Are you planning a trip to Vietnam and wondering what the best travel rewards card is? The best travel rewards card is one that offers flexible redemption options, valuable perks, and rewards on everyday spending, especially for international adventures with SIXT.VN’s reliable travel and transportation services.
1. Understanding Travel Rewards Cards
Travel rewards cards aren’t just for globe-trotters. Whether you fly once a year or dream of checking off numerous destinations on your bucket list, these cards can offer deep discounts and valuable perks. The secret lies in choosing the right card that matches your budget, spending habits, and travel preferences.
2. Top Travel Credit Cards for 2024-2025
Here are some of the best travel credit cards available, catering to various needs and travel styles, perfect for planning your trip to Vietnam with SIXT.VN:
2.1. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best Overall
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first cardholder year.
- Rewards Rate:
- 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on all other purchases
- Benefits:
- Up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fees
- Receive a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and early check-in at eligible hotels
- Access Hertz’s Five Star membership tier
Why we like it: The Capital One Venture card is great for earning and redeeming miles, no matter how you like to travel. The simple 2x miles on every purchase help you earn towards future trips. Redemptions are far-reaching: book future trips through Capital One Travel, reimburse yourself for travel purchases, or transfer miles to Capital One’s travel partners. When planning your travel to Vietnam, this card will help ensure you get to experience the trip of a lifetime.
2.2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best Redemption Value
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Rewards Rate:
- 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
- 2x points on all other travel purchases
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Benefits:
- Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises through Chase Travel
- Earn up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel
- Earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year
Why we like it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has a solid welcome offer and rewards on travel and everyday categories. Points redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠ get a 25% boost.
2.3. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best Premium Travel Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $395
- Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
- Rewards Rate:
- 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on all other purchases
- Benefits:
- $300 annual credit for travel bookings through Capital One Travel
- 10,000 annual bonus miles (worth $100 in travel spending)
- Unlimited access for you and two guests to Capital One Lounges and 1,300+ more lounges through partner networks
Why we like it: This card has perks and rewards, and offers a relatively lower annual fee. You’ll get a $300 annual travel credit for bookings with Capital One Travel; 10,000 bonus miles each year after your first anniversary; a credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees; access to Capital One Lounges and partner lounge networks; a $100 experience credit when you book stays with the Premier Collection; Hertz President’s Circle status; and more.
2.4. American Express® Gold Card: Best for Everyday Rewards
American Express® Gold Card
- Annual Fee: $250
- Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months
- Rewards Rate:
- 4x Membership Rewards Points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)
- 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)
- 3x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com
- 2x Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com
- 1x Membership Rewards points on all other eligible purchases
- Benefits:
- Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month when you pay with your American Express Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Milk Bar (enrollment required)
- Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash ($10 monthly)
Why we like it: You might not expect a travel credit card to offer some of the best rewards on your most frequent budget items, but the American Express Gold Card does just that. With 4x points at restaurants worldwide and 4x points at U.S. supermarkets, it’s easy to earn rewards on your year-round food spending to put toward an upcoming trip.
2.5. U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card: Best for No Annual Fee
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
- Annual Fee: $0
- Welcome Offer: Earn 20,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
- Rewards Rate:
- 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center
- 4x points on travel 4x points at gas stations/EV charging stations (on your first $1,000 each quarter)
- 2x points on dining, streaming services, and at grocery stores
- 1x points on all other eligible purchases
- Benefits:
- No foreign transaction fees
- Up to $100 in statement credits toward your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee once every four years
- Complimentary Priority Pass™ Select Membership for 4 free visits to over 1,600 airport lounges and experiences
Why we like it: The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect may be a no annual fee card, but the rewards and perks it offers can bring just as much value as more costly options.
2.6. Citi Strata Premier℠ Card: Best Range of Rewards Categories
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
- Rewards Rate:
- 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions (booked through CitiTravel.com)
- 3x points on air travel and other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Benefits:
- Enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more when booked through CitiTravel.com
- No foreign transaction fees
- Transfer ThankYou® Points to participating airline loyalty programs
Why we like it: The Citi Strata Premier card is another travel card with a straightforward rewards structure but plenty of potential value. Earning rewards is simple — get 10x points when you book hotels, rental cars, and attractions through CitiTravel.com and 3x points across other hotel purchases, air travel, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
2.7. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: Best Potential Rewards Boost
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 online bonus points after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days
- Rewards Rate:
- 2x points on travel and dining purchases
- 1.5x points on all other purchases
- Benefits:
- Up to $100 in annual statement credits for incidental airline fees
- Bank of America Preferred Rewards® members can earn up to 75% more points on every purchase
- Use your card anywhere without incurring foreign transaction fees
Why we like it: The Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card works a bit like a flat rewards card — with a boost. You’ll earn 2x points on travel and dining with an unlimited 1.5x on everything else.
3. Other Travel Credit Cards to Consider
3.1. Airline Credit Cards
If you prefer flying with a certain airline, a co-branded travel card might be more rewarding.
