Writer: Brittney Mayer
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Ashley Fricker
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As one workday blends into the next, it can become hard not to feel sometimes as though your life has become a mediocre remake of the movie Groundhog Day — and you’re Bill Murray.
It’s at this point that you know it’s time to take a vacation. But whether you make a solo getaway or take the whole crew, vacations are budget busters at the best of times.
That’s where a little smart credit card use can come in remarkably handy. By using the right credit cards for your vacation expenses, you can earn your way to free flights and hotel stays, as well as save on everything from gas to theme park tickets. Read on for our picks for some of the best vacation credit cards available today, including cards for flexible travel, 0% APR, gas, hotels, airlines, amusement parks, and cruises.
Flexible Travel | 0% APR | Gas | Hotels | Airlines | Amusement Parks | Cruises
Best Vacation Credit Cards for Flexible Travel
When it comes to travel rewards credit cards, the more flexible your rewards are, the more value they often carry. And not just monetary value. If you want to take a last-minute trip, having a good stash of flexible travel points can be infinitely more valuable than branded miles with no availability.
To select a credit card with flexible travel rewards, consider how you’re most likely to use them. Some cards operate on simple credit redemptions, while others will allow you to transfer points to partner loyalty programs for greater value.
While nearly priceless in a pinch, flexible travel rewards are also great for year-round earning, too. If you use your favorite travel rewards credit card for your everyday expenses, you could wind up with a free vacation with some strategic redemption.
Best Vacation Credit Cards with 0% APR
Between signup bonuses and accelerated category spending, it can be fairly easy to earn enough credit card rewards to take a big chunk out of your vacation expenses — but what’s left can still be a hefty amount.
If you think you’ll need a little time to pay off your vacation, then a credit card with an introductory 0% APR offer may be the solution. With one of the better offers, you can have 12 months or more interest-free to pay down your purchases, making one less thing on your mind during your vacation.
Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
- Earn 20,000 bonus Points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months; after that, the variable APR will be 18.49% - 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- Earn 3 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent in an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice (Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons, or Pet Supply Stores). Choose your eligible Self-Select Category on Citi Online or by calling customer service. The default Self-Select Category is Select Streaming Services.
- Earn 5 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked on Citi Travel® via cititravel.com; earn 3 ThankYou Points for each $1 spent at Supermarkets, on Select Transit purchases, and at Gas & EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 2 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent at Restaurants; earn 1 ThankYou® Point for each $1 spent on All Other Purchases.
- No Annual Fee
Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.
Make sure you read the terms of your introductory offer carefully and understand the limitations. Some offers only apply to new purchases, while others may also include balance transfers. Credit card cash advances are always exempt from 0% APR offers, so think twice before making a withdrawal.
Best Vacation Credit Cards for Gas Rewards
If ever there were a quintessential family vacation, the summer road trip is likely it — or was, until sky-high gas prices made it a lot more expensive to pack up the car and hit the road.
Thankfully, a number of quality rewards credit cards offer bonus rewards for gas station purchases, making it more affordable to grab the family and take off on the Great American Road Trip.
Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year on purchases (then 1%). Also earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- Earn 3% cash back on transit, including U.S. gas stations, taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more. All other purchases earn 1% cash back.
- Card Members have access to purchase tickets® through Amex Presale Tickets® and Amex Reserved Tickets® to select can't-miss events and moments across sports, music, and more (while supplies last).
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR applies
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Although the card comes with an annual fee, spending more than $31 a week on groceries will earn enough rewards to more than make up for the fee.
Best Vacation Credit Cards for Hotel Rewards
As our home away from home, the hotel we stay at can have a big impact on how much we enjoy our vacation — which is likely why many travelers have at least one hotel brand they prefer over the alternatives.
For those who frequently stay with one hotel chain, co-branded hotel rewards credit cards can offer free nights, as well as perks like elite status and room upgrades.
10. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card is the new mid-tier card that resulted from the rebranding of the Marriott and Starwood programs after their merger. The card offers six points per dollar on Marriott purchase and two points on everything else.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent at eligible Marriott Bonvoy properties
- Earn 2X on all other purchases
- Pay $95 annual fee
Cardholders receive automatic Silver Elite Status with Marriott Bonvoy and can earn Gold Status by spending $35,000 on purchases each account year. Users can also enjoy free premium in-room wifi and an annual free night award after the account anniversary.
(Non-Monetized. The information related to Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card was collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates.com does not receive commission for this product/card.)
11. IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
The IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card offers all the usual perks of a midtier co-branded hotel card, including a high rewards rate for branded purchases and complimentary Platinum Elite status.
- Earn 10X points per $1 on IHG® hotel purchases made directly with IHG®
- Earn 2X points per $1 on gas, groceries, and dining
- Pay a $89 annual fee
This card also offers a number of other money-saving perks, like a free anniversary night each cardmember year and your fourth reward night free on rewards point stays of four nights or more.
(Non-Monetized. The information related to IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card was collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates.com does not receive commission for this product/card.)
12. Hilton Honors Ascend Card
The Hilton Honors Ascend Card has three bonus tiers, offering 12X Hilton Honors™ Bonus Points per dollar on Hilton Portfolio purchases, as well as 6X points per dollar at US restaurants, gas stations, and supermarkets. Plus, get 3X points per dollar on all other purchases.
- Earn 12X Hilton Honors™ Bonus Points per $1 for Hilton purchases
- Earn 6X Hilton Honors™ Bonus Points for purchases at US restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations
- Pay $95 annual fee
The benefits of the Hilton Honors Ascend Card also extend past its purchase rewards, with perks that include Hilton Gold status, 10 Priority Pass Select passes, and a weekend night award for spending at least $15,000 on your card in a calendar year.
Best Vacation Credit Cards for Airline Rewards
Although credit cards that earn flexible rewards points can be more versatile, co-branded airline credit cards can be a good way to earn piles of miles thanks to typically generous signup bonuses and decent purchase rewards.
Co-branded airline credit cards also tend to come with additional perks, including preferred boarding and free checked bags, making them a tempting choice for anyone with a favorite airline brand.
Additional Disclosure: (The information related to Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.)
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® not only provides bonus AAdvantage® miles per dollar for American Airlines purchases, but it provides the same bonus for restaurant and gas station purchases, as well.
In addition to AAdvantage® miles, cardholders can also receive perks like a free checked bag, priority boarding, and a discount on in-flight food and beverage purchases.
14. Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express
The Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express gives users a way to earn SkyMiles® without leaving the ground, offering 2X miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases, including flights, Sky Club® membership passes, and in-flight purchases.
- Earn 2X miles per dollar spent with Delta, 1X miles per dollar on all other purchases
- Get your first checked bag free on Delta flights
- Pay $0 annual fee the first year, $95 each year after
The card also offers perks beyond purchase rewards, offering a free checked bag on round-trip Delta flights, priority boarding, and in-flight discounts.
15. United MileagePlus® Explorer Card
The United MileagePlus® Explorer Card earns bonus miles for United purchases, as well as offering perks like a free checked bag and priority boarding.
- Earn 2X miles per $1 spent on airline tickets purchased from United, 1X on all other purchases
- Get your first checked bag free on United-operated flights
- Pay no annual fee the first year, then $95
The United MileagePlus® Explorer Card also comes with two United Club passes each year, allowing access to the exclusive United Club airport lounges.
(Non-Monetized. The information related to United MileagePlus® Explorer Card was collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates.com does not receive commission for this product/card.)
Best Vacation Credit Cards for Amusement Park Rewards
While there may be some travelers who are content to simply lounge poolside for the length of their trip, most of us like a little more activity during our vacations. And what better place to find a little vacation amusement than, say, an amusement park?
If you love a specific park, you can often find a credit card dedicated just to them, but your better pick may be a card that offers rewards on a wider range of entertainment options.
