10 Travel Credit Cards With The Best Perks For 2024

There are many excellent travel credit cards that offer specific benefits to travelers, frequent flyers, and explorers that go beyond those of regular credit cards. With new card options and updates constantly emerging, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but considering key features is a great first step.

Whether you’re a travel newbie or a seasoned collector, you’ll need to prioritize your needs when researching which credit cards are best for travelers. For instance, do you value premium perks like airport lounges, or are you more focused on a low annual fee?

What about unforeseen, sudden circumstances? For example, imagine if you had to cancel your Barcelona trip due to an unexpected medical emergency; travel credit cards with insurance coverage could help recoup some of those lost flight and hotel costs. You’d likely be stuck with those costs with a regular credit card.

Whatever the case, deciding which benefits matter most will help you navigate the crowded market and find the perfect travel credit card for your adventures. To help travelers choose, here’s a roundup of some of the best travel credit cards with the best perks in 2024.

10 Bilt Mastercard

Best For: Transfer Partners

 BILT Mastercard

While not typically classified as a travel credit card, the Bilt Mastercard offers rewards points transferable to travel partners. This card has no annual fee and earns 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and 1x points on everything else.

Cardholders also benefit from trip cancelation and interruption insurance, auto rental collision and damage waiver, and cell phone protection, along with no foreign transaction fees and a Lyft credit after three rides in a month.

Renters should definitely consider this card because it accumulates rewards and waives transaction fees when used to pay rent. The points are highly valuable whether used on the Bilt travel portal or any of the numerous airline and hotel transfer partners.

9 Capital One Venture Card

Best For: Mid-Tier Travelers

Capital One logo displayed on a smartphone

The Capital One Venture Card, with its annual fee, is perfect for individuals seeking to maximize their spending without the hassle of tracking bonus categories and spending limits. It earns 5x points on hotels and rental cars booked through the Capital One travel portal and 2x points on all other purchases.

Compared to other travel credit cards in 2024, this one has a larger base reward of 75,000 points, which may be redeemed for travel at one cent per point. You can transfer your points to one of Capital One’s 18 travel partners, including international airlines such as Singapore Airlines (voted the best airline in 2023) and British Airways, a feature uncommon among travel credit cards with no annual fee.

8 Capital One Venture X

Best For: Frequent Travelers

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card displayed on a smartphone screen

The Capital One Venture X is an excellent travel credit card with a $359 annual fee and a welcome bonus of 75,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.

This card earns 10x points on hotels and rental cars booked through the Capital One travel portal, 5x points on flights booked through the Capital One travel portal, and 2x points on everything else.

Cardholders receive a $300 travel credit, a 10,000-point anniversary bonus, global entry or TSA pre-check credit, Capital One lounge access, Plaza Premium lounge access, Priority Pass lounge access, travel insurance, and protection.

7 Chase Sapphire Preferred

Best For: Travel Beginners

International Passport with Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee and a current welcome offer of 60,000 Chase Ultimate Reward points. These points are worth 1.25 cents each, making the welcome offer worth $750. The card earns 5x points on travel purchased through the Chase travel portal, 3x points on dining and online groceries, 2x points on all other travel, and 1x points on everything else.

Cardholders receive a $50 hotel credit for hotels booked through the Chase travel portal, travel insurance and protection, and no foreign transaction fees. One of the more interesting benefits of this card is the ability to transfer points to travel partners.

For individuals who are unfamiliar with travel rewards credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a good place to start as it gives a good mix of benefits that are clear and affordable.

6 Chase Sapphire Reserve

Best For: Advanced Travelers

Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card with a US passport

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is the more expensive option from Chase, with a $550 annual fee. This card earns 10x points on hotels and rental cars booked through the Chase travel portal, 5x points on flights booked through the travel portal, and 3x points on dining and all other travel.

