CREDIT CARDSCREDIT CARDSEXCELLENT TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS OF 2023
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6 Excellent Travel Credit Cards of 2023

NerdWallet's Excellent Travel Credit Cards of 2023

Excellent for: Airline Miles and a Large Bonus

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

NerdWallet rating
5.0
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card card image
NerdWallet rating
5.0
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Current Intro Offer

Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.

Rewards Rate
5X

Points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.

3X

Points on dining.

3X

Points on select streaming services.

3X

Points on online groceries.

2X

Points on all other travel purchases.

1X

Point on all other purchases.

Rewards rate

1x-5x

Points
Annual fee

$95

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.

Rewards rate

1x-5x

Points
Annual fee

$95

Recommended Credit
  • Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That's worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.
  • 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
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Pros
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • Bonus categories
  • Primary rental car coverage
  • Flexible rewards redemption
  • Transfer partners
Cons
  • Has annual fee
  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • Complicated rewards
Read full review
Excellent for: Flat-rate travel rewards

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

NerdWallet rating
4.7
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card card image
NerdWallet rating
4.7
Apply Now
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Rates & Fees
Current Intro Offer

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Rewards Rate
5X

Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

2X

Miles on every purchase, every day.

Rewards rate

2x-5x

Miles
Annual fee

$95

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Rewards rate

2x-5x

Miles
Annual fee

$95

Recommended Credit
  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Pros
  • High rewards rate
  • Flexible rewards redemption
Cons
  • Has annual fee
  • Requires good/excellent credit
Read full review
Excellent for: Cash-Back Pairing With Chase Sapphire Preferred®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

NerdWallet rating
5.0
Chase Freedom Unlimited® card image
NerdWallet rating
5.0
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Current Intro Offer

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Rewards Rate
5%

Cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.

3%

Cash back on drugstore purchases.

3%

Cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.

1.5%

Cash back on all other purchases.

Rewards rate

1.5%-5%

Cashback
Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Rewards rate

1.5%-5%

Cashback
Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Pros
  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • High rewards rate
  • No minimum redemption amount
Cons
  • Requires good/excellent credit
Read full review
Excellent for: Capital One Miles

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

NerdWallet rating
4.9
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card card image
NerdWallet rating
4.9
Current Intro Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Rewards Rate
10X

Miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

5X

Miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.

2X

Miles on all other purchases.

Rewards rate

2x-10x

Miles
Annual fee

$395

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Rewards rate

2x-10x

Miles
Annual fee

$395

Recommended Credit
  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
  • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
  • Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
  • Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Pros
  • High rewards rate
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • Lounge membership
  • Anniversary perk
  • Flexible rewards redemption
Cons
  • High annual fee
  • Requires excellent credit
Read full review
Excellent for: Flat-Rate Travel Rewards + No Annual Fee

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

NerdWallet rating
3.8
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card card image
NerdWallet rating
3.8
Apply Now
on Bank of America's website
on Bank of America's website
Current Intro 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.

Rewards Rate
1.5X

Points per $1 spent on all purchases.

Rewards rate

1.5x

Points
Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
Current Intro 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.

Rewards rate

1.5x

Points
Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
  • 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 18.74% - 28.74% 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.
Apply Now
on Bank of America's website
on Bank of America's website
Pros
  • No annual fee
  • New cardholder bonus offer
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Flexible rewards redemption
  • Intro APR period
Cons
  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • No bonus categories
  • Best rewards limited to certain customers
Read full review
Excellent for: Flat-Rate Travel Rewards With Miles Match

Discover it® Miles

NerdWallet rating
3.8
Discover it® Miles card image
NerdWallet rating
3.8
Apply Now
on Discover's website,
on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264
Rates & Fees
Current Intro Offer

UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.

Rewards Rate
1.5X

Miles for every dollar spent on all purchases.

Rewards rate

1.5x

Miles
Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
Current Intro Offer

UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.

Rewards rate

1.5x

Miles
Annual fee

$0

Recommended Credit
  • UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
  • Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
  • No annual fee
  • Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.74% - 27.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
  • View Rates & Fees
Apply Now
on Discover's website,
on Discover's website, or call 800-347-0264
Pros
  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • Flexible rewards redemption
Cons
  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • No luxury perks
  • Lower acceptance abroad
Read full review
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