If you do not currently have travel credit cards for points and perks, you are definitely missing out on free money and travel!!!
I’ve been traveling and living abroad for almost ten years now, and these are definitely the BEST travel credit cards for points and perks in 2024!
I have all of these cards despite the high annual fees. It’s probably not necessary to have both but the perks make it worth it. So I will explain the benefits of each one, what I use it for, and why I recommend it.
Also if you click my links (they are referral links) you get extra bonus points if you sign up and spend money in the first few months for some of them!
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What the Big Deal is About Travel Credit Cards with Points and Perks
The keyword there is TRAVEL! Unlike normal credit cards that mainly offer cash back incentives or something, these are specifically credit cards for travel. Meaning they give you higher amounts of points on travel-related purchases, AKA more opportunities for you to save up points and use them towards flights and hotels!
Each year I earn enough points to cover about four of my international flights, which usually equals around $3-4k!
The perks are also amazing and super beneficial to travelers. From included travel insurance, to VIP airport lounges, you get it all with some of these cards!
In short, you are going to spend money on life anyway, so you might as well spend it using the credit card that will give you the most points to use towards travel.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
My Chase Sapphire Reserve has been my go-to credit card for travel for years and I’ve never been disappointed. It has a hefty annual fee, but you get $300 back each year on travel purchases, plus Priority Pass (lounge pass) which I use constantly, 5x points on travel, and so much more.
It also covers basic travel insurance, including for rental cars! I just really love this card and would highly recommend it for any travelers, or people wanting to earn points for flights! See my full breakdowns below:
General Chase Sapphire Reserve Points and Perks:
- $300 travel credit per year
- 5x points on travel if booked through their website otherwise
- 3x points on any travel including flights, hotels, and dining
- 10x points on dining if pre-booked through their website
- Free Global Entry/TSA Precheck
- Free Priority Pass with access to 1600 airport lounges worldwide
- 10x points on Lyft Rides
- Free DoorDash Subscription
- Travel Insurance Coverage (see inclusions and exclusions)
***Current Sign Up Bonus:
- 60,000 Bonus Points ($900 towards travel) when you spend $4k in the first 3 months
- Please CLICK HERE to sign up
Annual Membership Fee: $550
American Express Platinum
When my business started really taking off, I added the American Express Platinum to my best credit cards for travel collection. Now that I have both, I’d say you really only need this one OR the Chase Sapphire Reserve. But if you can afford the annual fees, both have some pretty luxurious perks.
Also I realized that I needed a business-specific card for business expenses, so there’s also that.
Anyway! What I did love about the Amex Platinum is the access to Amex lounges (sometimes they exist where Priority Pass does not), high travel bonus points, and VIP service. Actually they have a ton of perks, see below:
General Amex Platinum Points and Perks:
- 5x points on flights booked directly through airlines or amextravel.com
- 5x points on prepaid hotels booked on their website
- 1x point any other eligible purchase
- $200 airline fee credit per year (to use on baggage or other fees)
- $200 credit per year for their Fine Hotels & Resorts plus $200 credit to use at the hotel
- Amex Global Airport Lounge Access
- Global Entry/TSA precheck
- $15/month Uber or Uber Eats credit
- Free CLEAR
- $100 per year Saks Credit
- Resy VIP access
- Gold Status with Mariott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance (restrictions obviously apply)
- Trip Delay, Cancellation, and Interruption Insurance
- Baggage Insurance Protection
- Cell Phone Protection
- VIP Service at Hotels When You Book with the Card
***Current Sign Up Deal:
- 80,000 Rewards Points when you spend $6k on purchases within the first 6 months
- Please CLICK HERE to Sign Up and Claim It
Annual Fee: $695
There are two main downsides of the Amex Platinum in my opinion;
1. If you’re a frequent remote international traveler, Amex is usually not accepted.
2. The annual fee is the highest of all credit cards
Unrelated to travel or credit cards, but American Express SAVINGS has the highest yield APY I’ve found recently! Right now it’s 4.35% and it increases the longer you’re with them! I made over $3000 in interest last year!
NEW: Travel Credit Cards for BUSINESS – Chase INK Preferred
As my business continued to grow, I was advised by my tax lady to get a credit card specifically for my business. This way it makes it a lot easier to file my expat taxes as a small business owner, since I can just report what I spent on that card.
Since I loved the Chase Sapphire, I looked into their business card and found Chase Ink. It has the same rewards points for travel, and a very low annual fee. Plus I can add cards for my freelance workers at no extra cost!
Oh and I signed up when they had a major bonus, which they still are offering, at 100,000 points, which is enough to fly around the world for a month! Please use my referral link to sign up!
Here’s the key perks for Chase Ink Business Preferred Card:
- Earn 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
- Earn the 3x points on shipping purchases, advertising with social media sites and search engines, internet/cable/phone purchases and travel
- Earn 100,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through the Chase Travel Portal.
Annual Fee is $95, but they also have a free option (with less perks)
*You may be wondering why even bother with a business card like this, so again, let me emphasize: If you HAVE TO SPEND MONEY ON YOUR BUSINESS, you might as well use a credit card that will give you points for what you spend, that you can use for travel or cash back!
Best Travel DEBIT Card: Charles Schwab
The Charles Schwab debit card for travel is a known thing amongst travelers, and especially expats. This is because they don’t have any international transaction fees OR ATM fees, and they get you the best exchange rate.
Cost: Free
Speaking of Which: Did you know that when a foreign ATM shows you their exchange rate and asks if you accept it or decline it, you can choose decline and still get the money, then your bank will give you a better rate?
Almost Great International Banking and Card: Revolut
In theory Revolut sounds well, revolutionary. But I’m a bit annoyed with them because two of my large transactions got lost because I didn’t use a correct address, and it took MONTHS to get it back. Then, once all was fine and dandy, they basically audited me because I used my account to buy an apartment in Mexico.
They advertise hardcore no foreign transaction fees, which is why I used them, and then they legit assumed I was money laundering or something. But other than that it has been pretty good.
The main thing with Revolut is that it’s an international banking system, so you can send and receive money from all over the world. This is great if you need to pay for some personal trips to local tour companies…but not if you’re doing business.
They also have the same offer as Charles Schwab where they don’t charge ATM fees (however their card only works at certain ATMs), and they give you a better exchange rate. There’s also an easy to use app.
Cost: Free for Basic Services, then starts at $20/month for premium services
Such helpful info! I’m def getting the Charles Schwab card!