11 Awesome Credit Cards To Consider Before Your Next Trip

best travel credit cards

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Before booking that flight, reserving that hotel room or even dining out with your girlfriends this weekend, consider signing up for one of these travel credit cards, all of which have zero foreign transaction fees or blackout periods. Having one in your wallet will snag you rewards and perks that are perfect for your next vacay, as well as help you build your credit so you can achieve financial freedom.

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Wherever you’re going, this card will have your back. If you’re flying, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all travel while also earning 2 points per dollar on dining at all restaurants worldwide. Even better, you’ll earn 1 point per dollar on everything else. When you sign up, you’ll pay nothing for the first year (then it’s just $95 annually after that) and receive a bonus of 50,000 points if you spend $4,000 or more in the first three months. You can book right through the Chase Ultimate Rewards platform, too.

2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

If you’re a frequent flyer, this card is a must for booking any hotel. You’ll earn 10 miles per dollar on thousands of hotels worldwide via Hotels.com/Venture, plus 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases. The best part? The sign-up bonus is 50,000 miles when you spend $3,000 in the first three months, too. But wait, there’s more — you’ll also have no annual fee for the first year (just $95 after that), saving you even more.

3. The Platinum Card From American Express

best travel credit cards
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Now, this card may have an annual fee of $550, but its perks are almost priceless. Spend $5,000 in there first three months and you’ll earn 60,000 points. You’ll also earn 5 membership points per dollar on flights booked with American Express Travel or directly with airlines and 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked at amextravel.com. You’ll also enjoy Uber VIP status and get free rides with Uber that cost less than $15 per month, plus a bonus $20 in December. Next, you’ll get complimentary benefits with an average total of $550 at Fine Hotels and Resorts and access to the Global Lounge Collection airport lounge. Then, you’ll get $200 in airline fee credit, up to $200 per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one airline. Lastly, you can also enroll in perks at Saks Fifth Avenue to get up to $100 per year in statement credit. According to The Points Guy, that’s a total value of about $1,400!

4. Discover It Miles Card

Discover credit cards are great because annual fees are rare. With the Miles Card, you’ll enjoy 1.5 miles per dollar spent on any and all purchases. During your first year, you’ll earn a guaranteed bonus where Discover will match the total amount of miles you earned, too, which will give you double the travel power! Enjoy no blackout dates, free FICO scores, social security number protection and a quick freeze feature where you can lock down your account in case you lose your card.

5. Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card

You might use Wells Fargo for your everyday banking, but it also offers a great travel credit card. The Propel card offers no annual free, 3 points per dollar spent eating out and ordering in, at gas stations and on travel, including flights, hotels, home stays and car rentals. After that, you’ll earn 1 point per dollar on everything else. If you spend $3,000 in the first three months, you’ll also receive 30,000 bonus points. You’ll also enjoy a 0 percent interest rate during your first year.

6. Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card

If you’re a traveler who needs a place to stay more often than a flight, this Hilton Honors card is great. The annual fee is just $95, but that’s nothing in comparison to the money you’ll save on hotel rooms. You’ll earn 12 points per dollar spent at Hilton hotels, 6 points per dollar spent at qualifying supermarkets and gas stations and 3 points per dollar on all other qualifying purchases. Even better, when you sign up, you can earn 125,000 bonus points when you spend $2,000 in the first three months. You’ll also be given complimentary Gold member status at Hilton hotels, and can also earn a free weekend night stay when you spend $15,000 per calendar year.

7. Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard

With an annual fee of just $89, which is waived your first year, this card is more affordable than some of the others on our list. It also offers 2 miles per dollar spent on any and all purchases, plus 5 percent miles back for you next redemption every time you redeem. When you sign up, you’ll also receive 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first 90 days. Even better, there are no restrictions on airlines, seats or hotels, and your miles never expire as long as you account is active.

8. American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card

american airlines credit card
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Now, this card is airline specific, but it’s made our list for good reasons. There’s no annual fee, and you’ll get a bunch of perks on all American Airlines flights. Earn 2 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent at grocery stores and grocery delivery services and on all American Airline purchases. After that, you’ll earn 1 AAdvantage mile per dollar spent on everything else. When you sign up, you can also earn 10,000 bonus miles and a $50 statement credit after you spend $500 in the first three months. Once on your American Airlines flight, you’ll save 25 percent on all in-flight food and beverage purchases.

9. Citi Premier Card

Earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel including gas stations, 2 points per dollar spent at restaurants and entertainment, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases with this card. Your annual fee of $95 will be waived your first year, and you can also receive 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. The 50,000 points can be redeemed for up to $625 in airfare or $500 in gift cards at ThankYou.com. Plus, they never expire.

10. Uber Visa Card

When you’re traveling, you might need to call an Uber to get from your hotel to the restaurant or an attraction, so this card can definitely come in handy. Earn 4 percent cash back on all dining, 3 percent cash back on all airfare and hotels, 3 percent cash back on all online purchases and then 1 percent cash back on everything else. There’s no annual fee, and you can earn up to $100 as a bonus when you spend $500 in the first 90 days. There are even more rewards, too, that can help you save money all year long on things back at home like your phone bill and video streaming services.

11. Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card

Although you’re not going to earn miles for flights or hotel points with this card, you’ll be able to save money on everything you need before you go on that trip. With no annual fee, you’ll earn 3 percent cash back on all purchases at Amazon and Whole Foods, 2 percent cash back on all purchases at drugstores, restaurants and gas stations, and then 1 percent back on all other purchases. Once you earn all of those rewards, redeem them for anything and everything you need on Amazon. You’ll also get some helpful protection when you travel, like lost luggage reimbursement, baggage day insurance, travel accident insurance and travel and emergency assistance. Book a stay within the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection and enjoy VIP status and room upgrades. Sign up now and you’ll even get a $50 Amazon gift card upon approval.

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