Best Travel Credit Cards for U.S. Travelers (2025) – Top Rewards & Perks Compared

Looking to turn everyday spending into real travel perks? The best travel credit cards with rewards offer generous points, miles, and extras that make getting away more rewarding—and more affordable.

Choosing the right travel credit card can help turn everyday purchases into flights, hotel stays, and premium perks. This list, curated by LocalsInsider.com, is based on expert reviews from sources like Forbes Advisor, NerdWallet, Upgraded Points, Clark.com, and CreditCards.com. We compared sign-up bonuses, rewards rates, travel benefits, fees, and overall customer satisfaction.

Best Travel Credit Cards for Rewards and Points

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• American Express® Gold Card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Chase Freedom® Unlimited Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card
• Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card (business)
• Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
• United Explorer Card
• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
• Bilt Rewards Mastercard
• World of Hyatt Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority (not shown above but often featured)

Below, we provide a table detailing these cards before running through the main features of each in the rest of this article:  

Which Travel Credit Card Should You Get? Best Options for U.S. Travelers

Capital One Venture Rewards – Best for generous sign-up bonus  

We rate the Capital One Venture Rewards card as the best option if you’re looking for a generous sign-up offer. When you apply and spend $4,000 within the first three months, you will receive 75,000 bonus miles.  

Then, when it comes to regular spending, you will get unlimited 2x miles per dollar on every purchase. If you book hotels and vacation rentals through Capital One Travel, you will receive 5x miles.  

The annual $95 fee isn’t overly restrictive, and we like that no foreign transaction fees are applied when you use your card abroad with any currency other than USD.  

Bank of America Travel Rewards – Best for no annual fee  

At Travels Insider, we appreciate no-fee credit cards; this Bank of America card is tough to beat for travel. When you sign up and spend at least $1,000 in the first ninety days, Bank of America will give you 25,000 points worth $250, which you can redeem to cover travel and dining purchases.  

What’s more, for the first 15 billing cycles while using your Bank of America card, you’re eligible for 0% APR. For every $1 you spend on your card, you will receive 1.5 points.  

As with the Capital One Venture Rewards card, Bank of America doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, making this a viable credit card for travel outside the United States. 

American Express Gold Card – Best for food reward points 

American Express offers several suitable credit cards for travelers, but the Gold Card is the best. There’s a limited-time offer of 90,000 membership rewards points as a sign-up offer, up from its standard 60,000 offer. To trigger the points, you must spend $6,000 on purchases within your first six months as a customer.  

The rewards available help this card stand out. When you use your card in the US, you will receive 4x points at all supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year). This is extended to all restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 in purchases.  

You will also earn 3x the rewards when you book flights directly on AmexTravel.com, while 2x points are available on prepaid hotels. Though the $325 annual fee is high, it’s worth it for frequent travelers, given the value of the points available.  

Annual Fee: $325
Sign-Up Bonus: Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in 6 months
Rewards:

• 4x points at restaurants (up to $50,000/year)
• 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year)
• 3x points on flights booked via Amex or directly with airlines
• 2x points on prepaid hotels through amextravel.com
• 1x point on all other purchases
  APR: 20.24%–29.24% variable

The Platinum Card gets more attention, but at $695/year, it’s pricey. The Amex Gold Card is a more accessible option with excellent value.

You can earn up to 100,000 points after meeting the sign-up threshold, and the 4x points on restaurants and supermarkets make it one of the best for everyday spending.

Travel rewards are solid, too: 3x on flights and 2x on hotels booked via Amex Travel. Additional perks include $120 in annual dining credits, $120

Chase Sapphire Reserve – Best for travel reward points  

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card gives you 60,000 bonus points when you complete $4,000 worth of purchases in the first three months. But the ongoing rewards you can earn via Chase Travel make this card worthwhile for frequent flyers.  

When you purchase flights via Chase Travel, you receive 5x points and 10x points on hotels and car rentals (after spending $300). When you dine out at restaurants or use food delivery services, receive 3x points with Chase.  

Although the $550 annual fee is high, it provides complimentary access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, including up to two guests.  

Chase also gives you a $300 travel credit every year, which you can use to buy flights or book hotels. This is a brilliant offer that isn’t available elsewhere.  

