Which Travel Credit Card Should You Choose? A Simple Guide to Earning Points and Planning Your Next Trip
- kmj
- Jul 1
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 6
Who doesn’t love the idea of turning everyday spending into free flights and hotel stays? A good travel credit card can help you do exactly that, and it might be easier than you think.
The problem is, there are so many options out there. Between all the points systems, perks, and annual fees, it can feel like you need a degree just to pick the right one.
Whether you’re dreaming of luxury lounges or just want to make your next vacation a little cheaper, there’s a card that can work for you.
What are the top travel credit cards and their main perks?
If you’ve ever searched for a travel credit card, you know the list can feel endless. To make it easier, here are a few of the top options and what makes each one stand out.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
This one is super popular for a reason. You earn 2x points on travel and dining, plus 1x on everything else. It has strong travel protections and great transfer partners (like United and Hyatt), all for a pretty reasonable $95 annual fee.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
If you love luxury perks, this is the big one. You’ll get 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, and on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. It comes with lounge access, hotel elite statuses, and travel credits. The catch? A $695 annual fee, so it works best if you really use the extras.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
This card keeps things simple: 2x points on every purchase, no matter what. You can redeem your points for travel or transfer them to 15+ travel partners. It’s easy to use and has a $95 annual fee, making it a solid choice if you want flexibility without overthinking it.
Citi Premier® Card
A great all-rounder. You’ll get 3x points on air travel, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. It’s a good option if you want to earn rewards on a wide variety of everyday spending. The annual fee is $95.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
A bit more niche, but great if you’re big on mobile wallets (like Apple Pay or Google Pay). You’ll get 3x points on travel and mobile wallet purchases. It also offers a $325 annual travel credit that helps offset the $400 annual fee, plus lounge access through Priority Pass.
How do their points earning structures compare?
When it comes to earning points, each card has its own strategy. Some focus on certain categories, while others let you earn on everything without having to think too hard. Here’s a quick breakdown.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
You’ll earn 2x points on travel and dining, and 1x on all other purchases. Great if you spend a lot on experiences while you’re out and about.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
This one is all about big points on flights and hotels. You’ll get 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, and on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. Perfect if you’re flying often and enjoy premium hotels.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The simplest option of them all. You’ll get 2x points on every purchase, no matter what. No categories to track, no extra mental math — just swipe and earn.
Citi Premier® Card
A strong choice if your spending is spread across different areas. You’ll earn 3x points on air travel, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. Everyday spending really adds up here.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® CardA bit unique. You’ll earn 3x points on travel and mobile wallet purchases, and 1x on everything else. If you love paying with your phone or watch, this is a huge plus.
Which card is right for your travel style?
The “best” travel card really depends on what kind of traveler you are. Here’s a simple way to match each card to your style.
If you love luxury travel
Go for The Platinum Card® from American Express. The lounge access, hotel statuses, and travel credits make it perfect if you want to travel in style and comfort. Just make sure you’re taking advantage of the perks to justify the high annual fee.
If you travel often but want value
Check out the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It offers solid earning rates on travel and dining, plus strong travel protections and flexible point transfers. Great for people who travel regularly but don’t necessarily want luxury perks.
If you’re a casual or occasional traveler
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a super easy pick. You get 2x points on everything, so you don’t need to think about categories. You’ll still get valuable rewards for future trips, without the hassle.
If you spend a lot on daily categories
The Citi Premier® Card might be your best friend. You’ll rack up points on groceries, gas, restaurants, and travel, making it easy to earn even if you’re not always on the road.
If you love using your phone to pay
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card is made for you. You’ll get 3x points on mobile wallet purchases, plus solid travel perks. Perfect if Apple Pay or Google Pay is your go-to.
What about fees and drawbacks?
Annual fees and other costs can easily eat into the value of a travel card if you’re not careful. Here’s what to watch out for.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The biggest number here is the $695 annual fee. It only makes sense if you really use the travel perks like lounge access, hotel upgrades, and credits.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
The fee is $400, but it comes with a $325 annual travel credit. If you spend at least that much on travel each year, the net fee drops down significantly.
Chase Sapphire Preferred®, Capital One Venture, Citi Premier
All of these come in at a more manageable $95 annual fee. With the right spending habits, these fees can easily be covered by the points you earn and any sign-up bonuses.
Other potential drawbacks
Some cards have high minimum spend requirements to earn the welcome bonus (for example, $4,000 in 3 months). You’ll also need to understand transfer partners and redemption options to get the most value. If you just want cash back, these might not be for you.
In short, the more perks and earning potential a card has, the higher the fee. If you can make the most of those benefits, the card can easily pay for itself.
How to choose and start planning your trip
Picking a travel credit card doesn’t have to be complicated. It really comes down to knowing what you value most and how you spend.
Start by looking at your everyday expenses. Do you spend a lot on dining out, groceries, or gas? Or are you someone who mostly saves up for big travel splurges?
Next, think about what kinds of perks actually matter to you. Lounge access, hotel upgrades, and airport credits sound great, but only if you’ll really use them.
Once you have your card, plan how you’ll hit the welcome bonus spending requirement. This is often the fastest way to rack up a big chunk of points right away.
Finally, start dreaming. Check flight deals, look at hotel options, and figure out where your points can take you. The excitement of seeing those trips come together is one of the best parts of using a travel rewards card.
Conclusion
Choosing the right travel credit card is all about finding what works for you. Maybe you’re all about luxury and want to breeze through airports in style. Maybe you just want something simple that makes your next vacation cheaper.
No matter your style, there’s a card out there that can turn your everyday spending into your next big adventure.
Choose the card that matches your goals, earn those points, and get started here. Let’s turn those points into unforgettable experiences.
Here’s a quick visual comparison to help you see all the key details at a glance:
Travel Credit Card Comparison Chart
Card | Points Earning | Annual Fee | Best For | Key Perks |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® | 2x travel & dining, 1x others | $95 | Frequent travelers who want value | Strong travel protections, transfer partners |
Amex Platinum | 5x flights & prepaid hotels via Amex Travel | $695 | Luxury travelers | Lounge access, hotel status, travel credits |
Capital One Venture | 2x all purchases | $95 | Casual travelers who want simplicity | Flexible redemptions, easy earning |
Citi Premier® | 3x air travel, hotels, restaurants, groceries, gas | $95 | Everyday spenders | Broad categories, good transfer partners |
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve | 3x travel & mobile wallet, 1x others | $400 | Mobile wallet users | $325 travel credit, lounge access |
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