If you find yourself traveling a lot because of work or pleasure, owning a travel rewards credit card is a great way to reduce your costs and at the same time, earn a little something on the side. Depending on your situation, you may be looking for a card that can earn you stays at hotels, free airfare, or just a travel rewards credit card that offers you international transactions without fees.
Finding the best travel rewards credit card can be achieved simply by checking our list below. Some cards provide you purchasing power overseas, while others are designed for your travel in the United States. If you own a card you feel worthy of our list, let us know and well add it!
DR Favorite
Chase Sapphire PreferredSM Card – If you find yourself spending a lot of money on your credit card, you may want to take advantage of the intro offer the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card brings to the table. 40,000 bonus points can be earned by new cardholders if they spend at least $3,000 in the first three months. Those 40,000 points can be redeemed for a $500 statement credit, or airfare worth $500. Cardholders will earn an additional 7% in bonus points at the end of the year but there is an annual fee of $95, which is kindly waived during the first year.
Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express – American Express is known for the membership rewards program and the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express is the best of the bunch in terms of travel rewards. Cardholders will earn 10,000 bonus Starpoints after the first purchase and another 15,000 bonus Starpoints if you can spend $5,000 during the first six months of card ownership. Members of the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express will also earn two Starpoints for every dollar spent at Starwood hotels and two Starpoint for dollars spent everywhere else.
The $65 annual fee is waived for all first year cardmembers and the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express carries and intro APR of 2.9% for the first six months. As an added bonus, cardholders that spend at least $30,000 annually will be upgraded to Gold status, where they will earn rewards even faster!
Blue Sky from American Express® – The most attractive feature of the Blue Sky from American Express is it’s rewards structure in which 7,500 points can be redeemed for $100 in travel. One point is earned for every dollar spent and because the card is American Express, you know it comes with a fantastic membership rewards program. Two added bonuses are that the Blue Sky from American Express does not carry an annual fee and it comes with an intro APR of 0% for twelve months on purchases.
Escape by Discover® Card – A no nonsense travel rewards credit card, the Escape by Discover Card offers users 2 points for every dollar spent on all purchases. Other Discover cards like the Discover More Card have tier levels that determine rewards but the Escape by Discover Card is a flat 2x no matter what. Cardholders will earn 1,000 bonus miles every month they make a purchase, up to 25,000! An intro offer of 0% APR on purchases for six months comes as an added bonus but the Escape by Discover Card does carry an annual fee of $60.
PenFed Premium Travel Rewards American Express® Card – Pen Fed sure knows how to create a rewards credit card. The PenFed Premium Travel Rewards American Express Card awards new cardholders 20,000 points when making $650 purchases during the first three months and for every dollar spent on airfare you’ll earn five rewards points! Every dollar spent on hotel and dining will earn you 5 points (until August 31st 2011) and the card has no annual fee. In order to become a PenFed Premium Travel Rewards American Express Card, you must be related or involved in the US Military or Red Cross OR make a $20 donation.
Miles by Discover® Card – Miles by Discover Card is a travel rewards credit card that offers cardmembers 12,000 bonus points during their first year. Each month you make a purchase, you’ll earn 1,000 points and for every dollar you spend (up to $3,000 annually) on travel and restaurants you’ll earn two points. One point can be earned on all other purchases and unlike the Escape by Discover Card, the Miles by Discover Card does not carry an annual fee. The card also comes with an intro offer of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for six months
Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are authors alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.
Published or updated April 22, 2012.
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Just got a letter from Starwood: annual fee is now $65/year. This is the new reality, I guess:
“Many issuers have homed in on fees that typically accompany rewards cards as a potential moneymaker. The Pew study, which was to be released today, found that about 14 percent of bank credit cards have annual fees, about the same as last year. But the median annual fee for the 12 largest banks’ cards rose 18 percent, to $59, over the past year.”
Mike, the top travel cards have always charged fees. I carry the Starwood Amex, and I ‘ve found the rewards to be well worth the cost of the card.
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