{"id":208,"date":"2018-06-10T09:00:10","date_gmt":"2018-06-10T13:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?page_id=208"},"modified":"2025-05-13T12:29:05","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T16:29:05","slug":"picking-a-travel-credit-card","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-tips\/picking-a-travel-credit-card\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Best Travel Credit Card"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"the<\/p>\n

Advertiser Disclosure<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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

Here in the US \u2014 as well as much of Europe \u2014 cash is no longer king. Credit cards have stolen that title and are used by people to pay for everything from new cars to a pack of gum.<\/p>\n

We love credit cards in the US. You see ads for them plastered all over cities, TV, and online. Your bank likely calls and emails you with credit card offers all the time too. I can’t count how many unsolicited card offers I get in the mail \u2014 and no matter how often I say stop sending them to me, they continue like a deluge!<\/p>\n

These days, there are HUNDREDS of travel rewards credit cards. With so many cards to choose from, it’s hard to know which ones are actually good for travel and which are not worth your time.<\/p>\n

It can be especially confusing trying to navigate all the welcome offers, loyalty programs, perks, offers, arcane rules, and hidden fees of credit cards. Because all the options make people feel overwhelmed, most just pick the card they hear the most about and call it a day. Or, even worse, they just give up and use a debit card instead!<\/p>\n

Don’t be like them.<\/p>\n

Travel credit cards are an incredible tool you can use to earn free flights, travel perks, and hotel stays \u2014 and all without spending extra money. I’m going to show you how to navigate all of this so you get the right card for your travel needs.<\/p>\n

In this article, I am going to tell you how to easily pick the best credit card for travel so you can maximize your points and earn free travel \u2014 because it’s a lot easier than you think!<\/p>\n

Quick Overview: The Best Travel Rewards Cards<\/p>\n

Don’t want to read this entire post? Fine. I get it. Time is important! So here’s my quick list of favorites by category! <\/p>\n

\n
\n
\nBest Premium Travel Card\n<\/div>\n
\nChase Sapphire Reserve\u00ae (Learn More<\/a>)\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\nBest Airline Rewards Credit Card\n<\/div>\n
\nDelta SkyMiles\u00ae Gold American Express Card (Learn More<\/a>)\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\nBest No Annual Fee Card\n<\/div>\n
\nThe Bilt Mastercard\u00ae(Learn More<\/a>)\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\nBest Hotel Card\n<\/div>\n
\nHilton Honors American Express Card (Learn More<\/a>)\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\nBest Simple, Easy to Use Rewards Card\n<\/div>\n
\nCapital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (Learn more<\/a>)\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\nBest Card For Renters\n<\/div>\n
\nThe Bilt Mastercard\u00ae(Learn More<\/a>)\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Travel credit cards offer a great opportunity to earn free points that can be redeemed for airfares, hotels, or cold hard cash. In the race to get customers, credit card issuing companies partner with various travel brands (or just simply offer their own card) that entice consumers with a welcome offer, loyalty points, special discounts, and more. <\/p>\n

Their desire to get you, the consumer, is really your gain. By milking the system, you can get tons of free air tickets, hotel rooms, and vacations, or choose to get cash back.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve accumulated close to one million points through welcome offers alone<\/a>. I get so many points each year; it would take an entire book<\/a> to just list them off to you. <\/p>\n

And, as long as you can pay your credit card off each month, you’ll be able to accrue points and miles that you can redeem for free travel. <\/p>\n

The tricky part is finding the card that works for you, your travel goals, and your budget.<\/p>\n

So how do you pick the best travel-related credit card? Here’s how: <\/p>\n

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Table of Contents<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Know There is No Perfect Card<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. 5 Things to Look for in a Rewards Credit Card<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Will This Hurt Your Credit?<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. What If You Have Poor Credit?<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. The Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Step 1: Know There is No Perfect Card<\/a><\/h3>\n

    The first thing you need to know is that there is no perfect travel card. Every card offers different benefits that will fit different lifestyles, budgets, and travel goals. <\/p>\n

    I use an American Express\u00ae card for booking flights, Chase Sapphire Reserve\u00ae for my everyday spending, a different Chase card for my phone bills, and the Ink Business Preferred\u00ae Credit Card for my business expenses! I have friends who only want cash back and others who only want United miles. <\/p>\n

