The Top 10 Credit Cards for Frequent Travelers: A Comprehensive Comparison
Are you a frequent traveler looking for a credit card that can help you save money on flights, hotels, and more? With so many credit cards available on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for you. In this article, we'll compare the top credit cards for frequent travelers, including their sign-up bonuses, rewards programs, annual fees, and additional benefits.
Learn about the top 10 credit cards for frequent travelers and a comprehensive comparison between them.
- Discover the benefits of each of the top 10 credit cards for frequent travelers, including rewards programs and sign-up bonuses.
- Compare the annual fees and foreign transaction fees for each credit card to determine the most cost-effective option for your travel needs.
- Understand the additional perks offered by each credit card, such as airport lounge access and travel insurance.
What to Look for in a Credit Card for Frequent Travelers
When choosing a credit card for frequent travel, it's important to consider a few factors. First, consider a card that offers travel rewards that align with your travel preferences, such as points or miles. Second, evaluate the card's annual fee and how often you plan to use it. Third, look for a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees if you travel internationally often. Lastly, check the card's additional benefits, such as airport lounge access, travel insurance, and concierge services.
The Top Credit Cards for Frequent Travelers
Let's dive into the top credit cards for frequent travelers, along with their features, benefits, and drawbacks.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a popular choice for frequent travelers. It offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months, which you can redeem for $750 in travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. The card offers double points on travel and dining purchases and one point per dollar spent on all other purchases. There's a $95 annual fee, but no foreign transaction fees.
Additional benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred include primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and trip delay reimbursement. However, the card has a high APR and a penalty APR of up to 29.99% if you make a late payment.
2. American Express Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $4,000 in the first six months. The card offers four points per dollar spent at restaurants (including takeout and delivery), four points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year), and three points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel. There's a $250 annual fee, but no foreign transaction fees.
Additional benefits of the American Express Gold Card include up to $120 in dining credits per year, up to $100 airline fee credit per year, and baggage insurance. However, the card has a high APR and a penalty APR of up to 29.99% if you make a late payment.
3. Capital One Venture Rewards
The Capital One Venture Rewards card offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles after you spend $3,000 in the first three months, which you can redeem for a statement credit for travel purchases. The card offers two miles per dollar spent on all purchases. There's a $95 annual fee, but no foreign transaction fees.
Additional benefits of the Capital One Venture Rewards include no blackout dates, no expiration on miles, and travel accident insurance. However, the card has a high APR and a penalty APR of up to 26.99% if you make a late payment.
4. Citi Premier Card
The Citi Premier Card offers a sign-up bonus of 80,000 ThankYou points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months, which you can redeem for $800 in airfare through the ThankYou Travel Center. The card offers three points per dollar spent on air travel and hotels, two points per dollar spent on dining and entertainment, and one point per dollar spent on all other purchases. There's a $95 annual fee, but no foreign transaction fees.
Additional benefits of the Citi Premier Card include travel accident insurance and trip cancellation/interruption protection. However, the card has a high APR and a penalty APR of up to 29.99% if you make a late payment.
5. Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card offers a sign-up bonus of 50,000 miles after you spend $2,000 in the first three months, which you can redeem for flights with Delta and its partner airlines. The card offers two miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets, and one mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. There's a $99 annual fee, but no foreign transaction fees.
Additional benefits of the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card include priority boarding, first checked bag free, and 20% discount on in-flight purchases. However, the card has a high APR and a penalty APR of up to 29.99% if you make a late payment.
6. United Explorer Card
The United Explorer Card offers a sign-up bonus of 40,000 miles after you spend $2,000 in the first three months, which you can redeem for flights with United and its partner airlines. The card offers two miles per dollar spent on United purchases, restaurants, and hotels, and one mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. There's a $95 annual fee, but no foreign transaction fees.
Additional benefits of the United Explorer Card include priority boarding, first checked bag free, and two United Club one-time passes per year. However, the card has a high APR and a penalty APR of up to 29.99% if you make a late payment.
7. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card offers a sign-up bonus of 75,000 points after you spend $3,000 in the first three months, which you can redeem for free nights at Marriott hotels. The card offers six points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels, two points per dollar spent on all other purchases. There's an $95 annual fee, but no foreign transaction fees.
Additional benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card include automatic silver elite status, 15 elite night credits, and free night award every year after your account anniversary. However, the card has a high APR and a penalty APR of up to 29.99% if you make a late payment.
8. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card offers a sign-up bonus of 130,000 Hilton Honors points after you spend $2,000 in the first three months, which you can redeem for free nights at Hilton hotels. The card offers 12 points per dollar spent at Hilton hotels, six points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, and three points per dollar spent on all other purchases. There's a $95 annual fee, but no foreign transaction fees.
