Best travel credit cards of September 2024
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- Best for sign-up bonus: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best starter travel card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best for luxury travel: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best for low cost: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
- Best for foodies: American Express® Gold Card
- Best for everyday spending: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
- Best for intro APR: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
- Best for point values: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Best for practical perks: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Best for pairing: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Best for hotel bookings: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
- Best no-annual-fee hotel card: Hilton Honors American Express Card
- Best for luxury hotel perks: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- Best for transfer partners: Bilt Mastercard®
- Best for gas: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
- Best for companion tickets: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Best starter airline card: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
- Best for savers: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
- Best for fair credit: Credit One Bank Wander® Card
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Showing 19 results
Limited Time Offer
Intro offer
Earn 75,000 + $250 in Travel Credit
Rewards rate
2 Miles - 5 Miles
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: Its newest sign-up bonus is easily one of the most valuable you can get on a mid-tier travel card.
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points
Rewards rate
1x - 5x
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Why you'll like this: It carries solid travel perks and protections, a great mix of bonus categories, valuable points and flexible redemption.
Intro offer
Earn 80,000 points
Rewards rate
5X - 5X
Annual fee
$695
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Why you'll like this: No other card offers so many annual credits, such comprehensive airport lounge access and such valuable travel protections and hotel privileges.
Intro offer
20,000 miles
Rewards rate
1.25 Miles - 5 Miles
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: It’s one of the only no-annual-fee travel cards that lets you transfer miles to airline and hotel partners.
Intro offer
60,000 points + earn up to $100 back
Rewards rate
1X - 4X
Annual fee
$325
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Why you'll like this: Food-related perks are the core of this card — from its annual dining and food delivery credits to its competitive dining rewards rates.
Intro offer
70,000 bonus points
Rewards rate
1X - 10X
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: It’s a great option for occasional travelers thanks to its everyday rewards, practical perks and pairing potential.
Intro offer
25,000 points
Rewards rate
1.5X
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Why you'll like this: It boasts a more valuable welcome offer than most no-annual-fee travel cards and is one of the few that offers an intro APR.
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points
Rewards rate
1x - 10x
Annual fee
$550
Regular APR
22.49% - 29.49% Variable
Why you'll like this: Points are worth 50 percent more when you redeem via Chase Travel — the best value you can get on a general travel card without transferring points.
Intro offer
75,000 miles
Rewards rate
2 Miles - 10 Miles
Annual fee
$395
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: It’s likely your most cost-effective path to top-tier perks like airport lounge access, and annual travel credits.
Intro offer
Up to $300 cash back
Rewards rate
1.5% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% Variable
Why you'll like this: Its high base rewards rate and everyday bonus categories make it an excellent foundation for any Chase card stack.
Intro offer
60,000 bonus points
Rewards rate
1X - 5X
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Intro offer
Earn 80,000 points
Rewards rate
3X - 7X
Annual fee
$0
APR
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Why you'll like this: It’s remarkably well-rounded thanks to its everyday reward categories, which make it a lucrative card even if you only travel occasionally.
Best for luxury hotel perks
Intro offer
Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points
Rewards rate
2X - 6X
Annual fee
$650
APR
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Why you'll like this: It offers terrific value via its luxury perks, including Platinum Elite status, annual reward nights and a $300 Marriott dining credit.
Intro offer
K.A.
Rewards rate
1X Points - 3X Points
Annual fee
None
Regular APR
See Terms
Intro offer
20,000 bonus points
Rewards rate
1X - 3X
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Best for companion tickets
Intro offer
Earn 50,000 miles
Rewards rate
1X - 3X
Annual fee
$350
APR
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Why you'll like this: The annual companion certificate is easy to earn and carries enough value to offset the annual fee on its own.
Intro offer
Earn 50,000 points
Rewards rate
1X - 2X
Annual fee
$69
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Why you'll like this: Its high-value sign-up bonus and anniversary points make this a low-risk card for occasional flyers.
Intro offer
60,000 points
Rewards rate
1.5X - 2X
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Why you'll like this: The Preferred Rewards program can give this card the highest flat travel rewards rate out there.
Intro offer
K.A.
Rewards rate
1X - 10X
Annual fee
$95
APR
29.99%* Variable
Why you'll like this: It boasts perhaps the highest travel rewards rate you can get with a fair credit score.
