Shebudget’s Top Ten Best Travel Credit Cards for 2016

Best Travel Credit Cards

Free flights, free nights, free upgrades and everything that makes travel more fun and more enjoyable is what the best travel credit cards are made of. Not one of the best travel credit cards is created equal, but they’re all pretty amazing. Now that the year is winding down and it’s time to start your Christmas shopping, we thought we might help you choose which of the best travel credit cards for 2016 are worth applying for now so that you can start earning travel rewards right now.

It’s been said that travel is the only thing that money can buy that makes you richer, and this is a statement that could not be more factual. Travel enables us to see the world, experience new cultures and change our way of life. It allows us to learn, to educate and to bring home with us memories that will last a lifetime. That’s why the best travel credit cards on the market offer such amazing travel rewards. These companies know that their customers want to earn travel rewards that enable them to see the world, to experience life and to enjoy all that travel has to offer – and we want to do as much of it on them as possible.

What we’ve done is go above and beyond the sign-up bonuses that so often encourage consumers to sign up for a new credit card. We’ve taken a look at all the best travel credit cards available to consumers and we’ve broken down what they have to offer, what they mean to you and who they are best for in terms of your personal needs. Since we cannot tell you off the top of our head which of the best travel credit cards is right for you, we decided to line them all up so that you can compare the best travel credit cards and see which one will pay off the most in your wallet. What works for me might not work for you. For example, if you don’t fly often but you love to stay at hotels, the best travel credit cards for you might be hotel reward cards. If you fly all the time, the best travel credit cards for you might be airline credit cards.

Each of the best travel credit cards for 2016 has something unique to offer. Do not discount a card simply because it does not have the highest sign-up bonus or the best rewards rate. Some cards work better for some users due to the type of travel you enjoy and other lifestyle features. Additionally, remember that it is always our intention to help you use your card wisely and without running up your debt and getting into financial trouble. We want you to pay off your balance in full each month not only because it helps you stay financially secure, but also because this is the only way you can actually take advantage of all that these cards have to offer you in terms of bonuses, rewards and miles when traveling. It is part of what makes them the best travel credit cards on the market today and for 2016.

We don’t know your financial situation and what you need in your wallet, but we know that the best travel credit cards offer something for everyone, and that’s what makes it easy for us to break it down and allow you to make an informed decision and an educated choice. Most of these cards are the best of the best because they are only offered to those with the best credit. If you’re going to apply for one of the best travel credit cards on the market, be sure that you have stellar credit, a great credit score and a positive credit history or you will risk being denied this card when it’s time to apply. Here are the best travel credit cards on the market for 2016.

Best Travel Credit Cards

Best Travel Credit Card for Airline Travel – Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card makes the list of best travel credit cards for a number of reasons. The first is the impressive signup bonus. The second is the reasonable annual fee, which is waived the first year that you have the card. The third is the fact that you are going to earn serious miles when you use this card to book travel. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a best travel credit card because it allows frequent fliers to earn, earn, earn. The card is partnered with a number of other travel partners, which makes point redemption that much more valuable. The Chase Sapphire is the best travel credit card for frequent fliers; those who travel at least five times a year, if not more.

  1. Earn 40,000 bonus points when you sign up for this card and then spend $4,000 in 90 days
  2. Pay no annual fee for one year and then $95 per year after that
  3. Points are worth 25% more when booked through the Chase Travel tool
  4. Points are transferrable 1:1 to British Airways, Korean Air SKYPASS, Virgin Atlantic, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus, Amtrak, Hyatt Gold Passport, IHG rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards, Marriott Rewards
  5. Earn 2 points for every dollar spent booking travel or dining in restaurants
  6. Earn 1 point for every dollar spend everywhere else
  7. No foreign transaction fees
  8. Chip-enabled technology

Best Travel Credit Cards

Best Travel Credit Card with No Annual Fee – BankAmericard Travel Rewards Card

For some, it’s all about the savings. Not all credit card holders are interested in spending money just to have a card in their pocket so that they can earn points, and a card with an annual fee is not something they’re willing to keep. The fact that the BankAmericard Travel Rewards card does not charge customers an annual fee at all makes it one of the best travel credit cards on the market. Unlike other travel credit cards considered the best of the best for other reasons, this card does not simply waive the annual fee the first year. This card actually charges no annual fee at all – ever. Additionally, there are other reasons this is considered one of the best travel credit cards on the market, too. One such is the rewards rate. The sign-up bonus is not as impressive as others, but it’s still worthwhile. Additionally, you can earn more points and reward travel when you have a Bank of America bank account, too. That means that this card is not only one of the best travel credit cards available, it’s one of the best cards available, period, for Bank of America customers.

