The Top 10 Credit Cards on FintechZoom for Travel Enthusiasts

For all aspiring world wanderers, traveling needs no pitches of why it should be done; everyone knows that having a travel credit card can help translate this dream into reality. But there's an enormous amount of information on travel rewards cards that can turn decision-making into a logistical nightmare. Beyond being packed with useful rewards and benefits, however, these cards have many features that should help you enjoy your travels. For the Jet-setter or Weekend Wanderer, These are ten of your favorite Australian credit cards you should be considering taking with you when traveling.

Selecting the Right Travel Credit Card

Choosing the perfect travel credit card is key to getting free flights, hotels, and other benefits from your time on the road. The correct card can be extremely rewarding, giving you miles or points and even cash back depending on how much money is spent with the company per annually, as well as special travel-friendly benefits like lounge access, insurance when traveling altogether kinds of destinations, etc. Know these benefits so you can better leverage your trips, spend less, and have new experiences in the future.

Attributes of a Good Travel Credit Card

The best travel credit card combines a high rewards rate, attractive perks, and features with competitive interest rates. Some attributes to keep in mind:

• Great rewards on travel spend
• Flexible redemption options
• Build A Complete Travel Insurance
• Access to airport lounges
• No foreign transaction fees
• Sign-up bonuses
• Airline and Hotel Partner benefits

Read on for the top 10 credit cards on FintechZoom that are best for travel, and consider which may offer you unique benefits in a way that aligns with your preferred type of trip.

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great option for travelers with its lucrative rewards program and many ways to redeem points. You'll get double the points on travel and dining, which is amazing for anyone who loves to hit the road in pursuit of delicious new food experiences.

Key Benefits:

• 2x points on travel & dining
• 1x point on all other purchases
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first four months of account opening
• Redeem points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and get 25 percent more value.
• No foreign transaction fees
• Offers travel insurance

Who Should Get It: Business people who travel frequently, and like to have a variety of ways to redeem their rewards points on top of the generous bonus offers.

2. The Platinum Card® from American Express

Why It's Great: The Platinum Card® from American Express is celebrated for its upscale travel benefits and wide network of lounges. Rewards: 2 points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels booked directly with Amex Travel (plus regular earn rate)

Key Benefits:

• Amex Business Platinum 5x Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or via Amextravel.
• 5x points on hotels booked in advance (prepaid) using Amex Travel.
• Initial welcome offer of 100k Membership Rewards​® points (after you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months)
• Global Lounge Collection Access.
• $200 airline fee credit
• $200 Uber credit
• No foreign transaction fees

Who Should Get It: This card is ideal for luxury travelers seeking VIP benefits, airport lounge memberships, and elite travel credits.

3. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Why It's Great: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card allows you to earn double the miles on every purchase also allowing you to redeem your rewards as a statement credit for all types of travel.

Key Benefits:

• 2x miles on every purchase
• After you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months: 60,000 miles $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• No foreign transaction fees
• Flexible redemption options

Who Should Get It: Travelers looking for simplicity in earning and redeeming rewards will find it easy to earn with this card, and use the points they accumulate without blackout dates.

4. Citi Premier® Card

Why It's Great: It's easily one of the best travel cards for everyday consumers to get a high rewards rate across multiple categories and an incredibly generous sign-up bonus. Good for folks who want to or have a variety of spend.

Key Benefits:

• 3x for air travel purchases, hotel stays, and gas stations
• Cards earn 3x points back at restaurants and grocery stores
• 1x point on all other spending
• Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• No foreign transaction fees
• Transferrable Points to Many Travel Partners

Who Should Get It: Consumers looking for a lucrative card across the board, not just on travel spending

5. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Why It's Great: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card boasts top-of-the-line perks and earn rates on Hilton purchases for cardmembers who are loyal to the hotel chain.

Key Benefits:

• Earn 12x on Hilton properties
• 6x on US restaurant, grocery store, and gas station spending
• 3x on all other purchases
• 130,000 Hilton Honors points spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
• Complimentary Gold status
• Priority Pass™ Select membership for access to 850+ lounges worldwide

Who Should Get It: Frequent Hilton hotel guests who prefer to stay on-site and want a card for extra points there.

6. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Why It's Great: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is another solid pick for someone who often flies with SouthWest Airlines, as this credit card has earned rewards and travel perks that perfectly complement the airline.

