The Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2025

A golden piazza in Rome, the scent of espresso in the air, or a glass-walled suite in Singapore with skyline views—all funded by points from your daily spending. Groceries, gas, dinners, even late-night shopping can unlock unforgettable journeys when paired with the right travel credit card.

In 2025, travel rewards are more competitive and rewarding than ever. From airport lounge access to generous welcome bonuses and flexible redemptions, today’s best cards offer perks that cater to every type of traveler. Whether you’re a luxury flyer or a budget adventurer, these are the cards designed to take you further.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Best for: Beginner travelers who want great value
Annual Fee: $95
Welcome Bonus: 100,000 points
Credit Score Required: Good to Excellent

This card is the darling of the travel rewards universe, and for good reason. With a moderate $95 annual fee and a blockbuster welcome bonus of 100,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months, the Chase Sapphire Preferred remains a favorite for travelers looking to maximize value without committing to a high annual fee. According to Credit Karma, those 100,000 points are worth up to $1,250 when redeemed through Chase Travel.

What truly sets this card apart is the flexibility of Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You can redeem them for travel directly through the Chase portal or transfer them to a wide array of airline and hotel partners. This flexibility often yields more value than fixed-rate redemptions and makes it ideal for people who want to travel more often without being locked into one loyalty program.

The earning rates are competitive. You will earn 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel, 3 points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries, 2 points on all other travel, and 1 point on everything else. This card is designed for everyday spending that fuels real adventures.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Best for: Small business owners who travel
Annual Fee: $95
Welcome Bonus: 90,000 points
Credit Score Required: Good to Excellent

If your business requires you to fly frequently, ship products, or invest in digital advertising, the Ink Business Preferred card is a strategic powerhouse. It earns 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 in combined purchases in categories such as travel, shipping, advertising, and telecommunications. This makes it a top pick for entrepreneurs and freelancers who want to leverage business spending into meaningful travel perks.

Its 90,000-point welcome bonus after spending $6,000 in three months is substantial. Through Chase Travel, that bonus is worth over $1,100. You also get access to Chase’s broad transfer partner network, opening up possibilities for first-class flights and luxury hotel stays. If you run a business, this card can be your ticket to both profit and passport stamps.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Best for: Luxury travelers and frequent flyers
Annual Fee: $695
Welcome Bonus: 80,000 points
Credit Score Required: Good to Excellent

Luxury has a name, and it is spelled Platinum. The American Express Platinum Card is the go-to option for those who want to travel to feel as indulgent as the destination itself. With access to the exclusive Centurion Lounge network, Priority Pass lounges, and Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta, this card transforms layovers into premium experiences.

Beyond lounge access, cardholders enjoy Gold status at Hilton and Marriott, statement credits for airline incidental fees, Uber rides, digital subscriptions, and Saks Fifth Avenue purchases. The rewards are robust: 5 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked through American Express Travel and 1 point on other purchases.

While the $695 annual fee is steep, it is more than offset for travelers who take advantage of the included perks and use the travel credits regularly. This card is designed for those who value experience as much as efficiency.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best for: Simplicity and flat-rate rewards
Annual Fee: $95
Welcome Bonus: 75,000 miles plus $250 travel credit
Credit Score Required: Good to Excellent

Not everyone wants to spend time analyzing transfer partners or navigating points calculators. For travelers who crave simplicity, the Capital One Venture Rewards card offers an easy-to-understand and powerful rewards system. You earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, with no confusing categories to remember, and 5 miles per dollar on bookings made through Capital One Travel.

The current sign-up bonus is generous—75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months, plus a $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first year. These miles can be used to erase travel purchases or transferred to a solid lineup of airline and hotel partners for better value.

This card makes travel rewards accessible and flexible, even for busy individuals who want to keep things streamlined.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Best for: Frequent travelers who value premium benefits
Annual Fee: $550
Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points
Credit Score Required: Excellent

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is the heavyweight champion for people who fly often and want a card that packs serious perks. Despite the high annual fee, the $300 annual travel credit covers a wide range of travel expenses automatically, making the real cost of the card more manageable.

It earns 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals and 5 points per dollar on flights booked through Chase Travel. You also get 3 points per dollar on other travel and dining purchases. With lounge access through Priority Pass, trip delay reimbursement, rental car coverage, and primary travel protections, this card provides top-tier value in every phase of the travel journey.

The points are worth 50 percent more when redeemed through Chase Travel, and the extensive list of transfer partners opens up premium redemption options for international flights and high-end hotels.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Best for: Broad bonus categories and travel flexibility
Annual Fee: $95
Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points
Credit Score Required: Good to Excellent

The Citi Strata Premier card is a sleeper hit in the travel credit card space. It excels in its everyday earning power, with 3 points per dollar at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels. Booking through Citi Travel boosts your earnings to 10 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals, and attractions.

These points can be transferred to a variety of international airline programs or redeemed through Citi Travel, making the card suitable for both aspirational and practical travel goals. It’s a flexible, user-friendly option that fits the lifestyle of everyday spenders who also like to see the world.

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Best for: High earners who want flexibility
Annual Fee: $95
Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points
Credit Score Required: Good to Excellent

This relatively new entrant from Wells Fargo is making waves with its generous earning rates. You earn 5 points per dollar on hotels, 4 points on airlines, 3 points on other travel and dining, and 1 point on all other purchases. It is a great option for travelers who want strong returns without needing to use a specific portal for booking.

It also offers an annual $50 credit and no foreign transaction fees, helping to boost its value for international travelers. If you want a fresh alternative with solid earning potential, this card is well worth consideration.

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Best for: Hotel stays and no annual fee
Annual Fee: $0
Welcome Bonus: 70,000 points plus one free night
Credit Score Required: Good to Excellent

A hotel credit card with no annual fee that still offers excellent value? That is exactly what you get with the Hilton Honors American Express Card. You will earn 7 points per dollar at Hilton hotels, 5 points at U.S. supermarkets, restaurants, and gas stations, and 3 points on everything else.

Cardholders receive Silver status with Hilton, which includes benefits such as a fifth night free on award stays and bonus points on stays. It is a great way to earn free nights quickly, especially if you travel domestically and want to keep costs down.

Choosing Your Ideal Travel Companion

There is no single best travel credit card for everyone, and that is a good thing. The cards featured here cover a wide range of travel styles, budgets, and goals. Whether you prioritize high-end luxury, value-rich simplicity, or flexible points that bend to your travel whims, the key is to choose a card that aligns with how you spend and where you go.

Before applying, always consider the full value equation: welcome bonus, annual fee, rewards structure, redemption flexibility, and the perks you are most likely to use. The right travel credit card will not just carry you from place to place. It will elevate the entire journey.

Adventure awaits—and the right card can make all the difference. Are you ready to take off?