This is a card for those who travel often and want a card that does not require an annual fee. The rewards program is very simple and very easy to understand, and it’s a no-frills program that allows travelers to make the most of their card at any given time.

  1. Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in 90 days ($200 in free travel)
  2. No annual fee, ever
  3. Chip-enabled card
  4. No foreign transaction fees
  5. Earn 1.5 points on all purchases – which is more than most cards offer
  6. Earning 25, 50, or 75% points dividend with this card if you are a Bank of America bank account holder (amount varies based on account type, balance and other factors)

Best Travel Credit Cards

Best Travel Credit Card with a Flat Rate – Capital One Venture Card

If flexibility is your thing, this is the best travel credit card for you. With flexible options that encompass virtually every aspect of travel, you’ll find all that you need with this card, and so much more. We are huge fans of the no hassle rewards that are easy to understand and even easier to work with. While other travel credit cards – even those that are considered some of the best travel credit cards on the market – offer higher point values on certain purchases, they offer only one point for every other purchase. Unless you shop in certain categories more often than not, you are simply not earning that many reward points.

What makes the Capital One Venture card one of the best travel credit cards on the market, however, is the fact that all purchases are worth 2 points. There is no ‘buy here and earn more,’ system; it’s all more than one point for every dollar you spend. Additionally, another of the biggest reasons that this card can be considered one of the best travel credit cards on the market is the fact that it also comes with many redemption options. Use your points to book travel, or book with your card and then earn more points before you redeem your current points for a statement credit.

This card is the best travel credit card for anyone that enjoys spending their money on travel that is flexible and not limited to certain airlines or certain travel partners. It’s also for those who like to earn travel rewards at a higher rate on every single purchase than any of the other best travel credit cards on this list offer to their customers. The one-time sign-up bonus is also a nice addition to any new cardholder’s balance.

  1. Earn 40,000 bonus points when you apply and spend $3,000 within three months of opening the account (this is $400 in free travel)
  2. Earn 2 points for every dollar you spend with this card everywhere you go
  3. No foreign transaction fees
  4. No annual fee for one year
  5. Low annual fee beginning year two – only $59 per year
  6. Flexible booking options all you to travel on any airline and book through any travel website
  7. Miles do not expire as long as your card is active

spg credit card

Best Travel Credit Card for Hotels – Starwood Preferred Guest by American Express

The Starwood Preferred credit card from American Express is one of the best travel credit cards on the market, particularly for those who love to spend time in hotels. This is a card that is partnered with airlines and other cards, and it’s also for those who like to travel to certain hotels. Luxury with this card is not difficult to find, and it’s the reason that so many people choose this card when looking at the best travel credit cards on the market. This particular card is designed for travelers who want to stay in nice hotels, experience luxury when traveling, and earn more points than just about of the other best travel credit cards in the hotel industry. When you take a look at the points and delve into what they are worth at redemption, it’s a little bit of a surprise to find out the points are valued at approximately 2.3 cents – sometimes as high as 5 cents each.

What really stands out and makes this one of the best travel credit cards in the market is the fact that it’s just one of the most luxurious cards when it comes to hotel stays. You’ll earn points everywhere that is a Starwood brand, and you might be surprised just how many hotels across the country are Starwood hotels, from the Disney Swan and Dolphin to so many more. It’s a great way to enjoy vacation and earn points, too, with this amazing credit card that’s one of the best in hotel travel.

With a generous sign-up bonus and great earning rewards, it’s not hard to understand why this particular card is one of the best travel credit cards on the market. The perks that come along with this card are also amazing. For example, when you choose to use this card at a Sheraton hotel, your third night is always free. The biggest downfall is that it is an American Express card, which is not as commonly accepted as other cards, but it is a great card to have for those who travel at least five times a year and prefer the Starwood hotel brand. This is a card that’s best for those who do prefer Starwood hotels, which are numerous and include some of the highest rated hotels in the world, such as the W brand and Sheraton brand, if you are a budget-conscious traveler.