Key Benefits:

• Earning is limited to 2x points on Southwest purchases
• 1x on everything else
• 40k points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months!
• Annual Increments of 7,500 points
• $75 Southwest travel credit
• 4 upgraded boardings per year

Who Should Get It: Die-hard Southwest Airlines fans who want the most bang for their buck with SW rewards + some excellent travel perks from this airline.

7. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Why It's Great: The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card caters to fans of this particular airline, offering excellent rewards earnings for spending with that line and some nice travel perks such as free checked bags and priority boarding.

Key Benefits:

• The card earns 2x miles at restaurants worldwide and US supermarkets.
• Earning 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 within the first three months of account opening.
• First checked bag free
• Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding included
• No foreign transaction fees

Who Should Get It: Loyal Delta Air Lines fans who prefer to use the card for regular spending, plan on flying often and want a quick way to earn miles along with great travel perks.

8. United℠ Explorer Card

Why It's Great: The United℠ Explorer Card is a premium card for fans of United Airlines because, in addition to earning extra rewards on purchasing flights with the airline, you get several travel perks that make flying easier.

Key Benefits:

• For every dollar you spend on United airfare (and related fees), at a restaurant or for your stay when booked at united.com/hotels.
• Earning: 1x mile on all other purchases
• You will receive 40,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 within the first three months
• First checked bag free
• Complimentary two United Club℠ one-time passes every year
• No foreign transaction fees

Who Should Get It: If you fly United Airlines regularly and looking to take advantage of bonus rewards, priority boarding privileges or other travel perks the Chase United MileagePlus Explorer Card may be for you!

9. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Why It's Great: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is a solid hotel card for aspiring or current Marriott Bonvoy members who stand to earn some hearts through earning free night rewards, and automatic elite status.

Key Benefits:

• 6x points per $1 spent on Marriott Bonvoy hotels
• On all other purchases 2x points
• 100,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
• One free night per year after account anniversary
• Automatic Silver Elite status
• No foreign transaction fees

Who Should Get It: Regular Marriott guests and members of the Bonvoy program will enjoy earning more points on hotel stays, not to mention a few perks just for holding the card.

10. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

Why It's Great: With the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card, you can earn unlimited rewards on all your purchases and it has no annual fee - a great value for budget-minded travelers.

Key Benefits:

• 1.5x points on all purchases
• 25,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 online within the first 90 days
• No annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees
• Flexible redemption options

Who Should Get It: If you are a frequent traveler and wish to own a hassle-free, no-fee credit card that rewards unlimited on every purchase, this is the one for you.

FAQs

What is the Best Credit Card for International Travel?

The Platinum Card® from American Express ranks as one of our picks due to its high airport lounge access count, rewards rate on flights and hotels at 5 points per dollar spent with no limit (after earning $3000 during your first six months), annual reward spending cap at 4% Bonus Value Points Below Invoice Cost As low down round trips Upcharges apply to Bring in a Visa Savings Card each time you shop Spurs scoring multi-tiered benefits! Young People's Rush Daily.

What is the highest reward rate among travel credit cards?

For, a high reward rate, the Citi Premier® Card offers 3x points on air travel, hotels, gas stations, restaurants, and supermarkets.

Does travel insurance come with travel credit cards?

Yes, several travel credit cards offer extensive coverage in terms of insurance for trip cancellations, lost luggage, and even travel accidents. For, instance, The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express.

What travel credit cards have no annual fee?

While it does not come with an annual fee, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card does not skimp on rewards – meaning you can enjoy unlimited points without having to break open your wallet.

Are points convertible to airline and hotel loyalty programs?

Several rewards credit cards let you convert points into airline and hotel loyalty schemes. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has an expansive list of transfer partners as does the Citi Premier® Card.

What is a sign-up bonus and how do I access it?

A sign-up bonus is an opening deal with a travel rewards credit card where you can earn thousands of points or miles when spending minimums are met usually in the first few months after account opening. Check the terms on each card to make sure you qualify.

Conclusion

The right credit card can make travel smoother and give you rewards while giving you peace of mind. Above we detail the top 10 credit cards on FintechZoom for travel enthusiasts, with each card catering to a unique audience due to their respective bonuses and benefits. No matter if you're eyeing top-of-the-line benefits, simple points, and miles earning strategies, or easier-to-manage rewarding options without annual fees - check out the best card for your spending styles right within this list. Learn the critical features and benefits of each card so you can take an educated guess, even before using them on your travels.