Last updated on November 10th, 2020
All travel rewards credit cards are designed to help consumers earn points towards their next tropical vacation or business trip. The best travel cards, however, offer perks that extend well beyond only earning points. Finding the best bang for your buck isn’t always easy – and there are a lot of cards to pick from. If you are searching for your next travel credit card but don’t know where to start, don’t worry. Our team of editors has got you covered. The credit card experts at BestCards.com have compiled a list of the best travel rewards credit cards for 2020. We’ve examined dozens of airline rewards cards, hotel rewards cards, and general travel credit cards. Our results found the cards that offer the most flexibility for earning and redeeming travel rewards. In addition, you’ll know which give the best value for money. Check out our top travel cards for 2020 below.
Best Premium Travel Rewards Credit Cards
In the travel credit card space, the more lavish offers are usually the winners. Though they have considerably higher annual fees, premium travel cards are full of benefits and perks. There are even attributes that can help reduce the overall cost of the annual fee. Recent years have seen stiffer competition for the top of the totem pole, but established names like American Express and Chase still rule.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points + Up to 10X Points
- Regular Purchase APR See Pay Over Time APR
- Cash Advance APR 25.24% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Annual Fee $695
- Credit Needed Excellent
- Processing Network American Express
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel. Starting January 1, 2021, earn 5X points on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year
- 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com
- $200 Airline Fee Credit, up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more when you select one 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
- Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection
- VIP status and $200 Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually
- Complimentary Gold status in Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors programs
- Complimentary membership in premium car rental programs
- $240 Digital Entertainment statement credit
- $175 CLEAR statement credit
- $300 Equinox Statement credit
- Regular Purchase APR: See Pay Over Time APR
- Cash Advance APR: 25.24% 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
In the world of travel rewards cards, the Platinum Card is our current champion. This card is the pinnacle of the American Express (Amex) range of charge cards and offers a vast assortment of benefits for travelers who do not mind paying the $595 annual fee. The Platinum Card earns 5X points on flights or hotels booked directly with American Express Travel, but that is just the beginning. Cardholders also benefit from statement credits for TSA Precheck or Global Entry, a $200 credit for additional airline fees each year, and access to over 1,200 airport lounges in the U.S. and abroad, as well as to the AMEX Lounge Collection, which includes the Centurion Lounge. In addition to high-powered rewards, the Platinum Card also offers a dizzying amount of hotel perks, including gold status in the Hilton Honors program and gold elite status with Marriot Bonvoy, making it an exceptional choice for those who often travel and want to get their penny’s worth.
U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
Earn 50,000 Bonus Points
- Regular Purchase APR 16.99% to 23.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR 16.99% to 23.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance APR 25.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Annual Fee $400
- Credit Needed Excellent
- Processing Network Visa
- Earn 50,000 bonus enrollment points after making $4,500 in the first 90 days as a cardholder
- Earn 3X points for every $1 on eligible net travel purchases and mobile wallet spending
- Stay connected with 12 complimentary Gogo® Inflight Wi-Fi passes per year
- Complimentary 12-month Priority Pass™ Select membership that gives access to more than 1,300 VIP lounges worldwide
- Regular Purchase APR: 16.99% to 23.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 16.99% to 23.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 25.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Annual Fee: $400
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite is an ultra-premium travel rewards credit card that might not be at the top of everyone’s “best travel rewards card” list – but it should be. Here’s why: The Altitude Reserve earns 3X points on travel purchases, which is standard among luxury travel cards. The card also earns 3X points on mobile wallet purchases, however, making it easy for cardholders to quickly amass a huge point tally with everyday purchases that might only earn a single point with other travel cards such as the Platinum Card from Amex. The Altitude Reserve Card also comes with wonderful travel benefits, such as a TSA Precheck statement credit, 12 complimentary passes to Gogo Wi-Fi each year, a free one-year subscription to Priority Pass Select, and a $350 statement credit for travel fees.
Best Mid-Tier Travel Rewards Cards
For travelers who’d rather not part with close to $600 a year for a credit card, mid-tier travel cards can still offer tremendous benefit. This range of credit cards is typically seen as the “starter card” rank for wanderlusters, but given that the travel category is intrinsically higher up the pole than a traditional unsecured card, they are “starters” in name only.
