The top travel rewards credit cards of 2024, as rated by CNBC.

Rewards programs and benefits on travel credit cards can enhance your travel experience and reduce costs, making them advantageous even for occasional travelers with bonus rewards on everyday expenses like dining and groceries.

Standard travel cards come with features such as no foreign transaction fees and travel insurance. Premium cards offer additional perks like lounge access, travel credits, and expedited airport security.

We analyzed numerous travel rewards cards and evaluated their benefits and drawbacks to determine the top cards of 2024 according to consumer behavior. Our methodology explains how we selected the best travel rewards cards of 2024.

Best for no annual fee

This credit card is ideal for those who want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee. It offers a generous rewards program and welcome bonus, making it a great choice for everyday purchases.

The Discover card offers a unique welcome bonus that is difficult to beat: it will match all miles earned in the first year, up to a maximum of 35,000 miles. This means that if you earn 35,000 miles in the first 12 months, Discover will match you with an additional 35,000 miles, resulting in a total of 70,000 miles or $700 towards travel. Additionally, the Discover card does not charge any foreign transaction fees.

Redeeming rewards with this card is hassle-free. You can pay for travel purchases without any blackout dates, and you can easily redeem miles as a statement credit for travel, restaurant, or gas station purchases, or deposit them to your bank account. The best part is that miles earned with this card never expire, even if your account is closed.

Best for dining when traveling

The American Express® Gold Card is a great option for travelers and foodies due to its high rewards rates. It offers enhanced rewards for various popular spending categories, including dining, groceries, and airfare. Although the card has an annual fee of $250 (see rates and fees), the premium rewards it provides help to offset the cost.

The Amex Gold card offers numerous statement credits to travelers, including up to $120 in annual dining credit and up to $120 in Uber Cash for rides and dining in the U.S.

The value of American Express Membership Rewards® points varies depending on how they are redeemed. Members can use them in various ways, such as redeeming for gift cards, statement credits, and booking travel through the Amex Travel Portal. To maximize the value of their points, members can transfer them to airline or hotel partners, including Delta SkyMiles, JetBlue TrueBlue, Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, Choice Privileges, and more.

Best for welcome bonus

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is highly popular among travelers seeking a travel-focused rewards program and a comprehensive set of benefits at an affordable annual fee. What sets this card apart is its exceptional welcome bonus offer.

The card offers numerous advantages, including an up to $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, no foreign transaction fees, primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and baggage and trip delay insurance. Additionally, cardholders receive a 10% points boost on each anniversary and a complimentary DashPass membership for a minimum of one year through Dec. 31, 2024.

What are the options for redeeming rewards with Chase? Cardholders of 14 airline and hotel partners, such as United Airlines MileagePlus and Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, can transfer their points to these partners. Alternatively, points are worth 1.25 cents each through the Chase travel℠ portal or 1 cent per point when redeemed for gift cards or cash back.

Best for authorized user perks

This credit card is ideal for frequent travelers who want a premium card at a lower price point than other high-end cards with similar benefits. Additionally, up to four authorized users can be added for free (see rates and fees).

The Capital One Venture Rewards card offers numerous advantages, including a $300 Capital One Travel credit, a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary (worth at least $100 for travel), and an up to $100 statement credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Additionally, cardholders receive complimentary cell phone insurance, access to Capital One and partner airport lounges, and more. Please refer to the Guide to Benefits for more information on terms, conditions, and exclusions.

Capital One Travel allows you to redeem miles for flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel expenses. You can also use them to offset recent travel purchases at a fixed value of 1 cent per point. Alternatively, you can transfer your miles to Capital One's hotel and airline partners, such as Accor Live Limitless, Air Canada Aeroplan, and Etihad Guest, to get even more value from your rewards.

Best for earning points on rent

If you rent your home and do not possess the Bilt Mastercard, you are missing out on earning travel rewards on your rent payments without any fees.

