Travel rewards credit cards can turn everyday spending into free flights, hotel stays, and some pretty unforgettable adventures. These cards earn points or miles every time you swipe, and later you can cash those in for travel—sometimes making your dream trips shockingly affordable, or even free.
A good travel rewards card can knock hundreds (sometimes thousands) off your annual travel costs. The perks don’t stop there: think free checked bags, airport lounge access, travel insurance, and more.
But with so many options, picking the wrong card could mean wasted fees or points you’ll never use. Trust me, I’ve been there—nothing stings like realizing you’ve racked up rewards you can’t actually redeem.
I’ve spent hours sorting through the top American travel rewards credit cards, looking for the best fit for every type of traveler. Whether you’re a casual explorer or all about luxury perks, there’s a card here that can change the way you see the world.
Top 13 American Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Let’s start with four standouts that deliver exceptional value. Each one caters to a different travel style.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Overview
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is my go-to pick for travelers who crave flexible rewards but don’t want to pay through the nose. The $95 annual fee? Not bad for what you get.
Key Earning Structure:
- 2x points on travel and dining
- 1x points on everything else
- Bonus points on select streaming and online groceries
I love how easy it is to use these points. You can transfer them 1:1 to a dozen airline and hotel partners. Or, book through Chase Ultimate Rewards and your points jump in value by 25%.
The welcome bonus is usually generous, and perks like primary rental car insurance and trip cancellation protection sweeten the deal.
If you travel now and then but want more than basic cash back, this card punches above its weight.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Benefits
The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns its spot with premium perks that frequent travelers genuinely appreciate. I’d call it one of the best luxury travel cards out there.
Premium Benefits Include:
- $300 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass lounge access
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
- Primary rental car insurance
You’ll earn 3x points on travel and dining, and 1x on everything else. Points booked through Chase’s portal get a 50% boost in value.
Travel protections are top-notch: trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, and even extras like Lyft and DoorDash credits.
The annual fee is hefty, but if you’re on the road (or in the air) often, the perks can easily outweigh the cost.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Highlights
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card keeps things simple, which is honestly refreshing. There’s no need to juggle transfer partners or bonus categories.
Earning Structure:
- 5x miles on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on everything else
Redeeming miles is a breeze—just use them for any travel purchase at 1 cent per mile. No blackout dates, no hoops.
You’ll get a solid welcome bonus and perks like Global Entry credit. No lounge access, but the straightforward rewards make up for it.
If you want hassle-free rewards, this is the card for you.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Features
Capital One Venture X Rewards goes head-to-head with other premium cards, and I have to say, the benefits stack up nicely—especially if you use Capital One’s booking portal.
Premium Features:
- $300 annual travel credit
- 10x miles on hotels and car rentals through Capital One Travel
- Priority Pass lounge access
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
You’ll earn 2x miles on all purchases, and a whopping 10x on hotels and car rentals through their portal.
The travel credit helps offset the annual fee, and you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles every year just for keeping the card.
If you’re willing to book through Capital One’s site, this card could be a game changer.
Key Benefits of Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Travel rewards cards can turn your daily spending into future adventures. They come with bonus points, big welcome offers, and a range of travel perks that stretch your travel budget and upgrade your experience.
Earning Travel Rewards and Bonus Points
With these cards, I rack up points on every purchase—usually 1.25x to 2x per dollar. Travel spending often earns more, with 3x to 5x points on flights, hotels, and rentals.
High-earning categories:
- Travel: 3x–5x points
- Dining: 2x–3x points
- Everything else: 1.25x–2x points
Some cards offer even more if you book through their travel portals. Capital One gives 5x–10x miles on hotels and rentals; Chase does something similar.
Bank customers can get a points boost too. Bank of America Preferred Rewards, for example, bumps up your earnings by 25%–75%, so 1.5x becomes as much as 2.62x per dollar.