  1. Earn 25,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 the first three months that you have this card ($400 in free travel)
  2. Earn 5 points for every dollar you spend at a Starwood property when you become an elite member
  3. Earn 3 points for every dollar spent at a Starwood property until you are an elite member
  4. Trade in points for many major airlines and other travel perks
  5. Transfer 20,000 points to any airline and get an additional 5,000 points free of charge
  6. No annual fee for one year ($95 per year after)
  7. No foreign transaction fees
  8. Free internet access in room

Best Travel Credit Cards

Best Travel Credit Card for Miles – Discover it

The Discover it card is one of the best travel credit cards in the business right now for 2016. This card offers amazing rewards and a rate of return that is astonishing. It’s great for anyone that has outstanding credit, and it’s a card that is going to earn many people a lot of free miles and trips. There is very little hassle involved with earning and/or redeeming points with this card, which is what makes it one of the best cards to consider. It’s got a high earning rate, and it allows you to double all your points within one year, and it offers a free credit score to you each month.

The biggest downfall with this particular card, though it’s still one of the best travel credit cards on the market, is the fact that this card does not offer a sign-up bonus. However, you will remember that we informed you not to look at the sign-up bonus as a way of determining which card is the best one for you and your family. You have to look past that to understand that there are other rewards and options available to you so that you can get a clearer picture of just why this card might be right for you when other cards are not quite as right for you.

This card is one of the best travel credit cards for anyone that loves to watch their miles and points grow and then double all of a sudden to equal a ton of points. It’s not for those who don’t plan on using it often, though, and we’d recommend spending as much as you possibly can with this card each month so that you can make the most of your points at the end of that first year. Let’s say you spend $4000 per month on your household expenses, including gas and groceries and your mortgage and utilities. If you use your card to pay for all that every month, you’ll earn 1.5 points for every dollar spent, which is a grand total of 72,000 points in one year. When doubled, those points are 144,000. That’s who this card is good for.

  1. Double your points at the end of your first year of card membership no matter how many you’ve earned (3 miles for every dollar spent for one year)
  2. Earn 1.5 points for every dollar you spend – a higher rate than many of the other best travel credit cards on the market
  3. Redeem rewards for travel
  4. Redeem rewards as a statement credit
  5. Free FICO score on your monthly statement every month
  6. Up to $30 free wi-fi in flight shows up on your annual statement as a credit
  7. No annual fee

Best Travel Credit Card

Best Travel Credit Card for a Travel Website – Priceline Rewards Visa

Not everyone is a fan of using travel sites to book travel. I, however, am a huge fan of this. You see, I did not like the idea of blindly booking a hotel room at a price I liked and ending up with something less than amazing. However, Priceline makes it very easy to book exactly what you want by bidding or choosing a low price blindly. By organizing your choices by star rating, guest rating and location, you can eliminate the possibility of staying in a hotel that does not meet your standards. You can see which hotels do meet them and know that it will be one of those. I have become so good at sorting out our favorite hotels when we do Disney weekends in Orlando based on star category and rating that I can book an express deal and know before I select the low price exactly which hotel we will end up with.

In doing the math, I’ve saved more than $2500 this year alone in hotel room prices by doing this through Priceline, and that’s just one of the reasons that this is one of the best travel credit cards on the market right now. The Priceline card has a lot of perks, such as the ability to earn 5 points when you book through Priceline for every dollar you spend. The sign-up bonus is not as impressive as it is with other cards, but the lack of annual fee is often better for those who want a card that isn’t going to cost more than they’d prefer. What makes this card the best travel credit card for travel websites is the fact that Priceline offers customers 5 points for every dollar spent when booking travel through the site. The other top travel websites offer a maximum of 3 points for every dollar spent.

This card is great for those who like to book travel deals and packages that cost a lot originally but are much cheaper through the site. It’s a great card for savings and more savings, and for earnings. Saving money on travel is, after all, what makes these cards the best travel credit cards on the market these days.

