Top Credit Cards for Travel Rewards 2025
Traveling, whether for business or personal getaways, is an investment. Between flights, hotels, and getting around, the costs add up quickly. That’s where the right rewards credit card comes in. With over 13 years of experience delivering premium journeys in over 500 cities worldwide, Blacklane knows what makes a trip smoother, smarter, and more rewarding. Our handpicked selection of the best credit cards for travel rewards helps you earn perks, points, and savings every step of the way.
Table of Contents
- How to choose the best travel rewards card for you
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card – The best card for Delta flyers
- Platinum Card from American Express – The best card for big spenders
- Chase Sapphire Preferred – The best card for flexible spending
- Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard – The best card for American Airlines flyers
- Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card – The best card for multiple bookings
- Make every mile count with your card and your ride
How to choose the best travel rewards card for you
Travel rewards credit cards come in all stripes, so how can you accurately judge which one will work for you? First, think about your travel plans. Where are you going, and which airlines do you want to fly with? Are there any carriers you prefer, and frequently use or any you’d like to start using on the regular?
As with any rewards card, the trick is to tailor your spending activity to the card rules. This will allow you to leverage the maximum return on your spend via miles, cashback, and other specific perks. As you’ll see from our list, every card has its advantages, and some reward loyalty to specific airlines, so a little pre-planning and research could really pay off.
At its best, the right travel rewards card can help you climb up the ladder to elite status, translating into all sorts of extra perks. Think of seating upgrades on flights, free bag checks, and enjoying your hotel breakfast on the house. Check the travel rewards card benefits carefully before you apply, and don’t forget the annual fee!
Also consider how much you’re likely to spend on the card. Certain cards reward a higher spend, such as the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card featured below. However, if you’re unlikely to meet the threshold for those rewards, you might be better off opting for the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card, which drops the high-spend benefits but also loses the annual fee, saving you money.
Getting started with a new rewards card is always something of a balancing act, so check the benefit details, consider your travel needs, and be realistic about your spending habits.
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card – The best card for Delta flyers
Delta Airlines is one of the USA’s biggest and best-known domestic carriers, and has also topped polls for being the most reliable. If they feature frequently on your travel itinerary, you’d do well to consider the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex, which pushes the envelope when it comes to loyalty bonuses.
The most prominent reason? Spending $3,000 on eligible purchases with this card during your first six months of membership will net you a staggering 80,000 Bonus Miles, worth around $960, depending on how you redeem them. Push your spend to $10,000 in a calendar year and you’ll also earn a $200 Delta flight credit. In addition, this card gives you priority boarding, a free checked bag, and 20% back on eligible in-flight purchases.
And did we mention frequent Delta flyers can also earn double Miles on Delta purchases, dining at restaurants worldwide, and at U.S. supermarkets? It’s truly stacked with goodies, and there’s even a $0 intro fee for the first year. After that, you’re looking at a $150 annual fee, plus a variable APR of 19.99-28.99.
Key Benefits:
- 80,000 Bonus Miles after spending $3,000 in the first six months
- $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year
- Priority boarding
- Free checked bag
- 20% back on eligible in-flight purchases
- Double Miles on Delta purchases, dining, and U.S. supermarkets
Platinum Card from American Express – The best card for big spenders
In need of a card that isn’t tied to a specific airline but still offers a wealth of benefits? When it comes to luxury travel perks, the Amex Platinum remains a top contender among the best credit cards for travel rewards.
This card provides an exceptional opportunity to earn and redeem points for high-end travel benefits, offering you the best of both worlds. Some may argue the card’s $695 annual fee is steep, but rewards accumulate quickly. Flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel earn 5X Membership Rewards Points, up to 500,000 per calendar year. Additionally, prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel also earn 5X points, allowing you to offset the annual fee through strategic spending.
The cherry on top is the 80,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points you’ll earn by spending $8,000 on eligible purchases in your first six months.
Key Benefits:
- 80,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 in the first six months
- 5X Membership Rewards Points on flights and prepaid hotels
- Priority access to Amex’s exclusive airport lounges
- $200 Hotel Credit
- $200 Airline Fee Credit
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit
- 20 Uber Cash monthly
Chase Sapphire Preferred – The best card for flexible spending
For travelers seeking a modest annual fee while still earning substantial rewards for travel and dining, the Chase Sapphire Preferred stands out as a top choice. This card offers 5X total points on travel purchased through Chase Travel, excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit. It also offers 3X points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out, and 2X points on other travel purchases.
