Ready to elevate your travel experience and earn valuable rewards? In this article we provide a curated selection to compare some of the best travel credit cards for 2025, designed to maximize your benefits on flights, hotels, bonus miles and more:
Why Choose a Travel Credit Card?
Travel credit cards offer valuable benefits that help you save money and get more out of your trips. Key advantages include:
- Earn rewards on travel and dining purchases to redeem for flights, hotels, and more.
- No foreign transaction fees, so you avoid extra charges when spending abroad.
- Generous sign-up bonuses that jumpstart your rewards balance.
- Travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and rental car coverage for peace of mind.
- Airport lounge access for added comfort during your travels.
- Flexible redemption options, allowing you to use points for travel, statement credits, or transfers to partners.
We also have a comprehensive Credit Cards Guide to learn about other Credit Card Types if you are still unsure whether a Travel Credit Card is right for you.
Here is our curated list of top Travel Credit Cards for 2025:
“Disclosure: We currently have no product partnerships. Links are informational only. If this changes, we’ll update this notice.”
Top Travel Credit Cards for 2025
| Card Name | Annual Fee | Rewards Structure | Sign-Up Bonus / Offer | Key Perks & Benefits | Redemption Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® | $95 | 5x points on travel via Chase Travel℠ 3x dining, streaming, online groceries 2x other travel | 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in 3 months | Valuable transfer partners, flexible redemptions | Points transfer, travel, cash back |
| 2. Capital One Venture Rewards | $95 | 2x miles on every purchase 5x on hotels/rental cars via Capital One Travel | $250 Capital One Travel credit first year 75,000 miles after $4,000 spend in 3 months | Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® credit, simple rewards | Miles for travel, statement credit |
| 3. Platinum Card® from Amex | $695 | 5x points on flights booked direct/Amex Travel | N/A (varies by offer) | Global Lounge Collection, $200 airline fee credit, travel insurance | Points transfer, travel, statement credit |
| 4. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ | $95 | 5x hotels 4x airlines 3x other travel & restaurants | $50 annual airline statement credit | High rates on travel, flexible categories | Points for travel, statement credit |
| 5. Citi Strata Premier℠ | $95 | 3x on travel, supermarkets, dining, gas, EV stations | Competitive sign-up bonus (varies) | Annual hotel savings, broad earning categories | Points transfer, travel, statement credit |
How to Use This Table:
- Annual Fee: What you’ll pay each year to keep the card.
- Rewards Structure: How you earn points or miles on spending.
- Sign-Up Bonus / Offer: What you get for meeting early spend requirements.
- Key Perks & Benefits: Standout features that add value.
- Redemption Flexibility: How you can use your points or miles.
Card-by-card Breakdown:
Below, we take a closer look at each travel credit card featured in the comparison table. Learn more about their rewards, fees, and unique benefits to find the best fit for your travel needs.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Key Features of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
- 2x points on all other travel purchases
- 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
- $95 annual fee
With its flexible redemption options and valuable transfer partners, this card offers excellent value for its annual fee.
Apply for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card†
2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card continues to be a top choice for its simplicity and flexibility:
- Earn 2x miles on every purchase
- 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Generous sign-up bonus: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit
This card is perfect for those who want straightforward rewards without complicated bonus categories.
Key Benefits of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Simplicity: Earn miles on every purchase without rotating categories.
- Flexibility: Redeem miles for travel purchases with no blackout dates.
Apply for Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card†
3. The Platinum Card® from American Express
For luxury travelers, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers premium benefits:
- 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
- Access to the Global Lounge Collection
- Up to $200 annual airline fee credit
- Comprehensive travel insurance
While it comes with a high annual fee, frequent travelers can easily offset the cost with its extensive perks.
Key Benefits: Luxury Travel Perks
- Airport Lounge Access: Enjoy exclusive lounge access worldwide.
- Travel Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for unexpected travel disruptions.
Apply for The Platinum Card® from American Express†
4. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
New to the scene, the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is making waves:
- Earn 5x points on hotels
- 4x points on airlines
- 3x points on other travel and restaurants
- $50 annual statement credit for airline purchases
- $95 annual fee
This card stands out for its high earning rates on direct travel bookings.
Key Benefits: High Earning Rates
- Hotel Rewards: Earn 5x points on hotel bookings.
- Airline Rewards: Earn 4x points on airline bookings.
Apply for Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card†
5. Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card offers versatile rewards for everyday spending:
- Triple points on select travel, supermarkets, dining, gas stations, and EV stations
- Competitive sign-up bonus
- Annual hotel savings benefit
This card is ideal for those who want to earn travel rewards on a wide range of purchases.
Key Benefits: Everyday Rewards
- Diverse Earning Categories: Earn triple points across multiple categories.
- Hotel Savings: Enjoy annual savings on hotel bookings.
Apply for Citi Strata Premier℠ Card†
Conclusion
Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional traveler, these credit cards offer compelling rewards and benefits to enhance your travel experiences in 2025. Remember to consider your spending habits and travel goals when choosing the best card for you.