1. Are you loyal to one airline or hotel?
If you fly one airline most of the time, its co-brand card pays you back in checked bags, boarding and sometimes companion fares. Southwest cardholders get one free checked bag; the Delta SkyMiles Gold now covers a second bag on Delta domestic flights. If you book whatever's cheapest, flexible points serve you better because they can go to many programs. Compare the two routes in our airline card and hotel card guides.
2. Which kind of rewards do you want?
- Transferable points (Chase, Amex, Citi, Capital One, Bilt, Wells Fargo) can move to airline and hotel partners and usually have the highest value.
- Fixed-value points (Bank of America Travel Rewards, Discover it Miles) are simple: they're redeemed at a set rate toward travel.
- Airline miles and hotel points only work with one program, but co-brand cards add perks you can't get elsewhere.
Our points vs. miles guide shows typical values for each.
3. Which annual fee can you justify?
Travel cards roughly fall into three bands:
| Fee band | Examples | Makes sense if… |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | Wells Fargo Autograph, Capital One VentureOne, Bank of America Travel Rewards | You travel a few times a year |
| $95–$395 | Sapphire Preferred, Venture, Strata Premier, Amex Gold ($325), Venture X ($395) | You travel regularly and will use a credit or two |
| $595–$895 | Citi Strata Elite, Sapphire Reserve ($795), Amex Platinum ($895) | You fly often, want lounges and will use most credits |
Count only credits you'd spend money on anyway. A $300 credit you have to go out of your way to use is worth less than $300. For $0 options, see no-annual-fee travel cards.
4. Does it match your spending?
Look at your last few statements. Heavy restaurant and grocery spending points to the Amex Gold (4x at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, up to annual caps). A broad mix of gas, dining and travel suits the Sapphire Preferred or Citi Strata Premier. If you'd rather not think about it, the Capital One Venture's 2x on everything is the simplest choice. If rent is your biggest bill, Bilt cards earn points on rent and mortgage payments.
5. Check the travel basics
- No foreign transaction fee. Fees typically run 1%–3% per purchase. See cards with no foreign transaction fee.
- Rental car coverage. Primary coverage (Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, United Explorer) pays before your own auto insurance. Many other cards, including most Amex cards, offer secondary coverage.
- Trip delay. Premium cards usually pay after a 6-hour delay; the Sapphire Preferred reportedly needs 12 hours or an overnight stay.
- Lounges, if they matter to you — see lounge access compared.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing by bonus size alone. A bonus is a one-time payment; earning rates and fees last for years.
- Counting credits you won't use. A monthly credit at a store you never visit is worth nothing to you.
- Ignoring recent changes. Several cards changed in 2025–2026, including the Sapphire Preferred's Hyatt transfer ratio, the Venture X's lounge guest rules and Southwest's bag policy.
- Applying out of order. Because of 5/24, opening other cards first can lock you out of Chase cards.
- Using a card with a foreign fee abroad. The AAdvantage MileUp, for example, charges 3%.
Ready to compare specific cards? Start with the best travel cards of 2026.
Before you apply
Most travel cards need good to excellent credit. Chase generally declines applicants who've opened five or more personal cards in the past 24 months (the 5/24 rule), so if you want Chase cards, apply for them first. Carrying a balance cancels out rewards quickly: regular APRs on the cards we track mostly fall between about 18% and 29% variable, as of October 2026. Card terms change often, so check the issuer's site before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Often a $95 card is the best first step, because it adds transfer partners and travel protections that $0 cards usually lack. If you travel only once or twice a year, a no-fee card like the Wells Fargo Autograph is a safer start.
Only if you'll use most of its credits and perks without changing your habits. With fees now at $795 for the Sapphire Reserve and $895 for the Amex Platinum, the math is tighter than it used to be.
Most travel cards ask for good to excellent credit. Premium cards like the Sapphire Reserve and Venture X are listed as needing excellent credit.
Meet the New Chase Sapphire Preferred — Chase Media Center
Compare Credit Cards — Capital One
How the Chase 5/24 Rule Works — CNBC Select
What Is a Foreign Transaction Fee? — Experian
Best Credit Cards for Trip Delay Insurance — Upgraded Points
Citi Strata Premier Review — NerdWallet
Card terms, rates and fees change often and APRs are variable. Information was checked in October 2026; confirm current terms on the issuer's website before applying. MoneyVerge may be compensated by some card issuers; this does not affect our assessments.