I’ll be the first to admit… I am a spoiled traveler. I enjoy upgraded seats on flights, grabbing cocktails in the airport lounge and having breakfast included with my stay. When I learned I could get all of this just by having the right travel reward credit card, I was all in. You’ll be hard pressed to find me sitting with Gen Pop in the airport these days. In fact, I get annoyed when I find an airport that doesn’t have a decent lounge. Some might call it bougie. I call it traveling smart.
I remember the first time I tried to upgrade myself to business class on an international flight. I thought there was a system glitch when I learned it would be an extra $4000 to sit in business. Yikes! No Thank You! Then I learned about travel reward cards and my world changed.
Travel can be costly but there is a secret to getting the best deals that seasoned travelers aren’t telling you about: Travel Reward Cards. The right travel reward card saves money on flights, hotels and foreign transaction fees. Miles can help you secure upgrades and discounts on international flights. Have you ever wondered how some people fly business class for the price of an economy ticket or pay $0 in foreign transaction fees? They have the right travel reward card making it happen. Today, there are quite a few out there. And the cost to carry one can be down right ridiculous. But are they worth the fee? By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly which cards have the potential to deliver the best value for you.
Travel Reward Card vs Loyalty Credit Cards
First things first. Let’s breakdown the difference between a Travel Reward Card and a Loyalty Credit Card.
Travel Reward Card
Travel reward cards allow you to earn flexible points or miles that transfers to multiple airlines or hotel partners. They are ideal or travelers who fly different airlines or stay at various hotels. They typically provide other benefits and offer versatility for travelers who want to chase the best deals.
Examples: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum
Loyalty Card
Loyalty cards, as the name suggests, rewards you for being loyal to a particular brand. You earn points or miles with a single airline or hotel brand. Perfect if you want perks like free checked bags or elite status credit. If you value elite perks these cards are for you.
Examples: United Explorer Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, Delta Reserve
Now that you understand the difference, this post will only cover travel reward cards. We will look at loyalty cards in a different post.
Top Travel Reward Cards for International Travelers
Anyone who travels frequently understands that travel reward cards are non negotiable. And if your travel happens to be international, the right card is a must have. There are so many credit cards out there these days many offering some sort of incentive for the privilege of being your go to for all transactions. A few sign up bonus points is no longer enough to keep my interest and the best travel reward cards understand this. The right card should fit your lifestyle and travel goals to earn that coveted space in your wallet. So how do you choose? Below are the cards that frequent flyers and globe-trotters consistently rank as top performers for international use.
American Express Platinum Card®
My list will always start with American Express. Partially because I spent 8 years of my life working for this organization but mostly because it is a really solid travel reward card with a massive amount of benefits.
If you travel anywhere (international or domestic), the benefits that come with this card are pretty hard to beat. Premium lounge access and 5x points on flights and hotels.
For international travelers, the benefits of global lounge access through Priority Pass and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credits make for smoother travel through domestic airports.
Don’t get me started on the $600 Hotel credit, $200 Annual airline credit and the automatic status grants for partners like Marriott, Hilton and Hertz. With this card you never have to worry about foreign transaction fees or paying for car rental insurance. They even go as far as getting reservations at some pretty snazzy restaurants. It’s my go to for these and a host of other reasons. The card has a high annual fee but top-tier perks for frequent travelers.
In 2025, American Express announced that they would be raising the annual membership fee for my beloved card to a whopping $895. But they would also be upping the ante on the benefits. Check American Express Platinum Benefits for more details on the full suite of benefits. For frequent flyers who value comfort and perks over a lower annual fee, this card’s luxury benefits offset the annual cost.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® & Reserve Card
If I had to choose another card, my next choice would be Chase Sapphire. First because this company is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion but also because the Preferred card has a lower cost to entry. With a low annual fee (~$95) it is both high-value and flexible making it ideal for both beginners and seasoned travelers.
Cardholders earn 2x points on travel and dining. Points transfer 1:1 to over a dozen partners including United, Southwest, Hyatt, and Singapore Airlines.
Like many travel reward cards, this one comes with a pretty attractive sigh up bonus. Often 60,000+ points after meeting the minimum spend. That’s worth roughly $750 in travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. It’s at least good for one airline ticket to some of the coveted places in the world.
If you opt for the premium sibling the Reserve Card, it comes with more perks and a higher annual fee ($550), but serious payback for frequent flyers. This one offers 3× points on travel (after your $300 annual travel credit) and dining worldwide. It comes with complimentary Priority Pass Select membership for hundreds of lounges as well as trip delay/cancellation insurance and primary coverage on rental cars.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
If you travel more than a couple of times a year and love extra comfort along the way, the Venture X is built for you. This card offers a generous 10× miles on hotels and rental cars and 5× on flights booked through the Capital One Travel portal, plus 2× miles on everything else. That means every dinner, museum ticket, or rideshare abroad helps fund your next trip.
Even more appealing, cardholders receive up to $300 in statement credits each year if you book through Capital One Travel. Not to mention there is a 10,000 bonus miles every year (worth about $100 in travel).
If you love comfort, this card offers unlimited entry to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass locations for you and two guests. Perfect for long layovers or delayed flights when you want free snacks, drinks, and a quieter space. For international travelers, there are no foreign transaction fees for purchases made abroad.
The benefits of this card far outweigh the annual fee. If you book at least a few trips a year, the $300 annual travel credit plus the 10,000-mile anniversary bonus already cover most of the fee. Add in lounge access and premium protections, and the Venture X competes head-to-head with other high-end cards while remaining simpler to use. Travelers who value comfort and accelerated rewards will find it a top pick for global adventures.
Citi Strata Elite Card
The Strata Elite is Citi’s current premium offering. This one has one of the better earning programs that I’ve seen. You can earn ~12× points on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through the Citi Travel portal. That means your points accumulate fast getting you closer to free trips than any of the other programs.
It also includes passes to Admirals Clubs and Priority Pass lounges. With perks like Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit, no foreign transaction fees and solid trip delay/cancellation insurance, this one scores big for disruption-prone international travel.
If you fly internationally a couple of times per year, stay in hotels and value comfort on the road, this card pulls ahead.
My Perspective
I’ve only scratched the surface on the travel reward cards focusing primarily on those premium cards that offer the most value. With so many options to choose from you should ensure the card you choose truly fits your style. Focus on transferable points programs (like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards) for maximum flexibility. Look for travel protections such as trip delay coverage, rental car insurance and no foreign transaction fees the keep money in your pocket.
Use services like point.me to find the best redemption options for points and redeem them smartly. There is no value in having a lot of points that you never use. Make sure you find the best way to leverage them for maximum value.
If the card offers other premium benefits that save you money in the rest of your life, count that too. In the end, you want a card that provides the most value to balance out these high annual membership fees. The people that do it right always come out on the winning side. If you are still unclear, read my blog on How to Choose the Best Travel Reward Card to help you decide.
If you are unsure if you should carry cash or credit card when traveling, check out my Travel Tip that explores both in The Best Payment Strategy When Traveling Internationally. Then read The Best Souvenirs to Buy When Traveling for a few ideas of what to shop for when you are away.
FAQs About the Best Travel Reward Cards for International Travelers
What credit score do I need for most travel rewards cards?
Most top travel cards require a good to excellent credit score, typically 700 or higher, though some mid-tier cards accept slightly lower scores.
Do travel reward cards cover travel insurance?
Many premium travel cards include trip delay, trip cancellation, and rental car coverage automatically when you pay with the card.
Discover more from TwoBlackTravelers
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
