The best travel credit cards for 2026

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5.0 Add to Compare Learn more Annual fee $95 Welcome offer $300 + 75,000 miles Limited-time offer: Enjoy $300 to use on hotel and vacation rental bookings through Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s more than $1,000 in travel value Introductory purchase APR N/A Ongoing purchase APR 19.49% - 28.49% variable Introductory balance transfer APR N/A Ongoing balance transfer APR N/A 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 2x miles on all other purchases Pros No foreign transaction fees Simple rewards structure Generous welcome offer Cons Limited travel benefits No intro APR on purchases or balance transfers Receive up to a $120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck® application fees Receive a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and early check-in at eligible hotels Access Hertz's Five Star membership tier, offering free upgrades, a wider selection of vehicles, and more No matter how you like to travel or how often, you can find great savings with a Capital One Venture Rewards Card. Simple 2x miles rewards on every purchase means you can maximize everything you buy — from monthly subscriptions to gas station fill-ups to household essentials — toward a future trip. Redemptions are just as far-reaching: You can use miles to book future trips through Capital One Travel, reimburse yourself for travel purchases you make with your card, or transfer miles to Capital One's 15+ travel partners.

Limited-time offer: Enjoy $300 to use on hotel and vacation rental bookings through Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s more than $1,000 in travel value

5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

No intro APR on purchases or balance transfers

Receive up to a $120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck® application fees

Receive a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and early check-in at eligible hotels

Access Hertz's Five Star membership tier, offering free upgrades, a wider selection of vehicles, and more

No matter how you like to travel or how often, you can find great savings with a Capital One Venture Rewards Card. Simple 2x miles rewards on every purchase means you can maximize everything you buy — from monthly subscriptions to gas station fill-ups to household essentials — toward a future trip.

Redemptions are just as far-reaching: You can use miles to book future trips through Capital One Travel, reimburse yourself for travel purchases you make with your card, or transfer miles to Capital One's 15+ travel partners.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5.0 Add to Compare Learn more Annual fee $95 Welcome offer 75,000 points Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening Introductory purchase APR N/A Ongoing purchase APR 19.24% - 27.49% Variable Introductory balance transfer APR N/A Ongoing balance transfer APR N/A 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ 3x points on dining, vacation homes, gas & EV charging, top streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs) 2x points on all other travel purchases 1x points on all other purchases Pros Competitive earning categories Transfer partners Travel protections Cons Annual fee High-value redemption options may be limited Complimentary DashPass with $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for 12 months when you activate by 12/31/27, plus a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck®, or NEXUS application Like most cards on our list, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great travel option for earning rewards on both travel and everyday spending, like dining out, streaming services, and online grocery orders. Plus, you'll get an annual credit toward eligible hotel stays you book through Chase Travel℠. On top of rewards and benefits, you may find most value from this card when it's time to redeem. With a Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can use Points Boost when you use points to book travel through Chase Travel. Points Boost can increase the value of your points by up to 50% on eligible bookings.

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠

3x points on dining, vacation homes, gas & EV charging, top streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs)

High-value redemption options may be limited

Complimentary DashPass with $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for 12 months when you activate by 12/31/27, plus a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders

Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel

Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck®, or NEXUS application

Like most cards on our list, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great travel option for earning rewards on both travel and everyday spending, like dining out, streaming services, and online grocery orders. Plus, you'll get an annual credit toward eligible hotel stays you book through Chase Travel℠.

On top of rewards and benefits, you may find most value from this card when it's time to redeem. With a Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can use Points Boost when you use points to book travel through Chase Travel. Points Boost can increase the value of your points by up to 50% on eligible bookings.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 4.0 Add to Compare Learn more Annual fee $395 Welcome offer 75,000 bonus miles Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening Introductory purchase APR N/A Ongoing purchase APR 19.49% - 28.49% variable Introductory balance transfer APR N/A Ongoing balance transfer APR N/A 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel 2x miles on all other purchases Pros Simple rewards structure Transfer to travel partners Annual credits Cons High annual fee Requires booking with Capital One for best rates Frequent travelers will get the best value $300 annual credit for travel bookings through Capital One Travel 10,000 annual bonus miles (worth $100 in travel spending; starts on your first account anniversary) Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass lounges, after enrollment The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium rewards card, but it has a relatively lower annual fee than other luxury card options and no shortage of great perks and rewards. The $300 annual Capital One Travel credit can go a long way toward making up the annual fee cost on its own, as well as 10,000 bonus miles each year after your first anniversary, access to Capital One Lounges and partner lounge networks, and more. To make the most of earning rewards, you will need to book travel through Capital One Travel. Hotels and rental car bookings earn 10x miles while flights and vacation rentals earn 5x. Both are much higher than the standard 2x on every purchase — though that can also help you maximize regular spending for a future trip.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening

