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THE NEXT REVOLUTION IN TRAVEL EDUCATION

Travel Agent University is a complimentary learning platform for travel advisors that focuses on travel suppliers and destinations worldwide.

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Joining TAU means taking control of your career. You'll gain valuable knowledge - when you choose - while earning more with many bookings. TAU membership gives you access to 30+ learning and loyalty programs in an easy-to-use and mobile-friendly format. Plus, members enjoy ongoing career enrichment through course recommendations, exclusive rewards and promotions and better communication with participating supplier partners.

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Earnings that Reflect Your Expertise

Earning well-deserved rewards is easier with TAU.

• Earn gift cards, bonus commissions, Fam trips and other giveaways every month.
• Simply log applicable bookings to earn valuable rewards.
• Easy to use and member support is included with your account.
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4 Ways College Students Can Earn Travel Rewards

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Table of Contents

1. Get rewarded when you buy textbooks

2. let your gas rewards add up, 3. pay the utilities, 4. earn and redeem points on study abroad trips.

College students at four-year public universities spend an average of $35,551 each year for tuition and fees, on-campus room and board, books, supplies, and other expenses, according to recent data from university ranking resource BestColleges.

That’s a lot and could leave little wiggle room in budgets for travel.

So how can college students make travel accessible while living on a tight budget? The key is to build travel rewards through normal credit card purchases.

Here are four simple tips college students — from the first-year undergraduate to those considering a doctorate — can do to utilize their everyday spending to earn travel rewards.

The average estimated cost of books and supplies for in-state students living on campus at public four-year institutions in 2022-2023 was $1,240, according to the College Board. Students and families often budget for this expense, and one way to earn rewards off this spending is to work toward the minimum spend bonus on your travel credit card.

For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers this: Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Textbooks can be a natural way to achieve this dollar amount, but make sure to have the money available to pay off the balance in full. Bonuses would not beat paying interest on a large purchase, and this tactic assumes that you do not need financial aid to purchase books.

If you do have the money set aside to pay for books, it’s nice to get rewarded in the process. And once the semester ends, you may be able to sell several books back.

If you commute to school or travel home often, make sure your credit card offers gas rewards. Any time you fill up, you’re earning travel points.

Or if you decided to take an impromptu road trip for spring break or a long weekend with friends, even if you don’t own the car, offering to pay for the gas is an easy way to contribute to the trip’s cost and earn rewards at the same time.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , for instance, offers bonus points for gas station purchases.

» Learn more: When should I book my spring break trip?

Students often live with roommates, and whether in a house or apartment, many rental situations require renters to pay at least some utilities separate from the rent cost.

If you are willing to put the bill in your name and card and make sure your roommates pay you’re their share each month, you can earn a lot of points for this everyday expense.

» Learn more: Bilt Rewards: Get points for paying rent

If you plan to study abroad, make sure to either book your ticket with a travel rewards card, or even redeem miles to get your ticket.

Also consider getting a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, such as the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card , the United℠ Explorer Card , and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . And if you aren’t sure what airlines will be needed to get to your study abroad location, a general travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card may be the best option.

» Learn more: How to pick a study abroad credit card

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Planning a trip? Check out these articles for more inspiration and advice: How to find cheap activities to do in any city Why you should travel solo at least once The best travel credit cards of the year

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

How college students can maximize travel rewards credit cards

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

This page includes information about the Discover it Cash Back that is not currently available on The Points Guy and may be out of date.

Travel rewards credit cards run the gamut from premium products charging top dollar for benefits like lounge access and Global Entry , to mid-range entries that waive their first year's annual fee, all the way down to cards with no annual fee .

For regular consumers with good credit, the choice can be hard enough. But for college students just starting to manage their personal finances and credit scores , the choices can be that much tougher.

Luckily, the travel credit card marketplace is more diverse than ever, meaning college students have some amazing opportunities to build their credit while reaping rewards at the same time. With some strategy and savvy, college students can make the most of their credit while sticking to a budget and keeping their credit score healthy.

Know your score

You wouldn't dive into a pool without knowing its depth. So why would you start applying for credit cards without knowing your credit score ? Finding out your score will provide you with a benchmark for measuring both your financial health and your progress as you build your credit over the years. It will also make sure your expectations as to which credit cards you are eligible for are realistic.

We often use the terms "credit score" and "FICO score" interchangeably. They are not exactly the same, but they're similar. The three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — all compile their own detailed credit reports, which can vary. A FICO score is your credit score as determined by the Fair Isaac Corporation, and is the score most commonly used by lenders, so it is the most useful to know.

Your FICO score is determined by five key factors:

• Payment history: Whether you pay your bills on time counts for 35% of your score, so it's the most weighted factor. The accounts considered include credit cards, retail accounts, installment loans (like car loans), finance company accounts and mortgage loans.
• Amount of debt: Also known as credit utilization, or the debt-to-credit ratio, this factor is calculated based on how much credit has been extended to you versus how much you are actually using. It is weighted at 30% of your score, so it, too, is very important, and a good reason to keep your balances as low as possible.
• Length of credit history: FICO considers this factor as 15% of your overall credit score. College students just starting out with credit are naturally at a disadvantage, but the longer you hold on to your accounts and keep them in good standing, the more this will be reflected in your score.
• Credit mix: FICO also considers the types of accounts you have open, such as credit cards versus an installment loan. This is weighted at 10% of your score.
• New credit: Also accounting for 10% of your FICO score, lenders want to know how many new accounts you've applied for lately and what the lines of credit extended to you have been. Contrary to popular wisdom , inquiries about new lines of credit will only drop your score minimally and stay on your record for 3-6 months.

Knowing how your financial behavior affects your credit score is of paramount importance, both as you start out with credit and as you mature. A few irresponsible decisions early on can impact your score — and thus your opportunities not only to maximize travel rewards but get a good interest rate on a car loan or mortgage — for years.

How to get your score — for free

Now that you know what goes into your credit score, how do you find out what it is? These days, there are plenty of free ways to do so. More and more credit cards themselves are offering it to cardholders for free as a benefit. However, if you do not have a credit card yet, you still have some good options.

You have to create an account with some basic personal information, but Credit Karma offers free credit reports from both TransUnion and Equifax that you can check anytime.

American Express , Bank of America , Chase Journey , Capital One CreditWise , Citi and Discover Scorecard all offer accountholders and non-customers alike programs through which they can access and monitor their credit scores.

What your score means

Once you find out your score, the numbers break down the following way:

• Over 800: Exceptional credit
• 740-799: Very good, demonstrates you are a dependable borrower
• 670-739: Good, you're an above-average borrower
• 580-669: Fair: A below-average score, though many lenders might still approve your for some loans and credit
• Under 580: Poor, lenders consider you a risky borrower

If you're just starting out with credit, you'll likely be in the middle to lower range somewhere, which means you are eligible for some of the travel rewards cards out there.

Which credit cards are right for you?

Now that you have a handle on your credit, it's time to decide which credit card you're going to get. At TPG, we tend to break down the types of rewards cards down into four categories:

Airline credit cards : Everyone is familiar with these cards, which are associated with a specific carrier, like the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express, the United Explorer Card from Chase, or the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, among many others. Whether this type of credit card is right for you will depend on whether you actually fly a lot, where you fly to and from, and if you take a particular airline more than any other, as well as whether you can maximize perks such as free checked bags and in-flight discounts. Read our picks for best airline credit cards here . The information for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Hotel credit cards : If you're a college student, you're more likely to be staying at a hostel or splitting an Airbnb with friends than staying in luxury hotels. But if you are interested in accruing points toward free hotel stays, you could consider a no-annual-fee card that participates in a hotel loyalty program like the Hilton Honors American Express Card (see rates and fees) or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card. Read our picks for best hotel credit cards here .

Transferable points cards : Transferable points include American Express Membership Rewards , Chase Ultimate Rewards , Capital One miles and Citi ThankYou Rewards , each of which can be redeemed directly for travel through their respective online portals, or transferred to a unique set of travel program partners including both airline frequent-flyer programs and hotel loyalty programs. Though many of the best cards that participate in these points programs — like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Citi Premier® Card — charge annual fees, there are some that do not, including the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express. The information for the Amex EveryDay Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Fixed-rate or cash-back cards : Finally, fixed-rate credit cards allow you to accrue points or miles on everyday purchases and then redeem them at a set value (usually 1 cent apiece) toward travel or other purchases. Among the no-annual-fee credit cards that earn these types of points/miles are the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, the Discover it Cash Back, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited.

The Wells Fargo Propel card is no longer available for new applicants. The information for this card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Best cash back credit cards

One reason to consider the last one in particular is that if you're not going to use your points toward cash-back statement credits anytime soon, you could wait until you get a more premium card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred later on and then your points will be transferable as well as redeemable at fixed rates.

The other main consideration is which credit card will offer you the most return on your spending. Apart from whether you actually want airline miles, hotel points or cash back, every card's earning structure is different. The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express, for instance, earns 2x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000; then 1x), 1x point per dollar on other purchases and a 20% bonus each statement cycle you make more than 20 purchases with it.

By contrast, with the Discover it Cash Back you can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases made in accordance with Discover's 2019 Cashback Calendar after enrollment, plus 1% cash back on all other purchases. Thinking about your prospective card's earning structure will ensure that you are able to maximize its bonus categories, and thus, your rewards.

Applying for a card

Applying for your first credit card can be daunting — all the more so if you have not already established some credit by being made the authorized user on others individuals' accounts.

If this is your first credit card and you have no established history, don't worry. Several issuers field cards specifically for students looking to build credit. Most notable among them is Discover, which has this handy guide for applying for your first credit card.

Second, be certain you are applying for the best possible sign-up offer. Bonuses rise and fall all the time, as do the minimum spending requirements. Do your homework and make sure any cards you're thinking of applying for are offering historically good bonuses.

When you are ready to apply, make sure you have all the information necessary, including an accurate estimate of any income, mortgage or lease payments, your current address and your social security number.

One more note if this is your first credit card and you have not had a credit score at all before. It takes three months to generate a VantageScore credit score (this is used by some lenders) and six to generate a FICO score. Wait until you're past that time frame to apply for additional cards, because these applications will count as hard inquiries on your credit score, and any rejections could bring it down.

If you're not approved

It happens to all of us. You apply for the card you think is the perfect fit, only to have your application declined or put into pending status. Don't give up just yet. Credit card issuers have reconsideration phone lines that you can call to argue (politely) the specifics of your application and have it reviewed by a credit specialist.

Treat the agent with respect, have all the information you might need on hand, and be prepared to explain your circumstances and why you need this specific card.

Ideas for meeting minimum spend

If and when you are approved for a credit card, you will likely have to meet a spending requirement in order to qualify for the sign-up bonus. For college students on tight budgets, that might seem intimidating. However, there are ways to accomplish this without racking up debt right off the bat.

Before we jump into them, though, let me just stress again how important it is that you not bite off more than you can chew. Before making purchases on your new card, make certain you can pay them off on time. Otherwise, you'll just be going into debt, hurting your credit score and negating the value of any rewards you might earn.

Related reading: Ten commandments for travel rewards cards

With that out of the way, here are some creative ways to meet your spending requirement (and continue earning rewards beyond it).

Pay for tuition with a credit card: This is often easier said than done . Some institutions completely prohibit you from paying for tuition with a credit card. Others either charge you a convenience fee or partner with payment services that charge a fee (usually around 3%). However, a few colleges will let you pay with a credit card without fees, and in those cases it can be worth it. If you're thinking of doing this, ask your college's accounts department what their policy is to determine whether this might be a good option for you.

Use Plastiq to pay bills: Plastiq is an online bill payment service that basically lets you use your credit card for charges you might not otherwise be able to use a credit card to pay, such as utilities and rent, but also tuition. Plastiq is widely hailed as one of the best of these services since you can pretty much send a payment to any person or business within the U.S. or Canada. To do so, though, you have to pay a 2.5% fee, so do the math and consider whether it's worth it before you commit.

Put your books and supplies on your new card: As the school year starts, chances are you'll have to buy a lot of books, school supplies , and maybe even make a big purchase like a new laptop. As long as you'll be making these purchases anyway, you might as well be earning rewards on them.

Pay for group meals: As long as your friends can pay you back before your statement is due, either with cash or through a free service like PayPal or Venmo, it might be worth putting big group meals on your credit card in order to hit your minimum spending requirement.

Club expenses: Are you part of an on-campus club or group with a budget? Ask if you can put some of the expenses for events or other needs on your card and get reimbursed. This can be a quick and lucrative way to rack up some spending, as long as you can be sure of getting reimbursed in time to make your statement due date.

Gift cards: If you're not going to be able to make the purchases you need to within the spending time frame but coming up with the cash is not an issue, you could always purchase gift cards at a pharmacy or grocery store. Just be sure it's for something you'll actually use.

Related reading: Best credit cards for students and recent graduates

Bottom line

Now that you have the information you need at your fingertips, and strategies for meeting the spending requirements on a new credit card, it's time to figure out which one is best for you. Check out this post on 5 Starter Cards for College Students and Recent Graduates for ideas.

Your credit can help you earn fabulous rewards when it comes to credit cards and travel. Just be sure that you are using your credit responsibly, paying off your bills on time and maximizing the benefits of any card you do decide to carry.

For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex card, click here.