It is among the best options for travelers seeking worldwide airport lounge access, a high reward rate on their trip, and full travel insurance. The points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel portal, and each point holds a value of 1.5 cents, surpassing the standard 1.0-cent valuation of most travel cards.

This card also offers a $300 travel credit, making it a more attractive option despite the higher annual fee.

Related

Flight Attendant Travel Hacks & Tips That Actually Work

For those who want to have stress-free travel, paying attention to flight attendants’ advice is the ticket to doing so.

5 Wells Fargo Autograph Card

Best For: No-Fee Travelers

Wells Fargo Autograph and Active Cash VISA credit cards

The Wells Fargo Autograph card is ideal for those who travel occasionally and want to earn rewards without an annual fee or reduced cash redemption value. With high bonus rewards for gas, dining, transit, and other travel essentials, it stands out among entry-level travel cards.

Plus, you can swiftly accumulate rewards for travel expenses and transfer points to airline and hotel partners like British Airways Executive Club and Air France/KLM Flying Blue program.

4 Bank Of America Premium Rewards Elite Card

Best For: Travel & Dining

 Smartphone with Bank of America logo

The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Card offers a generous 75,000 online bonus points, equivalent to a $750 value, along with up to $550 in combined Airline Incidental, TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry, and Lifestyle Statement Credits. Additionally, cardholders can save 20% on domestic or international airfare for any class when paying with points.

Travel planning is effortless with free access to airport lounges and experiences across the globe via up to four Priority PassTM Select Memberships and a round-the-clock Full-Service Concierge. The card also earns unlimited 2 points for every dollar spent on travel and dining, 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases, and offers flexible redemption options, including travel, cash back, experiences, and more.

3 American Express Green Card

Best For: Moderate Traveler & Points Transfer

Amex Green Credit Card from American Express

This card boasts a $150 annual fee and a welcome bonus of 40,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. It earns 3x points on travel, dining, and select streaming services, and 1x points on everything else.

Cardholders receive airport lounge access through Priority Pass Select membership, baggage credits, and travel insurance. The Amex Green Card offers trip delay insurance (up to $300 per trip), no foreign transaction fees, car rental insurance, and lets you use points for travel on AmexTravel.com.

2 American Express Gold Card

Best For: Foodies & Grocers

Amex Gold Credit Card from American Express

This card has a $250 annual fee and a welcome bonus of 90,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months. It earns points at a rate of 4x points on restaurants and groceries (up to $25,000 per year in combined spending), and 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on Amex Travel.

Cardholders receive a hefty list of benefits, including airport lounge access through Priority Pass Select membership and Amex Centurion Lounges (subject to space availability), Uber credits, travel insurance, and hotel elite status Marriott Bonvoy, and Hilton Honors, perfect for making the most of the best Hilton hotels around the world.

The Amex Gold Card gets you hotel upgrades (when available) and a $100 credit for spa/dining experiences at over 700 hotels, including major hotel chains Hyatt (which has excellent hotels in the US) and Kempinski.

Related

Frequent Flier: Airlines With The Best Points System

Joining an airlines reward program is a smart idea for even casual travelers, but it is best to consider one’s individual needs and travel habits.

1 American Express Platinum Card

Best For: Frequent Flyers & Luxury Travelers

Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers unparalleled luxury benefits, albeit with a steep $695 annual fee. However, if you prioritize VIP treatment while traveling, the rewards can be substantial. Cardholders gain access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, comprehensive travel insurance, and exclusive hotel amenities such as daily breakfast and complimentary internet access.

There are credits available for baggage fees, in-flight refreshments, and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® enrollment. When booking via American Express Travel, guests staying at Fine Hotels + Resorts® locations for two nights or longer can enjoy benefits valued at almost $600. The card also gives complimentary premium status in Avis Preferred®, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®, and/or National Car Rental® Emerald Club.

This card is highly coveted due to the extensive benefits that can potentially outweigh the high annual fee for frequent travelers.