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Earn 100,000 Bonus Points
- Regular Purchase APR 15.99% to 22.99% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR 15.99% to 22.99% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate
- Cash Advance APR 24.99% variable based on Prime Rate
- Annual Fee $95
- Credit Needed Excellent , Good
- Processing Network Visa
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from opening
- Earn 2X points on travel and dining, including airfare, hotels, cafés, and more
- Earn 1 point per dollar spent on every other purchase
- Get 25% more in travel redemption when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 1:1 point transfer to various airline and hotel travel partners
- No foreign transaction fees
- Regular Purchase APR: 15.99% to 22.99% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 15.99% to 22.99% variable based on creditworthiness and Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 5% of each transfer amount, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 24.99% variable based on Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of each transaction amount, whichever is greater
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Annual Fee: $95
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
While most attention is usually given to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, its sister card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a great travel card for those who want impressive travel perks but would prefer a card that doesn’t share the hefty price tag of the Reserve. For the mid-range traveler, the Preferred is perhaps the best travel rewards credit card of 2019, and it is easy to see why. The card earns 2X points on travel and dining, with a hefty sign-up bonus to boot. Plus, cardholders get an extra 25% in travel redemptions through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, which is one of the best in the business.
American Express® Green Card
Earn 45,000 Membership Rewards Points
- Regular Purchase APR See Pay Over Time APR
- Cash Advance APR 25.24% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Annual Fee $150
- Credit Needed Excellent
- Processing Network American Express
- Earn 3X points on all eligible travel (flights, hotels, transit, taxis, tours, ridesharing)
- Earn 3X points at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery
- Earn 1X points on all other purchases
- Receive up to $100 per year in statement credits to pay for your CLEAR® membership
- Earn up to $100 in statement credits per calendar year on your LoungeBuddy purchases
- Baggage insurance plan up to $1,250
- Regular Purchase APR: See Pay Over Time APR
- Cash Advance APR: 25.24% 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: $150
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
The Chase Sapphire range of credit cards, including the Preferred Card, may be considered among the contenders for the “best travel credit card 2019,” but for mid-range credit cards 2020 looks to be the year of the American Express Green Card. Recently relaunched, the Green Card packs a lot of punch for its $150 annual fee. The card earns 3X points on travel (including public transport and rideshares) and restaurants, and comes with several excellent perks, including $100 statement credits for both CLEAR security fast-track and Loungebuddy each year.
Best No Annual Fee Travel Rewards Card
Travel credit cards and annual fees almost always go hand-in-hand, but there are some hidden gems that pack the perks without the punch to the wallet.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card
Earn 30,000 Bonus Points
- Regular Purchase APR 15.99% to 22.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR 15.99% to 22.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance APR 24.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Annual Fee None
- Credit Needed Excellent , Good
- Processing Network Visa
- Earn 30,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in your first three months from opening your account
- 3x points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy™ hotels
- 2x points for every $1 you spend on travel purchases
- 1x point for every $1 you spend on all other purchases
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually - automatically qualify for Silver Elite status
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fee
- Regular Purchase APR: 15.99% to 22.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 15.99% to 22.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 24.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Penalty APR: Up to 29.99%
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
There are plenty of great no annual fee hotel rewards credit cards on the market, but our money is on the Marriott Bonvoy Bold. The card earns 3X points at over 7,000 Marriott properties worldwide, 2X points on travel, and 1X points on everything else. Cardholders also receive 15 Elite Night Credits each year – suitable for Bonvoy silver elite status. Best of all, these perks are available sans an annual renewal fee.
Find the Best Credit Card for You Today
Deciding which travel card is best can be a daunting task. It’s best to look at your budget, as well as your financial goals, before making a final decision. Take into consideration how often you’ll use this card – will you use it enough to offset a hefty annual fee? Will you take advantage of a generous introductory bonus? Or do you prefer a card that may have a few less perks but saves you money with no annual fee? These questions are a good place to begin, before your credit card search as ultimately, they will help inform your final decision. Do your research – and read our full reviews for each travel card, too! BestCards.com is a leading credit card review site that offers consumers comprehensive – and impartial – reviews on hundreds of cards offers. No matter what you are looking for, from credit cards from the world’s biggest issuers to offers from regional credit unions, you can find it at BestCards. Our team is constantly searching for the latest credit card offers and brings you the information you need – without the filler. So, what are you waiting for? Check out some of our hundreds of credit card reviews and find your best card today.
