Travel Rewards Credit Cards

Travel rewards credit cards earn flexible points that can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel transfer partners. They’re the most valuable travel rewards currency because they are easily earned and they can help you book award travel anywhere around the globe.

For this reason, flexible points are best for anyone just getting started with points and miles, as well as for travelers who’ve been earning travel rewards for years.

Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening. That's $750 when you redeem your points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

Favorite Card Features: 

• $50 annual Ultimate Rewards hotel credit
• 5x on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal
• 3x on dining (including eligible delivery services)
• 3x on select streaming services & online grocery purchases
• 2x on other travel purchases
• 1x on all other purchases
• No foreign exchange fees
• Transfer Ultimate Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like United, Flying Blue, and Hyatt
• 1.25 cents per point or 25% more value if you redeem points for travel in the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal
• Get a 10% Anniversary points boost calculated by how much you spent on the card during the year
• Rely on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
• Complimentary DashPass which comes with no delivery fees and lower service charges on DoorDash orders for a minimum of a year (activate by 12/31/24)
• Member FDIC

Annual Fee: $95

I love earning Ultimate Rewards points with my Sapphire. These valuable flexible points have helped me travel around the globe to places like Barcelona and Botswana, Chile, Canada, and Cambodia. If you’re looking for your first travel rewards credit card, start with the Sapphire Preferred. It helped me realize my travel dreams and it can help you, too. 

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening.

Favorite Card Features: 

• $300 travel credit 
• 5x on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards Portal
• 10x hotels and rental cars booked through the Ultimate Rewards Portal
• 10x Lyft rides
• 3x on other travel and dining
• 1x on all other purchases
• Priority Pass Select Membership
• $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓
• No foreign exchange fees
• Transfer Ultimate Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like United, Iberia, and Hyatt
• 1.5 cents per point value if you redeem points for travel in the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal

Annual Fee: $550

Although I started with a Sapphire Preferred, I now have a Sapphire Reserve. I earn Ultimate Rewards points, offset more than half the fee with the annual travel credit, and take advantage of lounge access at airports across the world.

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn an extra 1.5x for every dollar spent up to $20,000 in the first year

Favorite Card Features: 

• 5% on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal
• 3% on drug store purchases and dining (including takeout and delivery)
• 1.5% on all other purchases, with no spending cap or time limit
• Paired with a Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Preferred, cashback rewards points can be combined to become transferrable Ultimate Rewards points

Annual Fee: $0

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Current Welcome Bonus: $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months after opening your account.

Favorite Card Features: 

• 5% on rotating bonus categories up to $1,500 each quarter 
• 5% on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal
• 3% on drug store purchases and dining (including delivery and takeout)
• 1% on all other purchases
• Paired with a Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Preferred, cashback rewards points can be combined to become transferrable Ultimate Rewards points

Annual Fee: $0

The Chase Freedoms are hybrid travel rewards earning cards. Alone, the Ultimate Rewards they earn can be used as cash back or redeemed for a fixed value in the Chase Travel Portal.

However, when paired with a Sapphire or an Ink, the points earned with a Freedom can be combined with your total Ultimate Rewards Points balance. Then, these points can be transferred to any of Chase’s airline or hotel transfer partners to book award flights and hotel nights.

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Current Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months from your account opening

Favorite Card Features: 

• 4x on restaurants worldwide
• 4x on U.S. supermarkets up to $25,000 each calendar year
• 3x on flights booked with an airline directly or through Amex Travel
• $120 statement credits ($10 per month) for Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and participating Shake Shack locations.
• $120 statement credits ($10 per month) in Uber Cash for rides
• No foreign exchange fees (See rates & fees details)
• Transfer Membership Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like Delta, Eithad, and Aeroplan
• Terms Apply

Annual Fee: $250

American Express Membership Rewards points are another of my absolute favorite to earn! They have many airline transfer partners, which can help you fly domestically and internationally in whatever your desired seat class.  Amex even offers periodic bonus transfers which help you get even more miles for your points.

Among many other things, my hubby and I used Membership Rewards points to book our dream honeymoon to Italy!

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Current Welcome Bonus: 80,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months from your account opening. Plus, choose the metal card design you like best!