  1. Earn 10,000 bonus points when you sign up for this card ($100 in free travel)
  2. Get a $50 statement credit when you approved for the card
  3. Earn $50 worth of hotel stays when you book and are awarded a Name Your Price deal to use the next time you name your own price through Priceline
  4. No annual fee
  5. Earn 5 points for every dollar spent through Priceline
  6. Earn 1 point everywhere else
  7. Redeem points for statement credits, gift cards or travel anytime you would like

American Airlines Credit card

Best Travel Credit Card for Domestic Airlines – Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard

This is one of the best travel credit cards for anyone who loves to fly domestically. It’s great for anyone that travels around the country often on business, who makes time to visit friends and family and who uses American Airlines as their primary travel partner. As a business owner in the realm of technology or electronics, you might occasionally ponder fundamental questions such as “What is a semiconductor?”

You’ll need to make at least 5 flights per year with American Airlines to make it really worth your while, but once you do you will see why it’s the best of the best in terms of travel credit cards. Not only are consumers offered some of the best airline rewards in the industry, they are also offered a great sign-up bonus and no annual fee for one year.

The way that this airline works is by offering bonuses in a way that you might not actually expect. This makes it much easier to earn miles and rewards, and that is what people want when it comes to choosing the best travel credit cards on the market. There are some downfalls to this card, but they’re not too big of a deal if you are a domestic traveler that prefers American Airlines and rarely ever deviates. It might not be the most flexible card, but it’s still one of the best travel credit cards on the market. One of the biggest downfalls is the fact that Citi does charge foreign transaction fees of 3% to all travelers who go out of the country. Most travel cards charge no foreign transaction fees, so this can be a bit of an issue for many.

The other big downfall is that American Airlines AAdvantage card by Citi is only available to use with American Airlines in terms of points redemption. Unlike some of the other cards considered the best travel credit cards, this one does not allow users to transfer their points to other airlines or hotels, and they do not partner with anyone to offer more flexible rewards. However, if you are the kind of domestic traveler loyal to American Airlines and you love in-fight discounts and free checked luggage, this is the card for you.

  1. Earn 30,000 miles when you make $1,000 in purchases the first 90 days you have this card
  2. One free checked bag for each purchased ticket
  3. Priority boarding
  4. Discount on all in-flight food and beverage purchases
  5. Up to 10,000 miles back each year of your redeemed miles at the end of the year
  6. Annual fee waived for one year ($95 after that)

british airways credit ard

Best Travel Credit Card for International Travel – British Airways Visa Signature

We love this card. It makes the list as one of the best travel credit cards on the market by a mile because of the simple fact that it offers the absolute best rewards imaginable. Of course, this card is for international travel primarily, but that does not stop people from wanting to use it when they have the chance. You see, this card offers something that none of the other best travel credit cards offer; two free flights anywhere in the world every single year. All you have to do is spend $30,000 per year on this card.

I know; that’s a lot of money. But, when you break it down into 12 months, it is not a lot of money. In fact, it’s only $2,500 per month. I know that the vast majority of people spend that every month at home. What we like to do is tell you to pay your monthly expenses using this card so that you can spend that every year. We want you to pay those expenses off at the end of every single month, though. And we want you to use your card responsibly. When you do this, you will find that you are able to make the absolute most of this card and end up with a large amount of free travel every single year.

There are other perks that make this one of the best travel credit cards on the market, too. We will outline those for you, and we will ensure that you are able to use this card to the best of your advantage. Not only does the card offer a sweet sign-up bonus, it also offers a lot of reward points, great redemption options and you can earn even more if you are someone who likes to travel internationally on British Airways. If you are not, however, don’t worry about it; you can still use this card in a way that is highly beneficial. It’s easy to use this card to spend $30,000 per year to receive two free tickets anywhere in the world, plus you will earn your own additional miles you can use to redeem toward a statement credit when you use your card to book your travel.

