Travel credit cards are rewards cards that help you earn free travel, achieve elite member status with hotels and airlines, and enjoy many other travel-related perks. Every traveler has unique priorities for travel rewards, so think about what’s most important to you when choosing a travel rewards credit card.
What Are U.S. News’ Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
Best feature: Travel rewards.U.S. News Rating 4.7 out of 5
- Annual Fee$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
- APR17.49% – 24.74% (Variable)
- Credit Needed ?Excellent, good
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- Travelers can earn 2 miles per dollar on all purchases and 10 miles per dollar at hotels.com/venture through January 2020 with the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card.
- Cardholders earn 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 within three months of opening an account.
- There are no foreign transaction fees, and Visa Signature qualifying cardholders can take advantage of travel upgrades and savings, roadside assistance, an auto rental collision damage waiver, 24-hour travel assistance services, extended warranty coverage and emergency card replacement.
Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card
Best feature: Travel rewards with no annual fee.U.S. News Rating 4.7 out of 5
- Annual Fee$0
- APR13.74% – 23.74% (Variable)
- Credit Needed ?Excellent, good
- The Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card offers 12 months of 0% APR financing on purchases. After that, the APR on purchases and balance transfers is 13.74% – 23.74% (Variable).
- The card charges no balance transfer fee, foreign transaction fee, annual fee or penalty APR.
- You can earn the card’s sign-up bonus of 20,000 miles, worth $200 in travel statement credits, after spending $1,000 within three months of opening the account.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best feature: Travel rewards.U.S. News Rating 4.25 out of 5
- Annual Fee$95
- APR17.99% – 24.99% Variable
- Credit Needed ?Excellent/good
- You can earn two points per dollar on travel and dining at restaurants and one point per dollar on all other purchases with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Points can be transferred to several travel partners at a 1-to-1 rate.
- You’ll earn 60,000 bonus points, worth $750 when you redeem them for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, when you spend $4,000 within three months of opening your account.
- Cardholders get access to benefits including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, an auto rental collision damage waiver and extended warranty coverage.
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Best feature: Hilton rewards.U.S. News Rating 4.5 out of 5
- Annual Fee $0
- APR 17.49% – 26.49% Variable
- Credit Needed Excellent/good
- Earn seven points per dollar on Hilton purchases with the Hilton Honors American Express Card. Purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations earn five points per dollar and all other purchases earn three points per dollar.
- A 75,000-point welcome offer is available when you spend $1,000 within the first three months.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance, travel accident insurance, a global assist hotline, extended warranty coverage, purchase protection and automatic Hilton Honors Silver status are all included with the card.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Best feature: Travel rewards with an annual travel credit.
Rating 4.25 out of 5
- Annual Fee $450
- APR 18.99% – 25.99% Variable
- Credit Needed Excellent credit
- Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can earn three points per dollar on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit, three points per dollar on dining at restaurants and one point per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be transferred to several travel partners at a 1-to-1 rate.
- A 50,000-point sign-up bonus is available when you spend $4,000 within three months of opening an account, and your points are worth 50% more when you redeem them for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- Cardholders get a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck, complimentary airport lounge access, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, an auto rental collision damage waiver, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement, and emergency evacuation and transportation.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Best feature: Cardholder perks.U.S. News Rating 4.25 out of 5
- Annual Fee$550
- Credit Needed Excellent/good
- Cardholders of The Platinum Card from American Express can earn five points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel, or on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.
- You can earn a 60,000-point welcome offer if you spend $5,000 in the first three months of opening your account.
- Cardholder benefits include $200 in annual Uber savings, a $200 airline fee credit, a $100 fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck, access to more than 1,200 airport lounges, and hotel and resort benefits at participating locations, which include daily breakfast for two, late checkout, early check-in, complimentary Wi-Fi and more.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card
Best feature: Marriott rewards.U.S. News Rating 4.2 out of 5
- Annual Fee$95
- APR17.99% – 24.99% Variable
- Credit Needed ?Excellent/good
- The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card offers six points per dollar at more than 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and two points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
- For a limited time, a 100,000-point sign-up bonus is available if you spend $5,000 within three months of opening an account.
- Card benefits include a free one-night stay at a qualifying hotel every year after your account anniversary, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement and concierge service. Cardholders get automatic Silver Elite status, which includes priority late checkout, a 10% points bonus on eligible hotel stays and free standard in-room Wi-Fi.
Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express
Best feature: Delta Air Lines rewards.U.S. News Rating 4.2 out of 5
- Annual Fee$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- APR17.49% – 26.49% Variable
- Credit Needed ?Excellent/good
- Earn 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
- A 60,000-mile welcome offer is available after you make $2,000 in purchases within three months of opening your account. You’ll earn a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase on the card within the first three months (offer expires Oct. 30, 2019).
- Airline perks for cardholders include priority boarding, your first bag checked for free, discounted Delta Sky Club access and 20% in-flight savings in the form of a statement credit.
Uber Visa Card
Best feature: Travel rewards with no annual fee.U.S. News Rating 4.15 out of 5
- Annual Fee $0
- APR 17.49%, 23.49% or 28.24%, based on your credit worthiness
The information for the Uber Visa Card has been collected independently by U.S. News. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
- The Uber Visa Card offers 4% cash back on restaurants, takeout and bars; 3% back on airfare, hotels and vacation home rentals; 2% back on online purchases, including Uber, online shopping, and video and music streaming; and 1% back on all other purchases.
- After you spend $500 within the first 90 days, you’ll earn the card’s $100 welcome offer.
- Benefits include a $50 subscription credit for online subscription services after you spend $5,000 or more on your card each year, and up to $600 for mobile phone damage or theft when you pay your mobile phone bill with your card.
What Can You Expect From Travel Credit Cards?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of choices you have, you can relax. We’ve made it easy for you to decide. Everything you need to know about travel credit cards is right here to help you make the best decision for youself.
Rewards earning: About 85% of travel credit cards earn at least two points or miles per dollar on travel purchases. Some programs offer a variety of categories that have different rewards values. Since each travel rewards card has its own unique rewards program, you’ll need to read the disclosure statements carefully.
Rewards redemption: Your options will differ based on the card you have. Almost half of travel rewards credit cards have redemption options that are flexible. Some cards offer cash back or a statement credit. Other programs offer multiple redemption or transfer options. Nearly all others earn rewards that can be redeemed with multiple partners, such as within an airline alliance or a hotel group.
Sign-up bonus value: About 47% of travel cards have a sign-up bonus worth $500 or more. For example, you might have to spend $3,000 within three months of opening your account to earn 60,000 miles.
Annual fee: Most travel rewards credit cards charge an annual fee. But 30% don’t have one, so you have options if you’d prefer to avoid this fee. About 20% of travel cards have an annual fee greater than $100. But cards that waive the annual fee the first year or charge a fee of up to $100 are the most common.
APR: Travel rewards cards with a minimum APR of 14.99% or lower are rare, with only two cards offering that rate this month. Nearly all other travel rewards cards have a minimum APR that falls between 15% and 18.99%.
Benefits: Finding a travel credit card with valuable benefits should be relatively easy, as 68% of these cards offer top-level benefits. Expect benefits such as travel credits, free hotel nights, priority boarding, free checked bags, airport lounge access and hotel status.
If you’re interested in learning how we rank credit cards, you can take a peek at our U.S. News methodology for ranking the best credit cards.
U.S. News Survey: These Common Travel Credit Card Mistakes Could Lead to Missed Savings
About a third of respondents plan to spend $500 or less per person on vacation expenses for their next trip. Nearly three-quarters of respondents don’t plan to carry a credit card balance to pay off their vacation.
But more than 61% of respondents don’t have a travel credit card at all, missing out on travel discounts and rewards. Survey respondents who do use travel rewards credit cards, report earnings between $351 and $1,750 in travel rewards last year.
And often, respondents either don’t shop around for travel savings or spend two hours or less on research for travel savings.
Almost half of screened respondents who are taking a vacation are planning a road trip.
Of the respondents who intend to take a vacation in the next 12 months, about 45% plan to go on a road trip. Another 29% are planning domestic or international air travel. But about 8% aren’t planning to travel, taking staycations instead. Don’t forget that you can still earn rewards when you use your card for your staycation expenses.
Not many travelers place value on travel insurance.
Nearly 54% of respondents say they wouldn’t pay for travel insurance if their credit card didn’t provide it for free. About 20% would purchase trip cancellation or interruption protection. About 11% of respondents would pay for auto rental or travel accident insurance. And 14% of those surveyed say roadside assistance is worth the cost.
