Best Travel Credit Cards - Expert Picks | NerdWallet

[00:00] There's no single best credit card for travel. I know you came for the video titled Best Credit Cards for Travel, but there is a best credit card for travel for you. There are so many cards in the travel credit card space with so many differences. Some have annual fees, others don't.

[00:15] Even within that, some annual fees are more than $100 while others are less. Some cards are specific to certain hotels or airline brands while others offer more general rewards. Some are better for

[00:28] earning rewards on your travel spending while others are better at offering VIP perks when you do travel. It's all a lot to figure out, but as interval at travel and credit cards expert, let me help you break it down so you can pick the best travel credit card for you. Let's kick this off by talking

[00:44] about general travel credit cards. Now if you're someone who travels often but you don't want to be locked into a specific airline or hotel brand, then a general travel credit card is the way to go. These cards

[00:57] offer flexibility in how you redeem your points often across a wide range of travel categories. One of Nurgwala's favorite travel credit cards is the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Its annual fee is manageable at $95, yet it offers big spending rewards. You'll earn extra points on travel, though,

[01:14] keep in mind that you'll get more points for travel purchases through Chase as opposed to other travel, like that directly through the airline or hotel. There are also bonus points on dining,

[01:26] including eligible takeout and delivery services, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases, though again, there are some exceptions to this such as it doesn't include target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs. From there, those points can be transferred to various hotel and

[01:41] airline partners such as Hyatt, making it a powerful and versatile option. You'll also get access to Chase's travel portal, where points are worth 25% more. Now, other cards have higher annual fees, but even better benefits. One of those that Nurgwala recommends is the Capital One Adventure X Rewards.

[01:58] This card has a simple points-or-need structure with unlimited 2x miles on all purchases, and 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One travel. It also offers parry pass lounge access at $300 annual travel credit, global entry or TSA pre-check credit.

[02:16] Now, the $395 annual fee might sound steep, but when you consider the perks, the card can pay for itself if you're a frequent traveler. Now, those are some general travel credit cards, but what about brand-specific ones? If you're loyal to a specific hotel chain, hotel credit cards can be an excellent

[02:33] choice, offering points for stays, free night certificates, room upgrades, and other perks. One of the best in this category is the world of Hyatt credit card. Hyatt points are considered some

[02:45] of the most valuable in the travel industry. You'll earn big bonus points on Hyatt's days, and two points per dollar spent on dining, airfare, and other travel purchases. The card also comes with an annual free night at certain Hyatt properties, which can easily offset

[02:59] the $95 annual fee. If you frequently stay at Hyatt hotels, this card can significantly enhance your stays. Now, if you prefer to fly with a particular airline, an airline-specific card can give you perks like free-checked bags, party boarding, and mileage bonuses. Let's start with the United

[03:15] Explorer card as an example of one nerd wallet recommends. This card earns bonus miles on United purchases, plus extra miles for spending on categories such as restaurants and hotels. You'll also get two one-time passes to United Club lounges each year, plus your first checked bag for

[03:31] you at a $0 intro annual fee for the first year and then $95 annually after that. It's great for anyone who frequently flies with United, particularly if you otherwise pay to check a bag. Given that you can do this for you and a companion, that's up to $160 in savings per round trip, which is

[03:48] more than worth the annual fee right there. Similarly, the Southwest Rapid Rewards priority credit card is ideal for Southwest Airlines loyalists. You'll get bonus points on categories including Southwest purchases, local transit, and ride share. Perks like a $75 annual Southwest travel credit,

[04:04] and 7,500 anniversary points each year help justify the $149 annual fee. Of course, all these cards I've just spelled out do have annual fees, and yes, they can be worth it when you factor in all the

[04:17] perks assuming you'd use them. That said, not everyone travels enough to justify paying an annual fee. That's where no fee cards like the Wells Fargo autograph card come in. This card offers bonus points

[04:30] on categories including travel, dining, and gas stations without an annual fee. Keep in mind, it does not have all the bells and whistles of those other premium cards, but for casual travelers, this does offer solid rewards. Now, you might be wondering why not just get a cash back card.

[04:46] The beauty of cashback cards is their flexibility. You can use your rewards on anything, not just travel. For example, if you're someone who enjoys spontaneous getaways, or if your travel plans are all over the

[04:58] place, a cashback card gives you the freedom to redeem your rewards for flights, hotels, or even just everyday expenses like rent. After all, you cannot pay your rent with United Miles, but you can

[05:10] pay it with the cashback you earned. Cashback cards might not come with those sexy perks like airport lounge access, or elite hotel status, but they're simple and easy to use. If flexibility is your main priority, a cashback card could be the way to go. Okay, that was a lot. To recap, the best travel

[05:27] credit card for you really just depends on your travel habits. Whether you're looking for flexibility with a general travel card, like Chase Sapphire Preferred, you want to maximize hotel stays with something like the World of Hyatt card, or you enjoy airline specific perks with something like the

[05:42] United Explorer card. There are many rewarding travel credit cards out there. And of course, there is nothing wrong with considering no annual fee options, especially if you're not a frequent traveler. For more information about not just those particular cards, but also a complete list of all

[05:58] of Nerdwallet's top travel credit cards, visit Nerdwallet.com. But before we go, I want to know for me what are your favorite travel credit cards. Tell me what they are and why you like them in the comments.