Top 5 US Credit Cards for Travel Rewards This Year
Last Updated: November 11, 2025 | By Eama Augustis
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Ready to make your travel dreams a reality? The right credit card can turn your everyday spending on groceries and gas into free flights, hotel stays, and luxurious airport lounge access. But with so many options, choosing the right card can feel like navigating a maze. Do you want flexible points? Airline loyalty? Hotel perks? No annual fee?
We've analyzed the top travel rewards cards available to Americans to help you find the perfect match for your spending habits and travel goals. Here is our breakdown of the best of the best for this year.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best for: Beginners and Flexible Rewards.
This card is arguably the most recommended travel card for a reason. It offers fantastic value for a modest $95 annual fee. You earn points on travel, dining, and online groceries, but its real power is in the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through their portal (10,000 points = $125). Even better, you can transfer points 1:1 to a dozen top airline and hotel partners like United, Southwest, and Hyatt, giving you incredible flexibility.
2. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Best for: Premium Perks with a Simple Rewards Structure.
If you want premium travel perks without a complicated rewards system, this is your card. It earns a simple 2x miles on *every single purchase*, no categories to track. While it has a $395 annual fee, it effectively pays for itself with a $300 annual travel credit (for bookings via the Capital One portal) and a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus (worth $100). Add in airport lounge access (Priority Pass and Capital One Lounges) and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, and this card is a powerhouse for frequent travelers.
3. American Express® Gold Card
Best for: Foodies and Supermarket Spenders.
Do you spend more on food than anything else? This card is for you. It offers a massive 4x points on dining *and* at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year). It also comes with up to $120 in annual Uber Cash and $120 in dining credits, which can easily offset the $250 annual fee. Those Membership Rewards points are extremely valuable and can be transferred to a wide array of airline partners, making this a favorite for "foodie" travelers.
4. The Platinum Card® from American Express
Best for: The Ultimate Luxury Traveler.
With a steep $695 annual fee, this card isn't for everyone. But for those who want the best-of-the-best in travel perks, it's unmatched. It offers 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines. More importantly, it provides elite access: the best airport lounge network in the world (Centurion, Delta, Priority Pass), automatic Gold status with Hilton and Marriott, and a long list of annual credits (airline, hotel, digital entertainment) that can total over $1,500 if you use them all. It's less a spending card and more an "access" card.
5. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Best for: No Annual Fee / Pairing with Sapphire.
If you're not ready for an annual fee, this is a top-tier choice. You earn a guaranteed 1.5% cashback on all purchases, plus 5% on travel booked through Chase and 3% on dining and drugstores. The secret weapon? If you also hold a Sapphire card (like the Preferred), you can convert this "cashback" into full-powered Ultimate Rewards points, making this one of the most powerful and flexible card combinations available.
How to Choose?
Don't just chase the biggest sign-up bonus. Look at your own spending. If you spend a lot on groceries, the Amex Gold is a winner. If you want simplicity and lounge access, the Venture X is a great deal. And if you're just starting, the Chase Sapphire Preferred remains the undisputed champion for value and flexibility.
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