Shebudget’s Best Travel Credit Cards For 2016

Find out which cards are the best travel credit cards

Most everyone loves to or would love to travel the world, which is why most everyone is curious as to which credit cards are the best travel credit cards on the market. If you came here expecting us to tell you up front which cards are the most successful and which are the best travel credit cards around for you, you’re not going to find what you are looking for. What you will find, however, is a list of the top 10 best travel credit cards available for 2016 based on what each card has to offer, what to expect of each card and how to best use each one. Not all of the best travel credit cards are the best for you. Some are the best for some travelers and some are the best for other travelers.

All we can do is narrow it down by the best of the best in many categories, such as overall credit cards with great travel redemption offers, the best travel credit cards offered by airlines, the best travel credit cards offered by hotels and the best travel credit cards that will enable you to save big on your dream vacations so that you have just a bit less stress in your life. We are going to teach you to responsibly use the best travel credit cards available and then we are going to tell you which 10 travel credit cards are the best for 2016.

How to Use the Best Travel Credit Cards

Not all of the worst or the best or any travel credit cards are created equally. Some are credit cards that encompass more than just the travel spectrum and are more for everyday use than others. Airline credit cards, for example, are not those that can be used on a daily basis if you really want to make the most of what the travel credit card industry has to offer. However, all of the best travel credit cards do have one thing in common; they have to be used responsibly.

With each cart offering such impressive bonuses to new cardholders able to spend a certain amount of money in a certain amount of time, it’s easy for cardholders to believe that they have to spend and spend to earn them. While this is true, there are a few ways that you can ensure you are able to spend without going into debt. We like the concept of using your travel credit card in the best possible manner by putting all your every day household purchases and expenses on the card. Use it to pay your mortgage and your bills and to pay for your gas and groceries and everything in between, and then sit back and watch as the points add up. The trick to this is that you take the cash you use each month for these expenses and then pay off your card in full at the end of each month. This is what helps you to earn the most from each of the best travel credit cards without putting yourself into a less-than-ideal financial situation.

Southwest credit card

Best Travel Credit Card for Low-Cost Airlines – Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card

This is a great credit card to have if you are a huge fan of Southwest. What makes this card one of the best travel credit cards available for 2016 is the fact that this card is great for those who love low-cost airfare and air travel, which means that you’ll save significantly. However, the airline does not travel everywhere and is fairly limited in many areas of the country, which means that it might not prove so beneficial to those who live in many places in the Midwest or the northeast or even in the Caribbean.

Something else that makes this one of the best travel credit cards for the airline industry is the fact that you can save as much as $200 per trip for a family of four on every flight since you get your first bag per person checked free of charge. That’s a huge savings that many people tend to overlook when choosing the best travel credit cards for different airlines. For example, my husband and I and our four kids are about to take our 7th flight of the year this week to visit my grandmother in Texas, and that means that if we had this card and we used Southwest regularly, we’d have already saved $1400 in checked baggage fees (I only include our two older kids and us since the babies are, well, babies). That’s big savings and a reason in and of itself to consider this card as one of the best cards in the industry in terms of airline credit cards.

One more reason this is one of the best travel credit cards for the airline industry is the fact that this card can be paired with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card so that you can transfer your points to the card for 100% value when redeeming them for free miles. That’s a way you can really maximize your rewards and savings and make it easier to earn with travel spending as well as everyday spending.

Perks:

  1. Spend $2,000 within 90 days of opening your account and earn 50,000 bonus miles
  2. Earn 6,000 bonus points every year on the date of your cardholder anniversary
  3. Transfer points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and maximize earning and points redemption potential
  4. Free checked bags for all travelers (first bag per person only)
  5. Earn 2 points for every dollar you spend with Southwest Airlines on flights and additions to your travel through the airline
  6. Earn 1 point for every dollar spent elsewhere on this card
  7. There are no travel blackout dates
  8. Your points never expires

spg credit card

Best Travel Credit Card for Hotels – Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card (from American Express)

American Express always creates a nice credit card, and this one is no different. Reasons it makes the list of best travel credit cards for 2016 includes the fact that Starwood Hotels includes a diverse array of hotels that meet just about every budget and every price point: Sherato, W Hotels and Westin Hotels are just a few of the brands in this category. There is something like 1,200 Starwood hotels in the world (that encompass more than 100 different countries) and that means that it’s almost impossible to find a location without one for your vacationing pleasure.

