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Sometimes, the best way to travel is via a wind-in-your-hair, roadside attraction, or music-blasting road trip. And for many, a road trip through the United States is on the bucket list. These best credit cards for road trips can be your secret weapon for earning rewards as you hit the gravel. Here are some top choices we recommend as the best credit card rewards for road trips.
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The Best Credit Card Rewards for Road Trips: Bonus Points On Every Purchase
Earning the same number of points on every purchase keeps travel simple. Not too long ago, flat-rate cards only earned 1x point per $1. Today, you’ll find many cards earn 1.5x points or 2x points per $1—so you always earn bonus points.
Whether you are renting a car or using an RV rental service like RVshare, using a travel credit card while on the road can help you maximize purchases. If used responsibly, it’s basically a win-win. You earn points, miles, or cash back that can be redeemed in a variety of ways, including on future travel upgrades.
Here are some of the best credit card rewards for road trips.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
One of the best overall travel credit cards for road or air travel is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. This card earns 2x Venture miles per $1 on every purchase. However, earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
You can redeem your Venture miles for travel statement credits, booking upcoming flights, or transferring to airline partners.
Amazon shopping points and retail gift cards are two other possibilities. However, your points are only worth 0.8 cents each instead of 1 cent each.
When you do fly, know that the Capital One Venture Card also includes a fee credit (of up to $100) for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck to avoid long airport security lines.
The annual fee is $95. There isn’t a foreign transaction fee when you travel abroad.
New Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card cardholders can earn $250 to use on Capital One Travel in their first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s equal to $1,000 in travel.
Bonus Capital One Premium Option: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Alternatively, if you like the idea of a flat-rate card but want something with a bit more pizazz, check out the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. This card earns unlimited:
- 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on all other purchases
Cardholders can also enjoy $300 back annually for bookings through Capital One Travel. Also, get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary.
Additional benefits include a fee credit (of up to $100) for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and Priority Pass lounge access.
These benefits can offset the $395 annual fee. There are no foreign transaction fees.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel, with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
If you prefer cash back, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® might be the right option for you. This is a cash back credit card that gets at least 1.5% back on every purchase. It also has a $0 annual fee, making it an easy to have and one of the best credit card rewards for road trips.
Cardholders earn:
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3% cash back at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
There is no limit to how much cash back can be earned.
New Chase Freedom Unlimited® cardholders can enjoy an additional 1.5% cash back on everything they buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back! That means they can enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, Chase’s premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
The Chase Freedom Unlimited can be a perfect road trip option if you tend to stop at drugstores for supplies and also dine out when exploring new places.
Citi Double Cash Card
The information for the Citi® Double Cash Card has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
One of the best credit card rewards for road trips can be the ability to earn cash rewards on everything. The Citi® Double Cash Card can do just that.
It is a flat-rate cash rewards card that earns up to 2% cash back on every purchase. Cardholders earn 1% back when they make a purchase and the other 1% back when they pay for their purchase. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
There are no special categories to think about. There are also no annual fees to worry about.
However, the Citi Double Cash card does have a 3% foreign transaction fee, so you will only want to use it for U.S. purchases.
Car Insurance and Restaurants
Here are a couple of options that come with some fantastic car insurance perks. And bonus, they earn more rewards on restaurant spending. Earning these rewards and having extra protections make these options some of the best credit card rewards for road trips.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent travel credit card for road trips and air travel. One reason why is for its strong travel protection benefits while having a reasonable $95 annual fee (and no foreign transaction fee). It’s also a top contender for earning bonus points on restaurants, takeout, and food delivery as well.