    There is no perfect card. There is only the perfect card for YOU<\/em>!<\/p>\n

    Start off by asking yourself, “what is my goal?”<\/p>\n

    Are you interested in loyalty to a brand, free rewards, or avoiding fees? Do you want to milk the rewards and welcome offers to get free flights or do you just want a card that won\u2019t charge you a fee for using it at that restaurant in Brazil? <\/p>\n

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

    If you just want points to spend wherever you choose, get a card with transferable points<\/a>. These valuable points can be transferred multiple airlines or hotel partners and used to book travel directly through their sites.<\/p>\n

    Just want free hotel rooms? Sign up for hotel cards<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Want miles that can be used like cash? Get a Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Personally, I dislike Hilton and never fly United so I don’t waste time getting their points. <\/p>\n

    I don’t like cashback cards because I travel so often that points \u2014 not cashback \u2014 are more useful for me. <\/p>\n

    Using credit cards that get me airline miles<\/a> or that have good transfer bonuses to airline programs is what I go for.<\/p>\n

    Find your goal and then find the cards that match your goal as well as your spending habits. By first focusing on what you want, you can maximize your short-term goals as you get the hang of how it all works.
    \n <\/p>\n

    Step 2: 6 Really Important Things to Look for in a Travel Rewards Credit Card<\/a><\/h3>\n

    Comparing credit cards can be a little overwhelming. To help you stay focused and ensure you get the best card for you and your goals, here are the six things I look for in a new card:<\/p>\n

    1. A huge welcome offer<\/strong> \u2014 The best travel cards offer you a sizable introductory offer. You’ll need to meet a minimum spending requirement (usually within the first few months) but it will be these welcome points that jump-start your mileage account and get you closer to a free flight or hotel stay. <\/p>\n

    Sometimes these offers are even big enough to get you a few free flights right off the bat! Don\u2019t sign up for a card unless it offers a high welcome offer.<\/p>\n

    As a general guide, welcome offers work like this: in order to receive the large introductory offer, you must make either a single purchase or meet a minimum spending threshold in a certain time frame (i.e. spend $3,000 within three months). After that, depending on the card, you can earn 1-5x points per dollar spent.<\/p>\n

    Typical travel credit card welcome offers range between 40,000 to 60,000 points, though sometimes they can be as high as 100,000. That\u2019s why cards are so great\u2014you get an instant balance of thousands of points for very little work.<\/p>\n

    If you’re not sure you’ll be able to make the minimum threshold for the welcome offer, ask around to see if any friends or family are planning a large purchase. If they’ll let you put it on your card (and then pay you with cash) you can easily meet the minimum spend threshold to earn your welcome points.<\/p>\n

    2. Low spending minimum<\/strong> \u2014 Unfortunately, in order to get the great bonuses these cards offer, there is usually a required spending minimum. While there are ways to temporarily boost your spending, it\u2019s best to be able to get the bonus using normal day-to-day spending. I typically sign up for cards with a minimum spending requirement of $1,000\u20133,000 USD in a three- to six-month period. <\/p>\n

    While you shouldn\u2019t necessarily avoid high-minimum spending cards as they have substantial rewards, it\u2019s a good idea to start small because you don\u2019t want to get stuck with so many cards that you can\u2019t meet the minimum spend. Only apply for cards that you can meet the minimum spend on to qualify for the welcome bonus.<\/p>\n

    Managing your ability to meet the minimum spending requirements is key because if you are spending more money than you usually do just to get these points, the points are no longer free. Only spend what you normally would and not a penny more.<\/p>\n

    If you’re looking for ways to meet your minimum spending requirements, check out my guide for some clever ways<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

    3. Added category spending bonus<\/strong> \u2014 Most credit cards offer one point for every dollar spent. However, good credit cards will give you extra points when you shop at specific retailers, or, if it is a branded credit card, with a particular brand. This will help you earn points much more quickly. I don\u2019t want one dollar to equal just one point. I want the ability to get two or three points every time I spend a dollar. <\/p>\n

    For example, some cards give you 3x points for travel and dining at restaurants, while others give 5x points on airfare. I can get added points when I use co-branded card to book with that company (i.e. Delta flights with a Delta card).<\/p>\n

    That’s what you want. Never accept one point per dollar spent. Look for at least two. (Some cards even offer up to 6 points per dollar spent.)<\/p>\n

    Otherwise, it will take way too long to accumulate enough points for free travel. <\/p>\n

    4. Have special travel perks<\/strong> \u2013 All of these travel credit cards offer great perks. Many will give you a special elite loyalty status or other extra perks. Here are the perks I prioritize:<\/p>\n