The Best Travel Credit Cards for 2025: Maximize Points, Perks, and Peace of Mind

Travel credit cards are essential tools for modern globetrotters, offering huge savings, rewards, and elite travel perks. In 2025, with evolving user benefits and stronger global coverage, choosing the right travel credit card can elevate your entire journey—from airport to hotel.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to the best travel credit cards of 2025, whether you’re looking to earn miles, enjoy airport lounges, or avoid foreign transaction fees.

Why Choose a Travel Credit Card in 2025?

• Earn rewards on travel purchases
  
  
• Save with no foreign transaction fees
  
  
• Access VIP lounges and travel insurance
  
  
• Get elite hotel status and upgrades
  
  
• Improve budgeting with category-based cashback
  

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• Bonus Offer: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in 3 months
  
  
  
• Rewards:
  
  
  • 5x on travel booked through Chase
    
    
  • 3x on dining
    
    
  • 2x on all other travel
    

• Annual Fee: $95
  

• Perks:

• No foreign transaction fees
  
  
• Primary car rental insurance
  
  
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
  

2. American Express® Gold Card

• Bonus Offer: 75,000 points after spending $4,000 in 6 months
  
  
• Rewards:
  
  
  • 4x on dining worldwide
    
    
  • 3x on flights booked via Amex Travel
    
    
• Annual Fee: $250
  
  
• Perks:
  
  
  • Access to Amex Offers and hotel credits
    
    
  • No foreign fees
    
    
  • Great for foodies and international travel
    

3. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

• Bonus Offer: 75,000 miles after $4,000 spend in 3 months
  
  
• Rewards:
  
  
  • 10x on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel
    
    
  • 5x on flights
    
    
  • 2x on everything else
    
    
• Annual Fee: $395
  
  
• Perks:
  
  
  • Priority Pass lounge access
    
    
  • $300 annual travel credit
    
    
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
    

4. Citi Premier® Card

• Bonus Offer: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in 3 months
  
  
  
• Rewards:
  
  
  
  • 3x on airfare, hotels, gas, dining, and supermarkets

• Annual Fee: $95
  

• Perks:
  
  
  • Points transfer to airline partners
    
    
  • Great all-around earning structure
    
    
  • No foreign fees
    

5. The Platinum Card® from American Express

• Bonus Offer: 120,000 points after $8,000 in 6 months
  

• Rewards:
  
  
  • 5x on flights booked directly or via Amex Travel
    
    
  • 1x on other purchases
    
    
  • Annual Fee: $695
    
    
• Perks:
  
  
  • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide
    
    
  • Fine Hotels + Resorts program benefits
    
    
  • $200 airline fee credit
    
    
  • Complimentary elite status at Hilton and Marriott
    

6. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

• Bonus Offer: 25,000 points after $1,000 spend in 90 days
  
  
• Rewards:
  
  
  • Unlimited 1.5x points on all purchases
    
    
• Annual Fee: $0
  
  
• Perks:
  
  
  • No foreign transaction fees
    
    
  • Ideal for beginner travelers or students
    

7. Discover it® Miles

• Intro Offer: Matches all miles earned in the first year
  
  
• Rewards:
  
  
  • Unlimited 1.5x miles on all purchases
    
    
• Annual Fee: $0
  
  
• Perks:
  
  
  • Miles redeemable for travel or cash
    
    
  • No foreign transaction fees
    
    
  • Flexible and simple redemption
    

Features to Look for in a 2025 Travel Card

- No Foreign Transaction Fees

• Essential for international travelers
  
  
• Saves you 1%–3% on every foreign purchase
  

- Travel Insurance Coverage

• Trip delay, baggage loss, or cancellation
  
  
• Peace of mind when travel plans change
  

- Lounge Access

• Priority Pass or Amex Centurion Lounges
  
  
• Ideal for frequent flyers and long layovers
  

- Reward Transfer Partners

• Convert points to airline/hotel partners
  
  
• Maximize value when booking with partners
  

- Sign-Up Bonuses

• Big point/mile offers help offset annual fees
  
  
• Use for free flights, hotel nights, or upgrades
  

How to Maximize Travel Card Benefits

• Use card for all travel/dining to rack up points
  
  
• Link loyalty programs for faster rewards
  
  
• Book through card-specific travel portals
  
  
• Take advantage of partner discounts
  
  
• Pay balance in full to avoid interest
  

Conclusion

The best travel credit cards in 2025 go far beyond just points—they offer real-world benefits like free airport lounge access, travel insurance, no-fee foreign transactions, and luxury perks that enhance your journeys. Whether you're a luxury explorer or a budget adventurer, there’s a card to match your travel style.

Choose one (or two!) that align with your spending habits and goals, and turn every trip into a rewarding experience—literally.