Looking to maximize your travel and minimize the price tag? Using travel rewards from credit cards can be a major contributor to enhancing your travel experiences and making them affordable. If you’re not sure how it’s done, check out our post for beginners on using travel rewards cards.
Here is a list of our favorite cards – those that have easy-to-earn bonuses; those that we have used for years because the benefits outweigh the annual fee; and those that we have obtained multiple times because they were so helpful on our travels.
The offers below are current as of publication of this post on June 16, 2024, but are subject to change!
Airline Rewards Cards
It’s a great time to get an airline loyalty rewards card! Companies are offering some great bonuses, so figure out where you want to go, an airline that goes there, and get started! Here are a few of the best:
Southwest Rapid Rewards – Earn up to 85,000 points after you spend $3000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus if you spend more, you can earn a Companion Pass (meaning whenever you buy a plane ticket, your companion gets one free). Easy-Peasy! Annual fee is $69, charged on your first statement.
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express – Earn 65,000 Bonus Miles after you make $3,000 in purchases on your new Card. $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® – Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening Annual fee $99, waived for the first 12 months.
Barclays Aviator AAdvantage Card – Earn 60,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days. When offered, this is an easy bonus to earn at the last minute, if you need more American Airlines points!
Hotel Rewards Cards
THE MARRIOTT BONVOY BOUNDLESS™ CARD – Earn 3 free nights after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening. $95 annual fee, which is easily covered (and then some) by one free night every year. Or, opt for the 30,000 points bonus for no annual fee with the Bold card.
Hilton Honors Card – Earn one free night plus 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. No annual fee.
Overall Travel Cards
Capital One Venture Card – earn 75,000 miles if you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months to be used for tons of different airlines and hotels. $95 annual fee.
CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED® – Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards. $95 annual fee.
Bank of America Premium Rewards® – Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening (a $600 value). Points can act as a statement credit for any travel expense. $95 annual fee.
Happy Travels!