Something that really works well for people is the earning system with this best travel credit card in the industry. Most cardholders earn between 3 and 5 points per dollar spent at Starwood properties and 1 point on every other purchase with this card. Since the card works well with many airline credit cards and other credit cards, you can transfer your points here on a 100% redemption basis to other cards to earn free flights. If you can do this with 20,000 of your points, you will earn an additional 5,000 bonus points. This card works really well with the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express, too, so you can maximize your earning potential this way.

Perks:

  1. Spend $3,000 in three months and earn 25,000 bonus points with this card
  2. No foreign transaction fees, which is a new addition to this particular credit card
  3. Free in room internet access
  4. No travel blackout dates
  5. Points can be redeemed for free nights at any Starwood facilities across the world
  6. No annual fee for one year; $95 after that
  7. Great bonus points when linked with Gold Delta SkyMiles Card
  8. Earn 3-5 points for every dollar spent at Starwood Properties
  9. Earn 1 point for all other purchases with this hotel credit card

discover it credit card

Best Travel Credit Card for Miles – Discover it Miles Card

Anyone looking to apply for one of the best travel credit cards on the market in terms of what the card has to offer in mileage will love this card. It enables users to earn double the miles throughout the first year of card ownership without much hassle at all, which is why it makes the list as one of the best travel credit cards for 2016. This card allows cardholders to earn 1.5 miles on every dollar you spend for one year – no exclusions.

But wait; even though that sounds amazing, that’s not the reason that this card is one of the best travel credit cards for the New Year. For one year, and one year only, Discover will double your points at the end of the year. This means that if you keep your points and redeem them for nothing at all during the first year that you are a cardholder, Discover will double them for you. That means you’re essentially earning 3 points on every dollar for the first year that you carry this travel credit card.

While that’s exciting, there are a few other things that are even more exciting about this the best travel credit card for miles. Instead of dealing with using points to book travel, you simply ask the company to apply your points toward the travel on your statement and you receive them in the form of a statement credit. That means if you spent $1500 on travel this month and you have $1000 in travel rewards, you will get a $1000 statement credit and only owe $500 at the end of the month. That’s about as simple as it gets in the travel credit card industry. It also helps that the points system is so easy to understand: 100 miles is equal to $1 in travel credits.

Perks:

  1. Free FICO score on your monthly statement
  2. $30 wifi credit for in-flight wifi purchases each year
  3. Double miles offer for the first year of card membership
  4. No annual fee
  5. Freeze It – feature allows you to stop new purchases on your card if you cannot find it anywhere and then turn it back on once you find it
  6. Redeem points for statement credits or as a cash deposit into your checking account

chase sapphire preferred

Best Travel Credit Card in General – Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

This is the best travel credit card on the market for several reasons, but mostly because it can be linked to other travel credit cards and used to maximize and double reward points and earnings, and because it has so much to offer. This is one of the best travel credit cards on the market because it is a great everyday credit card meant to be used for your everyday purchases since those are the ones that earn you the most points and the most benefits. This card is best used by those who spend money regularly and who love to travel. Because the card company does not charge foreign transaction fees, it’s also a good card to have in your wallet if you are a frequent traveler to international destinations. Finally, if you use this card to book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, cardholders are given a 20% discount on the cost of travel, which is impressive.

Perks:

  1. 40,000 bonus points to all cardholders able to spend $4000 within the first three months that the account is opened (this equates to $500 in free travel)
  2. Add an authorized user and make one purchase with the authorized user’s card and earn an additional 5,000 bonus points within 3 months of opening the account
  3. No annual fee for one year and $95 per year after that
  4. Earn 2 points for every dollar spent at restaurants and travel purchases
  5. Earn 1 point for every dollar spent on all other purchases
  6. Transfer points 100% to many of the best travel credit cards for 100% redemption mileage

BankAmericard Travel Rewards Visa Signature

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

This is one of the best travel credit cards for 2015 for several reasons. The first is that this card enables cardholders to use the card without ever paying an annual fee. Most cards require that cardholders do pay an annual fee, though many do waive the fee the first year. However, most cards cost at least $100 per year after that, which does negate some of the rewards just a bit. One of the issues that results in many people overlooking this card as one of the best travel credit cards for 2016 is the fact that the signup bonus is not that impressive. However, the overall use of this card is actually quite impressive, which is what makes it one that is worth applying for even though the bonus upfront is not that impressive.