You can have more peace of mind on this road trip with primary rental car insurance. Decline the rental agency’s collision damage waiver at pickup to qualify for this coverage. Chase can insure most rental cars up to the actual cash vehicle of the car for theft and collision claims. Your personal auto insurance policy activates after the Chase coverage pays out.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred also has these benefits that can be handy on a road trip:
- 25% redemption bonus on award travel booked on Chase (includes hotels and car rental bookings)
- 1:1 airline and hotel point transfers
Chase Sapphire Preferred Rewards
The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns unlimited:
- 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠(excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Anniversary Hotel Credit)
- 3x points on dining (including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out)
- 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target®, Walmart®, and wholesale clubs)
- Also 3x points on select streaming services
- 2x points on all other travel purchases
- 1x point per $1 spent on all non-bonus purchases
There is a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit. It comes in the form of a statement credit that will automatically be applied to your account when your card is used for hotel accommodation purchases made through the Ultimate Rewards program, up to an annual maximum accumulation of $50.
Plus, on each account anniversary, you’ll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year. So, if you spend $25,000 on purchases, you’ll get 2,500 bonus points.
New Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.
Related: Best Credit Cards for Dining and Restaurants
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Most premium travel credit cards cater to air travel rewards. These benefits tend to be the most valuable travel rewards. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® can be a good option because it’s making it easier to redeem the premium travel benefits.
While this card has a $550 annual fee (and no foreign transaction fee), it’s a good option for frequent travelers.
Like the Sapphire Preferred, rental car insurance is primary on most rentals. The maximum coverage limit is up to $75,000 for theft and collision-related damages.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has these benefits:
- 50% travel redemption bonus on award travel booked on Chase travel portal
- Special benefits at the Luxury Hotel and Resorts Collection
- 1:1 point transfer partners (with top travel brands including Marriott, Hyatt, United, and more)
Chase Sapphire Reserve Rewards
Chase Sapphire Reserve® purchases earn up to 10x Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Cardholders can earn unlimited:
- 10x total points on hotels and car rentals purchases through Chase Travel℠ (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
- 10x total points on Chase Dining purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 5x total points on flights when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
- 3x points on other travel worldwide (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually)
- 3x points on other dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out
- 1x points for all remaining purchases
You will not receive rewards points on your first $300 in annual travel purchases as the annual travel statement credit reimburses these purchases.
Elite travel benefits include Priority Pass Select lounge membership and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement.
New Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.
If you do a bit of travel via plane, train, and automobile, this card may be the perfect companion.
Free Hotel Nights
Depending on your trip, you may need to book a hotel. Here are a few options if you are looking for hotel perks that make these options some of the best credit card rewards for road trips. Also, check out our best hotel credit cards post for more options.
The World of Hyatt Credit Card
Lodging can be your largest road trip cost. Hotel loyalty can have its perks. The World of Hyatt Credit Card (and the WoH loyalty program) can be one of your best options. Hyatt requires fewer points for award nights than most other hotel loyalty programs.
First, the signup bonus of up to 60,000 points is worth up to 12 free nights at category 1 hotels and resorts (5,000 points per night).
New The World of Hyatt Credit Card cardmembers can earn a signup bonus of up to 60,000 World of Hyatt Bonus Points. Earn the first 30,000 points by spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2x Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1x Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
Each card anniversary, get one free night certificate for a category 1-4 hotel or resort stay. Earn a second free night by making at least $15,000 in total annual card purchases.
Your purchases earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent at Hyatt hotels & 5 Base Points per $1 you can earn as a World of Hyatt member.
You also get instant World of Hyatt Discoverist loyalty status. Perks include getting 5 qualifying night credits toward elite status. Plus you get another 2 elite night credits for every $5,000 in card purchases. Discoverist perks also include resort fee waivers on free nights, premium internet, and one free bottled water daily.
The annual fee is $95, and there isn’t a foreign transaction fee.
Related: What Hotel Credit Card Has A Great Annual Free Night Certificate?
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is the best hotel credit card for Marriott loyalists.
On each card anniversary, you also get one free night reward valid at any property that costs 35,000 points or less. Earn up to 17x Bonvoy points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. You can also earn 3x Bonvoy points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
All remaining purchases will earn 2 points per $1 spent.