This card offers 3% cash back on both dining and entertainment, with the latter category including amusement parks and theme parks as well as other popular vacation activities.
17. Marvel Mastercard®
The Marvel Mastercard® may be designed for Marvel lovers, but nearly anyone can benefit from its 3% cash back category, which includes entertainment purchases like amusement park purchases, museum visits, and movie theater tickets.
- Earn 3% cash back on dining, select entertainment, and eligible Marvel merchandise purchases
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Pay no annual fee
Beyond the card’s inclusive purchase rewards, the Marvel Mastercard® also offers a host of perks for the Marvel devotee, including discounts and free shipping on MarvelShop.com purchases, as well as special discounts on Marvel Unlimited and Marvel digital comics.
18. Disney® Premier Visa® Card
While Chase offers two Disney co-branded cards, the Disney® Premier Visa® Card definitely provides the better rewards rate, providing 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most Disney locations, as well as unlimited 1% back on all other purchases.
- Earn 2% back in Disney Rewards Dollars for card purchases in select categories
- Save 10% on select Disney and Star Wars purchases
- Pay no annual fee
In addition to its purchase rewards, the Disney® Premier Visa® Card offers exclusive cardholder discounts, photo opportunities, and character experiences to help you make the most of your Disney vacation.
(Non-Monetized. The information related to Disney® Premier Visa® Card was collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates.com does not receive commission for this product/card.)
Best Vacation Credit Cards for Cruise Rewards
For some travelers, cruises are the best way to travel, not only offering a bevy of onboard entertainment options — and an unlimited buffet — but also providing a chance to explore multiple destinations during a single trip.
Given the thousands of vacationers who go crazy for cruises, it makes sense that most major cruise lines offer their own rewards credit card. These cards are best for those who are loyal to one cruise line, as each card’s rewards can only be used with its associated brand.
19. Norwegian Cruise Line® World Mastercard®
The Norwegian Cruise Line® World Mastercard® allows cardholders to earn WorldPoints® on every purchase. WorldPoints® can be redeemed for Norwegian Cruise Line® stateroom upgrades, travel discounts, onboard credits, and more.
- Earn 3X WorldPoints® rewards points for every $1 spent on Norwegian purchases
- Earn 1X WorldPoints® points per $1 on all other purchases
- Pay no annual fee
The card also comes with a juicy 10,000 bonus rewards points for those new cardholders who make a qualifying transaction within the first 90 days of opening their account.
20. Carnival® World Mastercard®
The Carnival® World Mastercard® earns FunPoints on every purchase, making it a simple way to save on your next trip with any World’s Leading Cruise Line family brand.
- Earn 2X FunPoints per $1 on Carnival and World’s Leading Cruise Lines purchases
- Earn 1X FunPoints per $1 on all other purchases
- Pay no annual fee
Cardholders will also earn 10,000 bonus FunPoints when they use their card for the first time, enough points to redeem for a $100 credit on your next qualifying cruise purchase.
21. Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature® credit card
The Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature® credit card earns MyCruise points on every purchase, which can be redeemed toward purchases with Celebrity Cruises, as well as its sister lines, Royal Caribbean® and Azamara Club Cruises®.
- Earn 2X MyCruise points for every $1 spent with Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean®, and Azamara Club Cruises®
- Earn 1X MyCruise points on all other purchases
- Pay $69 annual fee
Make your first qualifying transaction within 90 days of account opening to score a bonus 10,000 MyCruise points, which can be redeemed for a $100 onboard credit.
Make Your Dream Vacation a Reality
Sometimes life can feel a little repetitive. Sometimes life can feel a little repetitive.
That’s when it’s time to shake things up with a good vacation. You know, that one you daydream about when you put your day on autopilot.
If you’ve been using the right travel credit card to earn rewards all year, you likely already have the points and miles to make that dream come true. For everyone else, it’s not too late to start earning your way to a little adventure.
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Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.
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