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There are many bank travel card programs to choose from with different rewards categories, redemption options, and travel perks. Some banks have stellar programs where you can have one card to accomplish most of your travel goals. In other instances, you may consider getting multiple cards from the same bank to pool your points and unlock more benefits.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
What Bank Has The Best Travel Card?
Most national banks offer at least one travel rewards credit card, with Chase, American Express, and Bilt being the best options for most travelers. The product may earn flexible rewards that you can redeem for many different types of travel purchases. It’s also common to offer co-brand cards by partnering with a specific airline or hotel loyalty program.
Some of the banks with the best travel card include (listed alphabetically):
- American Express: Earn Membership Rewards® points that are most valuable for award flights. You can also transfer them to airlines and hotels. The Platinum Card® from American Express is the flagship luxury card but it also has noteworthy co-brand relationships with Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors, and Marriott Bonvoy.
- Bilt Rewards: Offers a no-annual-fee card that can also pay rent fee-free. The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® has a 25% travel redemption bonus and exciting 1:1 transfer partners.
- Capital One: The Venture cards earn at least 2x miles on purchases and can be redeemed as travel statement credits or for point transfers. Some cards offer airport lounge benefits.
- Chase: The Chase Sapphire Cards earn Ultimate Rewards®, has a travel redemption bonus of up to 50%, 1:1 point transfers, and other travel-saving perks. Notable co-brand relationships include Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, World of Hyatt, and IHG.
- Citi: Several cards earn ThankYou points that can be redeemed for award travel and transferred to international airlines. It also offers the co-brand Costco credit cards and several of the American Airlines credit cards.
Comparing the best travel credit cards by annual fee, signup bonus, and ongoing benefits can help you find the ideal pairing. Below are some of our favorites, as it’s easy to redeem rewards and enjoy valuable travel perks that can be well worth the annual fee.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best overall travel credit cards as it has numerous benefits in relation to its affordable $95 annual fee.
Featured perks include:
- Earn up to 5x Ultimate Rewards on travel purchases
- Up to $50 in annual statement credits on eligible hotel stays
- Points are worth 25% more when booking award trips through Chase Travel℠
- 1:1 hotel and airline transfer partners
- Receive bonus points equivalent to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year
- Trip cancellation and interruption coverage
- No foreign transaction fee
Ink Business Cash Credit Card
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is one of the best business travel credit cards as business-related spending can earn up to 5% back. You can redeem your points for cash back, award travel, gift cards, and more.
This is also one of the best times to apply for the Ink Business Cash, as you can get a one-time 10% bonus on all cash back earned during the first 12 months thanks to the Chase business relationship bonus. Simply apply for the card through November 2024 and also have an active Chase business checking account to qualify.
There is no annual fee, but a 3% foreign transaction fee applies.
Related: Best Chase Business Credit Cards in 2024
Bilt World Elite Mastercard
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® is not just coming from a bank with the best travel card (Wells Fargo), it is also an excellent option for travel and rent rewards. Its travel benefits are extensive which makes it a great choice for homeowners too.
Benefits include the following (note that cardholders must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points; learn more about these Rewards and Benefits):
- 3x on dining
- 2x on travel
- 1x on rent (up to 100,000 points per year)
- 1x on all remaining purchases
- Earn double points on the first day of each month (excludes rent)
- 25% travel redemption bonus through the Bilt app
- 1:1 Bilt point transfers to airlines and hotels
- Up to $800 in cell phone protection
There is no annual fee or foreign transaction fee (See Rates and Fees).
Related: The Bilt Credit Card Review
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a versatile luxury travel card that sports several benefits with a satisfying $395 annual fee, plus up to four additional cards.
Travel benefits include:
- $300 annual credit on Capital One Travel
- 10,000 bonus miles on each card anniversary ($100 value)
- Unlimited airport lounge visits to Capital One Lounge, Priority Pass, and Plaza Premium
- Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
- 1:1 airline transfers
- Earn up to 10x miles on travel purchases through Capital One Travel
- Earn 2x miles on all non-bonus spending
There are several premium travel credit cards to choose from and this is one of the most affordable. It’s also rare to offer free additional cards that still offer airport lounge access.
Related: Capital One Venture X vs Venture Rewards (Review of 75k Bonus)
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express packs many travel and lifestyle benefits to be one of the best for flights, hotels, and airport lounges. And American Express remains a bank that is best for travel cards.
A sampling of the travel benefits include:
- Up to $200 in airline fee credits per year
- Up to $200 in Uber Cash for rides or eats
- Enjoy up to $200 in statement credits on qualifying luxury hotel stays
- Hilton Honors Gold Elite status
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold status
- Unlimited airport lounge visits (includes The Centurion, Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, Delta Sky Club, and more; enrollment may be required)
- Private jet membership credits
- Up to 5x Membership Rewards on flights
- 1:1 airline and hotel point transfers
There are many impressive benefits that are easy to maximize with some of the world’s largest travel brands.
However, with a $695 annual fee plus $195 per additional card (See Rates & Fees), one must ask, “Are premium cards worth it?” The answer can be yes if one regularly partakes in luxury travel and flies frequently.
Related: Amex Platinum 100,000 or 150,000 Bonus Offer!
Summary
The above comparison factors make it easy to find the bank with the best travel card. A flexible rewards program with a low annual fee of $95 or less is the best option for most. Spend time comparing the additional benefits that can help you save money or enjoy elite status perks with airlines and hotels with ease to maximize your card membership from the first day.
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- 6 Best Credit Cards For Amazon Purchases To Earn Rewards
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
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