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Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit AmericanExpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex assurance company.
The information about the American Express® Green Card and Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuers.
Compare Bankrate's best travel credit cards of 2024
Card name | Rewards highlights | Welcome offer |
Annual fee
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Bankrate review score
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5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 2X miles on other purchases |
Intro Offer: Earn 75,000 + $250 in Travel Credit
Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first cardholder year – that’s equal to $1,000 in travel |
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4.9 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Capital One's secure site
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5X points on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM
3X points on dining and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs) 2X points on other travel purchases 25% more value per point toward Ultimate Rewards travel redemption |
Intro Offer: 60,000 bonus points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. |
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4.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Chase's secure site
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5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year), and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel |
Intro Offer: Earn 80,000 points
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. |
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4.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees
, Terms Apply
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5X miles on on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
1.25X miles on other purchases |
Intro Offer: 20,000 miles
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel |
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4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Capital One's secure site
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4X points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1X points) and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1X points) 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or via the Amex Travel portal 2X points on prepaid hotels and other eligible travel purchases via the American Express Travel portal |
Intro Offer: 60,000 points + earn up to $100 back
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24. |
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4.9 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees
, Terms Apply
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10X points on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com
3X points on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas and EV charging stations.
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Intro Offer: 70,000 bonus points
Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com |
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4.5 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Citi's secure site
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1.5X points on all purchases (1.87X to 2.62X points, if a Preferred Rewards member) |
Intro Offer: 25,000 points
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases. |
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4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Bank of America's secure site
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10X points on hotel, car rental and Chase Dining bookings through Chase Travel℠. 5X points on air travel through Chase Travel℠. 3X points on other travel and dining. 50% more value per point toward Chase Travel℠ redemption. |
Intro Offer: 60,000 bonus points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. |
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5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Chase's secure site
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10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. 2X miles on other purchases |
Intro Offer: 75,000 miles
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel |
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5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Capital One's secure site
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5% cash back on Lyft purchases (through March 2025) and Chase Travel℠
3% cash back on drugstores and dining at restaurants
1.5% cash back on all other purchases
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Intro Offer: Up to $300 cash back
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That’s 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. |
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4.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Chase's secure site
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7X points on direct Hilton hotel and resort bookings 5X points at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. restaurants 3X points on all other purchases |
Intro Offer: Earn 80,000 points
Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. |
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4.3 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees
, Terms Apply
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6X points for eligible purchases at Marriott Bonvoy properties (up to 21X points through the Bonvoy loyalty program with Platinum Elite status) 3X points at restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines 2X points on all other purchases |
Intro Offer: Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points
Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. |
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4.4 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees
, Terms Apply
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3X points on dining 2X points on travel 1X points on rent payments (up to a maximum 100,000 points per year) (Must make five posted transactions each statement to earn points) |
Intro Offer: N/A
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3.9 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Bilt's secure site
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3X points on purchases at restaurants, gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations, as well on travel, transit, select streaming services and phone plans |
Intro Offer: 20,000 bonus points
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value. |
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4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Wells Fargo's secure site
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3X miles on Delta flights and transactions made directly with hotels; 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants |
Intro Offer: Earn 50,000 miles
Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. |
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4.4 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees
, Terms Apply
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2X points on Southwest purchases, local transit and commuting (including ride-shares) and internet, cable, phone and select streaming services |
Intro Offer: Earn 50,000 points
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
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4.5 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Chase's secure site
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2X points on travel and dining (2.5X to 3.5X points, if a Preferred Rewards member) 1.5X points on all other purchases (1.87X to 2.62X points, if a Preferred Rewards member) |
Intro Offer: 60,000 points
Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. |
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4.3 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Bank of America's secure site
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10X points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked using the Credit One Bank travel site 5X points on eligible travel including flights, dining, and gas purchases |
Intro Offer: N/A
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3.3 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Credit One Bank's secure site
See Rates & Fees
, Terms Apply
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3X points on eligible dining, transit and travel purchases (including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, vacation rentals and travel purchases through third-party travel websites and the American Express Travel portal) |
Intro Offer: Earn 40,000 points
Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express Green Card® within the first 6 months of Card Membership. |
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