6 Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards

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|Updated on December 31, 2025|

Isn’t it great to be rewarded for your expenses and use those rewards for travel? I think it’s fantastic. It’s like getting free cheese.

Have you ever thought about applying for a travel credit card but had mixed feelings, thinking it might not work or be worth it?

Well, we’ve all been there, but let me tell you, I never wanted to apply for a credit card with an annual fee either. However, once I saw the enormous travel benefits of that card, I changed my mind.

If you’re searching for the ultimate top travel rewards credit cards, you’ve landed in the perfect spot.

As a frequent traveler, I was always looking for ways to save on travel, and after researching the best points cards, I finally signed up. I signed up for Chase Sapphire Preferred. I had to spend $4000 in the first three months from the day of card opening, and they gave me 50,000 miles, which I could use as a credit towards travel ($650). And I did. I traveled to LA for free during the holiday season, using most of my miles since tickets were so expensive.

💳 75,000 Bonus Points: Get the Chase Card → Apply Now

What’s even better? They’re currently offering an enormous 75,000 points (*the offer amount always varies) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months.

Especially if you travel a lot, imagine how many miles you can earn with this card. More miles mean more free travel.

Travel rewards credit cards are your best option for saving on travel expenses. You might wonder if the Chase Sapphire yearly fee is worthwhile, but believe me, it is. Thanks to the profitable sign-up bonus, increased points on travel and dining, travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, and even a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit.

I thought the same at first, but once I got to realize how much money I’m going to make and how many more miles I get to drive for free or for a whole lot cheaper, I didn’t look back. I just applied, and I’m so glad I did to this day.

This card has many great benefits, but my favorite is that it doesn’t have any foreign transaction fees. You can use it abroad without extra charges and still earn your extra Chase Sapphire points for dollars.

Advantages of Travel Rewards Credit Cards

Free Travel: Earn points or miles that can be used to book flights, hotel stays, and other travel experiences.

Travel Perks: Enjoy benefits like no baggage fees, car rental coverage, delayed flight refund (if flight delays meet requirements), emergency assistance, and many more.

Sign-Up Bonuses: Cards usually come with large sign-up bonuses that are enough to counter hundreds of dollars’ worth of travel once the minimum spend is met.

Disadvantages of Travel Rewards Credit Cards

Potentially Higher Prices for Travel: Booking on a few bank websites can be a bit more expensive than on other sites.

Despite these downsides, travel credit cards can be highly worthwhile. The points and miles accumulated typically return as free flights, hotel stays, and practical trip rewards, making them a shrewd card to own for frequent travelers.

Here is the list of the 6 Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards in 2025.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire travel card is great for travel rewards and ideal for frequent travelers.

Card Benefits

60,000 bonus points (LIMITED OFFER NOW IS 75,000)
Earn $750 in travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards, plus use the Chase Sapphire Preferred travel points to get extra value when redeeming.
Redeem points for airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises. Enjoy Chase travel with no blackout dates.
Earn 2X points on Travel and Dining expenses. Perfect for solo trips and meals out.
No foreign transaction fees
Extra perks: Earn 5X points on Lyft rides and complimentary DashPass access
You can even use Chase Sapphire Preferred card benefits like the $50 hotel credit for certain bookings.
It works like a charm when converting your Chase Sapphire points to dollars for travel purchases.

Exclusive Opportunity for New Cardmembers
If you don’t currently have a Sapphire card and haven’t received a new card member bonus for any Sapphire card in the past 48 months, you’re eligible.

Enhanced Travel Redemption
Earn up to 25% more in rewards when you book flights, hotels, car rentals, and cruises with Chase Ultimate Rewards using your points. Your 60,000 points are worth $750 in Travel rewards, for instance.

