If you are paying for flights with cash, you are doing it wrong. The smartest travelers use Travel Rewards Credit Cards to earn points on groceries and gas, then swap those points for first-class tickets.
Banks are desperate for your business. They are offering massive “Sign-Up Bonuses” worth $750 or more just for opening a card. If you have good credit, you can essentially travel for free this year.
Top 3 Travel Cards for Maximum Points
You need a card that offers flexible points. Do not get locked into one airline.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred®
This is the best “starter” card for travel.
- The Bonus: Often offers 60,000+ points after you spend $4,000 in 3 months. That is worth $750 in travel.
- Perk: Transfer points 1:1 to United, Southwest, or Hyatt.
- Cost: Low annual fee ($95).
2. American Express® Gold Card
The best card for foodies.
- Earning: 4X points on Restaurants and 4X points on Groceries.
- Dining Credit: Up to $120 a year in dining credits (Shake Shack, Grubhub).
- Prestige: It’s a metal card that gets noticed.
3. Capital One Venture X
The best card for luxury travel.
- Lounge Access: Unlimited free entry to Priority Pass airport lounges for you and two guests.
- Annual Credit: You get a $300 travel credit every year, which cancels out most of the fee.
Card Comparison Table
Here is the math on which card pays you back the fastest.
| Card Name | Annual Fee | Sign-Up Bonus Value | Best Feature |
| Chase Sapphire | $95 | ~$750 | Flexible Points |
| Amex Gold | $250 | ~$600 | 4X on Food |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | ~$750 | Free Lounge Access |
The “Chase 5/24” Rule
Before you apply, you must know this rule. Chase will reject you if you have opened 5 or more credit cards (from any bank) in the last 24 months.
- Strategy: Always apply for Chase cards first.
- Tip: Business cards usually don’t count toward this limit.
How to Hit the Bonus Without Spending More
You don’t need to buy things you don’t need.
- Prepay Bills: Pay 6 months of car insurance at once.
- Gift Cards: Buy grocery gift cards to use later.
- Rent: Use services like Plastiq to pay rent with a credit card (for a small fee).
Stop using your debit card. It earns you nothing. Apply for a top-tier travel card today and book your next vacation with points.