Additional reporting by Sam Lipscomb and Liz Hund.

Find the Best Travel Rewards Program for You

U.S. News has ranked the top hotel and airline loyalty programs. Choose the best travel rewards program for your lifestyle.

Best Travel Rewards Programs for 2023-2024

It's easy to feel enticed by an airline or hotel rewards program. After all, who wouldn't want a free flight, a room upgrade or other lucrative benefits? The catch – as any travel rewards program loyalist can attest to – is that maximizing these perks can be challenging. While it's often easy to join a program, attaining meaningful travel points and miles may come with a string of caveats. So how can you tell if a travel rewards program is worth your time and effort?

For the 11th consecutive year, U.S. News editors evaluated each travel rewards program based on key attributes that everyday travelers value, such as the size and diversity of each airline or hotel network and how quickly you can accumulate enough miles or points to earn a free flight or hotel stay. Our rankings also take into account the number of ways you can use travel rewards and the added benefits you receive as a member. 

Read more about  how we rank the best travel rewards programs , and find out which frequent flyer and hotel rewards programs top the 2023-2024 lists.

Best Hotel Rewards Programs

• # 1 Wyndham Rewards
• # 2 Choice Privileges
• # 3 Marriott Bonvoy
• # 4 World of Hyatt
• # 5 IHG One Rewards

Best Airline Rewards Programs

• # 1 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
• # 2 Delta SkyMiles
• # 3 United MileagePlus
• # 4 American Airlines AAdvantage
• # 5 JetBlue TrueBlue

Read more: travel credit card guides

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If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

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START HERE Is Reward Travel For You?

Use this guide here to find out if reward travel is for you…(It is!) Here you’ll gain insight into how points and miles work and how you can do it the RIGHT way! I want you to be earning free travel so you can travel the world like the VIP that you are for pennies on the dollar NOW!

Check out Travel Reward University now!

1. Get Started – Read “Reward Travel For Beginners”

Rome wasn’t built in a day and you aren’t going to earn a million miles in a month. Know that there will be a learning curve, that is why I am here! Reward travel and earning points and miles – is AMAZING- and has given so many opportunities to my family. (I promise you will love it!) However, there are some important things you want to know before you get started. I cover all of the major questions and concerns in “Reward Travel For Beginners”.

Read our How To Reward Travel For Beginners Guide: Read Reward Travel For Beginners

2. Start with the End in Mind – Download Travel Freely! (It’s FREE)

Having an idea of somewhere you would like to travel and looking forward to taking that vacation will help keep you focused on your budget goals, and will help you pick the right card. Another way that really helps me stay organized and keep track is the Travel Freely app. It’s free, and it will help you keep track of your upcoming annual fees, how many cards you have signed up for, and what other cards might be right for you!

3. Pick the Right Card and Apply

There are SO many cards to choose from and when you are learning how to use points and miles and the amount of information on them all is overwhelming. To help you, here are a few things you want when finding the right first card for you.

An Awesome Welcome Bonus The most effective way to earn free travel is to take advantage of the welcome bonuses offered by credit card companies and their travel partners. Look for cards that offer a strong welcome bonus as this will get you closer to that dream trip more than anything! Typical bonuses are around 40k to 75k points but can get up to 100k depending on the time of year. This is why reward cards are so awesome, you can start out in a great spot!

A Realistic Minimum Spend In order to get the welcome offer, most credit cards will require that you spend a certain amount over a fixed time on qualifying purchases. This usually looks like “spend 3,000 dollars in the first 3 months”. You will want to pick a card that has a doable minimum spend. Some of my favorite advanced reward travel cards require a 15k minimum spend over the course of a few months. DON’T get these cards at first. Pick a card that has a minimum spend that you know you can reach through your normal everyday purchases. This will be the best for your budget and to help you get the hang of points and miles!

4. Join Travel Reward University!

Join hundreds of students in Travel Reward University and learn a tried and true method that allows you to TAKE DREAM VACATIONS FOR NEARLY FREE using credit card points and miles!

The best part?

Travel Reward University is designed to MAKE you travel money, SAVE you time, and SUPPORT you along the way.

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Updated: March 21, 2024

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Grace Pilling was the Senior Content Manager for Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. She previously led personal finance teams at Bankrate, CreditCards.com and MoneyUnder30.

Pilling has a bachelor's degree in English from Western Sydney University and a diploma in book editing, proofreading and publishing. She is focused on empowering readers to make informed financial choices that support their best lives, not a company’s bottom line.

U.S. News Reveals 2021-22 Best Travel Rewards Programs

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan once again is the Best Airline Rewards Program; Wyndham Rewards named the Best Hotel Rewards Program.

USN Best Travel Rewards Programs

Washington, D.C. – U.S. News & World Report, publisher of Best Hotels , Best Cruise Lines and Best Vacations , today announced the 2021-22 Best Travel Rewards Programs . The annual rankings identify 24 hotel and airline loyalty programs with the most rewarding perks for everyday travelers. After several years at No. 2, Wyndham Rewards improved to be the No. 1 Best Hotel Rewards Program . Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan remains the No. 1 Best Airline Rewards Program for the seventh year in a row. This year, U.S. News also considered each travel rewards program's response to the coronavirus pandemic, and factored in how flexible and accommodating each airline and hotel program was for members.

Wyndham Rewards takes the No. 1 spot on the Best Hotel Rewards Programs ranking thanks in part to its large network of hotels in popular vacation destinations and high award availability. Additionally, any member of the program can book a free night with as few as 7,500 points. World of Hyatt , No. 2, scores well by offering low points redemption requirements and a variety of ways to earn and redeem points. Marriott Bonvoy came in at No. 3 because it offers a multitude of properties at various price points in destinations across the globe, plus ample benefits for members.

The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan maintains its No. 1 position on the Best Airline Rewards Programs list because of its numerous member benefits and its large network of flight routes to popular destinations. Plus, the program's mileage-based earning structure makes it easier for members to earn miles for free flights faster. Delta SkyMiles ' high Airline Quality Rating score and impressive number of daily flights helped it retain its No. 2 rank for the fifth year in a row. American Airlines AAdvantage claimed the No. 3 spot due in part to its large network of routes to numerous destinations and significant volume of daily flights.

"This year's list factored in adjustments programs made to account for members taking fewer trips during the pandemic. Programs that make it easier for members to earn and redeem points or miles, and achieve or retain elite status were rewarded," said Christine Smith, senior travel editor at U.S. News. "With numerous creative ways to earn points and miles, now is the time to join a rewards program to build up a balance. Then, whenever travelers feel comfortable, they can use those accrued points to book an amazing vacation."

U.S. News ranks the Best Travel Rewards Programs in two categories: hotel loyalty programs and airline frequent flyer programs. The methodologies take into account membership benefits – such as free amenities, program-affiliated credit cards and room or cabin upgrades – network coverage and a strong emphasis on the ease of earning and redeeming free flights or nights. Additionally, U.S. News factors in property diversity for the Best Hotel Rewards Programs and Airline Quality Rating scores for the Best Airline Rewards Programs. This year, the methodology also factored in changes made to accommodate travel restrictions and difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic.

2021-22 U.S. News Best Travel Rewards Programs

See the full lists here

Hotel Rewards Programs

• Wyndham Rewards
• World of Hyatt
• Marriott Bonvoy
• Choice Privileges
• IHG Rewards

Airline Rewards Programs

• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
• Delta SkyMiles
• American Airlines AAdvantage
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Southwest Rapid Rewards

For more information on the Best Travel Rewards Programs , visit Facebook , Twitter and Instagram using #BestRewards.

Media Contact: Sarah Javors, [email protected] , 202-955-2153

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower citizens, consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

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For questions regarding the Domestic Travel Award, please contact the Vice Executive Chair, Matthew Craig, at [email protected] .

Award Overview: 

The GSS International Travel Award (ITA) is a competitive award that offers financial support of $1,500 of approved student-incurred expenses, as determined by the ITA Committee, for travel outside of the contiguous United States and Canadian provinces and territories not adjacent to the contiguous U.S.  The ITA is offered for Fall, Spring, and Summer travel.  Full- and part-time graduate students whose departments are in good standing with GSS are eligible for the ITA.

The purpose of this award is to promote the professional and academic development of Kent State University’s graduate student population, to support diversity by giving students the opportunity to experience foreign cultures, and to extend Kent State University’s recognition on an international level by providing financial assistance for international professional development, conference presentation, or your field’s equivalency. Funding is restricted to individuals presenting, performing, or actively participating at professional conferences, competitions, festivals, performance tours, or workshops related to their academic program or specialized interests. 

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2023-2024 DEADLINES

• SUMMER APPLICATIONS OPEN: May 4, 2024
• SUMMER APPLICATIONS CLOSE: May 31, 2024
• AWARDEES NOTIFIED: TBD
• AWARD LETTERS AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENT TAX FORMS (IF APPLICABLE) DUE: June 20, 2024

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The Non Resident Award Letter (PDF) pertains to non-resident students who have received an award from the Graduate Student Senate.

The Resident Award Letter (PDF) pertains to U.S. resident students who have received an award from the Graduate Student Senate.

◘  If this information does not answer your tax question, please contact [email protected]

Please refer to the GSS Bylaws for further clarification into the policies and procedures associated with this Award (Articles V-VIII).

Students are eligible to apply for GSS travel awards with university-sponsored travel reinstated. Travel can increase your chance of getting or spreading COVID-19. Anyone traveling should carefully review the continuously updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance regarding travel. The  CDC’s travel website  offers detailed information about airline travel, both foreign and domestic, and other travel. Kent State requires university community members to contact the COVID Response Team in certain instances. Please get familiar with  Kent State's COVID-19 reporting guidelines  and  Covid-19 FAQs for Kent State .

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Are travel credit cards worth it?

Hospitality leadership faculty member weighs in.

February 6, 2023 by Strategic Communication

Travel credit cards offer some good perks and rewards. What types are there and should you get one?

Dr. Yoshimasa (Nancy) Kageyama , assistant professor of hospitality leadership at Missouri State University, shares her thoughts with WalletHub .

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Canine Health Information

Managing reactive behavior, reactivity is hard on dogs — without support your dog could become aggressive.

You want to take a relaxing walk with your dog, but at just the sight of another dog or a person, they start barking hysterically, forcing you to drag them away. This is a reactive dog — one who overreacts to normal situations that other dogs would take in stride. Reactive dogs are not necessarily aggressive dogs, but reactivity can turn into aggression, so your attention to training becomes extremely important. 

Reactive dogs become overly aroused by common stimuli. They may lunge, bark and growl, becoming so preoccupied with whatever is triggering the emotion that they can be difficult to control and move out of the situation. A reactive dog is usually a fearful dog. Causes can be genetic, but they are more likely due to a lack of socialization, prior bad experiences or a lack of training. 

Aggressive dogs show similar signs but are determined to cause harm and destruction. Any reactive dog can be pushed into aggression, which is why a reactive dog needs to be taken seriously.

Avoiding r eactive d ogs 

Ideally, you don’t want a reactive dog in the first place. Adult dogs can be evaluated or taken on a walk for a “test run,” but predicting a puppy’s adult behavior can be more challenging. 

Dr. Katherine Houpt , the James Law Professor Emeritus of Behavior Medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences , recommends asking to meet the parents of a litter if possible, since puppies do often take after their parents’ personalities and reactivity can have a genetic link. If that’s not possible, at least visit the litter before weaning. Mother dogs are protective of puppies, but they should not be aggressive. Puppies should be friendly, confident and outgoing, approaching you for attention instead of cowering or hiding. 

Identifying t riggers 

The first thing to do is to identify the specific triggers that set your dog off. Houpt says that trigger is anything that acts as a stimulus to make your dog react dramatically. This might be a strange person, other dogs or both. Classic scenarios involve things like someone wearing a funky hat, men with beards, other dogs and children.

Some dogs are reactive to these stimuli in all situations, while others might only be reactive in certain contexts. Some dogs are fine with other dogs off-leash, but become reactive when they are on a leash (this is referred to as leash reactivity). Other dogs might be more likely to show reactive behavior in congested or crowded spaces, or when out walking at night. 

After you’ve identified triggers, try to avoid them while you work on a training plan. You don’t want the behavior to become an ingrained habit. “Walk your dog when others aren’t out, and avoid the dog park,” says Houpt. 

Protect y our d og 

Immersing your dog in situations that where they are not comfortable will increase their fear and may make their behavior worse. When you’re out with your dog, be vigilant. If you see a person or dog who is likely to upset your dog, avoid them if possible. Give your dog a chance to have some walks and calm outings, so you can praise them for being a good dog and they can start to relax. 

Remember that your dog does not have to be friends with all people or every dog. Houpt says the assumption that all dogs should love all other people and all other dogs is mostly an American phenomenon.

“In Italy, dogs go everywhere, but they keep them away from other dogs, and people aren’t constantly coming up to pet them,” she says. In this regard, they treat their dogs more like people by respecting a dog’s personal space. 

You need to be your dog’s advocate. For example, protect them from a stranger looming over them to keep them from feeling like they need to defend themselves. If the person continues to approach your dog or tries to pet them, calmly but firmly tell that person that your dog is working, shy or in training. This usually will help most people understand the need to respect your space. 

