8 Best Travel Credit Cards of 2025: Maximize Your Travel Rewards

Looking to elevate your travel experience in 2025? The right travel credit card can transform how you explore the world, offering everything from airport lounge access to complimentary hotel upgrades. Whether you're planning weekend getaways or international adventures, these cards help stretch your travel budget while enhancing your journey.

Based on Forbes Advisor's comprehensive ratings and our independent analysis of card benefits, we've curated this selection of the best travel credit cards of 2025. Our unique ranking of the best travel credit cards of 2025 considers factors most relevant to savvy travelers: point flexibility, travel perks, and overall value relative to annual fees.

Here's our take on these top cards to help you make an informed decision for your upcoming travels.

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1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Annual Fee: $95

Welcome Bonus: 100,000 bonus points

Credit Score Requirement: Excellent, Good

Forbes Rating: 5.0

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card takes our top spot with its unbeatable combination of a massive welcome bonus and perfect Forbes rating. With its modest annual fee and substantial 100,000-point welcome bonus, it delivers remarkable value for travelers seeking flexibility without a premium price tag.

What sets this card apart is the versatility of Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. This flexibility, combined with a 25% bonus when redeeming points through Chase's travel portal, offers unparalleled redemption value.

The card shines with its comprehensive travel protections, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary rental car coverage, and baggage delay insurance. For travelers seeking maximum flexibility with minimal investment, the Sapphire Preferred offers exceptional value.

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2. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Annual Fee: $95

Welcome Bonus: 90,000 bonus points

Credit Score Requirement: Excellent, Good

Forbes Rating: 5.0

Business travelers need a card that balances travel rewards with business-friendly benefits, and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card delivers both seamlessly. With a generous 90,000-point welcome bonus (the second-highest on our list) and a reasonable annual fee, it offers remarkable value for business owners who travel regularly.

The card's earning structure is tailored to business needs: 3x points on travel, shipping, internet/cable/phone services, and select advertising purchases (up to $150,000 annually), then 1x on all other purchases. This structure allows business owners to accumulate substantial rewards on common business expenses.

Beyond rewards, the card provides valuable business protections, including cell phone protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage. For business travelers seeking to maximize both business expenses and travel opportunities, the Ink Business Preferred stands as an exceptional choice.

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3. The Platinum Card® from American Express

Annual Fee: $695

Welcome Bonus: Earn 80,000 points

Credit Score Requirement: Good, Excellent

Forbes Rating: 4.7

For those who place premium value on luxury travel experiences, The Platinum Card® from American Express delivers with its extensive benefits package. Despite its high annual fee, the exceptional welcome bonus of 80,000 points provides tremendous initial value.

This card excels in offering premium travel benefits: comprehensive airport lounge access (including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta, and Priority Pass Select), elite hotel status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, and up to $200 in annual airline fee credits with a selected airline.

Additional benefits include up to $200 in Uber credits annually, up to $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit. For travelers seeking a comprehensive luxury travel experience and willing to maximize multiple credits, The Platinum Card offers exceptional value.

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4. Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Annual Fee: $95

Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points

Credit Score Requirement: Excellent, Good

Forbes Rating: 5.0

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card offers exceptional versatility for travelers seeking strong rewards across multiple categories. With accelerated earnings on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels, the card rewards both everyday spending and travel expenses.

What distinguishes this card is its annual $100 hotel savings benefit on bookings of $500 or more through the Citi Travel portal, effectively offsetting the annual fee for travelers who can utilize this benefit. Combined with no foreign transaction fees, this feature makes the card particularly attractive for international travelers.

Citi ThankYou points provide valuable flexibility through airline transfer partners and the Citi Travel portal. For travelers seeking a well-rounded card with strong earnings across multiple categories relevant to both daily life and travel, the Citi Strata Premier offers compelling value.

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5. Aeroplan® Credit Card

Annual Fee: $95

Welcome Bonus: Up to 70,000 points

Credit Score Requirement: Good, Excellent

Forbes Rating: 5.0

For travelers focused on maximizing value for international flights, particularly to Europe and Asia, the Aeroplan® Credit Card offers exceptional opportunities. As Air Canada's loyalty program with extensive Star Alliance partnerships, Aeroplan provides remarkable redemption potential for ambitious travelers.