Need a little extra incentive? The Chase Sapphire Preferred also grants a 60,000 bonus points boost after you spend $4,000 on purchases in your first three months, turning your spending on restaurants, hotels, flights, and rental cars into a substantial return.
While it may lack some of the opulence of more premium cards, with an annual fee of just $95, this card is ideal for travelers seeking versatility without a hefty price tag. The variable APR ranges from 20.49 to 27.49.
Key Benefits:
- 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
- 3X points on dining
- 2X points on other travel purchases
- $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard – The best card for American Airlines flyers
With a name fit for a pompous monarch, the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard asserts itself as a top contender among travel rewards cards – especially for frequent American Airlines travelers.
Most striking is this card’s introductory offer of 75,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $3,500 on purchases within the first four months. Once you’ve secured those miles, a suite of travel perks awaits. Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights and a first checked bag free for yourself and up to four companions on the same reservation – ideal for group trips.
In terms of rewards, earn 2 miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, at gas stations, and in restaurants, including takeout, and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Additionally, after spending $20,000 in a card membership year and renewing your card, you’ll receive a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount. The $99 annual fee is waived for the first 12 months, making it even more appealing. The variable APR ranges from 20.24 to 29.24, based on creditworthiness.
Key Benefits:
- 75,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $3,500 in the first four months
- Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
- Free first checked bag for yourself and up to four companions
- 2 miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, at gas stations, and in restaurants
- $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after spending $20,000 in a card membership year
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card – The best card for multiple bookings
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card takes a countdown approach with its rewards, offering five points per dollar on hotels, four on airlines, three on other travel purchases and dining, and one on anything else. Just book directly with the hotel or airline to unlock the benefit, and start stacking up your points, regardless of who you’re flying with or where you’re staying.
It’s a chameleon of a travel rewards card, and to entice you in, there’s also a bonus 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 in the first three months. Add in some handy extras like trip cancellation and interruption protection up to $15,000 per claim, a $50 annual airfare credit, and cell phone protection up to $1,000 per claim, and you’ll soon be getting even more from your travels.
The Autograph Journey costs $95 a year, and offers a variable APR of 20.24, 25.24, or 29.24, depending on your credit.
Key Benefits:
- 60,000 points bonus after spending $4,000 in the first three months
- Five points per dollar on hotels
- Four points per dollar on airlines
- Three points per dollar on other travel purchases and dining
- Trip cancellation and interruption protection up to $15,000 per claim
- $50 annual airfare credit
- Cell phone protection up to $1,000 per claim
Make every mile count with your card and your ride
You’ve picked the right credit card with the best rewards and booked the trip. Now it’s time to travel just as smart on the ground. Blacklane helps you turn every journey into a seamless experience with premium chauffeur service in cities around the world. From airport pickups to hotel drop-offs, we’re here to elevate the way you move, because journey isn’t just about where you go. It’s how you get there.
The prices and benefits listed above have been sourced from each credit card website at the time of publication. The information has not been reviewed or edited by any of the listed companies.
About the Author:
Nick Hagan is a freelance writer based in Oxford and Reading, UK. He runs Curio Books and Culture in Oxford, and enjoys writing about culture, travel, film, psychology, and just about everything in-between.
What are the best credit cards for travel rewards in 2025?
The best credit cards for travel rewards in 2025 include Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, Platinum Card from American Express, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card.
How do I choose the best travel rewards card for me?
Consider your travel plans, preferred airlines, and spending habits. Look for cards that offer rewards and benefits that align with your needs.
What are the benefits of the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
The benefits include 80,000 Bonus Miles after spending $3,000 in the first six months, $200 Delta flight credit, priority boarding, free checked bag, and 20% back on eligible in-flight purchases.
What is the annual fee for the Platinum Card from American Express?
The annual fee for the Platinum Card from American Express is $695.
How many points do I earn with the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
You earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3X points on dining, and 2X points on other travel purchases.
What are the benefits of the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard?
The benefits include 75,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $3,500 in the first four months, preferred boarding on American Airlines flights, and a free first checked bag for yourself and up to four companions.
What is the annual fee for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card?
The annual fee for the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card is $95.
How do I earn points with the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card?
You earn five points per dollar on hotels, four points per dollar on airlines, three points per dollar on other travel purchases and dining, and one point per dollar on anything else.
Can I use Blacklane with any credit card?
Yes, you can use Blacklane with any credit card to make every mile count with your card and your ride.
