10 Best General Travel Credit Cards
General travel credit cards are designed to enhance the travel experience by offering rewards and convenience. These cards often include features such as rewards points or miles on purchases, travel insurance, and no foreign transaction fees. They simplify the payment process while providing value through rewards and perks.
The benefits of using these cards are plentiful. They allow users to earn redeemable points for travel expenses like flights and hotels. Many also come with additional perks, such as lounge access, baggage protection, and priority boarding. Furthermore, they often provide built-in protections like trip cancellation insurance and fraud alerts, ensuring a stress-free travel experience.
1.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a travel rewards credit card that offers a generous points system for travel and dining purchases. It is popular for its low annual fee compared to other premium cards and strong value for frequent travelers.
2X Points on Travel and Dining: Earn two points per dollar on travel and dining purchases.
Sign-Up Bonus: Large bonus offer for new cardholders who meet the spending requirement.
Travel Protection: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay, and primary car rental insurance.
Point Redemption Flexibility: Use points for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program, which provides extra value when booking flights and hotels.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travelers.
Sign-Up Bonus: Large bonus offer for new cardholders who meet the spending requirement.
Travel Protection: Includes trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay, and primary car rental insurance.
Point Redemption Flexibility: Use points for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program, which provides extra value when booking flights and hotels.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travelers.
Chase Sapphire Preferred CardCheck HereChase Sapphire Preferred Card - - Offers excellent travel rewards with no annual fee for active-duty service members, along with 2X points on travel and dining.
Pros
Great value for travel and dining purchases- Strong sign-up bonus
- Comprehensive travel insurance benefits
Cons
Requires good credit for approval- Lower rewards rate compared to premium cards
- Annual fee applies
Key Features
2X points on travel and dining
Travel protections
Flexible points redemption with Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Travel protections
Flexible points redemption with Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Why Is Recommended
This card is recommended for those who want a solid travel rewards card with a relatively low annual fee. It is perfect for individuals who travel occasionally and want to earn points for travel and dining, along with strong travel protections.
2.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
A travel rewards card that earns unlimited miles on every purchase.
Rewards: 2 miles per $1 on every purchase.
Sign-Up Bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Fee Credit: $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Sign-Up Bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Fee Credit: $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardCheck Here
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card - - Earn 2x miles on every purchase, and use your miles for flexible travel rewards, including flights, hotels, and car rentals.
Pros
- Simple 2x miles on every purchase.
- Big sign-up bonus.
- Global entry/PreCheck credit.
Cons
- High annual fee ($95).
- Limited bonus categories.
Key Features
Rewards: 2 miles per $1 on all purchases.
APR: 20.99% – 28.99% variable.
Annual Fee: $95.
Bonus: 75,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months.
APR: 20.99% – 28.99% variable.
Annual Fee: $95.
Bonus: 75,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months.
Why Is Recommended
Ideal for travelers who want simple, straightforward rewards with global travel benefits.
3.
American Express® Gold Card
A rewards card designed for foodies and travelers, offering high rewards on dining and groceries.
Rewards: 4 points per $1 on dining, 3 points on flights, 1 point on other purchases.
Dining Credits: $120 dining credit annually, divided between $10/month at select restaurants.
Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months.
Dining Credits: $120 dining credit annually, divided between $10/month at select restaurants.
Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months.
- American Express® Gold CardCheck Here
American Express® Gold Card - - Earn 4x points on dining at restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and 3x points on flights, perfect for food lovers and travelers.
Pros
- High rewards on dining and travel.
- $120 dining credit.
- Flexible redemption options.
Cons
- High annual fee ($250).
- Requires good to excellent credit for approval.
Key Features
Rewards: 4 points on dining, 3 points on flights, 1 point on others.
APR: 20.24% – 27.24% variable.
Annual Fee: $250.
Bonus: 60,000 points after $4,000 in the first 6 months.
APR: 20.24% – 27.24% variable.
Annual Fee: $250.
Bonus: 60,000 points after $4,000 in the first 6 months.
Why Is Recommended
Perfect for those who eat out often and travel, providing high rewards rates and travel-related benefits like no foreign transaction fees.