What stands out about this card and makes it one of the best travel credit cards available is the fact that the points earning system is far superior than any other card on the market. While several of the best travel credit cards offer travelers a chance to earn multiple points on every dollar spent on certain purchases, this card offers cardholders a chance to earn more on every single purchase. That’s 1.5 points per dollar spent. If you book travel through the Bank of America travel center, you get to add an additional 1.5 points to every single purchase up to $6000 per year, and you get to earn 3 points per dollar on every other purchase you make through the travel center throughout the year. That’s huge earnings potential, and the primary reason that this card is on our list as one of the best travel credit cards for 2016.

Perks:

  1. Enjoy 10% off your purchases with a Bank of America or Merrill Lynch checking or savings account
  2. No foreign transaction fees
  3. No blackout dates for travel redemption
  4. Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three months you have an active credit card account (given to you in the value of a $200 statement credit)
  5. Points are used by booking travel and then being given a statement credit in the amount that you used to book your travel
  6. No interest for one year

Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express

Best Travel Credit Card for Partnering with Other Cards – Gold Delta Skymiles Credit Card from American Express

This standout card is among the best of the best travel credit cards for various reasons. The introductory bonus offer is outstanding. The rewards are outstanding, and the benefits associated with this card never seem to stop. Delta is one of the leading airlines in the country, as well as one of the largest. This card is great for those who reside in cities in which the airport is a Delta hub, as it allows passengers more choices, selections and flights to and from some of the biggest and even the smallest cities in the world. With an impressive international route selection as well as an even more impressive domestic route selection, passengers almost always find what they are looking for within a Delta flight.

My husband and I, personally, prefer Delta to any other airline. We always have because we have always had the best service, the most helpful representatives and the best flights. We seem to have fewer delays and inconveniences on this airline, and we almost always find it’s less expensive than other carriers when we travel. Of course, this is one of the best travel credit cards in the market, but that does not mean that it is for everyone. If you are committed to flying Delta and fly at least five times a year, you will benefit from this card.

However, you do have to be willing to forgo other carriers in order to make the most of the rewards that this card has to offer. Otherwise, you will not be able to fully reap the benefits of what this card offers and, therefore, it makes little sense to have this card in your wallet.

One of the standout features that makes this one of the best travel credit cards in the market is the fact that cardholders are offered so many extras. In addition to a global assist hotline, accident insurance while traveling and even a free checked bag with each flight, cardholders are also provided complementary loss and damage insurance when renting a vehicle, and you can access the Delta Sky Club by paying a reduced price for up to three people for free wifi, snacks and complementary beverages. Those are just a few of the perks that makes this credit card one of the best travel credit cards in the industry.

Perks:

  1. Earn 30,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days of being a Delta SkyMiles credit card holder.
  2. Earn a $50 statement credit with your first Delta purchase within 90 days of becoming a Delta SkyMiles credit card holder
  3. Enjoy no annual fee for the first year, and a fee of only $95 per year after that
  4. One free checked bag per traveler whose tickets are booked using this card
  5. Receive 2 miles for every dollar spent with and through Delta
  6. Receive 1 mile for all other purchases made with your Delta SkyMiles credit card
  7. Redeem rewards miles for more than any other airline has to offer, including: free flights, upgraded seats, hotels, rental cars and items from the Delta reward categories
  8. Receive invitations to card member-only events throughout the year
  9. Receive discounts when purchasing tickets to select sporting events and concerts, shows and more when you use your Delta card to pay for these items

british airways credit ard

Best Travel Credit Card for Free Flights – British Airways Signature Reward Visa

You’ll note that while there are several different airline credit cards listed here, this is the one that is the best travel credit card as far as airlines go, even though many might not even consider it since British Airways is not a domestic carrier. The deal is this; it seems as if it is not a good idea since British Airways does not cater much to the US in terms of domestic service. Therefore, this card is only the best travel credit card for international travelers, right? Well, not really; it’s actually a travel credit card that is best for just about everyone if you know how to use the card. For one, you definitely get the most out of your miles when you book flights through British Airways, but what makes this card the best travel credit card in the industry is the rewards.

