Credit Cards

Best credit cards in the US for a traveling lifestyle

Traveling is cool, but traveling using rewards points and paying nothing (or close to that) for the trip is even better. These cards are going to help you do just that.

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Learn the best options of credit cards to start traveling and earning rewards!

travel
Like to travel? Check out these credit cards. Source: Adobe Stock

If you would like to travel more often you must have one or more travel credit cards. The best cards will give you a nice point per dollar ratio, and you can use these points to book travel with airline companies and hotel stays. The best credit cards for traveling are known for having well established partnerships with a number of businesses to provide the best accommodation and flight fares.

With most cash back cards you are only able to redeem your points at a rate of 1 cent per point. With travel credit cards, on the other hand, your points can be worth as much as 3 cents or more depending on how and when you decide to redeem them. That is three times as much value for the same amount of money spent.

This is especially true when you book expensive luxury hotels or first-class flights. There are instances when American Express points may be worth as much as 6.25 apiece when you book an Etihad first class flight. That is a very substantial conversion rate.

To get the best possible rates, you must look for travel credit cards that earn transferable points. The best credit cards for traveling will earn you points that you can transfer directly to partner businesses. This direct transfer is what makes it possible for you to get the best conversion rates.

To help you on your search for the best credit cards for traveling, we have put together a list of 3 cards that will give you the greatest advantages.

capital one venture rewards

5 best credit cards with travel perks

Here are a few more excellent choices for passionate traveleres.

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Traveling with rewards: choose the best credit cards for you!

travel credit card
Here are some travel credit card options. Source: Adobe Stock

Chase Sapphire Preferred

What makes this card one of the best credit cards for traveling is that you can get some of the best conversion rates through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. On top of that, your points can be transferred to over 10 partner businesses, including airlines and hotels. And if all that is not reason enough to get you interested, they throw in 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred also pairs very well with other rewards-winning Chase cards, such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited. The thing is that this card has a 1-cent-per-point conversion rate. But instead of using your points with your Freedom Unlimited, you can transfer those same points to your Sapphire Preferred and potentially triple the value of your rewards.

Chase Sapphire Preferred
Sign-up bonus80K points after spending $4k in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee$95
Rewards5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3x points on dining at restaurants
3x points on select streaming services and online grocery purchases
1 point per $1 spent on all other purchase
Other perks$50 annual credit on hotel stays purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Earn points equal to 10% of total purchases from the previous year every account anniversary
Primary rental car coverage
APRVariable 15.99% – 22.99%

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Chase Sapphire Reserve

Similarly to the previous Chase card, this is one of the best travel credit cards because of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. The main difference between the two is that the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a much more exclusive card, offering the best conversion rates available in any Chase credit card, as well as access to a number of premium services.

By booking travel through the Chase Travel Portal, you can get up to 10x points for dining, hotels and car rentals, and 5x points for flights. These rates are rare in this market and only a select number of cards can get close to matching them. Not to mention the $300 travel credit you get once a year just for using the card, which offers a nice portion of their annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Reserve
Sign-up bonus50K points after spending $4k in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee$550
Rewards10x points on hotels and car rentals purchased;
5x points on air travel;
3x points on other travel and dining;
1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Other perksAirline lounge access
Annual $300 travel credit
Rental car insurance
Trip cancellation/interruption
Lost luggage insurance
APRVariable 15.99% – 22.99%

Capital One Venture Rewards

capital one
Meet the Capital One Venture Rewards card. Source: The Mad Capitalist.

This card pays a high rewards rate on every purchase you make, even if it is not travel-related. Of course travel-related spending will earn you more points, but non-travel-related spending will earn you excellent mileage. You will earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and unlimited 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases. 

Points are then redeemable for any travel-related expense you wish, and you get access to a number of airport lounges. Put a handsome welcome bonus and no foreign transaction fees on top of that, and this becomes an almost irresistible offer for frequent travelers.

Capital One Venture Rewards
Sign-up bonus60K bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee$95
Rewards2 miles per dollar on every purchase5 miles per dollar on car rentals and hotels booked through Capital One Travel
Other perksTravel accident insurance
Rental car coverage
Extended warranty on eligible products
APR15.99%, 20.99%, or 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
capital one venture rewards

How do you get the Capital One Venture Rewards?

The Capital One Venture Rewards comes with many rewards, including two miles per dollar spent on all purchases. Learn how to apply!

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