{"id":186985,"date":"2019-11-16T09:09:51","date_gmt":"2019-11-16T14:09:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=186985"},"modified":"2025-05-13T12:27:27","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T16:27:27","slug":"best-travel-credit-cards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/best-travel-credit-cards\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Travel Credit Cards for 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Advertiser Disclosure<\/a><\/em>. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

With so<\/em> many choices out there, it can be difficult to choose the best travel credit card. There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of options out there \u2014 and so many of them seem to be the same! How do you know which one is right for you? Or which one gives you the best rewards? Are the fees worth it? Which gives you the best perks?<\/p>\n

For someone who isn’t deep into the credit card industry, it can be very confusing \u2014 and a bit nerve-wracking \u2014 to figure out which card to get.<\/p>\n

But let me say this: there is no “best card.” The best travel credit card is the one that aligns with your travel goals.<\/p>\n

Are you interested in loyalty to a brand, free rewards, or avoiding fees?<\/p>\n

Do you want to milk the rewards and bonus system to get free flights,<\/a> or do you just want a card that won\u2019t charge you a fee for using it at that restaurant in Brazil<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Is elite status the most important perk for you? Do you want points you can use like cash for anything?<\/p>\n

You get the cards that match your goal.<\/p>\n

I have an entire post on picking the best travel credit card<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Obviously, the airline<\/a> and hotel cards<\/a> you\u2019ll pick are going to be based on those you use a lot. For example, I have a Marriott card and a Delta card because those are my brands of choice.<\/p>\n

But, for those general points credit cards, some are<\/em> way better than others. If you don\u2019t have any specific goals in mind and are just looking for some you can use in your day-to-day life, here\u2019s a list of what I think the best travel credit cards are, their features, and why and when you should have them.
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MY TOP PICK: Bilt Mastercard\u00ae<\/h3>\n

\"BiltThe Bilt Mastercard<\/a> is the only credit card that allows you to earn points by paying your rent (up to 100,000 Bilt Points each year). It’s what I use to pay my rent each month as you can earn Bilt Points without any transaction fees just by making your regular rental payments. It’s also the only card that transfers to Alaska Airlines. And there are no annual fees either<\/a>!<\/p>\n

This card offers:<\/p>\n