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Fact Checked
Using a travel rewards credit card is a smart and easy strategy to travel the world for less. Points and miles earned on everyday spending can be redeemed for airfare, hotel stays, rental cars and more.
Travel credit cards often charge an annual fee, which can be worth it if the card’s benefits are useful for you. But not everyone wants to pay a fee to hold a travel credit card. Fortunately, there are many travel credit cards that have no annual fee and offer substantial reward potential and benefits.
Up to 5% Reward Rate
Earn 5% cash back in categories that rotate quarterly on up to $1,500 when enrolled, 5% on travel purchased throughRead More
$200 bonus
$0
20.49%-29.24% Variable
Excellent, Good (700 - 749)
If you’re looking for a cash-back credit card with the option to redeem points for travel, the Chase Freedom Flex® may be exactly what you need.
Why We Like It
This card features strong rewards rates, which are further enhanced by quarterly rotating bonus categories that earn a hefty 5% (activation required). You can redeem points for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, merchandise or travel through Chase Travel℠. For a no annual fee card, the Freedom Flex offers an impressive set of benefits, such as cellphone protection, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage and a complimentary DashPass membership when you activate by December 31, 2024.
New cardholders are eligible for a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% – 29.24% applies. Balance transfer fee of up to 5% (min. $5) of the amount of each transfer applies. So if you’ve got a big purchase planned and need extra time to pay, you won’t have to pay interest within the introductory APR period.
What We Don’t Like
While the earning rate on rotating categories is generous, it only applies to the first $1,500 spent each quarter, which effectively limits the amount of extra cashback you can earn. And it’s not automatic—cardholders must activate the bonus every three months. The Freedom Flex charges a foreign transaction fee, so it’s not ideal if you’re traveling internationally.
Who It’s Best For
The Freedom Flex is well-suited for those who want to maximize their rewards and can take advantage of quarterly spending bonuses. Cardholders who already hold a premium Chase card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card can supercharge their earnings by strategically pairing it with the Freedom Flex.
Kudos to Chase for always keeping the rotating categories relevant on the Freedom Flex. From Amazon to PayPal and Starbucks to Walmart, you’re almost guaranteed to find at least one quarter every year (or even several) where the 5 bonus points roll in with almost no effort. Just don’t forget to activate the categories every quarter.
Up to 6.5X Reward Rate
Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 spent in the first year, after that 5% cash backRead More
Up to $300 cash back
$0
20.49% - 29.24% Variable
Excellent, Good (700 - 749)
The flat-rate Chase Freedom Unlimited® keeps it simple with a solid base rate on all purchases with a few higher earnings categories. Plus, the option to redeem rewards for travel or cash back keeps your options open.
Why We Like It
There’s no extra effort required to earn healthy rewards across all your purchases. The card offers a solid set of benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage and complimentary DashPass membership through the end of 2024. It also offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% – 29.24% applies. An intro transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies in the first 60 days of account opening. After that, a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer applies.
What We Don’t Like
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® may not be the best choice for those who like to travel abroad because it charges a foreign transaction fee. You’re also required to book through Chase Travel℠ to earn top rewards on travel, which may not offer the best price. However, just like the Freedom Flex, pairing this card with a premium card allows you to pool and transfer your points to travel partners.
Who It’s Best For
The Freedom Unlimited is a good fit for people who don’t want the hassle of juggling multiple credit cards to maximize rewards on every purchase.
The secret advantage of the Chase Freedom Unlimited is that it earns rewards that can be moved to other Chase credit cards instead of being redeemed for cash back. That means when you pair it with one of Chase’s cards that can transfer points to the bank’s airline and hotel partners, you’re effectively earning rewards that are even more valuable than advertised.
Up to 3X Reward Rate
Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Plus earn 1X pointsRead More
20,000 bonus points
$0
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Good, Excellent (700 - 749)
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is excellent for everyday spending with bonus categories that most people regularly use.
Why We Like It
The strong earning structure emphasizes common spending categories, which makes it easy to quickly earn rewards. Cardholders can get the best value by transferring points to Wells Fargo’s airline and hotel partners. Otherwise, points are redeemable at a fixed 1 cent per point. The card provides cellphone protection, an auto rental collision damage waiver and a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening. A variable APR of 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% applies for purchases after the intro period ends and for balance transfers. The card has a balance transfer fee of up to 5%, minimum $5. There’s also no foreign transaction fee.
What We Don’t Like
Wells Fargo has a short list of airline and hotel transfer partners (for now) which limits the value and flexibility of Wells Fargo points. But if you prefer cash rewards, the card can help you boost your earnings on purchases.
Who It’s Best For
If you’re looking for flexibility in redemption options, strong earnings rates on everyday spending and your travels take you outside the U.S., this card could work for you.
Up to 7X Reward Rate
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within theRead More
Earn 70,000 points
$0
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Good,Excellent (700 - 749)
The Hilton Honors American Express Card offers the ability to earn Hilton Honors points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases and automatically qualifies you for elite perks.
Why We Like It
The card offers robust earning categories that let you earn bonus points in many common areas of spending. Cardholder benefits include automatic Hilton Honors™ Silver status (but you can move up to Gold status if you spend at least $20,000 on your card within a calendar year), secondary car rental damage insurance¹ and no foreign transaction fees.
What We Don’t Like
The card offers minimal travel benefits. Frequent Hilton customers may find more value in one of the other Hilton cards, which charge an annual fee. The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (terms apply) provides Hilton Honors™ Gold status, higher earning rates and more travel perks. When traveling internationally, you may find Amex is not accepted everywhere.
Who It’s Best For
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is best for those who travel occasionally and prefer to stay in Hilton hotels.
