What is the Best Credit Card For Travel?

Frequent travelers are in a good position to take advantage of the numerous benefits travel credit cards offer. However, there are so many different travel cards on the market that it can be difficult to choose just one. It’s important, however, to put as many travel expenses on just a single card as possible — this allows you to take the most advantage of the card’s perks and benefits.

Airline Miles

When it comes to airline miles, it’s hard to beat Chase Sapphire’s preferred card. Granting 50,000 bonus points when you spend more than $4,000 on travel expenses in the first three months, this card is a great way to get a jump start on miles. The Chase Sapphire also has a $0 fee for the first year, and only $95 per year after that.

Redeeming your points through Chase’s proprietary tool gives your points 25% more value. These points are also not limited to domestic flights; they can be redeemed with British Airways, Korean Air, Southwest Airlines, United, Virgin Atlantic, Amtrak, Hyatt, Marriott, and a number of other companies.

The Chase Sapphire gives 2 reward points for every $1 spent on travel and restaurants, and then 1 point for every $1 spent on other expenses. There are no foreign transaction fees, and the card is equipped with chip-and-pen technology that makes it much more secure than competitors.

Capital One Venture

When it comes to flat-rate cards, Capital One takes the cake. With their Venture Rewards card, Capital One offers one of the most flexible cards out there. It grants 2 miles for every dollar on any purchase. In addition, these miles can redeemed against tickets and hotel rooms, even those purchased through discount websites. Because this card works for so many different places, it’s a great choice for those who shop around and don’t stick with one particular carrier.

With a $0 first year fee and just $59 after that, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a competitor offering the same low rates. There’s also a 40,000 mile signup bonus when you spend more than $3,000 in the first three months. That equals $400 in travel expenses — easily two days in a hotel somewhere.

BankAmericard Travel

The downside to owning a travel card is the annual expense. Despite its numerous benefits, many people don’t want to own something that will charge them a fee just for possessing it. BankAmericard Travel solves that. With a $0 annual fee for life, this card is an excellent choice for those who can’t stand fees. It offers 1.5 miles for every dollar spent, and these miles can be used for hotels, airline tickets, car rentals, and more. Boasting a 20,000 point bonus for spending just $1,000 in the first 90 days, this card is an excellent introduction into the world of travel credit cards.

Customers of Bank of America can take advantage of the Preferred Rewards program to earn even more points. The bonus is based on the type of account you have with the bank and the total amount of points you already have. Bonus points through this program are doled out in the form of dividends. Top this off with no foreign transaction fees, and you’ve got a no-stress, easy to use card that will serve you well no matter where in the world you may be.

The type of travel credit card that works best for you is largely dependent on the type of traveler you are. Frequent business travelers may get the most use from the Chase Sapphire card, while those who travel for fun or pleasure would most likely enjoy one of the other two much more.