Favorite Card Features: 

• Get Uber VIP Status + $200 each year in U.S. Uber rides or eats with monthly statement credits
• 5x on flights booked with an airline directly or through Amex Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year
• 5x on prepaid hotels with Amex Travel
• Get $200 back in statement credits every year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts(R) or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card(R)
• Get through security in a flash with CLEAR(R) Plus at 45+ airports nationwide with up to $189 back per year on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Card.
• Get up to $20 in statement credits each month (up to $240 annually) when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card(R) for one or more of the following: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, The New York Times, and other participating providers. Enrollment required
• Earn a statement credit of $12.95 for a monthly Walmart+ membership when you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax
• Choose one qualifying airline and receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by the airline paid with your Card
• Earn up to $300 back each year on an Equinox+ subscription, or any Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
• Lounge privileges with Priority Pass, Centurion, and others around the globe
• No foreign exchange fees (See rates & fees details)
• Transfer Membership Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like Delta, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, and Choice
• Terms Apply

Annual Fee: $695

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Current Welcome Bonus: 75,000 Capital One Miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening. 

Favorite Card Features: 

• 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day 
• $300 annual statement credit for bookings made in the Capital One Travel Portal
• Get unlimited complimentary access for you and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Earn 10 Miles per dollar spent for hotels and rental cars booked through the Capital One Travel Portal
• Earn 5 Miles per dollar for flights booked through the Capital One Portal
• Receive 10k Capital One Miles each year for your card anniversary
• No foreign exchange fees
• Up to a $100 Global Entry or TSA Precheck credit
• Receive a $100 experience credit, daily breakfast for 2 & free wifi on every stay booked at hotels and resorts from the Premium Collection. Also, get room upgrades and early/late check-in/out when available.
• Redeem your Capital One Miles with their airline and hotel transfer partners at a 1:1 ratio.

Annual Fee: $395 

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Current Welcome Bonus: 75,000 Capital One Miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening

Favorite Card Features: 

• 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
• 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Get 2 complimentary visits each year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges, Capital One's Partner Lounge Network
• Use your miles to offset travel purchases on your statement or transfer them to one of the Capital One transfer partners like Flying Blue or Aeroplan.
• Up to a $100 Global Entry or TSA Precheck credit

Annual Fee: $95 

Capital One miles used to be limited to offsetting travel expenses from your statements. But, Capital One added airline and hotel transfer partners, which added a ton of value to this familiar travel rewards card. This versatility means you can transfer your miles to an airline like Air Canada Aeroplan or use the miles to cover travel expenses that can’t be booked with points or miles like car rentals or vacation rentals.

Citi Premier

Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou(R) Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of opening your account. Also, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou(R) Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel(SM) portal through June 30, 2024.

Favorite Card Features: 

• Earn 3 points per $1 spent on air travel, gas, and other hotels
• Earn 3 points per $1 spent at restaurants and supermarkets
• Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• No foreign exchange fees
• Transfer Citi ThankYou Points to airline and hotel partners like Virgin Atlantic, Turkish Airlines, and Asia Miles.

Annual Fee: $95

ThankYou Points are a valuable addition to a diversified flexible points portfolio. I’ve used ThankYou Points to book award flights with partner airlines like Virgin Atlantic and Etihad which saved thousands of points had I booked with another airline.

Best Business Travel Rewards Credit Cards

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Current Welcome Bonus: 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening.

Favorite Card Features:

• 3x on travel, shipping costs, internet, phone & cable services, and advertising with social media sites and search engines on the first $150k in combined category spending
• No foreign exchange fees
• Transfer Ultimate Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like United, Flying Blue, and Hyatt
  1.25 cents per point value if you redeem points for travel in the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal

Annual Fee: $95

This Chase business card earns Ultimate Rewards points that can be combined with your overall Ultimate Rewards balance. I love this because I can use the card for expenses like internet, cable, and phone and then combine all my points earned with my Sapphire Reserve to book an unforgettable trip!

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn $750 after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months from opening your account.

