Vacations are a time to relax and unwind, but they can often come with a hefty price tag. Luckily, there are travel rewards cards that can help trim the cost and make your next adventure more affordable. In a recent survey conducted by Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine, some of the top travel rewards cards were identified. Let’s take a closer look at these cards and see which one might be the perfect fit for you.
First up is the Chase Freedom Unlimited Visa card. With a sign-up bonus of $200 back if you spend $500 in the first three months, this card is off to a promising start. Cardholders also enjoy 5 percent back on gas station and grocery store purchases, up to $12,000 spent in the first year. But that’s not all – you can earn 5 percent back on travel purchased through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program, 3 percent on restaurant and drugstore purchases, and 1.5 percent on all other spending. Plus, the Ultimate Rewards points you earn can be traded for cash back, gift cards, or travel bookings. This card offers a great way to save on everyday expenses while earning rewards for your next adventure.
Next on the list is the Discover It Miles card. What sets this card apart is its sign-up bonus – a match of miles earned after one year, effectively doubling your rewards. With this card, all purchases earn 1.5 miles per dollar, and the redemption options are flexible. You can exchange miles at a rate of a penny each for statement credits on travel purchases, cash back, account credits to pay your card bill, and purchases with Amazon and PayPal. If you’re looking for a straightforward rewards program with plenty of options, the Discover It Miles card might be the one for you.
If you prefer a card with no annual fee, the American Express Everyday card might be worth considering. With a sign-up bonus of 10,000 points if you spend $2,000 in the first six months, this card offers a way to earn points without any additional cost. You’ll earn two points per dollar on up to $6,000 of supermarket purchases per year and one point per dollar on all other spending. The real highlight of this card is the 20 percent bonus on the points you earn if you make at least 20 purchases on the card in a billing period. These points can be traded at a rate of 1 cent each for flight bookings through Amex Travel or certain gift cards. For those looking to maximize their rewards without paying an annual fee, the American Express Everyday card is a fantastic option.
If you’re willing to pay an annual fee, the Capital One Venture Rewards card might be worth considering. With a sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles if you spend $4,000 in the first three months, this card offers a generous reward right from the start. It also provides five miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and two miles per dollar on all other spending. Miles earned can be redeemed for statement credits on travel purchases or travel bookings through Capital One. Another enticing feature of this card is the ability to transfer miles to partner airline and hotel loyalty programs. Additionally, cardholders enjoy perks such as reimbursement of the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and four free yearly visits to Priority Pass Select airport lounges.
Lastly, we have the US Bank Altitude Connect Visa card. With an annual fee of $95 (waived the first year), this card is packed with benefits. The sign-up bonus of 50,000 points if you spend $2,000 in the first 120 days is definitely appealing. Cardholders earn five points per dollar on hotel and rental car bookings through U.S. Bank’s travel portal, four points per dollar on other travel purchases, gas and EV charging stations, two points per dollar on grocery store, restaurant, and streaming-service spending, and one point per dollar on other spending. These points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, cash back, merchandise, and other options. Additionally, cardholders receive reimbursement for the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and four free yearly visits to Priority Pass Select airport lounges.
When it comes to choosing the best travel rewards card for your next adventure, it’s important to consider your spending habits, travel preferences, and financial goals. Whether you’re looking for a card with a generous sign-up bonus, flexible redemption options, or additional perks, there’s a card on this list that’s sure to suit your needs. So why not take advantage of these travel rewards cards and start planning your dream vacation today? Happy travels!
