8 Travel Rewards Credit Cards Our Editors Use Every Day

27.01.2024 - 01:01 / cntraveler.com

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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.

“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 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