Best Travel Credit Cards of 2025

Last Updated: November 02, 2025

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If you travel, a travel credit card is essential. It can save you a lot on travel costs, whether you are traveling abroad for studying, fun, or work.

Many travel cards in 2025 have great rewards programs. The best travel credit cards this year include Chase Sapphire Preferred, Amex Platinum, and Capital One Venture X. They offer 5X points, big bonuses, airport lounge access, and more.

Let go through the top best travel credit cards and find out which is best for your international travel.

Key Takeaways:

If you are in a hurry and want to find the best travel cards, check the concise table below for a quick overview.

Travel Credit Card	Why It’s Picked as Best
Capital One VentureOne Rewards	Simple flat-rate miles system, no annual fee, and ideal for beginners exploring travel rewards.
Chase Sapphire Preferred®	Strong all-around performer with high-value points, great transfer partners, and solid travel protection.
Barclaycard Rewards Visa (UK)	No foreign transaction fees, easy to manage, and widely accepted across Europe and beyond.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite (Canada)	Comprehensive travel insurance, lounge access, and Scene+ rewards for flexible redemptions.
Revolut Premium (EU)	Real-time exchange rates, no FX fees, and modern app-based budgeting for frequent European travelers.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards	Flat cash-back simplicity with travel-friendly perks,perfect for young adults starting out.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold (UK)	Lounge passes, dining credits, and strong rewards on travel and entertainment spending.
Amex Cobalt (Canada)	Excellent multipliers on food and transit, with flexible points transfers for spontaneous trips.
United℠ Explorer Card	Frequent flyer perks like lounge access, free checked bags, and generous United miles.
British Airways American Express Premium Plus	Earns Avios points fast, includes a companion voucher, and suits loyal British Airways travelers.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege (Canada)	Top-tier perks for Air Canada flyers, including elite status credits and unlimited lounge access.
Air France KLM Flying Blue Amex Gold (EU)	Ideal for European travelers loyal to Air France or KLM, offering priority boarding and easy miles.
Capital One SavorOne Student Card	Rewards dining, entertainment, and streaming with no annual fee,great for students abroad.
Bank of America Travel Rewards Student Card	Flexible redemptions for travel, easy approval, and zero foreign transaction fees.

How Does a Travel Credit Card Work

Travel credit cards allow you to earn points after spending each penny through your cards. You can use those collected points later to book your flights, hotels and other travel expenses.

For example, you buy your groceries, fuel, plane tickets and similar, and after every purchase you collect the points. Once you have enough points, you can redeem them to book a flight, stay at a hotel and similar.

The many top credit cards include many extra perks like:

• No foreign transaction fees.
• Travel insurance and flight protection
• Airport lounge access and priority boarding.

Best Travel Credit Cards for Beginners

If you’re new to travel rewards, choose a simple card with low fees that’s easy to use. The best travel credit cards for beginners usually have no annual fee, clear points systems, and flexible ways to redeem points.

Here are some beginner-friendly options from around the world:

• U.S. - Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Earn 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, pay no foreign fees, and redeem points easily for travel. A great first step into rewards travel.

• U.K. - Halifax Clarity Credit Card

No annual fee, no fees for spending abroad, and very simple to use — ideal for travelers who want to avoid exchange costs.

• Canada - TD Rewards Visa Card

Earn double points on travel and redeem through Expedia for TD. Easy to book and easy to understand.

• EU - Revolut and N26 You

App-based cards with real exchange rates and no FX fees. Perfect for travelers who want a modern, mobile-first way to manage money abroad.

These cards help you build credit and develop good spending habits while earning rewards on everyday purchases. Once you feel comfortable, you can upgrade to a better card with more benefits, like access to lounges or trip insurance.

Best Credit Card for International Travel

If you travel to different countries often, choose a credit card that makes spending easy abroad. The best cards for international travel have no foreign transaction fees, are widely accepted worldwide, and include travel insurance. 

Here are some top picks for 2025:

• U.S. - Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Earn 2x miles on every purchase with no FX fees. Simple, flexible, and perfect for people who want to redeem miles for flights or hotels easily.

• U.S. - Chase Sapphire Preferred®

One of the most popular travel cards thanks to its transfer partners like United and Air Canada, and its strong travel protection that covers delays, lost luggage, and more.

• U.K. - Barclaycard Rewards Visa

Loved by U.K. travelers for its no foreign fees and simple point structure. You earn rewards on every purchase without worrying about hidden costs.

• Canada - Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite

A favorite for Canadians going abroad. It includes lounge access, comprehensive travel insurance, and Scene+ rewards for flexible redemptions.

• EU - Revolut Premium

Offers real-time exchange rates, no FX fees, and modern budgeting tools through an app best for frequent European travelers.