Bilt offers a range of benefits for cardholders, including maximum value from points through a partnership with point.me, protection from using up credit limits or going into debt with BiltProtect, cell phone protection, 90-day purchase assurance, discounts with partner brands, and access to the Mastercard Luxury Hotels & Resorts portfolio.

Redeeming Bilt Rewards points: Points can be redeemed for travel by transferring them to airline and hotel partners or by booking through the Bilt Travel Portal at a fixed rate of 1.25 cents per point. Other redemption options include using them to shop online, book fitness classes, pay rent, and make a down payment on a home.

Best for luxury travel

This card is highly sought after by frequent travelers due to its lavish perks, such as extensive travel insurance, and a robust rewards program. Despite its high annual fee of $550, the numerous statement credits help to mitigate the expenses.

The card offers an annual $300 travel credit that can be used for various expenses such as airfare, hotels, parking, and tolls. Additionally, cardholders can receive a statement credit of up to $100 every four years to help cover Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS application fees. Priority Pass™ Select membership for airport lounge access is also included. Other benefits include elite-like perks when booking hotels through The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, trip interruption/cancellation coverage, primary rental car coverage, lost luggage reimbursement, and trip delay reimbursement.

Redeeming rewards: Each point is worth 1 cent when redeemed for cash and gift cards, but the value increases to 1.5 cents when redeemed for travel on Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruise reservations through Chase Travel℠. This maximizes the value of rewards and sets this card apart from others. Additionally, transferring points to Chase's airline and hotel partners is another option.

Best for fair credit

This credit card is suitable for individuals working to improve their credit score, as it allows them to earn rewards while doing so.

The Discover It Secured card provides cash back on all purchases and a substantial cash-back matching welcome bonus. Additionally, it does not charge any foreign transaction fees.

You can redeem the rewards earned with this card at any time for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, merchandise and more.

Best for low annual fee

This credit card is ideal for individuals seeking a simple and straightforward method of earning travel rewards without having to manage multiple bonus categories.

Travelers can enjoy no foreign transaction fees and a credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership when going overseas with their credit card.

Capital One Travel allows you to redeem miles for flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel expenses, or you can use them to offset recent purchases at a fixed value of 1 cent per point. Additionally, you can transfer miles to any of Capital One's hotel and airline partners.

Best for lounge access

The Platinum Card® from American Express is designed for travelers who desire a more comfortable journey. With access to more airport lounges than any other card, it offers a range of travel and lifestyle benefits that justify its high annual fee (see rates and fees).

The card offers numerous advantages, including earning over $1,500 in statement credits annually and obtaining automatic hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, as well as travel and shopping protections. Despite only utilizing half of the card's benefits, it is still worth the annual fee (see rates and fees).

To maximize the value of your Membership Rewards points, transfer them to Amex's airline and hotel partners or redeem them for statement credits, gift cards, and retailer checkouts. However, you'll typically receive a lower value for your points when redeeming for retailer checkouts.

Best for students

The Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students is an excellent option for students who intend to study abroad or travel during their breaks. The program is designed for travelers, and cardholders receive 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases.

This card offers a full year of no interest on new purchases, making it an excellent choice for college students studying abroad. Additionally, there are no foreign transaction fees, and the card comes with a longer-than-average special financing offer of no interest for 15 billing cycles (then 18.24% to 28.24% variable APR). It's important to pay off your balance on time and in full each month to avoid interest charges.

To redeem rewards, cardholders can use them as a statement credit to offset travel and dining expenses, making it easy to save money on a spring break vacation or flight home. Rewards can be redeemed at any time and in any amount.

Best for low interest

If you're searching for a card that offers an introductory APR and a unique rewards program, the Choice Rewards World Mastercard® from First Tech Federal Credit Union may be the right choice. With a relatively low variable APR of 13.50% - 18.00%, it made our list of the top travel cards.

The variable APR rate of 13.50% - 18.00% is lower than many competitor cards, and there are no foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for travelers.

