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If you're a frequent road warrior, credit cards that offer travel rewards are worth looking into. Typically, card users are given points or cash back for purchasing gas or airline tickets with their card, while some cards even reward users for eating out at restaurants. In order to determine which card is best for your lifestyle, you should calculate how much you usually spend annually on these types of purchases, and then look for a card that best matches your anticipated expenditures. To learn more about travel reward programs values, take a look at our Travel Rewards Program Analysis. You can learn more about credit cards by visiting our FAQ.
Travel Credit Card Reviews & Prices
Updated 05-17-2012
| Name & Card | Purchase APR | Travel Rewards | Annual Fee | Credit Needed:
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| Capital One® VentureSM Rewards Credit Card |  | 13.9% - 20.9% variable | Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all purchases; 10,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,000 in 1st 3 months | $0 first year; $59/year thereafter | Excellent/ Good | Our Rating: Travel rewards card winner with a value of $2 for every $100 spent, no blackout dates or restrictions |
| Escape by Discover® Card |  | 0% for first 6 months, then 10.99-16.99% (Variable) | Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all purchases | $60/yr | Good | Our Rating: Top travel rewards contender; 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases; earn up to 25,000 bonus miles in 25 months |
| Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express |  | 2.9% for first 6 months, then 15.24-19.24% (Variable) | 10,000 bonus points after first purchase; earn 4- 5 points for every dollar you spend at Starwood Hotels; 1 point per $1 spent everywhere else | $0 first year; $65/yr thereafter. | Good | Our Rating: Great travel card with high hotel redemption value of $2.50, free night at top hotel after first purchase, stay 2 nights get 3rd night free |
| United MileagePlus® Explorer Card |  | 15.24% | 25,000 bonus miles after first purchase, 2 miles per $1 spent on United flights, 1 mile per dollar spent on all purchases | $0 first year; $95/year thereafter | Good | Our Rating: Good choice for United flyers who want to earn free flights with great perks; flight redemption value of $1.94 |
| Name & Card | Purchase APR | Travel Rewards | Annual Fee | Credit Needed:
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| Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Plus Card from Chase |  | 15.24% | 25,000 bonus points (1 free flight) after first purchase; 2 points per $1 spent on all Southwest Airline, Hotel and Car Rental Partner purchases; 1 point per $1 on all other purchases | $69/yr | Good | Our Rating: Excellent choice for frequent Southwest fliers; strong travel rewards analysis contender; free flight with first purchase |
| Blue Sky from American Express® |  | 0% for 12 months, then 17.24-22.24% (Variable) | 7,500 bonus points when you spend $1,000 within 3 months; 1 point per $1 spent | None | Good | Our Rating: Unlimited travel rewards with no blackout dates or restrictions; $1.33 flight & hotel redemption value; 0% intro APR |
| Capital One® Venture OneSM Rewards Credit Card |  | 0% until June 2013, then 11.9% - 19.9% (V) | 1.25 miles per $1 spent on all purchases; earn 10,000 miles (equal to $100 in travel) once you spend $1,000 in first 3 months | None | Excellent/ Good | Our Rating: Unlimited travel rewards combined with 0% introductory APR and no annual fee makes this a solid choice; $1.25 flight & hotel value; $100 bonus opportunity |
| Citi® Hilton HHonorsSM Visa Signature® Card |  | 14.24% variable | 40,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in first 4 months, earn 6 points for each $1 spent at participating hotel, 3 points for each $1 spent on purchases at supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations, 2 points for each $1 spent on all other purchases | None | Good | Our Rating: Great card for travelers who stay at Hilton Worldwide hotels, free hotel stays after spending $1,000 in first 4 months, includes bonus points for non-travel purchases |
| Name & Card | Purchase APR | Travel Rewards | Annual Fee | Credit Needed:
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Our Rating & Bottom Line | |
| Gold Delta Skymiles® from American Express® |  | 15.24 -19.24% variable | 30,000 bonus miles after spending $500 in 3 months; 2 miles per $1 spent on Delta flights, 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases | $0 first year; $95/year thereafter | Good | Our Rating: Best for those who want to earn free Delta flights and upgrades; flight value of $1.26; annual fee waived first year |
| Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card from Chase |  | 15.24% | 50,000 bonus points after your first use; 5 points for every $1 spent at Marriott locations; 2 points for every $1 spent on qualifying airline, dining, and rental car purchases; 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | $0 first year; $85/yr thereafter | Good | Our Rating: Great for Marriott regulars who want to earn 5 for each $1 spent at Marriott, earn up to 5 nights free after first purchase, travel value of $1.11 for hotel stays |
| Chase Sapphire PreferredSM |  | 15.24% | 2 points per $1 spent on travel and dining, 1 point per $1 spent on everything else, plus additional points on eligible airfare purchases and other online purchases made through Chase | $0 first year; $95/year thereafter | Good | Our Rating: Earn unlimited 2x points on travel and dining; 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in first 3 months; annual 7% dividend bonus |
| Miles by Discover® Card |  | 10.99-15.99% (Variable) | 2 miles per $1 spent on your first $3,000 in annual travel and restaurant purchases, 1 mile per dollar spent thereafter; 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases | None | Good | Our Rating: Great overall travel rewards card; earn up to 12,000 bonus miles in first year; 0% intro APR for balance transfers |
| Name & Card | Purchase APR | Travel Rewards | Annual Fee | Credit Needed:
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Our Rating & Bottom Line | |
| Chase SapphireSM |  | 15.24% | 2 points per $1 spent at restaurants, 1 point per $1 spent on everything else, plus additional points on eligible airfare purchases and other online purchases made through Chase | None | Good | Our Rating: Unlimited reward points; 10,000 bonus points after spending $500 in first 3 months; redeem for cash or merchandise |
| Citi® Platinum Select®/AAdvantage® Visa Signature® Card |  | 15.24% variable | 30,000 bonus miles opportunity, earn 1 mile for each $1 spent on purchases | $0 first year; $95/yr thereafter | Good | Our Rating: Best for those who like to fly American Airlines, with perks like priority boarding and first checked bag free |
| Marriott Rewards® Credit Card from Chase |  | 14.24% | 30,000 bonus points after your first use; 3 points for every $1 spent at Marriott locations; 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | $0 first year; $45/yr thereafter | Good | Our Rating: Best for frequent Marriott hotel visitors, earn up to 4 nights free after first purchase, hotel redemption value of $1.11 |
| American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card |  | N/A | 25,000 points for $2,000 spent in first 3 mos; 3 points per $1 spent on airfare, 2 points per $1 spent on gas and groceries, 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. | $0 first year; $175/year thereafter | Good | Our Rating: High annual fee but includes unique Gold card benefits; 25,000 bonus point opportunity |
| Name & Card | Purchase APR | Travel Rewards | Annual Fee | Credit Needed:
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Our Rating & Bottom Line | |
| PenFed Premium Travel Rewards American Express® Card |  | 9.99% | 20,000 points for $650 spent in first 3 mos; 5 points for every $1 you spend on airfare, 1 point for every $1 you spend on other purchases | None | Good | Our Rating: Redeem points for rewards or cash, must be Pentagon Federal Credit Union member to apply |
| Discover® Open Road Card |  | 0% for first 12 months, then 10.99-19.99% (Variable) | 2% cash back on first $250 in gas and restaurant monthly; 1% on all purchases after $3k annually | None | Good | Our Rating: Good gas rebate card; 0% intro APR for purchase & transfer; $150 Restaurant.com card after first purchase |
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