Best travel credit cards of 2023
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If you're planning to go on a trip this year, it pays to have a travel credit card in your wallet.
With this type of rewards card, you can save on travel expenses while enjoying added benefits, annual credits and travel protections. Whether you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime whirlwind vacation or a family road trip for the summer, applying for the right card now can save you money and stress both while booking and when it's time to go.
Below, we've gathered our top picks for today's best travel credit cards.
6 best travel credit cards of 2023
Our list of best travel credit cards includes options for both beginners and travel pros. These cards offer a range of benefits, rewards and costs to help you maximize your spending at home and away.
To find the best option for you, choose a card with rewards categories and redemption options that align with your spending and travel preferences. And remember, the best way to maximize the value of any rewards credit card is by paying your balance in full and on time each month, so you can maintain good credit and avoid high-interest credit card debt.
- Best perks for a low fee: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best everyday rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best for dining out: American Express® Gold Card
- Best for premium perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best for annual credits: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Best for no annual fee: Discover it® Miles
Best perks for a low fee: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Right now, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best travel cards for seasoned travel enthusiasts or beginners. Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. And, Sapphire Preferred points are worth 25% more when you use them to book travel through Chase.
Best everyday rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has one of the most straightforward rewards structures for travel rewards, with a flat rate on everything you purchase. The Venture card benefits from flexible redemptions, too; you can use miles to book travel through Capital One's portal, transfer to partners or put them toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days as a statement credit.
Best for dining out: American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card is a great option for anyone who spends a lot on food. Benefits include up to $120 in annual Uber Cash ($10 per month). (You must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. The Amex benefit may only be used in the United States.)
And, when you're ready to redeem your rewards, you can transfer your points to partners at a 1:1 value or book travel through American Express — as well as standard redemption options like statement credits and gift cards.
Best for premium perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express caters to travelers looking for both convenience and luxury.
To start, you can earn 80,000 bonus points when you spend $8,000 within the first six months of the account opening.
Best for annual credits: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase's premium travel credit card option, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, also has plenty to offer frequent travelers. The card comes with a $300 annual travel credit — which itself goes a long way to offset the annual fee.
Best for no annual fee: Discover it® Miles
If you're looking for an option with no annual fees, the Discover it Miles card offers solid rewards value and a welcome bonus. Not only will you earn on every dollar you spend — which you can use toward any purchases on your card statement — but Discover also doubles your total rewards earned in the first year.
What to consider before opening a travel credit card
Choosing the right travel card can depend a lot on how you spend your money and how you like to travel.
First, you'll want to decide what type of travel card user you are. Do you want to maximize your spending at home to put toward future travel?
If you want to earn rewards when you book travel to put toward future travel, on the other hand, you'll want to focus on high-earning travel rewards.
Another thing to consider is the annual fee. While travel cards with high annual fees have a lot to offer, make sure you'll actually use the benefits before you apply. If you don't like to get to the airport early and rarely fly with layovers, for example, airport lounge access may not hold much value for you. With the right travel card, the value of your benefits and rewards should more than make up the annual fee cost.
Finally, explore all your redemption options. Many travel credit cards are most valuable when you use your points or miles toward travel. This includes booking on your issuer's portal or transferring to airline and hotel partners. Look into the value of your points when you make certain redemptions, too.
The bottom line
A travel credit card is one of the best tools you can use to save on your next vacation. But timing is important. Apply early enough so that you can earn the sign-up bonus and start banking rewards to redeem toward your trip. Then, you can enjoy the annual perks and ongoing rewards to keep getting value from your card long-term.