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® (rates & fees) is unique in that it can be used to pay and earn points on rent. For those who pay rent, it’s a unique way to earn a bunch of additional points each year without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 per calendar year).
Why We Like It
Bilt points can be transferred at a 1:1 rate to various transfer partners, including United and Hyatt. Points can also be redeemed through the Bilt Travel portal or used for a statement credit (limited to Bilt cards that are serviced through Wells Fargo). The card also offers various travel benefits, cellphone protection and the ability to earn up to 10,000 bonus points (and sometimes other benefits) on the first day of each month, known as Rent Day.
What We Don’t Like
In order to earn points, cardholders must use the card at least five times during each statement period (rewards & benefits). Unlike the other cards on this list, the Bilt card doesn’t offer a welcome bonus.
Who It’s Best For
The card is most beneficial for renters who are interested in travel rewards.
It’s almost impossible to earn rewards on what is the biggest monthly expense for many people, which is why anyone who pays rent should have a Bilt Mastercard in their wallet. Not only will you earn points just from paying your rent (up to 100,000 points in a calendar year), you’ll do it without being charged a fee for the transaction, and Bilt points are among the most versatile travel points around. (Pro Tip: Don’t redeem Bilt points to pay rent when you can get much more value for them for travel!).
Up to 2x Reward Rate
Earn 2X points at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year (then 1X); Earn 2X points at American ExpressRead More
Earn 10,000 points
$0
18.24% - 29.24% variable
Good/Excellent (700 - 749)
The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card* earns Membership Rewards®, which are transferable to any of American Express’ airline and travel partners. Rewards can also be used to pay for travel booked through American Express Travel.
Why We Like It
With no annual fee, the card is a cost-effective way to access Membership Rewards and Amex Offers. When you use your Amex EveryDay® Credit Card* 20 or more times per billing cycle, you’ll earn a 20% bonus on all points earned. This card also offers access to car rental loss and damage insurance and purchase protection.
What We Don’t Like
The earning structure provides minimal rewards on spending, and card benefits are slim. The redemption rate for cashback (received as a statement credit) is a low 0.6 cents per point. Your best redemption option is most reliably for flights, but if you want variety when cashing in rewards, other cards will serve you better.
Who It’s Best For
The American Express Everyday card is best for those who want to start earning Membership Rewards points, but don’t want to pay an annual fee. It’s also a useful card for keeping Membership Rewards points active if a cardholder wants to stop carrying another Amex Membership Rewards card with an annual fee.
Up to 2x Rewards Rate
2X miles per $1 spent on United purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting. 1 mile perRead More
Earn 30,000 bonus miles
$0
21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Good/Excellent (700 - 749)
For the casual United flyer, the United Gateway℠ Card can help boost your stash of United miles, while providing some valuable travel benefits.
Why We Like It
Holders of the United Gateway℠ Card receive 25% off United in-flight purchases made on the card. It also offers an auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty coverage. There are also no foreign transaction fees.
What We Don’t Like
United benefits are limited, as the card doesn’t provide a free checked bag or priority boarding. Frequent United flyers would be better served by one of the higher-priced United cards, such as the United℠ Explorer Card, even considering the annual fee.
Who It’s Best For
The United Gateway card is best for infrequent travelers who can benefit from the travel perks and tend to fly United.
Up to 3X Reward Rate
Earn 3 points per dollar spent at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 2 points on groceries, rideshare, selectRead More
Earn 60,000 bonus points + 1 Free Night Award
$0
21.49% - 28.49% variable
Good/Excellent (700 - 749)
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card* is a decent option for those wanting to earn Marriott points without paying an annual fee.
Why We Like It
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold offers various travel and purchase coverage like baggage delay insurance and purchase protection, and it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
What We Don’t Like
The card’s lackluster earning structure makes accumulating Marriott points slow going. If you’re really looking for a Marriott-specific card with the goal of earning hotel rewards, you should also ask yourself: Which Marriott Card is right for me?
Who It’s Best For
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold card is a good fit for casual travelers who tend to stay in Marriott hotels and find the travel and purchase perks useful.
1.5X Reward Rate
Earn unlimited 1.5x Miles for every dollar spent on all purchases - with no annual fee.
Discover Match®
$0
18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
Excellent/Good
The Discover it® Miles card earns flat-rate rewards on every purchase and has a simple redemption program.
Why We Like It
The unlimited Discover Match® matches your miles earned in the first year, which makes the card especially rewarding. Miles can be redeemed for travel or cash back at an equal fixed rate per mile.
What We Don’t Like
Discover cards are not as widely accepted outside the U.S., so it isn’t a good choice for international travel, despite there being no foreign transaction fee. After the first year, the card’s rewards are easy to beat with any 2% cash-back credit card.
Who It’s Best For
The Discover it® Miles card is suitable for cardholders who would prefer simplicity both in earning and in redemption.
Up to 2X Reward Rate
Earn 2x AAdvantage miles per dollar on groceries and eligible American Airlines purchases and 1x AAdvantage mile per dollar onRead More
15,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles
$0
21.24% – 29.99% variable
Excellent, Good
The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Mastercard®* is a no-frills, no annual fee card that earns AAdvantage miles.
Why We Like It
Grocery purchases, usually a significant expense in most households, earn miles at an elevated rate. All purchases earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar, which counts towards earning American Airlines elite status.
What We Don’t Like
The card offers little in the way of benefits and charges a foreign transaction fee. If you regularly check a bag with American Airlines, choosing the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®* could save you money in the long run.
Who It’s Best For
Regular American flyers who have large grocery expenses may find the card helpful in earning flight awards and requalifying for elite status.
*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor: Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Mastercard®, Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor: Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Mastercard®, Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
