The holiday season is back upon us – meaning the dreaded holiday travel season has returned. Before you charge head-on into a sea of humanity at airport security, check out our best credit card options for holiday travel – and how they can make it less miserable this year.
At a Glance
What are the Best Holiday Travel Credit Cards ?
Enough with the formalities. Here are our top card picks for last-minute holiday travel:
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
- See Pay Over Time APR Regular Purchase APR
- 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
Luxury is always within reach when you use The Platinum Card® from American Express. This exclusive rewards card offers premium travel rewards and a host of additional perks for the savvy voyager. Uber Cash and complimentary lounge access are just a few of the more practical perks that lend ongoing value to Platinum Card members beyond the impressive signup bonus.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
- 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline
- Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®
- VIP status and $200 Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the U.S. annually
- Complimentary Gold status in Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors programs
- Complimentary membership in premium car rental programs
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $179 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $179 back per year on your CLEAR® membership
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $25 back each month on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax
- Terms Apply
- Regular Purchase APR: See Pay Over Time APR
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Penalty APR: See Rates & Fees
- Annual Fee: $695
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- You travel often and can take advantage of a myriad of benefits including access to airport lounges and Uber credits
- you intend to sign up for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®
- You prefer airline flexibility when redeeming points for travel
- You’re likely spend $6,000 within the first six months as a cardholder to receive the card’s welcome offer
- You’ll take advantage of exclusive events and experiences available only to Platinum cardholders
Thanks to its impressive lounge perks, The Platinum Card® from American Express still reigns supreme as the ultimate travel card. Unlike many on this list, the Platinum Card offers far more than just Priority Pass Select. Cardmembers gain access to the prestigious Centurion Lounges from Amex and Delta’s SkyClub and the 1,500+ Priority Pass locations worldwide.
Travel is made just-that-more-easier thanks to $175 CLEAR statement credits, plus other credits for travel-related purchases. These credits include a $100 airline credit, a $200 hotel credit, and more. Not bad for a card that many carelessly deride as a glorified coupon book.
The card does earn solid points on travel – namely:
- 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
- 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com
- 1X Membership Rewards® Points on all other purchases
Those decent rewards on travel are typically improved by lucrative welcome offers – often valued at $750 or more. Those points can then be channeled to the frequent flyer or hotel loyalty program of your choosing. While not every program teams with Amex, most of the very biggest and best do, including:
| AeroMexico (Club Premier) | Avianca (LifeMiles) | Emirates (Skywards) |
| Air Canada (Aeroplan) | British Airways (Executive Club) | Etihad (Guest) |
| Aer Lingus (AerClub) | Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles) | Air France/KLM (Flying Blue) |
| All Nippon Airways (ANA Miles) | Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles) | Hawaiian Airlines (HawaiianMiles) |
| Iberia Plus | Choice Privileges | Hilton Honors |
| Marriott Bonvoy | JetBlue (TrueBlue) | Marriott Bonvoy |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club) |
And when you hit the airport, you can fast track thanks to either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Platinum Card®. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- 20.99% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
If Delta is your airline of choice when planning trips for work or leisure, then you’ll enjoy the benefits available to you through the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion ® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights – good through 12/31/23. Effective 1/1/24 this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.com
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases
- Get access to Delta Sky Club® at a rate of $50 per person per visit for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta Flight from now until 12/31/23. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck
- No foreign transaction fees
- $250 Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
- Regular Purchase APR: 20.99% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Penalty APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Annual Fee: $250
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- You frequently book travel with Delta Air Lines
- Your frequent travel also has you making numerous hotel bookings each year
- You tend to make dining and supermarket purchases on the same card for convenience and enhanced points earning potential
- You’re looking to enroll in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
- You’re looking for a card with elevated travel perks for both you and those who join you
If you aren’t comfortable with the $695 annual fee the Platinum Card charges, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is another premium option to consider. If you prefer to travel with Delta Air Lines, this airline card offers you your first checked bag free, access to Delta Sky Club® at a rate of $50 per person per visit for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight, an annual companion certificate, 20% in-flight savings when using the card on Delta flights, and more.
