Travel rewards credit cards entice new cardholders with flashy welcome offers and waived annual fees during the first year. They can also help you beat rising travel costs due to inflation.
However, many premium rewards cards on the market also offer ongoing travel benefits. These perks include airport lounge access and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursem*nts, as well as annual statement credits toward travel purchases.
These can be especially useful for stays at boutique hotels that aren't part of a major loyalty program or even when using ride-hailing apps to get from your hotel back to the airport.
Credit card travel credits can vary from a flat $300 per year for a wide variety of travel purchases — as you get with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® — to up to $200 per calendar year as a statement credit specifically for non-ticket airline incidentals on your selected carrier with The Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment is required; terms apply).
In this guide, we'll walk through which credit cards have annual travel credits and how flexible they are for hotels, flights and everything in between.
Overview of cards with annual travel credits
Multiple credit cards offer annual travel credits, which can help offset portions of a trip where cash is required.
However, the rules for using these credits can vary by card. Let's look at the amount of credit you can receive on each card and its welcome bonus before exploring the details of what you can and can't use these credits for each year.
| Card | Annual travel credit | Welcome offer | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express® Gold Card | Up to $120 in Uber Cash for U.S. services (up to $10 Uber Cash each month) per calendar year. The card must be added in the Uber app to receive Uber Cash benefit. Enrollment is required; terms apply | 60,000 points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first six months of card membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases (up to $100) within the first six months of card membership. Terms apply; offer ends Nov. 6 | $325 (see rates and fees) |
| Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card | Up to $100 in annual statement credit for airline incidental fees | 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 90 days from account opening | $95 |
| Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card | Up to $300 in annual statement credit for airline incidental fees | 75,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 90 days from account opening | $550 |
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | Up to $200 in statement credits for incidentals on one selected airline per calendar year. Enrollment is required; terms apply | 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership | $695 (see rates and fees) |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | $300 in annual credits toward bookings made through Capital One Travel | 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | $395 (see rates and fees) |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Up to $300 credit for general travel | 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | $550 |
| Citi Prestige® Card | Up to $250 for general travel | No longer available to new applicants | $495 |
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | Up to $400 per calendar year (up to $200 semi-annually) on eligible purchases made with Hilton Resorts and up to $200 on flight purchases made directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (up to $50 per quarter) per calendar year. Enrollment is required; terms apply | 150,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership | $550 |
| The Platinum Card from American Express | Up to $200 in statement credits for airline incidentals and up to $200 in Uber Cash for U.S. services per calendar year (up to $15 each month January - November and up to $20 in December). The card must be added in the Uber app to receive Uber Cash benefit. Enrollment is required; terms apply | 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first six months of card membership (You may be targeted for a higher offer through the CardMatch tool; offer subject to change at any time) | $695 (see rates and fees) |
| Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card | Up to $300 in statement credits for airline incidentals | No longer available to new applicants | $450 |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card | Up to $325 for general travel and dining purchases | 50,000 points after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of account opening | $400 |
The information for the Premium Rewards Elite, Citi Prestige, Hilton Amex Aspire, Ritz-Carlton and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
American Express Gold Card
The Amex Gold is generally recommended for foodies, but it provides some useful travel benefits as well.
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Annual travel credit: Up to $120 in Uber Cash each calendar year — up to $10 monthly delivered in the form of Uber Cash that can be used on U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats purchases, making the credits exceptionally versatile. Enrollment is required; terms apply.
Current welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first six months of card membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases (up to $100) within the first six months of card membership. Offer ends 11/6.
You might be eligible for a higher targeted offer via the CardMatch tool; offers are subject to change anytime.
Annual fee: $325
Other benefits: Amex Gold cardmembers earn 4 points per dollar at restaurants (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2 points per dollar on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked through amextravel.com and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.
This card earns Membership Rewards points, which you can transfer to a total of 21 airline and hotel partners. As a cardmember, you can earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly (up to $120 in annual dining statement credits each calendar year) when you pay with the Amex Gold at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com and Five Guys. Enrollment is required; terms apply.
You can also earn up to $84 per calendar year (up to $7 per month) in statement credits for Dunkin' Donuts purchases in the U.S. and up to $100 per calendar year (up to $50 biannually) for purchases made at Resy-affiliated restaurants in the U.S. and on other eligible Resy purchases. Enrollment is required; terms apply.
To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Gold.
Apply here: American Express Gold Card
Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card
With the opportunity to earn elevated rewards if you're a member of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program, the Bank of America Premium Rewards can be a strong addition to a traveler's wallet.
Annual travel credit: Up to $100 in statement credits for airline incidentals like checked bags, seat selection or upgrades each year.
Current welcome offer: Receive 60,000 bonus points after spending at least $4,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $95
Other benefits: The Bank of America Premium Rewards card has a solid rate of return. Cardholders earn 2 points per dollar on travel and dining and 1.5 points per dollar on everything else.