Annual Fee: $95
Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in your first 3 months
Rewards:

• 5x on travel booked through Chase
• 3x on dining, select grocery stores, and streaming
• 2x on other travel
• 1x on all other purchases
  APR: 19.99%–28.24% variable

For under $100 a year, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is our top pick for frequent travelers. While it requires good to excellent credit for approval, it offers standout value—especially with 5x rewards on travel booked through Chase’s portal and 2x on other travel.

You’ll also get a $50 annual hotel credit (when booked through Chase) and a 10% anniversary points bonus based on your yearly spending. A complimentary DashPass membership is included as well, valid through the end of 2027.

Our favorite perk? You can easily transfer points to over a doze

US Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card – Best for gas station points  

Numerous perks await if you’re accepted for US Bank’s Altitude Connect Visa card. To kick things off, spend $1,000 in your first 90 days to receive 20,000 bonus points. You can use this card throughout your first year without any fee, though it increases to $95 per year in subsequent years.  

One of our favorite things about this card is that you receive 4x points at gas stations when you fill up your tank, up to $1,000 per quarter. This is also valid at EV charging points across the US.  

5x points are available on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked via the Altitude Rewards Center, while 2x points are available at selected restaurants and grocery stores in the US.  

So, if you’re planning an iconic American road trip, this Altitude Connect Visa card is the perfect companion for the road, thanks to the gas station points and additional perks mentioned above.  

Choice Privileges Mastercard – Best for hotel rewards  

If you travel regularly for business, maximizing your rewards via regular hotel stays is a brilliant way to use a travel credit card. One of our favorite programs for this purpose is the Choice Privileges Mastercard, which has numerous perks.  

If you spend $1,000 in your first three months, you will receive 40,000 bonus points, enough to claim five nights at selected Choice properties in the US.  

Then, each time you book and stay at Choice Hotels, you will receive 5x points, alongside 3x points at gas stations and grocery stores. All other purchases receive 1x points.  

The 0% fee is a huge bonus, so even if you take out this card to use it exclusively for Choice Hotel stays, it’s worth it.  

OneKey+ Card from Hotels.com – Best for Hotel Stays

Annual Fee: $99/year
Sign-Up Bonus: $600 in OneKeyCash after spending $3,000 in 3 months + $100 annual anniversary bonus
Rewards:

• 3% in OneKeyCash on Hotels.com, Expedia, Vrbo, and travel packages
• 3% at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants
• 2% on all other purchases
  APR: 19.24%–29.24% variable

Most of our team at Locals Insider uses Hotels.com for regular bookings—from Utah to Uganda—thanks to the generous OneKey+ rewards program.

Spend $3,000 in your first 3 months and you’ll earn $600 in OneKeyCash, plus a $100 anniversary bonus every year. The 3% back on travel purchases applies not just to Hotels.com, but also to bookings made via Expedia and Vrbo.

It also delivers solid everyday value—3% ba

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card is Amex’s crown jewel for frequent travelers. The $695 annual fee is steep, but it comes with access to Centurion, Delta Sky Club, and Priority Pass lounges, plus up to $200 in airline credits, Uber perks, and hotel upgrades. If you travel several times a year, the perks can easily outweigh the fee. But if you don’t fly often, it’s overkill.

Capital One Venture X Rewards

Venture X is a premium travel card that hits a sweet spot. For $395 a year, you get 10X miles on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel, 5X on flights, $300 in annual travel credits, and lounge access. There’s also a 10,000‑mile anniversary bonus. It’s packed with value but works best if you book your travel through Capital One’s portal.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Delta flyers will appreciate the Delta SkyMiles Gold card. You get a free checked bag for yourself and up to eight companions, priority boarding, and bonus miles on Delta flights, restaurants, and supermarkets. The fee is waived for the first year, then $150. Great for loyal Delta customers—less so if you fly multiple airlines.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card

If Marriott is your go‑to hotel brand, this $95 card is a must. It gives you points on Marriott stays and daily spending, plus a free night award every year that often covers the annual fee. The downside? Points are tied to Marriott, so it’s less useful if you like to hop between hotel chains.

Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card

Small business owners who travel should look at Ink Business Preferred. The $95 fee brings 3X points on travel, shipping, internet, and advertising spend—plus huge welcome bonuses. You can transfer points to partners like United and Hyatt. It’s not meant for personal use, but for businesses, it’s one of the best travel cards out there.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Citi’s Strata Premier offers strong earning for just $95 a year. You get 3X points on air travel, hotels, gas stations, supermarkets, and dining. Points transfer to a wide range of airline partners. It lacks premium perks like lounges, but for a mid‑tier card, it’s a solid all‑around choice.

United Explorer Card

United fans will like the Explorer card. For a $95 annual fee (waived the first year), you get free checked bags, priority boarding, and two annual United Club lounge passes. You’ll also earn extra miles on United purchases, dining, and hotels. It’s not a luxury card, but the perks are valuable for regular United flyers.

Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, then $150
Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
Rewards:

• 5x miles on hotel bookings through United Hotels
• 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotels booked directly
• 1x mile on everything else
  APR: 20.49%–28.99% variable

Among airline cards, United Explorer stands out. It offers 60,000 bonus miles after spending just $3,000 in three months—and you’ll earn miles quickly on United flights and hotel bookings made via United’s site.

There are no foreign transaction fees, and you’ll get two one-time United Club passes each year, along with trip cancellation/interruption insurance. In-flight purchases receive 25% back as a statement credit, and there’s a $60 rideshare credit for qualifying services.

Dining earns 2x miles, and ev

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

This new entry offers competitive travel rewards with a modest $95 fee. You earn bonus points on hotels, airfare, gas, and dining, plus you get travel protections like trip cancellation insurance. It’s a great alternative for those who don’t want to commit to one airline or hotel brand.

Sign-Up Bonus: 20,000 points after spending $1,000 in 3 months
Rewards:

• 3x points on dining, travel, gas, streaming, and phone plans
• 1x on all other purchases
  APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months; then 19.24%–29.24% variable

If you want to avoid annual fees but still earn rewards, the Wells Fargo Autograph Card is a great pick.

It offers 3x points on all the essentials: travel, dining, gas stations, streaming services, and even phone plans. You’ll also enjoy a 12-month 0% intro APR on purchases.

One underrated perk is the cell phone protection—up to $600 in coverage (minus a $25 deductible) when you pay your bill with the card. You’ll also get access to rotating retail offers through the Wells Fargo app.

Bilt Rewards Mastercard

Bilt is unique because you can earn rewards on rent—without a fee. You get points on dining and travel too, and those points transfer to airlines and hotels. The big win is for renters who want to turn monthly payments into flights or hotel stays. The only drawback? It lacks premium travel perks.

World of Hyatt Credit Card

Hyatt loyalists swear by this $95 card. It offers bonus points on Hyatt stays, restaurants, airline tickets, and gym memberships, plus a free night each year. Hyatt has fewer hotels than Marriott or Hilton, but the points are valuable and redemption rates are excellent.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Southwest fans will get plenty of mileage from this $149 card. You earn points on Southwest purchases and travel perks like upgraded boardings, a $75 annual travel credit, and no change fees. If you’re chasing a Companion Pass, this card helps you get there faster.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Not to be confused with Venture X, the regular Venture card has a lower $95 fee but still earns 2X miles on every purchase. Miles can be used to erase travel expenses or transferred to airline partners. It’s simple, flexible, and ideal for travelers who want rewards without high fees.

Best Travel Credit Cards for American Travelers Compared

So, which travel rewards card is actually the best?

If you want the short answer: Chase Sapphire Preferred® is the best all-around pick for most people. It’s got a low $95 annual fee, solid rewards (like 5x on travel through Chase and 3x on dining and groceries), and you can transfer points to tons of airlines and US spa hotels. That flexibility is a game-changer if you like finding good travel deals or flying with different carriers.

Now, if you travel a lot and want the VIP treatment—like lounge access and luxury perks—the Capital One Venture X is 100% worth it. Yes, the fee is higher ($395), but the $300 travel credit and 10,000 bonus miles each year pretty much pay for it.

On the flip side, if you’re not looking to pay a fee at all, the Wells Fargo Autograph® is surprisingly good. You’ll earn 3x points on stuff you probably buy anyway—travel, gas, streaming, phone bills—and there’s no annual fee.

Bottom line: If you want solid travel value without overthinking it, go with Sapphire Preferred. Want premium perks? Grab the Venture X. Want something free but useful? Autograph has your back.