3.1.1. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Welcome Offer: Get Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees) and 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within the first 90 days
- Rewards Rate:
- 3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases
- 2x miles for gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services, and local transit purchases
- 1x miles on everything else
- Benefits:
- Free checked bag and priority boarding when flying on Alaska Airlines
- $99 Companion Fare each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more
- 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases
3.1.2. Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®
Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®
- Annual Fee: $99
- Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 bonus HawaiianMiles after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 90 days
- Rewards Rate:
- 3x miles on eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases
- 2x miles on gas, dining, and eligible grocery store purchases
- 1x miles on all other purchases
- Benefits:
- Two free checked bags on eligible flights
- One-time 50% off companion discount for roundtrip travel between Hawaii and North America
- $100 companion discount annually for roundtrip travel between Hawaii and North America
3.1.3. The New United Quest℠ Card
The New United Quest℠ Card
- Annual Fee: $250
- Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
- Rewards Rate:
- 3x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining, select streaming services, and all other travel
- 1x miles on all other purchases
- Benefits:
- Free first and second checked bags + priority boarding
- Receive a $125 United® travel credit and 5,000-mile award flight discount on each account anniversary
3.2. Hotel Credit Cards
3.2.1. IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $99
- Welcome Offer: Earn 140,000 points after spending $3,000 in first 3 months
- Rewards Rate:
- 26x points at IHG hotels and resorts
- 5x points on travel, dining, and at gas stations
- 3x points on all other purchases
- Benefits:
- Earn a free night on each account anniversary
- Receive Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS statement credit of up to $100 every 4 years
- Access perks including free upgrades, welcome amenities, and guaranteed room availability
3.2.2. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Welcome Offer: Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
- Rewards Rate:
- Up to 17x points at Marriott
- 3x points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
- 2x points on all other purchases
- Benefits:
- Earn a Free Night Award every year after your account anniversary
- Get automatic Marriott Bonvoy® Silver Elite Status
3.2.3. World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $199
- Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
- Rewards Rate:
- Up to 9x total points at Hyatt
- 2x points on your top three spend categories* each quarter
- 1x point on all other purchases
- Benefits:
- Spend $50 or more at any Hyatt property and earn $50 in statement credits up to two times per year
- World of Hyatt Discoverist status for you and up to 5 employees for as long as your account is open
- Get 5 Tier-Qualifying night credits toward status and Milestone rewards for every $10,000 you spend in a calendar year
4. How Do Travel Credit Cards Work?
Travel credit cards offer points and miles rewards on your spending, which you can use toward travel-related redemptions, such as flights, hotel stays, and car rentals. Many travel cards also provide travel benefits and perks, which could include airport lounge access, annual travel or airline credits, companion airfare, or elite status with an airline or hotel loyalty program.
5. Is a Travel Card Worth It?
Travel credit cards are worth it if you get enough value from the card’s benefits and rewards to outweigh any potential costs, such as an annual fee. Even if you travel only once or twice per year, you can accumulate points throughout the year to offset your airfare and hotel costs when you do go on a trip.
6. Types of Travel Credit Cards
6.1. General Travel Rewards Cards
With a general travel credit card, you’ll have flexible redemption options when you’re ready to redeem your points and miles. Some general travel credit cards include:
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- American Express® Gold Card
The flexibility of general travel cards means you can travel with any number of different airlines or hotel brands and get the best value.
6.2. Airline and Hotel Credit Cards
Airline and hotel credit cards are typically co-branded between the card issuer and the airline or hotel chain. Examples include:
- Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card
- United Quest Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
These cards are best suited for travelers who prefer to fly with a specific airline or stay at a certain hotel chain.
7. What to Look for in a Travel Credit Card
7.1. Annual Fee
You can find solid no annual fee options or premium travel cards with steep fees. The most important thing is whether you can get enough out of the rewards and benefits to outweigh the cost.
7.2. Sign-Up Bonus
For new cardholders, a sign-up bonus can offer first-year value. Be careful not to take on debt to meet the spending threshold.
7.3. Rewards
You’ll either earn rewards on your everyday spending to redeem toward future travel, or earn rewards on your travel spending to put toward future travel.
7.4. Travel Perks and Benefits
These can help you offset the annual fee and save money each time you travel.
7.5. Travel Insurance and Protections
Travel credit cards can offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance, car rental insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and more.
8. Travel Credit Cards Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
8.1. Should I Open a Travel Credit Card?
Travel rewards credit cards can make a great addition to your wallet, even if you only travel a few times per year.
8.2. Which Credit Card Is Best for Travel?
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great place to start.
8.3. Which Card Is Better for International Travel?
Look for credit cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees.
8.4. Which Travel Credit Card Is the Most Elite?
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is our top pick.
9. How SIXT.VN Enhances Your Vietnam Travel Experience
When planning a trip to Vietnam, SIXT.VN offers an array of services to make your journey seamless and enjoyable:
- Consultation for Travel Itineraries: Personalized travel plans tailored to your preferences and schedule.
- Airport Transfer Services: Safe and convenient airport pick-up and drop-off services.
- Hotel Booking Assistance: A variety of hotel options to suit your budget and location preferences.
- Tickets to Famous Landmarks: Assistance with booking tickets to popular attractions in Hanoi and surrounding areas.
- Flight Booking Services: Support in finding the best flight deals and suitable itineraries.
- Professional Hanoi Tour Packages: Expertly curated tour packages to explore Hanoi and its nearby regions.
10. Call to Action
Ready to plan your dream trip to Vietnam? Visit SIXT.VN today to explore our comprehensive travel services and book your personalized adventure. Let us handle the details, so you can focus on creating unforgettable memories.
Address: 260 Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hotline/Whatsapp: +84 986 244 358
Website: SIXT.VN
Choosing the right travel rewards card can significantly enhance your travel experience, especially when combined with the convenience and reliability of SIXT.VN’s services in Vietnam. Start planning your adventure today!