All cardholders able to spend at least $30,000 per year receive two first class tickets anywhere in the world – every single year. We love this feature because this could save you thousands of dollars on airfare to destinations you might want to visit but cannot afford (Australia? Tahiti? Italy? Antarctica?). I know that many of you are scoffing and about to scroll down to see the other best of the best in terms of travel credit cards, but don’t do that just yet. It does seem as if $30,000 per year is a lot of money, but it’s actually only $2,500 per month to spend. If you use this card to pay for your monthly expenses such as your monthly bills (Mortgage, cell phone, etc.) as well as your gas and groceries and your entertainment, you can use the cash you normally spend on these items to pay off the card balance at the end of each month and never carry a balance while still spending what you need to spend for your free airline tickets every year. It’s pretty genius, and it’s what makes this credit card the best travel credit card on the market.

It also helps that this card comes with significant benefits not associated with the free airline tickets, too, so read on to find out what you can gain with this card in your wallet.

Perks:

  1. Earn 50,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 within 90 days of carrying this card
  2. Earn 25,000 additional bonus miles when you spend $10,000 on this card
  3. Earn an additional 25,000 miles when you spend $20,000 on this card
  4. Spend $30,000 per year on this card and earn two free first class airline tickets to any desintation in the world
  5. Earn 3 points for every dollar spent with British Airways travel
  6. Earn 1 point for every dollar spent elsewhere
  7. Annual fee of $95 is waived for one year
  8. Pay no foreign transaction fees
  9. Enjoy the use of Chip Technology when making purchases on your card in foreign countries

priceline credit card

Best Travel Credit Card for Travel Websites – Priceline Rewards Visa Card

Interestingly enough, many travelers are completely unaware that Priceline even offers a credit card, and they are even more unaware that it’s one of the best travel credit cards in the industry. Of the many travel website, the Priceline Rewards Visa is one of the best travel credit cards to use for a number of reasons. Earning is simple, savings are almost guaranteed and free travel is just within your grasp with this particular travel credit card. This card offers a number of rewards, and even though some of the bonus offers do not seem as impressive as other cards on this list of best travel credit cards, the overall effect of this card on your finances and your travel future is a good one. Sometimes you simply have to look further than what is right in front of you to see what you can get when it comes to choosing a travel credit card that works best for you.

There are also two cards within this category; the annual fee card and the no annual fee card. The annual fee is only $29, which is paltry compared to some of the other credit cards on this list, even though they are considered among the best travel credit cards in the business. What we do enjoy about this card is that it is one that benefits the everyday traveler on a budget more so than some of the other cards on this list, and that’s what many card applicants are looking for. The bonuses might not be all that impressive, but the low annual fee or no annual fee make up for that, and there are some other features that also make up for the fact that bonuses are not that impressive.

Perks:

  1. Earn $50 cash back when approved for this credit card during a Priceline purchase
  2. Earn 5,000 bonus points when you apply for the card without making a purchase and are approved for the annual fee card
  3. Earn 2,500 bonus points when you are approved for the no annual fee card
  4. Use your card one time with Priceline and enjoy a $50 hotel bonus cash offer when you Name Your Own Price on a hotel
  5. $29 annual fee or no annual fee cards available to applicants – you get to choose which is why this is one of the best travel credit cards for those who are looking for a new card to carry for travel-related purchases
  6. Earn up to three reward points per purchase when you make qualifying purchases through Priceline; otherwise earn 1 to 2 points for every dollar spent

capital one venture

Best Travel Credit Card for a Flat Rate – Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

For those with excellent credit, the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card is one of the best travel credit cards in the industry. It’s a flat rate card, which means that you earn all the same points on every single purchase that you make all time, and that takes the confusion right out of earning. Since we don’t care much for complications or confusion when using our cards and points, we like this card and its simple processes. The bonus offer is a good one, the travel rewards are spectacular and the card is really nice to have when you travel often. It’s also a great card to have in general, unlike airline credit cards or hotel cards that are really great for specific forms of travel but not for anything else; this is an everyday card that will benefit your travel life in every way possible.

