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Choosing the best travel credit cards can sometimes feel like picking out a Netflix series: you're excited at first, overwhelmed by endless choices, and worried about wasting your time (or money). Fortunately, we've binge-watched—sorry, carefully analyzed—all your options to help you pick the perfect travel companion for your adventures in 2025.
When you pick the right travel credit card, you unlock perks like free flights, luxury hotel upgrades, lounge access (so you don't have to sit on your suitcase near gate C35), and even skip annoying foreign transaction fees (goodbye to surprise charges from that gelato place in Rome).
Let’s skip the confusion and dive straight into the absolute best travel credit cards right now, sorted by traveler type and preference.
The Best Travel Credit Cards for 2025
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – Best Travel Credit Cards Overall
If you're looking for something reliable—like your favorite pair of sneakers—this card is a comfy fit for most travelers.
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Annual fee: $95 (totally reasonable for frequent travelers).
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Welcome bonus: 60,000 points (that's around $750 toward travel).
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2x points on travel and dining (perfect if your Instagram feed is filled with plane wings and brunch).
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Zero foreign transaction fees (more money for souvenirs!).
Best travel credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® make travel rewards simple, valuable, and accessible to everyday explorers. / Getty Images
2. The Platinum Card® from American Express – Best Travel Credit Cards for VIP Travelers
If your airport style is less "jeans and hoodie" and more "champagne in the lounge," this is your card.
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Annual fee: $695 (pricey, yes—but perks galore).
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Welcome bonus: 80,000 points.
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Perks: Lounge access (over 1,400 lounges—prepare for luxury naps), hotel upgrades, $200 airline credit.
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Ideal for travelers who enjoy traveling in style and comfort.
3. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – Best for Simplicity Lovers
For travelers who just want rewards without playing a points-earning game.
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Annual fee: $95.
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Welcome bonus: 75,000 miles.
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2x miles on all purchases, everywhere, no categories (because life's complicated enough).
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No foreign transaction fees and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit (no more taking off your shoes at security).
4. Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Best Travel Credit Cards for Frequent Flyers
Think of it as your travel best friend—reliable, rewarding, and always there to help you out.
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Annual fee: $550 (but it pays for itself with perks).
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Welcome bonus: 60,000 points.
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3x points on travel and dining.
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$300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access (so you can snack comfortably between flights).
5. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card –
Best Travel Credit Cards the Friendly Option
If you're a traveler who loves value without extra fees, this card fits like your go-to jeans.
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Annual fee: $0 (yep, no fees here!).
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Welcome bonus: 25,000 points.
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Earn 1.5x points on every purchase.
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No foreign transaction fees (spend freely worldwide).
Best travel credit cards in action — ready to be swiped, tapped, or inserted for your next global adventure. / Getty Images
6. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Luxury, But Make It Reasonable
For travelers who like the good life but want luxury at a more reasonable price.
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Annual fee: $395.
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Welcome bonus: 75,000 miles.
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10x miles on hotels and rental cars (through Capital One Travel), 5x miles on flights, 2x everywhere else.
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Lounge access, $300 travel credit, and no foreign transaction fees.
7. Bilt Mastercard® – Best Travel Credit Cards for Travelers Who Rent
Paying rent usually isn't rewarding—but now it can be!
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Annual fee: $0.
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Earn points paying rent, dining out, or traveling.
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3x dining, 2x travel, 1x rent (finally making rent payments less painful).
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Transfer points directly to airlines and hotels.
So, Which Travel Credit Card is Right for You?
Choosing the best travel credit card is like choosing pizza toppings—everyone has a different taste. Frequent travelers chasing luxury perks will love the Platinum Amex or Sapphire Reserve. If simplicity and value speak to you, the Capital One Venture or Bank of America Travel Rewards is your safe, tasty cheese pizza. Renting your place and traveling frequently? The Bilt Mastercard has you covered.
FAQs' :
Do travel cards actually save money?
Absolutely, especially if you travel often and take advantage of the perks and rewards.
Do I really need to avoid foreign transaction fees?
Yes! Avoiding these can save around 3% on every international purchase (think extra tacos, espresso, or gelato).
Are lounge access cards worth the cost?
If you travel multiple times a year and enjoy free Wi-Fi, snacks, and comfort, it’s a definite yes.
What's a good credit score for these cards?
Usually around 680 or higher. Premium cards prefer 720+.
Are travel points better than cash-back?
For frequent travelers, usually yes. Travel points from these best travel credit cards can stretch your rewards much further, especially with airline and hotel transfers.
Best travel credit cards open the door to unforgettable nights in global cities and smooth arrivals at international airports. / Pexels
Conclusion:
Best Travel Credit Cards
Getting one of the best travel credit cards is like unlocking a cheat code for travel. It makes your journeys cheaper, smoother, and packed with bonuses. Whether you’re after a straightforward reward system, luxury perks, or ways to offset your rent, there's a perfect card out there for your wallet—and your wanderlust.
Happy travels in this 2025 summer, may your flights be smooth, your points plentiful, and your credit card perfectly tailored to your travel dreams!