Counter - conditioning 

Of course, avoidance isn’t a permanent solution. Behavior modification and counter-conditioning to help make your dog’s triggers less scary are the long-term answer — giving them coping strategies to deal with stressful situations. 

Start by always having treats with you. “Reward the dog as soon as the trigger appears,” Houpt says. Feed them treats while the scary thing passes by or as you move by it. At first, you will want to give the reward at a safe distance from the trigger, if possible, so that your dog feels comfortable. This might mean keeping an entire soccer field between you and some kids playing, for example. 

With consistent and frequent training, your dog will start to associate the trigger with something positive. With luck, eventually, they will see another dog and look to you for a treat. Toys and praise can be used for positive reinforcement too. 

Over time, you will be able to move closer to the scary stimulus. Enlist the help of a friend to make sure that you are in control of the situation. For example, if your dog reacts to other dogs, ask a friend with a calm dog to walk across the street from where you and your dog are working, while you use treats to refocus and reward your dog's attention. If your dog remains quiet and focused on you, ask your friend to move a little closer. If your dog starts to get stressed, ask your friend to go farther away. This can be done with children or people in hats, for example, too. 

It is important to make a plan to continuously work with your dog and make triggers less scary by helping associate them with a rewarding treat (or toy or praise). If you have difficulty, talk with a veterinary behaviorist or a fear-free dog trainer to customize strategies for your dog.

This article has been reprinted with permission from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s DogWatch newsletter, published by Belvoir Media Group. When you become a member of the Riney Canine Health Center, you will receive a free subscription to DogWatch.

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As rewards cards face regulation, what are the alternatives?

This could be the beginning of the end for such cards, writes christopher elliott.

By Christopher Elliott

5:30 PM on May 29, 2024 CDT

Ronald Duben is ready to give up his credit card. He thinks there’s something better out there — and there almost certainly is.

Duben has been dutifully shelling out $120 a year for his co-branded airline rewards card, which promises he’ll get “free” flights if he spends enough money. It was a good deal at first. Once he collected about 60,000 points, he could cash in his rewards for a flight to Asia.

But when Duben tried to redeem his loyalty points for an economy-class ticket to Japan recently, he was stunned that his airline more than tripled the miles he had to pay. Then it asked him for another $375 in taxes and fees on top of the 200,000 points.

So much for “free.”

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“I feel like I’m deeply involved in a rip-off,” says Duben, a retired chef from San Rafael, Calif., “and I want to get out.”

It turns out there is a way out.

Making a U-turn on rewards credit cards

Rewards credit cards — and especially those high-fee, high-interest mileage-earning credit cards — are not for everyone. You’re probably just as likely to pay an absurdly high interest rate and add to that $1 trillion in credit card debt as you are to get a “free” airline ticket.

The government is concerned about these cards, too. Earlier this month, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)  issued a report on rewards cards that identified multiple problems with these payment systems. Consumers complained that rewards are often devalued or denied even after they meet program terms. And consumers who carry revolving balances often pay more in interest and fees than they get back on rewards.

The CFPB and the Department of Transportation also held a hearing on rewards credit cards , a likely precursor to regulating these programs.

So if this is the beginning of the end for rewards credit cards, then what’s next?

Here are the alternatives to rewards cards

Read a travel blog, Instagram account or newspaper travel section and you might think the only way to travel is with one of those high-fee travel cards. But there are other ways to pay:

— A debit card. A debit card or bank card deducts money directly from your bank account. No need to worry about spending more than you have because it usually won’t let you overdraw. “Debit cards are a straightforward option,” says Shawn Plummer, a financial expert and frequent traveler. “They’re widely accepted and eliminate the risk of accumulating debt because they only allow you to spend what you have.”

Many debit cards even have travel benefits such as no currency conversion fees, but there are limits: Car rental companies and hotels may not accept a debit card.

— A no-annual-fee, low-interest-rate credit card. You shouldn’t pay an annual fee for your credit card. And if you do a little research, you can find a card with less than a 10% annual interest rate. Hint: Check with a credit union. Many of these cards also have all the travel benefits you need, including coverage for car rentals and medical evacuations — and no currency exchange fees.

By the way, if you do want to pay a membership fee, try joining one of the warehouse clubs like Sam’s or Costco. Peter Hoagland, a consultant from Warrenton, Va., swears by his Costco Visa. He says it’s a no-nonsense payment system with relatively reasonable fees.

“I use the card everywhere,” says Hoagland.

— Money transfer services. A service like Revolut or Wise will allow you to transfer money to a company or individual, completely bypassing the credit card network. These companies are on the bleeding edge of digital banking. I visited Wise’s headquarters while I was in London recently and really loved its plan to remove “all the friction” between you and your money. That means eliminating a lot of the high fees you’ve been paying for years.

Andy Abramson, a communications consultant from Las Vegas, uses both and likes the speed of transfer and the favorable exchange rates when moving dollars to another currency.

“They’re both incredible,” he says.

What is the future of payment systems for travelers?

Are rewards credit cards obsolete? Have they become bloated and inefficient, with their high swipe fees and exorbitant interest rates and empty promises of free tickets? Some industry watchers believe the answer is yes.

As an intermediate step, many travelers are switching to a debit card or a digital payment system. That allows them to lower their interest rates and make smarter decisions about their purchases instead of mindlessly spending money to accumulate points or giving all of their loyalty to one airline.

Financial experts see a better future just ahead. It’s a place where digital peer-to-peer payment systems are used to transfer money at virtually no cost to you. In that future, cards are as antiquated as traveler’s checks. All transactions happen on a phone with a tap and a biometric “OK.” And loyalty programs have evolved into something more sophisticated than today’s bait-and-switch cards that just make you spend more.

Will the government regulate rewards credit cards?

After this month’s joint hearings with the CFPB and DOT, one thing is certain: Rewards credit cards will be regulated by the government soon.

Even if regulators don’t act, Congress could. A new bill called the Credit Card Competition Act could bring much-needed competition to credit cards. Notably, it would force networks to compete over fees and potentially reduce swipe fees for merchants. That might bring some sanity back to credit card rewards programs, which would benefit consumers.

It’s about time. Rewards credit cards make promises they can’t keep, bait you into spending more than you should, and ultimately reward only the airlines and credit card companies that issue trillions of often worthless points. The sooner you find an alternative, the better.

That’s what Duben, the retired chef who wanted to go to Japan, did. He clicked on the United Airlines website and booked a regular ticket. He’ll use his miles for another ticket and then close his rewards credit card for good.

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential , a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report , a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at [email protected] .

Christopher Elliott , Special Contributor . Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service.

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Best travel credit cards of June 2024

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Stephanie Zito is a professional traveler, self-employed humanitarian consultant and collector of credit card points. She shares savvy travel tips that she’s learned firsthand circling the globe for more than 25 years. She’s a backpacker, expect and premium traveler who’s visited more than 130 countries and all seven continents. Her life motto is “See the world, change the world, have fun doing it!” and her mission is to inspire others along the journey.

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Travel credit cards help you earn valuable points and miles on your purchases. For maximum value, some cards earn rewards not only on travel, but also everyday purchases like dining, groceries and gas. You can redeem these rewards for free or discounted flights, hotel stays or to cover other travel-related expenses.

The best travel cards also come with additional features. Even no-annual-fee travel cards are likely to offer perks like sign-up bonuses, intro APR offers and travel insurance. But for top-of-the-line benefits like airport lounge access, elite status and travel credits, expect to pay an annual fee.

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Bankrate's Best Travel Credit Cards of June 2024

• Best starter travel card:  Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Best for flat-rate rewards:  Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Best for luxury travel:  The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Best for no annual fee:  Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card  ( See Rates & Fees )
• Best for foodies:  American Express® Gold Card
• Best for everyday spending: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
• Best for intro APR:  Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
• Best for point values:  Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Best for practical perks:  Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Best for pairing:  Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Best for hotel bookings: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
• Best no-annual-fee hotel card:  Hilton Honors American Express Card
• Best luxury hotel card:  Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• Best for transfer partners:  Bilt Mastercard®
• Best for gas:  Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
• Best for companion tickets:  Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Best starter airline card:  Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
• Best for expedited security screening:  Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
• Best for first-year value:  Discover it® Miles
• Best for fair credit:  Credit One Bank Wander® Card
• What to know about travel credit cards
• Tips for choosing the best travel card

Travel credit card perks

How do credit card points and miles work.

• Expert advice on travel cards

How we assess the best travel credit cards

• Frequently asked questions
• Ask the experts

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A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

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Best starter travel card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.

Intro offer

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

We calculate this number by multiplying the card's intro offer by Bankrate's valuation of this issuer's rewards program , showing you how much your points or miles are worth in dollars.

Rewards rate

5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. 2x on all other travel purchases. 1x on all other purchases.

Regular APR

• 5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
• 3x 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
• 2x 2x on all other travel purchases.
• 1x 1x on all other purchases.

What we love: This popular card comes loaded with features that can make it easy even for occasional travelers to offset the modest $95 annual fee without eating into hard-earned rewards. Plus, its rewards program is one of the best, giving you some of the most valuable travel redemptions — through both Chase and transfer partners — and Chase card pairing opportunities if you want to build your card portfolio eventually. Learn more: Why expert Margaret Weck loves using the Chase Sapphire Preferred Alternatives:   If you’re looking for an even simpler travel card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a terrific option. Its flat rewards rate makes it easy to know exactly how much you’ll earn with every purchase and though it can’t match the Sapphire Preferred’s redemption flexibility, it offers more redemption options than the typical travel rewards card. 

• You earn Ultimate Rewards points with this card — some of the most valuable and flexible rewards around, especially if you pair it with Chase’s cash back cards in the future.
• The card touts significant long-term benefits like anniversary bonus points and travel credits, as well as travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and a car rental collision damage waiver.
• Doesn’t offer airline- or hotel-specific perks like free checked bags, elite status or free night stays.
• The sign-up bonus is decent, but the card has previously offered higher, chart-topping bonus points.
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $937.50 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Best for flat-rate rewards

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

New Venture cardholders can earn 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

2 Miles - 5 Miles

• 5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2 Miles 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

What we love: It’s a great option for travelers looking for a straightforward rewards program and flexible redemption options. You'll earn unlimited miles on all eligible spending and can redeem not only for travel bookings, but also as a statement credit to cover travel purchases made in the past 90 days. Learn more: Why expert Jacqueline DeMarco loves the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Alternatives: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a higher rewards rate in some everyday spending categories and potentially more valuable points. Chase points are worth 1.25 cents each if you redeem for travel through Chase, while Capital One miles are only worth 1 cent each when you redeem for travel. Plus, Chase rewards are more helpful for occasional travelers since you can redeem as cash back at 1-cent-per-point value.

• Carries solid perks given its low annual fee, including expedited airport purchase security and hotel experience credits, lost luggage reimbursement and more.
• Zero foreign transaction fees make this an excellent choice for international travelers.
• You can’t offset the annual fee with annual travel credits or bonuses alone as you can with some rival cards.
• The card’s sign-up bonus carries a high spending requirement, so it may be tough to earn if you don’t have large purchases on the horizon.
• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Best for luxury travel

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

• 5X Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• 5X Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

What we love: Luxury travelers and big spenders will appreciate the bevy of travel benefits, including annual statement credits worth around $1,700, elite hotel loyalty status and access to perhaps the most comprehensive airport lounge access available with a credit card. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Platinum Card® from American Express Alternatives: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a taste of luxury at a lower cost than many premium travel cards. You can unlock a generous rewards rate on both travel and general purchases, complimentary access to popular airport lounge memberships and valuable annual travel credits and anniversary miles.

• Comes with a generous welcome offer and a longer time period to earn it compared to most rewards cards.
• A robust line-up of airline and hotel partners and related perks make this card truly valuable for travelers.
• The $695 annual fee may not be worth it if you don’t spend much on travel frequently or can’t take full advantage of the card’s luxury — and often niche — perks.
• Redeeming and maximizing the card’s credit and benefits requires some legwork and can be a bit confusing.
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Best for no annual fee

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel

5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

1.25 Miles - 5 Miles

• 1.25 Miles 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

What we love: This card offers some of the same advantages as the Capital One Venture, without the burden of an annual fee. It gives you the chance to earn flat-rate miles on your everyday spending and the option to transfer miles to over 15 loyalty program partners to even cover travel purchases outside Capital One — a unique level of redemption flexibility for a starter travel card. Learn more: Reasons to get the VentureOne Rewards Card Alternatives: A general-purpose flat-rate credit card that offers 2X points or 2 percent cash back on all purchases may bring more value if you don’t travel often and aren’t ready to upgrade to a travel rewards credit card with an annual fee. However, the Discover it® Miles earns a flat-rate 1.5X miles that can also be redeemed for cash back at 1-cent per mile, which is unusual for travel rewards.

• The welcome offer is generous for a no-annual-fee travel credit card.
• Booking hotel stays and rental cars through Capital One Travel nets you an impressive 5X miles.
• Unlike several no-annual-fee travel cards, redeeming for non-travel purchases waters down your rewards’ value.
• Capital One has no major U.S. carrier in its line-up of travel partners.
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Best for foodies

American Express® Gold Card

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

• 4X Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4X Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• 3X Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

What we love: Few credit cards are more rewarding for traveling foodies than the American Express Gold Card. Both the food-related annual credits and the rewards rates at restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and on flights booked directly with airlines or via the Amex travel portal are some of the best on the market. In fact, the up to $240 in credits each year alone nearly make up for the annual fee. Learn more: Why the Amex Gold is worth the annual fee Alternatives: If the Amex Gold Card’s annual fee sounds high, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . It carries key travel perks, high travel and dining rewards rates, and a much lower annual fee.

