The perks of credit cards that earn airline miles or hotel points can be very attractive, but evaluating the many choices often creates confusion. Minimum spending requirements, sign-up bonuses and annual fees vary widely. One clear rule most experts agree on: responsible use simplifies decisions. Because credit card interest rates commonly range from roughly 14% to 20%, carrying a balance erases most of the value of miles or points. Pay your balance in full each month and you can ignore interest charges and late penalties entirely.
Annual fees deserve attention but not panic. Many cards waive the fee for the first year, and the ongoing benefits often offset the charge. Annual perks such as waived checked-bag fees, a complimentary hotel night or airport lounge access can quickly equal or exceed the annual cost. Consider those benefits when deciding whether a fee makes sense for your travel patterns.
If you travel internationally, choose a card with no foreign transaction fee, which typically saves about 3% per international purchase. Also prefer cards with a chip rather than only a magnetic stripe; chip-enabled cards are accepted more reliably in Europe and other regions. Unless otherwise noted, the cards discussed below include chip technology and do not charge foreign transaction fees.
Chase United MileagePlus Explorer Card offers a 30,000-mile sign-up bonus © Chase United MileagePlus Explorer
If you live in a hub city and fly primarily with one carrier, that airline’s co-branded card will usually offer the best value. For example, the Chase United MileagePlus Explorer Card offers a 30,000-mile sign-up bonus with a modest $1,000 initial spending requirement. The $95 annual fee is waived the first year, and renewing cardholders receive two lounge passes, which can offset the fee if you don’t already have lounge access. Perks like a free checked bag and priority boarding add practical value. A premium version, the United MileagePlus Club Card, charges a larger $395 annual fee but provides unlimited lounge access and an additional checked bag.
Delta’s American Express cards vary in structure. Some don’t provide large initial bonuses, but the $195 annual Platinum version can accelerate qualification for elite status if you spend heavily. It grants 5,000 Medallion qualifying miles and 35,000 bonus miles after meeting a $1,000 spend in the first three months. With $25,000 in card spending in a calendar year, the Medallion Qualification Dollar requirement is waived and you earn additional qualifying miles toward elite status.
For frequent flyers of American Airlines, Citi’s AAdvantage cards can be compelling. Multiple Citi AAdvantage cards often run generous sign-up bonuses and commonly waive the first-year fee except on top-tier products. Combining several cards can quickly produce a large balance of miles—enough for multiple domestic or transatlantic award tickets—after meeting their spending thresholds. Lower-tier AAdvantage cards typically include two lounge club passes after meeting bonus spend, a free checked bag, priority boarding and a 10% rebate on redeemed miles for American Airlines flights. Note that some of these cards still apply a 3% foreign transaction fee, though many new versions include an EMV chip.
Consider smaller airline cards if you live near an airport they serve; regional carriers sometimes offer targeted, high-value bonuses. If your travel is mostly international, cards tied to foreign carriers in major alliances (for example, SkyTeam or oneworld partners) can provide better pathways to award travel within those alliances.
Hotel-focused options
For hotel rewards, the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) American Express card has been popular for international travel awards. SPG points can be redeemed at a wide selection of hotels and transferred to many airline partners, often with a transfer bonus. The card historically carried a modest annual fee waived for the first year and offered a substantial initial points bonus after meeting a spending requirement. Keep in mind foreign transaction fees may apply on some versions of co-branded hotel cards.
A Hilton HHonors Reserve Card offers a sign-up bonus of two free weekend nights, valid at any Hilton hotel. © Hilton
The Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Card stands out for complimentary elite status and valuable sign-up perks such as two free weekend nights at Hilton properties after meeting the initial spending requirement. It also offers accelerated point earnings on Hilton stays and higher multipliers in other categories. Annual fee-driven renewal benefits—like a free weekend night when you meet a spending threshold—can make this card attractive to frequent Hilton guests.
Cards tied to Carlson Hotels (Radisson), such as the U.S. Bank Club Carlson personal and business cards, have offered large point bonuses and elevated status that sometimes allow two award nights for the price of one. That benefit stretches free-stay opportunities substantially, though Club Carlson’s hotel footprint is smaller than the largest global brands.
IHG’s rewards card from Chase has typically provided a free night award after paying a modest annual fee, plus a generous points bonus and instant elite status. If you often stay at participating brands like InterContinental or Crowne Plaza, the combination of a low fee and a free-night benefit can be useful, though some older versions lacked chip technology.
Flexible transfer cards
If you prefer not to be tied to a single loyalty program, consider a card that earns transferable points. Transferable currencies often accumulate faster because many cards award bonus points across broad spending categories, and they allow topping up airline or hotel accounts to reach award thresholds.
Chase Sapphire Preferred is frequently recommended for versatility. It typically offers a substantial sign-up bonus, double points on dining and travel, and the ability to transfer points one-to-one to several airline and hotel partners. The card includes EMV chip technology and a moderate annual fee after the first year. For business spending that complements a personal flexible-points card, products like the Chase Ink series deliver generous category bonuses—such as multiple points per dollar on office supplies, cable, and internet—that also transfer to travel partners.
The Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard has appealed to travelers who prefer a simple approach: you book travel where you like, then redeem points as a statement credit for eligible travel purchases, often with a small redemption bonus. Its chip-and-PIN capability makes it convenient for international use, including automated kiosks and train ticket machines in some countries.
Cash withdrawals and local currency
When you need local currency, using a debit card at an ATM usually offers the best exchange rate, though fees can vary. Some banks charge per-withdrawal fees plus fees from the foreign ATM operator. Brokerage-linked checking accounts from firms like Charles Schwab or Fidelity often reimburse ATM fees globally and do not charge foreign withdrawal fees, making them convenient for travelers. Many credit unions also have favorable fee policies.
Large retail banks sometimes have partner networks abroad that provide fee-free access at selected ATMs. For example, some U.S. banks have alliances with Santander, Barclays and regional banks. Still, many mid-sized and national banks charge fees for international ATM use, so check your institution’s policies before you travel.
In short, the best travel card depends on where and how you travel. Prioritize cards with no foreign transaction fees and chip technology for international trips, avoid carrying balances, and weigh annual fees against tangible benefits like lounge access, free checked bags or free nights. Mixing a co-branded airline or hotel card with a flexible transfer card and a low-fee ATM option often gives the most useful toolkit for frequent travelers.