Best Credit Card for Travel
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.
5X | 7.7Per Dollar Spent
For flights booked directly with airlines or any travel booked with amextravel.com. Excellent travel insurance.
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Amex Member Rewards »
Point System
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American Express »
Bank
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$992 1st Year Value
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80,000 Bonus Points
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$8,000 Minimum Spend
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1.5¢ Max Point Value
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3X | 5.1Per Dollar Spent
Purchases made from all merchants in the travel category.
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Chase Ultimate Rewards »
Point System
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JP Morgan Chase »
Bank
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$1,009 1st Year Value
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60,000 Bonus Points
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$4,000 Minimum Spend
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1.7¢ Max Point Value
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2X | 3.2Per Dollar Spent
2X points on all travel purchases. 5X on purchases made through the Chase Travel portal.
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Chase Ultimate Rewards »
Point System
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JP Morgan Chase »
Bank
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$1,677 1st Year Value
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100,000 Bonus Points
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$5,000 Minimum Spend
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1.6¢ Max Point Value
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Our Top Selections for Travel (+)
| Multiplier | Point Value | Per $ Spent | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Amex Platinum For flights booked directly with airlines or any travel booked with amextravel.com. Excellent travel insurance. |
5x | 1.5¢ | 7.7¢ |
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Chase Sapphire Reserve Purchases made from all merchants in the travel category. |
3x | 1.7¢ | 5.1¢ |
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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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Amex Business Platinum Flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com ONLY. Excellent travel insurance. |
5x | 1.5¢ | 7.7¢ |
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Chase Freedom Unlimited Travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, redeem for rental cars, hotel stays |
3x | 1.6¢ | 4.8¢ |
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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¢ |
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US Bank Altitude Connect Purchases made from all merchants in the travel category |
4x | 1.1¢ | 4.4¢ |
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Amex Green All travel, from flights and rental cars to hotels & home shares. Limited travel insurance. |
3x | 1.4¢ | 4.2¢ |
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Chase Ink Business Premier Travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, redeem for rental cars, hotel stays |
5x | 0.7¢ | 3.3¢ |
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Citi Costco Includes airfare, hotels, car rentals, travel agencies, cruise lines and Costco Travel. |
3x | 1.0¢ | 3.0¢ |
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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¢ |
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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¢ |
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Wells Fargo Active Cash 2% cash back on all purchases |
2x | 1.4¢ | 2.8¢ |
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Earn 2 points for each $1 spent with Southwest Airlines or participating Rapid Rewards rental car partners. |
2x | 1.3¢ | 2.6¢ |
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United Club Purchases made from all merchants in the travel category (4x on all United purchases, including incidentals) |
2x | 1.3¢ | 2.6¢ |
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United Quest Purchases made from all merchants in the travel category. |
2x | 1.3¢ | 2.6¢ |
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Chase Ink Business Unlimited 1.5x on all purchases. |
1.5x | 1.6¢ | 2.4¢ |
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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¢ |
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Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Includes airlines, hotels, car rental agencies. |
2x | 1.0¢ | 2.0¢ |
Cards Offering Some Value for Travel with Limitations (-)
| Multiplier | Point Value | Per $ Spent | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Capital One Spark Cash Plus When booked through Capital One Travel |
5x | 1.1¢ | 5.5¢ |
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Capital One Spark Miles Purchases booked through Capital One Travel ONLY. |
5x | 1.1¢ | 5.5¢ |
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Hilton Honors Aspire Purchases directly from major car rental companies, which include: Alamo, Avis. Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, E-Z, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty. |
7x | 0.6¢ | 4.2¢ |
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Earn 3 points for each $1 spent with Southwest Airlines or participating Rapid Rewards rental car partners. |
3x | 1.3¢ | 3.9¢ |
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Amazon Prime Earn 5% back on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership |
5x | 0.7¢ | 3.5¢ |
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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¢ |
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American Airlines Citi Business Purchases made directly with American Airlines and car rental merchants. |
2x | 1.4¢ | 2.8¢ |
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Wells Fargo Autograph Journey | 2x | 1.4¢ | 2.8¢ |
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Earn 2 points for each $1 spent with Southwest Airlines or participating Rapid Rewards rental car partners. |
2x | 1.3¢ | 2.6¢ |
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Earn 2 points for each $1 spent with Southwest Airlines or participating Rapid Rewards rental car partners. |
2x | 1.3¢ | 2.6¢ |
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Earn 2 points for each $1 spent with Southwest Airlines or participating Rapid Rewards rental car partners. |
2x | 1.3¢ | 2.6¢ |
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