by Dreaming of a vacation in 2025? Imagine booking your flights and hotel rooms without touching the money in your bank account. This is not a fantasy. It is the power of travel rewards credit cards.
These cards allow you to earn valuable points on your everyday spending. You can then redeem these points for free flights, hotel stays, and other travel experiences. Choosing the right card is the first step on a journey to seeing the world for a fraction of the cost.
But the world of points and miles can be confusing.
This guide will simplify it for you. We have analyzed the top cards on the market to find the ones that offer the best value, benefits, and earning potential. Here are the top 5 travel rewards credit cards that can pay for your 2025 vacation.
The Golden Rule of Rewards Cards
Before we begin, there is one non-negotiable rule. You must pay your statement balance in full every single month. The interest charges on these cards are very high. They will quickly wipe out the value of any rewards you earn. If you carry a balance, these cards are not for you.
The Top 5 Travel Rewards Credit Cards for 2025
Here are our top picks for every type of traveler, from beginners to seasoned pros.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best for: The Beginner in the Points and Miles Game
Why It’s a Top Pick: The Chase Sapphire Preferred is widely considered the best starter travel card for a reason. Its points, called Ultimate Rewards, are both valuable and flexible. You can transfer them to over a dozen top airline and hotel partners, like United, Southwest, and Hyatt.
The card also offers a 25% bonus when you redeem your points for travel through the Chase travel portal. This makes every point worth at least 1.25 cents. With a generous sign-up bonus and strong earning categories on dining and travel, it is the perfect gateway into the world of free travel.
2. American Express® Gold Card
Best for: The Foodie Who Loves to Travel
Why It’s a Top Pick: The Amex Gold Card is a powerhouse for earning points on your biggest everyday expenses. It offers an incredible 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year). For most people, these are two of the largest spending categories.
The card also comes with annual credits for services like Uber and Grubhub, which help offset the annual fee. The points you earn, called Membership Rewards, can be transferred to a long list of premium airline partners. This makes it an essential card for anyone who wants to fly business class using points.
3. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Best for: The Traveler Who Wants Simple, High-Value Perks
Why It’s a Top Pick: The Capital One Venture X offers premium benefits with a straightforward rewards structure. You earn a simple 2x miles on every single purchase, with no complicated categories to remember.
The card’s benefits effectively pay for its annual fee. You receive a $300 annual travel credit for bookings made through the Capital One portal. You also get 10,000 bonus miles every year on your card anniversary. The best perk is unlimited access to Capital One Lounges and a Priority Pass membership, which gets you into over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
4. The Bilt Mastercard®
Best for: The Renter Who Wants to Earn on Their Biggest Expense
Why It’s a Top Pick: For years, rent has been the one major expense you could not earn rewards on without paying a hefty fee. The Bilt Mastercard changes that completely. It is the first and only credit card that allows you to pay your rent and earn points with no transaction fee.
Even if you do not rent, it is a great travel card with no annual fee. It earns points on dining and travel and has an impressive list of airline and hotel transfer partners, including American Airlines and Hyatt. This card is a true game-changer. For a deeper dive into the world of points and miles, the team at The Points Guy is an invaluable resource.
5. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Best for: The Frequent Traveler Who Wants Premium Benefits
Why It’s a Top Pick: The Chase Sapphire Reserve is the premium big brother to the Preferred card. It has a higher annual fee, but it comes packed with luxury travel benefits. It offers a flexible $300 annual travel credit that is automatically applied to any travel purchase.
Points are worth 50% more (1.5 cents each) when redeemed through the Chase portal. You also get comprehensive airport lounge access through Priority Pass. If you travel several times a year, the benefits of the Sapphire Reserve can easily outweigh its cost, making it a very powerful tool in your wallet.
How to Choose the Right Card for You
The best card for you depends entirely on your spending habits and travel goals.
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If you are just starting out, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the perfect choice.
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If you spend a lot on food, the Amex Gold will earn you points faster than any other card.
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If you want simple rewards and luxury perks, the Capital One Venture X is a clear winner.
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If you pay rent, the Bilt Mastercard is an absolute must-have.
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If you are a frequent traveler, the premium benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve are worth it.
Your 2025 vacation is waiting. By choosing one of these cards and using it for your everyday spending, you are turning your expenses into experiences. You are on the path to exploring the world, one point at a time.
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