Welcome Bonus Opportunities
Big welcome bonuses can give your points balance a serious head start. Offers typically range from 20,000 to 100,000 bonus points after you hit a minimum spend in the first three months.
Popular examples:
- Bank of America Travel: 25,000 points after $1,000 spend
- Capital One Venture: 75,000 miles after $4,000 spend
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: 100,000 points + $500 travel credit after $5,000 spend
These bonuses can be worth $200–$1,000 in travel. My advice? Only go for cards where the minimum spend fits your real expenses—don’t buy stuff you don’t need just to get points.
Annual Travel Credits and Uber Cash
Many premium travel cards give you travel credits that automatically reimburse qualifying purchases. No hoops, just money back.
Chase Sapphire Reserve gives a $300 travel credit every year. Capital One Venture X offers the same amount, but only for bookings through their portal.
A few cards throw in Uber Cash or dining credits. For example, Sapphire Reserve holders get up to $300 annually for select restaurants.
If you use these credits, they can easily cover the card’s annual fee.
Elite Status and Lounge Access
Premium cards often hook you up with airport lounge access—think Priority Pass or exclusive lounges. It’s a game changer if you hate waiting at the gate.
Lounge perks:
- 1,300+ locations worldwide
- Free snacks and drinks
- Quiet workspaces
- Sometimes guest access
Some cards also cover Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees, saving you time at security and customs.
Elite status with hotel and airline partners can mean room upgrades, priority boarding, and more points on your stays and flights. It’s not just about getting there; it’s about enjoying the journey.
Travel Protections and Perks
American travel rewards cards come loaded with protections. I’ve relied on trip delay coverage (up to $500 per person) and primary rental car insurance (up to $75,000). Many premium cards also pay for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application.
Travel Insurance and Trip Delay Coverage
Pay for your trip with a premium travel card, and you’ll get automatic insurance. The Chase Sapphire Reserve, in particular, offers some of the best coverage I’ve seen.
Trip cancellation/interruption usually covers $2,000–$10,000 per person. Sapphire Reserve goes up to $10,000 per person or $20,000 per trip.
Trip delay reimbursement usually kicks in after a 6-hour delay, covering up to $500 per person for meals, hotels, and more.
Sapphire Reserve also offers baggage delay coverage—if your bags are late by 6+ hours, you can claim up to $100 per day for essentials.
Emergency medical coverage is rare, but Sapphire Reserve includes it for international trips.
You don’t always have to pay for your whole trip with the card—sometimes paying for just part of it is enough to trigger these protections.
Rental Car Insurance and Coverage
Most premium travel cards provide primary rental car coverage outside the US, and some offer it domestically too. That means the card’s insurance pays first—no need to involve your personal policy.
Coverage usually goes up to $75,000 per incident for collision, theft, or vandalism.
Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and US Bank Altitude Reserve all offer primary coverage in the US if you pay with your card.
Important: Decline the rental company’s insurance, and pay the full amount with your card to activate coverage.
Coverage doesn’t apply everywhere (Italy and Australia are common exclusions) and doesn’t cover luxury cars, trucks, or motorcycles. Always check your card’s fine print first.
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck Fee Credits
Many travel cards pay for your trusted traveler program fees. Global Entry is $100 (and includes TSA PreCheck), while TSA PreCheck alone is $78 for five years.
Cards offering these credits:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve ($100 Global Entry credit)
- American Express Platinum ($100 Global Entry credit)
- Capital One Venture X ($100 Global Entry credit)
Just pay the application fee with your card, and you’ll get reimbursed. You can use this perk every four or five years.
Each family member needs their own application. Some cards let you use the credit for anyone’s fee, not just yours.
Comparing Fees and Value
Travel cards come with all sorts of fees, so it pays to know what you’re getting into. Annual fees and foreign transaction charges can eat into your rewards if you’re not careful.
Annual Fees and What They Get You
Premium cards can cost anywhere from $95 to $695 per year. But a high fee doesn’t always mean better value.
