✈️ Best travel credit cards
The best credit cards for frequent travelers, ranked by estimated yearly rewards on flights, hotels, and dining minus the annual fee — at conservative point values.
How this ranking works
Every card is scored by the same engine as our card finder quiz, using a fixed profile: $425/mo dining & restaurants · $900/mo flights · $900/mo hotels & stays · $900/mo everything else, booking travel directly. Points are valued at conservative baselines, spending caps are applied, and the annual fee is subtracted. Prime Visa and Bilt Blue and Bilt Obsidian and Bilt Palladium need a membership or bill this profile doesn't assume (Amazon Prime, paying rent by card), so they aren't ranked here. Your own spending will rank these differently — the quiz personalizes it.
- 1The Platinum Card® from American ExpressAmerican Express · $895/yr fee
~$3,831/yr back at this profile → +$2,936 after the fee
5x flights ≈ $540/yr1x hotels & stays ≈ $108/yr1x dining & restaurants ≈ $51/yr$3,024/yr in credits - 2Chase Sapphire Reserve®Chase · $795/yr fee
~$3,513/yr back at this profile → +$2,718 after the fee
4x flights ≈ $432/yr4x hotels & stays ≈ $432/yr3x dining & restaurants ≈ $153/yr$2,388/yr in credits - 3IHG One Rewards Premier Credit CardChase · $99/yr fee
~$1,315/yr back at this profile → +$1,216 after the fee
5x flights ≈ $324/yr5x hotels & stays ≈ $324/yr5x dining & restaurants ≈ $153/yr$320/yr in credits - 4Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ CardWells Fargo · $95/yr fee
~$1,283/yr back at this profile → +$1,188 after the fee
5x hotels & stays ≈ $540/yr4x flights ≈ $432/yr3x dining & restaurants ≈ $153/yr$50/yr in credits - 5World of Hyatt Credit CardChase · $95/yr fee
~$1,231/yr back at this profile → +$1,136 after the fee
2x flights ≈ $389/yr1x hotels & stays ≈ $194/yr2x dining & restaurants ≈ $184/yr$270/yr in credits - 6Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® CardAmerican Express · $650/yr fee
~$1,737/yr back at this profile → +$1,087 after the fee
3x flights ≈ $259/yr2x hotels & stays ≈ $173/yr3x dining & restaurants ≈ $122/yr$1,010/yr in credits - 7Hilton Honors American Express Aspire CardAmerican Express · $550/yr fee
~$1,513/yr back at this profile → +$963 after the fee
7x flights ≈ $302/yr7x dining & restaurants ≈ $143/yr3x hotels & stays ≈ $130/yr$809/yr in credits - 8Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardChase · $95/yr fee
~$1,051/yr back at this profile → +$956 after the fee
3x hotels & stays ≈ $324/yr2x flights ≈ $216/yr3x dining & restaurants ≈ $153/yr$250/yr in credits - 9United℠ Explorer CardChase · $150/yr fee
~$1,101/yr back at this profile → +$951 after the fee
2x hotels & stays ≈ $259/yr1x flights ≈ $130/yr2x dining & restaurants ≈ $122/yr$460/yr in credits - 10Citi Strata Premier® CardCiti · $95/yr fee
~$1,009/yr back at this profile → +$914 after the fee
3x flights ≈ $324/yr3x hotels & stays ≈ $324/yr3x dining & restaurants ≈ $153/yr$100/yr in credits
PerkSwipe may earn a commission if you apply through our links. That never affects how we rank cards — the ranking above is pure math.
18cards without structured earning data weren't ranked
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, Wells Fargo Autograph® Card, Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card, Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card, U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card, Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, Apple Card, PayPal Cashback Mastercard®, Target Circle™ Credit Card, Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® card (formerly Alaska Airlines Visa Signature®), Hilton Honors American Express Card, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, American Express® Business Gold Card, Capital One Spark Cash Plus, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Rankings based on your actual spending
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More guides
Estimates use conservative baseline point values and the disclosed spending profile — your results will differ. Card terms change often; verify with the issuer before applying. PerkSwipe is independent and not affiliated with any issuer. Nothing here is financial advice.