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Best Chase Credit Cards for Travel in 2024
Updated: July 19, 2024
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Chase travel credit cards let you earn rewards or cash back. However, the rewards/cash back earn rate is not the same across all cards. It’s also common for these cards to come with welcome bonus offers for new cardholders.
While some of the top Chase travel credit cards charge annual fees, a few don’t. Examples of cards from this category that come without annual fees include the Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card and the Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card.
Other aspects that require your attention when narrowing down on a suitable Chase travel credit card include intro APR offers, regular APRs and added benefits. Additionally, depending on the card you get, you might need to pay foreign transaction fees when you use it outside of the country.
Our experts comb through the entire MoneyGeek database each month and select all the Chase cards that offer travel rewards. The in-depth comparison that follows to select the best of the lot focuses on parameters such as annual fees, APRs, welcome offers, rewards/cash back rates and foreign transaction fees.
If you think you might benefit more by getting a travel card through a different card issuer, consider taking a look at our selection of all the top travel credit cards.
MoneyGeek's Take: Top 5 Chase Credit Cards for Travel
Quick Summary
- IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card: A fantastic card for earning rewards when you stay at IHG hotels and resorts.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited: An excellent no-annual-fee card that lets you earn unlimited cash back.
- Aer Lingus Visa Signature®: A travel card with a great welcome bonus for frequent Aer Lingus travelers.
- British Airways Visa Signature® Card: A good choice for British Airways loyalists looking to earn Avios.
- Iberia Visa Signature® Card: A good travel card for Iberia loyalists looking to earn Avios.
The rewards or cash back rates you earn vary based on the Chase credit card you get, as does the annual fee you might need to pay. In addition, some of these cards come without foreign transaction fees. We’ve selected the top five Chase travel credit cards after accounting for these aspects as well as APRs, welcome offers and added perks. We include information on what the other good cards from this category have to offer further down the page.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
A fantastic card for earning rewards when you stay at IHG hotels and resorts.
- 3–26 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
- 21.49% – 28.49% VariableAPR
- $99Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
We like the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card because it offers multiple benefits for IHG Rewards Club members. For starters, it has a welcome bonus of 5 free nights after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, you also earn 10,000 bonus points if you spend $20,000 on purchases and make at least one additional purchase every account anniversary year.
You earn up to 26X reward points when you spend at IHG properties. Spending on travel, dining, and at gas stations comes with 5X points. All other eligible purchases earn 3X points. When redeeming your points, you get to choose from reward nights, online shopping, magazine subscriptions, airline miles, and more.
Once you get your IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card, you get IHG Rewards Club Platinum Elite status automatically. This qualifies you for a reward night after each account anniversary. When you use your points to pay for three or more nights, you get an additional reward night.
Not having to pay foreign transaction fees can lead to savings when you use this card outside of the U.S. Other benefits come in the form of Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance and purchase protection.
The IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card comes with an $99 annual fee.Pros
- Significant number of bonus points for the taking
- Complementary IHG Rewards program’s Platinum Elite status
- Use your points for reward nights or redeem them for other awards
- Reward nights
- Pay no foreign transaction fees
- Fee credit toward Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
Cons
- Annual fee of $99
- Balance transfer and cash advance fees
- Penalty APR may apply if you make a late or returned payment
- The earn rate is not the same across all IHG properties
- Anniversary reward nights are valid only at IHG Hotels with a current point redemption level of 40,000 points or less
- Earn 5 Free nights after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- Enjoy an anniversary free night at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
- Get a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night stay at IHG hotels.
- Earn up to 26 points per dollar spent at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
- Earn 5 points per dollar on travel, gas stations, and restaurants.
- Earn 3 points per dollar on all other purchases.
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember.
- Receive a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS statement credit of up to $100 every four years.
- Redeem IHG One Rewards Bonus points at various IHG Hotels & Resorts, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton, EVEN Hotels, Indigo Hotels, and Holiday Inn.
- Member FDIC
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
An excellent no-annual-fee card that lets you earn unlimited cash back
- 1.5%–6.5% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 20.49%–29.24% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an impressive card that pairs affordability with abundant rewards. It offers a compelling welcome bonus with no annual fee and substantial cash back in various everyday categories. It's especially beneficial for consumers who frequently travel, dine out or have regular drugstore purchases. The card is also an ally for big-ticket spending or balance transfers with its initial interest-free period. Plus, its flexible and enduring cash back rewards system means you can redeem them whenever you wish. Keep in mind that this card is best suited for consumers with solid credit histories.