10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel

Requires booking with Capital One for best rates

Frequent travelers will get the best value

$300 annual credit for travel bookings through Capital One Travel

10,000 annual bonus miles (worth $100 in travel spending; starts on your first account anniversary)

Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass lounges, after enrollment

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium rewards card, but it has a relatively lower annual fee than other luxury card options and no shortage of great perks and rewards. The $300 annual Capital One Travel credit can go a long way toward making up the annual fee cost on its own, as well as 10,000 bonus miles each year after your first anniversary, access to Capital One Lounges and partner lounge networks, and more.

To make the most of earning rewards, you will need to book travel through Capital One Travel. Hotels and rental car bookings earn 10x miles while flights and vacation rentals earn 5x. Both are much higher than the standard 2x on every purchase — though that can also help you maximize regular spending for a future trip.

American Express® Gold Card ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 4.0 Add to Compare Learn more Rates & Fees, terms apply Annual fee $325 Welcome offer As high as 100,000 points You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of membership. (Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.) Introductory purchase APR N/A Ongoing purchase APR See Pay Over Time APR Introductory balance transfer APR N/A Ongoing balance transfer APR N/A 5x Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ 4x Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x) 4x Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x) 3x Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines, on AmexTravel.com, or on the Amex Travel App™ 2x Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™, and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com 1x Membership Rewards® points on all other eligible purchases Pros Rewards on everyday spending Annual credits Membership Rewards Cons High annual fee Lower earnings on travel Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month when you pay with your American Express Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder (enrollment required) Up to $100 in annual statement credits ($50 semi-annually) when you use your American Express Gold Card on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants on the Resy app or Resy.com Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide (eligible charges vary by property) The American Express Gold Card is a travel card that offers some of the best rewards today on regular spending. You'll earn rewards when you dine out and when you shop at the supermarket to cook at home (up to limits). You can maximize food spending when you travel, since the dining category applies to restaurants worldwide. The Gold Card also comes with a wide range of annual credits you can use at home or when you travel. Always read the details of each credit so you know when to enroll and when the credit resets. These perks, combined with ongoing travel rewards and flexible redemption options, make the Amex Gold a solid choice for frequent travelers and those who only travel a few times per year.

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of membership. (Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.)

5x Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™

4x Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)

4x Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)

3x Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines, on AmexTravel.com, or on the Amex Travel App™

2x Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™, and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com

1x Membership Rewards® points on all other eligible purchases

Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month when you pay with your American Express Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder (enrollment required)

Up to $100 in annual statement credits ($50 semi-annually) when you use your American Express Gold Card on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants on the Resy app or Resy.com

Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide (eligible charges vary by property)

The American Express Gold Card is a travel card that offers some of the best rewards today on regular spending. You'll earn rewards when you dine out and when you shop at the supermarket to cook at home (up to limits). You can maximize food spending when you travel, since the dining category applies to restaurants worldwide.

The Gold Card also comes with a wide range of annual credits you can use at home or when you travel. Always read the details of each credit so you know when to enroll and when the credit resets. These perks, combined with ongoing travel rewards and flexible redemption options, make the Amex Gold a solid choice for frequent travelers and those who only travel a few times per year.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ 3.0 Add to Compare Learn more Rates & Fees, terms apply Annual fee $350 Welcome offer As high as 90,000 bonus miles You may be eligible for as high as 90,000 Bonus Miles and a $300 Statement Credit after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply to find out your offer (terms apply; offer ends 11/04/2026). Introductory purchase APR N/A Ongoing purchase APR 19.49%-28.49% Variable Introductory balance transfer APR N/A Ongoing balance transfer APR N/A 3x miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels 2x miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets 1x miles on all other eligible purchases Pros Complimentary companion certificate for select destinations First checked bag free; second bag free for domestic flights Cons Fairly limited redemption options Receive a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card (terms apply) Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required Check your first bag for free on Delta flights worldwide and get a second bag free when flying domestically If you're a frequent Delta Air Lines flyer, you can gain plenty of annual value with a Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex card. Rewards span travel and everyday spending and benefits include a faster path to elite Medallion status, 15% savings on award flights, and more. Most notably, this card comes with an annual companion certificate which you can use on any round-trip, main cabin flight within the U.S. or to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America (plus taxes and fees).

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

You may be eligible for as high as 90,000 Bonus Miles and a $300 Statement Credit after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply to find out your offer (terms apply; offer ends 11/04/2026).

