Best Credit Card For Travel

You want to maximize the return on your Travel credit card spends. Since not all points are of equal value, we give the best multipliers based on the value of those points.
A category near and dear to the heart of our users. Always keep in mind -- it isn't just the multiplier, it is the ultimate value and flexibility of the points you earn. As an example, 3 points earned with a Chase Sapphire Card is worth more than 6 points earned with a Hilton card. And points like Chase Rewards offer more redemption flexibility than Hilton -- or just about any other point system.

Travel, unless otherwise defined below, includes merchants coded as: airline, passenger railway, hotel and motel, timeshares, vehicle rentals, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, campgrounds, passenger trains, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways, and parking garages/lots.

The (+) versions have no category limitations, offer the best multipliers, and include trip insurance. The (-) have significant category limitations, but still could be worthwhile for niche purchases.
Amex Green Amex Green
3X | 4.8 Per Dollar Spent
Travel purchases on third-party travel websites, and travel purchases on amextravel.com
Amex Membership Rewards »
Point System
American Express »
Bank
$480
1st Year Value
40,000
Bonus Points
$3,000
Minimum Spend
1.6¢
Max Point Value
1.6¢
Max Point Value
Card Details
Wells Fargo Autograph Wells Fargo Autograph
3X | 3.9 Per Dollar Spent
Includes timeshare, travel agencies, and discount travel sites
Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards »
Point System
Wells Fargo »
Bank
$256
1st Year Value
20,000
Bonus Points
$1,000
Minimum Spend
1.3¢
Max Point Value
1.3¢
Max Point Value
Card Details
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
3X | 3.9 Per Dollar Spent
Includes timeshare, travel agencies, and discount travel sites
Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards »
Point System
Wells Fargo »
Bank
$659
1st Year Value
60,000
Bonus Points
$4,000
Minimum Spend
1.3¢
Max Point Value
1.3¢
Max Point Value
Card Details
Explore More Spend Categories

Our Top Selections for Travel (+)

Multiplier Point Value Per $ Spent
Amex Green Amex Green

Travel purchases on third-party travel websites, and travel purchases on amextravel.com

3x 1.6¢ 4.8¢
Wells Fargo Autograph Wells Fargo Autograph

Includes timeshare, travel agencies, and discount travel sites

 3x 1.3¢ 3.9¢
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Wells Fargo Autograph Journey

Includes timeshare, travel agencies, and discount travel sites

 3x 1.3¢ 3.9¢
Hilton Honors Aspire Hilton Honors Aspire 7x 0.5¢ 3.5¢
Bilt Obsidian Bilt Obsidian

Earn 2x on travel

 2x 1.7¢ 3.4¢
Citi Costco Citi Costco

Includes travel agencies and Costco Travel.

 3x 1.0¢ 3.0¢
IHG One Rewards Premier IHG One Rewards Premier

Excluding purchases made at hotels participating in IHG Rewards that qualify for 10 points as described

 5x 0.6¢ 3.0¢
IHG One Rewards Premier Business IHG One Rewards Premier Business

Excluding purchases made at hotels participating in IHG Rewards that qualify for 10 points as described

 5x 0.6¢ 3.0¢
United Club United Club

Include trains (4x on all United purchases, including incidentals)

 2x 1.3¢ 2.6¢
United Quest United Quest

Include trains (excluding United purchases that qualify for 3 miles as described).

2x 1.3¢ 2.6¢
Wells Fargo Active Cash Wells Fargo Active Cash

2% cash back on all purchases

 2x 1.3¢ 2.6¢
Bank of America Premium Rewards Bank of America Premium Rewards

Includes airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, museums, carnivals, amusement parks and zoos -- plus transportation expenses like passenger trains, buses, taxis, parking lots and garages, tolls and bridge fees.

 2x 1.0¢ 2.0¢
Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite 2x 1.0¢ 2.0¢

Other Cards with Solid Value for Travel (=)

Multiplier Point Value Per $ Spent
Citi Custom Cash Citi Custom Cash

Auto-selects the top spend categories for 5x points. Includes: Restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, live entertainment

 5x 1.6¢ 8.0¢
Citi Costco Business Citi Costco Business

Includes airfare, hotels, car rentals, travel agencies, cruise lines and Costco Travel.

 3x 1.0¢ 3.0¢

Cards Offering Some Value for Travel with Limitations (-)

Multiplier Point Value Per $ Spent
Chase Freedom Unlimited Chase Freedom Unlimited

Travel through Chase Travel

 5x 1.7¢ 8.3¢

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