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There are so many travel credit cards out there right now, it can be overwhelming to chose one (or even multiple) for yourself. Each has its pros and cons—some may be simple to use, others might have plenty of bells and whistles. It can be challenging to get your feet wet in the world of traveling with points and miles, but nothing makes you believe in a card’s worthiness for a spot in your wallet like a good ol’ fashioned personal recommendation.
That’s why I’ve asked my colleagues about their own favorite travel credit cards. For some, it’s about airline loyalty; for others, it’s getting maximized points on everyday spending. Whatever the case may be, we highlighted the perks most important to us: travel insurance, lounge access, zero foreign transaction fees, and more. It’s these little benefits that add up to something greater: a less-stressed, more enjoyable journey no matter where we go.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
American Express® Gold Card
“I first applied for the Gold Card in 2013, and I won’t sugar coat this: I had no idea what I was doing. It took a full year of having the card to realize that I should be using it on groceries—a category where it earned, and still earns, bonus points (officially: four points per dollar spent at supermarkets and restaurants). A year after that, I closed my account because I didn’t want to pay the annual fee, which today sits at $250. Thankfully, after some serious points and miles education, I now know better—much, much better—and at this stage of the game, the Amex Gold is an integral part of my credit card rotation. It’s now my go-to card for groceries and dining out, and the points I’ve earned with it have been put toward award tickets to Hawaii, Amsterdam, and beyond.” —Carly Helfand, contributing writer
Read our full review here.
JetBlue Plus Card
“JetBlue is my preferred airline, so it made sense to sign up for the corresponding credit card. I originally signed up for the standard card, which has no annual fee, but a little over a year ago I upgraded to the JetBlue Plus Card. I find the $99 annual fee to be worth it when factoring in the free checked bag I get on any JetBlue flight, plus the higher points-earning potential on travel (6x points on JetBlue purchase). While I use my Chase Sapphire Preferred for most day-to-day purchases, I’ll often put larger buys on this card to accrue points. I typically earn enough for at least a few one-way domestic tickets a year without much thought. Plus, in-flight purchases are 50 percent off, which means I can pay less for things like snack boxes, drinks, and headphones, when I inevitably forget to bring a pair for the entertainment system.” —Madison Flager, senior commerce editor
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
“Trying to understand credit cards is incredibly boring to me, but I signed up for the Chase Sapphire Reserve years ago after one person after another (who had done the card comparison research I can’t bring myself to do) advocated for it. I’ve stuck with this one for a number of reasons. The welcome offer points were hearty enough to take at least one long-haul trip on, and year after year I get perks with tangible value to me—free Lyft Pink access (which includes free Citi Bike rides), Priority Pass lounge entry (they aren’t always the best lounges, but it’s sure better than no lounges!), and a $300 travel credit. Plus, I take multiple flights a year on the points I rack up. I’m hooked.” —Megan Spurrell, senior editor