Earn While You Explore

Earn 2X points on Travel and Dining expenses. Make your travels even more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Preferred travel!
Earn 2X points on Travel and dining at restaurants: From airfare and hotels to fine dining and cafés. Plus, earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Apply Now

Chase Freedom Flex

Card Benefits

Card Benefits:

No Annual Fee
5% Quarterly Bonus on rotating categories
5% on Travel purchases made through Chase – maximize your Chase travel credit
3% on dining at restaurants
3% on drugstore purchase
1% on all other purchases

Apply Now

Venture Rewards from Capital One

Card Benefits

Generous sign-up bonus: Receive 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months.
$95 annual fee
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all purchases.
Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
No foreign transaction fees, so it’s great for travel abroad.
Flexible travel redemption: Redeem miles for flights, hotels, and more, or transfer to more than 10 travel partners.
Get up to a $100 credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck when paying with the card.
Other travel benefits include travel accident insurance, rental car coverage, and 24/7 travel assistance.

Capital One Venture One Credit Card

Card Benefits

Sign-up bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 in the initial three months.
$0 annual fee
Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase.
Get an additional $100 credit to use towards flights, stays, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year.
No foreign transaction fees, so it’s ideal for international travel.
Flexible travel redemption: Miles can be redeemed for travel, such as flights and hotels, or transferred to one of more than 10 travel partners.
Earn up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck through the card.
Other travel privileges include travel accident insurance, rental car coverage, and 24/7 travel assistance.

Bank of America Travel Reward Card

Card Benefits

25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening, which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases.
No annual fees and no foreign transaction fees
Points never expired.
No blackout dates and no restrictions when booking your trip
Flexibility to redeem points for a statement credit to pay for flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars, or baggage fees.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Card Benefits

Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee: $795, effective for new applicants starting June 23, 2025.
Earning Rates:
*8 points per dollar on all purchases through Chase Travel, including The Edit℠.
*4 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked directly.
* 3 points per dollar on dining worldwide.
* 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
$300 Travel Credit: Automatically applied to travel purchases in each account anniversary year.
Flexible Redemption Points: Get 50% more value when redeeming points for travel in Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Travel Protections: Trip delay insurance, primary car rental insurance, baggage insurance, and emergency travel assistance.
Airport Lounge Access: Complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges.
Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit: Receive up to a $100 credit toward these programs.
Other Benefits:

* $300 dining credit at Sapphire Reserve Tables restaurants.
* $500 credit for select hotel and resort bookings.
* $300 credit for purchases via StubHub or Viagogo.
* Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions are worth $250 annually.

Before You Travel

Receive up to a $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓ (Chase Sapphire Reserve Global Entry)
Enjoy 1:1 point transfers (Specify where the points can be transferred to)

At the Airport

Access to 1,000+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select

Upon Arrival

Experience Chase Sapphire Reserve during your stay with the Luxury Hotel & Resort CollectionSM
Pay no foreign transaction fees
Benefit from a world-class suite of travel and purchase protection
Enjoy 24/7 direct access to a Customer Service Specialist
Access Visa Infinite Concierge, who can assist with various requests, such as dinner reservations, Broadway tickets, music events, and sporting event tickets.

Apply Now

While there are numerous excellent travel credit cards available, I’ve personally chosen to start with the Chase Sapphire Preferred travel card. Its generous rewards program and flexibility in redeeming points have made it a fantastic companion for my travels.

Related Article:
|How to travel cheap

Final Thoughts

Applying for a top travel rewards credit card isn’t necessary, but it’s a big plus if you travel often. It’s an excellent way to save on travel expenses while still enjoying your trips. Choosing the best travel credit card for beginners can feel overwhelming, but once you compare your options, you can pick the card that fits your needs and budget perfectly.

Travel credit cards let you earn points and miles on purchases you would make anyway, helping offset travel costs you might not have even considered.

There is also the whole FB group related to credit card points, which is worth checking out. This community offers valuable insights and tips to help you maximize your travel rewards. Join the conversation and unlock new opportunities to enhance your travel experiences.

If you already own a travel credit reward card, please share it. Thanks for reading.

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