The card's earning structure rewards everyday spending categories relevant to travelers: 3x points on grocery stores, dining at restaurants, and Air Canada purchases. This structure allows cardholders to accumulate significant points through regular spending patterns.

What truly distinguishes this card are its unique travel benefits: preferred pricing on Air Canada award flights, free checked bags on Air Canada flights, and the ability to earn elite status through card spending. For travelers who strategically plan international adventures and value premium cabin experiences, the Aeroplan Credit Card delivers outstanding potential.

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6. The World of Hyatt Credit Card

Annual Fee: $95

Welcome Bonus: Up to 60,000 Bonus Points

Credit Score Requirement: Excellent, Good

Forbes Rating: 5.0

For travelers who prioritize exceptional hotel experiences, The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers unmatched value in the hotel card category. Hyatt's points consistently deliver higher redemption value compared to other hotel programs, making this card particularly attractive for those who appreciate premium accommodations.

The card's standout feature is its annual free night certificate at Category 1-4 properties, easily offsetting the modest annual fee. Cardholders also enjoy automatic Discoverist status, providing benefits like preferred rooms, late checkout, and premium internet access across the Hyatt portfolio.

With a rewards structure that emphasizes Hyatt stays, dining, and transportation, the card aligns perfectly with travel essentials. For travelers who value quality hotel experiences and elite-like benefits without multiple high annual fees, this card deserves serious consideration.

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7. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Annual Fee: $395

Welcome Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles

Credit Score Requirement: Excellent

Forbes Rating: 4.9

For discerning travelers seeking premium benefits without the ultra-premium price tag, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers exceptional value. While its $395 annual fee may initially appear steep, the card's extensive benefits package effectively offsets this cost for frequent travelers.

The card's streamlined rewards structure—earning 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x on flights, and 2x on everything else—eliminates the complexity of tracking rotating categories. This simplicity, combined with flexible redemption options, makes it ideal for travelers who prioritize both convenience and value.

What truly distinguishes this card is its comprehensive benefits package: a $300 annual travel credit, 10,000 anniversary bonus miles, and complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass locations worldwide. For travelers seeking a premium travel experience with significant value, the Venture X stands as an excellent choice.

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8. American Express® Gold Card

Annual Fee: $325

Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 points

Credit Score Requirement: Excellent/Good

Forbes Rating: 4.5

The American Express® Gold Card expertly bridges everyday spending and premium travel rewards. For travelers who appreciate culinary experiences both at home and abroad, this card stands out with its exceptional earning rates on dining and groceries.

The card's generous credits—including monthly dining and Uber credits—effectively reduce the annual fee for cardholders who can fully utilize them. These credits, combined with the card's robust earning structure, create compelling value for food enthusiasts who travel regularly.

American Express Membership Rewards points offer extensive flexibility, with numerous airline and hotel transfer partners for optimizing redemption value. For travelers who value both everyday rewards and premium travel benefits, the American Express Gold Card provides an exceptional balance.

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Choosing the Right Travel Credit Card from the Best Travel Credit Cards of 2025

When selecting from the best travel credit cards of 2025, consider these key factors:

• Travel patterns: Domestic vs. international travel frequency and destinations
• Spending habits: Match card rewards to your highest spending categories
• Redemption preferences: Flexibility across multiple travel brands or loyalty to specific programs
• Fee tolerance: Ensure benefits outweigh costs for your specific situation
• Credit profile: Apply for cards aligned with your credit score

Takeaway

The best travel credit cards of 2025 offer diverse benefits tailored to different traveler needs. Finding your ideal match ultimately depends on your individual travel style, financial habits, and rewards preferences. By carefully evaluating these factors alongside our recommendations of the best travel credit cards of 2025, you'll find the perfect card to enhance your travel experiences this year.

Remember to review each card's full terms and conditions before applying, and always use credit responsibly to maximize the benefits of the best travel credit cards of 2025.