If you’re an avid traveler or just starting to plan your next trip, having one or more travel credit cards can be a game-changer.

These cards allow you to earn valuable rewards that can make your travel less expensive, more comfortable, or both. Some travel credit cards also offer benefits that can save you money or help you travel better. Plus, most don’t charge foreign transaction fees.

I’ll never forget my first travel credit card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. I still have it in my wallet, along with several other travel rewards cards that offer diverse benefits and rewards.

Over the years, I’ve earned a significant amount of rewards from my travel credit cards, which have allowed me to enjoy premium cabin flights and luxury resorts at a fraction of the cost.

Points and miles are the most valuable rewards you can earn from a travel credit card. They can be redeemed for statement credits, travel bookings, or transferred to select airline and hotel loyalty programs.

Transferable rewards, like Chase Ultimate Rewards points, offer more flexibility. You can redeem flexible rewards at a fixed rate for statement credits or travel booking, but you can also transfer your rewards to select hotel and airline loyalty programs.

This ability to transfer rewards lets me avoid devaluation in a specific program by waiting until I want to book a specific award flight or night before I transfer my points or miles.

When choosing a travel credit card, consider the preferred rewards you’ll earn. Look for cards that earn transferable rewards, as they offer more flexibility.

Another important aspect to consider is the benefits offered by the card. Benefits can be particularly compelling with hotel credit cards, many of which offer elite status and a free night certificate each year when you renew.

The welcome bonus is also a factor to consider. Choose a card based on the currently available welcome bonuses, or wait to apply for a card when it’s offering an elevated limited-time offer.

Consider your spending habits and whether the bonus categories on the card match your spending habits. Also, consider whether you’ll be able to spend enough on the card within the first few months to meet the minimum spending requirements for the welcome bonus.

Finally, consider the annual fee when choosing a travel credit card. Compare the earnings and benefits you’ll get to the cost of the annual fee to determine whether the card is a good fit for you.

TPG chose the best travel credit cards based on several factors, including earning rates, benefits, welcome bonuses, and overall value.

The rewards you earn from a travel credit card will depend on your specific card, but you should usually redeem hotel points for hotel stays and airline miles for award flights.

Transferable rewards like Chase Ultimate Rewards points have more redemption options. Research and understand the different ways to redeem your rewards before redeeming.

My go-to transfer partner for Chase Ultimate Rewards is World of Hyatt. I’ve transferred Chase points to Hyatt to book aspiration stays at Miraval Austin, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, and Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa.

But I’ve gotten high redemption rates even when redeeming Hyatt points for lower-category stays. For example, I booked five off-peak nights at the Category 1 Story Hotel Signalfabriken in Sweden, which cost $1,012 or 17,500 points, giving me a redemption rate of 5.78 cents per point.

Transferable points can let you travel better and/or with more comfort without paying more money.

Ultimately, having one or more travel credit cards can be a game-changer for travelers. Consider what perks or rewards currency you want when deciding which travel credit card to apply for.

Be sure to consider all your redemption options before you redeem, keeping TPG’s valuations in mind to assess whether you’re getting good value from your redemption.

Related: Why transferable points and miles are worth more than other rewards

Best Travel Credit Cards

• Credit Card Annual Fee Welcome Offer
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card $95 Earn 100,000 bonus points after $5,000 spend in 3 months
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card $95 Earn 75,000 miles after $4,000 spend in 3 months
• The Platinum Card from American Express $695 Earn 80,000 points after $8,000 spend in 6 months
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card $395 Earn 75,000 miles after $4,000 spend in 3 months
• The Business Platinum Card from American Express $695 Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards points after $20,000 spend in 3 months
• Ink Business Preferred Credit Card $95 Earn 90,000 bonus points after $8,000 spend in 3 months
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card $650 Earn 70,000 miles after $5,000 spend in 6 months
• Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card $0 introductory fee, then $150 Earn 50,000 miles after $2,000 spend in 6 months
• American Express Gold Card $325 Earn 60,000 points after $6,000 spend in 6 months
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card $0 Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles after $500 spend in 3 months

Key Benefits

Transferable Rewards

Transferable rewards offer more flexibility in terms of redemption options. You can usually redeem flexible rewards at a fixed rate for statement credits or travel booking, but you can also transfer your rewards to select airline and hotel loyalty programs.

My go-to transfer partner for Chase Ultimate Rewards is World of Hyatt. For example, I booked five off-peak nights at the Category 1 Story Hotel Signalfabriken in Sweden, which cost $1,012 or 17,500 points, giving me a redemption rate of 5.78 cents per point.

Redemption Options

• Hotel Points
  • Redeem for hotel stays
  • Can transfer points to select airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Airline Miles
  • Redeem for award flights
  • Can transfer points to select airline loyalty programs
• Transferable Rewards
  • Redeem for statement credits or travel booking
  • Can transfer points to select airline and hotel loyalty programs

Conclusion

Travel credit cards have let me unlock elite status, perks, and award redemptions that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. Consider what perks or rewards currency you want when deciding which travel credit card to apply for.

Be sure to consider all your redemption options before you redeem, keeping TPG’s valuations in mind to assess whether you’re getting good value from your redemption.

Related: Why transferable points and miles are worth more than other rewards

About the Author

The author is a frequent traveler and has been using travel credit cards for many years.