There are several kinds of credit cards that can be used to redeem for free travel. There are, of course, Airline Credit Cards, which allow you to rack up airline miles and come with perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. There are Hotel Credit Cards which allow you to earn hotel points good for free stays and often come with perks like elite status (or credits towards elte status) and annual free nights. Read more >
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
Only applies to bookings made via the Capital One Portal; Earn 2X otherwise.
Only applies to bookings made via the Capital One Portal; Earn 2X otherwise.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Get 50,000 Capital One miles when you spend $4,500 in your first 3 months
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Otherwise, your travel purchase will earn 2X miles.
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Otherwise, your travel purchase will earn 2X miles.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Only applies to bookings made via the Capital One Portal; Earn 2X otherwise.
Only applies to bookings made via the Capital One Portal; Earn 2X otherwise.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
When booked through Capital One Travel; else earn 2X
When booked through Capital One Travel; else earn 2X
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
20,000 miles when you spend $500 within 3 months
Only when booked via the Capital One Travel Portal; otherwise earn 1.25X miles per dollar.
Only when booked via the Capital One Travel Portal; otherwise earn 1.25X miles per dollar.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
3X bonus points per dollar in combined purchases in the following select business categories: Travel (includes airfare, hotels, and car rentals but excludes local transit), internet, cable, and phone services, search engine/social media and shipping purchases, up to a combined maximum of $150,000 per account anniversary year.
3X bonus points per dollar in combined purchases in the following select business categories: Travel (includes airfare, hotels, and car rentals but excludes local transit), internet, cable, and phone services, search engine/social media and shipping purchases, up to a combined maximum of $150,000 per account anniversary year.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn this multiplier when you purchase via Chase Travel℠. If you purchase any other way, you will earn 2X points.
Earn this multiplier when you purchase via Chase Travel℠. If you purchase any other way, you will earn 2X points.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Only applies to bookings made viaChase Travel℠. Otherwise earn 3X points per dollar.
Only applies to bookings made viaChase Travel℠. Otherwise earn 3X points per dollar.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Earn this multiplier when you purchase via Chase Travel℠. If you purchase any other way, you will earn 1.5X points.
Earn this multiplier when you purchase via Chase Travel℠. If you purchase any other way, you will earn 1.5X points.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
Earn 5x Membership Rewards points on airfare (booked directly with the airline or via AmexTravel.com and on prepaid hotels when booked via AmexTravel.com), up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
Only when booked via AmexTravel.com; Otherwise, hotels will earn 1X points per dollar spent
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
Must be booked via Amex Travel to earn 5X; otherwise earn 1X
Must be booked via Amex Travel to earn 5X; otherwise earn 1X
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
At restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 a year; 1X thereafter)
4X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on U.S. Supermarkets* (up to $25,000 a year; 1X thereafter)
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards Points on the 2 categories that you spend the most on each month, up to a combined maximum of $150,000
Earn 4X Membership Rewards Points on the 2 categories that you spend the most on each month, up to a combined maximum of $150,000
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 90,000 United MileagePlus® Miles after you spend $5,000 on qualifying purchases in the first three months of opening an account.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Only at Hyatt family hotels booked directly. 1X on other hotels.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after spending $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
Multiplier only applies to flights booked on Delta, otherwise earn 1X
U.S. office supply stores only
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
Only applies to Delta flights purchased directly from Delta. All other airline purchases will earn 1X miles per dollar
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
Multiplier only applies to flights booked on Delta, otherwise earn 1X
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
Applies only to airfare booked directly with Delta Air Lines; otherwise earn 1X
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 70,000 United MileagePlus® Miles and 500 PQP after spending $4,000 on qualifying purchases in the first three months of opening an account.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 60,000 United MileagePlus® Miles after spending $3,000 on qualifying purchases in the first three months of opening an account, plus the Annual Fee waived for the first year.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 3X on Southwest flights booked directly; otherwise earn 1X
Only when booked via the Rapid Rewards portal; Otherwise earn 1X.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening. (See Companion Pass Guide!)
Applies only to tickets purchased directly from Southwest. Other airfare earns 1X.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening. (See Companion Pass Guide!)
Applies only to tickets purchased directly from Southwest. Other airfare earns 1X.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 175,000 Bonus Points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of Card Membership (Terms apply).
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
10 points per dollar at eligible IHG hotels worldwide; 5X points per dollar on any other hotel purchases.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
There's no traditional bonus offer, but you'll be eligible for Rent Day double points on the 1st of every month (excluding rent).
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 3 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 6X when you book Marriott Bonvoy properties direct. Earn 2X on all other hotel bookings.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
6X points only applies to Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resorts booked directly through Marriott. Otherwise, earn 2X
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
10 points per dollar at eligible IHG hotels worldwide; 5X points per dollar on any other hotel purchases.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
Earn 6X points when staying at a Marriott Bonvoy participating hotel booked directly through Marriott or the hotel; else earn 2X
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 100,000 Bonus Points after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of Card Membership (Terms apply).
Applies to bookings at Hilton Honors properties booked directly with Hilton. Otherwise, earn 3X
At U.S. Restaurants. Take out and delivery included.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 80,000 Bonus Points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
At IHG brand hotels and resorts booked directly; otherwise earn 2X.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 3 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees and terms apply.
6X only applies to Marriott Bonvoy hotels booked directly with Marriott or the hotel. Otherwise, earn 2X.
With U.S. Cellular Providers
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 75,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, you can earn 25,000 points after spending $20,000 in the first 12 months from account opening.
Applies to travel booked directly with Air Canada. Other airfare earns 1X miles per dollar.
Our ratings are determined by the authors and editors on our team. Each individual card feature is compared against all other cards we offer and the total score is an average of those 4 ratings.
Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Earn 3x Avios on British Airways, Iberia, LEVEL, and Aer Lingus flights booked directly; 1X on other airlines
Must be booked directly with the hotel
Next are the four major transferable point currencies, meaning you can transfer your points to a variety of airline and hotel partners and you aren’t locked into one program that may or may not have availability when you want it:
You can see all four major bank card currencies below:
Credit Cards That Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Credit Cards That Earn American Express (Amex) Membership Rewards Points
Credit Cards That Earn Capital One Miles
Credit Cards That Earn Citi ThankYou Points
And lastly, there are cards like the Venture from Capital One and the Spark Miles Business Credit Card from Capital One which let you erase travel purchases with your points and cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Chase Ink Preferred with which you can transfer the points to partners or redeem inside their travel booking portal at a set rate.