4.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is a travel rewards card that offers unlimited 1.5 points for every dollar spent on all purchases, with no annual fee. Points can be redeemed for travel expenses such as flights, hotel stays, vacation packages, and more.
Unlimited 1.5X Points: Earn unlimited 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases.
No Annual Fee: No yearly fee, making it an easy, cost-effective card to carry.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travel.
0% Introductory APR: 0% on purchases for the first 12 billing cycles (then 18.24%–26.24% variable APR).
Online Travel Redemption: Use points to book travel through the Bank of America Travel Center.
No Annual Fee: No yearly fee, making it an easy, cost-effective card to carry.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travel.
0% Introductory APR: 0% on purchases for the first 12 billing cycles (then 18.24%–26.24% variable APR).
Online Travel Redemption: Use points to book travel through the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit cardCheck Here
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card - - Perfect for earning travel rewards without an annual fee.
Pros
- Simple, flat-rate rewards structure
- No annual fees or foreign transaction fees
- 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months
Cons
- Lower rewards rate compared to premium travel cards
- No bonus categories or sign-up bonus for travel
- Limited flexibility for transferring points to airline/hotel partners
Key Features
1.5X points on all purchases
No annual fee
0% intro APR for 12 months
No foreign transaction fees
No annual fee
0% intro APR for 12 months
No foreign transaction fees
Why Is Recommended
This card is recommended for those who want a straightforward, no-fee travel rewards card. It's great for someone looking for an easy-to-manage card that earns rewards on every purchase without worrying about rotating categories or complex redemption rules.
5.
Citi Premier Card
The Citi Premier® Card is a travel rewards credit card that offers substantial earning potential on travel, dining, and entertainment purchases. It's a great card for those who want to earn rewards on everyday spending while also maximizing benefits for travel-related purchases.
3X Points on Travel: Earn 3 points per dollar on travel purchases, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.
2X Points on Dining & Entertainment: Earn 2 points per dollar on restaurants, including takeout, and entertainment, such as concerts and sporting events.
1X Points on Other Purchases: Earn 1 point on all other purchases.
$100 Annual Hotel Credit: Receive $100 in statement credits annually for hotel stays booked through the ThankYou® portal.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: Great for international travel.
Access to Citi Entertainment: Enjoy access to presale tickets and special events.
2X Points on Dining & Entertainment: Earn 2 points per dollar on restaurants, including takeout, and entertainment, such as concerts and sporting events.
1X Points on Other Purchases: Earn 1 point on all other purchases.
$100 Annual Hotel Credit: Receive $100 in statement credits annually for hotel stays booked through the ThankYou® portal.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: Great for international travel.
Access to Citi Entertainment: Enjoy access to presale tickets and special events.
- Citi Premier CardCheck Here
Citi Premier Card - - Earn 3x points on travel (including gas stations), and 2x points on dining and entertainment, making it ideal for versatile spenders.
Pros
- High earning rate for travel, dining, and entertainment
- $100 annual hotel credit
- No foreign transaction fees
- Valuable Citi ThankYou® rewards program
Cons
- High annual fee
- Points redemption can be less flexible than some other programs
- Requires good credit for approval
Key Features
3X points on travel, 2X on dining and entertainment
$100 annual hotel credit
Citi ThankYou® rewards program
No foreign transaction fees
$100 annual hotel credit
Citi ThankYou® rewards program
No foreign transaction fees
Why Is Recommended
The Citi Premier® Card is recommended for those who want to maximize rewards on travel, dining, and entertainment purchases. The generous rewards program and additional travel benefits like the hotel credit make it a great choice for frequent travelers.
6.
Discover it® Miles
Earns miles for travel-related rewards.
No annual fee.
First-year cash back match.
No annual fee.
First-year cash back match.
1.5 miles per dollar on every purchase.
First-year cash back match: Discover matches all the miles you've earned in the first year.
No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
Free FICO® score access and credit score monitoring tools.
First-year cash back match: Discover matches all the miles you've earned in the first year.
No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
Free FICO® score access and credit score monitoring tools.
- Discover it® MilesCheck Here
Discover it® Miles - - A no-annual-fee card that earns 1.5x miles on all purchases and features Discover's Cashback Match, which doubles your miles at the end of your first year.
Pros
- 1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases, making it simple and rewarding for all types of spending.
