Best US Credit Cards for Travel in 2025
What’s the difference between a vacation and a great vacation? A travel credit card!
The best travel credit cards in the US don’t just offer bonuses or miles but also offer exclusive benefits that can turn your next trip into a dream vacation.
While some benefits are universal, some credit cards offer unique perks to use to your advantage, such as room upgrades and airport lounge access.
Here is our pick of the ten best travel credit cards for 2025:
Chase Sapphire Preffered® Card (Winner)
The Chase Sapphire Preffered® Card is arguably the most travel-friendly credit card, with a generous welcome bonus. Its perks and benefits are ideal for frequent travelers who can earn ample points through different purchases.
Highlights:
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Generous Welcome Bonus
Earn a sizable bonus after meeting a reasonable spending requirement—perfect for jump-starting your travel plans. -
2x Points on Travel & Dining
Get double points on popular categories like dining out and travel purchases. Ideal for foodies and frequent flyers. -
5x Points on Travel Through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Booking through Chase's portal unlocks even more value on travel spending. -
Flexible Redemption Options
Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Plus, you can transfer points 1:1 to top airline and hotel partners like Hyatt, United, and Southwest. -
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Travel internationally without extra charges on your purchases. -
Built-In Travel Insurance & Purchase Protection
Get peace of mind with trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary rental car coverage, and purchase protection. -
Affordable Annual Fee
At $95 per year, it’s one of the best mid-tier cards for maximizing travel rewards without breaking the bank.
Annual Fee: $95
American Express® Platinum Card (Runner Up)
Although expensive, the American Express Platinum Card® brings the most perks for travelers who like to travel with comfort and style. It offers access to lounge access at 1,400 lounges in 140 countries (the Global Lounge Collection), including Denpasar (Bali), Changi (Singapore), and Incheon (Seoul). But there are many other benefits, including hundreds of dollars in credit.
Highlights:
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Massive Welcome Offer
Earn a generous bonus of Membership Rewards® Points after meeting the spending threshold—perfect for booking flights, hotels, or experiences. -
5x Points on Flights & Hotels
Earn 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, and on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com. -
Global Lounge Access
Complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass™, and Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta. -
$200 Airline Fee Credit
Get up to $200 annually for incidental airline fees (like baggage and seat selection) on a chosen airline. -
$200 Uber Cash
Enjoy up to $15 in Uber credits each month (plus a $20 bonus in December)—great for rides or Uber Eats. -
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit
Get up to $20/month in statement credits for select streaming services (enrollment required). -
$189 CLEAR® Credit
Skip airport lines faster with a credit toward CLEAR® membership. -
$100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit
Shop in style with $50 semi-annually in credits (enrollment required). -
Premium Travel Protections
Includes trip cancellation insurance, rental car coverage, and more. - No Foreign Transaction Fees
Annual Fee: $695
The Capital One Venture X Business (Business Winner)
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is quickly becoming a favorite for savvy travelers who want premium perks without the premium hassle. It’s sleek, powerful, and packed with benefits that compete with the best in the game.
Highlights:
-
Hefty Welcome Bonus
Earn a big chunk of miles after hitting the initial spend—great for covering flights, hotels, or even cash back. -
2x Miles on Every Purchase
Simple and rewarding: no categories to track. Earn unlimited 2x miles on everything you buy. -
10x on Hotels & Rental Cars + 5x on Flights
Book through Capital One Travel and rack up serious miles fast. -
$300 Annual Travel Credit
Get up to $300 back each year on bookings through Capital One Travel—easy to use, real value. -
10,000 Bonus Miles Every Year
That’s essentially a $100+ value, just for keeping the card. -
Lounge Access
Enjoy unlimited access to Capital One Lounges and - Priority Pass™ lounges for you and two guests—perfect for pre-flight relaxation.
-
Global Entry / TSA PreCheck® Credit
Get up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®—skip the lines and breeze through security. -
Cell Phone Protection & Travel Insurance
Coverage includes trip delay, cancellation, lost luggage, and cell phone protection—just by using the card to pay. - No Foreign Transaction Fees
Annual Fee: $395
United ClubSM Infinite Card
The United ClubSM Infinite Card from Chase Bank is ideal for frequent travelers in the US. It grants access to United Club lounge locations across the US and abroad (Star Alliance member airline lounges).
Highlights:
- 80,000 bonus miles on spending $5,000 in the first three months
- No foreign transaction fee
- Free luggage (first and second bag) for the cardholder and a companion on United-operated flights
- Priority check-in
- Miles on dining and purchases
Annual Fee: $525
Discover it® Miles Card
The Discover it® Miles Card has no annual fees and offers some of the same benefits as other credit cards on this list. Plus, its welcome bonus offer is like no other. It will match the miles you earn in the first year.
Highlights:
- 1.5X miles on every dollar
- No foreign transaction fee
- Mile-for-mile match for the first year
- No limits on miles earned
Annual Fee: No fee
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Card
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee. You can earn unlimited points with no expiration. It also offers low introductory APR, which many travel credit cards don’t.
Highlights:
- 25,000 bonus points on the purchase of $1,000 in the first 90 days (worth $250 statement credit for travel and dining)
- No foreign transaction
- 1.5X points for every dollar purchase
Annual Fee: No fee
Choice Rewards World Mastercard®
The Choice Rewards World Mastercard® from First Tech Credit Union offers a low APR, including zero percent APR for the first 12 billing cycles. Points can be earned from a variety of everyday purchases. Also, there’s no annual fee, so it’s one of the most affordable travel credit cards.
Highlights:
- 2X points on everyday purchases
- 20,000 bonus points on spending $3,000 in the first 60 days
- Low introductory APR
- No foreign transaction fee
- No balance transfer fee
Annual Fee: No fee
Bilt Mastercard®
The Bilt Mastercard® can turn your rent into discounts on travel. It offers points on rent transactions without any fee. You can also earn points on travel, dining, and other purchases. Plus, there’s no annual fee, making it an affordable choice.
Highlights:
- 1X points on rent transactions
- 2X points on travel
- 3X points on dining
- No foreign transaction fee
- Trip cancelation and interruption protection (up to $5,000)
Annual Fee: No fee
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers significant cash back on everyday purchases, but you can also use it for traveling. You can earn a 5 percent cash back on travel purchases through Chase. However, it does charge foreign transaction fees.
Highlights:
- 5 percent cash back on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards 1.5 percent cashback
- 3 percent cash back on dining, takeaways, and deliveries
- 1.5 percent cash back on all other purchases
Annual Fee: No fee
BONUS TIP (AMERICANS ONLY):
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