Travelling is a passion for many, and in 2025, the right travel rewards credit card can transform your adventures by earning points, miles, or cash back to offset travel costs.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer, a road trip enthusiast, or an occasional vacationer, the best travel rewards cards offer valuable perks like lounge access, travel credits, and flexible redemption options.
This comprehensive guide explores the top travel rewards credit cards in the USA for 2025, tailored to various travel styles and budgets, ensuring you maximize rewards while enjoying seamless trips.
- Earn Rewards on Spending: Accumulate points or miles on purchases, from groceries to airfare, redeemable for travel.
- Travel Perks: Enjoy benefits like airport lounge access, free checked bags, or TSA PreCheck credits.
- Flexibility: Many cards allow redemptions across multiple airlines, hotels, or travel portals.
- Protection: Built-in travel insurance and purchase protection add security for your trips.
Essential features to prioritise:
- High Rewards Rates: Look for cards offering bonus points or miles on travel, dining, or everyday purchases.
- Welcome Bonus: A generous sign-up bonus (e.g., 60,000+ points) can jumpstart your rewards after meeting a spending threshold.
- Flexible Redemption Options: Cards with transferable points to airline or hotel partners or travel portals offer more value.
- Travel Credits and Perks: Annual credits for travel expenses, lounge access, or elite status enhance the card’s worth.
- Low or Justifiable Annual Fee: Ensure the card’s benefits outweigh the cost of any annual fee.
Top Travel Rewards Credit Cards for 2025
Below are five standout travel rewards credit cards, selected for their rewards programs, perks, and value for seniors or other travellers in 2025.
Each card is evaluated based on rewards potential, annual fees, and suitability for various travel needs.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a favorite for its balance of affordability and premium rewards, ideal for beginners and seasoned travelers alike.
- Key Features:
- 25% points boost when redeeming for travel via Chase Travel℠, or transfer points to 14 airline and hotel partners (e.g., United, Marriott).
- No foreign transaction fees; $95 annual fee.
- Best For: Seniors or travelers seeking flexibility and value without a high annual fee.
- Why It Stands Out: Its versatile rewards and transfer partners make it a top choice for maximizing value, especially for those who pair it with other Chase cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited
- Estimated Rewards Value: $1,000–$2,000 annually for moderate spenders ($36,000/year), assuming optimal redemptions.
2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Key Features:
- Earn 2x miles on every purchase, 5x on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- Redeem miles for any travel purchase at 1 cent per mile or transfer to 15+ travel partners (e.g., Air Canada, Wyndham).
- $100 credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry; no foreign transaction fees; $95 annual fee.
- Best For: Seniors who want straightforward rewards and minimal complexity.
- Why It Stands Out: Its “travel eraser” feature lets you reimburse any travel expense with miles, ideal for those who book outside loyalty programs.
- Estimated Rewards Value: $800–$1,500 annually for average spenders, with bonus potential via transfers.
3. The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Key Features:
- Welcome bonus: 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 in 6 months (terms apply)
- Up to $200 airline fee credit, $200 hotel credit, $200 Uber credit, and access to 1,400+ airport lounges globally.
- No foreign transaction fees; $695 annual fee (terms apply).
- Best For: Seniors or frequent travellers who value luxury perks and can offset the high annual fee.
- Why It Stands Out: Its extensive credits and lounge access make it a top pick for those who travel often and prioritise comfort.
- Estimated Rewards Value: $1,500–$3,000 annually for high spenders who use credits and perks.
4. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium card for travellers seeking high rewards rates and robust travel benefits.
- Key Features:
- Earn 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel℠, 5x on flights via Chase Travel℠, 3x on other travel and dining, and 1x on all else (after $300 travel credit).
- No foreign transaction fees; $550 annual fee.
- Estimated Rewards Value: $1,200–$2,500 annually for those maximising credits and rewards.
5. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is a no-annual-fee option for budget-conscious travelers, especially Bank of America Preferred Rewards members.
- Key Features:
- Earn 1.5x points on all purchases, with no category restrictions.
- Welcome bonus: 25,000 points after spending $1,000 in 90 days, worth $250 in travel statement credits.
- No foreign transaction fees; $0 annual fee.
- Preferred Rewards members earn 25%–75% more points, boosting rates to 1.87x–2.62x points per dollar.
- Best For: Seniors or casual travellers seeking a no-fee card with simple rewards.
- Estimated Rewards Value: $500–$1,000 annually for moderate spenders, higher for Preferred Rewards members.
Tips for Choosing the Best Travel Rewards Card
- Assess Your Travel Habits: Frequent flyers may prefer premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, while occasional travellers might opt for no-fee cards like Bank of America® Travel Rewards.
- Evaluate Annual Fees: Ensure perks like travel credits or lounge access justify the cost. For example, the Amex Platinum’s $695 fee is worthwhile if you use its $600+ in credits.
- Match Spending to Rewards: Choose a card with bonus categories that align with your spending, such as dining for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or all purchases for the Capital One Venture.
- Check Redemption Flexibility: Cards with transferable points (e.g., Chase, Amex) offer more value than co-branded airline or hotel cards.
- Consider Credit Requirements: Premium cards require good-to-excellent credit (670–850 FICO). Verify your score before applying.
- Look for Senior-Friendly Perks: Cards with travel insurance, easy redemptions, or lounge access can enhance comfort for older travellers.
How to Maximise Your Travel Rewards
- Meet the Welcome Bonus: Plan purchases to hit the spending requirement within the deadline to earn thousands of points or miles.
- Use Bonus Categories: Pay for travel, dining, or other high-reward categories with your card to accelerate earnings.
- Redeem Wisely: Transfer points to travel partners for higher value (e.g., Chase points to Hyatt at 2+ cents per point) or use travel portals for boosted rates.
- Leverage Credits: Use annual credits for TSA PreCheck, travel, or hotels to offset annual fees.
- Pair Cards: Combine a premium card (e.g., Chase Sapphire Preferred®) with a no-fee card (e.g., Chase Freedom Unlimited®) to pool points for bigger redemptions.
- Avoid Interest: Pay your balance in full monthly to avoid interest charges that negate rewards.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring Annual Fees: Don’t choose a high-fee card unless you’ll use its perks to offset the cost.
- Missing Bonus Deadlines: Failing to meet spending requirements means losing out on valuable welcome bonuses.
- Redeeming for Low Value: Avoid cash back or merchandise redemptions, which often yield less value than travel.
- Carrying a Balance: Interest charges can quickly outpace rewards earnings.
- Overlooking Perks: Unused credits or lounge access waste potential savings.
Final Thoughts
The best travel rewards credit cards in the USA for 2025 cater to diverse needs, from the budget-friendly Bank of America® Travel Rewards to the luxurious Amex Platinum.
By aligning a card’s rewards, perks, and fees with your travel goals, seniors and other travellers can unlock free flights, hotel stays, and premium experiences. Compare options, leverage welcome bonuses, and use perks wisely to make every trip more rewarding.
Before applying, review your spending, credit score, and travel plans to choose a card that maximises value.
Whether you’re exploring national parks or jetting off to Paris, the right travel rewards card ensures your 2025 adventures are both affordable and unforgettable.