  1. Earn 50,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 in three months
  2. Earn another 25,000 bonus miles when you spend $10,000 per year
  3. Earn another 25,000 bonus miles when you spend $20,000 per year
  4. Two free airline tickets in first class to anywhere in the world when you spend $30,000 per year
  5. No annual fee for one year ($95 after)
  6. No foreign transaction fees
  7. Earn 3 points for every dollar you spend with British Airways
  8. Earn 1 point everywhere else
  9. Use miles to get flight discounts when you don’t have enough miles to earn free flight

Best Travel Credit Card

Best Travel Credit Card for Major Airlines – Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express

This is a great card for anyone that’s looking to fly regularly with one of the biggest airlines in the country. Delta services more locations than just about any other airline, and that’s one of the many reasons this is one of the best travel credit cards of all. This card is equipped with a significant sign-up bonus, a great rewards rate and even more amazing earnings potential. It’s one of the reasons that so many people love this card, and the reason it’s the one of the best travel credit cards around. One reason this card is so amazing for those who use Delta all the time is the fact that you can travel with confidence. The card is equipped with a few things that other cards do not have, such as rental card loss and damage insurance that you do not have pay for at the rental counter, luggage fees and even travel accident insurance.

Delta passengers are great cardholders, and will really love this as one of the best travel credit cards on the market. To really take advantage of this card, you should be someone who travels at least five times a year and mostly on Delta flights. Another positive benefit of having this card is the fact that you gain access to the Delta Sky Club, which makes your travel that much more enjoyable and pleasurable. This access is limited, but it’s still available.

If you are a Delta passenger with a love of free travel, points, free miles and upgraded boarding along with free checked luggage, go ahead and check out what this card has to offer. It’s a nice option for anyone who wants to go ahead and apply for one of the best travel credit cards on the market.

  1. Earn 30,000 bonus miles when you make $1,000 in purchases in three months
  2. Earn a $50 statement credit when you make a Delta purchase in three months
  3. No annual fee for one year ($95 after)
  4. Earn 2 points for every dollar spent with Delta
  5. Earn 2 miles on other purchases
  6. Priority boarding on all Delta flights and Delta connection flights
  7. Your first checked bag is free with every ticket purchased using this credit card
  8. Use miles to book seat upgrades, free flights, hotel stays, car rentals, gift cards and more
  9. Flexible redemption offers
  10. No foreign transaction fees

barclay card

Best Travel Credit Card for Travelers Looking for Flexibility  – Barclaycard Arrival World Plus Elite MasterCard

There’s no such thing as too much of a good thing, and that’s why this card is one of the best travel credit cards on the market. The Barclaycard is one of the best for so many reasons we might not be able to list all of them. This is a card that offers high rewards rates, an amazing sign-up bonus and exceptionally flexible redemption offers; it’s a card that cannot be beat by any other. This is a card that is particularly great for anyone that loves to travel internationally, but it’s not a card that has to be used only for international travel. You’ll find that you earn points and make great strides with this card domestically, too.

Without foreign transaction fees, this is a great card for international travelers but it works domestically, too. This is a card that’s best for international travelers, those looking to earn ample points and those who want to have the freedom and flexibility to redeem points for a number of travel options not tied to one specific airline or option. The miles you’ll earn when you sign up are significant, the earning miles on all purchases is higher than many of the other cards on the list of best travel credit cards, and you have the backing of Barclay, which is a good thing to have.

What makes this card one of the best travel credit cards on the market is the 2 points for every dollar spent that you earn. Most of the best travel credit cards we have listed offer either a flat rate of 1.5 points for every dollar or higher points for brand specific purchases and 1 point for all other purchases. Only a handful of the best travel credit cards on this list offer a higher rate of return on all purchases, which is not all that common. Additionally, you have a lot of flexibility with this card, which is not something you get when you choose one of the best travel credit cards from a very specific brand, such as one airline or one hotel. You can use your miles for just about any travel purchase, which is why we consider this card one of the best travel credit cards for 2016 for those who want to have options.

  1. Annual fee waived the first year ($89 after)
  2. Earn 40,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 on purchases in 90 days
  3. Earn 2 miles for every dollar spent everywhere you go
  4. Earn a 5% bonus on all redeemed travel miles
  5. Earn cash back for miles
  6. Redeem miles for airfare, hotels and cruises
  7. Redeem miles for a statement credit within 120 days of booking
  8. Chip-enabled technology
  9. No foreign transaction fees
  10. No interest on all balance transfers for one year

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