Best Travel Credit Cards: Maximizing the Benefits

Hey there, fellow globetrotters! If you're anything like me, you live for that feeling of stepping off a plane and exploring someplace new. But let's face it, traveling can get expensive, especially with kids, which is why having the right credit card can make all the difference. Today, we're going to compare the best credit cards for frequent travelers. So buckle up and let's get started!

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Chase Sapphire Reserve

June 2025 Update: Big news, fellow travelers — Chase has announced some major changes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Starting in October 2025, the annual fee will jump a whopping 45% to $795 per year. Ouch. Even more disappointing, the value of points redeemed through Chase Travel will drop from 1.5x to just 1x, meaning that the once-generous 60,000-point sign-up bonus will only get you $600 toward travel instead of $900. The silver lining? Any points you earn before October 2025 will still be redeemable at the higher 1.5x value through October 2027. But after that, the perks may no longer justify the price tag for us — we’re seriously considering switching to another card or downgrading to the Chase Sapphire Preferred. It’s been a great run, but these new changes make it a lot harder to justify keeping this card in our wallet.

Pro-tips for maximizing your rewards

• Book airfare and hotels through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for 8x points. Don't forget to use this hack to get refunds or airfare credit if the prices drop!
• Earn 4x points on direct airline and hotel bookings (up from 3x)
• Redeem points at 2x for premium airfare and hotels with Point Boost
• Download the Priority Pass app and check for participating lounges wherever you fly. Don't underestimate the power of free alcohol and snacks to offset a long layover or travel delays. Plus, the newer Chase Sapphire Lounge (looking at you, LaGuardia Airport!) are not to be missed. Unlike Amex and Capital One, you can even bring a guest!
• Skip the long lines at security and get up to $100 statement credit every 4 years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^® or NEXUS Application fees.
• Opt-in to credits. Currently Apple TV, DoorDash, Lyft, and Peloton users can all experience extra benefits.

Using the tips above, we've easily offset the hefty annual fee every year. You can see from our current earnings breakdown that in the first quarter of 2023 we have already earned enough to offset over $1700 in travel.

Benefits for Added Peace of Mind

When we book our trips with our Chase travel cards we never have to purchase additional travel insurance. When our flights back to New York were cancelled due to hurricanes, we had no trouble getting reimbursed for the extended hotel stay and expenses thanks to Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption protection. This year when our rental minivan got scraped exiting the parking garage we were also protected by the Auto Rental Collision and Damage waiver. These are perks you hope to never have to use, but are grateful to have when bad things happen!

Capital One Venture X

This may be our new travel sidekick: the Capital One Venture X card — seriously high on perks, but worth every penny if you’re on the move. You’ll earn a generous 75,000‑mile signup bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months (that’s a cool $750 in travel value). Then enjoy 10,000 bonus miles each year after your anniversary — that’s another $100 back annually. It comes with a $300 travel credit usable on Capital One Travel bookings every year and a $120 statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every 4 years — perfect for breezing through airports. The annual fee is $395, but the credits, lounge access—including Priority Pass and Capital One Lounges—and elevated mile-earning (10X on hotels/rentals, 5X on flights via Capital One Travel, 2X on everything else) easily help you offset it. Perfect for travelers who want perks without needing to jump through extra hoops.

American Express Platinum Card

Best Sign-On Bonus: Next on the list is the American Express Platinum Card. This card has a $695 annual fee, but it currently offers up to a 175,000-point sign-up bonus (that's about $1750 in value). It also offers 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel. The Platinum Card also comes with a $200 airline fee credit and access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection. If you don't mind a bit of extra legwork, you can unlock prepaid hotel reservation credits, as well as credits for services such as Uber, Walmart, Disney+ and Hulu.

Citi Premier

Best value: Last but not least, we have the Citi Premier Card. This card has a $95 annual fee, but it offers a 60,000-point sign-up bonus and 3X points on travel, gas, groceries, dining, and entertainment or 10X points on purchases made through their CitiTravel portal. The $100 annual hotel reimbursement offsets the annual fee right off the bat and gives it a slight edge over Chase Sapphire Preferred which only offers a $50 hotel credit. It's best for travelers who want to earn higher rewards on everyday purchases without paying a premium annual fee.

So, there you have it, folks, the best credit cards for frequent travelers. Each card has its own unique benefits and is best suited for different types of travelers. Whether you value luxury, rewards, or a low annual fee, there's a credit card out there for you. Happy travels!