- First-year miles match can significantly increase the value of your rewards.
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
- Good for building credit and tracking your FICO score.
Cons
- 1.5 miles per dollar is relatively low compared to other travel-focused cards.
- Rewards can only be redeemed for travel-related expenses, so it's less versatile than cash-back cards.
Key Features
1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases.
First-year miles match.
No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
Free access to your FICO® score.
First-year miles match.
No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
Free access to your FICO® score.
Why Is Recommended
This card is great for students who want to earn miles for travel and have no interest in paying annual or foreign transaction fees. The first-year miles match can significantly boost rewards, making it ideal for those looking to accumulate travel rewards over time.
7.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® CardCheck Here
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card - Great for road trips and travel rewards.
8.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Earn Marriott Bonvoy points on every purchase.
Offers travel benefits like free night awards.
No foreign transaction fees.
Offers travel benefits like free night awards.
No foreign transaction fees.
6 points per dollar on Marriott Bonvoy hotel purchases.
2 points per dollar on all other purchases.
Free Night Award after your account anniversary (up to 35,000 points).
15 Elite Night Credits toward Marriott Bonvoy Elite status each year.
3% cashback on dining, airfare, and eligible travel purchases.
No foreign transaction fees.
2 points per dollar on all other purchases.
Free Night Award after your account anniversary (up to 35,000 points).
15 Elite Night Credits toward Marriott Bonvoy Elite status each year.
3% cashback on dining, airfare, and eligible travel purchases.
No foreign transaction fees.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit CardCheck Here
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card - Ideal for frequent hotel stays with Marriott.
Pros
- Strong point earnings on Marriott-related purchases.
- Free night award each year, with potential high value.
- 15 Elite Night Credits toward Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- $95 annual fee.
- Limited to Marriott Bonvoy properties for free night redemption.
- 2 points per dollar on non-Marriott purchases is relatively low.
Key Features
6 points per dollar on Marriott purchases.
Free night certificate each year.
15 Elite Night Credits annually.
No foreign transaction fees.
$95 annual fee.
Free night certificate each year.
15 Elite Night Credits annually.
No foreign transaction fees.
$95 annual fee.
Why Is Recommended
This card is ideal for frequent Marriott Bonvoy guests who want to earn points and enjoy travel perks such as free night certificates and Elite Night Credits. The 6 points per dollar on Marriott stays are great for those who frequently book hotel stays with Marriott.
9.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Earn Delta SkyMiles on everyday purchases.
Special benefits for Delta flyers, including free checked bags and priority boarding.
American Express travel-related perks.
Special benefits for Delta flyers, including free checked bags and priority boarding.
American Express travel-related perks.
2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases, at restaurants, and US supermarkets.
1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
60,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.
Free first checked bag on Delta flights.
Priority boarding on Delta flights.
No foreign transaction fees.
1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
60,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.
Free first checked bag on Delta flights.
Priority boarding on Delta flights.
No foreign transaction fees.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express CardCheck Here
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card - - This card offers 2x miles on Delta purchases, restaurants, and US supermarkets, plus benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding on Delta flights.
Pros
- High rewards rate on Delta-related and everyday purchases.
- Excellent sign-up bonus (60,000 miles).
- Free first checked bag and priority boarding.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- $99 annual fee (waived for the first year).
- Rewards best for Delta flyers—may not be as valuable for non-Delta travel.
Key Features
2 miles per dollar on Delta and everyday purchases.
60,000-mile sign-up bonus.
Free first checked bag and priority boarding.
No foreign transaction fees.
60,000-mile sign-up bonus.
Free first checked bag and priority boarding.
No foreign transaction fees.
Why Is Recommended
This card is ideal for students who frequently travel with Delta Airlines. The generous sign-up bonus, travel perks, and rewards on everyday purchases make it a strong option for Delta loyalists who want to earn miles quickly.
10.
Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
- Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®Check Here
Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® - Best for American Airlines travelers.
Conclusion
Selecting the right general travel credit card can elevate your travel experiences by providing valuable rewards and exclusive perks. The options listed above represent the best in the market, catering to various needs and travel habits. Evaluate your preferences and choose the card that suits you best, ensuring every journey is rewarding and hassle-free.