The card also lucrative SkyMiles on purchases: 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; and 1X Miles on all other purchases. Add on a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider, and you have a versatile travel card that can make your holiday blues melt away.
And just in case you have concerns about the protections and security features you can expect from Amex – don’t worry. American Express cards provide a comprehensive array of protections and benefits for cardmembers, including the following:
| Extended Warranty | Return Protection | Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance | Amex Concierge |
| Purchase Protection | Zero Fraud Liability | Trip Delay Insurance | Amex Offers |
But what if you don’t fly enough with Delta to justify that annual fee?
LATAM Airlines Mastercard
LATAM Airlines Mastercard
LATAM Airlines Mastercard
- 21.24% to 31.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
At a Glance
The LATAM Airlines Mastercard is an airline rewards credit card that can help supercharge your way towards a South American getaway. The card offers up to 3X miles on purchases, no hidden fees, and more – all for no annual fee.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Earn 15,000 miles after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first three months
- Earn 3X miles on LATAM purchases
- Earn 2X miles on dining, plus rideshares, taxis, and public transit
- Earn 1X miles on all other purchases
- Regular Purchase APR: 21.24% to 31.24% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- You travel to South America often
- You prefer to fly with LATAM Airlines
- You don’t want to pay an annual fee
Fortunately, there are other no annual fee options from SkyTeam carriers – including the Delta SkyMiles® Blue Amex Card. Another great option is the LATAM Airlines Mastercard from Cardless.
LATAM, one of South America’s leading carriers, is also a member of SkyTeam (and partially owned by Delta). The LATAM credit card earns up to 3X LATAM Pass miles on purchases, with no hidden fees of any kind. Like other Cardless credit cards, the LATAM cards charge no annual fee, no foreign transactions fees when using the card abroad, and no late fees whatsoever.
As mentioned, the LATAM Mastercard earns up to 3X on purchases. Here is how that breaks down:
- Earn 3X miles on LATAM purchases,
- 2X miles on dining, plus rideshares, taxis, and public transit, and
- 1X miles on all other purchases
Miles apply towards the usual redemption options, with flights the best value. And, as with Delta, you don’t have to worry about miles not getting you where you want to go; LATAM Pass miles apply towards award flights with the following airlines:
| Aeromexico | China Airlines | Garuda Indonesia | Air France | Saudia |
| Air Europa | China Eastern Airlines | Kenya Airlines | China Southern Airlines | TAROM |
| Aeroflot | Czech Airlines | LATAM | Korean Air | Vietnam Airlines |
| Aerolineas Argentinas | Delta Air Lines | KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | Middle East Airlines | XiamenAir |
| Air Europa | ITA Airways | Virgin Atlantic | Shanghai Airlines | JinAir |
If you like what you hear but want a lounge trip or two thrown in, consider the $99 annual fee LATAM Airlines World Elite Mastercard.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- 21.99% – 28.99% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 20.99% – 28.99% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 20.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
Through the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you’ll be able to earn an unlimited 2X reward miles per dollar spent on every purchase, every day, meaning there aren’t any annoying categories to memorize to maximize your miles. New Venture cardholders are also entitled to a whopping 60,000 bonus miles after 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months bonus offer.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Miles wo’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network
- Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase-or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Regular Purchase APR: 21.99% – 28.99% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 20.99% – 28.99% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that we may offer you. None for balances transferred at the Transfer APR.
- Cash Advance APR: 20.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: 3% of the amount of the cash advance, but not less than $3
- Annual Fee: $95
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- You travel frequently and can take advantage of the card’s 2X reward miles earning potential
- You do not want to jump through hoops when it comes to categories that earn you bonus miles
- You want an extra 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- You have excellent credit
Another travel card with a similar price tag is the Capital One Venture Rewards, formerly Capital One’s premier travel card (since overtaken by the Venture X). The $95 annual fee travel card isa perineal favorite of experts and travelers alike thanks to its simplicity. The card earns an unlimited 2X miles on every purchase. The beauty of the double miles on all purchases means cardholders don’t have to bother with cumbersome categories. Every dollar spent earns two points – it is that simple.