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Best Travel Credit Cards for Young Adults

For young travelers, the best travel cards are flexible and rewarding. They help you earn points or cashback while you spend on everyday things like food, entertainment, or weekend trips. These cards make it easy to enjoy your lifestyle while getting benefits.

Some great options include:

• U.S. - Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on everything. You can use that cash back as travel credit, simple, practical, and great for young adults starting out.

• U.S. - Bilt Mastercard

A unique option that lets you earn points for paying rent. It’s perfect for young professionals balancing daily expenses with travel goals.

• U.K. - American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Card

Comes with lounge passes, hotel perks, and dining credits, making it ideal for spontaneous trips and nights out.

• Canada - American Express Cobalt Card

Earns 5x points on food and transit, and you can transfer those points to travel partners. Great for urban lifestyles and frequent flyers.

• EU - N26 Standard

A digital-first card with no annual fee, multi-currency support, and a clean mobile app designed for modern travelers who like control and simplicity.

If you’re in your 20s or early 30s, these cards can help you build good credit and earn rewards that fit your lifestyle. They make it easier to save for future trips while also giving you some small perks along the way.

Best Airline Travel Credit Card

If you travel by plane often, an airline travel credit card can help you save money and make your trips easier. These cards reward you with miles, free checked bags, priority boarding, and sometimes even access to lounges. 

Here are some of the best airline travel cards in 2025:

• U.S. - United℠ Explorer Card

Includes two free lounge passes per year, priority boarding, and free checked bags. Ideal for regular United Airlines flyers.

• U.S. - Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Offers in-flight savings, a welcome bonus, and companion perks that can make group travel more affordable.

• U.K. - British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card

Earn Avios points quickly and get a companion voucher after meeting the yearly spend target — a big win for couples and frequent BA travelers.

• Canada - TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege

Top-tier perks for Air Canada flyers, including elite status credits, unlimited lounge access, and strong travel insurance.

• EU - Air France KLM Flying Blue Amex Gold

A great option for European travelers loyal to Air France or KLM, offering priority boarding and a smooth miles-earning program.

Airline cards are great for people who fly often with the same airline. As you travel, your miles can lead to free upgrades, lower ticket prices, and a more comfortable experience in the air.

Best Travel Credit Cards for Students

Traveling or studying abroad can be costly, but a good student credit card can help you manage your money and earn rewards. The best travel credit cards for students often have no annual fees, easy approval, and extra rewards for everyday spending. 

Here are some top student-friendly travel cards in 2025:

• U.S. - Capital One SavorOne Student Card

Earn 3% back on dining, entertainment, and streaming, plus no foreign transaction fees. It’s a simple way for college students to earn while they spend.

• U.S. - Bank of America Travel Rewards Student Card

Earn unlimited points on every purchase and redeem them for any travel expense — from bus tickets to flights — with no FX fees.

• U.K. - NatWest Reward Student Account

Includes a student credit card with easy cashback, no foreign spending fees, and the option to upgrade later as your income grows.

• Canada - Desjardins Odyssey Visa for Students

Offers small but useful cashback on groceries and fuel, perfect for everyday needs while studying.

• EU - N26 or BNP Paribas Student Visa

App-based cards with real exchange rates, no FX fees, and real-time control over your spending best for students living abroad.
These cards help students earn points and build confidence in managing money while traveling or studying abroad. It’s important to pay your balance in full each month to build good credit for your future.

How to Use Credit Card Points for Travel

Once you have earned enough miles and points, you can use them to reduce your travel expenses. Below are the three main ways you can use them:

1. Book travel through your bank's portal

You can book flights and hotel rooms directly through your bank portal. This is an easy way to use your card points, and it's beginner-friendly.

2. Transfer points to airline or hotel partners

You can transfer your card points to partner airlines and hotels. You can use those points to book business class tickets or luxury accommodations.

3. Use points to erase past travel purchases  

This option gives you full flexibility by allowing you to erase travel purchases from your statement, even though the redemption rate may be slightly lower.

If you budget wisely, your daily coffee and grocery costs can eventually fund your next vacation.

Tip: Always pay your balance in full to avoid interest; otherwise, your rewards can quickly lose value.

Conclusion 

Choosing a travel card is a lot like choosing how you travel , it should fit your rhythm, your goals, and your comfort level. The best travel credit cards for beginners teach discipline and simplicity, while the best travel credit cards for young adults add flexibility and adventure.

The best credit card for international travel becomes a companion that quietly supports you as you explore new cultures, and the best airline travel credit card rewards your loyalty mile by mile.

For students and first-time travelers, these cards aren’t just about perks , they’re about learning to travel smarter, more mindfully, and with a sense of control over your finances.

In the end, the right card doesn’t define your journey , but it can make it a little easier, a little brighter, and a little more rewarding every time you swipe it somewhere far from home.

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