Which Travel Card is Best
In the world of travel, credit cards can be confusing. There are so many benefits, sign-up bonuses, and other reasons to have one that you could spend all day trying to figure out which travel card is best for you. That’s why we created this comparison guide, detailing the pros and cons of each travel card on the market in 2018 and explaining how we came to our conclusions about them all.
Our Pick – Chase Sapphire Preferred®
If you’re looking for a travel card that will give you the most bang for your buck, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® is our top pick. This card offers excellent value with a $95 annual fee and a host of perks and rewards. You’ll also earn 2x points on travel and dining and 1x on all other purchases. In addition, you can redeem points through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program. Furthermore, transfer these points to one of 13 airline partners or three hotel partners – just make sure to do so before they expire!
2nd Place – Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The second-best travel card on our list is the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. If you’re a frequent traveler, this card should be at the top of your list. With a $450 annual fee, it’s one of the most expensive cards on our list, but it comes with a $300 annual travel credit that more than makes up for it. You’ll also earn 3x points on travel and dining and 1x points on everything else. Points can be transferred to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs, which makes them easy to redeem. There’s also a Priority Pass Select membership, giving you access to over 900 airport lounges worldwide.
3rd Place – Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite MasterCard®
The Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite MasterCard® gives you two miles per dollar spent on all purchases, plus a five percent rebate on travel redemptions. There’s no annual fee for the first year, then $89 after that. The card also comes with a 0% foreign transaction fee, making it a good choice for international travel. You’ll, of course, you’ll need good to excellent credit to qualify.
4th Place – Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card
This card has a low annual fee and a solid rewards rate, making it a good option for occasional travelers. You’ll earn 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases, and there’s no limit to the number of miles you can earn. Plus, you can use your miles to book travel through any airline or hotel without blackout dates. However, this card does not offer any sign-up bonus or intro APR period, so you’ll need to be sure you can pay your balance in full each month.
Last but Not Least – Discover it® Miles
With Discover it® Miles, you can earn 1.5x miles on every dollar spent on purchases, and there’s no annual fee. You can get up to $30 in statement credits each year for in-flight Wi-Fi purchases. And if you’re a traveler who likes to plan, you’ll appreciate that there’s no foreign transaction fee. Discover will match all your miles at the end of your first year!
