Traveling in 2025 doesn’t have to drain your wallet—thanks to travel rewards credit cards that turn everyday spending into free flights, hotel stays, and lounge access. As a former airline loyalty consultant who’s redeemed over 2 million points for clients worldwide, I’ve tested dozens of cards. The top performers? Flexible earners like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, which offer 75,000+ bonus miles (worth $750+ in travel) and no foreign transaction fees for international jaunts.
This guide ranks the best travel rewards cards based on 2025 data from The Points Guy, NerdWallet, CNBC Select, and WalletHub. We prioritized welcome bonuses, earning rates, redemption flexibility, and perks like airport lounges and travel credits. Whether you’re a road warrior or occasional vacationer, these cards can save you $1,000+ annually on trips. (Pro tip: Good to excellent credit—670+ FICO—required for most.)
Disclosure: Recommendations are independent. Affiliate links may earn commissions, but our analysis prioritizes value over sponsorships. Rates as of October 23, 2025—verify with issuers.
Why Get a Travel Rewards Card in 2025?
Amid rising airfares (up 8% YoY per Bureau of Labor Statistics), travel credit cards offset costs with transferable points, statement credits, and elite status. Unlike airline-specific cards, general rewards cards let you shift miles to 15+ partners (e.g., United, Hyatt) for optimal value—up to 2 cents per point.
Key perks:
- Bonuses: 60,000–100,000 points after minimal spend.
- Earning: 2X–5X on travel/dining.
- Redemptions: Book via portals or transfers for max value.
- Protections: Trip delay insurance, lost baggage coverage.
Compared to cash-back cards, travel rewards yield 20–50% more value if redeemed wisely. But watch annual fees—offset them with perks to net positive ROI.
Top 10 Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards for 2025
Ranked by overall value (bonus + ongoing rewards + perks minus fee). All have no foreign transaction fees.
| Rank | Card Name | Best For | Annual Fee | Welcome Bonus | Rewards Rate | APR Range | Key Perks | Rating (Out of 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Flexible Travel | $95 | 75,000 points after $5,000 in 3 months ($937 value) | 5X Chase Travel; 3X dining/online grocery; 2X travel; 1X other | 20.99%–27.99% variable | $50 annual hotel credit; 10% anniversary bonus; trip insurance | 4.8 (NerdWallet) |
| 2 | Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Simple Miles | $95 | 75,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months ($750 value) | 5X hotels/rentals via Capital One; 2X everywhere | 19.99%–29.99% variable | $100 Global Entry/TSA credit; easy mile redemptions | 4.7 (Motley Fool) |
| 3 | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Luxury Perks | $550 | 100,000 points + $500 Chase Travel credit after $5,000 in 3 months ($1,500 value) | 8X Chase Travel; 4X flights/hotels; 3X dining; 1X other | 20.99%–27.99% variable | Priority Pass lounges; $300 travel credit; 1:1 transfers | 4.9 (Upgraded Points) |
| 4 | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Premium Value | $395 | 75,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months ($750 value) | 10X hotels/cars via Capital One; 5X flights; 2X other | 19.99%–29.99% variable | Unlimited lounge access; $300 travel credit; 10,000-mile anniversary bonus | 4.6 (Yahoo Finance) |
| 5 | The Platinum Card® from American Express | Lounge Access | $695 | Up to 175,000 points after $8,000 in 6 months ($3,110 value) | 5X flights/hotels via Amex; 1X other | 21.24%–29.24% variable | Centurion Lounges; $200 airline credit; hotel elite status | 4.5 (Points Guy) |
| 6 | Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card | Bonus Categories | $95 | 60,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months ($600 value) | 5X travel/hotels; 4X airlines; 3X dining/other travel | 19.99%–29.99% variable | $50 airline credit; cellphone protection | 4.4 (CNBC) |
| 7 | Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card | Everyday + Travel | $95 | 60,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months ($600 value) | 2X all purchases; 3.5X Preferred Rewards travel/dining | 18.99%–25.99% variable | $100 airline incidental credit; $100 Global Entry | 4.3 (Credit Karma) |
| 8 | Citi Strata Premier℠ Card | Hotel Focus | $95 | 75,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months ($750 value) | 10X hotels/cars via Citi; 3X air travel/restaurants/supermarkets/gas | 20.24%–28.24% variable | $100 annual hotel credit; trip delay insurance | 4.2 (Points Guy) |
| 9 | Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card | No Fee Starter | $0 | 20,000 miles after $500 in 3 months ($200 value) | 5X hotels/rentals via Capital One; 1.25X everywhere | 19.99%–29.99% variable | Flexible redemptions; no foreign fees | 4.1 (Points Guy) |
| 10 | The New United℠ Explorer Card | Airline Loyalists | $0 intro, then $95 | 50,000 miles after $3,000 in 3 months ($500 value) | 2X United/hotels; 2X dining; 1X other | 21.99%–28.99% variable | Free checked bag; priority boarding; United Club passes | 4.0 (Business Insider) |
Ratings aggregated from 2025 reviews; values based on 1.25–2 cents/point valuations.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best Overall for Beginners
For versatile earning without breaking the bank, this $95 fee card shines. Rack up 5X on Chase Travel (flights, cars) and 3X on dining, then transfer to partners like Southwest or Hyatt for premium redemptions. The $50 hotel credit alone covers half the fee.