3x miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels

2x miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets

1x miles on all other eligible purchases

Complimentary companion certificate for select destinations

First checked bag free; second bag free for domestic flights

Receive a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card (terms apply)

Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required

Check your first bag for free on Delta flights worldwide and get a second bag free when flying domestically

If you're a frequent Delta Air Lines flyer, you can gain plenty of annual value with a Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex card. Rewards span travel and everyday spending and benefits include a faster path to elite Medallion status, 15% savings on award flights, and more. Most notably, this card comes with an annual companion certificate which you can use on any round-trip, main cabin flight within the U.S. or to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America (plus taxes and fees).

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 4.0 Add to Compare Learn more Annual fee $149 Welcome offer 55,000 bonus points Earn 55,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points after spending $1,500 within the first 3 months from account opening Introductory purchase APR N/A Ongoing purchase APR 19.24% - 27.74% variable Introductory balance transfer APR N/A Ongoing balance transfer APR N/A 3x points on Southwest purchases 2x at grocery stores and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year 1x points on all other purchases Pros Annual bonus points Travel protections Cons Spending cap for rewards Limited value outside of Southwest Earn 6,000 points each year on your account anniversary First checked bag free for you and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation Get 25% back on inflight purchases 10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points boost each year We like each of the Southwest credit cards, but the Rapid Rewards Premier card is our top pick because it combines a manageable annual fee with boosted Southwest rewards and solid benefits when you fly Southwest. That includes 6,000 points and a 15% flight discount every anniversary year, a faster path to A-List, the option to choose a Standard or Preferred seat (when available) within 48 hours of departure, and more.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Earn 55,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points after spending $1,500 within the first 3 months from account opening

2x at grocery stores and restaurants on the first $8,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year

Earn 6,000 points each year on your account anniversary

First checked bag free for you and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation

10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points boost each year

We like each of the Southwest credit cards, but the Rapid Rewards Premier card is our top pick because it combines a manageable annual fee with boosted Southwest rewards and solid benefits when you fly Southwest. That includes 6,000 points and a 15% flight discount every anniversary year, a faster path to A-List, the option to choose a Standard or Preferred seat (when available) within 48 hours of departure, and more.

United Quest℠ Card ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 4.0 Add to Compare Learn more Annual fee $350 Welcome offer 60,000 bonus miles Earn 60,000 United MileagePlus bonus miles and 500 PQP after spending $4,000 on qualifying purchases in the first three months of opening an account Introductory purchase APR N/A Ongoing purchase APR 19.74% - 28.24% Variable Introductory balance transfer APR N/A Ongoing balance transfer APR N/A 10x total miles on eligible United flights 4x miles on all other eligible United purchases 2x miles on dining, select streaming services, and all other travel 1x miles on all other purchases Pros Purchase and travel protections Cons High annual fee Cardmembers earn big on qualifying United purchases Free first and second checked bags + priority boarding Receive a $200 United® travel credit and 10,000-mile award flight discount on each account anniversary Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles; Premier members save even more The United Quest Card annual fee is higher than some other United Airlines credit card options, but you'll get ample benefits that can help make up the cost if you fly United at least a few times per year. Some of those perks include a $200 annual United travel credit, a 10,000-mile discount toward an award flight each anniversary year, a jumpstart toward Premier status, and more.

Earn 60,000 United MileagePlus bonus miles and 500 PQP after spending $4,000 on qualifying purchases in the first three months of opening an account

10x total miles on eligible United flights

4x miles on all other eligible United purchases

2x miles on dining, select streaming services, and all other travel

Cardmembers earn big on qualifying United purchases

Free first and second checked bags + priority boarding

Receive a $200 United® travel credit and 10,000-mile award flight discount on each account anniversary

Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles; Premier members save even more

The United Quest Card annual fee is higher than some other United Airlines credit card options, but you'll get ample benefits that can help make up the cost if you fly United at least a few times per year. Some of those perks include a $200 annual United travel credit, a 10,000-mile discount toward an award flight each anniversary year, a jumpstart toward Premier status, and more.