In addition to the fact that the rewards points are excellent, they also never expire. You can use them a bit at a time for savings on every trip you take, or you can save them up and make sure that you’re able to spend these points on trips that are big, expensive and not going to cost you a dime when you finally do decide to cash them in and use them for whatever it is you want to do and wherever it is you want to go. The annual fee for this card is significantly lower than it is on many of the other cards that we consider the best of the best travel credit cards, and that’s a huge perk that many people tend to overlook on a regular basis. Additionally, the APR on this card is about 3% lower to start than other cards, though the amount of the variable APR you receive does vary based on a number of factors highly personalized to each cardholder.

Overall, the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card is absolutely one of the best travel credit cards on the market, and it’s because it has so much to offer and it does so at a much lower price and a much higher rate of return. Cardholders earn $1 in free travel for every 100 points earned, which is the equivalent of $1 for every $50 spent.

Perks:

  1. Earn 40,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 on purchases with this card in the first 90 days that the card is yours (worth $400 in free travel)
  2. Earn 2 points for every dollar you spend everywhere you go, all the time
  3. Points do not expire
  4. Redeem points for any type of travel imaginable, from rental cards to flights to hotels to cruises to anything related to travel at all
  5. No annual fee for the first year; only $59 per year after that
  6. No foreign transaction fees
  7. $0 fraud liability for lost or stolen cards
  8. Capital One Credit Tracker is free for all cardholders all the time
  9. Visa Signature benefits available on all purchases – including free upgrades and savings on all travel related expenses
  10. Complimentary 24 hour per day concierge access and assistance
  11. Free extended warranty on all items purchased with this credit card
  12. Available with Apple Pay to make your purchase needs simpler than ever

barclay card

Best Travel Credit Card for International Travel – World Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard (from Barclays)

There is no such thing as too much when it comes to this card, which is one of the best travel credit cards in the world. Perhaps it is the best travel credit card in the world, but it is not for everyone. This is a card that is available only to those with stellar credit and those with the best of the best in terms of their financial lifestyle. The rewards rate with this card is among the best and highest in the world. It’s also among the best of the best and the signup bonus is as impressive as ever. The annual fee is actually less expensive than some of the other annual fees you might pay with the companies that offer some of the best travel credit cards on the market. You earn more points for every purchase that you make than other cards offer, and you get a stellar signup bonus.

This card is great for those who travel internationally on a regular basis, but it’s also good for domestic travelers. It’s also great for those who don’t have a specific airline or travel partner than they prefer since the card allows cardholders to book with any travel partner on the market. That’s what makes this one of the best travel credit cards on the market. If you’re looking for flexible options with one of the best travel credit cards on the market, this is the one you should consider as it offers some of the most flexible options in terms of booking travel, cancelling travel and enjoy the perks and amenities that a credit card has to offer those who do travel on a regular basis – particularly those who travel internationally on a regular basis.

Perks:

  1. No annual fee for one year; only $89 per year after that
  2. No foreign transaction fees
  3. Enjoy 40,000 bonus points when you spend $3000 or more on this card within three months of opening your account
  4. Earn 2 points for every dollar you spend when you use this card
  5. Earn a 5% bonus on all miles you redeem for free travel
  6. Redeem points for any travel purchase (airfare, hotels, cruises, rental cars, etc.)
  7. Enjoy the benefits of Chip technology
  8. 0% APR on all balance transfers for one year on all balances transferred within 45 days of opening your account
  9. Reimburse yourself with cash back when you book your travel with this card – one of the biggest reasons this is one of the best travel credit cards on the market
  10. No blackout dates when booking travel with the Barclaycard
  11. Miles do not expire and there is no limit to how many miles you can earn with this credit card
  12. Access to free FICO scores when you need them with this card
  13. Complimentary concierge travel services to all cardholders
  14. Trip cancellation insurance for all travel booked

While not all these cards will prove right for you and your family, each one is designed to offer something specific for travelers with very specific needs. This is why these cards are the best of the best travel credit cards on the market. Travelers are sure to find something that benefits them in every way possible.

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