Many consumers plan to spend $500 or less per person on their next vacation.
About a third of travelers say they plan to spend $500 or less per person on airfare, hotel and other expenses during their next vacation. Around 23% of respondents say they’re planning to spend $501 to $1,000. Another third plan to spend between $1,001 and $3,000. Just over 11% expect to spend $3,001 or more per person.
Most respondents who plan to take a vacation don’t have a travel credit card, but many who do can use it to offset significant expenses.
As previously mentioned, a little more than 61% of respondents say they don’t have a travel credit card. But among those who do, almost half earned between $351 and $1,750 in redeemable value in the last 12 months.
About 28% of respondents with cards earned $1,751 or more. Using rewards cards can really help you save money on travel.
About a quarter of respondents plan to carry a balance to pay off their vacation.
Nearly three-quarters of respondents say they either don’t plan to put their trip on a credit card or will pay it off within one month of booking. But about 23% of respondents say they’ll take between one and 12 months to pay off their trip on a credit card. And nearly 5% expect to take more than a year.
When you carry a balance, you end up paying compound interest and your vacation gets more and more expensive. So be sure you can afford to pay off your travel expenses when the bill for your trip is due.
Cash back, free hotel nights and free domestic flights are the most appealing travel rewards.
Almost 19% of respondents say cash back is the most appealing travel reward. After that, 18% of respondents want free nights at a hotel, 15% want to airfare for domestic flights and 18% want to earn airfare for international flights. Some respondents are also interested in other perks, such as free upgrades on flights or at hotels.
More than 70% of respondents wouldn’t open a credit card to help pay for a vacation.
Most respondents say they wouldn’t open a card to help pay for a trip. An additional 15% haven’t opened a credit card to pay for a vacation, but they would open one for a sign-up bonus or rewards or if they couldn’t afford travel. Fifteen percent have opened an account for a sign-up bonus or rewards, or to pay off their vacation over time.
Sign-up bonuses are a great way to earn rewards, but you have to follow two rules. One, use the card for expenses you’d have anyway, not for something you don’t need. And second, don’t carry a balance or you’ll wipe out the value of your bonus rewards.
About 35% of respondents would carry a balance on their credit card to pay for emergency expenses.
Other expenses that respondents say they’d carry a balance for include excursions or experiences, dining, flight or room upgrades, and gifts or souvenirs for loved ones. But nearly half say they wouldn’t carry a balance for any of those expenses, not even for an emergency.
You should never, ever carry a balance with any credit card, but especially not with a rewards credit card. The interest rates are higher on rewards cards, and you can quickly find yourself in debt.
Nearly a quarter of respondents would exceed their budget for an upcoming vacation by up to $500.
But about 46% either don’t have a budget or wouldn’t exceed it. About 8% would exceed their budget by more than $2,000. Always set up a vacation budget. If you do carry a balance, stop using credit cards until you’re out of debt.
Most respondents aren’t shopping around much, if at all, for travel savings.
Nearly 57% of respondents say they either aren’t shopping around for travel savings or have spent two hours or less on this task. There are some great deals out there, and it’s a shame to miss out on savings. So, take some time and find out if you can cut expenses for your next trip.
Survey methodology:
- U.S. News ran a nationwide survey through Google Surveys in April 2019.
- The sample size was the general American population, and the survey was configured to be representative of this sample.
- The survey asked 10 questions relating to travel and credit card use.
How Do Travel Credit Cards Work?
You can use travel rewards cards to save money on travel expenses such as airfare, hotel stays, restaurants, and car rentals. By using travel rewards credit cards to pay for your trip, your earning rewards you can redeem for future travel savings. Or you can even use the rewards to pay for the trip you just took. The earnings really do add up.
Travel credit cards fall into one of three types: airline cards, hotel cards and general travel cards.
A co-branded airline or hotel credit card enters you into a specific brand’s loyalty membership club and rewards all types of spending. For example, Delta has several branded credit cards. If you use a Delta credit card, you’d earn SkyMiles for future travel expenses. Some co-branded cards offer membership tiers that give you a variety of perks when you attain certain levels.
