Vacation Credit Card Guide: How to *Actually* Maximize Your Savings in

Ah, summer. Is there any sweeter word in the English language? Okay, maybe “beach” or “pina colada,” but you get the point. Summertime means vacation time. And vacation time means… stressing over how much you’re gonna spend? Nah, not this year!

This year, you’re gonna be a savvy traveler and rake in those credit card rewards like a boss. That’s right, we’re talking free flights, hotel upgrades, the whole shebang.

Whether you’re dreaming of a Eurotrip, a chill family vacay, or a quick weekend getaway, there’s a travel credit card out there with your name on it (figuratively, of course… unless you have a really cool name).

Best Credit Cards for Vacations (June )

Hold up! Before you dive headfirst into the world of travel rewards, let’s break down the top contenders for June . We’ve got the inside scoop on which cards will help you score major savings, no matter your travel style.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Keep It Simple, Stupid (in a Good Way)

Annual fee: $ninety-five

Welcome offer: Seventy-five thousand miles after spending $four thousand in three months

Rewards:

• Five times the miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Two times the miles on all other purchases

Recommended credit: Good to excellent

Why We Like It:

Let’s be real, nobody’s got time for complicated reward systems. This card gets straight to the point: earn miles, use miles. Easy peasy.

• Earning and redeeming is a breeze.
• You get a cool two times the miles on literally everything you buy. Groceries? Miles. That questionable online purchase you don’t want to talk about? Miles. You get the idea.
• Cash in those miles for flights, hotels, you name it. Or, if you’re feeling spontaneous, book through Capital One Travel and watch your miles go even further (we’re talkin’ a solid one cent per mile value).
• Oh, and did we mention the perks? Get ready for five times the miles on Capital One Travel bookings, access to fancy-pants Lifestyle Collection hotels, a $fifty experience credit, and up to $one hundred in TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credits. Because who wants to wait in line anyway?

American Express Gold Card: Earn Now, Travel Later (Like a Pro)

Annual fee: $two hundred fifty (see rates & fees)

Welcome offer: Sixty thousand points after spending $six thousand in six months

Rewards:

• Four times the points at restaurants worldwide (because who doesn’t love a good food coma on vacation?)
• Four times the points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $twenty-five thousand per year, then one time) – gotta stock up on those road trip snacks, am I right?
• Three times the points on flights booked directly or via Amex Travel
• One time the points on other purchases

Recommended credit: Good to excellent

Why We Like It:

This card is for the planners, the ones who are already dreaming of their next getaway while unpacking from the last one. You’ll be swimming in points just from your everyday spending, which means more travel moolah for you.

• Rack up serious points on dining and groceries – all that deliciousness adds up fast!
• Enjoy perks like up to $one hundred twenty annual Uber Cash (hello, airport rides!), up to $one hundred twenty in dining credits (more food coma!), and Hotel Collection benefits.
• You can use your points for travel (up to one cent per point value) or be a baller and transfer them to partner programs for potentially even more value.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Booking Travel Just Got a Whole Lot Easier (and Cheaper)

Annual fee: $ninety-five

Welcome offer: Sixty thousand points after spending $four thousand in three months

Rewards:

• Five times the points on travel booked through Chase Travel (excluding hotels covered by the $fifty credit) – talk about wanderlust on a budget!
• Three times the points on dining, online grocery purchases (excluding certain stores – gotta read the fine print, folks!), and select streaming services (binge-watching on vacation? Don’t mind if I do!)
• Two times the points on other travel
• One time the points on other purchases

Recommended credit: Good to excellent

Why We Like It:

This card is like the Swiss Army knife of travel rewards. It covers all your bases, from flights and hotels to those all-important meals and entertainment expenses.

• Enjoy a diverse range of reward categories – dining, streaming, travel, oh my!
• Redeem your points for serious value through Chase Travel (up to one point two five cents per point! That’s some next-level math right there).
• Score perks like up to $fifty in annual hotel credit, travel protections (because nobody likes a vacation disaster), the ability to transfer points to partner programs, and additional benefits from Chase partners.

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Foodies and Thrill-Seekers, This One’s for You

Annual fee: $zero (That’s right, zilch!)

Welcome offer: $two hundred after spending $five hundred in three months (Hello, vacation fund!)

Rewards:

• Five percent cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Three percent cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming, and grocery stores – basically everything fun!
• One percent cash back on all other purchases

Recommended credit: Good to excellent

Why We Like It:

Listen up, all you foodies and adrenaline junkies! This card is your new best friend. It’s all about maximizing those cash back rewards on the things that make vacationing so darn enjoyable.

• Get ready for some sweet, sweet cash back on all those travel must-haves: dining out (because who wants to cook on vacation?), entertainment (shows, amusement parks, bring it on!), and even those essential grocery runs (gotta have snacks!).
• Enjoy a zero percent intro APR for fifteen months on purchases and balance transfers – more money for souvenirs!
• And because no vacation is complete without a few rideshares, you’ll also get Uber benefits like ten percent back on Uber rides and Eats, plus a complimentary Uber One membership (score!).

Wells Fargo Autograph Card: Road Trip Warriors, Start Your Engines

Annual fee: $zero (Yep, you read that right!)

Welcome offer: Twenty thousand points after spending $one thousand in three months

Rewards:

• Three times the points on restaurants, gas, EV charging, travel, transit, streaming, phone plans – basically your entire road trip itinerary covered!
• One time the points on all other purchases

Why We Like It:

Calling all road trippers! This no-annual-fee card is your ticket to savings on gas, snacks, and all those unexpected pit stops along the way.

• Fuel up your rewards with three times the points on gas, dining, and transit – because road trips are fueled by caffeine and good eats.
• Enjoy a zero percent intro APR for twelve months on purchases – your wallet will thank you later.
• Redeem your points for all sorts of goodies, like travel, statement credits, deposits, or gift cards.

Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card: Keepin’ It Simple (and Rewarding)

Annual fee: $ninety-five

Welcome offer: Sixty thousand points after spending $four thousand in ninety days

Rewards:

• Two times the points on travel and dining – because vacations are all about exploring and indulging!
• One point five times the points on all other purchases

Why We Like It:

Sometimes, simplicity is key. This card keeps it straightforward with a flat-rate rewards structure that’s easy to understand (and even easier to maximize!).

• Enjoy a clean and simple rewards program – no need for a spreadsheet to figure out your earnings!
• Take your rewards game to the next level with the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program – think even more points and perks!
• Enjoy sweet annual travel credits: up to $one hundred for pesky airline incidentals (looking at you, baggage fees!) and up to $one hundred for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry (every four years). Who doesn’t love breezing through security?
• Redeem your points for practical stuff like statement credits, gift cards, or deposits. Or, treat yourself to something fun with travel through the Bank of America Travel Center.