All information about the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card has been collected independently by Moneygeek.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.Pros
- No annual fee
- Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
- Potentially high cash back for certain categories
- Cash back doesn’t expire and is redeemable at any amount
Cons
- Recommended score needed: Good to Excellent credit
- Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
- Aer Lingus Visa Signature®
A travel card with a great welcome bonus for frequent Aer Lingus travelers
- 2–3 Avios per $1Rewards Rate
- 21.49% – 28.49% VariableAPR
- $95Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
The Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card is a traveler's companion, offering a wealth of benefits tailored for those with wanderlust. Its standout feature is a generous welcome bonus, complemented by increased reward-earning potentials on both airline and hotel bookings. For the dedicated cardholder, the annual companion ticket and priority boarding on select Aer Lingus flights amplify the traveling experience.
Pros
- Generous welcome bonus offer
- Multiple earning opportunities on travel-related purchases
- Yearly Commercial Companion Ticket feature
- Priority boarding on specific flights
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Comes with an annual fee
- High reward rates limited to specific airlines
- Requires high spending to access certain benefits
- Low rewards for non-travel-related spending
- Earn 75,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months.
- Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, and LEVEL.
- Earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when booked directly with the hotel.
- Receive a Commercial Companion Ticket after spending $30,000 in a calendar year, valid for 12 months.
- Enjoy Priority Boarding on Aer Lingus flights departing from and returning to the US from Ireland, subject to availability. Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.
- Use contactless payment for fast, easy, and secure transactions with your Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
- British Airways Visa Signature® Card
A good choice for British Airways loyalists looking to earn Avios
- 1–3 Avios per $1Rewards Rate
- 21.49% – 28.49% VariableAPR
- $95Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
If you use British Airways frequently, you might benefit by getting the British Airways Visa Signature® Card. You earn 3 Avios points per $1 spent on flight purchases through British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia and LEVEL, and 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel.
You get a 10% discount on British Airways flights that originate in the U.S. when you book through the Chase-specified website. If you spend $30,000 on purchases in a year, you get a complimentary Travel Together Ticket that remains valid for two years.
While this card comes with no foreign transaction fee, it charges a $95 annual fee. Additional benefits include purchase protection, extended warranty, baggage delay insurance and lost luggage reimbursement.Pros
- Generous welcome offer
- Potential to earn high Avios points
- No foreign transaction fees
- Great travel-specific features
- No penalty APR
Cons
- Not recommended outside of earning Avios points
- Annual fee
- Earn 75,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
- Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL.
- Earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel.
- Get 10% off British Airways flights starting in the US when you book through the website provided in your welcome materials.
- Earn a Travel Together Ticket every calendar year you spend $30,000 on your British Airways Visa card, valid for two years.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.
- Use contactless payment with your British Airways Visa Signature Card for fast, easy, and secure transactions.
- Member FDIC
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
- Iberia Visa Signature® Card
A good travel card for Iberia loyalists looking to earn Avios
- 1–3 Avios per $1Rewards Rate
- 21.49% – 28.49%VariableAPR
- $95Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
We feel that the Iberia Visa Signature® Card might work well for people who are frequent Iberia flyers. While this card comes with an annual fee, it offers 10% discount when you book flights through iberia.com/Chase10. You also stand to earn a discount voucher of $1,000 to use toward two tickets on the same flight for each calendar year you make purchases of $30,000 on your card
This card offers higher reward points. You earn 3 Avios points per $1 on purchases made directly with Iberia, British Airways and Aer Lingus, you earn 3 Avios points per $1 on hotel accommodations booked directly through hotels. And 1 Avios point on all other purchases.
Using this card outside of the U.S. makes sense as it comes with no foreign transaction fees.Pros
- Generous welcome offer of Avios points
- High rate of earning Avios points
- Low surcharges from Iberia
- Visa Signature benefits
- No foreign transaction fees
- Travel-specific features
Cons
- Annual fee
- Brand tie-in can be restrictive
- Earn 75,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months.
- Earn 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with Iberia, British Airways, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL.
- Earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when booked directly with the hotel.
- Save 10% on Iberia flights purchased on iberia.com/Chase10.
- Receive a $1,000 discount voucher for two tickets on the same flight each calendar year after spending $30,000.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.
- Use contactless payment for fast, easy, and secure transactions with your Iberia Visa Signature Card.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Summary of the Best Chase Cards for Travel
Go through this Chase travel card comparison table to determine how all the top alternatives measure up against each other based on factors such as annual fees, welcome offers, APRs and rewards/cash back rates.
