Travel Credit Cards: Growing Value to Loyal Travel Customers & Travel Companies
Let’s take a look at some of the very best travel credit cards in the USA for travelers.
For many decades, travelers have enjoyed earning free loyalty club points made at various participating businesses. The loyal points programs have since evolved with new participants.
And while the beneficiaries were primarily travelers, there are also benefits for travel companies to partner in these loyalty programs (e.g, Marriott). The travel credit cards from banks allow them to capture more of the travel spend in America and abroad.
CoBranding and Sales Boosting Promotions
For travel business owners and destination organizations, partnering with these companies can open whole new business channels with promotional and booking/revenue growth benefits. Rather than adopting your own reward program, you might piggyback on their program, and get a commission on your customer sales.
In return for benefits, you would promote these credit cards and encourage your customers to apply for those cards.
The credit card companies may offer a co-branding arrangement with your company.
Travel credit card co-branding partnerships are strategic agreements between credit card issuers and travel companies. These partnerships can benefit both the consumer and the company. There also conflicts and some risks in partnering with credit card companies so the topic deserves its own thorough investigation, so you might get the best value for your company.
Potential Benefits of Leveraging the Customer’s Trip Purchase
Some agencies act as the buyer of travel services, then use their own travel credit card to collect benefits.
- Credit Card Rewards & Cashback – If the agency books a flight, hotel, car rentals including auto insurance coverage using a rewards credit card, they can earn points, miles, or cashback on the total purchase, adding an extra revenue stream.
- Commission Stacking – The agency may earn commissions from suppliers (hotels, airlines, tours) while also benefiting from the credit card’s rewards.
- Cash Flow Control – Receiving full payment upfront allows the agency to manage cash flow better and potentially delay using its own funds.
Clearly, this can be a good extra revenue stream, sometimes reaching 20% of a booking (e.g., international airline flight).
Cobranding Advantages for Agencies
For small agencies and tour companies, these programs are a great way to give your brand a boost, draw their loyal users, and get some extra commissions. Larger travel companies may be eligible for cobranding partnerships.
Cobranding Partnership Benefits
- Rewards: Co-branded cards often offer rewards for purchases made with the associated business.
- Customer engagement: Co-branded cards can help increase customer engagement and loyalty.
- Brand differentiation: Co-branded cards can help brands stand out in a competitive market.
Why Should Travelers Get a Cobranded or Partner Provider’s Travel Credit Card?
Travel credit cards offer numerous benefits on a traveler’s booking including:
- Reward Points & Miles – Earn points or miles on purchases that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and more.
- Sign-Up Bonuses – Many cards offer significant bonus points when you meet a minimum spending requirement.
- Travel Perks – Enjoy free checked bags, priority boarding, and airport lounge access.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees – Save money on purchases made abroad.
- Travel Protections – Get trip cancellation insurance, rental car coverage, and more
Top 5 Travel Credit Cards in the USA
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Earning Rates: 5x points on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on other travel purchases.
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Why It’s Great: Flexible rewards, strong travel protections, and valuable transfer partners.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Earning Rates: 2x miles on all purchases.
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Why It’s Great: Simple earning structure, easy redemption, and no foreign transaction fees.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Sign-Up Bonus: 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months.
- Earning Rates: 5x points on flights booked directly or via Amex Travel, 5x on prepaid hotels.
- Annual Fee: $695.
- Why It’s Great: Best for luxury travelers with top-tier lounge access, hotel status, and premium perks.
- Citi Strata Premier® Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Earning Rates: 3x points on air travel, hotels, dining, supermarkets, and gas stations.
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Why It’s Great: High earning rates on everyday categories with solid travel rewards.
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: 25,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.
- Earning Rates: 1.5x points on all purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Why It’s Great: No annual fee, easy-to-use rewards, and solid travel protections.
There are more credit card programs possible other than the major US banks.
6. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 40,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
- Earning Rates: 2x miles on Delta purchases, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets; 1x mile on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0 introductory fee for the first year, then $99.
- Why It’s Great: Ideal for Delta flyers, offering priority boarding and a free checked bag.
7. United℠ Explorer Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
- Earning Rates: 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays; 1x mile on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0 introductory fee for the first year, then $95.
- Why It’s Great: Benefits include priority boarding, two United Club℠ one-time passes annually, and free checked bags.
8. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.
- Earning Rates: 12x points on Hilton purchases; 6x at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations; 3x on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Why It’s Great: Automatic Gold status and complimentary weekend night rewards.
9. Marriott Bonvoy — Boundless® Credit Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 100,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
- Earning Rates: 6x points at Marriott properties; 2x on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Why It’s Great: Free night award every anniversary and automatic Silver Elite status.
10. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 50,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.
- Earning Rates: 3x points on Southwest purchases; 2x on local transit and commuting, including rideshare; 1x on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $99.
- Why It’s Great: Ideal for Southwest travelers, offering 6,000 anniversary points and no foreign transaction fees.
Why Should Travel Businesses Work with Travel Credit Card Companies?
Travel agencies, hotels, airlines, and other travel businesses often have mutually beneficial relationships with travel credit card companies via partnerships, co-branded credit cards, rewards programs, and direct business incentives.
The word partner is paramount in this. When travelers can earn points from your travel business, they feel you’re more relevant and they get the free points they like.
- Access to High-Spending Travelers
- Travel credit cards attract affluent customers who prioritize travel and often spend more on premium services. Airlines, hotels, and agencies benefit from aligning with these customers.
- Co-Branded Credit Cards & Loyalty Programs
- Airlines and hotel chains often partner with banks to issue co-branded travel credit cards (e.g., Delta SkyMiles Amex, Marriott Bonvoy Chase). These cards encourage loyalty by offering exclusive perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and bonus points.
- Increased Bookings & Sales Incentives
- Travel businesses benefit when their services are included in travel credit card rewards programs, as cardholders are more likely to book with companies that help them earn or redeem points.
- Lower Transaction Costs & Favorable Processing Fees
- Some travel businesses negotiate lower merchant fees with banks in exchange for promoting their credit card partnerships.
- Marketing & Advertising Support
- Banks often co-market with travel brands, providing exposure in credit card promotions, digital ads, and direct mail campaigns.
There may be business conflicts due to a company’s own loyalty program, customer loyalty and revenue generation. It’s important to find a travel credit card company that offers great benefits while not conflicting with your own travel business and marketing programs.
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