Automatic Silver Elite status also gives you an extra 10% points on bonus stays. Other Silver Elite benefits include free in-room WiFi and late checkout.
New limited-time offer! New Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card cardholders can earn 5 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card.
There are no foreign transaction fees, and the annual fee is $95. Your points don’t expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers travel benefits and purchase rewards. Cardholders can enjoy a Reward Night annual certificate after each account anniversary. For air travel, you’ll be happy to know that a Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck fee credit is also included.
Cardholders earn:
- Earn up to 26x points total per $1 when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 5x points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants
- 3x points per $1 spent on all other purchases
New IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card cardholders can earn 5 Free Nights after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Member FDIC
There’s a $99 annual fee.
Automatic Platinum Elite status lets you enjoy space-available room upgrades and extended checkout. To earn this status without the card, you need to stay at least 40 nights per year.
This IHG Rewards Premier Card review can show you how you might get the most value out of this card.
Gas Station Rewards
Road trips mean stopping at gas stations to fuel your car and keep the journey going. Many hotel and airline credit cards give you bonus points at gas stations. You can read more in our detailed post on the best gas credit cards.
Alternatively, flexible travel rewards credit cards, like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (mentioned above), earn at least 2x miles per $1 on all purchases, including gas.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Most families may appreciate The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express for buying gas, groceries, and other daily purchases.
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)
- 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% cash back on transit, including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
- 1% cash back on other purchases
Cash back comes in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com at checkout.
Plus, with their enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, cardholders who spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
The welcome bonus is the ability to earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express within the first 6 months. There is a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (See Rates & Fees).
Summary of the Best Card Rewards for Road Trips
Hopefully, this post narrowed down your picks for the best credit card rewards for road trips. It’s easy to find a rewards credit card that is a good fit for your road trip plans if you have an idea of what your spending will look like. You may want a card that’s perfect for travel and has flexibility. Other options are excellent at balancing your travel and at-home purchases.
FAQs
Which credit card is best for traveling?
The best credit card for traveling and road trips depends on what purchases you want to maximize. Here are some of the first cards to consider:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: Primary rental car insurance and primary rental car coverage
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn at least 2 miles per $1 on every purchase, redeem miles for travel statement credits and transfers to airlines or hotels
- Citi Double Cash: Get up to 2% cash back on all purchases, no annual fee
- The World of Hyatt Credit Card: Award nights start at 5,000 points per night and annual free night certificates
What is a travel statement credit?
A travel statement credit is redeeming credit card points for recent travel purchases (usually within the last 90 days). One card offering travel statement credits as a redemption option is the Capital One Venture.
Some of the qualifying travel purchases include:
- Plane tickets
- Hotels and vacation rentals
- Rental cars
- Camping
- RV rentals
Most credit card points have a 1 cent redemption value (1,000 points equals $10) when requesting travel statement credits.
Should I get a travel rewards credit card?
Getting credit card rewards on road trips is a great way to maximize your travel spending. A travel credit card can be a good option if you want to redeem your credit card points in these ways:
- Statement credits for recent travel purchases
- Book upcoming travel on the credit card travel portal
- Transfer points to airline and hotel partners
You might also consider getting a co-brand airline or hotel credit card to get special loyalty program benefits. For instance, you might get accelerated loyalty status, free hotel night certificates, or earn bonus points on qualifying travel purchases with that airline or hotel.
A cash rewards credit card can be better if you only travel sporadically and the travel credit card benefits are not worth the annual fee.
The best cash back credit cards–like the Citi Double Cash—earn up to 2% back on all purchases and don’t charge an annual fee. Tiered rewards credit cards earn up to 5% back on select purchase categories.
Related articles:
- Credit Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Best Credit Cards for Purchasing Flight Tickets
- Best Limited-Time Credit Card Offers
For rates and fees of The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
Johnny Jet has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Johnny Jet and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
