If you’ve ever wondered how people afford to travel more, a big part of it comes down to using the right credit cards strategically. This page is a breakdown of the cards I personally use (and recommend) to earn points, save money, and make travel more accessible.
I focus on cards that are realistic for everyday spending, not ones that require huge budgets or complicated strategies. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up your travel game, these are the cards that actually help me travel more for less. Here are my credit card recommendations.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Benefits
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of the best beginner-friendly cards because of its simple, flexible rewards structure. You’ll earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, plus higher rates on categories like dining and drugstores. It also often comes with a low minimum spend welcome bonus, making it easier to earn points without spending a lot.
Another huge benefit is that the rewards can become more valuable when paired with a premium Chase card like Sapphire Preferred, allowing you to transfer points to travel partners.
Who This Card Is Good For
This card is perfect for:
- Beginners just getting into travel rewards
- People with lower spending who can’t hit high minimum spends
- Anyone who wants a simple “everyday spending” card
- Travelers planning to build a Chase setup long-term
👉 This is a great “foundation card” for travel hacking.
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Benefits
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is one of the most popular travel credit cards because it unlocks the full power of Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You can transfer points to airline and hotel partners or redeem them for boosted value through the Chase travel portal.
It also includes solid travel protections like trip delay insurance, rental car coverage, and no foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for international travel.
Who This Card Is Good For
This card is best for:
- Travelers who want to book flights and hotels with points
- People ready to move beyond beginner cards
- Anyone pairing it with Freedom Unlimited for max value
- Budget travelers who still want premium perks
👉 This is your “entry-level premium” travel card.
Apply for Chase Sapphire Preferred Here
If you decide this card is a good fit for your travel goals, you can apply using my referral link. I may earn a commission if you’re approved at no extra cost to you. This helps support my blog and allows me to keep sharing free travel tips.
American Express® Green Card
Benefits
The Amex Green Card earns 3x points on travel, transit, and dining, which makes it really strong for everyday travel spending like flights, Ubers, trains, and restaurants.
Points are part of Membership Rewards, which can be transferred to airline and hotel partners for high-value redemptions.
It also includes travel-focused perks like CLEAR® credits and other travel benefits (depending on current offers).
Who This Card Is Good For
This card is ideal for:
- Frequent travelers using public transportation or rideshares
- People who spend heavily on dining and travel
- Those who want flexible Amex points without a super high annual fee
👉 Great for “everyday travel lifestyle” spending.
Apply for Amex Green Card Here
If you decide this card is a good fit for your travel goals, you can apply using my referral link. I may earn a commission if you’re approved at no extra cost to you. This helps support my blog and allows me to keep sharing free travel tips.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Benefits
This card is all about making flying with Delta easier and cheaper. Key perks include:
- Free first checked bag on Delta flights
- Priority boarding
- Discounts when booking flights with miles (TakeOff 15)
These perks alone can easily offset the annual fee if you fly Delta even a few times a year (as commonly noted by users and reviews).
Who This Card Is Good For
This card is best for:
- People who fly Delta regularly
- Travelers who want to save money on baggage fees
- Occasional travelers who want airline perks without a premium fee
👉 This is a “loyalty card” only worth it if you fly Delta.
Apply for Delta Gold Here
If you decide this card is a good fit for your travel goals, you can apply using my referral link. I may earn a commission if you’re approved at no extra cost to you. This helps support my blog and allows me to keep sharing free travel tips.
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Benefits
This is a great no-annual-fee hotel card that earns:
- 7x points on Hilton stays
- Bonus points on dining, groceries, and gas
- Automatic Hilton Honors Silver status
It also typically comes with a strong welcome bonus and sometimes even a free night reward depending on the offer.
Who This Card Is Good For
This card is perfect for:
- Travelers who stay at Hilton properties
- Beginners who want a no annual fee travel card
- People who want hotel perks without committing to a premium card
👉 Great for building hotel loyalty on a budget.
Apply for Hilton Honors Here
If you decide this card is a good fit for your travel goals, you can apply using my referral link. I may earn a commission if you’re approved at no extra cost to you. This helps support my blog and allows me to keep sharing free travel tips.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Card for You
At the end of the day, the best travel credit card is the one that fits your lifestyle, spending habits, and travel goals, not just the one with the biggest bonus.
If you’re just getting started, a simple, flexible card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great foundation. From there, you can level up with a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® to unlock more value from your points and actually start booking travel.
I love sharing what’s in my wallet and my credit card recommendations to help yiu decide which cards are right for you.
The key is to start simple, build your setup over time, and focus on cards that match your real spending, not an unrealistic version of it.
If any of these cards feel like a good fit for you, you can apply using my links below. I may earn a small commission if you’re approved (at no extra cost to you), which helps support my blog and allows me to keep sharing free travel tips and strategies.