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 4.0 Add to Compare Learn more Annual fee $99 Welcome offer 140,000 bonus points Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening Introductory purchase APR N/A Ongoing purchase APR 19.24% - 27.74% Variable Introductory balance transfer APR N/A Ongoing balance transfer APR N/A Up to 26x points at IHG hotels and resorts 5x points on travel, dining, and at gas stations 3x points on all other purchases Pros Generous rewards No foreign transaction fees Cons Limited redemptions Requires high spending Earn a free night on each account anniversary, plus get a fourth night free when you redeem your points for a consecutive four-night stay at IHG properties Receive Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS statement credit of up to $120 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card Access perks including free upgrades, welcome amenities, and guaranteed room availability when you book at least 72 hours in advance The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is our pick for travelers who prefer to stay in IHG Hotels (which include brands like InterContinental, Kimpton, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, and more). Annual perks include automatic Platinum Elite status; an anniversary free night worth up to 40,000 points; and both a $100 statement credit and 10,000 points when you spend $20,000 in a calendar year. If you're also a United Airlines frequent flyer, you can also get up to $50 United TravelBank Cash each calendar year when you connect your card to your United MileagePlus account.

Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening

Up to 26x points at IHG hotels and resorts

5x points on travel, dining, and at gas stations

Earn a free night on each account anniversary, plus get a fourth night free when you redeem your points for a consecutive four-night stay at IHG properties

Receive Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS statement credit of up to $120 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card

Access perks including free upgrades, welcome amenities, and guaranteed room availability when you book at least 72 hours in advance

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is our pick for travelers who prefer to stay in IHG Hotels (which include brands like InterContinental, Kimpton, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, and more). Annual perks include automatic Platinum Elite status; an anniversary free night worth up to 40,000 points; and both a $100 statement credit and 10,000 points when you spend $20,000 in a calendar year. If you're also a United Airlines frequent flyer, you can also get up to $50 United TravelBank Cash each calendar year when you connect your card to your United MileagePlus account.

Hilton Honors American Express Card ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ 3.0 Add to Compare Learn more Rates & Fees, terms apply Annual fee $0 Welcome offer 70,000 bonus points Earn 70,000 Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first 6 months of Card Membership (offer ends 01/13/2027) Introductory purchase APR N/A Ongoing purchase APR 19.49%-28.49% Variable Introductory balance transfer APR N/A Ongoing balance transfer APR N/A 7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio 5x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations 3x Hilton Honors Bonus Points on all other eligible purchases Pros No foreign transaction fee Automatic Silver Status Second guest stays free Cons Must be loyal to Hilton Low point redemption $0 annual fee Spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors Gold status through the end of the next calendar year. With Gold status, you can enjoy: An 80% Bonus on Base Points you earn on every stay, Space-available room upgrades at select properties, A daily food & beverage credit at select brands in the U.S. and complimentary continental breakfast at select brands outside of the U.S., and Fifth night free when you book a standard room stay with 100% Points. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a prime example of how much value you can get from a travel card without paying an annual fee (see rates & fees). This card is light on benefits, but it offers big bonus rewards on spending — including a minimum 3x points on purchases that aren't in bonus categories. You can also earn a huge welcome bonus and get complimentary Silver status with Hilton Honors.

Earn 70,000 Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first 6 months of Card Membership (offer ends 01/13/2027)

7x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio

5x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations

3x Hilton Honors Bonus Points on all other eligible purchases

Spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors Gold status through the end of the next calendar year. With Gold status, you can enjoy: An 80% Bonus on Base Points you earn on every stay, Space-available room upgrades at select properties, A daily food & beverage credit at select brands in the U.S. and complimentary continental breakfast at select brands outside of the U.S., and Fifth night free when you book a standard room stay with 100% Points.

Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a prime example of how much value you can get from a travel card without paying an annual fee (see rates & fees). This card is light on benefits, but it offers big bonus rewards on spending — including a minimum 3x points on purchases that aren't in bonus categories. You can also earn a huge welcome bonus and get complimentary Silver status with Hilton Honors.

Learn more about our best picks for travel credit cards (2026)

Travel credit cards offer points and miles rewards on your spending, which you can use toward travel-related redemptions, such as flights, hotel stays, and car rentals. You'll often earn the highest rewards rate on travel purchases with a travel credit card. However, many also offer boosted rewards on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and more.

When you're comparing travel credit cards, it's useful to separate them into two distinct types: general travel rewards cards and co-branded airline and hotel credit cards.

With a general travel credit card, you'll have a number of flexible redemption options when you're ready to redeem your points and miles.

Travel card issuers generally have their own travel portals, like Chase Travel or American Express Travel, where you can book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. These programs also have a number of travel transfer partners to which you can directly transfer points or miles. For example, American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to Delta SkyMiles at a rate of 1:1.

The flexibility of general travel cards means you can use your rewards to travel with different airlines or hotel brands. Each time you're ready to book, simply shop around between the portal or partners and compare the best options for your specific travel plans.

These credit cards also have other redemption options, such as statement credits, gift cards, and cash back. But you'll get the best value by redeeming rewards for travel.