But the points you earn can only be redeemed toward that brand and its partners. General travel cards also reward all types of spending, but they have more redemption options. You can even cash in your rewards for a statement credit. Some of the issuers of these cards also offer travel rewards portals or access to an issuer’s airline or hotel loyalty program partners.
Travel rewards cards offer higher earning rates for travel spending than other types of rewards cards. Rewards may can be redeemed for highly discounted, or even free, flights and hotel stays or other travel expenses.
Lucrative sign-up bonuses are common among travel credit cards, with some cards offering 100,000 points or more to new members who hit a minimum spending amount within the first few months.
But don’t get dazzled by a sign-up bonus. Make sure your spending habits fit well with the rewards card. For instance, if you travel often and always use the same airline, then an airline-branded card (that probably has a good sign-up bonus) might be best.
Travel credit card benefits may include free or reduced baggage fees, priority boarding and other perks. However, cards with premium perks may also come with an annual fee. For this reason, travel cards are not as beneficial for the occasional traveler.
Let’s take a closer look at each of the three basic types of travel credit cards: airline, hotel and general travel.
Airline credit cards
Airlines partner with credit card companies to offer co-branded travel rewards credit cards. Usually, these cards earn the most miles when used for flights with the airline or partner airlines, typically at least 2 miles per dollar. Cardholders still earn miles for other purchases, but often at a lower rate, generally 1 mile per dollar. You can redeem earned miles with the airline or its partners.
Airline cards can deliver a cheaper, more comfortable flying experience. Benefits often include free checked bags, priority boarding, complimentary or discounted access to airport lounges, and discounts on in-flight purchases.
Hotel credit cards
Hotel credit cards are most valuable when used to book accommodations with participating hotel chains. As with airline cards, hotel cards earn bonus rewards for loyalty spending and offer a lower rewards-earning rate for other purchases. One-time sign-up bonuses are common, providing bonus rewards if you spend a minimum amount within the first few months. Points are redeemed through the hotel brand or its partners.
Hotel credit cards work best for loyal guests of a hotel group. If you regularly stay at properties within a particular hotel group, your card can earn elevated rewards that can be redeemed for free nights at participating hotels.
Some hotel credit cards offer an annual free night’s stay or automatic hotel status. Hotel status may unlock perks such as complimentary upgrades, late checkout or free Wi-Fi. Many hotel cards provide various forms of travel insurance, including lost baggage protection, trip delay reimbursement, emergency assistance and car rental insurance coverage.
General travel credit cards
With general travel credit cards, your rewards aren’t tied to a particular travel brand. You can redeem rewards for a variety of things, including statement credits, booking trips via the issuer’s travel portal, transferring rewards to partners or buying gift cards. With some general travel cards, you can use your rewards to pay for Amazon purchases.
General travel cards are more flexible than airline or hotel credit cards, which is a big plus for travelers who aren’t loyal to a particular brand or who travel to destinations with fewer options for hotels or airports. Cardholders can worry less about blackout dates or travel restrictions because they’re not tied to a sole provider.
Points can sometimes be transferred to partner loyalty programs. However, the value of your points may change, and in some cases, you get the best redemption value by transferring points to partners.
What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Travel Rewards Credit Cards?
For the right consumer, travel credit cards can make a lot of financial sense, but understand the pros and cons.
Be sure you research the rewards program for the credit cards you’re considering. That way, you can truly take advantage of the benefits and rewards that are offered.
Benefits
Better point valuations and redemptions: Travel-related spending with travel credit cards accrues points and miles faster than general rewards credit cards. When those rewards are redeemed for travel, they could deliver better redemption values than other rewards, such as cash back or statement credits.
No foreign transaction fees: A foreign transaction fee is a surcharge on every purchase made using a credit card in a foreign country or foreign currency. The fees are typically around 3% of every purchase. So if you have an international trip planned, a travel rewards credit card that waives foreign transaction fees can save you a lot of money.
Drawbacks
High costs: Travel card APRs and annual fees tend to be above average, so you may pay more to keep a travel card in your wallet. The higher costs are why you should never carry a balance with a travel rewards card.
Restrictions: Travel credit cards can also cost you time. Some cards require lots of planning or working with customer service to navigate blackout dates, limited seat availability, or decipher the confusing terms and conditions. Depending on the card, there can also be restrictions on earning miles, including caps and expiration dates. And, of course, bonus points from airline and hotel cards are restricted to redemption with certain brands or qualifying partners.
