Spend Categories

Travel

You want the most value back for your credit card spends. Since not all points are of equal value, below is a quick reference on dollar value back (not just multipliers) for Travel spends.

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A category near and dear to the heart of our users. Always keep in mind -- it isn't just the multiplier, it is the ultimate value and flexibility of the points you earn. As an example, 3 points earned with a Chase Sapphire Card is worth more than 6 points earned with a Hilton card. And points like Chase Rewards offer more redemption flexibility than Hilton -- or just about any other point system.

Travel, unless otherwise defined below, includes merchants coded as: airline, passenger railway, hotel and motel, timeshares, vehicle rentals, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, campgrounds, passenger trains, taxis, limousines, ferries, toll bridges and highways, and parking garages/lots.

The (+) versions have no category limitations, offer the best multipliers, and include trip insurance. The (-) have significant category limitations, but still could be worthwhile for niche purchases.

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Our Top Selections for Travel (+)

	Multiplier	Point Value	Per $ Spent
Chase Sapphire Reserve 10x total points on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025 ,Purchases made from all merchants in the travel category. Excellent travel insurance.	10x	1.8¢	17.6¢
Chase Freedom Flex Purchases made from all merchants in the travel category.	5x	1.6¢	8.0¢
Chase Freedom Unlimited Purchases made from all merchants in the travel category.	5x	1.6¢	8.0¢
Chase Ink Business Premier Travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, redeem for rental cars, hotel stays	5x	1.0¢	5.2¢
U.S Bank Altitude Connect Visa Purchases made from all merchants in the travel category	4x	1.3¢	5.2¢
Chase Ink Business Preferred For up to $150,000 in purchases annually between travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone & internet advertising.	3x	1.6¢	4.8¢
US Bank Altitude Reserve Purchases made from all merchants in the travel category	3x	1.3¢	3.9¢

Other Cards with Solid Value for Travel (=)

	Multiplier	Point Value	Per $ Spent
Chase Sapphire Preferred 5x total points on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025 ,Purchases made from all merchants in the travel category. Excellent travel insurance.	5x	1.6¢	8.0¢
American Express Platinum Personal For flights booked directly with airlines or any travel booked with amextravel.com. Excellent travel insurance.	5x	1.5¢	7.7¢
American Express Green Personal All travel, from flights and rental cars to hotels & home shares. Limited travel insurance.	3x	1.4¢	4.2¢
World Of Hyatt Business card Top 3 Quarterly category through Dec. 31, 2024 then top 2 quarterly category	2x	1.6¢	3.2¢
Costco Anywhere Visa Includes airfare, hotels, car rentals, travel agencies, cruise lines and Costco Travel.	3x	1.0¢	3.0¢
IHG Rewards Club Premier Excluding purchases made at hotels participating in IHG Rewards that qualify for 10 points as described	5x	0.6¢	3.0¢
IHG Rewards Premier Business Excluding purchases made at hotels participating in IHG Rewards that qualify for 10 points as described	5x	0.6¢	3.0¢
United Club Infinite Card Purchases made from all merchants in the travel category (4x on all United purchases, including incidentals)	2x	1.5¢	3.0¢
United Quest Card Purchases made from all merchants in the travel category.	2x	1.5¢	3.0¢
Southwest Plus Earn 2 points for each $1 spent with Southwest Airlines or participating Rapid Rewards rental car partners.	2x	1.4¢	2.8¢
Chase Ink Business Unlimited 1.5x on all purchases.	1.5x	1.6¢	2.4¢
Premium Rewards Includes airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, museums, carnivals, amusement parks and zoos -- plus transportation expenses like passenger trains, buses, taxis, parking lots and garages, tolls and bridge fees.	2x	1.0¢	2.0¢

Cards Offering Some Value for Travel with Limitations (-)

	Multiplier	Point Value	Per $ Spent
American Express Platinum Business Flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com ONLY. Excellent travel insurance.	5x	1.5¢	7.7¢
Capital One Spark Miles Business Purchases booked through Capital One Travel ONLY.	5x	1.1¢	5.5¢
Hilton Honors Aspire Amex Purchases directly from major car rental companies, which include: Alamo, Avis. Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, E-Z, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty.	7x	0.6¢	4.2¢
Southwest Performance Business Earn 3 points for each $1 spent with Southwest Airlines or participating Rapid Rewards rental car partners.	3x	1.4¢	4.2¢
Business Advantage Travel Rewards Earn 3 points per every $1 spent on travel purchases (car, hotel, airline) booked through the Bank of America Travel Center ONLY.	3x	1.0¢	3.0¢
American Express Everyday Purchases booked through amextravel.com ONLY.	2x	1.4¢	2.8¢
CitiBiz AAdvantage Platinum Select Purchases made directly with American Airlines and car rental merchants.	2x	1.4¢	2.8¢
Southwest Premier Earn 2 points for each $1 spent with Southwest Airlines or participating Rapid Rewards rental car partners.	2x	1.4¢	2.8¢
Southwest Premier Business Earn 2 points for each $1 spent with Southwest Airlines or participating Rapid Rewards rental car partners.	2x	1.4¢	2.8¢
Southwest Priority Earn 2 points for each $1 spent with Southwest Airlines or participating Rapid Rewards rental car partners.	2x	1.4¢	2.8¢
Sonesta World Mastercard	2x	0.7¢	1.4¢