Like American Express, Capital One provides a comprehensive list of transfer options:
| AeroMexico (Club Premier) | British Airways (Executive Club) | EVA Air (Infinity Miles) |
| Air Canada (Aeroplan) | Emirates (Skywards) | Qantas Miles |
| Avianca (LifeMiles) | Etihad Guest | Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer) |
| Air France/KLM (Flying Blue) | Finnair Plus | TAP (Miles&Go) |
| Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles) | ALL (Accor Live Limitless) | Choice Privileges |
| Turkish Airlines (Miles&Smiles) |
For those looking for a no annual fee version, or an option for those with fair or good credit, Capital One also issues the Capital One VentureOne. Here is how the two cards stack up:
| Venture X Rewards | Venture Rewards | VentureOne Rewards | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rewards rate | Unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cards through Capital One Travel, 5X on flights through Capital One Travel, 2X miles on every other purchase | Unlimited 2X miles on every purchase | Unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase |
| Best perk | Capital One Lounge access | Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit | No foreign transaction fees |
| Annual fee | $395 | $95 annual fee | $0 annual fee |
Overall, the Venture Rewards Card is an excellent travel card for anyone who prefers points to perks but don’t want to pay a steep annual fee for a versatile card like the Platinum Card, Venture X, or Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Bilt Mastercard
Bilt Mastercard
Bilt Mastercard
- 21.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 21.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 29.24% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard is a unique rewards credit card from Wells Fargo that lets users earn 1X on monthly rent payments, 3X on travel, 2X on dining, and offers impressive perks including Lyft and DoorDash statement credits – all for no annual fee.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Earn 1X points on rent payments (up to 50,000 points each calendar year)
- Earn 2X points on travel
- Earn 3X points on dining
- Regular Purchase APR: 21.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 21.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Introductory fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that, up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5
- Cash Advance APR: 29.24% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each advance, whichever is greater
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- You rent and want to earn rewards on your monthly rental payments
- You’re a member of Bilt Rewards
- You don’t want to pay an annual fee
If you just want an everyday credit card with travel perks and no fuss, the Bilt Mastercard from Bilt Rewards and Wells Fargo is a great $0 annual fee option. The Bilt Card earns 3X points on dining, 2X on travel, and 1X on rent. Wait, what? Yep.
The Bilt Card is hailed as the “first-of-its-kind rent credit card.” Cardholders can use their card to pay rent with a vast array of properties owned by the Blackstone Group – the U. S’s largest real estate group. Cardholders earn 1X points on every $1 spent on rent through the Blackstone Group – up to $50,000 in spending each year.
Even better, you can earn points on rent even if your landlord isn’t in the Bilt Rewards Alliance. If your apartment doesn’t accept credit cards or you rent outside the Bilt Rewards Alliance of landlords, simply make your payment through Bilt’s mobile app, and the company will mail a physical check to your landlord.
Points earned apply for travel, classes through Soul Cycle, Y7 Studio, or Rumble, merchandise through the Bilt Collection, statement credits, or transferred at a 1:1 ratio with
| AAdvantage | Aeroplan | Emirates Skywards | Flying Blue |
| IHG Rewards | World of Hyatt | Virgin Points |
There is even greater value with programs like Bilt Dining (where you can earn up to 11X points when dining out) and Bilt Rent Day – the company’s 1st of the month promotion where members earn double points on all eligible purchases (excluding rent).
The Ultimate Bilt Rent Day Guide – April 2024
Looking to get the most out of your Bilt Rewards? Earn double points and more with Bilt Rent Day – here’s how!
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Featured image by eak_kkk / PixaBay
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