You can boost your earnings from 25% to 75%, depending on how much you have in deposits with Bank of America and Merrill through the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program.
Points can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards and purchases through the Bank of America Travel Center or as a deposit to a Bank of America account at a rate of 1 cent apiece. The card waives foreign exchange fees and will reimburse cardholders for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee once every four years (up to $100).
To learn more, read our full review of the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card.
Apply here: Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Credit Card
Despite its hefty annual fee, the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite can be worth considering for anyone heavily invested in the Bank of America ecosystem.
Annual travel credit: Up to $300 in statement credits for airline incidentals like checked bags, seat selection or upgrades each year.
Current welcome offer: Receive 75,000 bonus points after spending at least $5,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $550
Other benefits: The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card mirrors the earning rates on the Premium Rewards card: 2 points per dollar on travel and dining and 1.5 points per dollar on everything else.
If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn an additional 25% to 75% bonus points on purchases, depending on how much you have in deposits with Bank of America and Merrill. Points can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards and purchases through the Bank of America Travel Center or as a deposit to a Bank of America account at a rate of 1 cent apiece.
Cardholders also receive a 20% discount when paying for airfare with points through the Travel Center and up to $100 in reimbursem*nt for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees once every four years.
Finally, cardholders can receive up to $150 in statement credits annually for eligible purchases, such as video streaming services, food delivery and ride-hailing services.
Related: The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
If you own a business with a high monthly expenditure, the Amex Business Platinum is a great card to consider.
Annual travel credit: Up to $200 in statement credits on airline incidental fees charged by the carrier on one select airline each calendar year.
Current welcome offer: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.
Annual fee: $695
Other benefits: The Amex Business Platinum offers similar benefits as the personal version and some great additional ones.
The card offers annual statement credits to cardmembers for business and travel expenses with companies like Dell, Adobe and Clear Plus every calendar year.
Cardmembers can earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
Cardmembers also receive a 35% rebate when redeeming points for airfare booked through Amex Travel (up to 1 million points per calendar year) on their selected qualifying airline or for business- or first-class tickets on any airline.
Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Business Platinum.
Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X is one of the best premium travel cards on the market right now.
Annual travel credit: $300 in annual credits for bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal.
Current welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $395 (see rates and fees)
Other benefits: The Capital One Venture X is a premium credit card that has garnered attention in the points and miles world. Cardholders earn 10 miles per dollar on hotel and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Capital One miles transfer to 15-plus airline and hotel loyalty programs, such as Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club and .
Other Venture X benefits include unlimited access to Capital One and Priority Pass lounges, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit, the ability to add a number of authorized users for free (and share those lounge benefits; see rates and fees), 10,000 bonus miles as an anniversary bonus every year and more.
To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Venture X.
Apply here: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the most popular credit cards we recommend here at TPG, and for good reason.
Annual travel credit: $300 annual travel credit as reimbursem*nt for a broad range of travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
This credit will apply automatically to the first $300 spent on travel, and purchases covered by this credit don't qualify for bonus points-earning rates.
Current welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $550
Other benefits: The Chase Sapphire Reserve is widely considered to be one of the best all-around travel rewards credit cards, thanks to its slate of chart-topping benefits.
In addition to that annual travel statement credit, cardholders earn 10 points per dollar on car rentals and hotels booked through Chase Travel℠, 10 points per dollar on Lyft rides (through March 2025), 5 points per dollar on flights booked through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on other travel and dining worldwide and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
Ultimate Rewards points transfer to 11 airline partners, including Southwest and Air Canada, and three hotel partners, including Hyatt, IHG and Marriott. Points may also be redeemed directly through Chase Travel for 1.5 cents apiece.
Cardholders can access Priority Pass lounges and be reimbursed up to $100 once every four years for a Nexus, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
Other benefits include a complimentary two-year Lyft Pink membership (when activated by Dec. 31), a complimentary DashPass from DoorDash (when activated by Dec. 31, 2027) and a range of travel protections.
To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Citi Prestige Card
Although the Citi Prestige is no longer open to new applicants, existing cardholders can take advantage of its travel benefits.
Annual travel credit: Up to $250 worth of annual travel statement credits each calendar year toward travel purchases, including airline tickets, hotel stays, car rentals, commuter transportation, subways, taxis, train tickets and more. This credit applies automatically.
Current welcome offer: The card is no longer available to new applicants.
Annual fee: $495
Other benefits: If you're a Citi Prestige cardholder, you earn an incredible 5 points per dollar at restaurants, on air travel and with travel agencies. Cardholders also earn 3 points per dollar at hotels and on cruise lines and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Citi ThankYou points transfer to 20 airline and hotel partner programs, including Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Wyndham Rewards.