• This card features one of the best rewards return rates available on dining, groceries and food deliveries.
• There is no preset spending limit, so you can enjoy extended purchasing power, and you also have the option to pay off purchases with Pay Over Time if necessary.
• Although the card touts a solid collection of travel perks, it doesn’t include popular premium card perks like airport lounge access or trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
• Only eligible airfare earns more than 1X points, while rival cards often earn similar (or higher) reward rates on hotel stays and other travel purchases as well.
• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.

Best for everyday spending

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

• Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com

Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com. Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations. Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases

• 10X Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• 3X Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
• 1X Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases

What we love: This card’s high rewards rate in everyday bonus categories makes it an especially good choice for occasional travelers and people looking for a standalone rewards card. Its practical bonus categories mean you can earn rewards quickly, even if you don’t actually spend a ton on travel. Alternatives:   As long as you don’t mind buying groceries online, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could be an even more lucrative everyday rewards card. That’s thanks mostly to its high point redemption value (1.25 cents per point when you use points to book travel with Chase, versus just 1 cent per point when you book with Citi using the Strata Premier).

• It’s one of the only travel cards that offers a high rewards rate on groceries, dining and gas, so it should work well whether it’s your standalone card or just one part of your card stack.
• Its annual hotel benefit carries enough value to potentially offset the annual fee on its own.
• The annual hotel benefit, though generous, isn’t very flexible: You’ll only get the $100 discount if you book a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) through CitiTravel.com.
• Based on Bankrate’s latest point and mile valuations, Citi ThankYou rewards carry a lower average redemption value than Chase, Amex and Capital One rewards.
• Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Best for intro APR

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
• Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• 1.5X Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.

What we love: This entry-level travel card keeps things simple for occasional travelers. It offers simple flat-rate rewards and lets you redeem for a broad mix of travel options not typically available on many travel cards, such as cash back toward purchases with travel agencies,  zoos, art galleries and more. It’s even more valuable if you’re a Bank of America customer and can qualify for a rewards boost through the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program. Learn more: Is the Bank of America Travel Rewards card worth it? Alternatives: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is another great starter travel card, but, unlike many cards in this category, it lets you transfer your miles to airline and hotel partners, potentially for a higher redemption value.

• Its easy-to-earn sign-up bonus and intro APR offers give this card good short-term value.
• No annual fees or foreign transaction fees sweeten this offer.
• It only offers 1.5X points on purchases, and you can’t transfer points can’t to airline partners for more rewards value, so it may not be as lucrative as competing cards.
• The top tiers of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program may be out of reach for many cardholders.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

Best for point values

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠. Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

• 10x Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
• 5x Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠.
• 3x Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
• 1x Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

What we love: Rewards-savvy travelers will be hard-pressed to find a card with better rewards potential than the Sapphire Reserve. Points are worth 50 percent more through Chase Travel, and potentially more with the right transfer partner. It’s a stellar partner for Chase’s cash back cards and stacks on even more value with enough perks to recoup the annual fee without relying on hard-earned rewards. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Alternatives: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers some of the same key perks as the Sapphire Reserve at a much lower cost. Along with a generous rewards rate on both Capital One Travel and general purchases, the card boasts valuable, practical benefits like competitive airport lounge access , up to $300 in annual Capital One Travel credits and 10,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary.

• You can kickstart your rewards bank with one of the most valuable sign-up bonuses on the market.
• Its top-tier benefits include up to $300 in annual travel statement credits, Priority Pass airport lounge access, exhaustive travel protections and stand-out partner perks.
• The card’s cost could be a deterrent for some new cardholders, especially if they plan on encountering adding multiple authorized users.
• You won’t get as many luxury hotel and airport lounge perks with this card as you would with some of its rivals.
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

Best for practical perks

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel

10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

2 Miles - 10 Miles

• 10 Miles 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel

What we love: This is the perfect middleground for travelers who want the practical benefits from luxury travel cards without dealing with bloated features and an annual fee upwards of $500. It offers complimentary lounge access, high-earning bonus rewards categories, anniversary credits and bonus miles, which can easily make the card worth it for frequent travelers. Learn more: Capital One Venture X Benefits Guide Alternatives: If a higher annual fee is no issue, consider The Platinum Card® from American Express. It’s a top choice for frequent travelers thanks to its impressive welcome offer and luxury perks like annual travel credits, lounge access and hotel elite status. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® may be better if your luxury travel experience calls for racking up more rewards.

• Offers anniversary bonus miles and a chance to earn credits worth hundreds of dollars starting at your first account anniversary.
• Comes with complimentary lounge access at over 1,300 lounges for you and two guests per visit.
• To earn the anniversary credit, travel must be booked through the Capital One Travel portal. That’s not as flexible as some other cards, which offer credits that cover any travel purchases, regardless of how you book.
• Lacks some perks found on other premium travel cards like airline or hotel elite status, which can get you benefits like free checked bags or room upgrades.
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Best for pairing

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service 1.5% on all other purchases

• 5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
• 3% 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
• 1.5% 1.5% on all other purchases

What we love: Not only does it earn 1.5 percent cash back on general spending, but it also has a bonus cash back rate for drugstores and dining at restaurants. And if you pair it with one or two premium Chase travel cards, you could pool your rewards for better travel redemption value.  Learn more: Why I love the Chase Freedom Unlimited Alternatives: If you want to take advantage of even more rewarding cash back categories and remain in the Chase family, consider the Chase Freedom Flex℠ .

• You can pool rewards with other Chase cards to maximize your earnings.
• The additional rewards rate offer can add even more cash back to your pocket for the first year.
• The welcome offer isn’t as competitive as other cards’ offers.
• Maximizing rewards with this and other Chase cards can get complicated for people who like simple rewards programs.
• Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.

Best for hotel bookings

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

• Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.

Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels Earn unlimited 4X points on airlines Earn unlimited 3X points on other travel and restaurants Earn 1X points on other purchases

• 5X Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels
• 4X Earn unlimited 4X points on airlines
• 3X Earn unlimited 3X points on other travel and restaurants
• 1X Earn 1X points on other purchases

What we love: It offers a great rewards rate on hotel bookings and gives you a chance to earn a $50 annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase. Add in a solid rate on airline purchases, other travel and restaurants and this card carries great value as a standalone mid-tier card for occasional travelers. Alternatives: If you want to earn travel rewards but don’t actually spend much on hotels and airfare, the lower-tier Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is also worth a look. Though it earns also rewards on travel, it boasts a great mix of other practical everyday categories (including gas stations).

• You can transfer points to Wells Fargo’s new list of airline and hotel partners, including popular programs like British Airways Executive Club, Choice Privileges and more, which could boost the redemption value of your rewards.
• The $50 annual statement credit offsets more than half the card’s $95 annual fee and should be a cinch to earn if you fly at least once per year.
• Wells Fargo only offers one other card that earns travel rewards (the Autograph), and there is some category overlap between the two, so they may not be as lucrative as some competing card stacks.
• The card doesn’t carry some popular travel perks available on other mid-tier travel cards, such as credits for expedited airport security screening or rideshares.
• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn unlimited 5X points on hotels, 4X points on airlines, 3X points on other travel and restaurants, and 1X points on other purchases.
• $95 annual fee.
• Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
• Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase.
• Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.

Best no-annual-fee hotel card

Hilton Honors American Express Card

• Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/31/2024.

Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.

• 7X Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• 5X Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• 3X Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.

What we love: This card earns rewards in a terrific mix of everyday bonus categories, so it should be easy to rack up Hilton points even if you don’t spend a ton on hotel bookings. Since it charges no annual fee and provides a few Hilton Honors benefits like Silver status, it’s also a great fit if you’re new to hotel cards and want a single no-annual-fee option instead of juggling multiple rewards cards. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Hilton Honors American Express Card Alternatives: The American Express® Green Card could be more flexible since it lets you earn and redeem rewards on a much wider variety of travel purchases, including airfare and bookings with several hotel brands, not just Hilton. You can transfer points to the Hilton Honors program as well, but the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card may be better if you prefer upgraded Hilton-specific rewards, loyalty status and other perks.

• Comes with automatic Silver Elite status, which includes a free fifth award night when you book at least four consecutive nights with points.
• Earns rewards in three of the average person’s biggest spending categories, making it a terrific standalone option for earning Hilton points.
• A higher-tier Hilton card would earn more on Hilton bookings and could be more lucrative for frequent guests, even with an annual fee.
• You can only redeem points with Hilton and its partners, which limits the rewards value you earn on the everyday categories compared to a general-purpose cards’ rewards.
• Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
• No Annual Fee.

Best luxury hotel card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

• Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines 2X points on all other eligible purchases

• 6X Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
• 3X 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines
• 2X 2X points on all other eligible purchases

What we love: Frequent Marriott guests looking for luxury card-level perks and elite status should be able to justify this premium card. Along with a terrific rewards rate on Marriott bookings and an annual free night award, you could enjoy generous annual credits for restaurant purchases and Marriott property stays, airport lounge access, elite night credits and more. Learn more: Best Marriott credit cards Alternatives: If you’re looking for top-tier travel perks but want the flexibility to earn and redeem rewards for stays at any hotel chain, consider an elite travel card from Chase or Amex, which can come with generous travel benefits, airport lounge access and the ability to transfer points to Marriott. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is another lucrative alternative.

• Outperforms other Marriott cards with its boosted rewards on travel-related categories and 21X points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, thanks to the automatic Platinum Elite status.
• It’s one of the only hotel cards that includes complimentary Priority Pass lounge access, top travel protections and credits for expedited airport security screening.
• Unlocking some of the card’s best perks — like Five Suite Night Awards — requires a $60,000 annual spend, which may be tough to reach even for frequent Marriott guests.
• Unless luxury perks are at the top of your wishlist, the annual fee may not be worth it and a lower-tier hotel card may offer more value overall.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• $650 Annual Fee.

Best for transfer partners

Bilt Mastercard®

Intro offer is not available for this Wells Fargo credit card.

3x points on dining 2x points on travel 1x points on other purchases Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. When you make at least 5 posted transactions in a statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you'll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.

1X Points - 3X Points

• 3X Points 3x points on dining
• 2X Points 2x points on travel
• 1X Points 1x points on other purchases
• 1X Points Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. When you make at least 5 posted transactions in a statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you'll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.

What we love: Not only is this card is a terrific choice for renters since it earns rewards and waives transaction fees when using it to pay rent, it’s also great for rewards strategists considering the extremely robust travel rewards program. You can earn rewards on travel and dining and your points carry a high value whether you redeem through the Bilt travel portal or one of the many airline and hotel transfer partners. Alternatives: If you like the Bilt card’s travel rewards program but don’t see yourself renting long term, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It earns generously on both travel and dining and also boasts high-value points and transfer partners. If the way you pay rent doesn’t incur credit card payment fees, a flat-rate card may also be worth weighing. 

• It’s the only card that helps you avoid the fees typically associated with paying rent with a credit card.
• Offers a solid collection of travel perks for a no-annual-fee card, including trip cancellation and interruption protection, trip delay reimbursement and other high-level travel protections.
• You can only use rewards to cover rent, toward a future home down payment or for travel and shopping. Cash back isn’t an option.
• There is no sign-up bonus. Most competing travel cards — even those with no annual fee — offer at least a $200 bonus.
• $0 Annual Fee.
• Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year.
• 2x points on travel.
• 3x points on dining.
• 1x points on other purchases.
• Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
• When renting at a Bilt Alliance property, you can choose to have your rent payments automatically reported by Bilt to the three major credit bureaus each month; Experian™, TransUnion™, and Equifax™.

Best for gas

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

• Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.

Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Earn 1X points on other purchases

• 3X Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans.

What we love: The Wells Fargo Autograph card is a great option for occasional travelers and households on the go looking to earn rewards while avoiding an annual fee and reduced redemption value for cash rewards. It’s one of a few entry-level travel cards to offer high, year-round bonus rewards for gas, dining, transit and other key travel needs. Learn more: Is the Wells Fargo Autograph worth it? Alternatives: If you’re looking for ways to maximize the value of your rewards, you should consider a travel card that lets you transfer your points to airlines or hotels, like the Bilt Mastercard® or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

• While some issuers only reward travel purchases made directly with airlines or through issuer portals, this card lets you shop around for the best deal on third-party travel sites and still earn extra rewards.
• Carries decent perks such as rental car collision damage waiver coverage, roadside assistance and Visa Signature® Concierge benefits, like access to Visa’s Luxury Hotel Collection (terms apply).
• Unlike with traditional travel cards, you cannot transfer your points to airlines or hotels
• The travel perks and intro APR are weak compared to competing travel-oriented cards’ offers.
• Select "Apply Now" to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
• $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.

Best for companion tickets

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

• Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

• 3X Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• 2X Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
• 1X Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

What we love: The annual companion certificate on Main Cabin domestic flights (taxes and fees apply) comes with this card after the first year is valuable enough to justify the annual fee even if you’re just looking for great Delta perks to make travel smoother with a partner. Plus, the companion certificate is easier to obtain than other airline cards’ since it carries no spending requirement that must be met beyond the card’s annual fee. Alternatives: The American Express® Green Card could be a great alternative since it charges a lower $150 annual fee, lets you earn and redeem rewards on travel with any eligible airline (not just Delta) and offers credits for Loungebuddy lounge access and Clear Plus. You can even transfer points to Delta at a 1:1 ratio.

