If you’re traveling on just cash alone, then it must be said that you may be traveling the wrong way. Travel is the easiest way for you to exhaust your hard-earned money, which is why we believe it’s completely necessary to pump out these “Top Ten Travel Credit Cards List,” top keep you further updated on what we believe to be the better credit cards for you to get points and miles on that will give you the most optimal redemptions and save you big on your travel expenses in the long run.
Traveling doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think as long as you travel smart. This list will be a compilation of airlines, hotels, cash back and business credit cards, from high-end annual fees to lower annual fees. Whether you’re looking for airlines, hotels, or flexibility with your travel, we got it here at BankCheckingSavings!
| BONUS LINK | OFFER | REVIEW |
| Chase Business Complete Checking® | $300 or $500 Cash | Review |
| Chase Private Client | $3,000 Cash | Review |
| Chase Total Checking® | $300 Cash | Review |
| Chase College CheckingSM | $100 Cash | Review |
| J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing | Up To $700 Cash | Review |
| Chase Secure BankingSM | $100 Cash | Review |
The Ink Preferred Business Credit Card is quite the practical credit card for all business travelers. Currently, you’ll be able to get your hands on 80,000 in Ultimate Rewards after making a spending of $5,000 within the first three months of account opening and at a UR transfer 1:1 ratio to United, British Airways, Singapore, Korean, Southwest, Virgin Atlantic, Hyatt, etc., this makes for an essential for those of you that like options with your travel redemption.
The Ink Preferred earns you 3x points per dollar for the first $150,000 spent towards travel, telecommunications, shipping and advertising on social-media and search engines and 1x the points on everything else. One aspect on this card that truly stands out is the $500 in coverage per claim with Cell Phone protection against theft or damage, all at a $95 annual fee that is beautifully waived for the first year.
Ink Preferred Business Credit Card Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: 80,000 bonus points
- Spending Requirement: You must spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Bonus Worth: When you redeem the 80K bonus points through Chase Ultimate Rewards, this bonus ends up being worth $1200 toward travel. But if you redeem the 80K bonus points for gift cards or statement credit, the bonus points are worth approximately $800.
When we introduce the very notion of travel rewards, it’s of all evidence that the Chase Sapphire Reserve has to be at the top of our list. The card is practical and rewarding with 50,000 in UR points after a $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of card activation. Your Ultimate Rewards will again be a transfer ratio of 1:1 towards United, British Airways, Singapore, Korean, etc. From $300 in annual travel credit to a lucrative 3X on travel and dining, this card certainly has every right to stay on our “Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards.” One thing noting is that there is a $450 annual fee attached. Maximized properly would compensate for the annual fee.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Summary:
- Learn More
- Maximum Bonus: 50,000 UR Points
- Spending Requirement: You must spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Annual Fee: $450, not waived for the first year
- Bonus Worth: The 50K points alone is worth $750 towards airfare/hotel.
Certainly, this is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card presented in this post that I really recommend everyone gets. With 2X the rewards on all travel purchases, 20% discounts on travel booked through Ultimate Rewards portal, and a variety of travel partners: United, British Airways, Singapore, Korean, Hyatt, etc., all at a 1:1 transfer ratio. One of the biggest reasons why I see so much potential in this card is primarily because there’s only a $95 annual fee and it is waived for the first year and with a 50,000 UR Point bonus after a $4,000 minimum spending, the card is all the more worth it.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Summary:
- Learn More
- Maximum Bonus: 50,000 bonus points + Additional 5,000 points
- Spending Requirement: You must spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, and add an authorized user (no annual fee) within the first 3 months and they make a purchase.
- Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)
- Bonus Worth: The 50K points alone is worth $625 towards airfare/hotel.
The Citi Prestige® Card had it’s fair share of renditions, however, the card still does stand as one of the most prominently lucrative perks, benefits and bonuses in the credit card market today. You’ll be able to reap 75,000 Bonus Points after making a spending of $7,500 within the first 3 months of account opening.
With this card, you’ll earn $250 in Air Travel Credit each year WITH chances of double dipping at a beautiful $500 if maximized properly. On top of that, you could reap a complimentary 4th night for any hotel stay, worldwide. Earn 3x the points on Air Travel and Hotels, 2x on dining at restaurants and entertainment and 1x ThankYou points per $1 spent on other purchases . Transfer points to a variety of travel loyalty programs from airlines to hotels. Points are redeemable at 1.25 CPP on any airline’s cash tickets.
Citi Prestige® Card Bonus Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: 75,000 Bonus Points
- Spending Requirement: You must spend $75,000 within 3 months of account opening.
- Annual Fee: $450
- Bonus Worth: The 75,000 Bonus Points will be worth $937 via Citi’s Travel Portal after the updates are applied.
The Platinum Card® from American Express truly displays their lucrativeness based on your loyalty. Firstly, the card comes with a 60,000 Membership Rewards Bonus after making a spend of $5,000 within 3 months of account opening. AMEX boast a wide variety of transfer partners, 20 airlines and hotel programs and counting including Delta, British Airways, Singapore, etc.
On top of that, you’ll be earning 5X Points for flights, travel and hotels booked directly on AmexTravel in addition to monthly $15 in uber credit, $200 in airlines credit, the standard global entry/TSA PreCheck benefit, access to Amex’s most premium of lounges attached, as well as complimentary Hilton Gold status, SPG Gold Elite status and Marriott Gold Elite Status. All the perks and benefits listed for a $550 annual fee. I can only recommend this card if you know how to maximize it’s rewards.
