What's the best travel rewards card for you?

Quick insights

With so many credit cards offering travel rewards, deciding on the type of credit card that matches your needs can be overwhelming. By looking at the types of credit cards with travel rewards and understanding how they work, you may feel more confident deciding which card can meet your goals, whether that’s maximizing points, avoiding annual fees or making the travel experience more comfortable.

Types of credit cards with travel rewards

Airlines and hotels often partner with card issuers to create co-branded credit cards that include bonus points when you make purchases with that brand. But if you don't have a preferred hotel chain or airline, more general credit cards include similar bonuses for travel-related expenses across various hotels or airlines. Here's how they stack up.

General travel rewards credit card

Many travel credit cards include a rewards point system that provides you bonus points for spending within a defined set of categories. The more rewarding cards may include points bonuses when you spend on airfare, hotels, rental cars and even dining. A general travel rewards credit card won't require you to spend within a certain brand, so you can pick an airline or hotel brand based on your preferences.

Co-branded airline rewards credit card

Many card issuers partner with an airline brand to create what is known as a co-branded credit card. As you might expect, the largest rewards points bonuses for these types of cards kick in when you spend directly with the brand, airline or some of its affiliated travel partners. Features of these credit cards may include baggage discounts, lounge access at selected airports, deals on in-flight purchases and other helpful ways to enhance your travel experience.

Co-branded hotel rewards credit card

Some co-branded hotel rewards cards may include rewards programs that include additional travel partner deals for airfare or car rentals. As you add points through credit card spending, joining the partnered hotel's loyalty program may also add some benefits when you stay there, like complimentary Wi-Fi, discounts on meals or room upgrades.

How to get the most value from traveling with your rewards credit card

Understanding what your bonus spending categories are can be the first step to maximize your rewards earnings and redemptions. Whether you're using a general travel rewards card or a co-branded rewards card, strategically planning which of your typical purchases to make with the card can help you maximize your points earning potential. These additional tips can help you multiply the points you earn.

Taking advantage of a welcome bonus offer

If you're comparing rewards cards to apply for, you may want to consider the welcome bonus offer. These offers are often a way to earn points faster than you would in a standard rewards program, but you typically must meet a spending requirement within a set timeframe to qualify. For example, a card may offer 50,000 points to new cardmembers who spend $5,000 on new purchases in the first 3 months after opening the account.

If the card’s spending requirement, as well as its ongoing rewards categories, align with your typical spending habits, the card may be worth considering.

Selecting a card with travel features that matter to you

Take a look at the features and benefits that are offered before your trips: from room upgrades to a free checked bag to coverage for lost bags and canceled trips, evaluating what’s included with your card can help you use a card to help enhance your travel experience.

Enrolling in a loyalty program

If your travel rewards credit card is co-branded, joining that brand's loyalty program allows you to begin accruing rewards within the program on eligible purchases. Joining a loyalty program may also add perks for in-flight or on-site perks and, combined with your spending on the rewards credit card, it could help you attain elite status. Check the card’s terms for specific details.

Even if you're using a general travel rewards credit card, joining loyalty programs can help expand your travel redemption options. Many travel rewards credit cards offer the opportunity to transfer your points and redeem them for flights and hotel stays. For example, through Chase Ultimate Rewards^®, you can transfer points to airline and hotel partners with eligible Chase credit cards.

Making your next big purchase count

When you have a major upcoming purchase, paying with a rewards credit card could help you earn rewards, especially if it aligns with a rewards category or helps you meet the spending requirements of the welcome bonus offer.

Using your points or travel rewards card to pay for travel​

If you’re planning a trip, you may want to explore booking options through your credit card issuer. Paying for travel with your points—either through the card issuer’s travel portal or their transfer partners—typically offers a way to maximize their value. Depending on the credit card, this option can be one of the more competitive redemption options in terms of cash value.

In the card issuer’s portal, you can typically pay for purchases with points, your credit card or a combination of the two. For credit card purchases, you can often earn points at an accelerated rate through this portal.

Adding an authorized user

If you have a trusted, financially responsible family member, adding them as an authorized user to your credit card account may be worth considering. Many credit cards allow the primary cardmember to earn rewards on purchases made by authorized users.

How to pick the best travel rewards credit card for you

Once you know how travel rewards credit cards work, you can compare your options and pick the card that aligns with your travel and reward preferences.

1. Choosing the type of travel rewards credit card

If you make 10 or more hotel night stays at the same hotel each year, a travel rewards credit card partnered with a hotel brand could potentially be beneficial. You’ll often earn accelerated rewards on purchases with the hotel brand and may receive annual perks and automatic elite status.

If you plan on flying three or more times with one airline this year, a co-branded airline travel rewards credit card can help you earn points and perks as you fly. These cards might reward you for purchases with the airline and come with perks to make air travel more comfortable.

If you travel with a variety of hotel and airline brands, a general travel rewards card may be worth considering. These cards generally offer accelerated points earning potential on travel purchases, especially when booking through the card issuer’s travel portal.

Regardless of the type of travel credit card, you may be charged an annual fee. Evaluating this cost against the card’s value can help you determine if the fee is worth it.

2. Comparing reward programs and other benefits

Once you know if you prefer a co-branded or general travel rewards credit card, it may be helpful to compare the rewards program, benefits and other features of any cards you’re considering. As you compare cards, keeping your travel preferences and travel spending habits top of mind can help you choose an option that meets your needs.

3. Estimating points earning potential

Now that you've looked at how the rewards program works, you can estimate how many points you could potentially earn. To get a rough idea of your points earning potential with the credit card, you could calculate rewards based on your spending from the previous year or estimate your spending habits for the future.   

4. Selecting the right travel rewards credit card

Finding a credit card that aligns with your needs often involves reviewing its rewards, benefits and costs. For some, it may simply be about finding a card with the highest rewards earning potential. Others may value features like airport lounge access, automatic elite status in a loyalty program and credits for travel.

In summary

When selecting a travel rewards credit card, you can choose from general travel, co-branded hotel or co-branded airline cards. The right type for you may depend on whether you prefer flexible travel options or are loyal to specific brands. Regardless of the type of travel rewards card, choosing the card that most closely matches your spending and travel habits can help you maximize rewards and streamline the travel experience. Many travel credit cards have an annual fee, and you may want to evaluate whether the rewards and benefits outweigh the cost.