Rewards can be redeemed for cash-back, travel, merchandise, gift cards, and experiences at a fixed rate.

How to choose a travel credit card

Selecting the ideal travel credit card can be challenging due to the numerous options available, ranging from general to airline and hotel-specific. To make an informed decision, consider several factors when choosing a credit card. Here are some tips to help you select the best card for your travel needs.

Before deciding on a travel card, it's important to consider whether you're willing to pay an annual fee. While some travel cards have high annual fees of over $500, they may be worth it for some individuals. However, it's important to do the math to determine if an annual fee travel card is right for you.

Consider the type of travel you do most when choosing a credit card. If you primarily travel within the U.S., then a card with foreign transaction fees is not a concern. However, if you're heading to Mexico or Spain, it's crucial to have a no foreign transaction fee card.

To determine which credit card offers the best rewards program for your spending habits, research the various options available. If you frequently dine out while traveling, the American Express Gold Card may be the best choice as it offers 4X points on dining at restaurants. However, if you want a competitive rewards rate on all types of purchases, the Discover it Miles card may be the better option as it has no annual fee and unlimited 1.5X miles on every dollar spent.

Comparing card benefits allows you to determine which card is superior. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Reserve provides complimentary lounge access, while the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

Making the most of your travel card

Familiarize yourself with your travel card's benefits and fees to maximize its use. Keep track of annual fees, foreign transaction fees, and APR. Also, note the rewards rates and added perks, such as annual statement credits.

You can optimize your card once you're familiar with its terms. This may involve setting reminders to use the annual $300 travel credit provided by the Chase Sapphire Reserve or submitting a Global Entry application with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to take advantage of the up to $100 credit.

To optimize your credit card usage, you may want to develop a strategy for utilizing each card at the most advantageous times. For instance, if you possess both the Discover it Miles and American Express Gold Card, you can employ the Amex Gold Card to accrue 4X points on dining expenses at restaurants, while utilizing the Discover card for all other purchases to earn unlimited 1.5X miles.

Other types of credit cards to consider

Not all individuals are suitable for travel credit cards. If you don't travel frequently, you may want to explore other credit card options, such as those that offer rewards in dining, grocery, or gas categories. Some cards offer up to 6% back in these categories, which can benefit foodies, meal-preppers, and commuters.

A card that offers a 0% intro APR period may provide more than just rewards. For instance, the Citi Simplicity® Card provides 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from the date of first transfer, plus 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening (after, 19.24% - 29.99% variable APR; balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening). Additionally, there is an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your balance transfer fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5). When used responsibly, these cards can help you get out of debt without high interest charges.

Why trust CNBC Select?

Our mission at CNBC Select is to deliver top-notch service journalism and in-depth consumer advice to our readers, enabling them to make well-informed decisions when it comes to managing their finances. Each credit card review we publish is the result of thorough reporting by our team of expert writers and editors, who possess extensive knowledge of credit card products. At CNBC Select, we maintain the highest journalistic standards and ethics, and we earn a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links. However, our content creation process is entirely independent of our commercial team and any external third parties. To learn more about our methodology for selecting the best travel credit cards, please refer to our website.

Our methodology

To determine which travel rewards cards will provide the greatest financial benefit, CNBC Select analyzed over 40 popular travel credit cards offered by major banks, financial institutions, and credit unions. We evaluated each card based on various features, including travel rewards (points and miles), redemption rates, annual fees, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR, balance transfer fees, and foreign transaction fees. Additionally, we considered factors such as required credit and customer reviews when available. We also examined additional perks, the application process, and the ease of redeeming points for consumers.

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For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.

To learn about the rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.

For rates and fees of the Discover it® Miles, click here.

The information about the Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students has been gathered by Select without the issuer's review or approval before publication.

Some of the benefits listed for Capital One products are provided by Visa or Mastercard and may differ depending on the product. Check the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.