Platinum Card from American Express Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: 60,000 Bonus Points
- Spending Requirement: Must spend $5,000 within 3 months of account opening.
- Annual Fee: $550
- Bonus Worth: The 60000 Bonus Points is worth about $1,080 depending on how much you value MR points.
The Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express ravels itself to be the most attractive hotel-travel rewards card to ever hit the market, and I certainly think that such a title is true. Firstly, you’ll be earning 25,000 in Starpoints after making the necessary spending of $5,000 within 3 months of account opening. You’ll be earning 5x the Starpoints for every dollar ofeligible purchases at participating Starwood hotels and 2 Starpoints for every dollar on eligible purchases made at participating Marriott Rewards® hotels.
When you transfer your SPG points to airlines partners, you’ll get a 5k miles bonus for each 20K SPG points transferred and with a ton of airlines transfer partners, the Starwood Preferred offers the utmost consistency, especially with your point value (sitting at a beautiful 2.3-2.5 CPP) and a significantly affordable $95 annual fee that is waived for the first year.
Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: 25,000 Starpoints
- Spending Requirement: You must spend $5,000 within 3 months of account opening
- Annual Fee: $95 (but first year is waived)
- Bonus Worth: The 25,000 bonus points is worth about $600 in hotel night stays
- Expiration Date: None
- Additional Advice: The Starpoints are worth a lot more if you redeem them for free hotel night stays!
Earn 50,000 Bonus ThankYou Points after making a spend of $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening with your Citi ThankYou® Premier Card. This card has a pretty reliable rewards system with 3X ThankYou Points on Travel including Gas, 2X ThankYou Points on Dining Out and Entertainment, and 1X ThankYou Points on Other Purchases. Points are redeemable at 1.25 CPP on any airline’s cash tickets with the ability to transfer your points to 12 airlines loyalty programs, 1 hotel program. The card currently has a $95 annual fee attached, waived for the first year and also includes no foreign transaction fee.
Citi ThankYou Premier Card Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: 50,000 Bonus ThankYou® Points
- Spending Requirement: You must spend $4,000 within 3 months of account opening.
- Annual Fee: $95 (waived for the first year)
- Bonus Worth: The 50K bonus points is upwards of $625 through point transfer via CITI Travel.
- Expiration Date:Limited Amount of Time
- Additional Advice: ThankYou® Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through thankyou.com
Get 50,000 Membership Rewards Points with your new Business Gold Rewards Card® from American Express OPEN after you make $5,000 in purchases on the card within the first 3 months of card membership. This card unveils the utmost flexibility with your rewards considering that you’ll be the one choosing them. Get your 3x points choosing 1 out of 5 of the categories and get 2x the points on the 4 remaining categories, as well as 1X points on other purchases. This card has a $175 annual fee that is waived for the first year and with no foreign transaction fee, it’s pretty hard to resist.
- Airfare purchased directly from airlines
- U.S. purchases for advertising in select media
- U.S. purchases at gas stations
- U.S. purchases for shipping
- U.S. computer hardware, software, and cloud computing purchases made directly from select providers
Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: 50,000 Membership Rewards points
- Spending Requirement: You must spend $5,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $175
- Bonus Worth: We estimate the 50,000 Membership Rewards points are worth $500 in gift cards.
- Expiration Date: No expiration
- Additional Advice: If you’re an existing cardholder, you’ll need to contact AMEX’s customer service center to see if you’ll automatically transition to the card’s new earning structure. Otherwise, you may have to reapply if you’re interested in choosing your bonus rewards categories.
The United MileagePlus® Explorer Card comes through with a attractive 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account activation. I’d say, check your mileageplus account to see if you’re targeted for the 70,000 Bonus Miles promotion. The card centralizes it’s benefits around United with 2x miles on all tickets purchases from United on top of your first checked bag free, priority boarding, 2 United Club passes each year at no foreign transaction fees nor annual fee for the first year, afterwards, the annual fee is $95.
United MileagePlus Explorer Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: 50,000 United Miles + $50 SC
- Spending Requirement:
- Spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account activation
- Make first purchase in the first 3 months of account activation
- Annual Fee: $95 is not waived the first year
- Bonus Worth: The 50,000 Bonus Points is worth $750 redeemed towards United Travel.
The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard gives new cardholders the chance to earn 60,000 AAdvantage Bonus Miles after making the necessary spending of $3,000 within the first 3 months of account activation. The card earns 10% of your redeemed AAdvantage miles back — up to 10,000 AAdvantage miles each calendar year.
Get your first eligible bag checked free for up to 4 travel companions, and get 2 AA miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines and US Airways purchase. In addition, receive 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines and US Airways flights. Fly using fewer AAdvantage® miles with reduced mileage awards! All for a $95 which is waived for the first year.
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard Card Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: 60,000 AAdvantage Bonus Miles
- Spending Requirement: You must spend $3,000 within 3 months of account opening.
- Annual Fee: $95 which is waived for the first year
- Bonus Worth: The 60,000 bonus points is worth about $750 in airfare or $600 in gift cards
Conclusion:
Don’t make your travel plans overly expensive for your budget. As we all can tell from this card, your credit card not only gives you a pretty sign-up bonus, but will offer you rewards and benefits necessary to stay on top of your travel necessities. This list provides you with recommendations towards any and every card we see viable towards maximizing travel. Whether it be airlines, hotels, or general travel, we hope that this “Top Ten Travel Credit Cards List” will further help you and if you have a card that you’d think belongs on this list, be sure to make your comment out in the comment section, we’d really appreciate it! Looking for more? Then check out our complete list of Credit Card Promotions today!
