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Which Travel Rewards Credit Card is Best for You?

7 min read
Last Updated: February 18, 2025
Credit card rewards

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

  1. Travel rewards credit cards may offer cash back, miles, or other benefits.

  2. Some travel credit cards charge fees that may cost more than the rewards you’ll earn.

  3. If you travel internationally, check whether your travel credit card charges foreign transaction fees.

If you like to travel, you know that travel expenses can add up quickly. However, there are simple ways you can maximize your travel budget. One option is to have a travel rewards credit card that lets you earn rewards on both travel and non-travel purchases.

Finding the best credit card for travel depends on many factors specific to you, like your purchase habits and how much you spend. This guide will help you determine the best travel rewards credit card to maximize your travel rewards potential.

How do travel credit cards work?

As you use a travel credit card, you may earn miles or other rewards that you can redeem for travel expenses, depending on the rewards program. Some travel credit cards may offer bonus rewards on travel purchases, while others offer a flat rate on all eligible purchases.

With the Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card, earn 1.5x Miles on every purchase, at home or away1 – from airfare and hotels to groceries and online shopping.

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Redeeming rewards

Earning rewards on every eligible purchase no matter where you shop may be ideal for some, but what about claiming the rewards you’ve earned? The best travel card for you should offer redemption options you'll actually use.

A co-branded travel card may give you airline miles that you can redeem for a flight, but these usually have restrictions on the dates and destinations you can use them for. With the Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card, you can turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.1

What credit score is needed for the best travel credit cards?

Each credit card issuer may have its own travel credit card requirements. However, you typically qualify for a wider range of rewards credit cards when you have a good or excellent credit score. If you’re considering a travel rewards card, but you’re not sure whether you may qualify, it’s likely a good idea to check your credit score and review your credit report.

If your credit score isn’t as high as you’d like it to be, you may build a positive credit history by paying down your balances to reduce your credit utilization ratio. You should also make sure you make all credit card payments on time each month.

Types of travel credit cards

Typically, you’ll find two different kinds of travel credit cards. The best travel credit card for you will depend on how you travel and what you’re looking for.

Co-branded travel rewards cards

Co-branded travel cards involve partnerships between card issuers and companies–like airlines and hotels–offering brand-specific rewards. The way you earn rewards and redeem them is usually focused on you spending with the brand. For example, you might earn more points paying for your hotel reservation when you use the hotel’s co-branded credit card than you would when you use the co-branded card for everyday purchases.

When you redeem your credit card rewards, you might be limited to hotel-specific options, like room upgrades or other perks. If you’re loyal to a particular hotel chain or use a specific airline when you travel, it might make the most sense to use a credit card offered by them.

Flexible travel rewards cards

The other type of travel credit card is one that lets you earn miles or points on everyday eligible purchases no matter where you shop, which you can redeem for travel or cash. These cards, like the Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card, are more flexible because they allow you to redeem your rewards for cash to spend with the airline or hotel of your choosing or on any other expense.

Choosing the travel rewards credit card that’s best for you

Many people look for key things from their travel rewards cards:

  • Value: The overall value of a travel rewards credit card may depend largely on the rewards earned for each dollar spent, plus any fees you might have to pay, such as annual fees. Discover has no annual fee on any of our cards.
  • Flexibility: When comparing travel rewards credit cards, customers may benefit most from cards that offer flexible opportunities for redemptions and won’t limit you to redeeming rewards with only one travel provider. Also, some cards have blackout dates for redeeming miles, which means you might not be able to redeem your rewards for the travel times you prefer.
  • Cost and fees: Travel cards may vary in their interest rates and fees. If you’re carrying a balance each month, it’s important to check your travel card’s APR (annual percentage rate) and to calculate whether the rewards you might earn would be worth more to you than any fees you might pay. For international travel, you may also want to check if the rewards card has a foreign transaction fee, which could cost you extra every time you use it abroad. Discover has no foreign transaction fee.
  • Bonuses: Travel cards may also have bonus miles offers to entice applicants. You may want to compare any bonuses or membership rewards to see how they match with your spending habits.
  • Security: Paying for a travel expense with a credit card may help protect you from fraud. If a company fails to deliver the goods or services you paid for, you can dispute the charge through your credit card. The Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card offers $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee. You’re never responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover Card.2

Did you know?

With the Discover it® Miles Travel Credit Card, you get an unlimited Mile-for-Mile match of all the Miles you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. There is no limit to how much we’ll match.3 You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles.

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If you’re unsatisfied with the travel benefits on your current credit card, consider looking for a travel rewards credit card that’s better for your needs. Each travel rewards credit card may have pros and cons so shape your decision to match your personal travel and spending habits.

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