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.
Chase Ink Business Preferred Chase Ink Business Preferred
3X | 4.8 Per Dollar Spent
For up to $150,000 in purchases annually between travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone & internet advertising.
Chase Ultimate Rewards »
Point System
JP Morgan Chase »
Bank
$1,600
1st Year Value
100,000
Bonus Points
$8,000
Minimum Spend
1.6¢
Max Point Value
1.6¢
Max Point Value
Chase Sapphire Preferred Chase Sapphire Preferred
2X | 3.2 Per Dollar Spent
2X points on all travel purchases. 5X on purchases made through the Chase Travel portal.
Chase Ultimate Rewards »
Point System
JP Morgan Chase »
Bank
$1,177
1st Year Value
75,000
Bonus Points
$5,000
Minimum Spend
1.6¢
Max Point Value
1.6¢
Max Point Value

Our Top Selections for Travel (+)

Multiplier Point Value Per $ Spent
Chase Ink Business Preferred Chase Ink Business Preferred

For up to $150,000 in purchases annually between travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone & internet advertising.

3x 1.6¢ 4.8¢
Chase Sapphire Preferred Chase Sapphire Preferred

2X points on all travel purchases. 5X on purchases made through the Chase Travel portal.

2x 1.6¢ 3.2¢

Other Cards with Solid Value for Travel (=)

Multiplier Point Value Per $ Spent
Amex Business Platinum Amex Business Platinum

Flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com ONLY. Excellent travel insurance.

5x 1.6¢ 8.0¢
Amex Green Amex Green

Including tours, campgrounds, and more.

3x 1.6¢ 4.8¢
US Bank Altitude Connect US Bank Altitude Connect

Purchases made from all merchants in the travel category

4x 1.1¢ 4.4¢
US Bank Business Altitude Connect US Bank Business Altitude Connect

On the first $150,000 in combined annual spend.

4x 1.1¢ 4.4¢
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Wells Fargo Autograph Journey

Includes timeshare, travel agencies, and discount travel sites

3x 1.3¢ 3.9¢
Chase Ink Business Premier Chase Ink Business Premier

Travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, redeem for rental cars, hotel stays

5x 0.7¢ 3.3¢
Citi Costco Citi Costco

Includes travel agencies and Costco Travel.

3x 1.0¢ 3.0¢
Citi Costco Business Citi Costco Business

Includes airfare, hotels, car rentals, travel agencies, cruise lines 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

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

2% cash back on all purchases

2x 1.3¢ 2.6¢
Chase Ink Business Unlimited Chase Ink Business Unlimited

1.5x on all purchases.

1.5x 1.6¢ 2.4¢
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¢

Cards Offering Some Value for Travel with Limitations (-)

Multiplier Point Value Per $ Spent
Chase Sapphire Reserve Chase Sapphire Reserve

8x on purchases made through Chase Travel portal only. 4x on purchases made directly with airlines & hotels. 1x on other travel purchases (e.g.cruises, rental cars)

8x 1.6¢ 12.8¢
Chase Sapphire Reserve Business Chase Sapphire Reserve Business

8x on purchases made through Chase Travel portal only. 4x on purchases made directly with airlines & hotels. 1x on other travel purchases (e.g.cruises, rental cars)

8x 1.6¢ 12.8¢
Chase Freedom Flex Chase Freedom Flex

5x travel purchased through Chase Travel plus extra 5x bonus Q4 category.

5x 1.6¢ 8.0¢
Chase Freedom Unlimited Chase Freedom Unlimited

Travel through Chase Travel

5x 1.6¢ 8.0¢
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¢
Amazon Prime Amazon Prime

Earn 5% back on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership

5x 0.8¢ 4.0¢
Wells Fargo Autograph Wells Fargo Autograph

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 Mastercard Bilt Mastercard 2x 1.6¢ 3.2¢
Bank of America Business Travel Bank of America Business Travel

Earn 3 points per every $1 spent on travel purchases (car, hotel, airline) booked through the Bank of America Travel Center ONLY.

3x 1.0¢ 3.0¢
Bank of America Travel Rewards Bank of America Travel Rewards

Earn 3 points per every $1 spent on travel purchases (car, hotel, airline) booked through the Bank of America Travel Center ONLY.

3x 1.0¢ 3.0¢