or rental car benefits
Best Travel Credit Cards
If you do not have a travel card, it is time to begin vetting the travel benefits offered by the slew of Mastercard companies out there that supply travel perks. If you already have a travel rewards card, use this downtime to take stock of what it offers. There might be better rewards out there.
How to Select Best Travel Credit Cards 2023
The points and travel benefits accrued through a travel rewards program are often redeemed through your Mastercard issuer’s website or app. Or appear as an announcement credit that reimburses you for past travel-related expenses and any other purchases you make with your travel Mastercard.
Points or miles can even be transferred to travel partners. Most hotels and airlines have a fluctuating conversion rate, which influences their decision to book a flight or a room. More thereon later.
To choose the most effective travel Mastercard, there are some key factors to consider:
Annual Fees
Every single travel rewards program reviewed here has annual fees, with some climbing as high as $550, but those fees are usually mitigated by monthly or annual credits.
Exclusive Perks
A number of these travel rewards card options also grant access to exclusive travel perks, like airline lounges, priority boarding, or VIP welcomes at hotels. The worth of these perks is subjective and something you’ll need to gauge for your own needs.
Foreign Transaction Fees
None of the simplest travel cards make users pay a distant transaction fee, so an overseas transaction fee isn’t something you have to stress about with any of the credit cards recommended below.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve offers great value for those that spend around $12,000 or more annually on travel. The Mastercard company enables you to accrue rewards card points for flights, hotels, rental cars, trains, buses, and either travel or dining.
And it’s even better for those that value its additional travel perks like travel insurance, hotel discounts, and lounge access through Priority Pass Select.
Card Details
With this card, you can earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from when you opened your account. This is $750 if you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards. This card also grants you $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5X on Travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. it also grants 3x on dinning and 2x on all other types of travel purchases.
With the card, you can get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card charges an annual fee of $95.
American Express the Gold Card
As one of the best card on this list that gives a high rewards rate on both dining and US supermarket purchases. The Gold Card from American Express could be a great option for those that don’t currently spend plenty on travel per annum.
Card Benefits
With this card, you have 24/7 access for medical, legal and financial and other select emergency assistance and coordination services. It can also enable you to get a $100 hotel credit to spend on qualifying dinning, spa and resort activities. You will also get a room upgrade upon arrival of guests. when you book a stay of at least two consecutive nights with American Express Travel.
Fees
The following are the fees charged by American Express Gold Card;
- Annual Fee – $250
- No Balance transfer fee
- Cash Advance: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance.
- No foreign purchase transaction fees.
Capital One Venture Reward Credit Card
The Capital One Venture travel rewards Mastercard could be a straightforward, easy-to-use option for people who would really like to book travel with travel reward points.
Generated from general spending and would rather not worry about eligible purchase spending categories. It also offers a category-high miles bonus for cardholders who spend $20,000 or more during the primary year.
Annual Fee: $95
Sign Up Bonus: This card gives you a one time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend at least $4000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in Travel.
Rewards: You will get unlimited 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases. You will also get 5 miles per $1 spent on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
Other Benefits
Some other benefits of using this card are;
- It can grant you credit of up to $100 for the application fee for Global Entry or TSA precheck when you pay with your card.
- It will grant you travel accidental insurance for no extra charge when you use the card to pay for your travel booking.
- It can be used for car rental coverage.
- Extended warranty on eligible items.