Favorite Card Features:

• 5% on office supply stores and internet, phone & cable services on the first $25k in combined category spending
• 2% on gas stations and dining on up to a combined $25k in spending
• Paired with an Ink Preferred or Sapphire, the $750 welcome bonus becomes 75k Ultimate Rewards points that have access to valuable airline and hotel transfer partners like United, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Hyatt.

Annual Fee: $0

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn $750 after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months from opening your account.

Favorite Card Features:

• 1.5x on all purchases with no spending cap.
• Paired with an Ink Preferred or Sapphire, the $750 welcome bonus becomes 75k Ultimate Rewards points that have access to valuable airline and hotel transfer partners like United, Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic, and Hyatt.

Annual Fee: $0

Similar to the Chase Freedoms above, the Ink Business Cash and Ink Business Unlimited credit cards are hybrid travel rewards cards. On their own, they earn cash back rewards. However, when put together with the Ink Business Preferred or a Sapphire, these rewards gain access to Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners.

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 15,000 American Express Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months as a cardholder.

Favorite Card Features:

• 2x American Express Membership Rewards points for up to $50k a year
• Add Amex Offers to the card to earn bonus points and statement credits for qualifying purchases
• Transfer Membership Rewards points to valuable airline and hotel transfer partners including Delta, Aeroplan, Virgin Atlantic, and ANA
• 0.0% introductory APR for 12 months starting at your account opening; after this you’ll get a variable rate based on your financial profile and other factors
• Terms Apply

Annual Fee: $0

Memberships Rewards points are among my favorite travel rewards currency to earn! I love the variety of airline transfer partners American Express offers. I’ve booked premium class seats on flights operated by Iberia, Aeroplan, and ANA to name a few, as well as taken advantage of bonus transfers that give a 10%-40% bonus on the points I transfer!

If you have business expenses, consider maximizing what you’re paying by using a Membership Rewards card to earn valuable travel rewards points for future trips. 

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Current Welcome Bonus: 70,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months from your account opening. 

Favorite Card Features:

• 4x on 2 bonus categories that make sense for your business on up to $150k in spending each calendar year. Choices include advertising, U.S. gas, restaurants, or shipping, flights booked directly with the airline, and technology costs involving cloud services and software. 
• No foreign exchange fees (See rates & fees details)
• Transfer Membership Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like Aeroplan, Delta, ANA, and Etihad. 
• Terms Apply

Annual Fee: $295

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months of opening your account

Favorite Card Features:

• 5x on airfare and hotels booked & paid for in advance through Amex Travel
• 1.5x on purchases U.S. Construction materials, hardware suppliers, electronic goods stores, shipping, software & cloud services, as well as on purchases of $5k or more
• $189 CLEAR(R) Credit: Move faster through security at select
  airports and stadiums across the U.S. Use this credit to cover the cost of a CLEAR membership with up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year when you pay with your card.
• No foreign exchange fees
• Transfer Membership Rewards points to valuable airline partners like Aeroplan, Avianca, Delta, Etihad, and Virgin Atlantic.
• Access the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Get 35% of your points back when booking economy flights with your selected airline or on premium class flight bookings with any airline when you book through American Express Travel.
• Unlock more than $1,000 per year in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting, and wireless services.
• $200 Airline credit with one selected airline for incidentals like baggage fees, in-flight purchases, and lounge passes
• Terms Apply

Annual Fee: $695 

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Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 50,000 Capital One Miles after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months from your account opening.

Favorite Card Features:

• 2x on all purchases with no spending caps
• No foreign exchange fees
• Transfer miles to Capital One's airline transfer partners like Aeroplan, Avianca, and Flying Blue or redeem them to erase travel purchases on your monthly statement.

Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, then $95 starting the 2nd year

Capital One miles can now be used to transfer to a variety of airline and hotel transfer partners at a 1:1 transfer ratio. This can be a much better value for your Capital One miles compared to using them to offset travel purchases on your statement. Premium class bookings are worth a lot more than the fixed 1 cent per point value you get when using these miles as a statement credit.

Important Things to Know about Flexible Points

The tips below will help you learn more about the value of travel rewards credit cards and the flexible points they earn. To learn more, sign up for my free travel hacking basics course.

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