Additional benefits of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card include automatic gold status, free weekend night award after you spend $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year, and priority pass membership. However, the card has a high APR and a penalty APR of up to 29.99% if you make a late payment.
9. Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card
The Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card offers a sign-up bonus of 50,000 points after you spend $3,000 in the first 90 days, which you can redeem for travel or cash back. The card offers two points per dollar spent on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points per dollar spent on all other purchases. There's a $95 annual fee, but no foreign transaction fees.
Additional benefits of the Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card include up to $100 airline incidental statement credit every year, up to $100 airport security statement credit every five years, and travel and emergency assistance services. However, the card has a high APR and a penalty APR of up to 29.99% if you make a late payment.
10. Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card
The Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card offers a sign-up bonus of 20,000 points after you spend $1,000 in the first three months, which you can redeem for travel, cash back, or other rewards. The card offers three points per dollar spent on dining, gas stations, rideshares, transit, flights, hotels, homestays, and car rentals and one point per dollar spent on all other purchases. There's no annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
Additional benefits of the Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card include cell phone protection, travel accident insurance, and rental car insurance. However, the card has a high APR and a penalty APR of up to 29.99% if you make a late payment.
Conclusion
Choosing the right credit card for frequent travel can help you earn rewards and enhance your travel experience. By considering the card's rewards program, annual fee, foreign transaction fees, additional benefits, as well as its drawbacks, you can make an informed decision. However, remember to always make payments on time to avoid high APRs and penalty fees. For a quick overview of each card's features, benefits, and drawbacks, check out our comparison chart below.
| Card Name | Sign-up Bonus | Rewards Program | Annual Fee | Foreign Transaction Fees | Additional Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | 60,000 points | Double points on travel and dining purchases | $95 | None | Primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and trip delay reimbursement | High APR and penalty APR |
| American Express Gold Card | 60,000 Membership Rewards points | Four points per dollar spent at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, and three points per dollar spent on flights | $250 | None | Up to $120 in dining credits per year, up to $100 airline fee credit per year, and baggage insurance | High APR and penalty APR |
| Capital One Venture Rewards | 60,000 miles | Two miles per dollar spent on all purchases | $95 | None | No blackout dates, no expiration on miles, and travel accident insurance | High APR and penalty APR |
| Citi Premier Card | 80,000 ThankYou points | Three points per dollar spent on air travel and hotels, and two points per dollar spent on dining and entertainment | $95 | None | Trip cancellation/interruption protection and travel accident insurance | High APR and penalty APR |
| Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | 50,000 miles | Two miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets | $99 | None | Priority boarding, first checked bag free, and 20% discount on in-flight purchases | High APR and penalty APR |
| United Explorer Card | 40,000 miles | Two miles per dollar spent on United purchases, restaurants, and hotels | $95 | None | Priority boarding, first checked bag free, and two United Club one-time passes per year | High APR and penalty APR |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card | 75,000 points | Six points per dollar spent at Marriott hotels | $95 | None | Automatic silver elite status, 15 elite night credits, and free night award every year | High APR and penalty APR |
| Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card | 130,000 Hilton Honors points | 12 points per dollar spent at Hilton hotels, and six points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations | $95 | None | Free weekend night award after you spend $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year, and priority pass membership | High APR and penalty APR |
| Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card | 50,000 points | Two points per dollar spent on travel and dining purchases, and 1.5 points per dollar spent on all other purchases | $95 | None | Up to $100 airline incidental statement credit every year, up to $100 airport security statement credit every five years, and travel and emergency assistance services | High APR and penalty APR |
| Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card | 20,000 points | Three points per dollar spent on dining, gas stations, rideshares, transit, flights, hotels, homestays, and car rentals | None | None | Cell phone protection, travel accident insurance, and rental car insurance | High APR and penalty APR |
Personal Experience: How I Saved Big on Travel with the Chase Sapphire Preferred
Last year, I was planning a trip to Europe and knew I wanted to find a credit card that would give me rewards for my travel expenses. After doing some research, I decided to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that I was approved for a high credit limit and soon started using the card for all my travel expenses, including flights, hotels, and meals. Within a few months, I had accumulated enough points to cover a significant portion of my trip.
One of the best things about the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is that it offers a generous sign-up bonus of 100,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. This alone was enough to cover my round-trip flight to Europe. Additionally, the card offers 2x points on all travel and dining purchases, making it easy to rack up rewards quickly.
Another feature that I appreciated was the ability to transfer my points to other travel loyalty programs, such as United Airlines and Marriott. This gave me the flexibility to use my rewards for a variety of travel expenses.
Overall, I highly recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred card for frequent travelers. It has saved me a significant amount of money on travel expenses and offers a wide range of benefits and rewards.
