The Best Travel Credit Cards of 2021

Consumers typically need good or excellent credit to qualify for the best travel credit card offers, and those who are eligible have plenty of research to do. For example, most need to decide on the type of travel rewards credit card they want, including whether they want flexible travel points, rewards for hotels or airline miles. It's also crucial to compare cards based on their benefits, which could include elite status with hotels, airport lounge access, annual travel credits and more.

With the COVID-19 pandemic starting to move toward a resolution, now is an excellent time to start racking up rewards. Comparing the best travel credit cards side by side is the best way to find the right rewards credit card to get you started.

The best travel credit cards are vastly different from one another, with some offering flexible travel points and others letting you earn hotel loyalty points or airline miles. Consider the type of rewards you want to earn — and how you might use them — as you compare offers.

Some travel rewards credit cards offer general travel points that can be used for flexible redemptions with airlines, hotels and other travel vendors. Credit cards in this niche may even let you transfer your points to frequent flyer or hotel loyalty programs.

Co-branded travel credit cards let you earn points that work within a specific airline or hotel loyalty program. The top travel credit cards in this category can be a good option if you are a frequent traveler who is loyal to a specific brand.

We compile and rank our lists of suggested credit cards based on publicly available data from card issuers and other reputable sources like the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. We analyze and compare over 55 data points — such as annual fees, interest rates, rewards, benefits, and more — for approximately 2,500 cards to assign a rating for each card feature.

The ratings are then stack ranked and weighted based on the most relevant features for each card category (cash back, business, etc.). These determine the top suggestions for each type of user or card category. Because card details and welcome offers change regularly, we revisit this list at least once a month to update our ratings and recommendations as needed. Learn more about our data collection and ranking process.

Quickly compare the travel cards in our list by annual fees and reward rate. More information can be found in the sections above or by visiting our partner site’s list of best travel cards.

Getting the most out of your travel rewards credit card works best when you start with the right card from the start. With that in mind, you'll need to take a closer look at different types of credit cards as well as their respective rewards programs.

Take the time to compare points and miles cards, general travel credit cards, co-branded hotel cards and co-branded airline cards.

>> MORE: How to Travel Hack Responsibly: Using Credit Cards & Other Methods

The best travel rewards credit cards let you earn points that can be redeemed for nearly any kind of trip, although the rewards you earn don't all work the same way. Some cards let you earn points that only work within a specific hotel loyalty program, whereas others offer airline miles that only work with one airline or within an airline alliance. However, there are also flexible travel credit cards that let you redeem your points for any travel you charge to your card. Some even let you transfer your points to airline and hotel loyalty programs, which can open the door to better redemptions and help you get more bang for your buck.

When you sign up for a travel rewards credit card, you'll get the chance to earn a sign-up bonus as well as points or miles for each dollar you spend. Some types of points can be converted to cash back, whereas others are only good for airfare or hotel stays. Points values also vary, although you'll typically get a minimum of one cent per point or mile in value when you go to redeem.

Make sure to research different types of travel credit cards and their respective programs so that you know what you're getting into before you sign up.

General travel credit cards are not affiliated with a specific airline or hotel, making them a lot more flexible than other options you'll find. Cards in this niche tend to work best for people who aren't committed to specific travel plans or loyal to a travel brand. Flexible travel credit cards are also perfect for consumers who want the option to redeem rewards for cash back or statement credits if they prefer.

Co-branded airline cards let you earn airline miles that work with a specific airline or airline alliance. For example, you could get the chance to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points good for flights on Southwest Airlines, but you could also earn miles within the American AAdvantage program and redeem them for flights with American and other airlines in the oneworld Alliance.

Co-branded hotel cards offer consumers the chance to earn hotel points in a specific loyalty program like Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy or World of Hyatt. Some cards in this niche grant cardholders automatic elite hotel status, while others offer free nights or annual travel credits good for their portfolio of properties.

There are important questions to ask before applying for a credit card, including ones that could significantly impact your finances.

The best travel credit cards can be confusing at first, but they start to make sense once you compare the best options and their respective programs. With some research and digging, you can learn all there is to know about the top travel credit card offers, how they work and who they're best for.

Travel rewards credit cards make sense for people who like to redeem rewards for flights, hotels, rental cars and even Airbnb stays. Even so, you'll be better off if you take the time to compare the different types of card options available based on their rewards programs, fees and cardholder benefits.

You don't have to be a frequent flyer or jetsetter to benefit from a travel rewards credit card, but you will get more value from your card if you make an informed decision before you sign up.