Co-branded travel cards are best suited for travelers who prefer to fly with a specific airline or stay at a certain hotel chain.

An airline card may get you priority boarding, upgrades, free checked bags, and in-flight discounts. A hotel card may offer early check-in or late checkout, annual free night awards, and on-site credits. Co-branded travel cards aren't for everyone, but they can add a lot to your travel experience if you have a strong airline or hotel preference.

What to look for in a travel credit card

Here are a few key details to look for in any new travel credit card:

You can find solid no annual fee cards with travel rewards on spending and few added benefits, but premium travel cards with high annual fees often come with an abundance of valuable benefits and perks that can potentially give you even more value back each year.

To make an annual fee worth it for you, make sure you can get enough out of the rewards and benefits each year to outweigh the cost — without spending more than you otherwise would or can afford.

For new cardholders, a sign-up bonus can offer major first-year value. These bonuses range from 10,000 to over 100,000 bonus points or miles — which can translate to hundreds of dollars in future travel.

Earning rewards with a travel card often works in one of two ways. You'll either earn rewards on your everyday spending (groceries, gas stations, restaurants) to redeem toward future travel, or earn rewards on your travel spending to put toward future travel.

Many travel rewards credit cards — especially the most premium cards with high annual fees — really shine when it comes to added perks and benefits. These benefits can help you offset the annual fee and save money each time you travel.

Take the premium Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, for example. Each year, you'll get a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) on your account anniversary. Already, that's enough to wipe out the annual cost — before accounting for any rewards and other benefits (like up to $120 in fee credits toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership).

One unique aspect of travel credit cards is the protections you can get as a cardholder when you travel. Common protections offered by travel credit cards include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, car rental insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, access to emergency assistance services, and more.

As long as you pay for your travel expenses with the card (booking flights, hotels, tours, etc.) you can qualify for these travel protection benefits. Like any coverage, though, make sure to read the fine print of what your individual card offers. These benefits can vary greatly between different travel cards, so make sure to look for details in your card agreement.

Travel rewards credit cards can make a great addition to your wallet, even if you only travel a few times per year. Be sure to compare different travel card options to find the combination of annual fee, rewards, benefits, and sign-up bonus that works best for your travel plans and spending.

There may be a few reasons why a travel credit card isn't right for you, though:

You're already in credit card debt. Avoid adding another card — especially one with a potentially high annual fee — to your wallet if you already have high-interest debt. Eliminating those balances will help you save a lot more in interest than any value travel rewards could offer.

You don't want to keep up with a rewards strategy. Travel credit cards can be most lucrative if you maximize how you earn and redeem rewards. If you don't want to spend the time strategizing bonus categories and the best redemption options, a credit card with a simpler rewards structure may be better for you.

You don't have great credit. Travel credit cards generally require a good-to-excellent credit score to qualify for approval. If your credit isn't in a great place right now, focus on improving your score before you apply for a new card.

Travel credit cards frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Travel credit cards are worth it if you get more value from the card's benefits and rewards than you pay in potential costs, such as an annual fee. Unlike some other rewards cards, like cash-back credit cards, travel cards are more likely to carry annual fees in exchange for their high rewards rates and annual benefits. They might not be worth it if you don't travel enough to take advantage of perks like travel credits, lounge access, or upgrades.

However, a travel card may still be worth it if you're not a very frequent traveler. Even if you travel only once or twice per year, you can accumulate points throughout the year to offset your airfare and hotel costs when you do go on a trip.

Which card is better for international travel?

When traveling abroad, look for credit cards that don't charge foreign transaction fees. All of the cards on the list above waive foreign transaction fees, so you won't have to worry about extra charges when you use them to travel internationally.

One thing to keep in mind while traveling abroad is worldwide acceptance of your card. It can be useful to travel with more than one credit card on different card networks (these include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover).

To begin our search for the best travel cards, we compile a list of over 70 credit cards from major issuers that offer travel rewards and benefits. This includes general travel credit cards as well as co-branded hotel and airline credit cards.

From there, we create a comprehensive weighted rubric focused on card details specific to travelers. These cover both long-term and first-year card value. The highest-weighted metrics include rewards, annual benefits, redemption options, and a comparison of the welcome bonus value to the card's annual fee. Other factors we consider are the welcome bonus spending requirement, annual fee, foreign transaction fees, and our expert editorial opinions.

The final picks on our list are the highest-rated cards within this weighted rubric. We separate general travel cards first, which are the most flexible options for the broadest range of cardholders. But we also include top-rated airline and hotel cards for frequent travelers who may gain more value with their preferred loyalty program.

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank's website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.