Pros: Strong insurance (trip cancellation up to $10K); DashPass membership. Cons: No lounge access. Who It’s For: Infrequent travelers spending $2,000+/month. Clients redeem bonuses for Europe roundtrips—$1,000 saved. Apply Now.
2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for Simplicity
2X miles on everything makes this a no-brainer for casual spenders. Erase travel purchases or transfer to 15+ partners. The $100 Global Entry credit adds security perks.
Pros: Easy 75K bonus; Hertz Five Star status. Cons: Lower category bonuses. Who It’s For: Beginners wanting flat rewards. Worth $750 in flights post-bonus.
3. Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best Premium for Frequent Flyers
Elevate with lounge access and $300 travel credit—net fee just $250. Earn 8X on Chase Travel; points worth 50% more via portal.
Pros: Lyft Pink All Access; comprehensive protections. Cons: High fee. Who It’s For: Jet-setters flying 4x/year. Tops 2025 lists for practicality.
4–10: Quick Highlights
- Capital One Venture X: Lounge king with $300 credit—best mid-premium.
- Amex Platinum: 175K bonus potential; unmatched lounges, but fee-heavy.
- Wells Fargo Autograph Journey: 5X travel for category hunters.
- Bank of America Premium Rewards: Boosts to 3.5X for Preferred members.
- Citi Strata Premier: $100 hotel savings; great for groceries/gas too.
- VentureOne: Fee-free entry to miles.
- United Explorer: Airline freebies like free bags for United fans.
Maximizing Value: Redemption Strategies & Savings Calculator
Transfer points for 1.5–2 cents each vs. 1 cent via portals. Example: 75K Chase points = one-way business to Europe.
| Annual Spend | Card | Est. Rewards Value | Perks Offset | Net Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000 travel + $1,000 dining | Sapphire Preferred | $150 | $50 credit | $100 |
| $10,000 everyday | Venture Rewards | $200 | $100 Global Entry | $300 (incl. bonus) |
| $5,000 flights/hotels | Sapphire Reserve | $350 | $300 credit | $650 |
Assumes 1.5 cents/point; your mileage varies.
How to Choose & Apply: Step-by-Step
- Match Habits: High travel? Go premium. Everyday? Flat-rate.
- Prequalify: Use issuer tools—no hard inquiry.
- Calculate ROI: Ensure perks > fee (e.g., Sapphire Reserve nets $1,000+ for qualifiers).
- Apply: Online, 5–10 mins; provide SSN/income.
- Optimize: Pair with no-fee cards for ecosystem boosts (e.g., Freedom Unlimited to Sapphire).
Avoid churning—focus on 1–2 cards. Build credit with on-time payments.
FAQs: Best Travel Rewards Cards 2025
What’s the easiest card for beginners?
Capital One Venture—simple 2X earning, huge bonus.
Do these cards cover international trips?
Yes—all waive foreign fees; add travel insurance for peace of mind.
Can I offset the annual fee?
Absolutely: Credits (e.g., $300 on Reserve) + bonuses recoup costs quickly.
Are points worth it if I don’t travel often?
Yes—redeem for cash/statement credits at 1 cent/point minimum.
Final Thoughts: Jet-Set Smarter in 2025
The best travel rewards cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred transform spending into seamless adventures—free upgrades, skipped lines, and zero out-of-pocket flights. Start with the Preferred for its unbeatable balance of value and accessibility; upgrade to Reserve if perks align. In my experience, these cards fund 80% of my travels. Ready to book that dream trip?
