3 Credit Cards to Check Out if You Plan to Travel in 2025
KEY POINTS
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a huge limited-time welcome offer.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express offers spending credits and airport lounge access (terms apply).
- The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is an easy-to-use travel card with no annual fee.
If you love to travel, you're probably either going to start making your 2025 travel plans soon, or you've already done so. Even if you're not booking anything quite yet, it's good to have an idea of where you'd like to go and when.
Another consideration is how you'll pay for it. Travel can get expensive -- Pacaso puts the average cost of a vacation for two at $3,971 per week. But it gets much cheaper if you find a travel rewards card so you can pay for vacations in points, not cash.
I love travel cards, and I've used over a dozen of them. Below, you'll find three top options to check out, depending on the features you want.
1. For a welcome offer worth over $1,000: Chase Sapphire Preferred
2025 Award Winner
On Chase's Secure Website.
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= Best
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= Fair = PoorOn Chase's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.74% - 27.74% Variable
Rewards Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 bonus points
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Bonus travel and dining rewards, along with an annual $50 hotel credit, make this card worth the (very reasonable) annual fee. Chase points are both valuable and easy to use, offering 25% more value for bookings through Chase Travel, which simplifies the experience compared to other travel cards. Not to mention it provides robust travel protections, including primary rental car insurance, trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Read Full Review
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- Big sign-up bonus
- Travel rewards
- Dining rewards
- Flexible travel points
- Consumer and travel protections
- Annual fee
- Limited-time perks
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- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- Member FDIC
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card can quickly help you save on travel. It has a huge limited-time welcome offer. Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Chase has announced that this offer is ending on Nov. 14, so you don't have much longer to take advantage.
This Chase card is affordable, with just a $95 annual fee. It also has several bonus categories where it earns 2X to 5X points per $1. I consider it one of the best credit cards in terms of overall value, and it's a card I use regularly.
2. For the most luxurious benefits: Amex Platinum Card
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
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= Best
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= Fair = PoorOn American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Rewards Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
1X-5X Membership Rewards® Points
Annual Fee
$695
Welcome Offer Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 Membership Rewards® Points
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This luxury travel card has some of the most prestigious perks you'll find — access to over 1,400 airport lounges, elite status with Hilton and Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required), and spending credits worth over $1,500 in value every year. Just be ready for the hefty annual fee, which can be offset in the first year with a welcome bonus worth $800 in points. Terms apply. Read Full Review
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- Big welcome offer
- Substantial spending credits
- Airport lounge access
- Hotel benefits
- Flexible travel points
- Annual fee
- Limited bonus categories
- Spending credits can be complicated to manage
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- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is all about the high-end perks. It has a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). But it also has over $1,500 in spending credits every year and arguably the best airport lounge access of any travel card. You'll get complimentary access to over 1,400 lounges worldwide, including American Express® Centurion Lounges. Select enrollment required and terms apply.
This American Express card isn't right for everyone. The benefits need to be a good fit for your lifestyle and spending habits to get the most out of it. Those benefits are pretty amazing if you can use them, though. If you're looking for a card that can upgrade your travel experience with luxury air travel and hotel perks, this one could be a perfect match.
3. For travel rewards with no annual fee: Bank of America Travel Rewards
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
= Best
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= Fair = Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = PoorOn Bank of America's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Regular APR
18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Rewards Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
1.5 points per dollar
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
25,000 points
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This is a good starter travel card thanks to its simplicity and no annual fee. It offers a strong welcome bonus worth $250, unlimited 1.5X points on all purchases, and no foreign transaction fee. Simply redeem points as a statement credit for travel or dining purchases. The generous 0% Intro APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles might come in handy if you want to pay-off an expensive trip over time without interest. It’s a particularly good fit for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, who can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase (depending on your tier). Read Full Review
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- Big sign-up bonus
- No annual fee
- Competitive rewards rate on purchases
- Great 0% intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
- Limited ways to use points
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- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.49% - 28.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Don't want to commit to paying an annual fee right now? Most travel cards charge one, but there are exceptions. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is a no annual fee card that works well for saving on the occasional trip.
This card is easy to use, earning a flat rate of 1.5 points per $1 on purchases. If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards client, you get a credit card rewards bonus of 25% to 75%. That can bring the rewards rate as high as 2.62 points per $1, which is hard to beat.
You can redeem rewards at $0.01 per point toward travel and dining purchases. There's also a welcome offer of 25,000 points (worth $250) after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days.
Take the trips you want in 2025
No matter what your travel plans are for 2025, the right credit card could help. Any travel card, including those with no annual fee, earn rewards that you can use to cover the cost of travel bookings. The more expensive cards also offer premium perks for a more enjoyable experience.
Want to see even more options? Check out our full list of the top travel rewards cards with big bonus opportunities and all kinds of valuable benefits.
Our Research Expert
Lyle Daly is a freelance writer who has been covering personal finance since 2016.
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For rates and fees for the The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here