Travel More, Spend Less: The 15 Best Credit Cards for Budget-Friendly Vacations in 2023

Steve Cummings

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Best travel Credit Cards
credit: Shutterstock

Everyone that likes travel wants to spend less and travel more. If there were an unlimited amount of money, these issues would no longer be a problem. Travel credit cards help to make paying for vacations cheaper. You can get free and cheaper deals using the points and miles you gain. Here are some famous travel credit cards to help you out.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Review

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is our #1 personal travel card that is recommended most often. The bonus alone is valued at $750 for free travel! It is hands down one of the best starter travel cards for beginners and an MVP card for free travelers. It gets 3x points on dining, 5x points on travel booked through the Chase portal, and 2x points on all other travel. With a valuation of 1.8 cents per point, this is an excellent card for beginner and pro travelers.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

75,000 Miles after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. A Great Premium Card!

Capital One Venture X

Capital One Venture X Card

It is a great new “ultra-premium” card. Despite the annual fee, most people consider the first year's value worth it. The value is due to the large signup bonus, lounge access like Priority Pass, $300 annual travel credit, and the TSA PreCheck credit. You get simplicity in 2x points on all purchases and 5x points in flights on the Capital One transfer portal, and 10x points for hotels. It is a great family-friendly card.

Capital One Venture X

75,000 Capital One Miles after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. Great Premium Card!

Citi Premier

Citi Premier credit card

This card is like the Chase Sapphire Preferred but with different transfer partners. It is an excellent rewards card with a solid signup bonus and 3x spending categories. With the large signup bonus of 60,000 points, you can start booking free travel today.

Capital One Venture Card

Capital One Venture picture

The Capital One Venture Card is the Best “no-thinking” starter card for those who don't want to think when earning and redeeming miles. You get 2x points on all purchases, and with a 75,000 bonus, it is hard to pass this card up.

American Express Platinum

American Express Platinum

An ultra-premium card loaded with benefits and perks, especially for the frequent traveler. Don't let the high fee dissuade you; this card comes with lounge access, and $1000s of credits that you may think are worth the price.

American Express Platinum

Sign-up today to take advantage of the welcome offer and start earning travel rewards today!

American Express Gold

American express gold card

A must-have for anyone who loves Amex points. Some of the highest returns (4x!) for spending at U.S. groceries and restaurants. If you like food and travel, this card is so worth it! Worth a spot in your wallet.

United Explorer Card

United Explorer Credit Card

The Explorer card is an attractive choice for United fans, with an attractive signup bonus, a free bag, and priority boarding benefits. You also get access two United Club lounge passes each year.

United Explorer Card

Sign-up today to take advantage of the welcome offer and start earning travel rewards today!

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card

An excellent cash back or points card with no annual fee and 0% APR intro offer for purchases. The current signup bonus offer includes 5x (5% cash back) on groceries purchases of up to $12k in the first year. Earn 3x on dining, including takeout, 3x on drugstores, 5x on travel purchased through Chase, and 1.5x on everything else. It goes well with other Chase cards making it a Chase Trifecta.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Sign-up Today to take advantage of the welcome bonus and start earning more money on everyday spending.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card

An excellent choice for a frequent traveler, but note the hefty annual fee. It includes benefits like 3x points on travel and dining, lounge access with Priority Pass, and a $300 travel credit.

Ink Business Cash Card

Chase Ink Business Cash

Fantastic offer for a business card with no annual fee and 0% APR offer (see terms). 5x earning categories and your choice to receive cash back or points. With a high bonus, you can start to earn points by buying things for your business.

Delta SkyMiles Gold

Delta skymiles gold

This card makes sense for travelers who love Delta, but transferable cards may be a better bet for non-Delta travelers. You get priority boarding, a free bag, and bonus points for using your card.

Chase Freedom Flex

Chase Freedom Flex credit card

A powerful, new card from Chase that is super flexible for cash back or free travel. The current signup bonus offer includes 5x (5% cash back) on groceries purchases of up to $12K in the first year. Many good spending categories and the ability to move points to a Sapphire card make this a great card.

Ink Business Preferred Card

Chase Ink Preferred

It is a highly recommended business card for signup bonus and 3X categories. All Ink cards can earn Ultimate Rewards or cash back.

Capital One Spark Miles Business Card

Capital one spark miles credit card

Here is another sound business card for those who like Capital One. Similar to Spark Cash, it allows you to use miles as statement credits for travel purchases instead of cash. So you will get 2x miles on all business expenses. So that is great if you could team it up with another Capital One card.

World of Hyatt Credit Card

World of Hyatt Credit Card Photo

The World Hyatt card comes with a nice two-tiered signup bonus, with the first bonus being 30,000 points for $3,000 spent in the first three months. The second bonus offer depends on extra spending of up to $15,000 in the first six months. The card makes you a Discoverist and allows for one free anniversary night a year with a hotel category of 1-4.

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