How Can You Choose the Best Travel Credit Card?
Is a travel credit card right for you?
Make sure you meet these guidelines before signing up for a travel rewards credit card.
- You travel frequently. If you don’t consistently spend on airfare, hotels or other travel expenses, consider a cash back credit card instead. These cards have easy redemption options and some of them don’t even have an annual fee.
- You have a good credit score. You have the best chances of being approved for a travel credit card if you have a FICO score of at least 670, which is at the bottom of the good FICO score range (670 to 739). The higher your score, the better your chances to get approved for the elite travel cards.
- You pay off your balance each month. Because travel credit cards have higher-than-average APRs, only get a travel card if you can pay off your balance each month.
To find a travel card that meets your needs, evaluate each card using the following criteria:
- Pick the right rewards program for you.
- Calculate earning potential.
- Factor in sign-up bonuses.
- Calculate redemption value.
- Subtract annual fees.
- Understand travel benefits.
- Avoid foreign transaction fees.
1. Pick the right rewards program for you.
Your travel credit card will work either in conjunction with the loyalty program of an airline or hotel chain or with the issuer’s rewards program. Each program has unique terms and conditions for earning, redeeming and transferring points.
Loyalty airline programs
For some travelers, loyalty to any particular airline lasts only as long as that airline offers the cheapest flights. But frequent flyers might be willing to forgo initial cost savings in exchange for benefits down the road. Which airline program works best for you depends on how frequently you fly with the airline and how much value you can get from your rewards.
Popular airline programs:
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- British Airways Executive Club
- Delta SkyMiles
- HawaiianMiles
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Southwest Rapid Rewards
- United MileagePlus
- Virgin America Elevate
Loyalty hotel programs
As with airline cards, choosing a credit card from a hotel group you regularly patronize is likely to offer the best value for earning and redeeming rewards.
Popular hotel rewards programs:
General travel rewards programs
Using a general travel credit card earns rewards that can be redeemed for a statement credit or through the issuer’s travel portal, or transferred to partners. Many of these programs also have redemption options for gift cards, experiences and more.
Examples:
Which is the right choice?
If you’re loyal to a particular travel brand and want to earn rewards and take advantage of benefits with the brand, an airline or hotel card is the way to go.
However, if you travel infrequently or with many different brands, or simply want more flexibility, a general travel card may be a better choice.
2. Calculate earning potential.
Travel cards earn rewards at different rates for spending in different categories, so you have to analyze your spending habits to determine which card will help you maximize your rewards value. A good travel card will have a range of purchases that qualify as travel spending, which may include flights, hotels and car rentals.
Depending on the type of card, these purchases can earn two points per dollar or more. Other purchases may earn one point per dollar or more.
3. Factor in sign-up bonuses.
The most lucrative travel cards offer consumers bonus points for meeting a spending threshold within the first few months of opening an account. These bonuses can be worth hundreds of dollars. For example, new cardholders can earn 50,000 bonus miles worth $500 with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card by making at least $3,000 in purchases on the card within the first three months. The Uber Visa Card earns a $100 sign-up bonus when you spend at least $500 within 90 days of becoming a cardholder.
4. Calculate redemption value.
Every travel card has a rate at which points or miles are awarded. However, what those points are worth to you depends on redemption value as well as your preferences and priorities.
For general travel cards, point valuation may be as simple as the number of points multiplied by the redemption rate, often a rate of 1 cent per point.
Award travel with airlines or hotels is more complicated. The number of points or miles needed to book a flight or hotel room may fluctuate from card to card.
But airlines and hotels frequently adjust the price of award travel based on award level, award availability, time, destination/location, fare or hotel class, demand, and other factors. And rewards values aren’t consistent across all programs: You might be able to redeem a point or mile for a value of 3 cents with one program or less than 1 cent with another.
All of these factors will affect the value of your miles, which makes calculating your rewards value difficult. We’ve made it easier for you to figure this out. Check out What Are My Points Worth? to get a better idea of what kind of value to expect.
5. Subtract annual fees.
The average annual fee for travel credit cards is about $110, according to U.S. News research. Credit card companies sometimes entice new users by waiving the annual fee for the first year. Once the fee kicks in, be sure you’re earning enough rewards or enjoying the other card benefits to compensate for it.
