Best Credit Cards for Travel Rewards and Points 2025

Travel rewards credit cards can turn everyday spending into flights, hotel nights, and lounge visits.

The trick is knowing which card matches your travel style and how to redeem points for the most value.

General-purpose travel rewards cards: Why they’re great

General-purpose travel cards earn transferable points you can move to airlines and hotels, making your rewards more flexible than cash-back or single-program cards. That flexibility often translates into higher redemption value—especially for international business-class flights and aspirational hotel stays.

Flagship options include cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards (see Ultimate Rewards), American Express Membership Rewards (browse transfer partners), Capital One Miles (view partner airlines and hotels), and Citi ThankYou points. These programs routinely pair strong sign-up bonuses with 2x–5x earning on categories like travel, dining, or groceries, and let you choose between booking through their portals or transferring to partners for outsized value.

If lounge access and premium travel perks are must-haves, certain general-purpose cards bundle Priority Pass-style access, trip protections, and no foreign transaction fees; others keep fees lower while still offering big bonuses and solid earn rates. Either way, you’re getting broad acceptance and the freedom to pick the best deal across airlines and hotels—without being locked into a single brand.

Great for: Travelers who want maximum flexibility and the ability to hunt for award “sweet spots.”
Look for: Transfer partners that match your preferred airlines/hotels, robust travel protections, lounge access if you value it, and elevated earn rates on your top spending categories.
Examples: Popular picks include premium cards with lounge access and mid-tier options with lower fees but stellar earn rates and big bonuses.

Airline and hotel co-branded cards: When they shine

Co-branded cards earn rewards in a single program (e.g., one airline or hotel family). While you sacrifice some flexibility, you often gain valuable perks: free checked bags, priority boarding, companion certificates, enhanced award availability, automatic elite status, and free night certificates. If you fly one airline frequently or stay regularly with a hotel chain, these perks can outweigh the loss of transfer flexibility.

Airline cards are especially compelling for hub-captive travelers and families who check bags—one free bag round-trip can save $60–$160 per traveler on domestic routes. Hotel cards often come with annual free-night certificates that can offset the card’s annual fee if used at a higher-category property, along with status benefits like late checkout, upgrades, and bonus points on stays.

Great for: Loyalists who regularly fly a single carrier or stay with one hotel group, and travelers who can fully use carrier-specific perks.
Look for: Free bags, priority boarding, on-property credits, free-night certificates, automatic elite status, and boosted earn rates on brand purchases.
Watch-outs: Limited transfer options, potential dynamic award pricing, and devaluations that can erode point value over time.

General-purpose vs. co-branded: How to compare

Start with the math on value relative to annual fees, then layer in perks you will actually use. A premium card’s $400–$700 fee can be a bargain if you use lounge access, travel credits, and protections several times per year; a mid-tier $95 card might be superior if you want a simple, lower-cost path to earn flexible points.

Key comparison factors:

Sign-up bonus and minimum spend: Estimate the bonus value based on how you’ll redeem (cents per point) and confirm you can hit the spend without overspending.
Transfer partners: Flexible points gain value when you can move them to useful airline/hotel partners that serve your routes and destinations.
Ongoing earn structure: Favor cards that reward your top categories (travel, dining, groceries, gas). A simple flat-rate 2x card is ideal for set-it-and-forget-it earners.
Perks and protections: Lounge access, trip delay/cancellation insurance, rental car coverage, cell phone protection, and no foreign transaction fees matter for frequent travelers.
Redemption ease: Portals can be simple and predictable; transfers may deliver outsized value but require more effort and availability hunting.

Choosing the right card for your travel style

Frequent flyers and international travelers

Premium general-purpose cards can be ideal: lounge access for long layovers, robust trip protections, and no foreign transaction fees. If you’re loyal to one airline, pairing a co-branded card for free bags and priority boarding with a flexible-points card for earning and transfers is a powerful combo.

Occasional travelers who value simplicity

Look for mid-tier general-purpose cards with strong bonuses and straightforward earning (2x–3x on travel/dining) plus a simple portal redemption option. If you favor one airline or hotel a few times per year, an entry-level co-branded card with a low annual fee can still pay for itself via free checked bags or a free-night certificate.

Reward chasers and maximizers

Stack a flexible-points card with one or two co-branded cards that unlock elite perks or targeted promotions. Use transfers to book partner awards that deliver 1.8–5.0+ cents per point on premium-cabin flights, and keep a no-annual-fee or low-fee card for non-bonus purchases.

How to maximize value from points

Time your applications: Large sign-up bonuses can cycle. Apply when bonuses are elevated—but only if you can meet minimum spend organically.
Hit the minimum spend safely: Shift existing bills (utilities, insurance, streaming) and everyday purchases. Avoid manufactured spending or interest charges.
Know your transfer partners: Review partner charts and availability before you transfer; once transferred, points generally can’t go back. Ultimate Rewards, Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, and ThankYou Points each have distinct strengths.
Target sweet spots: Partners sometimes offer lower mileage rates on off-peak routes or for specific regions—alliance partners can unlock better pricing than the airline you fly.
Use the right tool for each booking: Portals can be best for cheap cash fares or when you want to keep points flexible; transfers shine for business class and luxury hotels.
Leverage lounge access smartly: If your card includes networks like Priority Pass or branded lounges, factor that value into trips with long connections, delays, or remote work needs.
Enroll in travel programs: If your card reimburses expedited-screening fees, enroll in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry to save time and reduce stress.
Protect your points: Keep accounts active, note expiration policies for co-branded programs, and consider pooling or combining points where allowed.

Avoid common pitfalls

Letting points idle: Points can devalue. Earn with a goal in mind and book when you find good availability.
Ignoring fees vs. benefits: A premium card’s fee is justified only if you use the lounge access, credits, and protections. Otherwise, downgrade or switch.
Overlooking foreign transaction fees: Always carry a no-foreign-transaction-fee card for travel abroad.
Poor redemptions: Gift cards and statement credits often yield less value than flights and hotels. Compare cents per point before redeeming.
Missing limited-time offers: Activate quarterly or targeted offers, airline credits, and hotel promotions so you don’t leave value on the table.

Quick snapshot: Top all-around picks in 2025

General-purpose, premium: Ideal for frequent flyers who want lounge access, strong protections, and flexible transfers to multiple airline/hotel partners.
General-purpose, mid-tier: Lower fees with big bonuses and 2x–3x earn on travel/dining; simple portal redemptions plus optional transfers.
Airline co-branded: Best if you’re hub-captive or value free bags, priority boarding, and companion certificates.
Hotel co-branded: Annual free-night certificates and automatic elite status can easily offset annual fees if you stay a few nights per year.
Flat-rate travel card: For simplicity seekers who want predictable 2x rewards on everything and no foreign transaction fees.

Bottom line

If you crave flexibility and maximized value, start with a general-purpose travel rewards card and add co-branded cards to unlock brand-specific perks you’ll actually use. Compare annual fees against the perks you’ll redeem, focus your spending where you earn the most, and redeem through transfers or portals depending on which nets the best value for each trip.