• Boasts several valuable travel perks, including priority boarding, a free first checked bag and specialized annual credits for select rideshare services and reservations with Delta Stays and Resy.
• Gets you closer to Medallion Status and discounts on in-flight purchases, complimentary upgrades, and more.
• Its rewards rate on non-travel purchases is lacking — a general-purpose travel card could potentially offer better rewards value and flexibility for rewards travel outside Delta.
• No longer offers complimentary Delta Sky Club lounge access as of this year, although airport lounge access is a staple perk for premium travel cards.
• Receive a Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Resy Credit: With the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Resy Credit, earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
• $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment Required.
• Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
• Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive $100 back for Global Entry or up to $85 back for TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
• $350 Annual Fee.

Best starter airline card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

• Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

• 2X Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
• 2X Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• 2X Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• 2X Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
• 1X Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

What we love: This card’s anniversary bonus offers enough value to nearly offset the annual fee on its own, so it should be a terrific low-stakes option whether you’re new to airline cards or a regular Southwest flyer looking for a low-maintenance card. Plus, its sign-up bonus value is on par with the value you’ll get with much pricier airline and travel cards. Learn more: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus benefits guide Alternatives: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card could offer better value overall, despite its $149 annual fee. It carries an annual $75 Southwest travel credit and 7,500 bonus points each year on your account anniversary — more than enough value to justify the higher fee.

• You’ll automatically earn 3,000 Rapid Rewards points each year after your account anniversary, which could offset much of the card’s already-low annual fee.
• Delivers the same hefty sign-up bonus as higher-tier Southwest cards.
• Unlike several travel cards, it doesn’t carry rewards categories for popular everyday purchases like gas or dining.
• It may not be the best Southwest value for frequent flyers since it poses a 3 percent foreign transaction fee and doesn’t offer perks like upgraded boardings or elite status benefits.
• 3,000 anniversary points each year.
• Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
• Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Best for savers

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

• Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases. Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

• 2X Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases.
• 1.5X Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

What we love: If you do your banking with Bank of America and qualify for Preferred Rewards status, this card could provide an exclusive 25 percent to 75 percent rewards rate boost. The  rewards rates — 2X points on dining and travel, with 1.5X points on all other purchases — could increase to an incredible 3.5X on travel and dining with an unrivaled flat 2.62X points rate. Learn more: Why expert Sara Coleman loves the Bank of America Premium Rewards Card Alternatives: The similarly-priced Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best alternatives thanks to its stellar travel protections, yearly bonus rewards and stronger rewards program. However, flat-rate cards like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card or the Discover it® Miles card could be lucrative if you don’t think the $95 annual fee is worth it.

• The $95 annual fee is relatively affordable for this card category thanks to the up to $100 in yearly airline incidental statement credits.
• You can smooth out your travel experience with great benefits like credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and comprehensive travel insurance.
• Attaining the highest rewards rate is not an easy feat, since you’ll need to hold significant funds in Bank of America accounts.
• This card does not offer a few popular premium travel perks like lounge access.
• Low $95 annual fee.
• Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No limit to the points you can earn and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means you could earn 2.5-3.5 points on travel and dining purchases and 1.87 - 2.62 points on all other purchases, for every $1 you spend.
• Redeem for cash back as a statement credit, deposit into eligible Bank of America® accounts, credit to eligible Merrill® accounts, or gift cards or purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center.
• Get up to $100 in Airline Incidental Statement Credits annually and TSA PreCheck®/Global Entry Statement Credits of up to $100, every four years.
• Travel Insurance protections to assist with trip delays, cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Best for first-year value

Discover it® Miles

• Unlimited Bonus: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.

Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

• 1.5X Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

What we love: In addition to the exceptionally valuable Discover Match® , this card combines solid flat-rate rewards with consumer-friendly terms, like minimal fees and an equal value for both travel and cash back redemptions. Travelers who value simplicity will appreciate this card’s straightforward rewards and adaptability — even when you aren’t traveling. Learn more: Why expert Holly Johnson loves the Discover it® Miles Alternatives: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card carries a more straightforward and still easy-to-reach welcome bonus. The VentureOne card also gives you the option of transferring miles to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners, which could increase the redemption value of your rewards.

• All miles earned in your first year will be matched at the end of the year, which could make it one of the most valuable first-year offers for no annual fee.
• Miles don’t lose value when they’re redeemed for cash back, which gives it a leg up over many travel rewards programs for occasional travelers.
• You’ll miss out on pretty standard travel perks like travel insurance, and car rental damage protection.
• The rewards structure lacks flexibility; you won’t be able to transfer your miles or use them to book travel.
• Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
• No annual fee
• Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
• Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
• Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
• Terms and conditions apply.

Best for fair credit

Credit One Bank Wander® Card

Intro offer is not available for this Credit One Bank credit card.

Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas Earn 1x points on all other purchases

• 10X Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• 5X Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
• 1X Earn 1x points on all other purchases

What we love: The Credit One Bank Wander® Card is a solid option if you want to earn points on travel but have trouble qualifying for mainstream travel cards. Not only is this card accessible with only fair credit, but its rewards program boasts generously high rewards rates in key travel categories. Learn more: Best travel cards for people with bad or fair credit Alternatives: If you don’t mind putting down a refundable security deposit, consider a no-annual-fee secured card like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card *. It’s a unique secured card that lets you build credit while earning rewards in a category of your choice (with travel just one of many popular options) as well as grocery stores and wholesale clubs.

• It’s one of the only travel rewards cards available with a fair credit score, making it a decent option if you want to earn travel rewards as you work on your score.
• Provides 5X points in travel, dining and gas, plus 10X points on eligible hotel and rental car bookings through Credit One Bank — rare and impressive rates with only fair credit.
• Its annual fee is high compared to other cards you can get with a fair credit score , so it may not be the best fit if you prioritize building credit over earning rewards.
• Other travel cards may offer better perks, fewer redemption restrictions and more value, so it may be worth working on your score with a lower-cost card before committing to the costly annual fee.
• Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel partner site
• Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
• Earn 1x points on all other purchases
• Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
• With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
• Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
• If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
• See Rates & Fees

Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit  AmericanExpress.com/benefitsguide  for more details. Underwritten by Amex assurance company.

The information about the American Express® Green Card and Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuers.

Compare Bankrate's best travel credit cards of 2024

What are travel credit cards.

Travel credit cards allow cardholders to earn points or miles on a variety of purchases (typically travel-related), which are redeemable for travel bookings, statement credits, gift cards and more.

The best travel credit cards do more than help you foot the bill for your next flight — travel cards also offer perks to upgrade your entire travel experience. Trip insurance , annual travel credits, concierge services and lounge access are all common benefits. Airline and hotel co-branded credit cards sometimes offer specific discounts and perks for loyalty program members.

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

Although a well-chosen travel card can pay huge dividends, it might not be the right move for every traveler. Before you apply, take time to weigh the benefits versus the drawbacks of travel credit cards .

Tips on choosing the best travel credit card for you

The right travel credit card for you will carry features and benefits that give you the best value. To help you narrow down your choices, here are the steps to choosing the best travel card.

How to choose a travel credit card

1. know how you prefer to travel.

Knowing whether your travel expenses lean toward airfare, hotel stays or a mix of other travel will help you decide whether you should get an airline card, hotel card or general-purpose travel card. A co-branded airline or hotel credit card may be a good fit if you mostly travel with a certain brand and want exclusive privileges to enhance your experience. A general-purpose travel card is better if you prefer to keep your travel options open.

2. Prioritize redemption value

You may have to pick between simplicity and maximum value when comparing cards and rewards programs. Many travel cards offer a standard point or mile redemption value of 1 cent when you redeem toward travel through the issuer portal, but some cards can get you a higher redemption value when you transfer rewards to airline or hotel partners. However, it's common for many travel reward programs to reduce the redemption value toward non-travel options or limit these redemption options altogether. If you prefer simplicity over maximizing rewards, you may want to consider cards that allow you to redeem points or miles at an equal 1-cent value toward general travel purchase credits, cash back or other non-travel options.

3. Match your card to your spending habits

Take a look at your typical spending and find which travel categories and non-travel categories you spend the most in to help you choose a card that offers a high rewards rate for your regular spending. Just make sure you factor in rewards spending caps.

4. Note what's worth the extra money

High rewards rates and valuable travel perks are the biggest reasons to get a travel card, but many of the best cards carry a high annual fee. You could stick with a no-annual-fee travel card (or at least one with around a $99 fee) if you're mainly focused on earning rewards, but you may have to pay up to $500 or more for luxurious perks like airport lounge access, comprehensive travel insurance and hundreds of dollars in annual travel credits .

5. Look toward your next trip abroad

If you travel overseas, check to see if the card you're considering charges a foreign transaction fee. And since some credit cards aren't as widely accepted as others, you'll also want to make sure your credit card will work when traveling overseas . For example, merchants may not accept Discover and American Express cards as widely as Visa and Mastercard. If a trip is coming up in the next three to six months, keep an eye out for the big sign-up bonuses travel cards are known for. As a rule of thumb, the higher the annual fee, the higher the sign-up bonus should be.

Co-branded travel cards vs. general travel cards

Experts typically divide travel credit cards into two categories: co-branded travel cards and general travel cards. Co-branded cards are linked to a particular airline or hotel, while general travel cards offer more flexible reward opportunities. Here’s why and when you might want one or the other.

• Co-branded cards
• General travel cards

Co-branded travel cards tend to offer higher rewards rates on eligible travel purchases in exchange for limiting your reward redemption options to just one airline or hotel program . These cards may also feature more specific perks associated with the respective hotel or airline, such as free award nights, complimentary airline elite status or priority boarding — which general-purpose travel cards don’t often carry).

However, you won’t be able to use your rewards with a wide variety of different hotels and airlines like general-purpose cards allow. Plus, despite co-branded travel cards’ typically higher rewards rates, many brand-specific rewards tend to be worth less than the potential value of general-purpose cards’ points and miles.

When to get a co-branded travel card : When you often fly or stay with a specific airline or hotel and want to maximize your benefits with that brand.

General travel cards earn rewards on various travel categories and aren’t limited to a particular airline or hotel. Such cards may lack some of the dedicated perks you’ll find on a co-branded travel card, such as in-flight discounts, but make up for it with rewards flexibility and broader perks like general travel credits, expedited security screening and wider airport lounge access. 

The top travel cards even let you transfer your points or miles to airline and hotel loyalty programs, often at a 1:1 rate. Redeeming with some airlines and hotels can even make your rewards more valuable than they would be if you redeemed with the card issuer.

When to get a general travel card : When you have no preferred airline or hotel and want the additional flexibility a general travel card offers. 

Who should get a travel credit card?

A travel credit card is almost always worth it for frequent travelers or anyone who wants to earn rewards toward their next vacation.

If you can save up airline miles, rack up points for free nights at hotels or get discounted travel through your credit card issuer, you’re on your way to significant travel savings. However, the right travel card for you will depend on your travel habits.

Frequent travelers

Naturally, the ideal candidate for a travel card is someone who travels a lot or plans to book several flights and hotel stays per year. However, in some cases, you don’t have to be a frequent traveler to reap the benefits of a travel rewards card. A number of cards offer good rewards rates on general purchases.

Travel beginners

If you’re new to travel rewards, a good place to start is with a travel card that makes it easy to earn and redeem points, without requiring you to navigate a complex rewards program or worry about tiered rewards rates or varying point redemption values. 

Brand loyalists

If you tend to book travel with the same brands frequently or already belong to an airline or hotel loyalty program, a co-branded travel card can offer terrific value.  Airline- and hotel-specific rewards cards often earn a top rate on bookings with the brand as well as exclusive perks like lounge access and automatic elite status. 

Business travelers

Some of the most valuable travel credit cards are business cards . Whether you're a freelancer on the go or the CEO of a Fortune 500, the right travel credit card can help you earn high rewards rates on everyday business purchases. 

International travelers

If you frequently travel abroad, a card with no foreign transaction fees is a great way to help you avoid extra costs on overseas purchases. Plus, if you hate waiting in line at airport security or customs, a lot of travel cards offer statement credits to reimburse you for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.

Luxury travelers

Luxury travel cards often charge a pretty penny but also offer a ton of value via perks like lounge access and annual travel credits. These perks not only make travel more comfortable, but also often carry enough value to offset the card’s cost on their own.

Still unsure if a travel credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool where you can get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

Here’s how a Bankrate editor chose his travel card

Here’s how a bankrate editor chose his travel card.

