Whether booking a flight with United Airlines (UA) from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or enjoying a Hawaiian Airlines (HA) journey out of Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), the right travel credit card can turn every trip into a money-saving opportunity.
Travel credit cards aren’t just for frequent flyers. From annual fee considerations to reward flexibility, these cards help both occasional travelers and globe trotters maximize value through points, miles, and perks tailored to personal travel habits.
Photo: Wikimedia CommonsBest Travel Credit Card for 2025
| Capital One Venture Rewards | $95 | 75,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months | 5x on hotels/rentals via Capital One Travel, 2x all else | $120 Global Entry credit, Hertz Five Star status | Flexible rewards |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® | $95 | 75,000 points after $5,000 in 3 months | 5x on Chase Travel℠, 3x dining, 2x travel | 25% redemption boost, $50 hotel credit | Redemption value |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | 75,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months | 10x hotels/rentals, 5x flights via Capital One Travel, 2x all else | $300 travel credit, lounge access | Premium travel perks |
| American Express® Gold | $325 | Up to 100,000 points after $6,000 in 6 months | 4x restaurants/supermarkets, 3x flights | $120 dining credits, $100 Resy credits | Everyday rewards |
| US Bank Altitude® Connect | $0 | 20,000 points after $1,000 in 90 days | 5x hotels/rentals via Altitude Rewards, 4x travel/gas | 4 Priority Pass visits, $100 Global Entry credit | No annual fee |
| Citi Strata Premier℠ | $95 | 75,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months | 10x hotels/rentals via CitiTravel.com, 3x travel/dining | $100 hotel discount, no foreign fees | Range of rewards |
| Bank of America® Premium Rewards® | $95 | 60,000 points after $4,000 in 90 days | 2x travel/dining, 1.5x all else | $100 airline credit, Preferred Rewards boost | Rewards boost |
Airline dress codes | Photo: CanvaGeneral Credit Card
General travel credit cards provide flexible redemption options, allowing points or miles to be used through issuer travel portals or transferred to partner airlines and hotels.
They suit travelers seeking versatility in booking flights, hotels, and more while also rewarding everyday purchases like dining, groceries, and streaming services.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Reward Rate: 2x miles on all purchases; 5x on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- Welcome Offer: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months (worth $750 in travel)
Earn flat-rate miles on every purchase with no blackout dates and flexible redemption options. The Capital One Venture card also offers travel perks like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit and Hertz Five Star status, making it a simple yet valuable option for consistent travel rewards.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Reward Rate: 5x on travel via Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming, and online groceries, 2x on other travel, 1x on all else
- Welcome Offer: 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
Chase Sapphire Preferred stands out for its 25% redemption bonus on travel through Chase Travel℠ and diverse rewards categories.
It combines strong earning potential for travel and everyday spending with partner perks, anniversary points bonuses, and statement credits for hotel stays, making it highly valuable for occasional and frequent travelers.
American Express® Gold Card
- Annual Fee: $250 (rates & fees apply)
- Reward Rate: 4x at restaurants worldwide, 4x at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000/year), 3x on flights booked directly or via AmexTravel.com
- Welcome Offer: Up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months (offer varies)
The Amex Gold Card delivers exceptional rewards on dining and supermarkets while also earning strong rates on flights.
With multiple statement credit benefits for dining, food delivery, and select merchants, plus flexible points transfers to travel partners, it offers substantial year-round value for both food lovers and travelers alike.
Photo: ChasePremium Credit Card
Premium travel credit cards are designed for frequent travelers seeking luxury benefits, high earning potential, and premium protections. While annual fees are higher, perks like travel credits, airport lounge access, elite status boosts, and bonus points can deliver exceptional value for those who travel multiple times each year.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $395
- Reward Rate: 10x on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel, 5x on flights via Capital One Travel, 2x on all other purchases
- Welcome Offer: 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
The Capital One Venture X offers $300 annual travel credits, unlimited Priority Pass and Capital One Lounge access, and 10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary.
With premium travel protections and simple flat rate earnings, it’s ideal for travelers who want both luxury perks and strong rewards on every purchase.
Photo: CanvaNo Annual Fee Credit Card
No annual fee travel cards are ideal for travelers who want to earn rewards and enjoy perks without ongoing costs.
While they may lack premium benefits, some options still offer strong reward rates, travel statement credits, and basic protections, making them excellent entry points into earning travel rewards.
US Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
- Annual Fee: $0
- Reward Rate: 4x points on travel and gas stations (up to $1,500 per quarter), 2x on dining, streaming, and grocery stores, 1x on all other purchases
- Welcome Offer: 50,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first 120 days
The US Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card delivers competitive rewards and TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credits, all without an annual fee.
It’s an excellent choice for occasional travelers or those looking to test travel rewards without committing to high annual fees, while still earning solid points on everyday purchases.
photo:-By Håkan Dahlström from Malmö, Sweden – MasterCard credit card, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80642732Airline and Hotel Co-Branded Credit Cards
Airline and hotel co-branded credit cards cater to travelers loyal to a specific brand. They deliver high value perks like free checked bags, companion fares, bonus points on brand purchases, elite status boosts, and free night awards, benefits that can easily offset the annual fee for frequent brand-specific travelers.
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Reward Rate: 3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases, 2x on eligible gas, EV charging, cable, streaming, and transit, 1x on all other purchases
- Welcome Offer: 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card offers an annual Companion Fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees) and free checked bags for up to six passengers.
For West Coast travelers or those flying Alaska Airlines often, the value of the Companion Fare alone can exceed the annual fee.
Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®
- Annual Fee: $99
- Reward Rate: 3x miles on Hawaiian Airlines purchases, 2x on gas, dining, and groceries, 1x on all other purchases
- Welcome Offer: 70,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days
This card provides discounted companion fares, free checked bags, and the ability to share miles with friends and family.
Ideal for travelers flying between Hawaii and the mainland, it delivers strong mileage earning on both airline purchases and common everyday spending categories.
United Quest℠ Card
- Annual Fee: $250
- Reward Rate: 3x miles on United purchases, 2x on travel, dining, and select streaming, 1x on all other purchases
- Welcome Offer: 70,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier Qualifying Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
The United Quest℠ Card offers up to $125 in United purchase credits annually, award flight discounts, and PQP earnings toward elite status.
For frequent United flyers, the combination of travel credits and mileage earning potential can make this card well worth its higher annual fee.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $99
- Reward Rate: Up to 26x points at IHG Hotels & Resorts, 5x on travel, dining, and gas, 3x on all other purchases
- Welcome Offer: 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
Perfect for IHG loyalists, this card offers a free anniversary night, automatic Platinum Elite status, and strong earning potential at IHG properties.
The combination of perks and rewards can deliver hundreds in annual value for regular hotel stays within the IHG portfolio.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Reward Rate: Up to 17x points at Marriott properties, 3x on the first $6,000 spent in combined gas, groceries, and dining purchases each year, 2x on all other purchases
- Welcome Offer: 125,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card grants an annual free night award (worth up to 35,000 points) and elite night credits toward status.
Strong earning potential at Marriott hotels makes this card ideal for those loyal to the Marriott Bonvoy program.
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $199
- Reward Rate: 9x total points on Hyatt stays (including 4x from the card), 2x in select business categories, 1x on all other purchases
- Welcome Offer: 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
This card offers statement credits, elite night credits, and accelerated point earning at Hyatt properties. For small business owners who prefer Hyatt hotels, the benefits can quickly outweigh the annual fee, especially when paired with frequent stays and program specific perks.
Photo: CanvaChoosing the Right Card for Maximum Travel Value
Selecting the best travel credit card requires balancing rewards rates, annual fees, and redemption flexibility.
The strongest options reward both travel and everyday spending while offering valuable benefits like TSA PreCheck credits, airport lounge access, and travel insurance.
Travelers often underestimate the long term value of flexible rewards cards, which allow redemptions through multiple airlines, hotel programs, or direct travel purchases.
Co-branded cards, meanwhile, can deliver unmatched perks for loyal customers of a single airline or hotel chain, such as free checked bags, elite status, or companion fares.
Photo: CanvaWhat to Look for in a Travel Credit Card
When comparing cards, travelers should evaluate:
- Annual Fee – Ensure rewards and benefits outweigh costs.
- Sign-Up Bonus – Check spending requirements and timing.
- Rewards Categories – Match earning potential to your spending patterns.
- Travel Perks – Prioritize benefits you will actually use.
- Insurance & Protections – Review coverage for trip delays, cancellations, and baggage issues.
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Best Credit Card Offers for US Travelers in August 2025
The post Best Travel Credit Cards in the World for 2025 appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
