Choosing the right travel credit card can significantly enhance your travel experiences, offering rewards, perks, and savings. With numerous options available in 2024, it’s essential to select a card that aligns with your spending habits and travel goals. This guide highlights two of the best travel cards in 2024, catering to different needs: building credit and maximizing airfare and lounge access.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Best for building credit
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card is an excellent choice for individuals looking to build their credit history while earning valuable rewards. Many premium travel cards require a strong credit score for approval, making the Freedom Unlimited a strategic entry point. Although technically a cash-back card, its rewards can be converted into travel points when paired with a Chase Ultimate Rewards® card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred®. This synergy allows you to unlock the full potential of your earnings, transforming cash back into flexible travel rewards.
The rewards structure of the Freedom Unlimited is designed to be both generous and straightforward. Cardholders earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, and a solid 1.5% on all other purchases. This consistent earning rate on everyday spending makes it easy to accumulate rewards quickly.
Beyond rewards, the Chase Freedom Unlimited offers practical benefits without charging an annual fee. While it may lack the extensive perks of premium travel cards, it provides valuable shopping and auto rental insurance protections. Currently, new cardholders can take advantage of a welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back (or 20,000 points) after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Additionally, for the first year, new cardmembers earn 5% cash back on up to $12,000 spent at gas stations and grocery stores.
Points earned with the Chase Freedom Unlimited can be redeemed in various ways, including cash back, gift cards, or travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For maximizing travel value, consider transferring points to Chase Ultimate Rewards partners if you also hold a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred®. For instance, transferring points to British Airways can be strategic for booking short-haul economy flights on partner airlines like Alaska Airlines, such as a flight from Seattle to Los Angeles.
Annual fee: None
Foreign transaction fees: 3%
Current welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back (20,000 points) after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, five percent cash back on gas station and grocery store purchases on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Best for airfare and lounge access
For frequent travelers seeking premium benefits and luxury travel experiences, The Platinum Card® from American Express stands out as a top contender. This card is renowned for its exceptional perks, particularly for air travel and airport lounge access, aiming to provide a seamless and comfortable journey. The Platinum Card grants access to not just one, but two extensive networks of airport lounges: the American Express Centurion Lounge network and Priority Pass Select, offering a wide selection of lounges globally. Furthermore, cardholders receive automatic Gold elite status with both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, enhancing hotel stays with potential upgrades and benefits.
The rewards program of the Platinum Card is tailored for airfare and hotel bookings. Card Members earn 5 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year. Similarly, 5 points per dollar are earned on prepaid hotel bookings made through Amex Travel. All other eligible purchases earn 1 point per dollar. The value of Membership Rewards points is amplified by the ability to transfer them to a wide array of airline and hotel partners, including leading international carriers, offering flexibility in redemption.
To offset its significant annual fee, American Express packs the Platinum Card with a plethora of statement credits and benefits. These include:
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Annual credit towards incidental fees with a selected qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Annual credit distributed monthly for Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Annual credit for prepaid bookings at Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection properties through Amex Travel, requiring a minimum two-night stay.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Annual credit towards Equinox membership or Equinox+ digital fitness app.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Annual credit distributed monthly towards eligible streaming and digital subscription services.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Annual statement credit towards a CLEAR® Plus membership for expedited airport security lines.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Credit: Reimbursement for the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, up to $100 every four years for Global Entry or every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck.
- $100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit: Annual credit split into two $50 credits, redeemable semi-annually at Saks Fifth Avenue stores or online.
- Cell Phone Protection: Coverage for damage or theft of your cell phone when you pay your monthly bill with your Platinum Card.
- Shopping, Baggage, and Rental Car Insurance: Various travel and purchase protections.
- Resy Dining Access: Exclusive access to sought-after restaurant reservations through a partnership with Resy.
(Enrollment is required and terms apply to all of the aforementioned perks and statement credits.)
Annual fee: $695
Foreign transaction fees: None
Current welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Conclusion
Choosing the “best” travel card ultimately depends on individual priorities. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a superb entry-level card for building credit and earning versatile rewards, especially when combined with a Chase Ultimate Rewards® earning card. The Platinum Card® from American Express, on the other hand, is tailored for travelers who prioritize luxury, air travel benefits, and extensive airport lounge access. By carefully considering your travel habits and financial goals, you can select the travel card that best empowers your journeys in 2024 and beyond.