About a third of travel cards don’t carry an annual fee. For example, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card charges no annual fee and earns 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase and 10 miles per dollar for hotel stays booked on hotels.com/venture. New cardholders can get a one-time bonus of 20,000 miles after spending $1,000 on the card within three months of opening it.
6. Understand travel benefits.
Travel benefits can be practical tools, discounted pricing or luxe perks. Common benefits include no foreign transaction fees, access to 24/7 concierge or customer service assistance, a free checked bag (and sometimes a free checked bag for a travel companion), and travel insurance.
For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card comes with trip cancellation and interruption insurance, an auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, 24/7 customer service, and more.
7. Avoid foreign transaction fees.
Many travel cards don’t charge a foreign transaction fee, which is typically 3% on every purchase in a foreign currency or country. Because these fees can be greater than any rewards you earn, frequent international travelers will want to make this card feature a top priority.
How Can You Compare Two Rewards Travel Credit Cards?
To help consumers understand how to evaluate travel cards, U.S. News researchers compared two popular general travel cards: the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card. You can follow these same steps when you’re comparing travel credit cards.
1. Pick the right rewards program for you.
Both cards are general travel cards, offering a flexible range of rewards but providing the most value when redeemed for travel.
2. Calculate earning potential.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card gives you double points for travel and dining and one point for all other purchases, while the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card offers 1.5 for every dollar spent.
Estimate your yearly budget by separating expenses into credit card categories.
Sample monthly budget
| General: $390 | Groceries: $334 |
| Dining: $250 | Utilities: $323 |
| Gas: $174 | Travel: $167 |
Now calculate how many points you’d earn in one year based on your spending.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card first-year points
| Dining and travel purchases | $417 * 2x earning rate * 12 months = 10,008 points |
| All other categories | $1,221 * 1x earning rate * 12 months = 14,652 points |
| Total | 10,008 + 14,652 = 24,660 points |
Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card first-year points
| Total | $1,638 * 1.5x earning rate * 12 = 29,484 points |
Estimate your yearly budget by separating expenses into credit card spending categories.
Sample monthly budget
| General: $390 | Groceries: $334 |
| Dining: $250 | Utilities: $323 |
| Gas: $174 | Travel: $167 |
Now calculate how many points you’d earn in one year based on your spending.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card first-year points
| Dining and travel purchases | $417 * 2x earning rate * 12 months = 10,008 points |
| All other categories | $1,221 * 1x earning rate * 12 months = 14,652 points |
| Total | 10,008 + 14,652 = 24,660 points |
Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card first-year points
| Total | $1,638 * 1.5x earning rate * 12 = 29,484 points |
3. Factor in sign-up bonuses.
Both of these cards offer sign-up bonuses for eligible spending within the first three months. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card awards a 60,000-point bonus for spending $4,000, increasing the total number of annual points earned to 84,660, and the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card awards 25,000 bonus points for spending $1,000, increasing the total annual points earned to 54,484.
4. Calculate redemption value.
The point valuation ratio for Chase Ultimate Rewards is 1 point to 1 cent, so 84,660 points are worth $846.60. However, if you use those points to book travel with the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, your points are worth 25% more, or $1058.25 in travel purchases.
The Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card has a 1-point-to-1-cent ratio, so the card has a first-year value of $544.84.
5. Subtract annual fees.
To understand the real value of your travel rewards card, you need to subtract the cost of the annual fee. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a $95 annual fee. Every year after the first year, it earns 24,660 points, or $246.60. If you book travel with Chase Ultimate Rewards, those points are worth $308.25. After the annual fee, you receive a yearly value of $213.25 at that same spending level.
The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee, so every year after the first year, your yearly earnings value will be $294.84. Because the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card outearns the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card starting in the second year, it earns more overall rewards by the sixth year, even with Chase’s 25% redemption bonus.
Seven-year rewards value after annual fees at $1,638/month spending
| 1st year | 2nd year total | 3rd year total | 4th year total | 5th year total | 6th year total | 7th year total | |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $963.25 | $1,176.50 | $1,389.75 | $1,603 | $1,816.25 | $2,029.50 | $2,242.75 |
| Bank of America Travel Rewards | $544.84 | $839.68 | $1,134.52 | $1,429.36 | $1,724.20 | $2,019.04 | $2,313.88 |
6. Understand travel benefits.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waivers, travel and emergency assistance services, extended warranty coverage, and purchase protection. The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card offers a zero dollar liability guarantee for fraudulent transactions, a temporary credit card number for online shopping, account alerts for balances and due dates, and monthly FICO credit score access for free.
