As I prepare for a trip to Argentina this year, I’ll be managing testing requirements, travel insurance and a health app I must download before departure. One thing I won’t worry about is the cost of the flight: I’ll fly roundtrip to Buenos Aires on United Airlines using miles earned from everyday credit card spending.
After I arrive, I’ll spend a night at an InterContinental hotel using a free night earned by renewing my IHG Hotels card and paying the annual fee. In Patagonia I’ll use a complimentary night at a top Wyndham property, paid for with bonus points I received when I opened that card earlier this year.
It may seem logical that loyalty programs reward travelers who repeatedly fly the same airline or stay with the same hotel chain, but that applies to only a small share of frequent travelers. Most free flights and hotel nights go to people who obtained the right credit card and used it for ordinary spending rather than to those who simply showed loyalty through travel alone.
BEST AIRLINE CARDS FOR TRAVELERS
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Airline loyalty programs have generally reduced the value of points for all but the highest-spending, most frequent travelers. For many people, airline credit cards offer a simpler route to free flights than relying on elite status earned through flying alone.
Most of these cards provide a substantial sign-up bonus after meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first three months. Additional benefits commonly include bonus points on airline purchases, a waived annual fee for the first year, priority boarding, a free checked bag on domestic flights with certain carriers and reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees.
AIR CANADA
Canadian residents have fewer card options, but TD, CIBC and American Express all offer Aeroplan-branded cards. The CIBC Aeroplan Visa has no annual fee, while the Visa Infinite can waive its typical $139 fee with the right bank account. Premium cards costing $500 or more add lounge access, a complimentary checked bag and other elite-style benefits.
Air Canada is also a transfer partner for multiprogram cards from Amex and Chase, which can be convenient for U.S. residents who travel frequently to Canada. For example, Chase’s Aeroplan Visa often features large sign-up bonuses and can grant elite-qualifying benefits for a modest annual fee.
ALASKA AIRLINES
The Alaska Mileage Plan Visa frequently offers an attractive sign-up bonus—recent offers have been in the tens of thousands of miles—and includes perks such as a discounted companion fare each year. Miles do not expire, and cardholders may receive reduced admission prices to Alaska Airlines lounges.
AMERICAN AIRLINES
Barclays and Citi both issue AAdvantage cards with similar benefits but varying sign-up offers and category bonuses. American recently announced that credit card spending will count toward elite status, making these cards more appealing to frequent AA flyers who can consolidate everyday spending on one of them.
The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard from Barclays often carries a modest annual fee and a strong sign-up bonus, while the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card typically waives the first-year fee and comes with a competitive bonus after a qualifying spend.
DELTA AIR LINES
American Express issues several Delta-branded cards. The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is a popular midrange option: it has a waived first-year fee, a reasonable sign-up bonus with a low spending threshold and additional statement credits or benefits for dining or airline purchases.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
Southwest doesn’t offer a business-class cabin, but its program provides solid value: two free checked bags on every flight and straightforward points pricing. You can toggle between “points” and “dollars” to compare fares easily.
Chase issues three tiers of Southwest cards with annual fees that increase alongside earning rates and anniversary bonuses. These cards often include a sign-up bonus large enough for multiple free flights and sometimes an opportunity to earn a companion pass after meeting the program’s spending requirements.
UNITED AIRLINES
United, through Chase, offers four Visa card tiers. The Explorer card tends to represent the best balance of perks and cost: a strong sign-up bonus after a qualifying spend, priority benefits such as two annual lounge passes, a free checked bag on paid tickets and a first-year fee waiver. Higher-tier cards provide extra benefits at substantially higher annual fees.
BEST HOTEL CARDS FOR TRAVELERS
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If you consistently stay with one hotel chain for work or leisure, that brand’s credit card can deliver strong value. Keep in mind, however, that hotel reward programs differ widely in how easily they allow you to redeem points. Wyndham’s straightforward three-tier redemption system remains predictable, while Marriott and other large programs increasingly use dynamic pricing, so point values can vary by date and destination.
HILTON HOTELS
Hilton issues points at high rates, which often reduces their per-point value, but the brand’s cards from American Express award generous multipliers that make it easy to accumulate nights. The no-annual-fee Hilton Amex offers an attractive sign-up bonus, while premium cards such as the Surpass or Business card (with a moderate annual fee) return substantial value through higher earnings, an annual free night, automatic Gold status and complimentary Priority Pass visits.
IHG HOTELS
The IHG Rewards Club Premier card typically offers a large sign-up bonus and automatic Platinum status for upgraded rooms. The card’s annual fee is offset by an annual free-stay credit for properties that cost up to a specified points threshold, which can cover stays at InterContinental or Kimpton hotels in many cases.
MARRIOTT HOTELS
Following the integration of Starwood, Marriott now operates one of the largest global portfolios. Dynamic pricing means peak-season redemptions can be costly—luxury properties may require many tens of thousands of points per night. The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card usually features a substantial welcome bonus and high earning rates at Marriott properties.
WYNDHAM HOTELS
Wyndham’s simple redemption structure and broad range of properties make its program easy to use. Barclaycard-issued Wyndham cards offer attractive sign-up bonuses and high multipliers. Business versions can even grant automatic top-tier status for a modest annual fee and include annual renewal bonuses.
MULTIPROGRAM TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS
If you fly and stay with many different brands, a multiprogram rewards card can consolidate points and allow you to top off various loyalty accounts through transfers. Chase’s Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve are popular options; the Preferred often represents the best value for many travelers with a lower annual fee and a generous sign-up bonus. These cards include travel protections and let you transfer points to airline and hotel partners such as Southwest, Air Canada, United, JetBlue, IHG and Marriott.
American Express Membership Rewards cards also let you transfer points to a wide array of airline and hotel partners. The Membership Rewards system is consistent across Amex cards, but earning rates and additional benefits depend on the specific card and its annual fee level.
Finally, always remember to pay off your credit card balance in full each month. High interest charges can quickly erase the value of any points, miles or free nights you earn.