Capital One Venture X charges $395, but you get free authorized users, lounge access, and travel credits that can cover the fee.
Chase Sapphire Reserve is $795, but includes a $300 travel credit, lounge access, and top-tier travel insurance. If you use the perks, the math checks out.
There are plenty of lower-cost cards ($95–$150/year) that still offer solid rewards, too.
My tip: Add up the benefits you’ll actually use—travel credits, lounge visits, insurance—and see how that stacks up against the fee.
Maximizing No Foreign Transaction Fees
Most travel cards skip foreign transaction fees, saving you 2–3% on every purchase abroad.
Cards like American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Capital One Venture X all work worldwide with no extra charges.
Some basic cards still sneak in foreign fees, so steer clear if you travel overseas even once a year.
The savings add up. On a $3,000 trip, you’d save $60–$90 just on fees. Do that a few times, and you’ve basically paid for your card.
I always grab a card with no foreign fees before heading abroad. It’s an easy win.
Redeeming and Maximizing Rewards
Getting the most from your rewards takes a little strategy. The trick is knowing when to transfer points to airlines or hotels, and when to book through your card’s travel portal.
Best Airline and Hotel Partners
Transfer partners often give you the best bang for your points. Chase Ultimate Rewards works with airlines like United, Southwest, and British Airways, plus hotels like Hyatt and IHG.
American Express partners with Delta, British Airways, Hilton, and more. Qatar Airways is a standout for business class—just 70,000 American Airlines miles to Doha.
One of my favorite redemptions? Japan Airlines first class to Tokyo for 80,000 AAdvantage miles. That’s over 10 cents per mile in value.
When it comes to hotels, Hyatt is tough to beat through Chase transfers. Some Park Hyatt stays that cost $800+ per night only require 30,000–40,000 points.
World of Hyatt usually gives you the best return among hotels, while Marriott offers more locations if you want options over maximum value.
Using Travel Portals: Chase Travel and amextravel.com
Chase Travel and amextravel.com let you book flights and hotels directly with points. I’ve found these portals shine for domestic flights and budget hotels—especially when transfer partners don’t offer much value.
Chase Travel gives you 1.25 cents per point if you’ve got a Sapphire Preferred card, or 1.5 cents per point with the Sapphire Reserve. You’ll also find options for rental cars and vacation packages, which is a nice bonus.
Amextravel.com usually offers 1 cent per point for most cards. If you’re a Platinum cardholder, you can get 1.25 cents per point on flights booked through the portal.
I usually turn to these portals when partner airlines tack on hefty fees or when I’m piecing together a tricky multi-city itinerary. Sure, the point value might be a bit lower, but the flexibility can make up for it.
Travel portals can really save the day for last-minute trips, especially when award seats are all snapped up. And hey, you’ll still earn elite qualifying miles on paid tickets booked this way—something I always appreciate.
Hotel Credit Cards and Perks
Let’s talk hotel credit cards—they’re honestly more than just point machines. You’ll find some pretty sweet perks, like automatic elite status, surprise upgrades, and those coveted free nights.
Take the Marriott Bonvoy cards, for example. They hand out Silver or Gold elite status, which scores you free Wi-Fi and late checkout. Not bad, right?
You also get bonus points on every stay, which adds up faster than you’d think.
Hilton credit cards don’t hold back either. Depending on the card, you might snag Gold or even Diamond status. Diamond members? They get the royal treatment—free breakfast, upgraded rooms, and access to the executive lounge. That lounge access always feels like a secret club.
Honestly, the annual free night certificates might be my favorite perk. Even the entry-level cards toss in a free night, and I’ve used those for stays that would’ve cost $200, sometimes even $400.
IHG credit cards come with Platinum Elite status, plus a free night every year on your card anniversary. And here’s a tip: the points you earn with these cards stack with points from your stays, which means you’ll hit those dream redemptions way sooner.