As a cardholder, you can enter Priority Pass lounges and receive the fourth night free on up to two hotel stays per year when booking through Citi concierge or at ThankYou.com.
With this card, you won't pay foreign transaction fees, and you can receive Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursem*nt once every five years.
Learn more: Citi Prestige
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
The Hilton Amex Aspire is Hilton's top-of-the-line credit card. It offers a range of benefits for avid Hilton fans.
Annual travel credit: Up to $400 per calendar year (up to $200 semi-annually) on eligible purchases made with Hilton Resorts and up to $200 on flight purchases made directly with the airline or through Amex Travel per calendar year (up to $50 per quarter). Enrollment is required; terms apply.
Current welcome offer: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases on the card within the first three months of card membership.
Annual fee: $550
Other benefits: The Hilton Honors Aspire earns a whopping 14 points per dollar on Hilton purchases, 7 points per dollar on flights booked through Amex Travel or directly with airlines, on car rentals and at U.S. restaurants and 3 points per dollar on everything else.
The Hilton Amex Aspire offers automatic top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status and an annual free night reward. Cardmembers also get up to $100 in credits for qualifying charges at participating Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts when booking two-night-minimum stays by phone. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
Learn more: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire
The Platinum Card from American Express
Prospective cardmembers may raise their eyebrows at its annual fee, but the Amex Platinum comes with a wide range of benefits to justify its cost.
Annual travel credit: Up to a $200 statement credit on airline incidental fees with your preferred airline each calendar year. Unfortunately, airfare itself does not count per the terms. Cardmembers can also score up to $200 in annual Uber Cash every calendar year (for U.S. services, up to $15 per month Jan. - Nov. and up to $20 in Dec.) after adding their Card in the Uber app.
Current welcome offer: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first six months. You may be eligible for a higher targeted offer via the CardMatch tool; offers are subject to change at any time.
Annual fee: $695
Other benefits: The Amex Platinum Card has plenty of perks to justify its high annual fee. Cardmembers earn 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with an airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
This card earns Membership Rewards points, which you can transfer to a total of 21 airline and hotel partners. Cardmembers can also receive up to $200 in annual credits for certain hotel bookings every calendar year, an up to $199 reimbursem*nt for their annual Clear Plus membership fee each calendar year and a statement credit for a Global Entry ($100, every 4 years) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85, every 4½ years) application fee. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
The card gets you into Centurion Lounges and offers Priority Pass lounge access, plus Delta Sky Club access when you're on a same-day Delta flight (limited to 10 annual visits from Feb. 1, 2025). At hotels, enjoy value-added benefits when booking stays through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts plus Gold status with Hilton Honors and Gold Elite status with Marriott. Enrollment required for select benefits.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.
Apply here: The Platinum Card from American Express
Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card
Although the Ritz-Carlton card is no longer open to new applicants, it is possible to product-change to this card from one of Chase's Marriott Bonvoy cobranded cards.
Annual travel credit: Up to $300 in credits for airline lounge day passes or membership, airline seat upgrades, airline baggage fees, inflight Wi-Fi/entertainment or inflight meals. You will need to message Chase to manually request these credits.
Current welcome offer: No longer open to new applicants.
Annual fee: $450
Other benefits: The Ritz-Carlton Card offers more to travelers than just the $300 in annual travel credits. Additional benefits include an annual free night award worth up to 50,000 points, a Priority Pass Select membership and Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy.
Cardholders also can be reimbursed for their application fees for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years and receive a $100 hotel credit toward dining, spa treatments or other hotel recreational activities on paid stays of two nights or longer at Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis properties.
Related: Best Marriott credit cards
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card
The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve is an underrated premium travel card and a great choice for those who want to keep their wallet simple.
Annual travel credit: Up to $325 in statement credits per cardmember year for purchases made directly with airlines, hotels, car rental companies, taxis, limousines, passenger trains and cruise lines. It can also be applied to restaurants (plus takeout and delivery) and fast-food and bar purchases.
Current welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,500 within 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $400
Other benefits: U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa cardholders earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotel bookings and car rentals made through the Altitude Rewards Center, 3 points per dollar on travel and eligible mobile wallet purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
Cardholders can redeem points for 1.5 cents apiece on airfare, hotels and car rentals booked through the Altitude Rewards Center and for lower values for other purchases. If used mostly for travel, your rate of return is a considerable 4.5% on most purchases.
As a cardholder, you'll also enjoy eight Priority Pass passes for airport lounge access, reimbursem*nt for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four years and waived foreign transaction fees.
Learn more: U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card
Bottom line
Whether you prefer a travel rewards card that earns transferable points, a cobranded hotel card or a card that earns fixed-value points, some phenomenal options offer annual travel statement credits.
Picking one of them will ensure you continue to get value from your credit card long after you've earned its welcome bonus and paid its annual fee.
Related: 12 credit cards that can get you $1,000 or more in first-year value
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