With all of this advice in mind, let’s see how a credit card expert made their pick. Here’s Bankrate editor Nouri Zarrugh on how he chose his travel card:

When it comes to earning rewards, I’ve always stuck with cash back cards, preferring the simplicity of knowing exactly how much my rewards are worth and the ease of redeeming for statement credits. Recently, though, I decided I wanted to travel a bit more frequently, and I figured a new travel rewards card could be a great tool to help me earn free trips. When choosing the right card for me, a few major points of consideration stood out: Cost: I didn’t feel like I traveled enough to justify a huge annual fee. Simplicity : I wanted to stick with a single, streamlined travel card and not worry about juggling multiple rewards programs or rewards rates. Perks : While I didn’t need anything too fancy, I thought it might be nice to have a perk like TSA Precheck included, since I hate waiting in long airport security lines. To my surprise, the card that stood out most was the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Though it carried an intimidating annual fee of $395 ( See Rates & Fees ), I found this cost was more than worth it once I dug into the details. In fact, its benefits were so valuable, I barely needed to worry about offsetting the cost.  Two of its annual perks — a $300 Capital One travel credit and 10,000 bonus miles every year on my account anniversary — are valuable enough to offset the fee on their own. This means as long as I take one flight a year, I can basically break even on the card. Any rewards or perks I get beyond that feel like pure upside. It’s a huge bonus, then, that the card also includes practical benefits like Priority Pass lounge access and a credit of up to $100 toward the cost of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. While I’ve never frequented airport lounges, I see these privileges as essentially free considering the value of the annual travel credit and bonus miles. So, I figure, why not take advantage?  For me, the Venture X strikes the perfect balance: A flat rewards rate that makes it easy to earn miles on everything I buy; flexible redemption through Capital One or via transfer to airlines and hotels, and practical perks I know I’ll use when I travel. I never imagined I’d have a $395 travel card in my wallet, but for me, it’s at worst a coupon for a flight every year, which can nudge me to take that next trip. — Nouri Zarrugh, Editor, Bankrate

Travel benefits may differ from card to card, but some of the most popular travel cards available often feature a few key perks. 

Travel insurance

Travel cards may offer various travel insurances , such as trip delay protection, trip cancellation insurance, lost baggage insurance or car rental insurance. These benefits aren’t worth anything until you need them, but you’ll be glad you have them when your flight is canceled or your luggage gets lost.

Travel credits

Credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry are a popular and common benefit on many travel cards. You can typically use this credit once every four years, which roughly corresponds to how long a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership lasts. Some cards may also provide an annual credit toward Clear Plus — another expedited security membership. Higher-end travel cards often offer annual statement credits toward travel purchases, and many of these credits nearly offset these cards’ annual fees. 

In-flight perks

Co-branded airline cards typically offer some airport and in-flight benefits on top of their reward-earning capabilities. These can include discounts on in-flight purchases (usually 25 percent back on refreshments and WiFi), free checked bags, flight seating upgrades or priority boarding. 

Free hotel award nights

Co-branded hotel cards may include free hotel award nights annually as part of their benefits. Some cards also add an extra complimentary awards night to your stay if you’ve booked a certain number of consecutive nights. These nights are typically capped at a certain value (sometimes based on the card or your elite status), and may be valuable enough to make up for some cards’ annual fees.

Airport lounge access

One of the most popular (and valuable) travel benefits featured on high-end and luxury travel cards is complimentary access to airport lounges. The lounges you gain access to depend on the card, though co-branded cards will often grant access to the lounge corresponding to the card’s airline. The Amex Platinum card currently offers the best airport lounge access .

If you want to add a credit card to your portfolio for your travel needs, knowing what cards are popular and why people like them can help steer your decision. We regularly stay abreast of these conversations online and noticed two travel cards come up regularly: the Chase Sapphire Reserve and The Platinum Card from American Express .

These cards shine because they offer some of the best rates on travel purchases and the most comprehensive set of benefits and perks . Despite their annual fees, what you get in return can far outweigh your costs. And the conversation around these two cards isn’t new: Is the effort of maximizing their perks worth it?

What people say about travel credit cards perks

The Sapphire Reserve is often referred to as the gold standard in travel benefits and protections, and the value of its trip insurance is a big part of that. A member of the Rick Steves Forum remarks on the value of the insurance: “It has pretty extensive coverage wherever I travel … my entire trip is covered as long as I charged any portion of the trip to my card.” This feature is unique to the Sapphire Reserve and sets it apart from other premium cards, which require you to charge your entire trip purchase to the card to have active coverage.

But using trip insurance isn’t always a simple process. As a user in the r/CreditCards forum on Reddit cautions: “Credit card travel insurance in general is very specific on what it covers, and people tend to overestimate just how useful the coverage actually is,” they write. “These are named peril policies, so unless you see your exact situation as a covered hazard the policies won't pay out.”

The Platinum Card from American Express gets a lot of buzz for reasons similar to the Sapphire Reserve. The card gives so many benefits, credits and additional perks that it’s often called a coupon book for luxury travel. But for many people, the value comes down to whether they’re willing to do the work to maximize its features. Another r/CreditCards member says they use the card’s Hilton and Marriott status boosters, rental car company loyalty program automatic status features, Centurion lounge access, hotel and airline incidental credits, membership credits and more. Using all these features helps them offset the annual fee.

While some people love maximizing the card’s features to extract  as much value as possible, others, like this Redditor, think it’s too much work:

“The only benefit the Platinum card really adds is Centurion and Delta Sky lounge access but only to the [cardholder] … I believe the Platinum is worth [it] at least the first year for the [sign-up] bonus but then it doesn't get much use after that. Trust me the credits are really annoying to use.” — r/CreditCards user

These two premium cards stand out from the rest because they offer the most comprehensive features available to suit your travel needs and protect you from any issues that arise. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is an exceptional option to protect you from travel issues, but make sure you know the fine print. While the Amex Platinum may not be as ideal for travel protections, the credits offered more than offset its annual fee if you can put in the effort to fully maximize them.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned cardholder, your travel card should always work in your favor by offering the features and benefits you’ll actually use and that make your travels more enjoyable. But whether you’re willing to put in the effort to maximize a card’s value is something you’ll need to decide for yourself.

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Be sure to check the issuer's website/terms and conditions for all up to date content. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

Credit card points and miles are two of the key types of credit card rewards , along with cash back. You’ll earn points and miles by making purchases with your credit card, but you can typically redeem these rewards for travel, gift cards and more — not just statement credits.

Points and miles tend to be more flexible than cash back, but since their value depends on how you redeem them — and, in the case of travel redemptions, where you’re going, when you book, your fare class and more — it may take a bit more effort to make the most of them.

What are your points and miles worth?

Since many airlines and hotels use dynamic pricing models that continually optimize airfare and room prices, it can be hard to know exactly how much your rewards are worth without doing a little math.

Luckily, you don’t need to be a travel hacker to get a sense of this idea. Before you redeem, you can check your reward redemption value by dividing the cost of a plane or hotel booking in cash by its cost in points or miles. This calculation will result in the cash value of your points or miles.

You can also compare this value to Bankrate’s latest points and miles valuations to determine if you’re getting a good deal on your redemptions. Bankrate collected data on hundreds of bookings across dozens of airline, hotel and credit card rewards programs and estimated how much each program’s rewards are worth on average .

• Airline rewards values
• Hotel rewards values
• Credit card program rewards values

The table below shows Bankrate’s estimated reward redemption value for a variety of popular airline loyalty programs. You’ll notice how widely the value varies between airlines, with some offering close to 3 cents per point in average redemption value and others struggling to meet a 1-cent-per-point value.

Keep in mind, however, that these values are averages based on a variety of fare classes, destinations, booking periods and more. For example, while Bankrate estimates Delta SkyMiles carry an average redemption value of around 1.2 cents per mile, they could be worth more or less depending on the details of your booking. 

*Based on weighted average of median point/mile values across economy and first/business class fares.

Like airline miles, hotel points fluctuate in value. The table below shows Bankrate’s estimated point values for some of the most popular hotel brands. 

As you can see, hotel points tend to be worth less than airline and credit card rewards on average, often carrying less than 1 cent per point in redemption value. That said, hotel loyalty programs sometimes offer more favorable exchange rates when you transfer rewards from a credit card rewards program. For example, you may be able to turn 1,000 credit card points into 2,000 hotel points (a 2:1 transfer ratio). 

*Based on median point values across budget, mid-tier and luxury hotel bookings.

Unlike hotel and airline rewards programs, credit card reward programs typically earn points or miles that offer a consistent redemption value when you use them with the issuer. Though the redemption value of your rewards may vary based on how you redeem, each redemption method should offer a consistent baseline value. 

Some credit card rewards programs may also allow you to transfer your points or miles to airline and hotel loyalty programs, which could boost their value considerably. For each major credit card rewards program, we estimate a baseline redemption value (assuming you book for travel with the issuer) and a Bankrate’s Value, which averages the program’s best-value transfer partners.

*Based on an average of the issuer’s five highest-value transfer partners (if available).

When to use rewards vs. cash

To demonstrate when it’s best to use your reward miles versus paying in cash, we set up this example:

We estimate American Airlines AAdvantage miles are worth 1.0 cents. If you book a seat in the main cabin on a one-way flight from Boston to Miami, and it costs either $139 or 21,500 miles, your miles are only worth $0.006 ($139 / 21,500 miles = $0.006). Since your miles for this flight are worth less than 1.0 cents, you may want to save your miles and pay cash for this flight.

But if you book a first-class seat on the same flight for $433 or 31,500 miles, your miles are now worth $0.013 ($433 / 31,500 = $0.013). Since 1.3 cents is higher than our latest valuation, you’re coming out ahead if you use your miles to pay for this flight.

Bankrate experts share their advice on using travel credit cards

It’s important to know how to maximize your rewards and perks. Otherwise, a travel card could end up being a money pit. Here are a few pointers from our experts for making the most of your travel card: 

Combine cards to maximize rewards

Knowing how much you spend in different categories and which merchants are eligible for rewards will help you earn more and build an optimized stack of rewards cards. A flat-rate card is often a great starting point to earn the same rate on every purchase you make. As you build out a rewards strategy, you can incorporate a card with bonus categories to earn even more in your highest spending areas.

Expert Insight:

“For a long time, I’ve used a combination of Chase credit cards known as the Chase trifecta for all my family’s spending…. [I] don’t typically use my Sapphire Reserve for everyday spending and bills. Since it only offers 1X points on non-bonus category spending, I use my Freedom Unlimited to make sure I earn a minimum of 1.5 percent cash back on everything I buy.” “I use each card strategically to earn as much in rewards as possible, then I pool them in my Sapphire Reserve account to redeem them for airfare, excursions, hotels and more.” — Holly D. Johnson — Award-winning personal finance writer and Bankrate contributor: Why I love the Chase Sapphire Reserve

Maximize your rewards value with transfer partners and issuer travel

Save your rewards for the most valuable redemption options. Travel points and miles often lose value toward non-travel options like cash back, so you’ll want to redeem your rewards for travel through the issuer portal for at least 1 cent per point or mile. However, transferring your rewards to the right airline or hotel partner program is usually worth the extra effort since it could net you even more value.

Expert Insight

“When I redeem my points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, the most I can get is 1.25 cents apiece, which is pretty good. However, if I transfer them to a partner airline’s loyalty program, I will often get much more. For example, I can transfer my points to United Airlines MileagePlus and use them to pay for flights. When I do, I generally get a value of 2 or more cents per point — in line with Bankrate estimates that Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth around 2 cents apiece on average when used with the right transfer partner.” — Margaret Wack — Personal finance expert and Bankrate contributor: Why I love the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Make the most of your travel perks

Travel benefits are one of the main reasons to get a travel card, and are often key to making up a card’s annual fee. Be sure to read the fine print to make sure you can take full advantage of these offers . For example, one card’s travel credit may apply to any travel purchase, including airfare, while another card’s may only cover costs like baggage fees or in-flight purchases. 

“This is the year to take inventory of your credit cards and make sure they’re serving you well. If you’re paying an annual fee, look for a card with recurring benefits. Whether it’s annual award nights, waived luggage fees or elite status benefits, these perks can offset your annual fee and make your travels more pleasant … Despite putting minimal spending on my Hilton Honors Amex Aspire card, I keep renewing it every year. That’s because the card provides automatic Hilton Diamond elite status, which can easily offset the $550 annual fee. Recurring card benefits like [these] can save you a lot on travel and are worth considering when shopping for a new credit card.” — Ariana Arghandewal — Travel rewards expert and Bankrate contributor: Five benefits you need from a travel credit card

Plan for the sign-up bonus

The best travel cards come with generous welcome offers, but these bonuses may require a high spend in a short timeframe. That’s why it’s important to consider whether the spending requirement fits with your typical spending habits or whether you need to plan purchases to meet the requirement. Just be sure not to overextend yourself or take on debt you can’t pay back just to earn a bonus — interest and fees can easily eat through any value you’d get.

“Keep in mind that credit card sign-up offers change often. So if you’re interested in a particular card but not blown away by its current offer (there are some for 100,000 points or more that aren’t always worth the trouble), it could be worth your while to wait for a better one.” — Ariana Arghandewal — Travel rewards expert and Bankrate contributor: 6 ways to get bigger credit card bonuses

Look out for limited-time offers, partner perks and other benefits

Keeping an eye out for limited-time offers like extraordinarily high sign-up bonuses, perks with partner services (like rideshares or delivery services) and other reward-earning opportunities is a great way to squeeze the most value from your travel card. Issuers sometimes provide shopping and travel portals and card-linked reward programs for select purchases (like for pre-paid dining or participating merchant spending), which can help you bank extra rewards.