- Credit CardBest ForAvg. Reward RateAnnual FeeCredit Needed
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
A fantastic card for earning rewards when you stay at IHG hotels and resorts.3–26 Points per $1*$99 - Chase Freedom Unlimited®
An excellent no-annual-fee card that lets you earn unlimited cash back1.5%–6.5% Cash Back$0 - Aer Lingus Visa Signature®
A travel card with a great welcome bonus for frequent Aer Lingus travelers2–3 Avios per $1$95 - British Airways Visa Signature® Card
A good choice for British Airways loyalists looking to earn Avios1–3 Avios per $1$95 - Iberia Visa Signature® Card
A good travel card for Iberia loyalists looking to earn Avios1–3 Avios per $1$95
MONEYGEEK PRO TIP
Keep in mind that Chase has a 5/24 Rule, which limits your eligibility to receive a new credit card. If you've opened up five or more new credit cards in the last 24 months, you will most likely be declined for a new Chase credit card. -- Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com.
How to Compare Chase Credit Cards & Intro Offers
There are many Chase travel credit cards to choose from, which is why you need to compare your options based on different factors.
1
Co-branded or not
If your travels involve using any particular group of hotels or airlines more than others, you may benefit by getting a co-branded Chase travel credit card. Some of the top examples include the IHG Rewards Club Premier Card, the Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card, the British Airways Visa Signature Card, the Iberia Visa Signature Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card and the World of Hyatt Card.
2
Annual fees
Determine if you might earn enough rewards/cash back and make ample use of a card’s benefits before getting one that charges an annual fee. Some no-annual-fee Chase travel cards include the Freedom Unlimited Credit Card, the Freedom Flex Credit Card, the IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card and the United Gateway Credit Card.
3
APR
Chase travel credit cards tend to charge higher APRs than its cards without rewards/cash back. If you plan to carry outstanding balances on your card from one month to the next, you might be better off looking at what low APR cards from Chase have to offer.
4
Welcome offer
The best Chase credit cards for travel typically come with welcome bonus offers for new cardholders. For instance, you may stand to get a predetermined amount of reward points or cash back if you spend at least a preset amount within a stipulated time frame. Some of these cards come with introductory 0% APR offers for purchases and/or balance transfers too.
5
Rewards/cash back rate
The rewards/cash back rate may vary based on the card you get. For example, the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card offers up to 25x points per dollar on spending at IHG Hotels and Resorts. It changes to up to 15x points with the no-annual-fee IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card.
6
Foreign transaction fees
If you intend to use your Chase travel credit card outside of the U.S., look for one that comes without foreign transaction fees. Otherwise, you may be charged up to 3% extra on every international transaction. Some of the Chase travel cards that do away with this fee include the United Gateway Credit Card, the IHG Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card, the British Airways Visa Signature Card and the Iberia Visa Signature Card.
7
Added perks/features
If you get a co-branded card, you may expect brand-specific benefits. For instance, the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card comes with a free anniversary reward night each year. The British Airways Visa Signature Card, on the other hand, offers up to $600 reward flight statement credits each year. Other benefits you may get include free checked bags, automatic or accelerated elite status, purchase protection and travel insurance coverage.
Expert Advice For Finding the Right Card
We’ve asked financial experts from across the country to give our Chase business credit card reviews the once-over and answer a few important questions so you may find it easier to narrow down on a suitable card.
Expert Advice For Finding the Right Card
- When might someone consider getting a Chase travel credit card with an annual fee?
- Which other card issuers provide co-branded travel cards similar to those offered by Chase?
- What should cardholders keep in mind to maximize their reward-earning potential through Chase credit cards?
Vincent O. van Empeh, Ph.D.Assistant Professor of Practice, School of Business at The University of Indianapolis
Linchi Kwok, Ph.D.Professor at The Collins College of Hospitality Management, California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Julia MenezTravel Hacking Coach and Founder of Geobreeze
Andrew Coggins, Jr.Clinical Professor at the Lubin School of Business at Pace University
Dipra JhaAssistant Director & Scholarly Associate Professor, School of Hospitality Business Management, Washington State University, Carson College of Business
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About Rajiv Baniwal
Rajiv Baniwal is a former finance writer at MoneyGeek, with more than 15 years of experience covering financial topics. His expertise includes mortgages, loans, credit cards, insurance and international money transfers.
Baniwal has a bachelor’s degree in art studies from Delhi University.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.