One of the travel hacks that practically all Locals Insider writers use is accumulating points via various credit cards. We use cards to unlock airport lounges, secure free stays in nice hotels, and even land upgrades on some airlines.
But which are the best travel credit cards for points and rewards in 2025? Well, it depends on what you’re looking for.
To help us compile this article, we spoke to our team and asked which cards they currently use and why. Below, we provide a table detailing these cards before running through the main features of each in the rest of this article:
Credit Card | Annual Fee | Sign-up Offer | Recommendation |
Capital One Venture Rewards | $95 | 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 in three months | Best for generous sign-up bonus |
Bank of America Travel Rewards | $0 | 25,000 points when you spend $1,000 in three months | Best for no annual fee |
American Express Gold Card | $325 | 90,000 points when you spend $6,000 in six months | Best for food reward points |
Chase Sapphire Rewards | $550 | 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 in three months | Best for travel reward points |
US Bank Altitude Connect Visa | $0 (for first year) | 20,000 points when you spend $1,000 in three months | Best for gas station points |
Choice Privileges Mastercard | $0 | 40,000 points when you spend $1,000 in three months | Best for hotel rewards |
Capital One Venture Rewards – Best for generous sign-up bonus
Sign-up offer | 75,000 miles |
Annual fee | $95 |
Regular APR | 19.99% to 29.24% (variable) |
More information | Apply today |
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
Sign-up offer | 25,000 points |
Annual fee | $0 |
Regular APR | 18.24% to 28.24% (variable) |
More information | Apply today |
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
Sign-up offer | 90,000 points |
Annual fee | $325 |
Regular APR | 20.24% to 28.24% (variable) |
More information | Apply today |
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.
Chase Sapphire Reserve – Best for travel reward points
Sign-up offer | 60,000 points |
Annual fee | $550 |
Regular APR | 21.49% to 28.49% (variable) |
More information | Apply today |
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.
US Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card – Best for gas station points
Sign-up offer | 20,000 points |
Annual fee | $0 (year 1) $95 (each year after) |
Regular APR | 17.74% to 28.74% (variable) |
More information | Apply today |
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 in 2025, 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
Sign-up offer | 40,000 points |
Annual fee | $0 |
Regular APR | 19.99% to 29.24% (variable) |
More information | Apply today |
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.
The verdict: Which is the best travel credit card in 2025?
If you’re looking for a zero-fee credit card, the Bank of America Travel Card is difficult to beat. It offers many perks and a generous welcome bonus.
But if you don’t mind the annual fee, the Capital One Venture Rewards card is great, offering 75,000 miles to new customers and excellent redemptions on all travel points accumulated throughout the year.