“Keep an eye on your email inbox and rewards portal for any limited-time promotions your issuer may be offering. Many American Express cards feature Amex Offers, which lets you access perks like statement credits for spending a certain amount on specific hotels and other retailers.  Other cards, like the Capital One Venture X, also have occasional promotional offers, such as a credit for 5 percent back on VRBO rentals.” — Lori Zaino — Travel expert and Bankrate contributor: How to maximize credit cards for cheaper accommodations this holiday season

Track your spending and rewards each account statement

Track your favorite stores’ and services’ merchant category codes (MCCs) to fine-tune your spending habits for maximum rewards. If you notice your expenses changing, this practice may also help you notice whether you need to change which rewards cards you carry.

“The first step to optimizing your spending is to take the time to collect the MCCs of stores you frequently shop at. During the process, you might find that some stores in the same chain may have different MCCs, depending on their primary inventory. Even different counters or sections in the same department store may carry different MCCs. You can use this to your advantage if you know one location near you will provide a better cash back rate than the other. These “loopholes” can provide great opportunities to reap cash back on purchases that typically wouldn’t earn rewards.” — Garrett Yarbrough — Writer and credit cards expert at Bankrate: Merchant category codes: How to earn more cash back

Our data: What credit score do you need for the best travel cards?

It’s no secret that your credit score heavily influences which cards you’re likely to get approval for. But how good does your credit need to be to get the best credit cards for travel? We analyzed our data of Bankrate readers who applied for credit cards on our pages in 2023 and compared the approval rates of readers’ different credit tiers.

We found that, on average, 61.9 percent of users with excellent credit were approved for travel cards on our site. Then, an average of 39.5 percent and 19.5 percent of users with good and fair credit, respectively, got approval for travel credit cards they applied to.

If you have fair or bad credit, you still have options for travel credit cards. For example, the Credit One Bank Wander Card caters to people with fair credit — 57 percent of people with fair credit who applied on our site in 2023 were approved for this card , according to our data.

Obviously, the better your credit, the more likely you are to get the card you apply for , but other factors can affect your application. Issuers may also consider your income, recent credit applications, homeownership status and monthly rental or mortgage payment. Keep these other factors in mind with your credit score when you apply for credit cards.

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email , find us on Facebook , or Tweet us @Bankrate .

When evaluating the best travel cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards in popular categories to scoring a large sign-up bonus or high-value perks. Whenever possible, we also feature cards that are available at various credit levels and price points. 

We analyzed over 150 of the most popular cards and scored each based on its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, welcome bonus value, APR, fees, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup of the best travel cards.

Here are some of the key factors that we considered:

Great rewards value

The primary criteria for a rewards-earning card’s rating is its rewards value. This includes the card’s average rewards rate, estimated annual rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value and reward redemption value.

To estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings, we first calculate its average rewards rate based on how much it earns in different bonus categories and how closely its categories align with the average person’s spending habits. In other words, we assess whether the card earns rewards at a high rate in the most popular spending categories. 

We use consumer spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to get a reliable third-party measure of people’s spending habits. The most recent BLS data estimates average total spending in 2022 was $72,967 per consumer. We then narrow our focus to which purchases are likely to be put on a credit card and earn rewards, subtracting expenditures like housing, vehicle purchases and education. This gives us a total “chargeable” annual spend of around $25,500.  

This includes the following spending by category:

• Groceries: $5,700
• Dining out: $3,600
• Entertainment: $2,400
• Gas: $3,100
• Apparel and services: $1,900

Using this data, we assign a weighting to each of a card’s bonus categories. For example, a card’s grocery rewards rate receives a 22 percent weighting based on how much of the average person’s budget is spent on groceries.

We also estimate the redemption value of points or miles from various issuer, airline and hotel rewards programs.

This weighting and rewards valuation allows us to estimate a card’s average annual rewards earnings — how many points or miles you’d earn with a given card if your spending was about average and you used the card for all of your purchases — as well as what those points are worth. We also use point valuations to determine a card’s sign-up bonus value

With these calculations complete, we assign each card a score based on how its average rewards earnings, sign-up bonus value, rewards rate and redemption value stack up against other rewards cards.

The better these values, the higher its score will be, making it more worthy of inclusion in our list and increasing its potential ranking.

Reasonable rates and fees

We also score cards based on how much it costs to keep them in your wallet or carry a balance. 

To start, each card is scored based on whether it offers an intro APR and how its ongoing APR compares to the rates available on other rewards cards. However, the latter rating only has a slight influence on the card’s score and whether the card is included in our list, since rewards card users generally try to avoid carrying a balance.

More important to both a card’s score and its inclusion in our list is how its annual fee influences its overall value. We consider a card’s annual fee in two ways — how it ranks relative to the fees you’ll find on other cards in the category and how it impacts a card’s overall rewards value. 

Cards with an annual fee will always be at a slight disadvantage in our scoring system since annual fees inherently cut into your rewards value. However, if a card offers terrific value via its ongoing rewards and perks, it can earn a high score and a spot in our list even if it carries a high annual fee. After all, the highest rewards rates and most valuable perks are often found on cards with annual fees. 

With this in mind, we rate a card based primarily on how its ongoing rewards value and ongoing perk value (such as annual credits or bonuses) stack up against those of other cards in the category when you subtract annual fees.

That said, we strive to include as many no-annual-fee options in our list as possible since many people would rather not worry about offsetting fees, even if a card carries impressive rewards and perks.

Redemption flexibility

Rewards cards may make it easy to earn a lot of points, miles or cash back, but how easy is it to use those rewards? After all, if it takes a ton of effort to redeem rewards or you can only redeem rewards in a couple of ways, a card may be more trouble than it’s worth. 

As such, we rate each card’s flexibility based on the restrictions it imposes on earning and redeeming rewards. We factor this rating into a card’s overall score and consider it when deciding on a card’s inclusion in our list. 

Flexibility factors include whether a card only allows you to earn a high rewards rate on only a small amount of spending or requires you to meet a certain earning threshold before you can redeem rewards. We also examine whether your points are worth less when you opt for some redemption options over others and whether a card gives you the flexibility to transfer rewards to travel partners.

Valuable perks

We also score each card’s set of features – its perks and benefits — against five tiers of features to provide a rating. 

We break down these tiers as follows:

• Tier 1 includes fewer features than even standard credit cards (for example, an ultra-streamlined card that offers basic utility and next to nothing in the way of ancillary benefits). 
• Tier 2 includes the benefits you’d expect on standard Visa or Mastercard credit cards, such as free access to your credit score, car rental insurance and $0 liability for fraudulent charges. 
• Tier 3 includes “prime card” or better-than-average card features like cellphone insurance, lost luggage insurance, concierge services and purchase protection. 
• Tier 4 includes luxury features such as airport lounge access, elite status with an airline or hotel and credits for expedited security screening membership programs. 
• Tier 5 includes the sort of exemplary benefits you’ll find on top-tier luxury cards, such as high-value travel credits, cardholder memberships and other unique and valuable perks.

In evaluating the best cards, we tend to favor cards that offer at least Tier 3 benefits, unless they include other unique features that could make up for less-impressive perks.

More information on travel credit cards

Frequently asked questions about travel credit cards, are travel credit cards worth it.

Travel cards can be well worth it since they often have exclusive travel perks like credits for airfare, hotel stays, expedited airport security services and more, as well as complimentary airport lounge access and airline or hotel privileges. However, many of the best travel credit cards come with annual fees. It’s important to at least offset the cost of these cards by taking advantage of the various travel perks and features included on the card. 

What credit score do you need for a travel credit card?

It’s possible to get a travel credit card with bad or fair credit, but most travel rewards cards are geared toward people with good or excellent credit (a FICO score of at least 670, or a VantageScore of at least 661).

Do travel miles or points expire?

Even though many major credit cards earn rewards that don’t expire, you may lose your points and miles if your account closes or isn’t in good standing. However, some co-branded cards’ rewards may expire if you don’t earn or redeem rewards within a certain timeframe (typically 12 to 36 months after the rewards are earned).

Check out our guide to credit card rewards expiration for a thorough breakdown of several popular issuers’ policies.

Are points or miles better on a credit card?

Whether points or miles offer better value will depend on the specific rewards program and how you redeem rewards. One airline loyalty program may earn miles that offer less than 1 cent each in average redemption value while another program’s points may offer close to 3 cents each on average. Similarly, a hotel card’s points may be worth less than half of a credit card issuer’s rewards points. Some programs offer points with only average baseline redemption value but high value when transferred to a partner airline or hotel. 

Ask the experts: Is it a good idea to have multiple travel credit cards?

Thomas Nitzsche

Stephanie Zito

Erica Sandberg

Financial Educator, Debt and Credit

Whether you should have multiple travel credit cards depends on several factors, including your brand affinity, frequency of travel and ability to pay off your cards in full each month. As a credit counselor, I see many people carrying credit card debt at high interest rates while continuing to make charges to the account for the sake of earning rewards. They lose far more than they earn each month. Having more than one travel credit card could make sense for you if you’re able to maximize your earnings by strategizing spending across each card. Just take into account annual fees and actual interest paid.

Contributor, Personal Finance

If you’re up for managing multiple cards and their benefits, then there are definitely big reward payouts to be had. But if the thought of multiple cards is overwhelming, it’s also a good strategy to have one or two more flexible cards and focus on maximizing your earnings and redemptions until it becomes second nature.

Contributor, Credit Cards

Definitely! I currently have two travel credit cards. In addition to the Chase card that I use for my United Airlines purchases, I have the Capital One Venture card for all other airlines. I earn a solid amount of miles on everything I buy with it, so it's an easy go-to for non-travel related expenses.

Article sources

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.

Global entry: Trusted traveler enrollment program . U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Accessed on Feb. 21, 2024

Discover International acceptance . Discover. Accessed on Feb. 21, 2024.

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.

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1. The Central Air Force Museum

2. Church of St. George

As rewards credit cards face regulation, what are the alternatives?

• Rewards credit cards are not for everyone.
• There are other ways to pay for travel, including debit cards, no-annual-fee credit cards and money transfer services.
• The government is concerned about rewards credit cards and is likely to regulate them soon.

Ronald Duben is ready to give up his credit card. He thinks there's something better out there – and there almost certainly is.

Duben has been dutifully shelling out $120 a year for his co-branded airline rewards card, which promises he'll get "free" flights if he spends enough money. It was a good deal at first. Once he collected about 60,000 points by late February, he could cash in his rewards for a flight to Asia.

Check out   Elliott Confidential , the newsletter the travel industry doesn't want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don't tell anyone!

But when Duben tried to redeem his loyalty points for an economy class ticket to Japan recently, he was stunned that his airline more than tripled the miles he had to pay. Then it asked him for another $375 in taxes and fees on top of the 200,000 points. 

So much for "free."

Learn more: Best travel insurance

"I feel like I'm deeply involved in a rip-off," said Duben, a retired chef from San Rafael, California, "and I want to get out."

It turns out there is a way out.

Will new airline consumer protection rules help you when you fly this summer?

Tipping is 'not an entitlement': Should travelers stop tipping for everything?

Making a U-turn on rewards credit cards

Rewards credit cards – and especially those high-fee, high-interest mileage-earning credit cards – are not for everyone. You're probably just as likely to pay an absurdly high interest rate and add to that $1 trillion in credit card debt as you are to get a "free" airline ticket.

The government is concerned about these cards, too. Earlier this month, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)  issued a report on rewards cards that identified multiple problems with these payment systems. Consumers complained that rewards are often devalued or denied even after they meet program terms. And consumers who carry revolving balances often pay more in interest and fees than they get back on rewards.

The CFPB and the Department of Transportation also held a hearing on rewards credit cards , a likely precursor to regulating these programs. 

So if this is the beginning of the end for rewards credit cards, then what's next?

Here are the alternatives to rewards cards

Read a travel blog or newspaper travel section, or look at a travel Instagram account, and you might think the only way to travel is with one of those high-fee travel cards. But there are other ways to pay:

• A debit card : A debit card or bank card deducts money directly from your bank account. No need to worry about spending more than you have because it usually won't let you overdraw. "Debit cards are a straightforward option," said Shawn Plummer, a financial expert and frequent traveler. "They're widely accepted and eliminate the risk of accumulating debt because they only allow you to spend what you have." 

Many debit cards even have travel benefits such as no currency conversion fees, but there are limits: Car rental companies and hotels may not accept a debit card. 

• A no-annual-fee, low-interest-rate credit card : You shouldn't pay an annual fee for your credit card. And if you do a little research, you can find a card with less than a 10% annual interest rate. Hint: Check with a credit union. Many of these cards also have all the travel benefits you need, including coverage for car rentals and medical evacuations – and no currency exchange fees. 

By the way, if you do want to pay a membership fee, try joining one of the warehouse clubs like Sam's or Costco. Peter Hoagland, a consultant from Warrenton, Virginia, swears by his Costco Visa. He said it's a no-nonsense payment system with relatively reasonable fees. 

"I use the card everywhere," said Hoagland.

• Money transfer services : A service like Revolut or Wise will allow you to transfer money to a company or individual, completely bypassing the credit card network. These companies are on the bleeding edge of digital banking. I visited Wise's headquarters while I was in London recently and really loved its plan to remove "all the friction" between you and your money. That means eliminating a lot of the high fees you've been paying for years.

Andy Abramson, a communications consultant from Las Vegas, uses both and likes the speed of transfer and the favorable exchange rates when moving dollars to another currency. 