7. Avoid foreign transaction fees.
Neither card has a foreign transaction fee.
Summary: For people who can qualify for the sign-up bonus and want to take advantage of the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel redemption bonus, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns more overall rewards in the first few years. But if you can’t meet Chase’s sign-up bonus spending requirement, the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card may be a better choice for you.
What Are the Best Strategies to Maximize Travel Rewards?
Pick the right first travel card.
When you’re starting out with travel cards, select one with a general miles program that gives you the flexibility to earn rewards for all spending and redeem with the largest variety of brands. Unless you spend large amounts on travel expenses with a particular brand, airline and hotel cards offer less flexibility and savings.
Combine a general travel card with a co-branded or loyalty card.
Used in tandem with a general travel card, an airline card or a hotel card makes sense for frequent travelers who are comfortable committing to one particular travel brand. This combination allows you to use the co-branded card to earn bonus points on purchases with your preferred brand and to use the general travel card to earn bonus points in other categories.
How Can You Maximize Your Card Benefits Abroad?
Knowing how your travel credit card works and what benefits and protections it offers can help you solve some of the problems that may arise when you’re abroad. It’s always best to be prepared.
Avoid foreign transaction fees.
If you’re not sure whether your card has foreign transaction fees, check with your issuer when you notify it of your upcoming trip. You most likely have a card that has EMV smart chip technology, which is the most compatible with foreign merchants and provides the best security.
Most of the cards in the U.S. are chip-and-signature cards. Overseas, credit cards that have chip-and-PIN capability are more common. Check with your issuer if you are unclear about the type of smart card you have.
Avoid dynamic currency conversion.
Many foreign merchants let you choose to be charged in local currency or to pay with dollars through dynamic currency conversion. You should always opt for local currency. The exchange rate with dynamic currency conversion might be unfavorable or even have a fee tacked on top. It’s always good to have cash on hand in case a store or restaurant won’t accept your card.
Know who to contact in an emergency.
Some travel credit cards offer free access to a 24/7 benefits administrator (also called a concierge service), who can provide medical referrals, contact loved ones and arrange for payments. Likewise, as a cardholder, you may be able to receive round-the-clock referrals and other help with medical and legal emergencies.
Some programs, such as Visa Signature and World Elite Mastercard, provide 24/7 global services for card-related needs and expedited card replacement. Visa offers emergency cash advances or wire transfers.
Take advantage of travel insurance.
Many cards offer trip cancellation, trip interruption insurance, or travel accident insurance. Life is so unpredictable! These benefits can provide protection if you need to make changes to your trip or experience an accident or illness. You may even want to opt for third-party travel insurance for more encompassing travel coverage.
Protect your rental car.
Your personal car insurance policy may not cover foreign travel. You might need to purchase auto insurance in your destination country. Cards that offer an auto rental collision damage waiver can handle some of your rental car insurance needs, covering theft and/or damage to the car, up to the full cash value of most rental vehicles booked using that card.
There are restrictions, however, including the country of travel, type of vehicle, age of the vehicle and length of the rental period. You’ll be required to refuse the collision damage waiver at the car rental counter in this case. Third-party liability, personal accident and personal property coverage will not be included with your card’s coverage. Before your trip, find out which of your credit cards will give you the best coverage. If you feel unsure about the details, call your issuer and ask for an explanation of the rental car coverage that comes with your card.
Get help with your lost luggage.
Many travel rewards credit cards offer benefits to help you deal with lost or delayed baggage. With this coverage, you can get reimbursed for some or all of your expenses related to the claim, such as toiletries or clothes purchased while waiting for your bags. But note that maximum amounts and restrictions might apply, depending on the travel rewards credit card.
Editorial opinions are those of U.S. News and have not been previously reviewed, approved or endorsed by any other entities, such as banks, credit card issuers or travel companies.
By Beverly Harzog , Credit Card Expert, Updated October 7, 2019
Copyright U.S. News and World Report L.P.
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