"They're both incredible," he said.

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'Expensive in every way': What travelers should expect this summer

What is the future of payment systems for travelers?

Are rewards credit cards obsolete? Have they become bloated and inefficient, with their high swipe fees and exorbitant interest rates and empty promises of free tickets? Some industry watchers believe the answer is yes.

As an intermediate step, many travelers are switching to a debit card or a digital payment system. That allows them to lower their interest rates and make smarter decisions about their purchases instead of mindlessly spending money to accumulate points or giving all of their loyalty to one airline.

Financial experts see a better future just ahead. It's a place where digital peer-to-peer payment systems are used to transfer money at virtually no cost to you. In that future, cards are as antiquated as traveler's checks. All transactions happen on a phone with a tap and a biometric "OK." And loyalty programs have evolved into something more sophisticated than today's bait-and-switch cards that just make you spend more.

Will the government regulate rewards credit cards?

After this month's joint hearings with the CFPB and DOT, rewards credit cards are likely to be regulated soon. 

Even if regulators don't act, Congress could. A new bill called the Credit Card Competition Act could bring much-needed competition to credit cards. That would make rewards cards a little less generous and could bring some sobriety back to rewards programs.

It's about time. Rewards credit cards make promises they can't keep, bait you into spending more than you should, and ultimately reward only the airlines and credit card companies that issue trillions of often worthless points. The sooner we can find an alternative to reward credit cards, the better. The current system is completely unsustainable.

That's what Duben, the retired chef who wanted to go to Japan, did. He clicked on the United Airlines website and booked a regular ticket. He'll use his miles for another ticket and then close his rewards credit card for good.

Christopher Elliott  is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded  Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes  Elliott Confidential , a travel newsletter, and the  Elliott Report , a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can  reach him here  or email him at  [email protected] .

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

🥎 Oklahoma vs. Florida in WCWS semifinals

⚾️ Last 5 Super Regionals bids on the line

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😨 UF 3-run dinger

THREE-RUN HOME RUN! @ReaganWalsh17 goes yard 😮‍💨 📺 ESPN | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/khh59eJeZ7 — Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) June 3, 2024

Bottom 4th | Florida and OU add 1️⃣

With runners in the corners, Ava Brown smacks an RBI double to tack on another run for UF in the third.

RBI double ✌️ @avajbrownn drives in another run! 📺 ESPN | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/aF9mvjuOTa — Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) June 3, 2024

Oklahoma got its first score on the board off the bat of Kinzie Hansen, singling up the middle to plate Kasidi Pickering. The score stands at 4-1 going into the bottom of the fourth, with OU calling LHP Kierston Deal from the bullpen.

K9 puts us on the board! #ChampionshipMindset | 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/JMBVzJpa9s — Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) June 3, 2024

🤩 Back-to-back homers | Florida 3, Oklahoma 0

Florida’s Kendra Falby shows off her speed and makes her way around the diamond for an inside-the-park homer in the second inning. Just look at her go:

INSIDE THE PARK HR! Let's go, @kendrafalby 👏 📺 ESPN | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/CGyQzbJ6RT — Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) June 3, 2024

Skylar Wallace followed up with a solo HR rocket with an exit speed of 77 mph to put the Gators up 3-0 going into the third.

LAUNCHED 🚀 @Wallace2Skylar connects for a home run! 📺 ESPN | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/L0ljEuiqwh — Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) June 3, 2024

🎯 Gators on the scoreboard first

 Florida gets an early lead to get the scoring started.

On the board early 💥 @ReaganWalsh17 comes through with a RBI single! 📺 ESPN | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/zSlu7Sfd82 — Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) June 3, 2024

👀 Oklahoma-Florida starters

The wait is over! Action is underway and here are the starting lineups: 

🚨 Update: Change in schedule 🚨

There has been an update in the WCWS schedule due to today's extended delays. If Oklahoma sweeps in Game 11, then the Texas-Stanford game 13 and if necessary games will take place today. If Oklahoma loses, then Texas-Stanford Game 13 will close out the night and any if necessary games will be tomorrow. Here's the official breakdown.

🌤️ Update: We have a start time!

Finally, the weather lets up! Game 11 between Oklahoma and Florida is set to begin at 3:06 p.m. ET. Watch on ESPN/ESPN+.

Schedule update ☁️ The lightning risk has decreased and first pitch for Game 11 between Oklahoma and Florida is scheduled for 3:06 PM ET/2:06 PM CT. @DevonParkOKC gates are now open to fans. #WCWS pic.twitter.com/1Tp7nmvEA4 — NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 3, 2024

Update: Weather delay continues, start time TBA 😓

The start time for today's first semifinal is now TBA, as lightning in the area causes further delay. 

We are still in a lightning delay and continue to monitor weather. Game time and gates open time will be adjusted. #WCWS pic.twitter.com/hQxoGeaBOg — NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 3, 2024

🚨⛈️ Weather Delay ⛈️🚨

Today's first semifinal, Oklahoma vs. Florida, has been delayed due to weather. Start time is expected to be at 1:36 p.m. ET. Stay tuned for any updates.

With lightning expected in the Oklahoma City area, the start time for Game 11 will be delayed. First pitch is expected to be 1:36 PM ET/12:36 PM CT. Gates will be open for fans at 11:30 AM CT and shuttle buses from Remington Park will begin at 11:20 AM CT. #WCWS pic.twitter.com/YOkJGyqjmF — NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 3, 2024

WCWS semis ➡️ Monday

The top seeds — Texas and Oklahoma — face Stanford and Florida respectively for a ticket to the WCWS finals. In the double-elimination format, Texas and Oklahoma each need just one win in the semifinals to advance, whereas Stanford and Florida need consecutive wins to trump the undefeated teams. Below is Monday's full schedule:

Monday, June 3 | WCWS Semifinals

• Game 11 :  Oklahoma vs. Florida, noon | ESPN   * Delayed
• Game 12 (if necessary) : TBD vs. TBD, 30 minutes after Game 11 ends | ESPN
• Game 13 :  Texas vs. Stanford, 7 p.m. | ESPN2
• Game 14 (if necessary) : 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2

👉  Click or tap here for the full 2024 bracket  |  See the WCWS bracket

🥊 Stanford knocks out UCLA

The final all-Pac-12 softball game ended in close fashion. Stanford ace and USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year NiJaree Canady tossed eight Ks while allowing four hits, one run and no walks. The Bruins were kept quiet after hitting a solo homer in the second inning, while the Cardinal built its lead, highlighted by two runs from Emily Jones.

The Cardinal advance to the WCWS semifinals on Monday, facing Texas at 7 p.m. ET . 

🕸️ UCLA webgem

UCLA's Janelle Meoño smacked into the wall during this robbery in the sixth ⤵️

. @janelleivyyy CATCHING FOR DAYS 😎 #WCWS #SCTop10 x 🎥 ESPN2 / @UCLASoftball pic.twitter.com/2e6lCCA5r0 — NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 3, 2024

🪽 Sac fly score for the Cardinal

Stanford widens the gap in the fifth inning. With two runners in scoring position and one out, a sac fly from pinch hitter Allie Clements drove in Emily Jones to bring Stanford up 3-1.

Pinch hitting, with two strikes... AC delivers a clutch sac fly to make it 3-1 Card! #GoStanford x #WCWS pic.twitter.com/VmOfrsr69z — Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) June 3, 2024

🙂‍↕️ Stanford snags the lead

The Cardinal resurged as it recycled their batting order in the bottom of the third.

Emily Jones sparked Stanford's momentum by singling to shortstop. Behind in the pitch count, Taryn Kern remained patient and swatted a double to the left-field warning track to plate Jones. Two batters later, Ava Gall singled and brought in Kern, stealing a 2-1 lead.

The Cardinal coming in HOT 🔥 #WCWS x 🎥 ESPN2 / @StanfordSball pic.twitter.com/9H8FwVvkxU — NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 3, 2024

⚡️ UCLA strikes with solo HR

"Chef" Megan Grant served up a solo homer off Stanford ace NiJaree Canady to give UCLA an early 1-0 lead.

MEGAN GRANT SOLO SHOT!! BRUINS ON THE BOARD!! 📺: ESPN2 📲: https://t.co/T5Ovxk5ZMY #GoBruins | #LevelUp pic.twitter.com/PUFz7F9pu9 — UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball) June 3, 2024

Stories and tips to get the most of your Disney Rewards

How the disney® visa® credit card can help you make the most of pixar fest.

June 3, 2024

One of the Disneyland ® Resort’s most beloved events is back for 2024! From April 26 to August 24, Pixar Fest is set to bring even more magic to Southern California. Expect special Pixar Character Experiences, a Pixar parade, limited-edition Pixar merchandise and lots more, all in addition to the exciting Pixar attractions you can experience every day at Disneyland ® Park and Disney California Adventure ® Park. Want to take your Pixar Fest fun up another level? Easy! Just take advantage of the benefits your Disney® Visa® Credit Card provides with these tips.

Stay at a Pixar-themed hotel with special vacation financing

What better place to stay during Pixar Fest than the only hotel in the world celebrating all the Pixar films? The newly renovated Pixar Place Hotel features rooms decorated with artwork from Pixar Animation Studios and is home to the STOR-E shop, where you can pick up souvenirs featuring some favorite Pixar Characters. When it’s time to play, head to the rooftop pool deck to splash around with Nemo and friends in the Pixel Pool or make your way to Pixar Shorts Court to toss Bao -inspired beanbags into steamer baskets. If that sounds like the perfect place for a Pixar Fest vacation, be sure to book your room with your Disney Visa Card to take advantage of special vacation financing, available only to Cardmembers! 1

Redeem Disney Rewards Dollars toward Pixar-themed food

Your inner Remy will rejoice at all the delicious food available at the Disneyland ® Resort. Grab some food from Flo’s V8 Café, where the burgers will get your motor running, or Alien Pizza Planet, where the pies are galactically good. You can dine at these and other Pixar-inspired restaurants any day of the year, but during Pixar Fest you’ll also be able to indulge in some limited-time sips and treats that pay tribute to your favorite Pixar pals and stories. Wherever you choose to chow down, don’t forget that Cardmembers can redeem Disney Rewards Dollars toward food and drinks, both at the counter and via Mobile Order in the Disneyland app . 2

Save 10% limited-time Pixar Fest souvenirs

Wear your Pixar Fest heart on your sleeve with some limited-time festival merchandise! For the ultimate celebration souvenir, check out the Pixar Fest Collection, available exclusively at the Disneyland ® Resort. Sport a Spirit Jersey or score one of the collection’s festival-themed hoodies, bucket hats, mugs or water bottles, all of which feature some of your favorite Pixar Pals alongside the official 2024 Pixar Fest logo. Pixar Fest Collection merch is only available during the event, so be sure to grab some before the party ends August 4. The original styles aren’t limited to just the Pixar Fest Collection, though. Other new Pixar collections are adding even more fun looks to the mix! You’ll look on the bright side in colorful clothing from the Pixar Painted Collection, while you can show off your family ties in outfits from the Disney Pixar Toy Story Family Collection, both available at the Disneyland ® Resort and online at DisneyStore.com . No matter which collection you shop, you’ll save 10% on your Pixar Fest souvenirs when you pay with your Disney Visa Card. 3 4 5

Visit Pixar attractions by redeeming toward Lightning Lane entry

Another way to use your Disney Rewards Dollars is to redeem them toward the purchase of Lightning Lane entrances . 2 Joining these quicker queues means you’ll have more time to experience everything the park has to offer, like the many thrilling Pixar-themed attractions. There are two ways to purchase Lightning Lane access. You can buy individual entrances to top attractions like Radiator Springs Racers, where you’ll feel the need for speed as you zip through the Cars Land desert. Or you can purchase Disney Genie+ service to get Lightning Lane access on a variety of select attractions, which will put you on the fast track to chase down baby Jack-Jack aboard the adrenaline-spiking Incredicoaster and to save the day from Evil Emperor Zurg in Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.

Meet Pixar pals and redeem toward Disney PhotoPass service

At the end of the day, Pixar is all about friends, and when you visit the Disneyland ® Resort, you have the chance to meet some of your favorite Characters at Character Experiences around the parks. Be sure to look out for Pixar Pals at special locations around Pixar Pier! To make your Pixar Fest memories last, there’s no better tool than Disney PhotoPass service . Pose for a Pixar-themed Magic Shot to find a fun surprise waiting in your photo, or use one of the Disney PhotoPass Lenses to place yourself in a classic story or alongside interactive Characters! Disney Visa Cardholders can redeem Disney Rewards Dollars toward the purchase of Disney PhotoPass or the Disney Genie+ service, which comes with unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital downloads. 2

Select the Toy Story card design

Putting a bit of Pixar in your pocket is as simple as choosing the Toy Story design for your Disney Visa Card. 6 The front features best buds Woody, Buzz and Jessie on their way to another adventure, and you’ll find a trio of Aliens hiding on the back. If you already have a different design but want to switch things up, don’t worry! You can change your card design as often as you want at no cost.

If you’re a fan of films like Toy Story , Up and Turning Red , it doesn’t get any better than Pixar Fest. Unless, of course, you’re visiting with your Disney Visa Card in your wallet. To get more details on all the benefits mentioned here and lots more, head over to the Disneyland® Resort Cardmember perks page. See you at Pixar Fest!

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